43: Yuan Meng's addiction! Lai Mingcheng's anger! (Seeking

Chapter 43: Yuan Meng's Peculiar Habit! Lai Mingcheng's Fury!

In front of the Imperial Palace gate, at the Koutun Platform.

Si Lili knelt on the ground, crying heartbrokenly, tears streaming down her face.

“This commoner, Si Lili, accuses Prince Yong, Li Chang'an, of being lawless and forcibly occupying a commoner!”

“Li Chang'an disregarded the laws of the land, forced this commoner to serve him, acted immorally and debauchedly, inciting the wrath of both men and gods!”

“Li Chang'an not only forcibly took this commoner’s body, but also injured and insulted this commoner’s sisters; this commoner’s sisters are still unconscious!”

...Yuan Meng lay beside Si Lili, unconscious, her head wrapped in thick bandages.

The two maids had already been captured by the Kyoto Guard Division. Dozens of Kyoto Guard Division soldiers watched Si Lili cry out, but dared not seize her.

Someone crying out for justice at the palace gate had already attracted a large crowd of commoners. The next step could only be taken over by the Imperial Guards.

Not long after, a dozen Imperial Guards in resplendent armor emerged from the palace gate and, according to regulations, escorted the two women into the palace.

Then, the Inner Court sent people to inquire about the case outside the Imperial Palace and proceeded with the trial according to procedure.

Yuan Meng, who was being held up by two Imperial Guards, suddenly woke up.

“Where is this? The Imperial Palace!”

“Ah! This commoner is not accusing anymore, this commoner was forced to come by Si Lili!”

An Imperial Guard sternly rebuked, “Silence! If you make any more noise, the duration of your cangue and the number of your floggings will be doubled!”

Yuan Meng immediately fell silent, tears of grievance streaming down her face. Now she didn't even dare to cry out loud.

Half a day later, in the Imperial Study.

Chen Pingping’s face was filled with anger, and his voice was firm, “Si Lili must be a Northern Qi spy!”

“This action is to damage Prince Yong’s reputation and destroy the Foundation of our Southern Qing literary world! Her intentions are despicable!”

Fan Jian also said, “I have never heard of a Brothel woman accusing a patron! And to accuse a Prince, Si Lili harbors ulterior motives!”

Emperor Qing said with a cold face, “You two are also old officials of the court, can you stop speaking so carelessly!”

“Chen Pingping, you say Si Lili is a Northern Qi spy, so she is a Northern Qi spy?”

“Now that Si Lili has filed an Imperial complaint at the Koutun Platform, I must give an explanation to the people of the world!”

Chen Pingping continued, “Your Majesty, since a complaint has been filed at the Koutun Platform, then it should be handled according to the rules.”

“This case should be handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for a joint trial, first to ascertain the facts of the case, and finally for Your Majesty’s Imperial judgment!”

Emperor Qing tossed the memorial aside, “So be it, follow the rules first!”

“This case is handed over to the Three Judicial Offices, to be jointly tried with the Supervisory Council, and the Kyoto Prefecture shall observe the trial!”

...Prince Yong's Residence.

Wang Qinian had just reported Si Lili’s bold actions, and Li Chang'an was very pleased.

“Good, good, good!”

“This Prince indeed did not misjudge Si Lili, she has courage and insight!”

“When several yamen could not file a complaint, she directly went to file an Imperial complaint, she has guts!”

“Now, no one can suppress this matter. It's better when it gets big.”

Qingwen pouted her small mouth, somewhat indignantly saying, “To receive Your Highness’s favor is her good fortune; it is her duty to do things for Your Highness!”

This little girl was somewhat resentful; she thought her Prince had lost his virginity to Si Lili.

Li Chang'an said to Wang Qinian, “Old Wang, is there any news from the palace?”

Wang Qinian said, “Hong Zhu has developed a young eunuch in the Imperial Study and has relayed some news.”

“His Majesty did not express an opinion, but merely arranged for the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Three Judicial Offices of the Censorate, and the Surveillance Bureau to conduct a joint trial.”

Li Chang'an was not surprised by Hong Zhu’s growth; he was already very intelligent.

“Zhao Gao!”

Zhao Gao, who had been silently standing behind Li Chang'an, walked over like a ghost, “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

Hong Zhu’s Family had been wiped out by a county magistrate colluding with mountain bandits. Li Chang'an had originally intended to deal with it casually when he traveled the world in the future.

Now it seemed necessary to reward Hong Zhu’s loyalty. “That county magistrate and mountain bandits who wiped out Hong Zhu’s entire Family, you take people to deal with them... wipe them out!”

A glint flashed in Zhao Gao’s eyes, “This subordinate obeys!”

Wang Qinian stood to the side, taking a sharp breath. Li Chang'an usually joked around with him, but he was never soft-hearted when it came to killing.

