Chapter 118 Seeking Justice
Who says heroes don’t shed tears, they just haven’t reached the point of heartbreak.
Hua Yingting’s crying voice shook the heavens, startling Ying Wang who had just walked to the door. He took a step back and asked Zhao Sancai, who was guarding outside, “Head Eunuch Zhao, is General Hua… alright?”
Did Father Emperor reprimand him because of what happened?
“Head Eunuch, please inform to Father Emperor that I wish to see him,” Ying Wang said, growing more concerned and wanting to go inside to check on the situation.
“Please wait, Your Highness.”
After Zhao Sancai entered the palace, Hua Yingting’s crying quickly subsided. Unable to resist his curiosity, Ying Wang tried to peek inside. However, Zhao Sancai erged at this ti, “Your Highness, His Majesty invites you to enter.”
Ying Wang walked briskly into the palace and saw General Hua standing beside his father. General Hua’s eyes were red, indicating that he had suffered great grievances. His father, on the other hand, appeared calm, with no discernible emotions.
“Father Emperor,” Ying Wang bowed to Emperor Changlong and said, “Father Emperor, Erchen suspects that Censor Xie deliberately sared General Hua’s family. Soone is manipulating things behind the scenes.”
Emperor Changlong looked at his son with satisfaction. It was a pleasant surprise that he was finally willing to use his brain.
“Hmm, makes sense,” Emperor Changlong nodded, “Then, who do you think is the most likely suspect?”
“Who else but the Xie family? They caused a big incident and must want to drag the Hua family down with them. Perhaps they even hold a grudge against Fushou Junzhu for saving the Crown Prince and thwarting their grand sche,” Ying Wang affird, “In Erchen‘s opinion, no one other than the Xie family could be behind this. Even the censor who slandered Hua Jingyi is likely connected to the Xie family.”
Emperor Changlong sighed, relieved that his eldest son was at least willing to think. He didn’t have excessively high expectations for him.
Seeing his father sigh, Ying Wang was puzzled, “Father Emperor, did Erchen say sothing wrong?”
“No,” Emperor Changlong waved his hand wearily, “You can go and rest now. Zhen will handle this matter properly.”
“Yes,” Ying Wang glanced at Hua Yingting and then left. Just as he exited the Chengyang Palace, he encountered Crown Prince and Hua Liuli, who were walking together.
Ying Wang silently bowed and, after taking a few steps, turned back to Hua Liuli, “Don’t worry, Fushou Junzhu. Father Emperor won’t believe the slanderous words of those despicable individuals.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Hua Liuli thought Ying Wang had more to say, but he walked away without another word, seemingly lost in thought.
“Don’t look at other n. Look at more,” the Crown Prince held Hua Liuli’s face in his hands, “Gu is much better looking than them.”
“Yes, yes, Your Royal Highness is the most handso,” Hua Liuli grabbed the Crown Prince’s hand, “But right now, I’m more eager to see Father. I have no heart to appreciate Your Royal Highness’s beauty.”
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly and led Hua Liuli into the main hall. Seeing that it was the Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu, Zhao Sancai didn’t even bother to announce them and greeted them with a smile before letting them enter.
“Your Majesty, this person deliberately enticed a mber of the Xie family to take the bait. His intentions are extrely wicked,” Hua Yingting, who had stopped sobbing, quickly regained his composure, “If Your Majesty believes this subject, then it is the Xie family who is implicated. Everyone knows that the Xie family holds a grudge against this subject’s family, especially after their daughter failed to marry the Crown Prince due to her unrequited love.”
“Everyone knows that the Xie family certainly harbors ill will towards this subject and this subject’s family. However, the Xie family’s patriarch is very cautious and adept at concealing his emotions. Even if they truly hate our Hua family, it would be unlikely for a mber of the Xie family’s side branch to act on their behalf.”
The most suspicious family, the Xie family, wasn’t as suspicious as it seed in this case.
“Zhen also thinks the sa,” Emperor Changlong handed the letters presented by Censor Xie to Hua Yingting, “Take a look at these letters.”
