The Prince Can Do Divination-Chapter 171 - 145: Tripartite Confrontation, the National Preceptor’s Grand Plan, the Heaven and Earth Chessboard
Besides, they also wanted to know who the real killer was.
Soul Search was indeed the fastest and most surefire method.
Only one young Confucian Scholar stepped forward, a look of pity on his face, and admonished Lu Yunqing, "Your Highness, this action is rather improper. Most of these Imperial Chefs are innocent. They can be questioned one by one. Why must you take their lives?"
Lu Yunqing gave him a cool glance, one filled with indifference. He felt not a shred of fear or guilt toward the Confucian Scholar before him.
"If you have another way of finding the murderer, sir, feel free to share it."
The Confucian Scholar was at a loss for words, his brow furrowing.
’How would I know who the killer is?’
He simply felt Prince Chongwen’s actions violated the Confucian Family’s principle of "treating others with leniency," a sight he found deeply unsettling.
"Found him."
At last, Lu Yunqing’s hoarse voice squeezed from his throat. He had found a trace in the memories of a certain portly chef.
A chubby figure had snuck into the rear kitchen, made some rude and difficult demands, and asked for a large stack of osmanthus cakes.
Then, while looking for trouble, he had also stood before many of the prepared dishes.
Of all the people, he was the most suspicious.
"Did Your Highness find the killer?"
"Who’s the culprit?"
Everyone was curious.
"Lu... Yun... Wan," Lu Yunqing seethed, spitting out each word.
He would never forget that figure.
’Lu Yunwan, you’re asking to die!’
"What?! The culprit is Prince Langya?"
"Is that for real?"
Everyone was stunned. They hadn’t expected this at all and found it hard to believe.
They looked all around for Lu Yunwan.
They remembered that Prince Langya had also been at the grand banquet.
Soon, someone noticed something was wrong. "Prince Langya is gone! He’s no longer at the banquet!"
"Could the culprit really be him?"
"What kind of grudge could the Seventh Prince possibly have with His Highness to go this far?"
As the chef’s body collapsed to the ground, the remaining Imperial Chefs all breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had been spared.
But soon, the looks on their faces froze.
"As Imperial Chefs of the Imperial Palace, you failed in your duty to guard the kitchens, allowing Prince Langya to sneak into the rear and bring about this disaster. May I ask the esteemed members of the Court, how should this be handled?"
Lu Yunqing’s icy words fell upon the ears of the Cabinet Ministers, sounding particularly harsh.
"According to Great Yan Law, the crime of dereliction of duty, when it results in a severe loss for Great Yan, is punishable by hanging. Right now, many court officials’ lives still hang in the balance, their souls yet to return. This is a grave crime, and the punishment should be increased accordingly."
An official from the Ministry of Justice spoke, his gaze calm.
At these words, all the Imperial Chefs turned deathly pale, their faces filled with despair.
They knew.
’We’re dead!’
Lu Yunqing nodded in satisfaction. "A very good answer. What is your name?"
"I am Shi Qinglang," the Ministry of Justice official replied, clasping his fist respectfully.
’To be noticed by Prince Chongwen is definitely an excellent start.’
The Cabinet Ministers, however, did not look so pleased.
Lu Yunqing was essentially telling the Cabinet how to do its job, which was tantamount to treating the Cabinet’s authority as nothing.
If one were to take it seriously, he could be charged with the crime of speaking out of turn.
But would they do that?
Of course not. Lu Yunqing was, after all, a Prince and a Disciple of the Saint of Reason. His status was lofty. A few extra words about Court affairs didn’t really have a huge impact.
It was, however, a poor precedent.
"Just because the Seventh Prince entered the rear kitchen, you can conclude that he is the murderer?" Vice Chief Minister Wang He’fu asked with a faint smile.
Right now, the Cabinet was being overshadowed by the furious Eighth Prince. It might have seemed to have no effect, but in reality, all the surrounding officials were holding their breath.
At a time like this, only he could bear the brunt of the Eighth Prince’s fury.
The Prime Minister was unwilling to use his authority to suppress others and didn’t want to offend the Eighth Prince. The other Cabinet Ministers felt the same.
If everyone remained indifferent, the Cabinet’s prestige would surely suffer. If word of this reached the ears of foreign envoys, it would become a matter of great consequence.
As the Vice Chief Minister, he had to fight for the Cabinet’s prestige.
Seeing Wang He’fu speak up, Lu Yunqing, despite his immense anger, couldn’t very well vent it on him. After all, the man was his Sixth Brother’s maternal grandfather, the current Vice Chief Minister, and his position was not low.
He hated Lu Yunwan, that was true, but he hadn’t lost his senses. He asked coolly:
"Lord Wang, what do you think should be done?"
"I know Your Highness must be in great pain over the death of Princess Consort Ning. I can certainly empathize. The Cabinet will definitely give Your Highness an explanation. First, let’s take Prince Langya into custody at a Government Office for interrogation and investigate the origin of the Dragon Race’s Manifestation Jade. When the time comes, the truth will come to light."
Wang He’fu did not take a high-handed stance. His tone was quite amicable as he gave Lu Yunqing his assurance.
Lu Yunqing took a deep breath and said, "Then I shall await your news, my lord."
"What a grand display of authority, Prince Chongwen. I wonder if you all still remember the grievances of my Golden Crow Country?"
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice rang out.
Princess Jinwu, ’Luo Qiufu,’ had returned to the banquet, a middle-aged General at her side.
Chief Minister Yuan Xuangang said in a low voice, "This grand banquet was originally meant to discuss that very matter. However, the situation has changed, and it can only be postponed. I must apologize, Eldest Princess."
’Luo Qiufu’ smiled faintly. "The death of a single Princess Consort has caused such a huge commotion. Could it be that your Cabinet is run by Prince Chongwen? Or perhaps he is already the designated Crown Prince of Great Yan."
A dangerous glint appeared in Lu Yunqing’s eyes. He narrowed them and said, "Princess, what is the meaning of this?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Many of the Cabinet Ministers also looked perplexed.
They couldn’t understand why the Eldest Princess would come out to stir up trouble at a time like this, and they were baffled by her decision to provoke the Eighth Prince.
’Is this woman a fool?’
"This is a domestic affair of Great Yan. There is no need for the Eldest Princess to meddle," Wang He’fu said coolly.
