12dz Chapter 184: Trial
Chapter 184: Trial
Shen Wanying believed Chu Ning's words without a doubt. Since Chu Ning had a plan to deal with it, she finally put her mind at ease.
It was late at night, and as a girl, it was not appropriate for her to stay in the Prince of Chu's mansion for too long.
After leaving the living room, Feng Mulan, who was waiting in the yard, immediately stepped forward, looked Shen Wanying up and down, and asked:
"That guy didn't take advantage of you, did he?"
Shen Wanying chuckled and shook her head: "I'm going to marry him soon, so it doesn't matter if he takes advantage of me."
Feng Mulan's face changed: "Wanying, this is not your character. You were not like this before."
Seeing such a nervous look, the two women fell silent.
Feng Mulan didn't know why, but she felt uncomfortable when she heard Chu Ning and Shen Wanying were together.
Shen Wanying looked at Feng Mulan in such a state and sighed in her heart.
As expected, a charming man can attract women wherever he goes. Feng Mulan just went to the front line with Chu Ning, and she changed her mind about Chu Ning when she came back.
Looking at her nervous expression, it was obvious that she was jealous.
However, given Feng Mulan's personality, she might not even know it herself.
Thinking of this, Shen Wanying took the initiative to step forward, took Feng Mulan's hand and said with a smile: "I'm just joking with you, don't be too nervous, come on, go back with me, and rest at my house tonight."
Feng Mulan nodded silently and left with Shen Wanying.
However, she did not speak to Shen Wanying along the way, and her mind kept recalling the scene of Chu Ning taking Shen Wanying.
It was not until she arrived at the Shen Mansion that Feng Mulan came to her senses.
"Wanying, it's too late tonight. I've drunk a lot of wine. Plus, I just got back to Beijing today. I'd better go home first and come see you tomorrow!"
After saying something to Shen Wanying in the sedan chair, Feng Mulan immediately rode away with her guards.
Shen Wanying opened the curtain, looked at Feng Mulan's departing back, and murmured to herself: "It seems that Chu Ning will owe a debt of love."
It was not easy for Shen Wanying to handle this matter personally. Besides, she and Chu Ning had not yet been married and had not established their status. Naturally, she would not take the initiative to point out Feng Mulan's thoughts.
However, she made up her mind to observe the situation of the two first, and then talk to Feng Mulan when she had the chance.
Nothing happened during the night and time quickly came to the next morning. After washing, Chu Ning changed into the royal robes bestowed by the emperor.
Chu Ning, dressed neatly, took Zhao Yu with him and headed towards the Ministry of Justice.
On the way, Zhao Yu asked in confusion: "Your Highness, why don't you bring more guards?"
"Why bring so many people to the Ministry of Justice? To fight?"
Chu Ning chuckled and said, "Bringing too many people will make me look guilty. Only with fewer people can I show that I have a clear conscience."
But Zhao Yu was still a little worried: "What if the Ministry of Justice is unfavorable to Your Highness..."
"Even if they had ten courages, they would not dare to attack me!"
Chu Ning interrupted confidently, "This prince has made such great military achievements, and he has to accept the interrogation of the Ministry of Justice right after returning to the court. This is already a face for my father and the Ministry of Justice. It is impossible for the Ministry of Justice to be ungrateful.
Besides, although Ling Haoran is the father-in-law of the Crown Prince, he is a decent person and has always been impartial. He would not resort to private punishment."
As the two men were talking, their horses galloped and soon arrived outside the gate of the Ministry of Justice.
Two teams of soldiers stood on the left and right at the door. Seeing Chu Ning wearing royal robes, they immediately bowed and saluted: "Your Highness!"
The Minister of Justice Ling Haoran, who had been waiting here for a long time, bowed and saluted: "Thank you for the trip, Your Highness."
Chu Ning waved his hand and smiled, "This king has other things to do, so please ask whatever you want to ask as soon as possible, Lord Ling."
Ling Haoran extended his hand and gestured: "Your Highness, please come in. We have another distinguished guest here today."
"Oh? Distinguished guest?"
Chu Ning narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing across his face.
No matter who this distinguished guest is, he was most likely invited by the emperor or the prince.
Under the guidance of Ling Haoran, everyone came to the lobby of the Ministry of Justice.
In the solemn and dignified hall there was a long desk with a command arrow and a gavel on it, and the left and right sides below were filled with runners from the Ministry of Justice.
However, what surprised Chu Ning was that there was a chair next to the desk!
Surprised, Ling Haoran suddenly shouted towards the side hall: "Please welcome His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin!"
I saw an octogenarian wearing royal robes, holding a cane, with white hair and beard, slowly walking out of the side hall, supported by guards.
Chu Ning raised his eyebrows.
I have seen this old man before. When I first went to court to confirm my identity, it was this man who compiled the family tree for me.
This old man is the Zongzheng who is in charge of the Zongrenfu, and is specifically responsible for managing royal affairs.
Funerals, weddings, and all other private affairs of the royal family were all handled by the clan affairs office.
Even if his cheap emperor saw this man, he would have to call him Uncle Wang respectfully.
Chu Ning immediately smiled and bowed, saying, "I didn't expect His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin to come to the Ministry of Justice."
Chu Ning still respected this old man of grandfather generation who had no conflict of interest with him.
It's really embarrassing for the other party that he is pushed out even at such an old age.
The King of Qin's pale brows twitched, he looked up at Chu Ning, nodded and said, "King Chu, there is no need to be polite. I am here today just to be a witness. You can do whatever you want."
Chu Ning nodded and smiled, "The King of Qin is in charge of the Imperial Clan House, so you should be invited here to witness this matter."
Ling Haoran immediately extended his hand and gestured: "Your Highness Prince Qin, please come this way."
The elderly King of Qin was helped to sit on the chair. His heavy eyes closed as if he had closed them.
At this moment, Ling Haoran also walked to the main seat. He slammed the gavel, and the guards of the Ministry of Justice immediately swung the killing stick in their hands, making a noise.
"Mighty~Wu~"
Amidst a long whistle, the gavel sounded again and the sound stopped instantly.
Ling Haoran stared at Chu Ning with eyes as sharp as torches, and asked, "Who is this person?"
"King Chu Ning!"
Ling Haoran went straight to the point and asked, "Did you order the killing of Shangjun Governor Du Yuanji?"
Chu Ning was calm and fearless. He nodded and said, "Yes, it was my order to kill him!"
After these words were spoken, the King of Qin, who had originally drooped his eyelids, twitched his eyebrows, as if he did not believe that Chu Ning would admit it so easily.
However, the King of Qin did not speak, but chose to wait and see.
Ling Haoran's face darkened: "Since Your Highness the King of Chu has admitted that he ordered the killing of Governor Du, do you plead guilty?"
"Confess?"
Chu Ning chuckled: "What crime have I committed?"
Ling Haoran frowned: "You ordered the killing of Governor Du without authorization, this is a serious crime!"
As if worried that Chu Ning didn't know the seriousness of the matter, Ling Haoran explained: "According to the laws of our dynasty, officials above the fifth rank must be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice and then reported to Your Majesty for approval before they can be convicted.
King Chu, you executed him without the approval of the Ministry of Justice and Your Majesty. This is a crime of contempt for the court and the law of the country!
Killing the governor without authorization will have a serious impact. If you don't punish him severely, it will definitely damage the laws of our Great Chu!"
Chu Ning grinned and asked curiously, "May I ask Lord Ling, what sentence should be imposed for such a serious crime?"
Ling Haoran's face straightened and he uttered two words coldly: "Death penalty!"