Chapter 115: Extra: About the Throne 6

Chapter 115: Extra - Regarding the Throne (6)

The next day.

Su Zheng stirred upon waking, feeling himself held tightly by a pair of strong arms. A familiar, teasingly warm breath whispered in his ear: "You awake, big brother? Head hurt?"

Su Zheng shook his head. "I'm all right. What time is it?"

Luo Yunchen gently bit Su Zheng's earlobe and instead of answering, asked back: "So, big brother, do you remember what you said last night?"

"Mm..." Su Zheng lifted his eyelids and thought for a moment. There really were some vague memories, incomplete, but still some impression: "Uh, carefree... wandering the mountains and rivers... something like that?"

Luo Yunchen smiled, didn't press further, just said: "Is big brother really looking forward to this? Just the two of us, wandering the mountains and rivers?"

"Of course, I'm really looking forward to it! Think about it, the world is so vast, there are so many beautiful mountains and waters and scenery, what a shame to miss them. There are countless types of delicious food in the world, how sad to never taste them all. We'll be together for a lifetime, but if we only stay in this tiny palace for a lifetime, the only traces we'll leave are in this tiny palace. What a waste. What do you think? Would you be willing to give up power and status and just be an ordinary carefree couple with me?"

"I'm willing. Wherever big brother is, I'll be there. And I'm looking forward to it all, just like you said!"

Su Zheng also smiled, a radiant smile. He reached out and gently stroked Luo Yunchen's ear, admiring his little cub's peerlessly beautiful face so close, his clear, tender brows and eyes rippling with smiles. He said: "Then it's settled."

In Luo Yunchen's eyes, there was only Su Zheng's bright and sparkling reflection, deep, passionate affection.

He slowly leaned down, gently touching those soft and rosy lips, tightened his arms to hold Su Zheng even closer, gently brushed his lips, exploring with tongue and teeth...

Su Zheng closed his eyes, unconsciously wrapping his arms around Luo Yunchen's waist, slightly lifting his chin, parting his lips to welcome him...

***

The Jiang Ming case moved quickly. The case itself was not complicated; just needed some guts and cunning to crack.

Luo Yan was Luo Yunchen's man. He acted according to the rules, had troops when needed and people when needed, didn't need to kiss up to anyone.

The Minister of Justice, promoted by Su Zheng and Luo Yunchen, was not only loyal, but his nature was also upright and not afraid of powerful forces.

The Grand Tutor was the emperor's teacher, learned and wise, with a clear mind, and his authority kept everyone in line.

Jiang Ming was protected by Xu Mo, so no one could threaten, bribe, or assassinate him.

Working together, in just a few days, the case was verified.

After Su Zheng and Luo Yunchen finished reviewing the whole case and the testimony, he asked the system to look into one thing.

To see if this so-called Grand Princess had an imperial pardon or some get-out-of-jail-free card.

The system confirmed she did! From his so-called foolish emperor father!

Su Zheng's eyes narrowed. He had worked so hard to catch people, and now he had to watch them swagger away?!

Just thinking about it, Su Zheng gritted his teeth, furious!

Luo Yunchen immediately sensed Su Zheng's mood. He pressed Su Zheng's cheek to stop him from clenching his teeth and asked in confusion: "What's wrong, big brother? Who are you angry at?"

Su Zheng looked at Luo Yunchen for a moment, put a hand on his shoulder, and asked: "A Chen, can you freely enter and leave the Fuma Duwei's residence without being detected?"

Luo Yunchen barely raised an eyebrow, smiled, and asked back: "What does big brother want to do?"

Su Zheng saw Luo Yunchen's smile and raised an eyebrow in return. His irritation vanished.

That smile clearly meant "no problem at all."

His little cub was so capable; he should be over the moon!

Su Zheng leaned close to Luo Yunchen's ear and whispered a few words to him.

After hearing this, Luo Yunchen showed no extra expression, just nodded to Su Zheng in agreement and told him to wait for good news.

***

At the morning grand court.

Zhou Qin had already been escorted outside the hall.

Su Zheng had the Grand Tutor read out the case details, testimony, and Zhou Qin's confession.

Zhou Qin had the indulgence and support of Grand Princess Gui'an, and his outrageous acts went far beyond this one.

A eunuch entered the hall and reported: "Your Majesty, Grand Princess Gui'an requests an audience."

Su Zheng sneered. Grand Princess Gui'an had previously requested an audience once, but he had refused her. She hadn't pestered, left without a fuss, and never came to see him again.

Today she directly barged into the grand court assembly to request an audience, which showed she was now anxious.

As for why she wasn't anxious before but suddenly was today, Su Zheng laughed inwardly: she lost her get-out-of-jail-free card.

His little cub pulled it off! Awesome!

Su Zheng subconsciously glanced at Luo Yunchen.

It was unclear if Luo Yunchen had been watching him all along or just happened to look up and meet his gaze.

As if understanding what Su Zheng was thinking, Luo Yunchen gave Su Zheng a sweet smile.

The expression on Su Zheng's face visibly brightened, and even when giving orders to the eunuch, he spoke calmly and unhurriedly: "Why still see her? Grand Princess Gui'an, as a member of the royal bloodline, fails to set a good example, flouts the law, and shows no regard for human life. The evidence is conclusive. Since she came herself, it saves trouble. Arrest her and her son, throw them in the imperial prison, and prepare for execution."

Su Zheng spoke in a calm tone, but his words hit the ministers like thunder.

Although the courtiers were astonished that the emperor, so young, handled matters so decisively without any hesitation, their reactions were mixed.

Some were admiring, some were gratified, and some felt a chilling fear of losing their own protection.

Several ministers exchanged glances instinctively and stepped forward one after another, wanting to plead for Grand Princess Gui'an to ask for leniency.

Before they could finish, Su Zheng waved his hand and said: "I won't waste words. I'll just ask you this: do you have daughters, nieces, or sisters at home? Is your mother still alive? If Zhou Qin had abducted and killed your niece or daughter, and Grand Princess Gui'an had bullied and beaten your mother to death, I ask you: would you still be willing to plead for them? If you still are, then I think you'd better not be officials anymore. First, pack your things and go home to learn how to be decent people."

The ministers were as if strangled, their faces red, speechless.

Su Zheng continued to issue an edict: "If a child is not taught, it is the father's fault. Although Zhou Huaimu did not directly violate the law, he's guilty of covering up. Dismiss him from his post, give him ten strokes of the cane as a warning."

Once the order was executed, Su Zheng swept his gaze over the ministers again and said earnestly: "Ministers, you must keep these ten strokes in mind. Go back and discipline your own nephews well. Being a lazy good-for-nothing is one thing, but if they cross the line and break the law, don't blame me for not showing any leniency!"

"Your ministers will bear this in mind!"

The eunuch announced loudly: "If there are matters, present them; if not, the court is dismissed!"

The ministers were still digesting this, so for a while no one submitted any memorials.

Su Zheng seemed to remember something else and said: "Oh, there is one more thing I want to mention."