Chapter 42

Chapter 42

As soon as Xiao Yan appeared, the hall fell into a long silence, especially among the officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. The officials who had previously been arguing arrogantly with the Court of Judicial Review suddenly quieted down, except for Xiao Lao, who looked at Xiao Yan, his fingertips on the armrest turning pale.

No one present had expected this person to show up. The Xiao family had many members in the Censorate—a precedent set during the previous emperor’s reign. Years ago, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate had passed away, and now the three highest-ranking officials in the Censorate were all from the Xiao family. Among them, the youngest was this Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, Lord Xiao Yan.

They looked at the Sixth Prince, whose eyes held a hint of confusion. "You are?"

"I am the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, serving in the Censorate," Xiao Yan explained.

Ying Fusheng suddenly understood. "So, another Lord Xiao."

The word "another" was used cleverly, but upon hearing it, Xiao Lao’s face darkened.

"I heard there was a meeting of the Three Judicial Offices today, so I came specifically," Xiao Yan said without pleasantries. He turned and gestured for the officials behind him to come forward, presenting a dossier. "Since Your Highness is here, please take a look first. It concerns Chen Yuanli."

Ying Fusheng glanced at Shen Yunfei, who stepped forward to take the dossier. "Your Highness."

"Perhaps you could read it aloud, since so many esteemed officials are present," Ying Fusheng said, looking at Xiao Yan. "Don’t you think so, Lord Xiao?"

Xiao Yan nodded. "Your Highness may decide."

At these words, a murmur rippled within the hall.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lao nearly stood up to stop him.

But Shen Yunfei’s voice boomed. Before any other official could intervene, he read it out in its entirety—

The dossier recorded in detail the case of Chen Yuanli’s suicide, even more thoroughly than the one the Court of Judicial Review had submitted to the Censorate. It was clearly the result of a reinvestigation and reorganization of the case. The process was similar to what Xiao Lao had described, except for the matter of the gift. This dossier went into greater detail: Xiao Lao claimed that Chen Yuanli had sent poison to himself through a family gift, while Xiao Yan’s account stated that the gift pastries were made by a local restaurant and then delivered to the Chen family.

Earlier in this court, there had been several rounds of debate over the dossier. Many officials from the Court of Judicial Review, seeing Xiao Yan arrive and then reviewing the dossier he brought, immediately understood something. This newly arrived Censor had come specifically to deliver a related dossier, one that agreed on the matter of the gift. Wasn’t this just to rescue Xiao Lao from his predicament?

Ying Fusheng’s eyes flickered. Xiao Yan had not taken a seat the entire time; he stood straight and unflinching, unfazed by the criticisms from the other officials. Observing this, Ying Fusheng turned to the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. "Vice Minister?"

The Vice Minister took the dossier and examined it carefully. It matched exactly what Shen Yunfei had read.

He reflected for a moment, then said, "Lord Xiao, are you certain the pastries were made by the restaurant?"

"Everything I have investigated is recorded in the dossier," Xiao Yan replied.

Seeing the Vice Minister remain silent, Ying Fusheng took the initiative to ask, "Investigating cases is the Court of Judicial Review’s specialty. Vice Minister, what is your opinion?"

The Vice Minister hesitated inwardly. On the surface, it looked identical, but adding the restaurant changed the nature of the matter entirely.

Thus, it completely aligned with the Sixth Prince’s speculation. If the restaurant had made the pastries, whether the poison was added beforehand or afterward could no longer be determined.

"Then this case is questionable. Since it involves a restaurant, we need to investigate potential suspects," the Vice Minister said.

Xiao Lao’s face turned ashen. Seeing Xiao Yan beside him showing no reaction, he retorted, "Are you sure, Vice Minister?"

"The Vice Minister says there are doubts, so it must be investigated," Ying Fusheng followed up smoothly. "Since the restaurant hasn’t been checked, I believe this matter should be probed. Don’t you agree, Vice Minister?"

