Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 527 - 526: General Situ
Lu Qing laughed upon hearing this: "I’ve been locked in here, and haven’t caused any fuss myself. What are they arguing about in the hall?"
"Brother, your words aren’t quite right here! Although father got angry momentarily and locked you up, you have no objections. Yet, as a prince, even if you’ve made a mistake, it should be handled according to the law and propriety." Lu Ze shook his head, "That’s why today not only did the Imperial Censor present a memorial to father, deeming the handling inappropriate, but even people from the Ministry of Justice and Zongzheng Temple found it unacceptable.
They say that even if you’ve made a mistake, as a prince and as a peer that father personally appointed, you should be dealt with according to the royal family laws, and not be thrown into a place that violates propriety.
Unfortunately, father only dealt with some accumulated state affairs today, and after they argued and bickered, his head began to ache again and he said not to talk about matters unrelated to court affairs, shortly after which he ended court."
"So, who exactly is arguing with Zongzheng Temple and the Imperial Censor right now?" Lu Qing asked.
Lu Ze glanced at him with a hint of helplessness: "Brother, now you’re deliberately playing dumb! Who else could think your current predicament is without issue in the court? Of course it’s Duke Yan!
You wouldn’t believe what he said in the hall today!
Since both Zongzheng Temple and the Imperial Censorate found it inappropriate, father asked for his opinion
The old fox opened his mouth, saying he found nothing wrong with father’s actions. A prince breaking the law should be treated the same as a commoner. If brother is really suspected of plotting against King Fan, even being father’s biological son, you should be punished according to the law without any favoritism.
Moreover... "
Lu Ze’s face showed embarrassment, and he suddenly stopped speaking, looking at Lu Qing with a tense expression.
"Moreover, I’m not even the Holy Emperor’s biological child, right?" Lu Qing’s face held a smile, but his tone was calm and indifferent. However, his gaze carried an indescribable coldness, such that even his impassive voice seemed to have hidden emotions stirring beneath.
Lu Ze nodded cautiously: "Duke Yan said, since you’re not biological, regardless of what title father gave you, it stems from the Holy Emperor’s benevolence and does not change the fact that you’re not related by blood... So... you shouldn’t have acted on your own and went to Bhutan, causing such a big mess and making father clean up after you.
Sentimentally... father has treated you well over the years, giving you everything a biological son has. Now locking you in Shackles Prison is merely considering blood relations, without any disgrace to you, so if you harbor resentment, it is indeed... insatiable greed..."
As Lu Ze spoke, he glanced cautiously at Lu Qing, worried those words might hurt him.
Lu Qing’s expression was unpredictable; he didn’t show any anger, but he didn’t seem entirely indifferent either.
"Since both sides are arguing endlessly, it seems there are quite a few who agree with Duke Yan’s ideas?" he asked Lu Ze.
Lu Ze forced a smile: "Brother, don’t take this to heart. You know as well as anyone, those around Duke Yan speak only his words and nothing peculiar.
They have a hundred hands, a hundred feet, but just one head, expecting them to have original thoughts is naïve!
You can’t expect to get ivory from a dog’s mouth, brother, just treat what they say as a fart!"
"Prince, watch your words!" A young attendant waiting nearby quickly warned, "Such words should not be spoken carelessly, if they reach the wrong ears, the Holy Emperor might punish you!"
"Shut up! I’m in a good mood right now, don’t ruin it!" Lu Ze glared at the attendant. "Is there an outsider here? I’m confiding in brother, would he deliberately report my words to Duke Yan?!
If anyone truly hears it, it’s you two scoundrels!"
Zhu Yu, standing nearby, sneaked a glance at Lu Ze.
Although this young Prince Shu appeared cheerful upon arrival, she had overheard him impatiently reproach his attendants before in Prince Xiaoyao Mansion, but never with such a hint of irritability, seemingly unable to contain his anger.
Was it because internally he was annoyed beyond measure yet putting on a facade to comfort Lu Qing, or did he genuinely feel happy, even somewhat carried away, no longer bothering to hide his true nature?
Zhu Yu knew little of Lu Ze, and found it difficult to guess.
The little attendant, chastised a few times, stood quietly by, head lowered, not daring to utter a sound.
"Anyhow, father was so bothered by their arguing his head felt about to explode, so he scolded them and ended court." Lu Ze took a deep breath to calm himself, then comforted Lu Qing, "Father probably doesn’t entirely agree with Duke Yan and his group’s ideas, or he wouldn’t react like that.
In this light, it’s to your benefit."
After speaking, Lu Ze’s expression suddenly changed, glancing awkwardly at Lu Qing as if wrestling with whether to speak or not.
This expression could hardly escape Lu Qing’s notice.
"Speak freely, your brother is not so weak that he can’t handle a bit of bad news." Lu Qing urged.
Lu Ze awkwardly pulled a wry smile: "I nearly forgot, there’s another matter from today causing father’s headache.
Having not held morning court for several days, all sorts of issues piled up. Just recently General Situ returned to the capital with his eldest son for duty reporting, but due to father’s illness they couldn’t attend morning court and waited in the capital.
This morning at court, they submitted a memorial too.
I thought they’d just report border matters, let father ask questions, then leave.
Yet, General Situ, for some reason, chose the most chaotic time to denounce you, claiming your reckless behavior abroad, baseless suppression of others, envy and incapacity, causing severe consequences, hoping father would punish you harshly."
