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Marriage of the Di Daughter Chapter 126 Part 2: Broke Free
Even if there was truly any danger, Ji Heng would definitely appear.
When Ye Ming Yu heard this, he did not say anything and together walked with Jiang Li following the leading palace maid.
Xue Huaiyuan’s mind was now like a five or six years old child, he looked right and left while walking inside the palace, feeling fascinated with the new surroundings. With Jiang Li here, he actually was not afraid at all. This was the first time Ye Ming Yu came to the palace and he tried very hard to appear nonchalant, looking very steady.
Zhou De Zhao, Master Zhou from the Ministry of Justice was in charge of this case. Jiang Li was a witness, and she and Ye Ming Yu were asked to meet with Master Zhou first.
The lips of the palace maid leading the way were very tight. Ye Ming Yu wanted to ask and get some news from her to no avail. The palace maid stopped outside a building and a person who looked like a bodyguard came from inside. After seeing Jiang Li, he said, “Miss Jiang second, Master Zhou is waiting inside.”
Jiang Li and Ye Ming Yu glanced at each other before entering.
Zhou De Zhao was similar in age to Jiang Yuan Bai. He had a thin stature, and a chinese face with a square chin. At a glance, he looked like a resolute person. He looked at Jiang Li and Ye Ming Yu, also swept his gaze at Xue Huaiyuan who was playing with a rattle drum. He did not speak nonsense and got right to the point, “Miss Jiang second, the emperor has shown the memorandum of Xue’s case to this official; do you know who is involved in this case?”
“Princess Yongning.” Jiang Li said calmly.
Zhou De Zhao was stunned, as if not expecting Jiang Li to say it so calmly, as if it wasn’t the country’s princess, but an ordinary person on the street. When Emperor Hong Xiao personally talked to him about this case, Zhou De Zhao could not hide his surprise. As an official in the court, he had seen many filthy and weird things, as well as many unresolved cases of commoners suing officials. However, this was still a first for a chief a.s.sistant’s daughter to sue the country’s princess.
The evidence Miss Jiang second has is conclusive,” Zhou De Zhao said, “the emperor also intends to redress the injustice of the people in Tongxiang. However, because this case involves the princess, it was complicated. Miss Jiang second has to think carefully.”
“The arrow cannot turn back once the bow is opened.” Jiang Li smiled, “the emperor is personally overseeing this case, it’s too late for Jiang Li to feel grateful, undoubtedly will do one’s utmost for the truth of this case to come to light.”
“Truth of this case to come to light”, these words were spoken with emphasis by Jiang Li.
“However, this case is not impeccable,” Zhou De Zhao said. “Supposed the person behind the scene truly has something to do with the princess, just this case alone is not enough to completely eliminate the source. On the contrary, it might place Miss Jiang second in danger. Even so, does Miss Jiang second not want to change your mind?”
“Master Zhou does not have to sound me out.” Jiang Li said with a smile, “If I have had the mind to shrink back, I did not have to do all these things. Besides, still having reservation despite the emperor personally overseeing, would I not be guilty of deceiving the monarch?”
Zhou De Zhao was considered an honest and upright official. But for him to be able to arrive in this position, he was not a rigid person. Reminding Jiang Li that this case could not pull Princess Yongning and would instead made Princess Yongning had grudges against her was perhaps to either probe or to warn her out of good intention. But for Jiang Li, saying all these was useless.
Seeing Jiang Li’s firm resolve, it was not good for Zhou De Zhao to say more. In any case, Jiang Li was Jiang Yuan Bai’s daughter; he still needed to show some face to Jiang Yuan Bai. This case would undoubtedly offend Princess Yongning. However, with the emperor’s golden words, he also did not have a second choice. In a way, he was the same as Jiang Li.
“Okay.” Zhou De Zhao nodded and said, “Miss Jiang second, tidy up for a bit, in a little while, we will enter the palace hall.” He paused, then continued, “It’s unlikely that Princess Yongning will enter the palace hall today, but His Majesty Cheng w.a.n.g will be present.”
Cheng w.a.n.g was Yongning’s blood-related older brother, it’s possible for Cheng w.a.n.g to make things difficult for Jiang Li.
“No matter who, “ Ye Ming Yu could not listen anymore, “it’s impossible for them to be too excessive in front of the emperor.”