Hua Yingting glanced at them and shook his head, “The handwriting styles are very similar to this subject’s son, but this subject can assure Your Majesty, these are not this subject’s son’s own writings.”
“Zhen knows,” Emperor Changlong nodded, “However, to quash rumors and argunts in their infancy, Zhen can only say publicly that Zhen instructed Jingyi to do all this.”
“This subject understands Your Majesty’s intentions,” Hua Yingting knelt down on one knee, “With Your Majesty’s protection of my family, I don’t know how to repay Your Majesty. After all, everything this subject and this subject’s family possess was given by Your Majesty.”
Rumors always attract more attention than the truth. If the rumors of the Hua family’s potential treason and betrayal spread, it would greatly impact their image in the eyes of the people. Therefore, until the true culprit was discovered, Emperor Changlong could only publicly take responsibility to shield them.
“You and the Wei family have protected the country for Zhen, so Zhen should naturally protect you. How can Zhen let you repay the favor?” Emperor Changlong held onto Hua Yingting’s arm, trying to lift him up.
Unfortunately, he forgot that Hua Yingting was a strong man weighing nearly 200 pounds. With his strength alone, he couldn’t budge him.
The atmosphere instantly beca sowhat awkward.
Following Emperor Changlong’s motion, Hua Yingting imdiately stood up and wiped away his tears. He said, “As a general, having a wise monarch is this subject’s fortune. Even if it ans sacrificing this subject’s life and shedding blood, this subject is willing.”
“Zhen‘s most beloved subject!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Cough, cough.”
The Crown Prince cleared his throat twice, interrupting this emotional exchange between the monarch and his subject. He stepped forward and said, “Father Emperor, Erchen has a request.”
“What is it?” Emperor Changlong had not yet fully recovered from the emotional mont. Upon seeing Hua Liuli behind the Crown Prince, he couldn’t help but say, “Zhen‘s most beloved subject, the child you have raised is also good. The Crown Prince is fortunate to have your child as the Crown Princess.”
“Not at all,” Hua Yingting quickly interjected, “The Crown Prince possesses both literary and martial talents; his appearance rivals that of Pan An*. It is this subjects daughter’s good fortune to marry His Royal Highness.”
[*Pan An (潘安) was a famous figure in ancient China known for his exceptional beauty. He was a renowned poet, musician, and scholar during the Eastern Jin dynasty. Pan An’s good looks and talents made him a popular subject of admiration and inspiration in Chinese literature and art. Comparing soone’s appearance to Pan An is a way of saying that they are exceptionally attractive.]
“But Liuli is better.”
“The Crown Prince is even better.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor and General Hua, for your praise. Erchen also believes that we are a perfect match,” the Crown Prince felt that if they continued to praise each other, it would soon be dark outside.
Hua Yingting smiled warmly, his gaze towards the Crown Prince was much more amiable than before.
Today, in the court, he had expected the Crown Prince to remain silent. He didn’t expect him to confront the censor on behalf of the Hua family right then and there, even getting so angry as to use force.
If it weren’t for the Crown Prince cherishing his daughter, how could His Royal Highness remain fearless in the face of rumors and go to these lengths?
In truth, he had always been worried deep down. His daughter, raised on the border, might feel uncomfortable being with the Crown Prince. Children raised in the palace were accustod to many rules and regulations. Could his daughter, with her temperant, stay with the Crown Prince for a lifeti?
But today, he saw the Crown Prince’s protective behavior in the court. The lingering worries in his heart gradually dissipated.
This Crown Prince might not fit the perfect image of a Crown Prince in the minds of scholars, but he just might be the most perfect for his daughter.
If he had to describe it in words, it would probably be… compatible?
As a father, the thing he loved most was hearing praise for his own son. He had long grown tired of others pointing fingers at the Crown Prince. Upon hearing Hua Yingting’s complints, Emperor Changlong felt a sense of refreshing joy throughout his being.
“Why are you here now? Did you have sothing to say?” Emperor Changlong rembered that the Crown Prince had sothing to discuss with him.
“Erchen believes the Xie family’s false accusation of treason and betrayal against the Hua family is a serious matter,” the Crown Prince said, “Erchen thinks we should thoroughly investigate the Xie family to clear the suspicions raised on the Hua family.”
