Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 359 - 334 Buying People’s Hearts

"Minister Xing!"

Xun Qi hurriedly stepped forward and solemnly said, "My adoptive father is loyal to the Emperor and loves the country, always thinking of the people’s welfare. For years, he has served diligently and adhered to the laws, never acting out of self-interest or bending justice. Today, based solely on Lu Yuan’s words and a piece of evidence that nobody knows where it originated from, you’re attempting to frame my adoptive father with baseless charges. Such behavior, does it not chill the hearts of officials and the people across Great Zhou?"

Liu Qingyun scoffed, "Here we go again. Clearly, it’s your adoptive father who’s guilty, yet you insist on accusing everyone else. Instead of lamenting how his crimes tarnished the hearts of the people, you’re blaming those who apprehended him and tried to bring him to justice. Don’t twist words, and don’t treat the officials and the people as fools. They have eyes and can see for themselves, ears and can hear for themselves. You claim the evidence has an unknown origin, but you seem forgetful. Let me remind you — it was found during the search conducted by your own Prime Minister’s Mansion!"

Xun Qi hadn’t expected Liu Qingyun’s words to be so sharp, deftly exposing his rhetoric and countering him with his own logic.

With a sigh, Meng Qianqian murmured, "Mother, please stop speaking further; otherwise, he’ll likely accuse us of planting the evidence in their mansion ourselves!"

Liu Qingyun responded coldly, "Would he dare?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Why wouldn’t he? Wasn’t he just now suggesting the abdication request to Grandfather, trying to make Grandfather dismiss his own title? He’s already acting as though he can dictate the Emperor’s decisions. Judging from his audacity, he might even claim Grandfather slipped it into their courtyard during the search!"

"Ridiculous!"

The Miao King waved his large hand, hands on his hips, and declared, "I wasn’t the only one conducting the search! The Great General Han, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and numerous government officers were present. Is he attempting to insinuate that the court’s generals and judicial officers are all incompetent drunkards?"

These remarks left Xun Qi speechless.

It was Xun Qi’s common tactic, but now being used against him, how would he respond? free𝑤ebnovel.com

Xun Qi clenched his fists tightly.

The family worked in concert, shutting down all avenues for his verbal maneuvering. If he persisted in questioning the evidence, it would amount to doubting the capabilities of the Great General Han and the Ministry of Justice.

Still, they underestimated his adoptive father’s reputation.

Even if it meant making enemies, what did that matter?

"Even lions have moments of weakness. Miao King, you searched over and over—who dares to say you weren’t merely waiting for the right moment to strike?"

The Miao King, unsurprised, stated, "I anticipated you’d say this!"

Xun Qi furrowed his brow.

What did the Miao King mean by this?

The Miao King turned to Great General Han and said, "General Han, I’ve heard your household has a remarkable hunting dog. It’s said this dog can identify smells even from ten miles away—so it should have no problem tracking down scents. Is that true?"

General Han replied, "It’s not as exaggerated as you say, but it does possess some ability in distinguishing scents."

Dogs have a keen sense of smell, but not all are adept at tracking. There’s a difference between detecting a scent and following it, the latter involving specialized training.

Coincidentally, Han’s dog had undergone such training.

Few were aware of this fact.

However, considering Han Ci’s frequent interactions with the Governor Mansion, General Han immediately surmised where the Miao King had learned of this.

The Miao King spoke with resolve, "General Han, I ask that you bring forth your hunting dog to clear my name!"

General Han hesitated.

Yet he was soon undermined by a meddling younger family member.

Han Lin, who had just been escorted back to the Han household, stealthily returned, leading the hunting dog.

The dog sniffed the medicine bottle and jumped towards several individuals—all of whom had recently touched the bottle. As for the Miao King and Liu Qingyun, the dog entirely ignored them.

"Isn’t she also among them?"

Xun Qi pointed toward Meng Qianqian.

"Me?"

Meng Qianqian pointed to her own nose, "I just examined the bottle earlier, everyone clearly saw that!"

"Enough!"

