newbobooks Chapter 256: Redressing Husband
Chapter 256: Redressing Husband
The sky was gray at dawn, I didn’t know if it was because of dark clouds or because the sun had not risen yet.
Inside the Qinzheng Hall, Eunuch Su, while helping the emperor put on his court robes, said, "Your Majesty, the Dali Temple has sent people to surround the Ningyuan Prince's Palace. Without your order, we dare not enter the palace to search it."
"understood!"
All these days, I have been waiting for this day.
The Marquis of Bei'an possesses only minor courage but no great wisdom, and the Emperor must have known this. While such a person might be trusted, he would be of no use if things really got tough.
With the Xiongnu invading the border, it was urgent to recruit the old subordinates of the Chengyang Marquis. However, the relationship between the Chengyang Marquisate and the Ningyuan Prince's Palace always left him with a knot in his heart.
Now, as long as it is proven that Chu Mingzheng is the murderer of Tian Qing, he can justifiably imprison Chu Mingzheng again.
The emperor walked out of the Qinzheng Hall and looked at the vast imperial palace, feeling relaxed.
The dull sound of drums rang out, breaking the darkness in the sky.
"What's going on?" the emperor asked curiously.
In the distance, a Yulin Guard stepped onto the platform in the morning breeze and reported: "Your Majesty, the fourth daughter of the Chengyang Marquis's Mansion is beating drums outside the palace gate to protest her grievances."
The emperor was slightly surprised: "She is speaking up for Tian Qing?"
"Yes!" Yu Linwei continued, "Miss Lu is suing Prince Ningyuan for the murder of her husband. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision."
God help me too.
The emperor smiled and said, "It's almost time for court. Please invite her to the main hall!"
"Yes!" The Yulin Guards left in a hurry.
Inside the Hanyuan Hall, Lu Mingyang knelt in the center of the hall, still wearing the blood-stained wedding dress from last night, but because she had gone out to see a doctor earlier, she had changed into a goose yellow top.
He was out of tune with the other officials in the court.
"King Ningyuan killed my husband to vent his personal anger. I beg Your Majesty to stand up for me and give justice to my late husband." Lang Lang's wailing was heard, and Lu Mingyang kowtowed again.
Pei Mian stepped out and said anxiously, "The evidence is unclear. Your Majesty, please reconsider."
The Dali Temple Minister then stepped forward and reported the case in detail. He then knelt and said, "To prevent the Ningyuan Palace from destroying the evidence, I sent people to surround the Ningyuan Palace. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."
"A prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner. My dear minister, there is nothing wrong with what you have done." The emperor raised his hand and allowed the Dali Temple to search the Ningyuan Prince's palace. The Dali Temple official quickly left.
While waiting, the emperor mentioned the matter of reinforcing the Marquis of Bei'an to resist the Xiongnu. After waiting for so many days, he could not delay any longer. The emperor looked around and said, "Send the message to the Hu Ben Camp Army."
Lu Mingze held a low official position and was not qualified to attend court.
After news of Lu Mingyang beating the drum to protest his grievances spread, Lu Mingyuan and Lu Mingze hurried to the palace. The eunuch delivering the imperial decree spotted Lu Mingze upon exiting the palace and hurriedly summoned him to Hanyuan Hall.
The emperor first asked Lu Mingze about Prince Ningyuan, "Your sister is suing Prince Ningyuan for murder. What do you think?"
Lu Mingze looked at his sister beside him and said calmly, "Your Majesty is the victim. It is only natural for me to seek justice for my husband. However, the truth is still unclear. I hope Your Majesty will make a wise judgment. On your behalf, I bow to Your Majesty and thank you."
"I will make the final decision, but I'm afraid you won't see it." The emperor smiled and said, "The situation in Ningwu is urgent. I order you to lead 20,000 troops to reinforce Ningwu. Set off immediately."
All officials were shocked. The lieutenant commander was only a minor official of the sixth rank, and at most he would be a vanguard officer on an expedition. To be appointed as the main commander was truly unheard of.
