Chapter 534: An Unbelievable Outcome
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Upon hearing Emperor Lin Mubai’s question, the officials waited for Wen Chuan’s response in anticipation. After all, he was the one of the most clear-headed among them.
As the Law Official, a member of the distinguished Six Council Officials, it was only natural for Emperor Lin Mubai to ask of Wen Chuan’s opinion.
But…
How would Wen Chuan answer the Emperor?
After all, although the Crown Prince and Prince Lin Xinjue took a liking to his new role as the Law Official, Wen Chuan had only been on the job for a short period of time.
But whose side would Wen Chuan be on was still a mystery.
Upon hearing Emperor Lin Mubai’s question, Wen Chuan briefly froze. He mulled it over, with his head lowered, his expressions conveyed a trace of anxiety, as if he had not noticed Emperor Lin Mubai’s gaze.
And then he spoke.
“Your Majesty, in my opinion, this case has numerous suspicious points, and Fang Zhengzhi has stated that he has evidence. Therefore, I think… it should be investigated!” With that, he kneeled, with his head kept low.
Wen Chuan was apparently petrified. But the other officials were stupefied as they heard his response.
Anyone could’ve understood Lin Mubai’s gaze at the Crown Prince, yet Wen Chuan had completely missed the point?
Was he stupid?
It was impossible!
Though Wen Chuan had not held office as the Law Official for long, he had worked in the Law Council for over a decade. Had he not learned to observe the Emperor’s expressions? Had he really failed to interpret Emperor Lin Mubai’s gaze?
In the end, Wen Chuan had completely ignored Emperor Lin Mubai’s hint and gave a clear response.
Such a clear, direct response.
“It should be investigated!”
This could not happen in the Imperial Halls where one naturally put his safety before his principles. After all, every official should be adept at guessing the Emperor’s sentiments, not to mention one who has recently taken office.
Even if he could not guess the Emperor’s sentiments immediately, Wen Chuan should have given an ambiguous response to protect himself. How could he straightforwardly reply that this case should be investigated?
All the officials stared at a kneeling Wen Chuan in utter disbelief.
Even Crown Prince Lin Tianrong and Emperor Lin Mubai could not believe this.
In fact, when Crown Prince Lin Tianrong saw Emperor Lin Mubai looking towards him, he felt a moment of relief. Emperor Lin Mubai’s message was evident.
Even if Wen Chuan did not fully take Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s side, surely, he could not have opposed the Emperor in public?
Well, he had indeed missed the hint, as if he had ignored Emperor Lin Mubai.
Emperor Lin Mubai could not accept this outcome!
“What nonsense are you talking about? As the Law Official, how could you make such a hasty decision with no evidence at all!” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was enraged.
He had to be enraged.
He was under immense pressure. There was no way out for him.
The conclusion of this case was definitely a matter of life and death for Crown Prince Lin Tianrong. Though he knew he was supposed to remain silent, he spoke up nonetheless.
“Your Highness, this is based on facts. Fang Zhengzhi had already proved that he did not have the ability to kill, and he has said that he has the evidence. According to the laws, this case should be investigated!” Wen Chuan said, kneeling, with his head kept low.
He was shivering in fear.
The officials were speechless. No one would have expected Wen Chuan to openly argue with the Crown Prince.
“You…” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong struggled to find words. How could he say anything after this Rank 2 official countered him with the laws?
He clenched his fists, his face a pallor while he gasped for breath.
“Blargh!” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong could not contain it any longer. A mouthful of blood splattered on the floor.
The officials and countless commoners were absolutely stunned. Did Wen Chuan really argue against the Crown Prince?
How did this happen?
No one understood. But with the situation having developed this way, even Emperor Lin Mubai could not favor him even if he wished to.
Under the watchful eyes of so many commoners, Emperor Lin Mubai could not be seen to plainly do so. And thus, the case was approaching its conclusion.
But…
Not a single person could comprehend how did this seemingly impossible case progress so fast?
