Everything starts from Menghualu

Chapter 526: Court Debate and Presiding Judge

"Your Highness, I think we are not in danger yet. We still have a way. After all, Your Majesty knows about the matter between Prince Yu and Princess Nihuang."

"Since His Majesty knew about this and still made this arrangement, it must be because he had considered everything. So I don't think we need to worry about this matter now. We should first make sure He Jingzhong is killed." Xie Yu said
"Hmm? Well, what you said does make sense. Let's do it this way. I will let them make their opinions during the morning court tomorrow. But do we really not need to prepare for the selection of the chief judge?"

"After all, if something goes wrong, we won't be completely unprepared." The prince thought about it and said

"Your Highness, I have also thought about this. I think we might as well do this." Xie Yu said
"Haha, Xie Yu, ah Xie Yu, you are really, really good, then let's do it this way." The prince said
After hearing this, Xie Yu naturally bowed hurriedly and then left the East Palace. After he left, the prince couldn't help but recall Xie Yu's idea just now, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

At this time, Prince Yu naturally knew nothing about all this. He was busy discussing with Ban Ruo how to carry out the task assigned by his father.

"Your Highness, I think we should wait and see what happens and not act too hastily. After all, the one who should be anxious about this matter is not us, but the East Palace."

"Our top priority now is to make sure He Jingzhong doesn't talk nonsense." Prajna said
"Well, what you said makes sense, but it is not convenient for me to go to the Xuanjing Division. If I send someone else, Xia Jiang may not give face." Prince Yu said in embarrassment.
"Your Highness, this Xia Shouzun will naturally not show favoritism, but what about his subordinates? Leave this matter to me, I will find a way to inform them." Prajna said with a smile

When Prince Yu heard this, he knew what means he was going to use, but he still nodded. After all, women are really useful in some things.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye it was the next day. Qiu Yuan stood in his seat as usual, listening quietly to others talking.

Just when he thought that today would be a peaceful day like the previous ones, the situation changed. First, the officials from the Ministry of Rites stood up and urged the trial of He Jingzhong.

Qiu Yuan became excited when he heard this. At this moment, Qi Min stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think Minister Chen is right. He Jingzhong is a second-rank official in the court."

"Even if he is guilty, he should be tried and convicted by the three judicial officials."

Chen Yuanzhi was immediately annoyed after hearing this, so he immediately said, "Your Majesty, I think what Lord Qi said is inappropriate. As far as I know, Lord Qi has a close personal relationship with He Jingzhong."

"If we hand him over to the Three Judicial Departments, it will inevitably be suspected of dereliction of duty."

"Sir Chen, I do have a personal relationship with He Jingzhong, but I can still distinguish between public and private matters, so please don't make any assumptions." Qi Min said
"Lord Qi, this is not my own speculation, but the fact. Your Majesty, please understand." Chen Yuanzhi responded calmly after hearing this, and then asked Emperor Liang to make the decision.

At this time, Emperor Liang was very annoyed. He certainly knew their purpose, but precisely because he knew it, he could not make a decision easily.

But now Chen Yuanzhi's words have forced him into a corner. He either has to withdraw from the court directly or choose someone. Naturally, he is very dissatisfied with this act of forcing the emperor to abdicate.

"Minister Chen, what you said makes sense. However, my dear, if this case is not handed over to the three judicial departments, who else can it be handed over to? Do you have any candidates?" Emperor Liang said directly.
He thought that this sentence would make Chen Yuanzhi shut up, but he didn't expect that Chen Yuanzhi actually said seriously, "Your Majesty, I do have a candidate."

After hearing this, Emperor Liang did not look at him, but looked at the crown prince. The crown prince naturally felt his father's gaze, but he would definitely not stand up today.

This was already thought of yesterday. Besides, there was really no need for him to take action. As long as Prince Yu did not step forward, he would not step forward either.

Seeing that the prince had no intention of speaking out, Emperor Liang said directly, "Oh? Then, Lord Chen, tell us what you want to say."

