Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 464 Ling Family
If Prince Zuo had not acted in private, was unfeeling and unscrupulous, Ling Ze and the others would not have been so opposed to him becoming the crown prince.

After all, the emperor has only two sons, and Prince Zuo is now the nominal eldest son, so it is reasonable and legal for him to succeed to the throne.

But now that things have developed to this point and have become opponents, it is impossible for Ling Ze and others to allow Prince Zuo to sit in that position.

The day when Prince Zuo ascends the throne will inevitably become their death anniversary.

As soon as the people arranged by Mr. Zeng moved, Yun Hao received the news, and then he snatched away the people who went to the pawnshop to pawn their items before him.

After getting the person, Yun Hao immediately interrogated him personally, "What's your name? Where did the things you sent to the pawnshop come from? Why did you pawn the things in several pawnshops? Where did you put the money you got from the pawning?"

"My name is Daniu, and I'm a laborer at the dock. That day, I got my wages and went out to drink. In the tavern, I met a brother I knew before, and he asked me for help."

Yun Hao continued to ask: "What's his name? What can he ask you to do for me?"

"His name is Lai Da, and his father is the steward of Prime Minister Ling's household. He gave me a package and asked me to pawn the contents of the package at several pawnshops in the city." said Da Niu.

"Aren't you afraid that what he gives you is stolen goods?" Yun Hao asked with a sneer.

"I am afraid, but he said," Daniu showed a greedy look on his face, "he said that after the matter is completed, he will give me 100 taels of silver. Sir, with 100 taels of silver, I don't have to work as a laborer at the dock, I can also repair the house and marry a wife. I can also not care whether it is stolen goods or not."

The reward is quite generous, no wonder the big shot is tempted.

"What's in the package he gave you?" Yun Hao asked knowingly.

"There were women's jewelry and some small ornaments. They all looked very valuable. I didn't know what they were, but I just followed his instructions and pawned them in several pawnshops." said Da Niu.

"Daniu, do you know what kind of person Lai Da is in his daily life?" Yun Hao asked again.

Daniu scratched his head and said hesitantly, "He...he is a bit idle on weekdays, likes gambling, and owes a lot of gambling debts."

This is in line with the fact that someone in the Ling family runs an underground gambling house.

It was most likely Lai Da who killed Cai Zhanshi's mistress. This matter is ultimately related to the Ling family.

"Daniu, do you know where Lai Da is now?" Yun Hao asked casually.

"He got such a large sum of money, he must have gone to the gambling house." Da Niu answered without hesitation.

Yun Hao nodded slightly and ordered his men, "Take him to the gambling house and arrest Lai Da."

"Yes, sir." The men took Daniu away.

Yun Hao went to see Ling Ze and told him what happened.

Ling Ze frowned. The gambling house had been closed. He punished all the descendants of the Ling family who were involved in the gambling house affairs one by one, and just now he broke Ling Mian's leg.

But unexpectedly, something more serious happened, involving human lives.

It is very likely that Prince Zuo asked the censor to impeach him for failing to manage his household properly and for allowing his evil servants to cause chaos and kill people.

By then, his Ling family would be in real trouble.

"Jingyao, how do you think this matter should be handled?" Ling Ze asked.

Yun Hao was stunned. Is it necessary to ask him this?
"Lord Ling, find Lai Da and find out the truth. If he really killed Cai Zhanshi's mistress, bring him to justice and give Cai Zhanshi an explanation." Yun Hao said calmly. "That's not enough." Ling Ze said.

"Master Ling, what do you want to do?" Yun Hao asked humbly.

Ling Ze said sternly, "When the matter is investigated, if it is Lai Da who did it, I will take off my hat and go to the palace to apologize to His Majesty."

"This..." Yun Hao frowned, "Lord Ling, it shouldn't be like this."

"I have made up my mind." Ling Ze took a deep breath, his eyes firm, "If this matter really involves the Ling family, how can I, as the head of the family, stay out of it? I must be responsible for the reputation of the Ling family and for those who have been harmed by my negligence."

The most important thing is that by doing this, Prince Zuo will not be able to use this incident to attack him again, and he will be able to keep his position as the Prime Minister.

Yun Hao understood his intention instantly and praised: "Master Ling, good plan."

Ling Ze sighed, "This old man has no choice but to do this."

"Lord Ling, arrest Lai Da's father first to avoid any further damage." Yun Hao said.

Ling Ze ordered his servants to do this. After a while, Yun Hao's men brought Lai Da and Daniu to see the two men.

Lai Da's father, Lai Da, was also brought in by the servants. When Lai Da saw his son tied up, he knelt down and said, "Master, Dawazi made a mistake in a moment of confusion. Please spare his life."

Ling Ze stared at him expressionlessly, "Lai Da, it seems that you know what he did. You are so brave."

"Master, I have only this one son. I beg you, please spare his life for the sake of my many years of service to you. I am willing to accept any punishment on his behalf. Master, I beg you." Lai Da kowtowed.

Ling Ze snorted coldly, "Your son committed the crime himself, so he has to bear the consequences himself. Do you think you can get away with it by taking his place? Come on, take Lai Da away and keep him under guard."

"Yes." The servant replied, and dragged the man away regardless of Lai Da's pleas.

Ling Ze turned to look at Lai Da, "Lai Da, you killed that woman in Xiaoshuijing Hutong, right?"

"Master, please spare my life, Master, please spare my life." Lai Da kowtowed, tears streaming down his face. "I didn't mean it. I really didn't think that much at the time. I just wanted to... just wanted to... wow, I was just impulsive at the moment. Please, Master, spare my life."

"A life for a life must be paid with a life. I will not forgive you. Jingyao, please take him to the government office and deal with him according to the law." Ling Ze's voice was full of fatigue.

There are not just one or two people who hold him back at home, but a whole group of them, from nephews and nieces to servants. This makes this elderly man, who is nearly 70 years old, feel overwhelmed.

Yun Hao took Lai Da and Daniu to the Jingzhao government office to meet the prefect.

Ling Ze wore a white robe, holding his official uniform and hat, and walked to the palace.

When Prince Zuo heard the news, he looked at Mr. Zeng who was playing chess with him and sneered, "Ling Ze is really smart. He actually thought of this trick to avoid the crisis. Unfortunately, I had expected him to do this. I want him to lose more than he gains."

"Your Highness, you are wise." Mr. Zeng complimented.

Prince Zuo summoned his confidants and whispered, "Go tell Censor Jiang and the others that Ling Ze has come to the palace to plead guilty. This is a great opportunity. If they want to gain merit, they must strike at this time."

The confidant took the order and left. Prince Zuo called another person and said, "You find a way to talk to that Lai Da and tell him that if he wants to save his son, he should go to the emperor and identify Ling Ze."

The man took the order and left. Prince Zuo then sat down with satisfaction and continued his chess game.

As long as he can successfully overthrow Ling Ze this time, he will give the position of Prime Minister to the Second Prime Minister who follows him.