Chapter 284

Chapter 284: Disappointment After County Princess Rongjia was brought to the government office, she claimed ignorance to everything during Prefect Huang's interrogation. As for Mei's death, County Princess Rongjia refused to admit to it even more firmly. "I was angry and did go to find her, but I did not kill her. This is a case from so many years ago. If Magistrate Huang does not believe me, you may send someone to find the prefect who handled the case back then. Mei took poison and died out of her own shame. What does that have to do with me?" Speaking of Mei, County Princess Rongjia grew angrier with each word. "A wanton woman like her who debased herself—it's good that she's dead. As for the Mei family, I've never even heard of them. Magistrate Huang, do not be swayed by one-sided accounts. I will never admit to something I did not do!" Huang Chaoming furrowed his brow. Before County Princess Rongjia had been brought in, he had already interrogated Mei Qiusheng, and the evidence was all there. Now, the only thing missing was the prefect who had handled the case back then. But County Princess Rongjia spoke with such conviction, and she was also a member of the imperial clan. Huang Chaoming had a splitting headache and could only proceed with the trial according to protocol while submitting a memorial to the Emperor. Meanwhile, at the Emperor's side, Prince Rong had just entered the great hall when he saw Cui Zeyu also present, and an ominous premonition immediately struck him. "Your Majesty, Mei Qiusheng, hindered by the power of the Rong Prince Mansion, has not dared to come to Bianjing to file his complaint all these years. Had he not encountered your humble servant, who knows how long this great injustice would have remained hidden!" Cui Zeyu said with great emotion. "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. I beg you to grant the Mei family justice. A vicious woman like County Princess Rongjia truly deserves to be torn apart by five horses!" "Cui Zeyu!" Prince Rong gritted his teeth. But Cui Zeyu showed no fear at all, looking straight back at him. "Is Your Highness trying to shield your daughter? If you put His Majesty in a difficult position, would that not tarnish His Majesty's wise and virtuous reputation?" "I have not!" Prince Rong wished he could kill Cui Zeyu with his glare. "I am merely reminding you that before matters are confirmed, you should not casually pin accusations on people!" Cui Zeyu laughed at that. "Even at this point, Your Highness still believes County Princess Rongjia is innocent? If she were innocent, why did the Rong Prince Mansion promote the prefect who handled her case back then? Furthermore, Mei Qiusheng holds letters written in County Princess Rongjia's own hand, as well as the token she gave to the assassin. Though it is an old case, with some effort put into the investigation, the truth can still be verified." Prince Rong finally understood—Cui Zeyu had been planning this for a long time. Only with complete preparation would Cui Zeyu have let Mei Qiusheng come forward to file the complaint. He took a deep breath in silence. Knowing he could not out-argue Cui Zeyu, Prince Rong knelt directly before the Emperor. "Your Majesty, Rongjia has been somewhat willful since childhood. Back then, when Du Shibei kept a concubine in a hidden residence, Rongjia was indeed angry and went to find Mei. But Mei took poison and killed herself—it had absolutely nothing to do with Rongjia. Your humble brother truly does not know what Rongjia has done to offend Cui Zeyu, that he would target the Rong Prince Mansion and Rongjia time and again!" Prince Rong's eyes reddened as he spoke. "As for the evidence Cui Zeyu mentioned, if it were real, what would Mei Qiusheng have to fear? Your humble brother is merely a prince—I have no extraordinary powers. If Mei Qiusheng had come to Bianjing, how could I possibly have stopped him?" "Your Highness makes it sound simple. Mei Qiusheng was hunted by County Princess Rongjia. Had he shown his face, he would have died before even reaching Bianjing," Cui Zeyu said with a cold laugh. "Mei Qiusheng had neither travel money nor a travel permit. How could he possibly reach Bianjing?" Then, Cui Zeyu's tone grew heavier. "And as for the officials in various regions, hindered by the power of the Rong Prince Mansion, who would dare let him through?" "Cui Zeyu, everything you speak of is baseless accusation. When have I ever wielded such great power?" Being accused of wielding immense power before the Emperor was the most taboo thing possible. Prince Rong wished he could make Cui Zeyu shut up immediately, but unfortunately, Cui Zeyu had come today specifically targeting the Rong Prince Mansion and County Princess Rongjia. Cui Zeyu also knelt before the Emperor. "Your Majesty, during County Princess Rongjia's time in the Du household, she not only harmed the Mei family but also abused and killed servants. Her various crimes are too numerous to record—truly detestable!" "Cui Zeyu!" "What, does Your Highness intend to silence me