Lu Mingze was also surprised. He had thought His Majesty would choose one of his father's former subordinates as commander-in-chief and then let him accompany the army. Although he had doubts, he was willing to accept it even if it was a trap.
"Your Majesty!" The Minister of War stepped forward and bluntly stated, "The Army Officer is only a sixth-rank officer and has never led troops into battle. How can he be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility?"
"My dear minister, you are overthinking. Now is the time to use your talents. Of all the generals in the court, only Lu Junhou has fought against the Xiongnu Khan. I trust him." After explaining, the emperor continued, "After Lu Junhou and Bei'an Marquis join forces, the orders of Bei'an Marquis will take precedence."
When all the officials heard this, they said nothing more.
Lu Mingyang, who had been quiet all the time, subconsciously looked at his third brother beside him.
Lu Mingze took the order and stood up to leave.
Not long after, the Dali Temple Minister brought back evidence: a jade belt with a missing jade buckle. The buckle and the missing buckle were made from the same piece of jade. Other things can be imitated, but jade has a natural texture and cannot be forged.
The emperor angrily asked, "Where is that rebellious son?"
The Dali Temple Minister said, "Your Highness is still in a coma."
"Coma?" the emperor wondered.
The Dali Temple Minister revealed that Lu Mingyang had stabbed Prince Ningyuan last night.
Lu Mingyang kowtowed and said, "I was angered and hurt Your Highness. I accept the blame and only ask Your Majesty to give my husband justice."
"This rebellious son has done such a foolish thing. He truly failed my high hopes. He's hurt, so be it." The emperor didn't care at all. He said disappointedly, "I truly failed in educating my son. I'm ashamed of the people of the world."
Seeing that the emperor was about to convict, Pei Mian said anxiously: "The truth is not clear yet. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
"The evidence is irrefutable. Do you expect me to protect him?" The emperor sighed and said coldly, "Prince Ningyuan has committed immorality and disregarded human life. I am deeply saddened. From this day forward, he will be imprisoned in the deep pool of Bishui, and he will not be allowed out for life."
"Your Majesty, I refuse to accept this." Lu Mingyang straightened her back and loudly complained, "According to the laws of our Great Sheng, anyone who kills must pay with their life. Your Majesty just said that a prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner, so why is he merely imprisoned here by the Prince of Ningyuan?"
"Lu Mingyang!" Pei Mian roared in disbelief. "Ask yourself, how has His Highness treated you? How could you be so cruel?"
Lu Mingyang remained unmoved and pressed on, "Just because Prince Ningyuan is your Majesty's son, does that mean my husband should die in vain? I beg your Majesty to sentence Prince Ningyuan to death according to the laws of Dasheng."
After saying that, he kowtowed.
The sound of kowtows echoed throughout the hall.
The emperor's face darkened. If Chu Mingzheng was sentenced to death, the empress dowager would definitely not agree. But if he was not sentenced, how would this end?
At this time, Shen Yan, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice, stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, according to Dasheng law, the criminal must sign and seal the case before a conviction can be concluded. But now, Prince Ningyuan is unconscious."
"Then we'll wait until he wakes up before convicting him. All the ministers, please leave the court!" The emperor turned and left. Eunuch Su hurriedly chased after him, "Your Majesty, calm down, calm down."
The emperor stopped and turned back angrily: "Who told her to beat the drum for reporting? You bunch of losers, you can't even stop a woman."
Although there was a drum for reporting outside the palace, there was also the imperial city outside the palace. Ordinary people could not enter the imperial city at all, let alone beat the drum for reporting.
Eunuch Su explained in a low voice, "When Fourth Miss Lu was the Princess of Ningyuan, she had a token to enter the palace. It was given by the Queen Mother. I'm afraid she forgot to bring it back."
The imperial sedan chair caught up with him, and the emperor kicked him over in anger.
Such a good plan was unexpectedly ruined like this.
Inside Hanyuan Hall, Pei Mian glared at Lu Mingyang and left in a huff. Lu Mingyang was completely oblivious, and he stood up, rubbed his aching knee, and turned to leave.