Chapter 428: Chapter 428 Taking the Blame

After the family of the Flying Tiger Army was beaten to death, they reported it to the Ministry of Justice.

Because the accusation was against Duke Chong’s Mansion, the Ministry of Justice dared not accept it. After examining the body, they let the family take the corpse back for burial, allowing the deceased to rest in peace.

As to how the matter would be resolved later, the Ministry of Justice didn’t know. Perhaps it would be dragged on until it disappeared.

But unexpectedly, the Flying Tiger Army returned.

The deceased’s younger brother returned.

If the elder brother was beaten to death, how could the younger brother not seek revenge?

The Flying Tiger Army went to the Ministry of Justice to strike the Injustice Bell.

When the Injustice Bell rang, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice was nearly scared out of his wits.

The backers of the Flying Tiger Army are Marquis Dongxiang, Marquis Jibei, and the Emperor.

Moreover, this case is clearly aimed at Duke Chong.

No one beneath him at the Ministry would dare provoke them.

They did not provide relief to the Flying Tiger Army family and condoned the subordinates who beat the family to death. Should this spread, Duke Chong’s reputation would be ruined.

Especially since Duke Chong also falsely claimed credit and received a reward of a thousand acres of fertile land from the Emperor!

This is a crime of deceiving the monarch!

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice was like a headless fly, running around not knowing what to do.

The Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice was the cousin of the Heir of Marquis Beining, and it was well known that the Heir of Marquis Beining was close to Su Chong.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice then asked the Junior Minister to probe at the Beining Marquis Mansion on how this case should be handled.

The Heir of Marquis Beining was surely not at the Beining Marquis Mansion, having suffered recently, although his martial arts improved significantly, and his parents were pleased, feeling the five thousand tael’s tuition was worth it.

But with Su Chong getting together with his family, they didn’t want to disturb and temporarily moved back to the mansion.

Without restrictions, who would stay in the mansion all the time?

The Heir of Marquis Beining and a few others were drinking at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice went to find the Heir of Marquis Beining, just in time to get advice from Prince NanAn and the others.

“This case is tricky and hard to investigate,” said the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion.

The Heir of Marquis Beining glanced at him, “If it were easy to investigate, would my cousin come to me for a solution?”

“This case is indeed tricky, the Ministry of Justice can’t handle it,” said Chu Shun.

“…”

“And then?” asked the Heir of Marquis Beining.

“If it can’t be investigated, then what’s the point?” said Prince NanAn.

The Heir of Marquis Beining, “…”

The Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, “…”

Chu Shun patted the shoulder of the Junior Minister and said, “This case is easy to investigate, but hard to judge, having a servant take the blame is not going to satisfy Marquis Dongxiang.”

“If we involve Duke Chong, the Ministry of Justice doesn’t have the guts, caught in a dilemma.”

This directly hit the nail on the head.

Chu Shun laughed, “Since it can’t be investigated, just toss the case out, find someone capable to handle it.”

“To whom should it be tossed?” asked the Heir of Marquis Beining.

“Does it need to be said? The Ministry of Justice, of course.”

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice is the son-in-law of Duke Zhen; he can surely handle this case.

Even if he can’t handle it, he would have the gall to dump the case on the Emperor.

The Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice thought this was a great idea, paid for the drinks, and returned to the Ministry of Justice.

Prince NanAn patted the shoulder of the Heir of Marquis Beining and said, “Your cousin is too unkind, making us bear the burden for the Ministry of Justice and just treating us to one meal.”

Had the Minister of the Ministry of Justice not been shrewd, he would never have had the Junior Minister come to them.

If Duke Chong blamed them later, they would say that the Heir of Marquis Beining provided the idea.

Deflect the calamity to the east.

The crisis of the Ministry of Justice would naturally be resolved.

Such a small trick could never fool Chu Shun and the others.

Despite being in the same league as Su Chong, they weren’t afraid of trouble.

Especially enjoying meals paid by others.

“Have three to five meals, all on my cousin’s tab,” said the Heir of Marquis Beining.

