CHAPTER 422: 332. ORDERED TO SUPPRESS THE REBELLION

In the Pipa Hall, Lin Chaoqing held a red-hot branding iron in his hand, hesitating to put it down.

Only when it cooled and turned an iron-gray did this Commander of the Jiefan Guard smile slightly, turning back to look at Chen Ji: "Every time I see Dr. Chen, it seems to be a spectacle of finding life in a desperate situation. Here in the Pipa Hall of the Imperial Prison, it’s the first time I’ve seen someone come and go as they please, impressive."

Chen Ji remained tied to the wooden frame, his expression unchanged: "Perhaps I was never at a dead end?"

Lin Chaoqing laughed heartily: "Quite reasonable."

He casually tossed the branding iron back into the furnace, personally untied the ropes for Chen Ji, and gestured with his arm toward the outside: "Please, it’s late, and His Majesty is still waiting."

Chen Ji rubbed his wrist and looked down at his bare feet.

He lifted his foot and looked at the Jiefan Guard beside him: "Could you help me put them on?"

Lin Chaoqing still smiled: "Young man, hasn’t anyone taught you not to make enemies lightly?"

Chen Ji calmly said: "I only know that when someone throws a punch, you can’t just let it go easily, otherwise there will inevitably be a second punch."

Lin Chaoqing earnestly examined Chen Ji: "You’re a bit different than when you were in Luocheng City."

Chen Ji nodded: "One must change."

In the next moment, Lin Chaoqing squatted down and put boots on for Chen Ji.

As he put on the boots, without lifting his head, he said: "Mr. Chen, face is the least valuable thing in the world. If I put on boots for you, it might become a good story in the future."

Chen Ji seriously said: "Lord Lin is indeed flexible, destined for great wealth and honor in the future."

Lin Chaoqing finished putting on the boots, stood up, and brushed the dust off his hands: "I am merely sharing the Emperor’s worries. Please."

The little eunuch led Chen Ji through the long, dark corridor, while Lin Chaoqing walked behind them, hands clasped behind his back, his figure merging into the shadowy darkness of the Pipa Hall.

...

...

This time when entering the palace, they didn’t go through the Imperial Palace Gate, but through the West Gate.

The little eunuch led Chen Ji across the Imperial Wine Room, Wuying Hall, and the Imperial Gate. The moonlight cast Chen Ji’s shadow onto the vermillion palace walls, unhurried and calm.

Chen Ji looked up at the eaves beasts on each corner, feeling as if he had traversed a thousand years and stumbled upon this place, finally learning how to coexist with it.

The little eunuch saw him looking around nervously and said: "Mr. Chen, don’t look around carelessly."

Chen Ji smiled: "A look won’t take anything away."

The little eunuch was stunned, then lowered his head and led the way with short steps, saying no more.

The two walked one behind the other through the dim palace restrictions, with only the Renshou Palace brightly lit, smoke filling the air. Even waiting several meters away outside the palace, one could smell the faint scent of sandalwood.

When Chen Ji arrived outside the Renshou Palace, he saw the Crown Prince in crown robes kneeling before the Filial Piety and Brotherly Love Stele, unable to get up for a long time. Behind the Crown Prince stood several officials summoned into the palace overnight, each wearing crimson official robes, waiting there.

When Chen Ji appeared, everyone turned their heads to look, then turned back, standing with lowered hands.

The little eunuch whispered to Chen Ji: "Mr. Chen, please wait here for orders, you cannot enter the palace without a summons."

Chen Ji nodded, cupped his hands: "Understood."

At this time, the vermillion gate of Renshou Palace was open, and those outside could hear an official inside saying loudly: "Your Majesty, the Daning Law strictly prohibits the private possession of crossbows and heavy armor by the people. Now, someone brazenly uses crossbows under the Emperor’s feet, a crime of treason, they should find the culprit, confiscate the family, and execute them."

Another person said: "The Yulin Army is the Imperial Guard, leaving their posts without orders is also treason! The main culprits Chen Wenren and Chen Ji should be executed immediately."

Someone said: "Chen Ji is just a small flag officer, what does this have to do with him?"

Chen Ji recognized the voice as Chen Lizun, the head of the Chen family.

