I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

He glanced around meaningfully, "It was done by someone inside..."

Upon hearing this, the jailer and the guards panicked and immediately knelt down to defend themselves.

"Your Majesty, please be clear!"

"This matter has absolutely nothing to do with us; Shi Jun definitely committed suicide!"

"Yeah, yeah!" the others chimed in.

These people aren't stupid. If they are indeed found guilty of insider involvement, they could lose their positions at best, and their heads at worst.

However, if it is merely dereliction of duty, the most that can be punished is a salary reduction and demotion.

When faced with two evils, one naturally insists on the "suicide" explanation.

"How can you be so sure? Huh?"

Qi Min laughed angrily, "Did you see it with your own eyes?"

The jailer, sweating profusely, still forced a smile and said, "Sir, although we didn't see it with our own eyes, Shi Jun has indeed been shouting that he wants to die these past few days, and has been begging us to give him a quick death."

Another jailer chimed in, "Yes, sir, look, he's swallowed the chain head whole. Who would torture themselves like this unless they were determined to die?"

Seeing this, Zhao Mengjing smiled slightly.

"Lord Qi, since Shi Jun has committed suicide out of fear of punishment, in my opinion, this case can be closed."

He paused, then continued, "This humble official will now draft a memorial to submit to His Majesty. Would Lord Qi like to sign it along with me?"

"..." Qi Min was speechless for a moment.

With the witness dead, the physical evidence questionable, and the group in front of him colluding to protect themselves, what else could he do?

Even if we were to investigate, it would take time!

But Zhao Mengjing insisted on writing a memorial immediately, clearly not giving him a chance to turn the tables.

Prince Yu stood to the side, his face ashen.

He had painstakingly planned for a long time, and was about to succeed, but with Shi Jun's death, he lost everything.

At that moment, he was both shocked and angry.

Who on earth could kill someone and silence them right under the nose of the Ministry of Justice?

"In that case, let the Emperor decide!" Prince Yu flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.

Zhao Mengjing and the others quickly followed.

The smell of blood still lingered inside the cell.

The blood-written words on the wall looked particularly glaring in the dim firelight, as if mocking the powerlessness of Prince Yu's faction and Mei Changsu.

The group arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation together, and this time Chen Chun did not stop them in front of the hall.

After the report was made, Zhu Houcong immediately summoned the group to an audience.

"Cough cough cough..."

A violent coughing sound came from the inner hall. Zhu Houcong was seen leaning against the dragon bed with a pale face, wearing only a bright yellow robe, and looked extremely weak.

He struggled to sit up, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd.

"My dear ministers, and Jing Huan, what brings you all here?"

"But has the case of the corpse hidden in Lan Garden been solved?"

Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, quickly stepped forward, knelt before the bed, and said with concern, "Father, I am truly worried about your health."

"Has the imperial physician come to see you?"

Zhu Houcong waved his hand, forcing a smile: "It's nothing, just a slight cold these past few days. My old bones can still handle it."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but cough again, and a young eunuch beside him quickly handed him a handkerchief.

At this moment, Zhao Mengjing stepped forward, raised the memorial with both hands, and said loudly.

"Your Majesty, after our thorough investigation, the truth of this case has been revealed."

"Zhang Jin and Shi Jun conspired to frame Minister Lou. The evidence against them is conclusive, and the details have been presented in the memorial to Your Majesty."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, and the eunuch beside him immediately took the memorial and respectfully presented it to the emperor.

Zhu Houcong opened the memorial, his gaze slowly moving across the pages, sometimes frowning, sometimes sighing.

After a long silence, he closed the memorial and said softly, "I have always trusted you all to handle matters. Now that the facts of the case are clear, proceed according to your case closure report."

"Although Shi Jun has been executed, according to the laws of our Great Liang, committing such a heinous crime warrants the extermination of his entire family, nine generations, right?"

Zhao Mengjing bowed and said, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Zhu Houcong pondered for a moment, then suddenly sighed: "Never mind, Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life."

"Considering his repentance before his death, let's change it to the extermination of his entire clan."

"Your Majesty is benevolent!"

Zhao Mengjing immediately kowtowed, "This is a blessing for our Great Liang, and a fortune for all its people!"

Xiao Jinghuan echoed, "Father Emperor is benevolent. Since ancient times, no benevolent ruler has surpassed Father Emperor."

"Your subject will certainly take Your Majesty as a role model and always keep in mind the principles of benevolent governance and love for the people."

