bestfiction Chapter 281 Hiring Assassins
Chapter 281 Hiring Assassins
As Yun Shang had predicted, the Yongwang case was not progressing smoothly.
Emperor Wenjing intended to protect Prince Yong, but the officials in the Ministry of Justice were all opportunists.
After realizing Emperor Wenjing's intentions, he began to slack off.
Not only that, but he also took advantage of the opportunity to investigate the case together to make things difficult for the people of the Dali Temple at every turn.
Su Mu, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was also acting out of a sense of justice. Even though he could tell that Emperor Wenjing did not want anything to happen to Prince Yong, he still diligently investigated the case.
Despite the explicit and implicit suggestions from several officials in the Ministry of Justice, Su Mu's mind remained unchanged.
Su Mu had people under his command and was also capable himself. Over the course of several days, he had indeed uncovered quite a bit of information.
Consort De could no longer sit still.
Xinde Palace.
Consort De paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, extremely anxious.
It's just a few commoners who died, how can that compare to her imperial son?
Su Mu, that blockhead, is now clinging to this matter so stubbornly. Does she really want her imperial son to pay for the lives of those lowly commoners?
Do they deserve it?!
Consort De wished she could tear Su Mu to pieces. She cursed Su Mu a hundred times in her heart before she suddenly stopped, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.
He raised his hand to summon his personal maid, Ruyi, and whispered, "Go, find a few reliable people and send Su Mu a generous gift. Make sure he understands how this case is to be investigated. If he still doesn't know what's good for him..."
Consort De clenched her fists, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes, her gaze seeming to devour people.
Ruyi was startled, lowered her head, and left.
That night, Su Mu returned home from the Dali Temple.
Upon returning to the mansion, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Su sitting in the main hall, their expressions solemn.
In the center of the main hall stood a large box about half a person's height, its locks gleaming brightly under the lamplight.
Su Mu paused, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. He looked at his parents and asked, "Father, Mother, what is this?"
Father Su frowned, sighed deeply, and said helplessly, "Open it and see for yourself."
Su Mu was puzzled, so she stepped forward and opened the box.
The box was filled to the brim with gold, silver, jewels, and rare fabrics. Under the light, the gleam was so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes.
Su Mu's brows furrowed instantly, and anger flashed across his face. "Who sent this?"
“They’re from the palace,” Su’s mother said worriedly. “They were sent by Consort De. They left the box, said a word, and then left.”
Su Mu looked at the jewelry and fabrics in the box, a dark undercurrent surging in his eyes.
"What message did Consort De leave behind?"
Su's mother whispered, "It wasn't easy for Lord Su to rise to the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Don't let some trivial matters cause you to lose your official position."
There was a "click".
Su Mu's face turned ashen, and he slammed his fist down on the box.
Startled, Su's mother rushed over, grabbed his hand, and said with tears in her eyes, "What are you doing?! No matter how angry you are, you can't hurt yourself!"
Mother Su wiped away her tears, choking back sobs as she said, "My son, we can't go against the royal family. Consort De from the palace has already sent someone to warn you that if you continue investigating..."
She glanced at Su's father, her tone tinged with fear, "Our family is of humble origin, and your sister has just been engaged to a man from a prestigious family. If a concubine in the palace interferes, your sister's marriage may be in jeopardy..."
Before she could finish speaking, a soft yet firm voice rang out from the doorway.
"Brother, you can continue your investigation. Don't worry about me."
Su Mu and his parents looked in the direction of the sound and saw Su Mu's younger sister, Su Qingchan, standing at the door with a determined expression.
She slowly walked into the hall, looking calmly at Su Mu. "Brother, although I am a woman, I know right from wrong. Prince Yong's cruelty in murdering a pregnant woman is an outrage against Heaven. If such an evil deed is not punished, it is against all reason. If the Ji family cancels the engagement because of this, then so be it!"
Su Mu looked at her younger sister, her heart filled with emotion and heartache.
He stepped forward and gently patted Su Qingchan's head. "Qingchan, I'm so glad you think this way."
Mother Su choked up as she said, "But if we go against the royal family... once we completely offend them, the Su family may face annihilation."
Su's father frowned slightly, his face full of worry.
He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Mu'er, your sister is right."
“Although our Su family is not a high-ranking or wealthy family, we cannot act against our conscience. However, you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully.”
Su Mu nodded slightly, her eyes firm: "Father, I understand."
"Consort De's actions are clearly intended to interfere with the trial. As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, how can I back down now? How can I face the innocent souls who died unjustly?"
Looking at her son, tears welled in her eyes, Su's mother said, "But my son, if you insist on doing this, the Su family..."
Su Qingchan walked over and took her mother's hand, comforting her, "Mother, don't worry, brother will definitely not let the Su family be in danger."
Su Mu smiled slightly at Su Qingchan and nodded, "Yes, I will find a way to handle this matter."
Emperor Wenjing did not issue a clear decree, which was because he was concerned about the people in Shengjing.
He can then take advantage of this.
The next day, Su Mu carried the box of gold and silver jewelry to Dali Temple intact.
He summoned the officials from the Dali Temple and, in front of them, said expressionlessly, "This box of jewels was sent by Consort De."
"You all surely understand what Consort De means."
Upon hearing this, the people of Dali Temple were all in an uproar, exchanging bewildered glances with various expressions.
Some looked surprised, while others showed indignation.
Su Mu's cold gaze swept over the crowd. "Consort De's actions are intended to interfere with the trial of Prince Yong's case."
"But as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, I, Su Mu, am paid by the emperor and bear his burdens. I must uphold justice for the people and will never be swayed by power or wealth."
Inspired by Su Mu's words, everyone clasped their hands and said in unison, "Your Excellency is selfless and devoted to the public good. We are willing to follow you and vow to investigate this case thoroughly!"
Su Mu nodded slightly and solemnly gave the instructions:
"This box of jewelry will be registered and stored as important evidence of Consort De's interference in the judiciary."
"From now on, everyone must be more cautious, conduct thorough investigations, and leave no stone unturned. Prince Yong has committed such heinous crimes; we must not let him go unpunished."
"Yes!"
However, when Consort De in the palace learned that Su Mu not only refused the bribe but also publicly displayed the jewelry as evidence to the Dali Temple officials, she was so angry that she almost fainted.
"This Su Mu is simply defying reason! I have already tried to reason with him, but he insists on opposing me. Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
He flew into a rage at Xinde Palace, sweeping the ornaments off the table and shattering the exquisite porcelain into pieces.
Ruyi was so frightened that she immediately knelt down, not daring to breathe.
Consort De paced back and forth, her eyes filled with malice.
After a moment's thought, she gritted her teeth and said, "Ruyi, go and tell them what I'm saying: go to the Shadow Hall and spend a fortune to buy the heads of Su Mu's entire family. I want them to see what happens when they oppose me!"