"Your Majesty, I think it is fine to hand this case over to the three judicial departments. However, it would be best if the presiding judge is Minister Qiu of the Ministry of Justice," Chen Yuanzhi said directly.

Emperor Liang and his ministers were all shocked when they heard this. They never thought that Chen Yuanzhi would actually mention such a candidate.

They subconsciously looked at the prince, who at this moment looked calm and composed, which made Prince Yu very angry, and he wanted to speak at that time, but then he held back.

"Well, Lord Qiu, Lord Chen recommended you to be the chief judge. Can you please tell me what you think?" Emperor Liang said.
After hearing this, Qiu Yuan was no longer so forbearing, and he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have just taken office not long ago, and I know very little about criminal law. I am really incapable of doing it."

"I am afraid that I have failed your Majesty's trust, so I implore your Majesty to select someone more capable to take charge of this case." Qiu Yuan said
"Haha, Lord Qiu, don't underestimate yourself. I promoted you to your current position because I believed in your ability."

"This matter is a good opportunity, right? I think there is no need to choose anyone else. I will leave it to you." After hearing this, Emperor Liang said with a smile.

Qiu Yuan wanted to refuse immediately after hearing this, but after looking at the look in His Majesty's eyes, he gave up the idea and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

"Hahaha, good, then this matter is settled. He Jingzhong's case will be handed over to you, Mr. Qiu. Well, we have said everything that needs to be said. Let's go." Emperor Liang laughed.
Following Gao Zhan's order to adjourn the court, Emperor Liang was the first to stand up and leave. After paying his respects, the loyal ministers also left one after another. It is worth mentioning that neither Prince Yu nor the Crown Prince came to see Qiu Yuan.

Even Qi Min just nodded to him and didn't say anything else. Just like that, Qiu Yuan returned to his mansion with a heavy heart.

"Huh? My dear husband, what happened to you? You were fine before you left this morning. Why did you change color when you came back? Did something happen?" Nihuang asked
"Madam, don't worry. There is indeed a small problem, but it is not very serious. At the morning court today, Chen Yuanzhi, so His Majesty gave this task to me." Qiu Yuan said with a smile

"Well, it seems that the prince really can't sit still anymore, but wasn't he fine before? Could it be that he has been stimulated by something?" Nihuang asked
"Madam, it seems that he already knew about your previous visit to Prince Yu, so he did this today. It is impossible for Chen Yuanzhi to target me for no reason." "So it can only be him who benefits. Maybe he has planned it long ago and was waiting for today? But it doesn't matter, this is not a big problem." Qiu Yuan said
"Yes, this is indeed not a big problem, but you have to be prepared, my husband. After all, being the chief judge is not easy." Ni Huang reminded
"Madam, don't worry. I know the importance of this matter. In fact, many things are not impossible to do, but there will be some resistance. As long as Prince Yu is smart enough, he should know what to do." Qiu Yuan said
Seeing that her husband knew what was going on, Nihuang stopped talking.

When Qiu Yuan saw that his wife was silent, he knew what was going on. Since they had finished talking about the serious matters, it was natural that they would talk about some abnormal things.

Unlike the relaxed mood of the couple, Prince Yu was in a very bad mood at this moment. He sat in the study with a frown on his face, while Qin Banruo beside him did not dare to say a word.

"Prajna, what do you think we should do now? Should I go find Qiu Yuan?" Prince Yu asked

"Your Highness, I think it's better for you not to go. Since the Crown Prince dared to do this, he must have made preparations. I estimate that the outside of the Wenyuan Marquis's mansion is already surrounded by his spies."

"Now they are waiting for you, Your Highness, or your people to come. As long as they catch us, they will definitely take action against us, so you can't go." Prajna said
"But, but if I don't go, Qiu Yuan might... Does He Jingzhong really not care? Then what will happen?" Prince Yu hesitated.
"Your Majesty, my people had already made sufficient preparations and bribed the people from the Xuanjing Division, but before they could proceed, something like this happened today."

"I think this person will go to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow. Do you still want to keep the one we have agreed on?" Prajna said
"Of course I have to go. I have to pass the message on to the Ministry of Justice before they go. Otherwise, it will be difficult to handle the situation when the time comes."

