This act truly violated human nature. The ministers in the pavilion discussed among themselves, all frowning.

Grand Secretary Wen asked with a smile: “The matter of murdering his wife is clear enough, but how does murdering his daughter come into it?”

The eldest daughter of Grand Preceptor Liu’s manor is nineteen years old. Previously, because she brought shame to the Grand Preceptor’s manor, she was expelled from the household by Grand Preceptor Liu and even had her name removed from the family genealogy.” Shen Qiyuan glanced toward that brilliant red figure nearby. “It wasn’t because this woman truly committed unforgivable sins, but because the Grand Preceptor felt this woman was not his biological child. By driving her out early, he could avoid implicating the manor’s reputation.”

At these words, Prince Yong was stunned.

He turned to look at Grand Preceptor Liu in shock: “Why do you think Ruyi is not your biological child?”

Grand Preceptor Liu’s face was ashen. Seeing him, he still couldn’t help retorting sarcastically: “Doesn’t Your Highness know in your heart what you’ve done? Lady He was no longer a virgin before she was with me. Who knows whether that rapidly swelling belly contained your seed or mine?”

Blood rushed from the corners of his eyes as Prince Yong lunged forward to strike him: “You’re talking nonsense! Xixiang and I always maintained proper conduct between emotion and propriety. Unless she was carried through my front door, I would never touch her!”

Grand Preceptor Liu was stunned, then frowned and shook his head: “Impossible. She had no blood on our wedding night. If not you, then who else could it be?”

“I presume to inform all the lords,” Zhao Yanning spoke calmly. “From my years of experience examining corpses, virginity does not necessarily result in bleeding. This varies from person to person.”

Grand Preceptor Liu’s expression changed.

He lowered his head, carefully recalling, momentarily dazed.

Had he misunderstood?

“Other matters are the Grand Preceptor’s family affairs, which we shouldn’t interfere with.” Shen Qiyuan said. “Let’s return to the matter of the Grand Preceptor killing his daughter. Originally, the Grand Preceptor only drove his daughter out. What made him want to kill his flesh and blood?”

He took out property deeds from his robes.

“If I’m not mistaken, after the Black Market case, the Grand Preceptor intended to befriend me. Seeing that I had many interactions with his daughter, he devised ways to summon her back, attempting to use her to win me over. Unfortunately, his daughter had a fierce temperament and said things on the spot that made the Grand Preceptor think she knew the truth about his wife’s murder. Seeing she was useless and threatened his reputation, Grand Preceptor Liu struck cruelly.”

“This residence was later sent to me through distant relatives by Grand Preceptor Liu. I accepted it, so the Grand Preceptor lowered his guard, instead revealing many flaws.”

Grand Preceptor Liu sneered coldly, pointing beside him: “Lord Shen says I killed my daughter, but isn’t she still alive and well?”

Ruyi, who had been pondering something, suddenly felt all eyes fall on her face. She looked up, smiled suddenly at Grand Preceptor Liu, then stepped forward and cupped her hands: “Please forgive the Grand Preceptor, Your Majesty. Though he no longer acknowledges this humble woman, he still has the grace of giving birth to me. So even though he nearly killed me, I don’t blame him.”

Children who accuse their fathers receive eighty lashes—this doesn’t count as an accusation, does it?

A trace of amusement flickered through Shen Qiyuan’s previously stern eyes.

County Princess Jinghong, beside them, angrily stood up: “The knife was already thrust into her heart! Just because the victim is still alive means the crime can be forgiven?”

“County Princess needn’t speak for this humble woman.” Ruyi sighed, and with a lift of her sleeve, tears began pattering down. “This humble woman’s life was given by the Grand Preceptor. What would it matter if he truly killed me?”

A beauty’s tears naturally evoked pity and sympathy. Everyone felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Being stabbed in the heart by one’s birth father—just thinking about it seemed unbearable.

“This humble woman always had a knot in her heart, unable to understand why the father I respected and revered had always been harsh and demanding over the years. Today, all the lords have given me clarity—it wasn’t that I did anything wrong, but that there was a misunderstanding.” She wiped her tears and looked at Grand Preceptor Liu with strength. “If we could start over now, would the Grand Preceptor still mercilessly stab this humble woman?”

Grand Preceptor Liu looked at her with complex emotions, both angry and affected mannerisms, yet truly unable to refute.

He didn’t answer, but the emperor on his seat finally became angry: “Even poisonous tigers don’t eat their cubs. Liu Zhangtu, how can you be fit to be a teacher to the Eastern Palace?”

Other matters he might overlook, but murdering wives and killing daughters was truly shocking. If the Eastern Palace learned from this, how could he sleep peacefully?

People only know pain when they’re stepped on. Seeing the emperor finally take it seriously, Shen Qiyuan continued: “As for forming factions for private gain and accepting bribes while perverting justice, the Grand Preceptor was involved in the Black Market case, and now there’s this residence as evidence. This can be called ironclad proof. The Grand Preceptor used his loyalty as a minister of two dynasties to deceive Your Majesty—the crime of deceiving the emperor can also be established.”

“Only the detailed particulars still require Your Majesty to have people investigate thoroughly.”

Liu Zhangtu grew anxious: “Lord Shen, if you must pin these crimes on me, then your Imperial Clan Court can hardly escape culpability!”

The Imperial Clan Court’s failure to discover these things before imperial grace descended was indeed a major dereliction of duty. Several Associate Directors and Deputy Directors of the Imperial Clan Court nearby turned pale, with some already trembling and about to step forward to request punishment.

At this moment, Shen Qiyuan handed over the Imperial Clan Court’s seal: “The Imperial Clan Court indeed cannot escape culpability. Your servant willingly requests demotion.”

Gasps of cold air arose from all around.

Ruyi glanced sideways at this person.

The Imperial Clan Court could be said to be the first governmental office under the Great Qian’s imperial power. Countless people broke their heads trying to sit in this position, yet he said he’d give it up just like that. Moreover, this wasn’t even his fault.

Under the autumn sun, this person stood straight as a pine, his gaze determined, his gathered sleeves showing some youthful spirit and solitary courage.

The emperor, on his seat, waved his hand: “This matter will be discussed later. Ziyan, weren’t you originally going to discuss today’s murder case? How did we get to this point?”

“Today’s murder case only lacks an imperial decree for a thorough investigation.” He looked up solemnly. “As long as we can find one piece of evidence—one piece proving Lord Yun has long colluded with Grand Preceptor Liu—this case will be resolved.”

Yuncheng, who had been watching from the sidelines, panicked upon hearing this: “I am an inner minister. What collusion could I have with Grand Preceptor Liu?”

Shen Qiyuan looked at him with calm eyes: “That nine-phoenix crown in the black market truly has no connection whatsoever with you, my lord?”

Yuncheng was stunned.

At this moment, the emperor groaned and supported his forehead.

“Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body.” The nearby old ministers all cupped their hands.

“Ah, I’m old and useless.” The emperor slowly rose. “Today’s matters end here. I should go rest.”

“Your Majesty.” Shen Qiyuan said stubbornly. “Please issue a decree for a thorough investigation.”

The emperor looked at him with some annoyance: “You can already establish Grand Preceptor Liu’s crimes. What more is there to investigate?”

“Deciding cases requires evidence. How can we rely only on speculation?” He fearlessly met the emperor’s gaze. “Your servant already knows the truth, but without evidence, these two cannot be convicted. Lord Hai will not rest peacefully in the underworld. I beg Your Majesty’s compassion.”