The Emperor bent his knuckles and forcefully knocked on the table, faintly revealing killing intent.
“This minister believes that Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao, as his mansion’s advisors said, was probably just after some silver! Qin Dezhao was also doing this kind of thing for the first time. He didn’t expect to be caught by his subordinates, and those petty people below, thinking they had a big figure like Marquis Zhongyong backing them up, became increasingly unrestrained and excessive! That’s why Qin Dezhao followed his mansion advisor’s suggestion and struck ruthlessly to clear himself.” The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review spoke slowly. “Moreover… Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion and the Duke’s mansion are in-laws through their children. Thinking of his son, Qin Dezhao wouldn’t plot to harm his in-laws.”
The Emperor felt the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review made sense. He stared at the red lacquered round pillars in the hall, his gaze deep and dark: “What you say… makes sense!”
“Just before this minister came to report to Your Majesty, Young Master Qin knelt and requested this minister to convey his wish to surrender all of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion property to the national treasury to atone for his father’s sins! This minister recalls Your Majesty’s praise of Young Master Qin as a model among noble family children. Young Master Qin righteously eliminated his kin, abandoning filial piety for loyalty – he is indeed an upright and loyal person. If Great Jin had more sons like this, why would we worry about not prospering?”
“Minister Lu… are you pleading for Qin Lang?!” The Emperor heard the meaning in Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Jin’s words but disagreed. “Whether this is truly righteous elimination of kin for loyalty, or for self-preservation – that’s debatable!”
“Your Majesty, this minister believes in Your Majesty’s judgment. Qin Lang is a good son praised by Your Majesty! This minister has also been at the Court of Judicial Review for many years and has seen all kinds of people! But rarely have I seen a young man with such clear and bright eyes as Young Master Qin! This minister is willing to believe that Qin Lang is indeed a rare, loyal, and righteous young man, not a cunning and crafty person!”
Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Jin’s words carried some genuine sentiment. Qin Lang’s eyes were indeed clear and bright, unlike those slick playboys in the capital.
After hearing the Minister’s words, the Emperor thought for a moment, then turned his head to order Gao Demao: “Go have Xie Yuchang bring Qin Dezhao to me. I will personally interrogate him.”
“Yes!” Gao Demao hurriedly bowed and left the hall, ordering Imperial Guard Commander Xie Yuchang to fetch Qin Dezhao.
Not long after, Xie Yuchang returned alone, reporting to the Emperor that Qin Dezhao had committed suicide in prison.
Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Jin’s eyes widened in shock as he immediately knelt: “Your Majesty! This is all due to this minister’s poor supervision! Please forgive this minister!”
The Emperor gritted his teeth tightly and, after a moment of silence, asked: “Did he leave behind any suicide note or such things?”
“He left nothing behind. When this minister arrived, the body was still warm – he should have died not long ago!” Xie Yuchang said.
The Emperor leaned his back against the dragon throne and closed his eyes, his heart extremely irritated.
·
The news that Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao had committed suicide in fear of punishment in the prison of the Court of Judicial Review stirred up another wave in the capital.
Sitting in the Court of Judicial Review, when Qin Lang heard the news of his father’s suicide, he nearly dropped the teacup in his hands.
He thought he had been fast enough. Upon getting the list, he immediately returned to the mansion to coordinate testimony with his father’s advisors. He had to hold a dagger to his throat to bring his father’s advisors and guards to the Court of Judicial Review to confess. Originally, thinking that getting this matter to the Emperor’s attention before nightfall would surely let his father live a few more days.
But it was still too late.
If his father wasn’t silenced but committed suicide, then when his father decided to preserve the Qin family’s honor, he already had the determination to die.
Soon, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Jin returned. Looking at the pale-faced Qin Lang, he offered condolences: “His Majesty has already ordered the arrest of Liu Huanzhang’s brother-in-law, Sun Yiming. After interrogating Sun Yiming, if we can clear your father of the suspicion of colluding with Liu Huanzhang, then all members of Marquis Zhongyong’s household can move freely. For now, return to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion and don’t wander about randomly!”
