ebookland Chapter 164 Homicide Case
Chapter 164 Homicide Case
The Crown Prince's side did not want to let go of this incriminating evidence, but due to insufficient evidence, they were ultimately unable to convict Xia Yuan and Minister Xia.
In her previous life, she also faced a difficult situation regarding this matter. The Crown Prince's faction wanted to transfer the case to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, as they believed that once the case was transferred to either of these places, they would not let it go easily.
However, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was skilled in interpersonal relationships and official conduct and was trusted by the emperor. He never mentioned the matter, and the emperor did not investigate it further.
A life was lost in vain. I heard that the woman who was kidnapped also disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a toddler who would never see his parents return.
"It's infuriating! Do officials think they can bully ordinary people like this?" Peony felt indignant.
Yu Die sighed, her tone quite calm: "Sister Shaoyao, it's always been like this. Officials have two mouths, and ordinary people can't fight them."
Shen Li looked at Yu Die with heartache. This child was the youngest, but she had seen the most darkness. She really didn't know how she got through her childhood.
She pulled Yu Die to her side and stroked her little hand to comfort her.
"Miss, do you think this matter will be investigated further?" Lian Qiao asked Shen Li.
Everyone looked at her.
“The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is a smooth and shrewd man who doesn’t want to offend anyone. In his hands, things will only be resolved by turning big problems into small ones and small problems into nothing.” Shen Li made an accurate prediction.
The only person who could make the same prediction was her and Lin Wan'er.
If we don't intervene, the outcome will most likely be the same as in the previous life. When it comes to political maneuvering, who cares about justice or the principle of "a life for a life"?
Shen Li took this matter to heart, but couldn't find a way to break the deadlock. When she got home, she specifically asked Gu Chang'an about it.
"I've heard a bit about it, but I haven't gone into much detail." Gu Chang'an took her question seriously: "Does A-Li want me to investigate?"
Shen Li shook her head: "Although the evidence is insufficient, the matter is in the open. If it can be transferred to the Ministry of Justice, I believe the Minister of Justice will definitely be able to find out."
The Minister of Justice is a supporter of the Crown Prince. If Prince Yi's brother-in-law falls into his hands, he will surely bring this matter to light.
"To transfer it to the Ministry of Justice, the Prefect needs to propose it or His Majesty needs to issue an order." Gu Chang'an pondered carefully.
He hadn't thought about these things before. There were countless wrongful convictions in the world, and as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he couldn't do much about them. But since Ah Li cared about him, he couldn't be careless.
“The Prince of Yi is very powerful. Even if His Majesty favors him, he will still be wary of him. This matter could be used to stir things up.” Gu Chang’an quickly came up with a strategy.
Shen Li deeply understood Gu Chang'an's political acumen. In the previous life, the Crown Prince's power was at its zenith, so the Emperor naturally favored Prince Yi. But now that Prince Yi was powerful, the Emperor might not be without suspicion.
"Does Ah Li want to seek justice for the deceased?" Gu Chang'an analyzed the situation and then looked at Shen Li, paying attention to her emotions.
"If possible, also for that woman and her child." Shen Li sighed. She knew all too well that injustice was the norm, but when she encountered it, she could never simply ignore it.
Gu Chang'an held her hand across the small table and said gently, "Leave it to me, I'll handle it."
Ah Li is kind-hearted and shouldn't see or accept this darkness. He will give her the clarity she desires.
“No.” Upon hearing his words, Shen Li immediately pulled herself out of her emotions and said rationally, “Although this is a good thing, doing it will offend Prince Yi and thus help the Crown Prince.”
“The Prince of Yi is intelligent and has a better relationship with His Majesty. If he were to sow discord between them, he could easily ruin himself if he made a mistake. I cannot let you take such a risk.”
As she spoke, Shen Li tickled his palm and looked at him with a smile: "I feel sorry for others, but don't I feel sorry for my own husband?"
“Ah Li…” Gu Chang’an didn’t expect Ah Li to think so much for him, and his eyes even turned a little red for a moment.
“Although the Crown Prince’s sword is a bit dull, it’s still usable.” Shen Li raised the corners of her mouth and said, “Let them fight it out. I just need my husband to do me a small favor.”
Gu Chang'an looked at her brightly lit by the candlelight, and it took him a while to realize what she had said. His little rascal A-Li didn't remind him, but just smiled at him.
"Wh...what kind of help?" He looked away, unable to bear thinking about how he had just acted.
"No rush, let's talk in bed." Shen Li couldn't resist and pounced on him.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The Xia Yuan case became the opening for Zhou Zhen to attack Prince Yi, and two censors in the court suggested that the case be handed over to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review for investigation.
Emperor Cheng knew exactly what they were planning. If the case were sent to the Ministry of Justice, it wouldn't just be a murder case, but a factional struggle.
Emperor Cheng rejected the censor's idea and ordered the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to find the real culprit and close the case as soon as possible.
The first day of court assembly passed just like that. At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Shen Li went to the Hanlin Academy to take up her post. The work of the Hanlin Academy was very simple and little, nothing more than copying and writing, making it an extremely leisurely position.
The first thing Shen Li did upon taking office was to visit the academicians and other superiors, along with Xu Zhiyuan and Zhao Wencai.
While waiting to be received, Xu Zhiyuan kept taking deep breaths, while Zhao Wencai quietly told Shen Li that his palms were sweating.
"Brother, don't be nervous. Academician Ge is very easy to talk to," Shen Li reassured him.
The previous academician was Shen Zizai, and this one was personally trained by Shen Zizai, but he is older than Shen Zizai, already in his early sixties.
Shen Li had met this old academician several times at home; he was a very kind elder.
"No way, I heard that academicians are very strict and you can get scolded if you're not careful." Zhao Wencai nervously tidied his beard.
Shen Li couldn't imagine what the old man would look like when he was serious, but he soon saw it for himself.
Academician Ge had more white hair than black hair, but his back was still straight, and his face was more serious than her father's. Just looking at him made people unconsciously take it seriously, and Shen Li didn't dare to laugh.
Academician Ge's speech was also very simple: he told them to cherish the time they had to learn here and to become the pillars of the Great Zhao Dynasty in the future, to be upright ministers and not sycophants.
Shen Li was almost immune to these kinds of things. She had never been separated from them since she was a child. They were said in books, at home, and by her husband. Now, there was also her boss.
But she heard one thing.
"Shen Li, His Majesty has ordered you to enter the palace to teach the Fourteenth Prince. Later, go to the palace to pay your respects and meet His Highness." Academician Ge said this to her.
Shen Li hadn't expected this approach. According to the rank, she wasn't qualified. Even if they were to choose someone younger, the top scholar Xu Zhiyuan would be more suitable than her.
Therefore, there is only one possibility: someone wants her to frequently visit Fengxiang Palace.
Xu Zhiyuan looked at Shen Li with a hint of jealousy and resentment. Entering and leaving the palace was such a great honor and opportunity; the emperor was far too biased.