Fang Zhengzhi’s appearance disrupted the meeting between the Emperor and the Princess of the Southern Region.
This was punishable by death!
Yet Fang Zhengzhi did not die and even confronted the Princess of the Southern Region. Thereafter, the blame landed on the silent Crown Prince Lin Tianrong beside them.
And in a fit of rage, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong disputed against Fang Zhengzhi.
And then…
The matter has developed irreversibly.
It began with the Princess of the Southern Region presenting her gift, her roast lamb, which poisoned many officials. Then, Fang Zhengzhi revealed that the Ministry of Finance official Yue Hu’s son had an affair with a servant. Finally, he fearlessly interrupted the Emperor.
Any of these could be punishable by death.
But in the end?
The newly appointed Law Official Wen Chuan surprisingly said: “it should be investigated!”
How was this in any way conceivable? Although the matter was reaching its end, the officials and commoners were still lost in their thoughts.
Emperor Lin Mubai, too, momentarily looked as though he was in a trance, visibly shaken.
He was about to speak when he saw Ping Yang, who was by his side.
A word raced through his mind.
Mirror!
Then he was lost deep in his thoughts. Was I not a wise emperor?
Time seemed to stop at this moment.
There were neither noise nor movements, besides the occasional breeze.
Everyone turned their attention to Emperor Lin Mubai, waiting for the esteemed emperor to make the final call on this issue.
After some time, Emperor Lin Mubai’s eyes lit up.
“Since Official Wen believes this case has suspicious points, then we shall investigate!” said Emperor Lin Mubai, as he stared intently at Fang Zhengzhi.
The officials were all bewildered, but none dared to voice their objections. After all, this was an irrevocable outcome.
“The case is really overturned?”
“Wouldn’t this implicate the Crown Prince?”
“The Emperor actually called for a public investigation?”
Although the officials had expected this outcome, it felt totally different hearing it from the Emperor.
Well, this matter had developed too peculiarly, too unbelievable.
When Emperor Lin Mubai declared the re-examination of this case, the officials had only one thought. Fang Zhengzhi did it. He really did it.
He had accomplished an impossible task.
Was this a coincidence, or was it deliberate? What if it was deliberate? How much wisdom would it take for such an elaborate plan to fall into place?
It was truly shocking.
Another thought arose among the officials. If Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t handicapped, if he maintained the same standard as he did in the Southern Region…
Was Chi Guyan really the Chosen One as foretold in the Heavenly Prophecy?
Fang Zhengzhi’s was constantly evolving. From being the Capital Examinations double roll Champion, Prefectural Examinations double roll champion, Imperial Examinations double roll champion, and now the Court Examinations…
He excelled consistently. Perhaps too good to be true.
But, there was someone even better.
Chi Guyan.
Regardless of talent or origin, Fang Zhengzhi was dwarfed in comparison to Chi Guyan. Strangely, everyone pondered about this.
When Fang Zhengzhi became a handicapped man, they sobbed in their hearts and thought of this. A notion they would never have dared to think of.
The surrounding commoners were roused.
In addition to the commoners, thousands of Southern Region soldiers behind Southern Region Princess Shan Yu cheered in their hearts.
“It has been a year, and finally the case is overturned!”
“Finally, justice can be served!”
The Southern Region soldiers remained still in their position, but their faces beamed with excitement.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Southern Region Princess Shan Yu saluted Emperor Lin Mubai, though she knew for a fact that this was only a re-examination of the case, not its conclusion.
But…
To her, this was already an extraordinary feat.
“Your Majesty, I have another request.” Yan Xiu said, after saluting Emperor Lin Mubai.
The astonished yet excited officials and commoners grew silent upon hearing Yan Xiu.
Doubt and confusion were now in their minds.
Since Emperor Lin Mubai has declared to re-examine the case, what else could Yan Xiu ask for?
“What is your request, Yan Xiu?” Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Yan Xiu, his smile carrying a trace of doubt.