He heard a debater say: "Chen Wenren and others have already been captured by the Five Cities Military Department, they confessed that the actual leader of Li Xuan’s garrison was Chen Ji! Your Majesty, I ask for your divine judgment, execute Chen Ji and Chen Wenren to set an example."

From start to finish, the one sitting on the throne remained calm with eyes closed, not saying a word.

At this moment, Official Chen sat on an embroidered stool, eyes downcast: "Your Majesty, the matter of the crossbows is very involved, it is better to first find the rebel. As the old minister knows, Prince Fu was also in the Eight Great Hutongs at that time, perhaps summon him to inquire."

With this single sentence, the killing intent suddenly shifted from the Chen family to Prince Fu.

Everyone’s hearts stirred, Official Chen was the Crown Prince’s mentor, now pointing the sword at Prince Fu, this was no longer a simple investigation of treason, but a struggle for the throne.

Opposite, Official Hu lifted his eyelids, glanced at Official Chen, then lowered them again.

Emperor Ning, sitting behind the gauze curtain, his expression unclear: "Summon Prince Fu."

Wu Xiu loudly announced: "By the Emperor’s decree, summon Prince Fu to an audience!"

After ten minutes, a young man in a black slanted-collar robe entered the palace with the little eunuch, his robe embroidered with a pattern of a chi dragon and floral emblems in silver thread.

Strangely, the tail of his dragon turned into an entwined honeysuckle vine, and even the chi dragon on his garment had its eyes closed.

As the young man passed by Chen Ji, he winked at him.

Then, he quickened his pace, entered the hall, and knelt down: "Your son greets Your Majesty, wishing for Your Majesty’s reign to endure eternally, for the stability of Society, for virtue to prevail over Heaven and Earth, and for boundless longevity..."

Emperor Ning interrupted: "Alright, alright."

Prince Fu’s voice abruptly stopped.

Someone questioned: "Prince Fu, were you in the Eight Great Hutongs today?"

Prince Fu answered honestly: "I was."

Another questioned: "What were you doing in the Eight Great Hutongs?"

Prince Fu looked up and laughed: "What else could one do in the Eight Great Hutongs? Listening to music, watching performances, of course."

Official Chen slowly spoke: "Prince Fu, did you see anyone using crossbows?"

Prince Fu answered honestly: "I saw it."

Official Chen asked again: "Then did you see whose people were using crossbows?"

Prince Fu shook his head: "I didn’t see. As soon as I saw someone using a crossbow, I immediately ran away."

Official Chen asked again: "Since it has nothing to do with you, why did you run?"

Prince Fu replied sincerely: "I was afraid Official Chen would blame this on me."

Opposite Official Chen, Zhang Zhuo lowered his head, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Emperor Ning said unhurriedly: "Prince Fu, who do you think hid the crossbows?"

Prince Fu quickly replied: "The Wang Family."

Emperor Ning said indifferently: "You answer so decisively, but how do you know it’s the Wang Family?"

Prince Fu bowed low: "To report to Your Majesty, I guessed."

An Imperial Censor beside Mr. Qi suddenly asked: "Dare I ask Prince Fu, is Furui Xiang in the outer city your property?"

Prince Fu answered honestly again: "Yes, Furui Xiang is something I set up out of boredom, intending to make some silver to spend."

The Imperial Censor speculated: "As far as I know, Furui Xiang has been at odds with Heji over the years. It’s rumored that Heji has been suppressing Furui Xiang. So could it be that in order to annex Heji’s assets, you intended to take advantage of the chaos to kill Wang Huan?"

Prince Fu looked up at the Imperial Censor, then at Official Chen and Mr. Qi, and finally turned his head towards the gauze curtain and said loudly: "To report to Your Majesty, I don’t have that kind of courage. Once this happened, I immediately sent all twelve main culprits of Furui Xiang to the Five Cities Military Department to confess their crimes and face justice. The total silver earned over the years, seventy-four thousand one hundred and ten taels, was also sent to the Imperial Treasury, currently being counted by the Ritual Supervision."

Official Chen said hoarsely: "Prince Fu is trying to survive by sacrificing the tail at this moment, perhaps a bit late."

Prince Fu shouted: "Official Chen, why not first investigate the origins of the crossbowmen and then make a decision. You say it’s me seeking revenge, but I think it’s the Wang family committing murder and silencing witnesses."

Official Chen said casually: "It seems Prince Fu knows that the two crossbowmen have committed suicide by poisoning, leaving no evidence."

