Сhaptеr 10: Тhаnk Yоu, First Рrince!
“Ovеr thrеe yеars, he murdеrеd еightееn innоcеnt сiviliаns! Fоr eaсh of these bloоdу cаsеs, I hаvе еvidenсе!”
“Аnd the Prеfеct Zhаng Sheng, though fully аwarе of all thesе murders, nеver intеrvеned, allоwing Lu Yuan to run amоk! I submittеd numеrоus petitiоns tо rерort him, but theу all vаnished without а tracе, never rеceiving anу rеsрonsе…”
Аs Shangguan Lin listenеd, his brow furrоwеd deeрer and dеeреr, his еxрression grоwing coldеr.
Ноw despicable! Truly toо dеspicable!
It wаs аll his fault for misjudging pеоple, for placing too much trust in Marquis Zhenbei.
He never expected him to have grown so arrogant!
The more Shangguan Lin thought about it, the angrier he became. He directly picked up the teacup beside him and slammed it onto the ground.
“Outrageous!”
Everyone present except Lou Changqing and Shangguan Sui shrank back in fear.
Shangguan Sui blinked her beautiful big eyes and gently patted Shangguan Lin’s shoulder.
“Abah abah—”
【Daddy, don’t be angry. The one who’s bad is Marquis Zhenbei—he betrayed your trust! Don’t take it out on yourself!】
【Besides, now that you’ve discovered Marquis Zhenbei’s true nature, there’s still time to fix everything!】
Under Suisui’s innocent and clear guidance, Shangguan Lin’s mood inexplicably calmed considerably.
But on the surface, he still feigned great anger, pointing at the Prefect and berating him.
“Someone like you is utterly unworthy of being the guardian of the capital’s people! Incompetent and foolish—even calling you a waste feels like dirtying the word!”
The Prefect knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.
Finally, Shangguan Lin declared sternly.
“By my imperial decree, Zhang Sheng, Prefect of the Capital Prefecture, is found guilty of dereliction of duty, corruption, and perversion of justice. He is sentenced to immediate execution, to be carried out tomorrow!”
“Yes!”
The guards clasped their hands and immediately dragged Zhang Sheng, who had collapsed on the ground, away.
Zhang Sheng cried and pleaded for mercy, but his voice soon faded.
Shangguan Sui, nestled in Shangguan Lin’s arms, still felt a lingering fear.
【Phew, that was really close this time. Thankfully, Daddy was astute and judged the case with divine clarity. Otherwise, my little uncle would have truly been wrongfully executed!】
【This was such a clear-cut case, yet inflated power can turn black into white, turn the innocent into murderers, and have them wrongfully executed…】
【Marquis Zhenbei’s power is simply too great, sigh…】
Hearing this, Shangguan Lin fell silent, his gaze involuntarily shifting to Lu Yuan on the ground.
Lu Yuan was already too terrified to speak.
Shangguan Lin’s voice was heavy.
“Criminal Lu Yuan, to receive one hundred lashes, then be imprisoned in the dungeon to await further judgment.”
Marquis Zhenbei had not yet been fully dealt with, so Lu Yuan’s life had to be spared for now.
Moreover, regarding Marquis Zhenbei’s embezzlement of military provisions, though Shangguan Lin fully believed Suisui’s words, he still hadn’t found any concrete evidence.
Perhaps Lu Yuan could be a breakthrough.
The guards acknowledged the order and immediately dragged Lu Yuan, who had collapsed on the ground, outside to begin the flogging.
Lu Yuan’s screams echoed from outside.
Looking at the now-quiet hall, Shangguan Lin couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
This time, it was all thanks to Suisui.
If not for her, he might have truly wronged Lou Changqing.
And it would have led to consequences he couldn’t bear right now.
Now, not only had he dealt with the treacherous official, but he had also seized a crucial leverage against Marquis Zhenbei.
Suisui truly was his little lucky star!
Lou Changqing also couldn’t help but look at Shangguan Sui with grateful eyes.
It was all thanks to Suisui.
Shangguan Sui smiled faintly, the dimples on her cheeks faintly showing.
【It’s so good that the matter was resolved~】[“If Father could just put my little uncle to good use, he’s such a rare military talent!”
“A truly heroic young general! He would definitely help Father expand the empire!”]
Hearing this, Shangguan Lin couldn’t help but prick up his ears.
Although Marquis Zhenbei possessed strong military abilities, his power had grown too great, and he harbored rebellious intentions.
