Chapter 26: The Crown Prince

Eternal Longevity, Thirty-first Year, Third Day of the Eleventh Month, court assembly at Xuanzheng Hall.

Lin Yuan stood at the very end of the civil officials' line, wearing a clean official robe over bandages that were still seeping blood.

His rank of Eighth Pin Reminder, coupled with the temporary post of Inspector, made him seem like a single grain of sand in a vast sea of purple and crimson robes that filled the hall.

But today, everyone saw him.

The moment he entered the hall, the courtiers ahead began whispering among themselves.

Some glanced back, some turned their heads for a moment before quickly looking away, and some didn't turn at all, only sweeping their peripheral gaze over him.

In the very center of Xuanzheng Hall, three desks were placed side by side, each occupied by one of the princesses.

Princess Jiang Lingyi sat in the middle, dressed in bright yellow informal court attire, her hair bound with a phoenix hairpin, her expression calm and composed.

Princess Jiang Lingwan sat to the left, in a goose-yellow dress, holding a gold-traced folding fan. Even in winter, she never parted with it.

Princess Jiang Lingwei sat to the right, wearing a deep red, narrow-sleeved Hu-style outfit. She leaned back in her chair, idly examining the beams and pillars of the great hall's ceiling.

The court assembly began as usual, with reports from the Six Ministries.

The Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of War each reported on some trivial matters in turn. Zhao Chong stood at the head of the civil officials' line, silent, a genial smile on his face. But his aura was restrained like a deep abyss, an invisible pressure belonging to a Grandmaster realm expert silently radiating outward, causing the breathing of several nearby officials to become slightly labored.

Half an hour later, Jiang Lingyi spoke.

"Regarding the Huainan disaster relief matter, Inspector Lin Yuan has returned to the capital. He shall report his mission before the court."

The hall fell deathly silent for a moment.

Lin Yuan, enduring the excruciating pain of torn ligaments in his back, stepped out of the line. He strode into the center of the hall, his back ramrod straight, and saluted with a clear voice.

"Your subject, Lin Yuan, Seventh Pin Inspector, reports to the three Highnesses on the Huainan disaster relief mission."

He began to recount his observations and experiences from his trip to Huainan in a clear, organized manner, each matter falling like a heavy hammer upon the gleaming golden bricks.

The silver transport supervisor, Fang De, had consolidated the silver chests six times along the journey, embezzling approximately two hundred and eighty thousand taels out of the eight hundred thousand tael relief fund.

During the disaster verification stage, he had falsified data. At least nine thousand households across eleven counties were affected, but Fang De reported only four thousand two hundred.

During the household assessment, he used land holdings as the standard to classify households as 'extremely poor' or 'less poor.' Only four hundred thirty-one households were classified as 'extremely poor,' and during the actual distribution, fewer than eight hundred affected households showed up.

"In order to cover up his crimes, Fang De actually set fire to the camp and dispatched a Postnatal Martial Artist to assassinate an imperial official! He has now fled to avoid punishment! His confidant, Tao Si, has been captured, and his confession is on record! Each and every one of these acts is an outrage to both gods and men!"

Lin Yuan's voice was like the clash of cold iron. Defying the invisible pressure from the hall full of high-ranking officials, each word ground against everyone's ears like a bloodied sandpaper.

Zhao Chong appeared to have no reaction, even a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Evidence?"

He spoke after Lin Yuan finished, his tone mild, but his words were wrapped in a strand of Grandmaster True Qi, like an invisible mountain wall pressing directly against Lin Yuan's chest.

"The memorial and all ironclad evidence were delivered to Changle Palace ten days ago!"

The death-seeking desire in Lin Yuan's bones instantly boiled over. He refused to yield, glaring fixedly at Zhao Chong. His legs trembled, but he didn't retreat an inch. The already damaged meridians within his body violently shook under the Grandmaster's pressure. A mouthful of metallic sweetness surged into his chest, and he forced it back down.

A Postnatal early-stage practitioner facing a Grandmaster was like an ant trying to shake a mountain, but he stubbornly insisted on standing firm against it.

Zhao Chong turned his head to glance at Jiang Lingyi.

Jiang Lingyi's expression remained unchanged. She gave a slight nod. "Indeed. This palace has submitted the evidence to the Chancellery for review. The Chancellery reported this morning that each item listed in the memorial is supported by solid evidence."