Zong Zhengxi coldly declared, "Xun Qi, you’ve repeatedly obstructed the Ministry of Justice’s investigation. Were it not for your position as the Prime Minister’s adopted son, I would punish you immediately!"

Xun Qi protested in grievance, "Your Majesty..."

Zong Zhengxi firmly replied, "The Prime Minister is merely cooperating with the investigation. Should he be innocent, I trust Minister Xing will ensure justice prevails!"

Earlier, when dealing with the Miao King, the young Emperor was far less decisive.

Xun Qi gazed solemnly at his adoptive father.

The Prime Minister remained composed and stated plainly, "Xun Qi, cease your commotion. I’ll go to the Ministry of Justice myself."

Meng Qianqian silently remarked: Yes, yes, go in—and don’t think about coming out!

As he passed Xun Qi, the Prime Minister whispered discreetly, "Locate Chen Long and Luo San."

Xun Qi’s eyes gleamed sharply, and he replied quietly, "Understood, adoptive father!"

Outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The citizens had waited all day, watching one official after another enter, clear evidence that something significant was happening.

The Prime Minister had served for many years, spanning three dynasties. Despite his low profile, the last time his mansion was this bustling was when Xun Yu earned the top scholar title.

"Look! The gates are opening!"

"The Prime Minister is coming out!"

"Who’s accompanying him?"

"The Minister of Justice!"

Minister Xing walked to the carriage and said to the Prime Minister, "Please."

The Prime Minister boarded the Ministry of Justice’s carriage.

Minister Xing rode his horse alongside it, and commanded, "To the Ministry of Justice!"

The citizens were stunned.

What was happening?

Was the Prime Minister being taken to the Ministry of Justice?

"Officer, could you tell us...what has occurred?"

A middle-aged merchant grabbed a Ministry of Justice officer.

"Don’t trouble him. He’s just a low-ranking official who can’t afford the wrath of the Prime Minister’s mansion! Ask me!"

"Who are you?"

"I’m the legitimate son of the Han family! Han Ci is my brother, the Great General is my uncle!"

"Then tell us why the Prime Minister is going to the Ministry of Justice?"

"He arrested the Grand Commander—caught red-handed, with indisputable evidence, and now he’s off to prison!"

"Han—Lin—"

The Great General arrived only moments later but found the mischievous brat had already begun spreading rumors!

Liu Qingyun stepped out of the Prime Minister’s mansion and expressed her gratitude to the gathered masses, thanking them for defending her son and providing her father the opportunity to search the mansion alongside government officials.

"Every one of you has blessed my son with a second life..."

With her tearful beauty and the imagery of a fragmented empire, the citizens’ hearts broke.

"Waaah... I also want to cry... Awoooo—Let me cry, then I’ll leave—"

Han Lin was thrown onto a horse’s back by his enraged uncle.

"Each of you has become my son’s rebirth parents... Please accept my deep bow—"

Liu Qingyun, tear-streaked yet graceful, bowed to the citizens.

The Goddess bends down.

Who could resist this?

Once despised and hunted down mercilessly, Lu Yuan, the Great Traitor, was now the community’s cherished child. Their emotions shifted drastically.

Gripping her handkerchief, Liu Qingyun spoke with heartfelt sincerity, "I cannot thank you all enough! I’m an ordinary woman, raised in Miaojiang and unaccustomed to grandeur. I have little to offer as repayment, only some modest silver—I hope you won’t hold this against me!"

Liu Qingyun handed out gold to each citizen outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"Thank you for saving my son."

"Thank you for saving my son."

"Thank you..."

"We misunderstood the Grand Commander before. He’s just a poor boy, lost at such a young age..."

"From now on, each of you is his second family. Should he do anything wrong, please discipline him well!"

"Oh, Madam Lu, don’t say such things! Upon reflection, the Grand Commander’s actually quite wonderful! He even helped Great Zhou win battles in Beiliang!"

"Yes, yes!"

Meng Qianqian watched as her mother-in-law orchestrated an elaborate display of winning public sympathy, utterly astounded. She raised her thumb in admiration: "Brilliant, truly brilliant!"