Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 227: Death by Imperial Decree

The case of Prince Jing’s treason has finally been thoroughly investigated, and the culpability of those involved has been settled.

Song Qianfan has been stripped of his title and sentenced to lethal poison. Prince Jing, for failing to raise his son properly, is ordered to return to his fief in Su State after the new year, not allowed to leave without an imperial decree. Princess Jing, for excessively doting on her son, is ordered to retreat to Kaisan Temple for three years to practice asceticism and pray for the court and the common people.

The Yu Family is implicated in rebellion, with the traitor Yu Ting already executed. Considering that his relatives were unaware, the Yu Family is spared the death penalty but is exiled to Qingzhou.

Mei He, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, abused his position multiple times to accept bribes and was complicit with the criminal Song Qianfan in deceiving the Emperor. His crimes are unforgivable, and he is to be executed immediately. The Mei Family’s assets will be confiscated, and their residence reclaimed.

Other involved parties will be punished as deemed appropriate.

The Holy Decree of punishment has been issued. Most people thought that since Su Juan had stayed at the Prince Jing Mansion for a period and had been cared for by Prince Jing and his wife, she might spare them, but unexpectedly, she showed no mercy. Even Prince Jing and his wife, one must return to his fief, and the other must practice asceticism at Kaisan Temple.

Seeing how ruthless Su Juan was, no one in the capital dared to plead for anyone.

In the Ministry of Justice Prison, the poison bestowed by the Old Emperor had been sent long ago, but Song Qianfan adamantly refused to drink it, clamoring to see Su Juan.

With no other options, the subordinates had to consult Yu Zhong to see if they should report it to Princess Jinyang, perhaps there might be clues beneficial to the case.

Yu Zhong went alone to the prison. The once-glorious Prince Jing’s heir, now in prison, was a captive in dire straits, yet still carried an arrogant demeanor.

"Song Qianfan, what else do you have to say?"

Song Qianfan, with a livid face, attempted one last desperate measure, "I won’t talk to you, bring Su Juan to see me!"

Yu Zhong responded indifferently, "Your Majesty is about to appoint her as Crown Princess. She has no time to bother with a prisoner like you. Giving you poison was a way to leave you with dignity."

The implication was that Song Qianfan should accept the face-saving gesture.

Song Qianfan, gritting his teeth, retorted, "Who do you think you are to shout in front of me?"

"Bring Su Juan here! I will only speak with her!"

At this moment, Yu Zhong looked at the man before him and felt pity for Su Juan, wondering how she ended up with such a person, who remained unrepentant even in the face of death, utterly foolish.

"His Majesty has already stripped the Prince Jing Mansion of its titles, leaving no Princely Heir. Now, you’re just a condemned man awaiting execution."

These simple words provoked a burst of anger in Song Qianfan, who glared in rage and started cursing.

Yu Zhong ignored him, gesturing for those behind to step forward and restrain the man on the ground. The eunuch from the palace was momentarily stunned, then quickly stepped forward with the poison.

In the prison, several witnesses saw the usually gentle-natured Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice holding the cup, pouring the poison into Song Qianfan’s mouth.

In no time, the once ranting and cursing Song Qianfan succumbed to the poison, his eyes wide open, dying in unrest.

The eunuch was secretly startled. After all, he was Prince Jing’s son; the Emperor merely bestowed the poison to leave him with some dignity. Yet Mr. Yu forcibly administered it, showing no fear of incurring hatred from Prince Jing and his wife, nor of being held to account by the Emperor.

Just now, he had planned to report back to the palace.

Yu Zhong, in a low voice, glanced at the eunuch, "Just a mere condemned prisoner, not worth disturbing the palace."

The eunuch, perceptive to the mood, figured since Song Qianfan was dead, how it happened was no longer relevant, and after saying farewell to Yu Zhong, he returned to the palace to report.

...

Upon learning that Song Qianfan was forced to drink the poison by Yu Zhong, Su Juan was somewhat surprised. Sooner or later, Song Qianfan was destined to die; if he kept dragging it out, once the Old Emperor’s patience ran thin, he would be beheaded anyway.

So no matter how much Song Qianfan clamored to see her, she hadn’t gone.

She furrowed her brow, "Why did Yu Zhong have to look for this misfortune?"

Shen Ruhui laughed, placing a chess piece on the board, "Doesn’t Your Highness understand why Mr. Yu sought this misfortune?"

Su Juan was puzzled, "What should I understand?"

Shen Ruhui calmly explained, "His Majesty is about to appoint you as Crown Princess and soon select an Imperial Consort for you, known to everyone in the capital. Many noble families are eyeing the position of your Imperial Consort."

With Shen Ruhui’s hint, Su Juan began to grasp the situation, "You mean, Yu Zhong is interested too?"

Shen Ruhui nodded, "It seems so."

Su Juan furrowed her brow again. Yu Zhong, having recently solved two major cases, was destined for greater prospects. Why dive into this muddled water?

Even a fool would know how to choose between being the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice and being an Imperial Consort.

Shen Ruhui elaborated, "The Yu Family was once a well-known noble family in our dynasty but was later demoted for making mistakes. For three generations, they were barred from officialdom, leading to the Yu Family’s decline. With Yu Zhong’s father, three generations have passed, but reviving a fallen family with over a century of absence is far from easy for its descendants to enter officialdom."

"Yu Family has only Yu Zhong, exceptionally promoted to serve at Dali Temple for his talent in resolving legal cases. Previously, when Lou Shiye’s incident at the Ministry of Justice implicated half the ministry, leaving no one available, Dou Yan recommended Yu Zhong to the Emperor. Due to the successful handling of the case, he was subsequently promoted to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Otherwise, no matter how long he waited, he wouldn’t reach this position now, even after twenty years of effort."

Considering Yu Zhong’s perspective, he strives not for personal glory or shame but for the entire Yu Family.

Even with years of work at Dali Temple, expanding connections in the capital remains challenging, impeding the Yu Family’s return to the capital. However, if he gains favor with Princess Jinyang and becomes the Imperial Consort, upon Su Juan’s accession, he would be the future imperial spouse, allowing the Yu Family to enter the capital easily, and its members would find a path forward.

Shen Ruhui left much unsaid, but Su Juan understood.

Yu Zhong wants to revive the Yu Family, knowing he was exceptionally promoted to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, making further advancement challenging, nearly impossible within a decade. However, if the Yu Family aligns with the Crown Princess, those weighing the situation will have to reconsider.

Seeing Su Juan’s deep contemplation, Shen Ruhui smiled, "You have the backing of the Duke Mansion. His Majesty, choosing your Imperial Consort, is unlikely to pick from noble families. In the capital, among suitable candidates, there are only a few options."

"Liu Xuan is good, but ultimately burdened with the Liu Family’s prosperity, seeking a foothold in the previous dynasty, and is ultimately not destined to be with you."

Shen Ruhui spoke plainly, intending for Su Juan to have clarity. After all, he could see the atmosphere between them. Although unspoken, there was a certain degree of mutual affinity.

Upon hearing this, Su Juan gently rubbed the chess piece with her fingers, speaking in a deep voice, "I never considered what you mentioned."

After all, she never considered marriage from the beginning.

Shen Ruhui, however, told the blunt truth, "But Your Highness is about to be appointed. Whether willing or forced, you will eventually have to get married."