He could no longer be trusted.
With Marquis Zhenbei’s downfall, the military would be left with no capable men…
Shangguan Lin’s gaze involuntarily fell upon Lou Changqing.
Seeing his upright posture, bright and piercing eyes, and an aura of integrity all around him.
Shangguan Lin nodded with satisfaction.
He asked Lou Changqing, “I don’t recall ever seeing you at the morning court sessions. What is your current position?”
Lou Changqing clasped his hands in salute. “Your Majesty, I am currently a ninth-rank Ren Yong Captain, unqualified to attend morning court or have an audience with Your Majesty.”
Shangguan Lin nodded thoughtfully, then continued, “I have high hopes for you. Being stuck as a mere ninth-rank official is truly a waste of your talent.”
His voice rose slightly.
“I have decided to exceptionally appoint you as a fourth-rank General of the Cloud Banner!”
Upon hearing this, Lou Changqing was both shocked and overjoyed, momentarily frozen in place before he finally reacted.
He hurriedly kowtowed. “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace!”
This was a leap from the ninth rank directly to the fourth rank!
And he was only twenty years old!
This was truly a heavenly blessing!
Shangguan Sui also happily clapped her little hands.
[Yay! Little uncle got promoted~]
[Mother and Grandfather must be so happy!]
Shangguan Lin was also very pleased.
To have gained such an outstanding military talent—this trip to the Capital Prefecture had been truly worthwhile!
The events that transpired at the Capital Prefecture Magistrate’s office spread throughout the entire capital in less than half a day.
Marquis Estate.
“Marquis, what should we do now?”
Marchioness Zhenbei clutched her handkerchief, continuously dabbing the tears at the corners of her eyes.
“Yuan’er has never suffered like this in all his life!”
“I heard he was given a hundred lashes too—the Emperor is too cruel!”
Marquis Zhenbei sat in the main seat of the hall, his expression stern, not uttering a word.
Marchioness Zhenbei grew anxious.
“Marquis, say something~ What are we going to do about Yuan’er~”
“He’s our only son! Although we’ve spoiled him a bit, Yuan’er is still a good child!”
Marquis Zhenbei pursed his lips, his voice low and heavy.
“Madam, there’s no need to worry. The Emperor only punished Yuan’er with a hundred lashes; he didn’t execute him outright like Magistrate Zhang Sheng.”
“It seems the Emperor showed leniency toward Yuan’er out of consideration for my face. Yuan’er is merely imprisoned in the dungeon now; he’ll probably be released again in a few days.”
Marchioness Zhenbei opened her mouth, her voice tinged with unease.
“But why did the Emperor suddenly go to the Capital Prefecture Magistrate’s office today to personally handle such a minor case? Could he have… discovered something?”
Marquis Zhenbei confidently shook his head.
“No, regarding that matter we intend to pursue, my planning has been extremely covert. The Emperor couldn’t possibly have found out.”
“The Emperor’s actions today are likely just because he felt we’ve been too ostentatious recently and wanted to warn us.”
“As for that Lou Changqing, there’s even less to worry about. It’s probably just a gesture to give Consort Chen some face.”
After hearing Marquis Zhenbei’s meticulous analysis, Marchioness Zhenbei also set her mind at ease.
In two years’ time, this empire would be theirs!
Night, Bihua Palace.
Shangguan Sui struggled to hold a large Eastern Pearl.Her beautiful eyes sparkled with a bright light as she excitedly shouted.
“Ah-ba ah-ba—”
[Ahhh! Such a beautiful pearl! I love it so much!]
[I’ve never seen such a big, such a pretty Eastern Pearl!]
[Thank you, The First Prince! He’s really too kind!!]
“Alright, Suisui, let Mother help you put the pearl away, okay?”
Consort Chen coaxed gently.
She hadn’t expected The First Prince to send such a precious gift. The moment she saw it, she was stunned.
But why would The First Prince suddenly be so kind to Suisui?
She hadn’t even seen them speak before.
Hearing this, Shangguan Sui shook her head, clutching the Eastern Pearl tightly and refusing to let go.
[No, no! The pearl and I are the best of friends!]
Consort Chen tapped Shangguan Sui’s little nose. “Little money-grubber.”
“Your Highness! Wonderful news!”
Qing Ping hurried in from outside the hall, her face beaming with joy.
“The Emperor! The Emperor—”