"Since He Jingzhong is beyond saving, we cannot let Qi Min get involved because of him. You must go back now and make sure everything is done before tomorrow." Prince Yu said directly.
After hearing this, Prajna stood up and left. Prince Yu looked at her leaving back, feeling worried and expectant at the same time. His mood was contradictory.
But he adjusted himself quickly and asked someone to call Qi Min over.

But at this moment, Prajna didn't think so much, because she was in a hurry to go back. She knew that time was very tight, so she naturally wouldn't delay.

Not long after, she returned to Hong Xiuzhao and found her confidant.

"How is the task I asked you to do going? What did they say? Did they agree?" Prajna said.
"Miss, they have already agreed. He can take the message over at any time, but since he will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow, should we not do it?" said the confidant.
"No, we still have to do what needs to be done, and we have to do it quickly, before tomorrow. These words must be told to him before he goes to the Ministry of Justice." Prajna said directly
After hearing this, the confidant didn't say anything else, but just nodded and then retreated. After she left, a trace of worry appeared on Prajna's face.

Later in the Xuan Jingsi Prison, the jailer who was in charge of guarding the imperial prison was already drunk, and the person drinking with him was a short and strong man in his thirties.

"Boss, boss? What's wrong with you today? Why are you drunk at such a young age? This is not your usual level." said the short and stocky man.
The second prison boss, who was lying on the table, didn't react at all. Seeing this, the short and strong man's expression changed, and then he quietly left. What he didn't see was.

At this moment, the jailer suddenly opened his eyes and looked in the direction the man left. Then he closed his eyes again and began to snore.

At this time, the short and strong man did not know that the prison boss was not drunk. Instead, he walked to the cell area on his own and then walked to a relatively clean and tidy cell.

And this cell was naturally the place where He Jingzhong was imprisoned. At this time, He Jingzhong was sitting on the ground with disheveled hair, not saying a word, and did not care about the arrival of the short and strong man.

"Sir He, someone asked me to give you a message. Some things can be done, and some things cannot be done. I hope you can take care of yourself." After the short and strong man finished speaking, he turned around and left without waiting for He Jingzhong to answer. After he left, He Jingzhong slowly raised his head.

At this moment, He Jingzhong's eyes were full of sadness, but it soon disappeared. He knew that he might not have the chance to go out again.

At this time, the short and strong man was in big trouble, because he returned to the table he had just been at, but the jailer at the table was not drunk at all.

The short and strong man's face changed instantly, and then he collapsed to the ground without saying a word. As a member of the Xuan Jing Division, he knew his own methods too well.

So he looked at the jailer with pleading eyes, and a hint of helplessness flashed in the jailer's eyes. When the man saw it, he instantly understood that everything about him had been under the control of his superiors.

Soon, the short and strong man's shrill screams were heard in the prison, but no one said anything or showed any abnormality.

After all, they are already accustomed to such things, so naturally they don't care. Or even if they care, they won't show it to others.

At this time, in Xia Jiang's public housing in Xuan Jing Si, Xia Jiang already knew everything. After sending his men away, he simply closed his eyes.

That's right, he knew all this a long time ago, and the reason why he didn't take any action was that he couldn't be sure that the prince would win in the end.

It would be the same even with his help, so he didn't dare and wouldn't do anything extreme. He would leave a way out for others so that they could meet again in the future. As he got older, he couldn't help but think more.

Qiu Yuan didn't feel anything about all this at the moment. After all, he was busy with the harmony of yin and yang. How could he care about so many things?
Time soon came to the next day. Qiu Yuan knew that his troubles were coming, but he still came to the Ministry of Justice slowly, drinking tea leisurely as usual, not in a hurry at all.

Although he was not in a hurry, some people were. For example, Qi Min, the Minister of Justice, was very anxious because Prince Yu called him over last night and gave him a task.

If Qiu Yuan didn't take action, how could he complete the task assigned by His Royal Highness Prince Yu? After thinking it over, he decided to take the initiative and go over to confront his cards.

(End of this chapter)