C66

Chapter 66 Huaining, I have wronged you

His Highness Prince Jing had personally come to the Justice Courts to seek justice for a major matter.

At daybreak, all the officials of the upper and lower levels of the Justice Courts were already in position. Even the Great Pharmacist, Lord Nangong had arrived. No one dared to slight them. The main doors of the court were wide open, and the yamen guards stood in three rows to the left and right. The whole scene was serious and quiet, with a solemn atmosphere.

Even though Jun Jiuchen was dressed in casual attire and his ink black hair was pulled back in half-bun, the domineering aura exuded from his body did not decrease in the slightest. He sat high above in the main judge's chair, his face as cold as ice. He did not say a word, but just a casual look from him was enough to make everyone tremble in fear!

The Justice Court's official, Lord Jiang, was supposed to sit in the first jury box, but he was standing right now. His face was pale, his legs were weak, and he was filled with regret. The Qi siblings did not look any better either. Even the unswerving arrogant Qi Yu did not dare to raise his head in front of Prince Jing.

Only Princess Huaining held on. She moved next to Qi Yu and whispered, "Yu-gege, don't worry too much. At most, I can handle this myself. I've already sent people to find my mother and my royal brother. I guarantee that he won't be able to touch the Qi Family!"

As for whether or not Prince Jing could make a move against the Qi family, he had no idea. However, he knew that as long as Princess Huaining was willing to take the blame, the Qi family would survive.

He secretly pulled on Princess Huaining's hand. His voice was much gentler than usual. "Huaining, I have wronged you."

"Yu-gege, for your sake, I am willing to be wronged."

Qi Fufang, who took the blame for Princess Huaining, overheard the conversation. She was truly speechless. Due to her identity, she had no choice but to admit it. She didn't even dare to tell Qi Yu the truth.

The entire hall was silent for a long time, but Jun Jiuchen still didn't say a word and had not start the trial. No one dared to urge him. He was undoubtedly waiting for Gu Feiyan.

Gu Feiyan didn't wait for the imperial physician to arrive. She prepared a prescription from the small medicine cauldron and hastily applied it. She let Xia Xiaoman help her rush to the court. Although her feet and toes were as painful as they had been at the time of the torture, she was still well-dressed and not in a sorry state.

The cell was in front of the rear court, not too far apart, but she could barely walk. She walked for a long time before she reached the court.

Most of the people hadn't expected her to come, and immediately, discussions broke out.

After all, other than Lord Jiang and the others, the people outside the hall did not know what had happened last night. Why had she come? What’s the matter with her injury? As for Qi Yu and the others, their faces were undoubtedly even more ugly.

Gu Feiyan didn't care about these people. Seeing that His Highness Prince Jing had yet to start the court session, she secretly let out a sigh of relief and quickly walked inside. She stood firm in pain, before bowing, "Your servant Gu Feiyan pays her respects to His Highness Prince Jing."

It was hard to tell if it was because Jun Jiuchen had been waiting for a long time, or for some other reason, but he seemed even more unhappy than before. He glanced at Gu Feiyan's feet and said coldly, "Come, sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

As soon as Gu Feiyan took her seat, Jun Jiuchen slapped the wooden gavel and coldly said, "Start the session!"

Gu Feiyan thought to herself, His Highness Prince Jing must have been waiting impatiently.

The loud clapping sound made the already silent court all the more serious and solemn. All of the officials took their seats, while Lord Jiang, Qi Yu and the others remained standing. Seeing this, everyone realized that something was wrong.

Lord Jiang could not hold it anymore and was about to step out when Jun Jiuchen suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Huaining, who allowed you to judge people for the Justice Courts?"

Princess Huaining was stunned.

It was just a medicine mix up, and that woman was nothing more than a lowly slave. What was Prince Jing intention? How could she be embarrassed like this in public?

Everyone was dumbfounded. What was going on?

Gu Feiyan was also very surprised. She had thought that Prince Jing would teach Princess Huaining a lesson in private. In the public court, the only thing he would do was to punish Lord Jiang. After all, Princess Huaining was a member of the royal family, and was the apple of the Emperor's eye. Even if Prince Jing didn't care about the honour of the royal family, he would still have to give the Emperor some face.

Could it be that Prince Jing wanted to use this opportunity to suppress the Noble Concubine and the First Prince's arrogance who stood behind Princess Huaining?

Gu Feiyan didn't have such deep thoughts. Compared with the mishap, she was more excited!

She had never intended to let Princess Huaining go. Now with Prince Jing’s attitude, she thought that she should be able to recover all three debts in one go.

"I, I …"

After hesitating for a long time, Princess Huaining finally came up with an absurd reason, "Lord Jiang dares to barge into my palace and arrest people! Of course, this princess has to find out what happened. Otherwise … How will this princess establish herself in the future?"

Jun Jiuchen didn't bother to comment on this, and asked again, "Who allowed you to use torture to force a confession?"

Princess Huaining stuttered again, "I, I tortured, not forcing a confession! The medicine bag was taken by Gu Feiyan. She's the most suspicious one, I … If I don't scare her, will she tell me the truth?"

Jun Jiuchen still didn't bother to comment or pursue the matter any further. He waved her away with a wave of his hand.

Princess Huaining let out a sigh of relief. However, Qi Yu’s face who was standing next to her had turned dark. Prince Jing did not punish Princess Huaining, but severely hit her and the Qi family's faces!

Even a dumb person could understood that Princess Huaining was trying to cover up for the Qi Family and tortured Qi Yu’s fiancée to confess for him! The people outside the hall were whispering to each other, and quite a few familiar faces looked at him with disdain.

Gu Feiyan smiled, secretly laughing in her heart. She laughed so hard that she forgot the pain in her hands and feet.

Everyone thought that since His Highness had humiliated her, he wouldn't pursue the matter. Even Lord Jiang secretly heaved a sigh of relief. After all, His Highness Prince Jing was of the same generation as Princess Huaining, and if things escalated to the emperor, he really wouldn't be able to touch her.

However!

Jun Jiuchen had once again exceed all expectations.

He looked towards Lord Jiang and gave the order immediately, "Men, remove Jiang Li’an from the position of justice official and demote him to the northern region. Let him reflect on his mistake. Do you know what wrong have you done?"

Lord Jiang could no longer hold on as he knelt on the ground, shivering. Did he still need to reflect? Of course he knew what he did wrong!

The entire audience sunk into silence, even Gu Feiyan felt her heart palpitate. It was said that Prince Jing was a ruthless man. With just a few words, he could decide a person's life and death. Today, she had finally witnessed it.

If it was a slap to the faces for Princess Huaining and the Qi family just now, then this move could be considered a severe punishment!

No trial, no conviction, straight to the dismissal and demotion to reflect on. This was clearly a warning to the civil and military officials of the imperial court. Whoever dared to give face to Princess Huaining and the Qi family in the future, who dared to practice favoritism and fraud, would end up like Jiang Li’an in the end!

Watching Jiang Li’an being taken away, Princess Huaining felt utterly humiliated, but still wanted to keep her face at all costs. She whispered, "Yu-gege, it was my negligence. Don't you worry. I will definitely protect you guys on Fufang-jie’s matter!"

Qi Yu was depressed and did not want to talk, but still he answered, "I'm sorry to bother you, Princess."

After Jiang Li’an left, Jun Jiuchen officially began his trial. He said, "Someone, bring Chen Sanyuan over!"