Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

The evidence against King Kang was delivered to the capital on the evening of the second day, and during the morning court session on the third day, the well-informed officials were ready for verbal battles!

The old prime minister said righteously: "It is really unkind and unjust for the elder brother to murder his younger brother! It is even more unacceptable for the world to breach the dam artificially! Your Majesty needs to take this matter seriously!"

"Your Majesty! This matter is strange! The one who sued King Kang is just an unmarried woman. How did she get the so-called evidence? Could it be that someone deliberately framed King Kang?" The Minister of Personnel was indignant.

A minister came out to refute: "The sister of the plaintiff Zhang Rujin is the concubine of Prince Kang. She is a close friend of Prince Kang. It is reasonable for her to get the evidence! Besides, no matter how she got it, those letters are definitely written in Prince Kang's handwriting!"

"That can't be considered as evidence of a crime! The evidence released by the Ministry of Justice is nothing more than some correspondence. It can't show that it was Prince Kang who caused the dam to burst, nor can it prove that there was an attempt to murder Prince Duan!" The Minister of Revenue responded sharply.

"There is something wrong with the letter that Prince Kang wrote to Zhizhou Zhang of Yingzhou! He gathered food and grass for them to prepare when the river burst its banks for the first time. It is clear that he wanted to take credit for the disaster relief work and then turned evil when he saw that his plan failed!"

A minor official stood up and shouted, "This is malicious speculation! The dam collapsed as soon as Prince Duan arrived in Xingzhou. I'm afraid he staged it himself to frame Prince Kang!"

The court suddenly fell silent.

The ministers of the two factions looked at each other in confusion. This result was naturally the best, but this was completely nonsense, and it would be stupid to agree with it.

"Your Majesty, should this case be tried by the Ministry of Clan Affairs or by the three courts?" the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple asked.

The emperor finally sighed and said, "This is about my two sons, so I'll leave it to the clan affairs office for better handling."

"The breach of the river bank concerns the country and the people, and it should be tried by the three courts to show fairness and strictness!" The Minister of Personnel was suddenly anxious. The Imperial Clan Court was completely a one-man show by the emperor, and the emperor had always been cold to Prince Kang. Who knew if he could come out after going in!

"Let's call Kun'er back to the capital to await trial first. As for how to investigate, we'll talk about it after Kun'er comes back." The emperor looked hesitant, and then added, "The disaster relief work in Xingzhou has been quite effective, so it can be ended. Let Yu'er hand over everything within five days and return to the capital as soon as possible."

After the court was dismissed, the heads of the Imperial Clan Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Supreme Court all gathered in the Imperial Study.

The emperor frowned and leaned back in the soft chair, and asked in a deep voice: "Have you seen all the evidence?"

The ministers nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, the governor of Henan Province is the cousin of the late queen. Although those letters are only about trade discussions, they can prove that Prince Kang has had dealings with him over the years. There is also evidence that the governor is closely connected with the prefect of Xingzhou. I'm afraid this crime of murder is not groundless." The Grand Justice said clearly.

"That's not necessarily true. The method of flooding the city is too crude. Just placing some frogmen at the city gate to intercept is not a foolproof plan. Once it fails... hehe, you will be busy." Zong Ling sat on the chair and looked at the ministers with a teasing look.

The Minister of Justice shook his head and sighed, "I'm already busy enough. The previous cases of assassination are not over yet. I've already investigated and dealt with seven or eight of them, and there are still many under trial."

The Left Censor-in-Chief said with a straight face: "Isn't this just right? If we clear up some of the bad air, we can replace them with some beautiful and elegant people."

The emperor pondered in silence. He didn't believe that Chu Shikun had done such a sloppy thing. Collecting evidence and handing it over directly was Chu Shiyu's style, but why would Chu Shiyu use a woman from the Zhang family to file a complaint?

And the most suspicious thing is that Chu Shikun went to Xingzhou and lived under the same roof with Chu Shiyu these days, but it happened that there was only one spy left by Shiyu's side recently, and the information obtained was also confusing.