Jiang Li and Zhou De Zhao did not say anything. Ye Ming Yu was far away from the imperial court, so naturally he did not know. But Cheng w.a.n.g’s power and arrogance was not an overnight thing. Emperor Hong Xiao wanted to conceal his strength and bide his time, avoiding the tip of the spearhead on him, so he played the role of a respectful brother on the surface when in fact, the undercurrent was surging.
Jiang Li sighed softly, she did not know whether she should sympathize with the current monarch of Northern Yan. Leaving aside the many people eyeing his throne covetously, the subject he most relied on, Ji Heng, also had his own plan.
“Master Zhou, let’s go.” Jiang Li collected her thoughts and sait to Master Zhou.
Zhou De Zhao nodded.
Xue Huaiyuan could not follow Jiang Li to the palace hall together for fear that his unclear mind would alarm the holy one. So he waited with someone guarding him until the time was ripe to face the sacred one. Therefore, only Jiang Li and Ye Ming Yu followed Zhou De Zhao to the throne room. Estimating the time, the officials coming to watch the trial today should have also arrived.
Soon they arrived at the throne room. Some officials caught sight of them and each and every one of those officials seized her up.
Jiang Li was currently considered as a famous person in Yanjing. As long as it was an official family, no one did not know Jiang Li’s name. Among the n.o.ble ladies, Jiang Li’s current conduct and deeds were the first time seen and heard of. Unfortunately, n.o.body could guess her mind. Not being a young lady properly, stubbornly involved in this dispute, running outside and showing her face for an unrelated person, it’s unknown what she was pursuing.
As they were walking, a voice suddenly sounded from behind, “Master Zhou.”
Zhou De Zhao and Jiang Li turned around and saw a young man walking slowly from the back garden.
The man was dressed in luxurious brocade, his bearing extraordinary, and the person accompanying beside him did not look ordinary either. He could be said to be handsome, just his pair of eyes was deep and shrewd. When he sized people up, he made people feel a bit gloomy.
Although he called Zhou De Zhao, he frankly directed his gaze towards Jiang Li, measuring her without apprehension. Ye Ming Yu at the side was annoyed, how could he look at a young lady like this.
Zhou De Zhao bowed in salute and said, “This lower official has seen His Royal Highness Cheng w.a.n.g.”
Jiang Li also bowed in salute.
Zhou De Zhao’s words had now actually become a prophecy, it had quickly come true. Jiang Li was not willing to run into Cheng w.a.n.g here, but she did not expect, before entering the throne room, she would first meet face to face with Cheng w.a.n.g.
Cheng w.a.n.g said, “So this is Miss Jiang second.” He smiled slightly, “This king saw Miss Jiang second’s charm in the examination some time ago and it was fascinating. Never thought Miss Jiang second’s ability has grown so big after not seeing for many days, truly making this prince be pleasantly surprised.”
What he said was really somewhat frivolous. Ye Ming Yu showed dissatisfaction in his eyes. Jiang Li was afraid that he would cause a disturbance and said to Zhou De Zhao, “Master Zhou, please first go inside with my uncle, I’ll say a few words with His Royal Highness Cheng w.a.n.g and will soon follow.”
“How is it possible?” Without waiting for Zhou De Zhao to speak, Ye Ming Yu objected. He said, “Let’s go together.” Just a glance could tell that this Cheng w.a.n.g was not a good person. Ye Ming Yu also heard that the target this time was Princess Yongning. Cheng w.a.n.g was Princess Yongning’s older brother, impossible for him not to vent the anger on behalf of Princess Yongning. Moreover, the words Cheng w.a.n.g just spoke could be said to be completely unbridled. He truly did not feel rea.s.sured for Jiang Li to deal with Cheng w.a.n.g alone.
Zhou De Zhao also felt surprised. At this time, Jiang Li did not think of immediately avoiding Cheng w.a.n.g, but took the initiative to face him. Could she not be afraid of Cheng w.a.n.g?
Jiang Li was indeed not afraid. She looked undisturbed and calmly explained to Ye Ming Yu, “It’s okay, uncle. Cheng w.a.n.g and I are just a few steps away from the throne room and people often come and go here, His Royal Highness Cheng w.a.n.g and I will not be in any danger. Just saying a few words and will soon go inside. Uncle being here will instead delay Master Zhou’s business, right?”
Ye Ming Yu still wanted to say something, but Zhou De Zhao had already cupped his hands in greeting and said, “Since it’s like that, then this lower official will first withdraw.” He hinted at Ye Ming Yu; Ye Ming Yu still hesitated. Seeing the meaningful look Jiang Li gave him, he paused, and reluctantly entered the throne room with Zhou De Zhao.
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