The Vice Minister had been prepared for another round of arguments with the Censorate, but unexpectedly, an escape route was offered so casually. Since the Sixth Prince had said so, this was something the prince wanted investigated. There was no reason to refuse. "What the Sixth Prince says is reasonable. If this case is to be closed, the restaurant must be investigated first."

All those present fell silent, looking toward the Sixth Prince.

Ying Fusheng lowered his head to continue reading the dossier. When he looked up again and saw no one moving, he asked in confusion, "Then why are you all standing here? Go investigate, then?"

"If you think you can find the truth just by talking, then what use does my imperial father have for you? From now on, just solve cases with your mouths."

Shen Yunfei quickly chimed in, "Still standing there? His Highness ordered you to investigate!"

The officials from the Court of Judicial Review immediately responded and leapt into action.

This left the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate officials standing there. With one of the Three Offices now gone, staying looked rather awkward. Xiao Lao waved his hand and left without a word. Only Xu You from the Ministry of Justice bowed to the Sixth Prince and Xiao Yan, then turned to leave.

Xiao Yan said, “Your Highness, I take my leave.”

Ying Fusheng waved his hand, watching Xiao Yan leave, his gaze lingering briefly before shifting away.

As he was leaving, Xiao Lao nearly stumbled and was steadied by Xiao Yan.

Xiao Lao shook him off. "I don’t need your help!"

"This junior came here today to ease the elder’s worries. The elder was also remiss—the Sixth Prince came in person, and the Court of Judicial Review is closely connected to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The same information has already reached the imperial palace," Xiao Yan said, his face no longer wearing the lenient expression it had in the hall. Though he smiled, his words carried no warmth. "Now, if you still want to submit that conclusion, is it because the one who came is the Sixth Prince, raised by the Empress Dowager?"

Xiao Lao was enraged. "You!!"

"Why is the clan elder angry? If I hadn’t come, could today’s matter have ended peacefully?" Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes.

Xiao Lao had no intention to continue the conversation. He waved his hand in fury and left. After he was gone, Xiao Yan’s attendant stepped forward and handed him a handkerchief. Xiao Yan wiped his hands—especially where they had touched Xiao Lao—thoroughly. "Throw it away."

The attendant acknowledged. "Lord Xiao, was it right for us to come today?"

In the distance, a carriage was parked outside the Court of Judicial Review. Inside sat a young palace attendant.

Xiao Yan cast a glance at it, then looked away. "That is the Sixth Prince’s carriage."

The attendant didn’t understand why his master set such store by the Sixth Prince. When the news arrived at the office, he had immediately come here. The Chen Yuanli case had already been blocked by Xiao Lao, so rushing over like this was truly disrespectful to the clan elder.

Xiao Yan’s eyes swept over the carriage in the distance. "I was just thinking—how did it happen so conveniently?"

"Is it because of the restaurant?" the attendant asked.

Before coming, Lord Xiao had prepared two sets of dossiers, in case of either contingency.

The one they had originally meant to submit was a different dossier. But upon arriving at the Court of Judicial Review and seeing the Sixth Prince, Lord Xiao had made a snap decision to switch to the restaurant dossier.

"Destroy the other dossier, along with all related investigation records and any copies filed with the Ministry of Justice," Xiao Yan said, looking at him. "What happened today must not be spread."

The attendant was taken aback. "Yes!"

Was this mere coincidence… that such a good opportunity had been handed to him?

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes, looking at his clean hands. "This Sixth Prince is not so simple."

Xiao Yan got into his carriage and soon left.

Not far away, on the Sixth Prince’s carriage, Qi Hanzhou lifted the curtain, watching the Xiao family’s carriage disappear. "Has the dossier in the Court’s archives been restored?"

Ye Xuanjiu, inside the carriage, understood these arrangements. "All of it has been reorganized."

Just now, when Shen Yunfei stepped out briefly, the Junior General had immediately sent him to the archives to organize.

Days ago, when something happened to the Empress Dowager, the Sixth Prince and the Junior General had spoken about something. Subsequently, he was told to keep an eye on the Three Judicial Offices, which had led to today.