Emperor Changlong’s eyes brightened slightly, “Are you suggesting…”
“The weather is getting hotter; Erchen wants to give the Xie family so relief,” the Crown Prince curled his lips and smiled, looking very handso, “The Xie family privately harbors assassins and has attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince. There is irrefutable evidence.”
“With just two confessions, conducting a thorough investigation of the Xie family may not be sufficient, right?” Emperor Changlong tapped the table, “The Xie family holds considerable influence in the south. With only these reasons, it may not be enough.”
“We will have more soon,” the Crown Prince said with a smiling expression, “If Father Emperor agrees to let Erchen leave the palace today and go out for a trip, then we will have it.”
Emperor Changlong: “…”
After all this beating around the bush, he just wants to sneak out of the palace to have so fun?
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This subject will take good care of His Royal Highness,” Hua Liuli smiled gently.
Facing his future daughter-in-law, Emperor Changlong couldn’t scold his son and could only suppress his anger, “As a man, he should take good care of you. Let Yuansu accompany you in exploring and shopping in the capital city. If there’s sothing you like, let him pay for it.”
Hua Liuli covered her mouth and smiled, “Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”
“Father Emperor, General Hua, we will take our leave now,” the Crown Prince grabbed Hua Liuli’s hand and turned to leave, afraid that Emperor Changlong might change his mind.
“Ah!” Emperor Changlong sighed and forced a smile at Hua Yingting, “Young people should cultivate their relationship before marriage.”
He absolutely couldn’t let his subject see that he had no way to deal with the Crown Prince.
“You are right, Your Majesty,” Hua Yingting nodded, “This subject also thinks the sa way.”
Emperor Changlong’s smile beca more natural. Having a loyal minister who agreed with everything he said really put his mind at ease.
“Master, the censor from the Xie family’s side branch has already presented the evidence to the court.”
“Hmph!” The man sneered, “And then?”
“And then…” His subordinate stamred, “And then Emperor Changlong said that those letters were indeed written by Hua Jingyi, but it was under Emperor Changlong’s instruction.”
“What did you say?!” The man sat up straight, even tearing his folding fan in his hand, “After seeing the evidence of collusion written by Hua Jingyi, Emperor Changlong actually took responsibility for it?”
“Yes,” the subordinate was completely confused. They had arranged for soone to imitate Hua Jingyi’s handwriting in those letters and deliberately let it be discovered by the censor from the Xie family’s side branch.
How did it turn into a different story when they ended up in Emperor Changlong’s hands?
Any sane emperor would have taken advantage of this rare opportunity to suppress the Hua family, wouldn’t they?
“Emperor Changlong actually trusts the Hua family so much?” After a mont of shock, the man understood Emperor Changlong’s intentions. He wanted to protect the Hua family completely.
As an emperor, how could he not be suspicious of military generals? Even after seeing the evidence, he didn’t waver in the slightest?
This Emperor Changlong, is he ntally ill? What kind of strange emperor is he?
“Master, what should we do now?” The subordinate also didn’t expect Emperor Changlong to not fall for their sche and was stunned.
“I heard that the estate where the Hua family currently resides was bestowed upon them by Emperor Changlong?” The man pondered for a mont, “Also, Fushou Junzhu has an estate bestowed upon her, didn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“If soone discovers the Dragon Robe in Fushou Junzhu‘s bestowed estate,” the man elegantly opened his folding fan but found that he had torn it just now. So he tossed it aside and continued with an air of mystery, “I would really like to know if Emperor Changlong will still trust his most beloved son and his most trusted general when he sees that set of Dragon Robe.”
“Understood, Master.”
After spending so ti playing outside the palace with the Crown Prince, Hua Liuli was about to board the carriage and return to the palace when a disheveled woman knelt in front of them.
“I beg the heavens and earth, please help seek justice!”
With people coming and going on the street, soon the passersby surrounded their carriage tightly. The guards from the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace almost drew their swords in warning.
