Chapter 484.1: Crossing Swords

The father and son pair this time no longer dared to ‘act shamelessly’, crying and howling, unable to be consoled in any way. Scholar Bai supported his old man, but in reality, having kneeled for that long, his situation wasn’t any better than his old man’s, staggering along, simply unable to stand up properly. Having suffered this much, yet unable to achieve the expected result, don’t know what kind of thoughts they will have.

Le Cheng Emperor, seeing them like this, let the inner court attendant go forward to help out, having them supported up, and then sent back to the Bai family.

Once they were gone, “Immediately summon the capital’s magistrate, Head Minister of the Judicial Court, and the Head Minister of Justice into the palace.” Le Cheng Emperor opened his mouth and said. Sitting back down behind the imperial desk, he continued looking over the memorandums, just in his current state, he naturally wasn’t able to take any of it in. Waving his hand, he had the documents tossed aside, his entire person all irritable, gloomy, and angry. The people serving by the side all hated that they can’t find a crack to squeeze into.

But, “Your Majesty, it’s already very late, should we call for the meal?” An inner court attendant walked out trembling in fear.

Because of the Bai clan father and son, Le Cheng Emperor had missed the evening meal time, and in that situation earlier, he clearly wasn’t in the mood to eat.

Le Cheng Emperor furrowed his brows, “Pass it in then.” Directly moving to the side chamber, “When the three ministers arrive, directly lead them over.”

The inner court attendants all relaxed a breath, rejoicing that Le Cheng Emperor didn’t take his anger out on them.

Meanwhile, Li Hong Yuan was leaving the palace with a cold face. Along the way, one was just able to sense the cold air from far away. Not a single person dared to go near. Because it was already dark, sometimes, one might not notice. As such, even if directly in front, all would forcibly halt in their steps, turning in another direction, and if truly unable to avoid, then it was just quickly retreating aside, either standing or kneeling, not daring to breathe loudly, appearing exceptionally deferential.

Li Hong Yuan directly walked past them, having these people thoroughly ignored.

Getting ignored was good, definitely a thousand times better than getting noticed.

Li Hong Yuan exited the palace, climbing into the horse carriage. That moodiness on the outside instantly disappeared without a trace.

However, since he didn’t open his mouth, the horse carriage stood still in place.

Because the Bai clan father and son pair left not long after him, and although because they had difficulties moving about, they were slightly slower, they were still lifted out in the sedan chairs. Learning that Jin Qinwang’s horse carriage was still present, having yet to leave, the two of them couldn’t help but shiver, having a very bad premonition, feeling as if they’d provoked something they shouldn’t have provoked.

When the two of them climbed down from the sedan chair, they just happened to see the window curtains of Li Hong Yuan’s horse carriage lift open. Because the inside of the horse carriage didn’t have a lamp lit, from the outside, one was completely unable to see the situation inside the horse carriage clearly, but they kept feeling that there was a pair of beast-like eyes inside, glistening in the dark, like a hunter lying in ambush, and the two of them were precisely the prey targeted by him.

Their knees already had bone-penetrating pain to begin with, and this while, it was further going limp. If not for being supported, perhaps they would’ve just fallen onto the ground. They’d long heard of Jin Qinwang’s infamous reputation, and in certain settings, they’ve also witnessed his methods of sorting out someone. However, in the end, they ultimately never came in contact with him much before, and further never experienced personally his means. Right now, sure enough, it was a scary feeling.

“Return to the manor.”

Li Hong Yuan’s emotionless voice came from the horse carriage, and the carriage driver in front immediately just raised the whip.

Seeing the horse carriage disappear into the distance, the pair both inwardly produced different degrees of regret, but having lost their only grandson/son, where would they still have reason to speak of.

Li Hong Yuan returned to Jin Qinwang Manor. Jing Wan had already ordered someone to prepare the meal. Towards Li Hong Yuan returning this quick, she also wasn’t surprised. In any case, this kind of thing, she was also already used to.

Because there was already an understanding inside, Jing Wan also didn’t worry, and Li Hong Yuan’s certain moodiness, that was all for others to see. When facing Jing Wan, it was impossible for him to be unwell.

Meanwhile, the capital’s magistrate, Head Minister of the Judicial Court, and the Head Minister of Justice have already arrived in the palace. Although they’d long returned home, when the emperor summons, even if dead asleep in the depths of the night, one still has to swiftly get up and enter the palace. Furthermore, with such an incident having occurred today, they actually were already mentally prepared.

Le Cheng Emperor let them use the meal together with him. Regardless of whether one has eaten or not, all need to sit down, thanking his Majesty for the great honor.

Le Cheng Emperor wasn’t in a good mood, so just hastily ate a little. When his chopsticks stopped, the other three also put down their chopsticks along with.

Le Cheng Emperor wiped his mouth, having the handkerchief tossed aside, “Today’s matter, believe that you all have learned. Give you all three days, this emperor wants a satisfying outcome.”

Reasonably speaking, immediately after the person died, the capital’s magistrate should’ve taken over. However, Li Hong Yuan didn’t let anyone report the case, and the Bai family had the body taken back, also not thinking of reporting the case. Li Hong Yuan just investigated his own internal problems, and the Bai family just wanted to let Le Cheng Emperor preside over the matter. Being too sad, and also too furious, perhaps they’d ‘forgotten’.

