Chapter 316 - 316 313 Advice to the Death_1

Chapter 316: Chapter 313: Advice to the Death_1 Chapter 316: Chapter 313: Advice to the Death_1 “Father, there is something strange about this matter…” Lu Yuanpeng sat under the glazed lantern, half of his body leaning on the armrest, fingers rubbing the corner of his clothes. “When you handed this matter to me, I thought it was no big deal. So, I sent a steward to settle it with some silver. Coincidentally, Lin’s mother and the doctor from Pingan Hall were also extorting some silver. I didn’t investigate thoroughly and just gave it to them, hoping to resolve the matter quickly!”

Prime Minister Lu closed his eyes and replied, “We have had it too easy in the Lu Mansion these past few years. This is why you have forgotten my advice: Be vigilant in times of peace; think diligently about everything.”

Lu Yuanpeng stood up and bowed to make an apology. “It was my fault!”

“The officials responsible for the Imperial College were called into the palace to review papers. The students have nothing to do and want to find some trouble!” Lu San held a grudge against the students of the Imperial College. “What did our Lu family do to offend them?”

“This incident serves as a wake-up call for our Lu family. Be more attentive in handling matters in the future!” Prime Minister Lu lowered his eyes and stared at the tea leaves floating in his cup. “The neighbors learned of Lin Xinan’s death only after Mrs. Lin went to beat the drum of injustice… What kind of mother, upon her son’s death, did not cry in hysteria to alarm the neighbors but calmly and methodically went to the Imperial College to get students to write a petition? Then, she instigated the students to accompany her to beat the drum of injustice…”

The Lu Mansion had begun investigating Lin Xinan from the moment Lu Yuanpeng made a scene at Fanque Tower. Lin Xinan’s family lived in Xiling County. His father was a County Magistrate, and his mother had once accepted bribes, nearly causing his father to lose his office. In rage, his father divorced her and remarried. The stepmother treated Lin Xinan indifferently. Later, Lin Xinan studied at the Imperial College, and his birth mother moved to Dadu City, renting a house to accompany Lin Xinan in his studies.

Lin Xinan’s mother had only this one son. Despite her son’s calamity, she was so calm… unlike an ordinary woman.

Prime Minister Lu thought about the reason for Lu Yuanpeng’s fight and recalled the words of Lin Xinan’s mother when she beat the drum of injustice. He squinted his eyes…

“This matter… It seems not targeted at Yuanpeng but at that Bai family child instead.”

Just as Prime Minister Lu finished speaking, the person sent to examine Lin Xinan’s corpse returned.

Prime Minister Lu frowned, placing his teacup aside. “Let him in.”

The steward’s report was consistent with Wei Zhong’s; Lin Xinan should have died from a suspicious substance.

“Thus, it seems this matter indeed targets the Princess of Zhen!” Lu Yuanpeng lowered his eyes and thought. “But we don’t know whose doing it is.”

“No matter whose doing it is, as long as Yuanpeng is not implicated, it will be fine!” Lu San asked Prime Minister Lu, “Can we soon bring Yuanpeng back?”

Prime Minister Lu looked at the disappointing Lu San and instructed his eldest son, “Continue to investigate this matter. It’s still hard to say if Yuanpeng can be exonerated. However, let this useless brat suffer in prison for a while too!”

Prime Minister Lu then glared at Lu San. “When this useless one returns, make sure you discipline him well! If he causes trouble again… you both will kneel in the ancestral hall!”

Lu San hurriedly nodded in agreement.

After Lu San left, the eldest son spoke to Prime Minister Lu, “Father, among the students leading the commotion, one is from a prominent family in Xiling County, a relative of Consort Chen in the palace. Do you think this matter is related to Consort Chen?”

“Consort Chen has no children and no enmity with the Princess of Zhen. She has no motive. Have people investigate who Lin Xinan associated with before his death and check the leaders of the commotion… also, find out about Lin Xinan’s reputation among his peers at the Imperial College.”

“Understood!” the eldest son nodded.

·

In the palace.

Lady Qiu knelt beside the soft couch, massaging the Emperor’s head acupoints while he rested with closed eyes. The Emperor clenched his right fist, lightly hit his forehead, and felt an intense headache.

They couldn’t arrest the group of students from the Imperial College without fearing a bigger crisis.

Since Bai Weiting’s death, he hadn’t had any peace!

The drum of injustice kept beating and beating. Did they think Wude Gate was their home’s entrance?

The Emperor felt overwhelmed with frustration.

“Your Majesty, Minister of Judicial Review Lu Jin is here.”

The Emperor heard this and raised his hand, signaling Lady Qiu to stop. Supporting himself to sit up, the headache almost made him lie down again. He pressed his forehead and tightly closed his eyes.

Lu Jin entered and saluted the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and I have unraveled the cheating scandal in the imperial exams. Evidence shows Wen Zhenkang and four deputy examiners took bribes. The officials of the Imperial College have re-evaluated the exam papers. After thorough discussion, they have selected ten new papers! Originally, among the top ten, except for Lu Yuanqing, Lu Yuanbao, Qin Lang, Dong Changyuan, and Chen Zhaolu, the rest have fallen to the bottom. The officials even found some overlooked talents because they couldn’t afford to bribe.”

The Emperor opened his eyes, filled with murderous intent. “Execute Wen Zhenkang and the four deputy examiners immediately! Issue an Imperial Edict… This year’s spring exam results are voided. Retake it in February next year.”

“Your Majesty is wise!” Lu Jin hurriedly knelt and praised.

Lady Qiu presented an ice-cold towel to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, icing it can relieve the headache.”

The Emperor took the ice towel and pressed it to his forehead, feeling much better. He then asked, “Where is the Crown Prince?”

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is outside Wude Gate pacifying the students from the Imperial College, politely asking them to leave.” Lu Jin lowered his gaze, disapproving of the Crown Prince’s conciliatory approach.

“Those students kneeling out there, what do they want to force me into?” The Emperor asked with annoyance.

Lu Jin hesitated before replying, “Your Majesty, the students outside claim the Jin Kingdom’s court is dominated by powerful ministers. Commoners cannot seek redress, and noble families collude and protect each other. They request harsh punishment for the murderers. They also…”

“What else did they say?” The Emperor’s voice heightened, worsening his headache as he clutched the towel tightly.

“They also said the Princess of Zhen murdered surrendered prisoners. It is against heaven’s principles. They implore Your Majesty to punish the brutal ones to uphold the Jin Kingdom’s reputation for benevolence and justice… Otherwise… these students from the Imperial College vowed to die expressing their protest!”

The Emperor burned with rage, throwing the towel down. “Die expressing their protest?! Let them die then! They act as if they’ve grabbed my weakness, incessantly beating the drum of injustice, constantly threatening with their lives!”