Chapter 1543: 1540: Probing

Chapter 1543: Chapter 1540: Probing

And now in the court, everyone is on edge, seeing Chu Heng is like seeing the fearsome King Yama, and under his actions, how many people’s interests have been touched.

Chu Heng looked at the case, and the evidence found on it, most of which had been destroyed, leaving only a small portion of evidence.

“I shall first present myself to His Majesty.”

This voice was deep and steady, yet carried a thread of hesitation.

Liu Ruying didn’t notice much, nodded, still exclaiming on the side, sorting out the records of the involved personnel.

Zhang Zhi seemed to sense something, turned his head to glance at Chu Heng, but said nothing.

Two hours later, dawn broke.

The court ministers entered the palace for the audience, Chu Heng’s carriage slowly arrived at the palace gate. As he stepped down, he saw several top-ranking officials waiting within ten steps distance.

“Lord Chu, come, come, just in time to enter the palace together.” Chen Tianmin called out to him with a smile.

Looking at Zhang Zhonghai, Qi Shang, and other Chief of Staff standing beside him, Chu Heng’s expression showed no surprise, he slowly walked over, “Greetings to you, esteemed officials.”

“Zi Qiu is too polite.” Chen Tianmin casually made room beside him.

Qi Shang, with his hand behind his back, asked, “Lord Chu, has Duke Zheng been apprehended?”

“Not yet.” Chu Heng shook his head, his fingers gently brushing off the snowflakes on his shoulder, showing no signs of urgency, leaving others unable to guess his thoughts.

Qi Shang suddenly thought of the rumors about Duke Zheng, his heart tightened, yet he carried a smile on his face: “It’s heard that Duke Zheng favored a certain concubine greatly before, does Lord Chu know what is special about that concubine?”

Beside him, Chen Tianmin laughed and said, “Great Minister Qi, when did you start paying attention to others’ concubines? You should know, Duke Zheng has quite a few concubines in his residence, after all, a man can’t be without a few close female companions.”

Zhang Zhonghai snorted lightly, “Just a woman, what’s the point in asking?”

Qi Shang was rendered speechless, inwardly cursing the two for lacking insight and interrupting his chance to gather information, he desperately wanted to curse them, but could only force a smile.

Chu Heng pretended not to understand Qi Shang’s meaning, and amidst the exchanges, not a single useful piece of information was revealed.

Qi Shang was prepared to inquire further, but they had already arrived outside the grand hall.

A group of officials proceeded in, taking their positions according to their rank.

Chu Heng stood in the fifth row, behind Chen Tianmin.

As he stabilized his stance, he heard Chen Tianmin remark with meaning, “Zi Qiu, in this court, no one is truly clean, when water is too clear there are no fish… this is the way of the world… what do you think?”

Where people gather, networks are valued, and in places with connections, rules surpassing the law exist, this is the norm of the world.

Chu Heng’s face was devoid of extra emotions, his dark eyes like a tree standing alone yet strong in the abyss: “Your servant understands.”

“But if there is no external threat, moral boundaries will continue to lower, and by then, are people still human?”

“What makes a person human is having fear, pursuits, limitations, and an undefeatable strength.”

Chen Tianmin’s aging eyes flashed with surprise, he turned back, gave him a profound look, moved his lips, “You, I understand now.”

He suddenly smiled, and his heavy heart, for reasons unknown, felt unusually light.

The morning audience proceeded very smoothly.

After the audience, Chu Heng went alone to have an imperial audience with Emperor Xuanming.

Qi Shang and Zhang Zhonghai watched his back, their expressions varied, Chen Tianmin sighed lightly.