Chapter 556: Trap
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Empress Dowager Deng was a Buddhist, to begin with. There was a saying of fate in the Buddhist Dharma.
She agreed with Yu Niaoniao.
“That’s right. There’s the fate between mother and son. I could enter the palace then and even get pregnant with the emperor’s heir. All of this is because of fate.”
The topic of children was like a switch that opened the mouths of the women.
Everyone agreed and began to recount their pregnancy and childbirth.
Empress Dowager Deng listened with relish.
Seeing that press Dowager Deng’s attention had finally shifted away from her, Yu Niaoniao heaved a sigh of relief.
She silently retreated to her original position. It seemed that her plan to go home early would not succeed. Now, she could only sit obediently and try to reduce her presence.
After Xiao Juan and the other nobles and civil and military officials paid their respects to the emperor, they followed the crown prince to the Zhengde Hall.
In the past, they had to accompany the emperor to talk in the Zhengde Hall. However, now that the emperor’s health was very poor, it was difficult for him to even sit up, so the crown prince could only do this for him.
Shen Zhuo first chatted warmly with a few respected elders before changing the topic and suddenly asking Xiao Juan.
“I heard a female corpse was fished out of the Imperial River last night. Coincidentally, your Justice Department was nearby. I wonder how’s the investigation of this case?”
Everyone turned to look at Duke Lang.
Xiao Juan stood up and replied calmly, “The female corpse has been brought back to the Justice Department. It’s confirmed that she was killed, and the identity of the deceased has been confirmed. As for who the murderer is, we’re still investigating further.”
Shen Zhuo smiled.
“As expected of Duke Lang. He found out the background of the female corpse in just one night.”
“I believe you should be able to find the real culprit soon, give justice to the dead, and calm the hearts of the people in the city, right?”
These words seemed to be a compliment, but they were actually a trap. Xiao Juan did not answer and replied cautiously, “I will definitely do my best.”
Shen Zhuo said, “Since everyone is present, why don’t we make a bet on how long it will take you to solve this case?”
With that, he looked at everyone present.
Immediately, many people echoed, expressing their desire to participate in this bet.
Xiao Juan glanced at those people. They were all from the Crown Prince’s party. Many people did not say anything, but they had no intention of speaking up for
Duke Lang.
They clearly did not want to get involved in this matter.
Shen Zhuo smiled and said, “Why aren’t you saying anything, Duke Lang? With your ability, it should be very simple to solve such a case.”
At this point, Xiao Juan had no room to refuse.
However, Xiao Juan said, “Your Highness, you might not know this, but I’ve already applied for a three-month long leave from the emperor.”
“When I leave the Imperial Capital tomorrow, the Yuhe Female Corpse Case can only be handed over to others in the Justice Department to investigate.”
“I can’t make this bet with you. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Shen Zhuo did not expect him to say that. He was stunned at first, then sighed regretfully.
“In that case, I can’t force you anymore.”
Then, he seemed to have suddenly thought of something and asked right on the heels of that.
“You’ll be away for so long. There’s no leader in the Justice Department. What if something happens?”
Xiao Juan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He had a bad feeling.
He said in a low voice, “Although I’m not around, there are still many capable people in the Justice Department. They can help me take care of the Justice
Department. ”
Shen Zhuo expressed his disapproval.
“No matter how capable those people are, they can only handle some small matters. If they really encountered any urgent matters, there had to be an authoritative person in charge.”
“How about this? I’ll send someone to help you manage the Justice Department.
I guarantee that in the three months since you left the Imperial Capital, the Justice Department will be well-organized.”
Xiao Juan’s heart sank.
The Crown Prince wanted to plant people in the Justice Department when he was not in the Imperial Capital and take away the power in his hands.
The princelings spoke up one after another in agreement with the Crown Prince’s suggestion.
Xiao Juan said calmly, “Since it’s His Highness the Crown Prince’s good intentions, I’ll accept it.”
With that, he cupped his fists at Shen Zhuo without any resistance.
Now it was Shen Zhuo’s turn to feel uneasy.
With his understanding of Xiao Juan, he was not the kind of person who would let others interfere in the Justice Department, but Xiao Juan agreed to his suggestion without a word. This did not make sense!
There must be something wrong with this abnormality.
Shen Zhuo was secretly vigilant and asked with a smile, “Who do you think is better to send to help you manage the Justice Department?”
Xiao Juan said, “I’ll listen to His Highness.”
Shen Zhuo said, “You’ve always been in charge of the Justice Department. You’re the most familiar with it. You should be the one to choose the right person.”
Xiao Juan said, “But you’re the Crown Prince and the future master of the
Dayan Dynasty. I should listen to you.”
These words sounded like flattery to the Crown Prince, but in Shen Zhuo’s ears, it was like cold water, making him come to a realization.
He knew his father’s temper very well and the latter was extremely suspicious. Even if he had already been conferred the title of Crown Prince, and even if his father was already sick in bed and would not live long, his father was still not completely at ease with him.
Xiao Juan listened to him and even said that he was the future master of the Dayan Dynasty. If this matter reached his father’s ears, he could guess his father’s reaction without thinking.
His father would definitely think that he had secretly roped in important ministers of the Imperial Court and wanted to take over the Justice Department for his own use. He could not wait to replace his father.
Shen Zhuo was secretly vexed. He had underestimated Xiao Juan. This guy seemed to be silent and unsociable, but he was not lacking in schemes.
Shen Zhuo quickly composed himself and said calmly, “Prince Lang, don’t say such things. I have just become the Crown Prince and don’t know many things.
I still need the help of the ministers.”
“As for who to send to help you manage the Justice Department? Since you can’t give me a suitable candidate, let the elders discuss it together. If there’s really no other way, I can only thicken my skin and ask Father for advice.” Xiao Juan said, “Your Highness is wise. I’m convinced.”
Shen Zhuo immediately changed the topic and talked about something else.
This small episode passed just like that.
No one seemed to take it to heart.
But in fact, everyone was guessing who the Crown Prince would send to temporarily manage the Justice Department.
As for Shen Zhuo, he was secretly thinking about how to explain this to his father later.
After lunch, everyone could finally leave.
Yu Niaoniao stood up almost impatiently. Just as she was about to follow the other women out, she heard Empress Wen suddenly speak.
“Princess Consort Lang, wait a moment. I have something to tell you.”
Yu Niaoniao had no choice but to suppress her anxiety and stop where she was. Empress Wen stood up. “I’m going back to the Fengyi Palace. Let’s talk on the way.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Aye.”
The two of them walked out of the Biquan Palace and sat in their respective carriages.
Originally, the two carriages were one after another, but in order to make it easier to speak, Empress Wen specially allowed Yu Niaoniao’s carriage to move beside hers.
The distance between the two sedans was very close.
Empress Wen asked unhurriedly with the heater in her hand.
“I heard that Qirui Garden put up a new play last night called ‘Double
Beauties’?”
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