A smile appeared on Zhu Houcong's pale face.

of course!

No one understands benevolence better than I do.

How could a ruler or father not love his children?

He then continued:

"Minister Zhao, this case has been handled well."

"With your talent, it would be a waste for you to stay in the Censorate."

"I recall that the position of Vice Minister of Justice is still vacant. From today onwards, you will be the Vice Minister of Justice."

Upon hearing this, the people in the hall reacted with varying expressions.

Zhao Mengjing was taken aback at first, then knelt down and said loudly, "Your subject Zhao Mengjing kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great favor!"

His voice trembled slightly, clearly showing both surprise and delight at the sudden promotion.

Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, stood to the side, his eyes flickering slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Lord Zhao."

"Your Majesty has a discerning eye for talent. Lord Zhao is upright and incorruptible. With the Ministry of Justice in charge, he will surely clean up the bureaucracy and restore justice to the world."

Qi Min also said in a deep voice, "Vice Minister Zhao is extremely discerning. The Ministry of Justice is truly fortunate to have his assistance."

Zhu Houcong leaned back on the dragon bed and, seeing this harmonious scene, waved his hand wearily.

"Okay, everyone, please step aside."

"Minister Zhao, go to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow to take up your post. Do not disappoint my expectations."

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace!"

Zhao Mengjing kowtowed again, her voice firm.

The group bowed and took their leave, filing out in single file.

After everyone left, Zhu Houcong slowly opened his eyes and looked towards the palace gate.

Qi Min is disobedient; it's time to change the position of Minister of Justice.

With the case of the corpse hidden in Lan Garden finally settled, the undercurrents surging within Jinling City finally subsided.

Lou Zhijing was exonerated, and the powerful and influential people who had frequented the Orchid Garden secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, no one wants to be involved in this horrific murder case.

However, while some are happy, others are sad; Mei Changsu and Prince Yu are in a difficult situation.

Especially Mei Changsu.

He originally planned to use the Orchid Garden case to secretly plot against Prince Yu and bring him benefits.

Now, although the case has been solved, he has been forced to publicly side with Prince Yu.

Everyone knows that Mei Changsu of Jiangzuo chose Prince Yu.

Shen Zhui, who was favored as the head of the Ministry of Revenue, failed to rise to the position, while Zhao Mengjing rose rapidly to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan, loathed him so much that he wouldn't even give him a chance to meet.

Prince Qi's son, Xiao Tingsheng, is still trapped in the Yeting Palace, so he doesn't even have the chance to speak with Prince Jing.

Inside the Snow Pavilion, Mei Changsu stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the bloodstains in the courtyard that had not yet been cleaned up.

Last night, another group of assassins infiltrated the Snow Lodge, intending to take his life.

Fortunately, Fei Liu was ruthless, and none of his attackers survived.

But Mei Changsu's mind was not on these assassins.

Xiao Tingsheng must be rescued.

Only in this way can he establish trust with Prince Jing.

Chapter 38 Let Jingting handle the Qingguo case.

Clang!

Inside the East Palace, a tea table crashed to the ground, shattering the fine celadon tea set into pieces.

Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan's face was ashen, his eyes burning with fury, and his wide sleeves fluttered in the air.

"What a fine Prince Yu! What a fine Mei Changsu!"

He gritted his teeth, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"How dare you so blatantly plot against me! Taking advantage of my confinement, you intend to kill Lou Zhijing without showing me the slightest mercy."

"If it weren't for Father's keen insight, we would have truly fallen into your trap."

Xiao Jingxuan paced back and forth in the hall, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

"Fine, since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"I'd like to see who has the last laugh."

Xiao Jingxuan straightened his sleeves, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"Someone come here!"

A trusted aide immediately stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Highness."

"Go and tell Marquis Ningguo,"

The crown prince spoke slowly and deliberately, each word laced with ruthlessness.

"Make him insist on implicating the Duke of Qing to the death. I want every single person in the Duke of Qing's household to be wiped out."

"Understood."

Just as his trusted aide was about to leave after receiving the order, Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan suddenly spoke up again.

"and many more!"

He raised his hand and tapped his knuckles lightly on his head, as if he were thinking about something.

"What was his name again? Zhao... Zhao what?"

The trusted aide immediately understood and bowed, saying, "Your Highness is referring to Zhao Mengjing?"

"Yes! Zhao Mengjing!"

A glint flashed in the crown prince's eyes, and he took two steps forward.

"This man has just been promoted to Vice Minister of Justice; he's worth trying to win over."