“Our Commandery Prince is quite tight on funds lately; isn’t there someone else needing a scapegoat?” Prince NanAn seriously inquired.

After returning, the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice sent both the Flying Tiger Army and the petition over to the Ministry of Justice.

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, “…”

Why does he so much want to strike the Minister of the Ministry of Justice?

This hot potato case had him unload it here.

How on earth would he handle this case? No way!

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice wrote a memorial to impeach the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

The report was made at the Ministry of Justice, it didn’t investigate, and just sent them straight to the Ministry of Justice; how is that acceptable?

The Chief of Staff scolded the Minister of the Ministry of Justice ruthlessly in the memorial, describing it as being berated thoroughly doesn’t do it justice.

Memorials reaching the Emperor’s hands usually have many procedures.

The Chief of Staff took the backdoor with Eunuch Fu.

The memorial was sent directly to the Emperor’s Dragon Desk.

After reading, the Emperor frowned, “What kind of case can’t the Ministry of Justice investigate, that they wish to send it to the Ministry of Justice?”

Eunuch Fu shook his head.

He didn’t know.

The Chief of Staff had stuffed him a hundred tael silver note along with the memorial, without saying anything else.

The Emperor was curious and summoned the Chief of Staff to the palace to explain.

Hmm.

The Emperor asked voluntarily.

The Chief of Staff wouldn’t dare dump the case on the Emperor.

Since the Emperor asked, the Chief of Staff had to respond, and then he revealed the matter of Duke Chong deceiving the monarch.

The fact that the Ministry of Justice didn’t dare to investigate but dumped the case at the Ministry of Justice was enough to prove the matter was true.

The Emperor was furious.

“Tell Duke Chong to get himself to the palace at once!” the Emperor commanded angrily.

…

Yongning Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat on the Phoenix Chair, her face cold and somber.

She was angry over the matter of establishing the heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion.

The more she thought, the more she felt Duke Chong had acted rashly this time.

He should know that although the Emperor wasn’t extremely wise, he was considerate enough.

If Duke Zhen treated the Flying Tiger Army well, yielding the glory to the son of the Heir of Duke Xian, the Emperor would certainly not mistreat him.

Duke Zhen had been diligent for so many years, only a step away from being crowned as a prince.

This time, by giving way, that step could have been fulfilled.

Knowing the Emperor would bestow a title, he should have suggested to the Emperor to bestow Duke Zhen as a prince before the Emperor spoke.

No matter the Emperor’s intent, it would seem to others that Duke Chong had meritorious advice.

If Duke Zhen received such favor, could he not directly bestow the title to Old Master Xie, then appoint Xie Jingchen as the heir?

Being a step behind, the opportunity was missed.

However, the road ahead is long, and it’s uncertain who will prevail in the end.

The Empress Dowager sipped her tea lightly.

Outside, the Empress walked in hurriedly, nearly bumping into a palace maid coming out.

The palace maid, frightened, stepped aside, and the tea cup in her hand fell.

The crash resounded.

The Empress Dowager frowned, “Why are you rushing over so hastily?”

“Empress Dowager, something has happened,” said the Empress.

Nanny Li raised her hand to dismiss the palace maids.

The Empress looked at the Empress Dowager and said, “Previously, to investigate someone providing relief to the Flying Tiger Army family, a servant of Duke Chong’s Mansion accidentally beat someone to death, now the Flying Tiger Army is suing Duke Chong’s Mansion, and the case has reached the Emperor. The Emperor demands Duke Chong to come to the palace at once.”

The Empress was just about to go to the Imperial Study to advise the Emperor not to overexert himself.

Upon arrival, she learned of this incident and quickly came to the Empress Dowager for advice.

The crime of deceiving the monarch is no small affair.

If Duke Chong is being commanded to come, imagine the Emperor’s immense anger.

Hmm.

Not only the Emperor was angry but the Empress Dowager was also very disappointed.

“More reckless in conduct!” the Empress Dowager said in disappointment.

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