Chen Ji stood outside Renshou Palace, listening as the Qi and Chen families turned black into white, knowing that all discerning people understood that the crossbows should have nothing to do with Prince Fu, but the dirty water had to be poured on him.

An Imperial Censor beside Mr. Qi pursued: "Prince Fu, do you have anything else to say? Can you prove your innocence?"

Everyone looked at Prince Fu, who rolled his eyes and said carelessly: "In any case, it’s not me. If you all can prove it’s me, I will confess and face justice."

Official Hu suddenly opened his eyes and rebuked: "How could you be so disrespectful in front of the Emperor!"

Prince Fu did not kneel but shifted his body to sit cross-legged on the mirror-like green gold bricks, patting the ground with his hands and crying out: "Father Emperor, please make a decision for me! Your son has always been obedient and law-abiding, how could it be me?"

Renshou Palace quieted down, everyone watching Prince Fu’s antics with complex expressions.

Official Hu suddenly spoke: "You all keep saying that this matter is orchestrated by Prince Fu behind the scenes. Do you have any evidence? Tonight, it wasn’t just Prince Fu present, there were also several members of the Yulin Army. Why not call them to ask?"

Emperor Ning rang the Three Mountains Bell in his hand.

At the next moment, Wu Xiu’s voice came from Renshou Palace: "Summon the small flag officer of the Yulin Army, Chen Ji, into the hall!"

Chen Ji lifted his robe and passed by the Crown Prince, crawling on the ground as he crossed the threshold: "This humble servant, Chen Ji, wishes that Your Majesty’s reign be eternal, the Society stable, virtues matched with heaven, and long-lasting prosperity..."

Instantly, all eyes were fixed on his back.

Emperor Ning slowly asked from behind the gauze curtain: "Speak, why aren’t you continuing?"

Chen Ji sincerely replied while prostrating: "This humble servant has only learned this much just now."

"Nonsense," a Ministry official beside Official Hu stepped forward: "Chen Ji, do you realize your crime?"

Chen Ji responded: "To answer this lord, I don’t know."

The previous Minister of the Ministry of War said loudly: "Chen Ji, as members of the Imperial Guard, your involvement in carrying weapons and fighting among the people, what crime does this entail?"

Chen Ji did not answer.

Someone else cupped their hands towards the gauze curtain and said: "Your Majesty, I request severe punishment for the Yulin Army members Li Xuan, Qi Zhenzhuo, Chen Wenren, and Chen Ji to set an example."

"Li Xuan, Qi Zhenzhuo, Chen Ji, and Chen Wenren disregarded national law, they should be flogged a hundred times and exiled to Lingnan!"

"Chen Liqin, Chen Lizhi, and Qi Xianshu did not properly discipline their sons and should also be severely punished!"

Amidst the accusations, Chen Ji never defended himself.

At this time, Zhang Zhuo suddenly spoke: "Chen Ji, I ask you, why did you Yulin Army engage in private fighting in the outer city?"

Chen Ji answered: "We discovered hidden crossbows in the streets and went to suppress the rebellion."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War said angrily: "Who allowed you to mobilize the official army without permission?"

Chen Ji answered again: "To answer this lord, the Yulin Army did not mobilize the official army without permission, I was carrying out an imperial order to suppress the rebellion."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War was visibly stunned, everyone looked at Chen Ji, even Chen Lizun didn’t expect Chen Ji to answer this way.

Carrying out an imperial order to suppress the rebellion? How could it be an imperial order?

Such words must not be spoken recklessly!

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War asked in a firm voice: "What imperial order? Whose order?"

Chen Ji said: "By the Emperor’s verbal order, the Yulin Army went to the Eight Great Hutongs to suppress the rebellion and capture the rebel party."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War was shocked, he didn’t expect Chen Ji to dare to tell such a monumental lie?

Chen Lizun beside him urgently said: "Chen Ji, don’t speak nonsense."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War angrily scolded: "Still dare to deceive the Emperor? Absolutely audacious! Your Majesty, please have this person dragged out of the Imperial Palace Gate and executed as a warning to others!"

At this moment, the one behind the gauze curtain spoke slowly: "It was indeed my verbal order."

In an instant, everyone turned to look at the fluttering gauze curtain, but they couldn’t see the expression behind it.