Li Chang'an never thought of being a good person; that county magistrate who dared to casually wipe out an entire Family deserved such a fate!

This world is full of ruthless people; if you are not ruthless, you cannot control your subordinates, and they will not wholeheartedly follow you.

Fan Manor.

Fan Ruoruo stood perfectly straight, her small figure poised and elegant, her delicate wrist suspended, her brushstrokes flowing like a Dragon.

Liu Ruyu walked over cautiously, glanced at Fan Ruoruo’s calligraphy, and found her technique very steady, indicating that her emotions were completely calm.

“Ruo Ruo, about Prince Yong’s matter.”

Fan Ruoruo did not even raise her head, her tone casual, “Auntie, I already know.”

Liu Ruyu forced a smile and said, “Ruo Ruo, don’t take it to heart, men, you know...”

Fan Ruoruo spoke like an adult, her tone unhurried, “Your Highness is not a lustful person.”

“Sister Xiren and Sister Qingwen are still virgins to this day, so why would Your Highness run off to a Brothel to cause trouble.”

“Your Highness acts for his own reasons, and I trust him. You all shouldn’t make a fuss, just wait and see.”

Liu Ruyu opened her mouth awkwardly. She had originally intended to comfort Fan Ruoruo.

“Oh, I see. Now that you say that, Auntie isn’t so nervous anymore, haha...”

...The joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices proceeded as scheduled, with the Qing of the Court of Judicial Review, the Minister of Justice, and the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate seated in high positions in the hall.

Although the Minister of Justice held the highest official rank, the Qing of the Court of Judicial Review presided over the joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices.

The Minister of Justice, Han Zhiwei, was the Crown Prince's man, and the Qing of the Court of Judicial Review would later become the Crown Prince's man.

Lai Mingcheng, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was a stubborn man who dared to scold the Emperor, and belonged to no one.

The joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices was the highest judicial body of Great Qing, and this trial was not conducted publicly.

Aside from the three presiding officials, there were scattered officials on both sides, as well as yamen runners from the Court of Judicial Review.

In the corner of the doorway stood some Imperial Guards and eunuchs, all possessing considerable intelligence capabilities.

Li Chang'an stood calmly in the main hall of the Court of Judicial Review, “My Lords, where is this Prince’s seat?”

Officials of the third rank and above were allowed to sit when on trial, let alone a dignified Prince.

The Qing of the Court of Judicial Review quickly ordered someone to bring a chair, while Lai Mingcheng walked down from the dais with a cold face.

“Your Highness Prince Yong, you possess rare literary talent and are a pillar of our Great Qing literary world.”

“How can you be so disrespectful, at such a young age frequenting Brothels, and getting involved in such a morally questionable affair?”

“As a member of the Imperial Family, Your Highness should display the Imperial prestige and share His Majesty’s burdens!”

“Your Highness...”

At this moment, a yamen runner brought a chair.

Lai Mingcheng took the chair, personally placed it behind Li Chang'an, and then continued to chatter.

“Your Highness, please sit down and listen to this old official. Now that Your Highness is older...”

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an, who had just sat down, showed a defiant smile.

“Lai Mingcheng, are you telling this Prince what to do?”

Lai Mingcheng sighed deeply, “This old official cannot teach, nor should this old official teach!”

“No matter the outcome of today’s trial, this old official will certainly impeach Your Highness!”

The Three Judicial Offices’ joint trial only heard cases and determined guilt; the final sentencing was decided by Emperor Qing.

Li Chang'an remembered that in the original drama, the Second Prince, who had human lives on his hands, was merely confined for half a year.

How serious could the matter of occupying a Brothel woman be?

Lai Mingcheng shook his head and sat back on the dais. Si Lili and Yuan Meng were also brought up.

Yuan Meng trembled with fear when she saw Li Chang'an, wanting to escape but not daring to.

Si Lili looked at Li Chang'an with complex emotions, including doubt, resentment, and a hint of shyness.

Yuan Meng fell to her knees with a thud and cried out loudly.

“My Lords! Everything was this commoner’s voluntary act; Prince Yong hitting me was not an insult to this commoner!”

“This commoner has a special peculiar habit; it was this commoner who forced Your Highness to hit me!”

“This commoner voluntarily serves Prince Yong, I hope My Lords will investigate clearly!”

Upon hearing this, the old men in the hall were stunned, their mouths beginning to twitch.

Only the usually serious Lai Mingcheng suddenly let out a furious roar.

“Nonsense!”

“In this world, how can there be a special peculiar habit of liking to be beaten?!”

“Do not be afraid, speak of your grievances, and this official will uphold justice for you!”

PS: These two pictures combined are Yuan Meng’s current appearance. Which master can help synthesize them?

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