Qin Lang respectfully bowed deeply to Lu Jin: “Junior, may I bring my father back to the mansion for burial?”
Lu Jin shook his head: “His Majesty wants to investigate your father’s cause of death. Your father’s body cannot return home for now.”
Qin Lang’s hands at his sides clenched tightly as he bowed to Lu Jin again.
Leaving the Court of Judicial Review, Qin Lang had his attendant send word to Bai Jinxiu. He needed to return to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to prepare his father’s funeral, but once he entered Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion, it would be difficult to leave. He instructed Bai Jinxiu to stay with the Bai family to mourn for the Duke.
·
At this time, all the masters of Duke Zhenguo’s mansion had gathered in the Grand Princess’s Changshou Courtyard.
The Emperor had issued an edict posthumously ennobling Duke Zhenguo as Prince Zhenguo. By rights, the funeral specifications should be raised to another level.
But that day in the palace, the Grand Princess had already told the Emperor that the funeral would be simple. The Emperor’s gesture of giving Duke Zhenguo the dignity of posthumous ennoblement as Prince was partly due to the Grand Princess’s prior promise to voluntarily give up her noble title! Therefore, the Bai family needed to be even more cautious and humble to preserve themselves.
The Grand Princess was in poor spirits, half-leaning against a large ginger-yellow pillow with western lotus patterns, forcing herself to sit on the soft couch, fingering a string of sandalwood Buddhist beads wrapped around her wrist: “Let’s set the funeral for the tenth day!”
Dong Shi nodded. Those coffins filling the courtyard – seeing them would remind her that her husband and sons had no remains, that pain constantly cutting at her heart. Better to bury them early; perhaps out of sight would mean less pain.
Just as the Grand Princess finished speaking, Nanny Jiang hurriedly entered, bowed, and said: “Grand Princess, news has come that Marquis Zhongyong committed suicide in prison. The second son-in-law has already returned to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to prepare the funeral. Just now, the second son-in-law sent word saying to let Second Miss stay with the Bai family and not return to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion.”
Liu Shi couldn’t contain herself and stood up in shock, twisting the handkerchief in her hands tightly, her heart jumping to her throat: “This… won’t this implicate the son-in-law?”
Bai Jinxiu instinctively looked toward Bai Qingyan, who sat under the lamp with half-lowered eyes.
She held a half-cold teacup in her hands, understanding in her heart that this was Prince Liang making his move to silence witnesses.
“Second Aunt, don’t worry. If it would implicate Qin Lang, Qin Lang probably wouldn’t have been able to leave the Court of Judicial Review.” She set down her cup. “Qin Lang was personally praised by His Majesty and the Empress as a model among noble family children. His Majesty won’t slap his face. Moreover, this time Qin Lang righteously eliminated his kin, being loyal and abandoning filial duty. I estimate… when things are settled, there will be rewards afterward.”
The Grand Princess nodded. She also understood this nephew of hers: “A’Bao is right. Set your mind at ease. No matter what, I’m still here. I absolutely won’t let Jinxiu’s husband come to harm.”
Only then did Liu Shi nod, tearfully thanking the Grand Princess.
Coming out of the Grand Princess’s courtyard, Bai Qingyan took Dong Shi’s arm, accompanying her as they walked toward the courtyard exit while speaking in low voices: “Mother, rest assured in entrusting all the mansion’s arrangements to me. I will certainly watch over the Bai mansion closely and won’t let any chaos occur. Mother just needs to prepare well for the tenth day’s affairs.”
Dong Shi grasped Bai Qingyan’s hand and gently rubbed it: “You handle matters carefully. Mother is very reassured, just afraid you’ll be too tired.”
After parting with Dong Shi, on her way to the mourning hall, she asked Nanny Tong: “The people sent to watch Chun Yan – have they said there’s been any movement on that side?”