“Brother Wang, look!” Yang Wen, who was residing in a room on the second floor of an inn, saw this scene and quickly called Wang Qi and others from his hotown, “Doesn’t this woman blocking the carriage resemble the mother of the scholar who was pushed into the river?”
After the scholar was pushed into the river, the scholar’s mother spent days by the riverbank, calling out her son’s na and crying until her eyes were hollow. Later, when yan constables from Changyan Prefecture ca to drive her away, she disappeared.
They thought that the Xie family and the Prefect of Changyan Province had killed this woman but unexpectedly she had co to the capital city.
“Great heavenly lord! This commoner demands justice against the Prefect of Changyan Province and the Xie Family for causing innocent deaths!” The old woman knelt in front of the carriage and took out a complaint letter from her sleeve, raising it above her head and crying, “I beseech the honorable gentleman to seek justice for this commoner!”
Everyone was in an uproar. The Prefect of Changyan Province and Xie family?
“Do you an the Xie family that has a Fuma?”
“The one who was cuckolded by the Princess and went mad?”
“Wasn’t it said that he had turned against the Crown Prince, sent assassins to kill him, and went mad after his plot was exposed?”
As people excitedly discussed the scene regardless of the truth, it quickly beca known that the Xie family had taken innocent lives and caused this old woman’s hair to turn white. She had co to the capital to lodge a formal complaint.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, so people also began to worry. Seeing the old woman in tattered clothes, it was evident that she ca from a poor family. The Xie family, on the other hand, was a prominent clan with a noble Fuma. They wondered if the person inside the carriage dared to intervene in this matter?
If they didn’t dare to intervene, would Princess Leyang Estate kill the old woman to keep her from speaking out?
“Old lady, please take your ti,” a guard stepped forward with a gentle expression and helped lift up the old woman, “First tell us what exactly happened so that the Crown Prince can assist you.”
“The Crown Prince?” the old woman asked excitedly, “Is it His Royal Highness?”
The guard smiled and nodded.
“That’s wonderful! That’s wonderful!” The old woman lowered her head and wiped her tears, “Your Royal Highness, this old woman’s son died unjustly!”
“This old woman is from Changyao Province in the south. When my child was three years old, his father passed away,” the old woman spoke of her deceased husband, who had died in battle on the frontier. After her husband’s death, she raised their child alone, hoping that he would achieve success and serve the court just like his father.
“After this old woman’s husband passed away, the court granted us a considerable amount of pension. With that money, I hired a teacher for my child so that he could study and beco successful like his father. But those animals from the Xie family…” The old woman cried so intensely that she nearly fainted.
Just as the Enke was about to be held and her child, whom she had raised by herself, was about to take it, he was pushed into a river by mbers of the Xie family and drowned. His body was never found.
The pitiful mother sought help from officials, but no one paid attention. Instead, she faced threats from the Xie family. Sad and desperate, she could only beg her way to the capital. However, she feared that the officials in the capital city might be like the Prefect of Changyao Province. Thus, she resorted to stopping a nobleman’s carriage on the street to plead for assistance.
After hearing about this poor woman’s tragic life story, many people began wiping their tears away while others started cursing the Xie family out of righteous anger.
After sharing all the details and deeply affecting countless passersby, the old woman seed to have let go of all her persistence and fainted.
“Quickly take her to see a physician.”
The guards carried her away, while so concerned citizens followed along out of worry for her safety.
So brave individuals stood in front of the carriage, hoping that the owner of the carriage would make a statent.
“Everyone please rest assured that His Royal Highness will handle this matter seriously and will not let any evildoers go free.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
“There are so many princes in the palace. Which one is your master?” soone in the crowd shouted very loudly.
“My master is none other than Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. He has always detested evil and doesn’t spare corrupt officials,” the attendant replied loudly, “Please rest assured that the Crown Prince will submit a petition to the emperor and thoroughly investigate the Xie family and the Prefect of Changyao Province.”
“The Crown Prince?!” The common people imdiately felt relieved upon hearing that it was the Crown Prince.
They had heard that the Crown Prince was the most favored son of His Majesty and was also General Hua’s future son-in-law. If it was him, he would certainly not protect the Xie family.
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