Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

Chapter 775 Interrogation (First Update)
The following day, at the Taiji Hall.

Xiao Chengqi, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe with a white sash around his waist, sat high in the hall.

The officials stood on both sides, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Chen Songshi stepped forward first and proposed to discuss the funeral rites for the late emperor and the enthronement ceremony for the new emperor.

"...According to the old system, this matter should be presided over and handled by the Ministry of Rites and other relevant departments. The late emperor's remains will be moved and buried in the imperial mausoleum after forty-nine days. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. According to the astronomical observation by the Imperial Observatory, April 9th ​​is an auspicious day. We humbly request Your Majesty to take good care of your health, prioritize the country, the people and the nation, and hold the enthronement ceremony first."

The group exchanged glances discreetly.

April 9th, there are less than ten days left.

All departments have been working overtime lately, probably for this very reason.

It was only at this moment that Chen Songshi brought it up.

Therefore, most people tacitly remained silent.

However, at that moment, a voice abruptly broke the silence.

"Think twice, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Chengqi looked at the person who spoke.

"What are your opinions, Lord Lin?"

Lin Xueping stepped forward and knelt down with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, I believe there may be something inappropriate about this matter!"

Everyone looked over, already guessing what he was going to do.

Sure enough, the next moment, he shouted, "The late emperor has passed away, and the whole world is in mourning! We, as his subjects, are already heartbroken, let alone his blood relatives! The fourth prince is His Majesty's own flesh and blood, yet he is now imprisoned and cannot even observe mourning and fulfill his filial duties. It is truly pitiful. I beg His Majesty to show leniency and, no matter what mistakes Prince Jing has made, grant him his final act of filial piety!"

After saying that, he slammed his head on the ground with a loud thud, and his forehead instantly turned black and blue!

The crowd fell silent, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

This Lin Xueping... he's really courting death!

Who doesn't know that Xiao Chenglin was imprisoned the day after Emperor Muwu's death?
The newly enthroned emperor was ruthless and decisive, showing no hesitation in his attempt to eliminate him!

For Lin Xueping to dare to openly speak up for Xiao Chenglin like this is truly audacious!
Chen Songshi turned and glanced at him. "Lord Lin, what you say makes sense, but you seem to have forgotten what crime Prince Jing committed. Before the late emperor passed away, he ordered Prince Jing to reflect on his actions behind closed doors. He conspired with Fan Chengzhuo, Xie Anjun, and others to commit treason and collude with the enemy, a capital offense! Even if he is the late emperor's son, committing such a crime is still unforgivable! Such a traitor to the emperor and the country, Lord Lin actually wants to send him to the late emperor's mausoleum to observe mourning? Aren't you afraid that the late emperor's spirit in heaven will not rest in peace?!"

Lin Xueping looked up to confront him, and although she was kneeling, her tone showed no sign of backing down.

"Grand Secretary Chen, the late Emperor did indeed issue such an imperial edict, but he also ordered a thorough investigation to gather evidence. How can we believe Fan Chengzhuo's one-sided account from that day? Now, before everything has been investigated, to convict him directly and not even allow Prince Jing to see him one last time seems... rather inappropriate, doesn't it?"

The news that Xiao Chenglin was summoned to the palace that day and identified by Fan Chengzhuo in court had already spread.

Before anyone could react, Xiao Chenglin had already been imprisoned.

To be honest, Lin Xueping's words are not wrong.

—Indeed, all the evidence against Xiao Chenglin has not yet been presented.

"Even if Prince Jing really committed such a heinous crime, the proper procedures should be followed: interrogation, investigation, and conviction, instead of what happened now—Grand Secretary Chen, you must know what happened outside the Meridian Gate yesterday, right?"

Everyone fell silent.

"It seems that Lord Lin is quite aware of what happened yesterday."

Tang Zhongli suddenly spoke, chuckling.
"I thought Lord Lin was too busy with state affairs to pay attention to other matters, but I didn't expect him to know so much."

"I wish I didn't know, but the students have gathered outside the Meridian Gate demanding an explanation. The matter has escalated to such a great extent, and I am not deaf or blind. I cannot simply pretend not to know, can I?" Lin Xueping looked up. "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it could cause a great uproar. I urge Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Tang Zhongli again.

"I also heard that yesterday, in front of many students, Lord Tang personally promised to give them a clear explanation. How could Lord Tang have gone back on his word?"

Tang Zhongli was surprised. "Lord Lin, where did you see that I had gone back on my word? Although I am old, I am not senile. I still understand the principle of keeping one's word. However, it is not impossible for young people to be impulsive and be used as pawns."

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the heavens, saying, “His Majesty has just ascended the throne and immediately opened a special imperial examination, ordering all departments to cooperate in ensuring the proper arrangements for the numerous students. Under His Majesty’s grace, all the students are deeply grateful, yet this sudden incident has occurred. I believe… perhaps he has been manipulated, who knows?”

Lin Xueping narrowed his eyes. "You mean, all of this was done by Prince Jing?"

"Hey—" Tang Zhongli immediately waved his hand, "You said it yourself! I didn't say that!"

"you!"

Lin Xueping almost jumped into the pit, and was both angry and annoyed.

However, Tang Zhongli's status was extraordinary, and he couldn't be too forceful, so he had no choice but to turn to Xiao Chengqi again.

"Your Majesty, I was only thinking of the bigger picture. Please understand!"

Xiao Chengqi looked at him and nodded.

"Lord Lin's words are not without reason. This matter cannot be left unresolved. It's not just these students; I'm afraid countless people throughout the land want an explanation from me."

Chen Songshi frowned, "Your Majesty—"

Xiao Chengqi raised his hand.

"On the day the late emperor passed away, he urgently summoned me and Shen Yanchuan, the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei, to the palace. When he announced my succession, Grand Secretary Chen and Eunuch Li were also present, and they can all testify to this."

The air seemed to freeze.

Not many people actually know the specifics of what happened that day.

"I was grieving a few days ago and that's why I neglected my position. Now it seems that many people feel that I came to this throne illegitimately?"

Lin Xueping hesitated for a moment, "This humble subject had no such intention..."

The students may be causing trouble, but he could never say these words directly.

"Yanchuan".

Xiao Chengqi suddenly spoke,
"Go and retrieve the late emperor's edict, and show it to them!"

Shen Yanchuan nodded. "Yes."

After a brief silence, everyone erupted in uproar!

"A will?! The late emperor actually left a will?!"

"How...how could this be—why was there no word of it before?"

"Wasn't it said that His Majesty passed away suddenly from a serious illness? How could he have had time to write his will? Or... or... had it already been written?"

Lin Xueping was also stunned, standing there for a long time without coming back to her senses.

Emperor Mu Wu died in such a hurry, how could he have left a will?
Xiao Chengqi glanced at him again.

"Since Lord Lin is speaking up for Prince Jing, then let's invite Prince Jing to come and see the late emperor's original handwriting with his own eyes, so that rumors will not spread again that I forged the imperial edict."

"Perfect timing, I also have something to ask him."