Zhao Chong fell silent for a moment, still maintaining his smile. "The position of Silver Transport Supervisor held by Fang De was indeed assigned by the Ministry of Revenue. If his embezzlement is confirmed, the Ministry of Revenue bears undeniable responsibility. This subject suggests handing the case over to the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice for a detailed investigation and impartial handling."

Fang De was his man, but he made no mention of his own connection to Fang De, attributing everything to institutional problems within the Ministry of Revenue, while proactively requesting the case be handed to the Court of Judicial Review.

The problem was, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was also his protégé. Once the case entered there, it would be like a clay ox entering the sea—it would vanish without a trace, stirring not a single ripple.

Lin Yuan was ecstatic inwardly. This was a perfect, handed-on-a-platter opportunity to seek death. He was about to launch an attack right then in the court. "The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is your protégé, Minister Zhao! Handing it over to the Court of Judicial Review is simply the biggest joke in the world—"

"Reminder Lin!" Jiang Lingyi spoke before he could finish, her voice clear and cold, carrying a trace of indisputable authority that forcefully cut off Lin Yuan's words.

"This palace has no objection to Minister Zhao's proposal. The Court of Judicial Review, together with the Ministry of Justice, shall produce a result within one month."

This was essentially shelving the disaster relief matter for now.

Lin Yuan understood clearly in his heart: Jiang Lingyi was saving him.

If he continued to press Zhao Chong now, Zhao Chong had a hundred ways to entangle him in court debate, even making him die a worthless death.

By first settling the conclusion and leaving the follow-up to procedure, Jiang Lingyi ensured Zhao Chong couldn't overturn things in the short term.

But the problem was, he desperately wanted to be entangled and beaten to death on the spot!

Lin Yuan gritted his teeth, forced to swallow this breath of having failed to die.

Anything further would just be unreasonable obstinacy, hardly an act for the country and its people.

Thus, the disaster relief report concluded. The court fell quiet for a few breaths. Then, Jiang Lingwan spoke.

"Since the disaster relief matter has reached a conclusion, this palace would like to raise another issue."

She closed her folding fan and gently tapped the desk with it. "It has been over two months since the late Emperor passed away. A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Having three princesses jointly overseeing state affairs is ultimately not a long-term solution. This palace believes... it is time to discuss the matter of the Crown Prince."

The entire hall erupted in murmurs.

The last time she broached this topic, it was merely a probe.

This time, she directly placed it on the formal court agenda. It was no longer a probe; it was a laying down of cards.

Princess Jiang Lingwei straightened up from her chair back, looking sideways at Jiang Lingwan. "Is Second Sister in a hurry?"

Jiang Lingwan smiled as she replied.

"One should be in a hurry. The late Emperor reigned for thirty-one years, and there has never been a precedent of three princesses jointly overseeing state affairs. Prolonged state affairs inevitably breed disorder; prolonged palace affairs inevitably breed change. This palace raises this proposal for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty's foundation."

Jiang Lingwei snorted coldly and didn't respond.

Jiang Lingyi looked at her two younger sisters to her left and right, her expression as calm as ever, her voice flat. "The Second Highness speaks reasonably. This matter concerns the foundation of the state. What are the views of the assembled ministers?"

Her question was subtle.

She didn't ask whom they supported, but rather, "What are your views?"

The hall fell silent for roughly three breaths.

The first to step forward was from the Liu family.

Censorate Attendant Censor Liu Yongqing stepped out of the line and delivered a lengthy speech, the gist being that the Second Princess was of noble birth, had a prominent maternal clan, and governed effectively, making her a suitable candidate for Crown Prince.

As soon as he finished, Vice Minister of War Qi Heng stepped out, representing the Dingguo Duke's Estate faction.

He didn't directly promote the Third Princess. Instead, he said the establishment of the Crown Prince should be carefully deliberated and not rushed.

The implied meaning was that he did not acknowledge the Second Princess.

Subsequently, officials from the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Works spoke in turn, either being vague or supporting their respective masters.

No one mentioned the Eldest Princess, Jiang Lingyi. Not a single person.

Jiang Lingyi sat in the central position, listening to the discussions filling the hall, her face devoid of any expression, as if the cold neglect and disregard from the entire court of civil and military officials were already a commonplace occurrence to her.