It was simple for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to enter the Court of Judicial Review’s archives. The dossier they had placed in was a copy the Court had originally filed with the Guard. Some dossiers had long been destroyed by the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice—this had happened more than once, making it difficult to trace certain cases.

After all, the Xiao family’s reputation in the court and the country rivaled that of the Qi family, both supported by the imperial house.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Censorate stay out of each other's way; some matters are too delicate to handle easily, as they risk crossing the emperor's red line.

Especially after the Junior General joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the emperor has paid even more attention to it, and the Chen Yuanli case could easily reach a dead end. However, they never expected the Sixth Prince to be the one stepping forward, and that he would boldly offend the Xiao family. Even outsiders, and he especially, thought the Sixth Prince was disrespecting the Empress Dowager.

"Could the Sixth Prince's move this time..." Ye Xuanjiu hesitated.

Qi Hanzhou said, "Xiao Yao will thoroughly investigate his subordinates when he returns. Logically, some problematic case files shouldn't still exist. Once he investigates, he'll quickly realize the issue. If we want to silence him, we have to pin this on the Dali Temple and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"So that's why Lord Liu fled?" Ye Xuanjiu thought of the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple, who had suddenly taken sick leave.

"The Dali Temple is left with only that Vice Minister." Qi Hanzhou hadn't finished speaking.

Just then, a sound came from the gate of the Dali Temple.

The Vice Minister of the Dali Temple personally escorted the Sixth Prince to the door, his demeanor and attitude completely different from when he had welcomed him in earlier. Qi Hanzhou's eyebrows twitched slightly as he caught the man's glance, then he lowered the curtain.

Soon after, Ying Fusheng pulled back the curtain and stepped inside. Catching sight of Qi Hanzhou, he silently sat down beside him. At that moment, the Vice Minister's voice came from outside the window. Ying Fusheng raised the curtain and said, "No need to see me off. Go investigate your case."

The Vice Minister understood: "Forgive me for not seeing you off further, I will devote myself fully to this case."

As the carriage moved away, Ying Fusheng straightened his clothes. The Vice Minister's attitude was subtle—indifferent when handing over the files earlier, but now unusually accommodating. "Is he your man?"

At this remark, Shen Yunfei tactfully stepped out. Ye Xuanjiu also wanted to leave, but as he set one foot out, he realized it was a bustling street and could only sheepishly retreat back, sitting near the inner side of the carriage door.

"No, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is only cooperating with the Dali Temple," said Qi Hanzhou. "This man is shrewd. He has long been dissatisfied with the Censorate, but because a slick Chief Minister of the Dali Temple oversees him, he has to tread lightly on some issues."

Ying Fusheng understood perfectly, and smiled. "Then thank you, Junior General."

Qi Hanzhou didn't respond. The man before him had put on a courteous face, but his words and tone lacked their former familiarity.

Word from the Dali Temple would soon reach the emperor's desk. The Sixth Prince could take the lead in this matter, but some details must not be disclosed to the emperor. The emperor needs results, not processes—everyone knows that.

"This way, the Dali Temple can investigate legitimately," said Qi Hanzhou. "But you offended the Xiao family today."

Not far away, Ye Xuanjiu pricked up his ears. Junior General, weren't you saying you didn't care earlier!

The mastermind behind the scenes killed Chen Yuanli via the factions. They could no longer get any information from Chen Yuanli. And since this matter was handled by the Censorate, the dilemma of choice fell to the emperor. Whether it was the factions or the Xiao family, it was inappropriate for the emperor to act against either, especially after years of war, when the court's alliances had grown tangled.

Whether corrupt officials or honest ones, the functioning of the court could not do without these capable ministers. If the emperor wanted to root out corruption, he could only proceed slowly.

A major investigation would easily shake the foundation.

Without one, those behind the scenes would have ample opportunity to place their people in the court, and the court would soon be riddled with leaks.

This situation was hard to change, yet Ying Fusheng chose to offend the Xiao family.