before His Majesty?" Seeing that the two were not just arguing but might actually come to blows, the Emperor finally spoke heavily. "Are the two of you treating my presence here as a marketplace?" "Your humble servant, your humble brother—would not dare!" "Would not dare? I think you dare plenty!" The Emperor's face was ashen. As the imperial clan had grown in number, more and more clan members had been raised as idle wastrels over the years. The Emperor had repeatedly decreed that if clan members committed crimes, their punishment would be one degree heavier. Otherwise, when Prince Rong's second son had erred, the Emperor would not have needed to issue the Imperial Order of Death. And yet, someone still made mistakes—and it was someone from the Rong Prince Mansion. The Emperor's gaze fixed tightly on the top of Prince Rong's head. Only after a long while, when Prince Rong felt that gaze burning too hotly, did the Emperor speak again. "Old Fourth, do you know why I have favored you with more closeness over these years?" Prince Rong was the fourth in line, and he bowed even lower. "Your humble brother knows." Not only because Prince Rong had lived with the Emperor for a few years at the late Empress Dowager's residence during childhood, but also because Prince Rong's stance had always been clear—he had never harbored any improper ambitions toward the position of crown prince. The Emperor could tolerate his younger brother making small mistakes. After all, he was his own blood brother, and he was still willing to protect him. But it could not happen a second time. "Since you know this, why haven't you properly disciplined your children?" The Emperor let out a disappointed sigh. "Last time, when Rongjia was reported to me, I let her off once out of consideration for you. If this proves true this time, don't blame me for being ruthless—I must give the people of the realm an explanation." Hearing these words, Prince Rong's heart skipped a beat. He knew that this time, the Emperor would certainly punish severely. "Have Huang Chaoming come see me—I want to hear it from his own mouth." After issuing the decree, the Emperor dismissed Cui Zeyu and Prince Rong. At the entrance of the great hall, Prince Rong kept staring at Cui Zeyu. Cui Zeyu curled his thin lips. "Your Highness, staring at me like that makes me afraid." "Ha, if you truly knew fear, you wouldn't have brought Mei Qiusheng to Bianjing!" Prince Rong took a deep breath, looking at Cui Zeyu with confusion. "I truly don't understand—what has Rongjia ever done to offend you, that you insist on driving her to her death?" "Then let me ask Your Highness the same question—what did my sister ever do wrong, that County Princess Rongjia had to marry into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, not only stealing her man but also persecuting my three nephews?" Cui Zeyu raised an eyebrow in retort. "You see, you can't answer that either." Indeed, Prince Rong had no response to that. "Your Highness, originally we had no grievances. But from the moment you allowed County Princess Rongjia to marry into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, we became lifelong mortal enemies. Just as County Princess Rongjia and you wish for my sister and me to disappear, we too hope you meet the King of Hell sooner rather than later." Having said this, Cui Zeyu descended the steps and stepped into the sunlight. "Your Highness had better consider—is a willful, errant daughter more important, or your own credibility in the Emperor's eyes?" Cui Zeyu walked away without looking back. A bad premonition settled in Prince Rong's heart—if Cui Zeyu had dared to bring this before the Emperor, he must have irrefutable evidence. And Cui Zeyu was right—if Rongjia were confirmed to have plotted the murder of Mei's entire family, then how could he preserve his own power and influence? A heavy stone weighed on Prince Rong's heart. When he walked out of the palace gate and saw his trusted attendant, he learned that his daughter had been taken to the government office. He asked, "What did Rongjia say?" "The County Mistress naturally denies everything. She even gave Magistrate Huang a thorough scolding and threw quite a tantrum at the office." "Foolish! At a time like this, how can she still be so foolish?" Prince Rong was nearly faint with rage. The Emperor hadn't detained him but had sent him home to await notice—that meant he didn't want Prince Rong interfering in this matter. Clearly, the Emperor no longer trusted him. And now Rongjia had even cursed at Huang Chaoming. Prince Rong's expression was utterly grim. He deliberately waited at the palace gate, and when he saw Huang Chaoming, before he could even speak, Huang Chaoming said first, "This humble official has been summoned by the Emperor and truly cannot delay. If Your Highness has something to say, it would be better to speak with County Princess Rongjia." With that, Huang Chaoming left, not giving Prince Rong the slightest face. Prince Rong sensed trouble and hurried to the government office to find his daughter.