For Le Cheng Emperor, it was just a matter of a line, but for the three below, it was just a headache. Because they weren’t able to take over first thing, many areas in between afraid will have gaps. For example, the related people in Jin Qinwang’s estate, and the people serving by that young master Bai’s side, these were all quite important. But now, whether or not these people were still alive was all unknown. After all, for these people, whether the master wants to beat or kill, it was also just a matter of a word.

But, no matter how they grumble inside, they still could only agree to it.

In reality, anyone smart would know that this matter was nothing more than just two types of situation. One, that was just a coincidence, and the Bai family youngster was just terribly unlucky. Everyone else was fine, and only he alone lost his life. And two, it was just someone scheming against Jin Qinwang, nothing more than just borrowing the Bai family’s hands to deal with Jin Qinwang.

historical

If it’s the former, the Bai family certainly won’t give up, biting onto Jin Qinwang, not letting go. This wasn’t what his Majesty wanted to see. But if it’s the latter, then who was it that schemed against Jin Qinwang? Actually, there was still a scope, to say it was big, it wasn’t big, but to say it was small, it wasn’t small either, and naturally, it won’t be easy to investigate either. And if those related people then were to die off, it’ll be even more difficult to investigate. And the final outcome similarly wasn’t what his Majesty was willing to see. Between these two, the possibility of the latter was far greater than the former.

Moreover, even if it’s the latter, if unable to find out the reason, the Bai family certainly will still bite Jin Qinwang to death.

More importantly, it needed to satisfy his Majesty. Then, what would satisfy his Majesty?

To put it bluntly, this kind of thing should’ve never been placed on the surface to investigate. Exactly what happened, his Majesty should’ve determined on his own.

The capital’s magistrate and the Head Minister of Justice perhaps still had misgivings, some procedures not daring to take, but the Head Minister of the Judicial Court, Sir Diwu, when facing cases, that was just famously being upright and candid. How it should be investigated was just how he investigated.

Because the situation was special, young master Bai’s funeral arrangements still haven’t been handled. The Bai family haven’t even hung up the white banners, so naturally there won’t be anyone dropping in to offer condolences. As such, the body most likely still haven’t been prepared for burial, just getting appropriately tidied up, switching into more dignified clothes. Looking at the outer appearance, one didn’t feel it was that scary either.

In reality, the people that went together with young master Bai to the estate indeed had already gotten beaten to death by the infuriated Scholar Bai’s madam who had no means of venting, not even allowing their family to collect the body, directly getting thrown into the wilderness and hastily buried. They themselves didn’t have any value, but the people and things that were related to them still needed to be investigated in detail one by one.

Fortunately, the people under Jin Qinwang still haven’t been dealt with. On the contrary, that was wanting to commit suicide, but failing.

The suspicious areas on young master Bai similarly needed to be investigated. As such, an autopsy was necessary.

To be unable to rest in peace after death, how could the Bai family allow it, crying to the heavens, refusing no matter what.

The others were troubled, but the Head Minister of the Judicial Court was just like having swallowed steel, his determination unshakable.

For the Bai family, that was hating that they can’t devour him alive, their eyes all dipped in poison. However, Sir Diwu didn’t cower in the slightest, “As long as this official is still in this position, then everything will just be handle according to procedure. Scholar Bai also doesn’t need to look at this official as such. If you really find this official unpleasant to the eyes, then you can just submit an official complaint to his Majesty. If his Majesty has this official dismissed from one’s post, then naturally there won’t be anything for this official to do.”

In Jing Wan’s impression, the Head of the Judicial Court, Sir Diwu, was just an amicable and friendly old man, fond of stroking his beard, even pulling out some strands from time to time. He similarly liked plants and flowers, occasionally also like an old child, and would ‘fight over things’ with her own grandfather, even bickering with one another, arguing until their faces turned red. Even though she knew that in certain areas, his ‘stubborn temper’ would even make Le Cheng Emperor headache quite a bit, but in the end, she has never actually seen before. However, when truly setting to the task, one really can’t help but admire.

Scholar Bai was terribly angered by Sir Diwu, but this complaint, he truly wasn’t able to submit. After all, Sir Diwu was just investigating the case through normal procedures. No matter what was said, he was all in the right. If one were to submit an official complaint against him, then Scholar Bai will just be viewed as using his relationship with Le Cheng Emperor to cause trouble. When time comes, it won’t just be Scholar Bai getting criticized, even Le Cheng Emperor might get harped on in all kinds of ways by the various high officials. When time comes, it would be strange for Le Cheng Emperor to be happy.

Scholar Bai tightly clenched his teeth, and could only be blocked outside, helplessly watching the coroner cut open his already deceased son. His madam cried and howled, making a scene, long having lost her image, cursing Sir Diwu that he won’t have a good death, his descendants severed, and so on.

Sir Diwu coldly watched, carrying a stern face, appearing exceptionally solemn.

Speaking of which, it was also fortunate that Sir Diwu has good self-cultivation. If switch with someone else, perhaps they would’ve directly just retorted back———‘The one truly without descendants is your Bai family. See here, wasn’t the only son precisely gone. Could it be that you have committed atrocities against the heavens, thus ending up as such?’ ———–One has to know, Sir Diwu has many descendants, the whole family harmonious, with quite a few having good future prospects.

In the end, it was Scholar Bai’s madam that fainted from all the shouting.

T/N: This woman gonna faint a lot, this is like the third time already.