The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 145 Killing the chicken to scare the monkey

Luo Xun felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest. He couldn't help but move his head toward Prince Qing. He didn't dare to raise it too high, and could only see Prince Qing's black official boots.

"I ask you, do you know this person?" Emperor Jing's voice was deep and resonant, exuding the majesty of a ruler.

Both men in the court had their heads bowed, and one of the thinner men was trembling violently.

"Your Majesty asks you questions, so just answer them. There is no need to be afraid."

Li spoke calmly.

Another burly man mustered his courage and looked up at Luo Xun beside him. Feeling being scrutinized, Luo Xun's trembling hand clenched into a fist, sweating profusely.

Why is the adult's head bowed so low?

Yang Rushan, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up.

Luo Xun could feel cold sweat beading on his skin. Everyone in the court was watching him, and the most dangerous thing was the gaze from Emperor Jing above him.

He dared not move, yet had no choice but to, and slowly straightened up.

"Take another look and see if you recognize who this is," Yang Rushan asked the two villagers. He added, "Don't be afraid. This is the imperial court. Just tell the truth. No one will dare to act recklessly here."

Yang Rushan's words were very meaningful and had a hidden meaning.

Hearing this, the fatter villager finally dared to look at Luo Xun's face. He was all too familiar with that face; the scene from several months ago was still vivid in his mind.

Several months ago, in Hetou Village, Yanzhou.

The night was deep, yet not a sliver of moonlight could be seen.

"My lord, spare me! My lord! I dare not do it again, I dare not do it again."

A group of people surrounded a man, punching and kicking him. The man was covering his head with his hands, covered in bruises. He tried his best to dodge and kept begging for mercy. Next to him lay another man who had been knocked unconscious.

"stop."

After a lazy voice rang out, the group stopped and made way for the person. The candlelight flickered, and the face in his memory overlapped with the face in front of him, especially those eyes, which were dangerous, ruthless, and somewhat contemptuous.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed this person... This person threatened me, forbidding me from telling the government about the discovery of the salt fields. He said that if I were to tell anyone, he would kill my entire family!"

The person who said this was Sun Yao. He was stronger, so he didn't faint so quickly. It was just a pity for his cousin Xu Er, who was weaker and had been beaten unconscious by Luo Xun's men early in the morning.

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing closed his eyes slightly, knowing that the matter was already settled.

Sun Yao's words struck Luo Xun like a boulder, completely shattering the last line of defense in his heart. He simply started to argue, shouting at Sun Yao, "Ignorant fool, what are you trying to say here! I clearly don't know you, who instructed you to say this!"

"Your Majesty, I am innocent. Someone is deliberately framing me."

Emperor Jing frowned slightly as he looked at Luo Xun, who was still struggling.

"Your Majesty, we have both witnesses and physical evidence. We beseech Your Majesty to make a judgment."

First Li Cong spoke up, and then Yang Rushan followed suit, "Please make your decision, Your Majesty."

Several more officials then stepped forward.

A moment later, the court fell silent again.

"Brother Qing."

Emperor Jing spoke softly, his voice indifferent, low, and suppressed.

Prince Qing felt as if his heart had been struck a heavy blow, as did Fang Ling, who was standing behind him.

“Your subject is here,” Prince Qing said respectfully.

"What do you think should be done?"

Emperor Jing's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he stared silently at Prince Qing.

"Your Majesty, I believe that although there is evidence, Lord Luo's crime does not warrant death. I urge Your Majesty to consider his past merits and grant him leniency."

The court was silent. Prince Qing's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear. Salt matters were related to the foundation of the country and, according to the law, should be punished by death. However, Prince Qing actually pleaded for Luo Xun, which was undoubtedly a challenge to the law and a provocation to Emperor Jing.

Is Prince Qing challenging the laws of my Jing Kingdom?

Li immediately spoke up.

“Lord Li, I am a member of the royal family, how could I question the laws of this dynasty? I simply believe that the matter has its own judgment and weighing. Since things have come to this point, a lenient punishment would only demonstrate His Majesty’s benevolence.”

The two argued incessantly, their words sharp and pointed.

"So, according to Prince Qing, every criminal should be given a lenient sentence? Where is the discipline of my Jing Kingdom? Where is the law?"

“When did I say I disregarded the law? I was just stating the facts. Everyone has seen Lord Luo’s merits. There is still humanity beyond the law. Although Lord Luo was biased, he did not kill anyone.”

"Does Prince Qing mean that no matter how serious the matter is, as long as no one dies, it's fine? Furthermore, Prince Qing is insisting on pleading for Lord Luo; could this matter be related to His Highness Prince Qing?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Prince Qing was so powerful and held such a prominent position, yet Li Cong dared to speak to him like that; he was simply courting death.

Prince Qing gently lifted his eyelids, gave Li Cong a cold and sinister look, and then suddenly laughed, "Lord Li has quite the imagination. If you really don't believe me, you can ask Lord Luo if this matter has anything to do with me!"

Luo Xun, who was kneeling on the ground, seemed to have a premonition of something. His tense body relaxed and he slumped down.

"Enough!" Emperor Jing was annoyed by the noise and said angrily. His gaze first fell on Prince Qing and then shifted to Luo Xun.

“Both you, my dear minister and my brother Qing, have valid points, but the law is as firm as a rock and cannot be broken.”

Prince Qing gently turned the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"Your Majesty is wise," Li Cong said.

"Your Majesty, I, Luo Xun, have illegally seized salt fields, colluded with other countries, and sought personal gain, disregarding the law!" Emperor Jing's voice was extremely authoritative, while Luo Xun, kneeling on the ground, began to beg for mercy, "Your Majesty, please have mercy! Please have mercy!"

Emperor Jing glanced down at the scene and said, “But considering his past merits, I will pardon his family. Luo Xun’s crimes are unforgivable. He shall be imprisoned and executed at a later date.”

Luo Xun collapsed in the main hall, utterly exhausted, too frightened to speak.

"Retreat!"

Emperor Jing's face was dark and ugly, and even his voice was full of anger.

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!" the ministers said in unison.

After Emperor Jing left, Luo Xun was also escorted away. Prince Qing then turned to look at Li Cong, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a wild, bloodthirsty expression. "Lord Li, I had no idea you were so capable?"

"Your Highness, you flatter me. I was merely acting in accordance with the law." Li Cong bowed and continued, "Since there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."

"Your Majesty."

It was Fang Ling who spoke. He looked at Li Cong's departing figure with hatred in his eyes, "That old scoundrel Li Cong is really too hateful. If this continues, he will ruin our grand plan sooner or later!"

In fact, Fang Ling hated Li Cong even more for causing her to suffer the pain of losing her son.

Prince Qing snorted coldly, "Since he's in the way, then let him disappear completely!"