"If this matter is handed over to the clan affairs office, how do you think Shi Kun should be tried?" The emperor looked at the clan leader.

"Let him stay at my place for a few days, I'll investigate and then release him." Zong Ling didn't think it was necessary to sacrifice his eldest son for this matter.

The Left Censor-in-Chief frowned and said, "This is too hasty. We must find out the whole story of this kind of internal strife. Once the truth comes out, we can discuss how to deal with it."

"I think that we should investigate the crimes of Zhang Shiliang and the governor, and not try Prince Kang. If it is found out that it was really Prince Kang who did it, there is no wall that is impenetrable. No matter whether they are severely punished or let off lightly, it will not be beneficial to the court." The Minister of Justice weighed the issue.

The imperial study was silent for a moment, and the emperor made a decision: "Shi Kun should not have done this. I want to know the truth, so let the three courts hold a joint trial. Just don't be too harsh on Shi Kun."

The ministers left the imperial study, greeted each other, and returned to their respective posts.

Gu Lianzhou returned to the Dali Temple and put several files together, including the case of the Zhang family's slaves committing murders, the case of the thirteen slave corpses, and the case of suing Prince Kang.

"Boss, don't bother yourself this time. Even if we find out the truth and the evidence is solid, it will be difficult to convict King Kang." The Right Shaoqing said in a very low voice.

Flipping open the file that still smelled of ink, Gu Lianzhou said calmly, "Since it's been sent to me, I'll do my best. Even if this case can't be investigated, we may be able to find other crimes that can be investigated."

"What kind of serious crime would be needed to do that... The governor could try to make an effort to have the same fate as the young county magistrate Jin Yan and his family."

"It's man-made."

It was getting dark, and many people in the Dali Temple had already gone home. The files on Gu Lianzhou's case had increased from three to dozens. On many of the files that were opened, one could see the words "empress", "eldest prince", and "Prince Kang".

There were hurried footsteps, and the Right Shaoqing walked to the table and handed a small bamboo tube to the boss, saying softly, "Here comes that person."

Gu Lianzhou was stunned. The number of times Prince Duan had sent him letters was very few. He peeled off the lacquer seal on the small bamboo tube and took out the note. The brief content inside made him even more stunned! Was it too long since he had received a secret letter from Prince Duan that he could not understand what it meant?

At the gate of Xingzhou City Government Office.

Prince Kang and his entourage are ready to return to Beijing to await trial.

"Are you really not going together?" Chu Shikun still looked cheerful and didn't look like he was in any trouble at all.

"No need. The victim and the suspect shouldn't be together." Chu Shiyu looked indifferent.

Chu Shikun chuckled and said, "Then let's meet in the capital in a few days. I hope that one day I can prove my innocence."

King Kang turned around and got into the extremely luxurious carriage decorated with gold and silver threads. The coachman drove five horses out of the city.

"Godfather, Uncle King Kang has gone to the capital. Can you give me lessons?" Little Qin Hao asked with anticipation.

Chu Shiyu narrowed his eyes and looked at the child. He had been in such a bad state these past two days! Liu Rusi had never lost her temper again, but she always avoided looking at him and talking to him! And he was worried that she was still holding back her anger, so he tried not to appear in front of her outside of meals...

This kid is becoming more and more unlikable. I used to secretly create opportunities for him, so why would I make things difficult for him now?

However, Chu Shiyu quickly adjusted his mentality. Qin Hao was the key to Liu Rusi. If the situation really got worse, he might have to start all over again with this kid.

Squatting down and looking at the child, Chu Shiyu asked seriously: "Qin Hao, how does your foster father treat you normally?"

"Very good, my foster father will teach me knowledge and also give me many things."

"So what do you think... about me being your father?" Although Qin Hao's approval was far from Liu Rusi's own consent, Chu Shiyu was still a little nervous.

Little Qin Hao's brain was stuck for once, and he asked doubtfully, "Isn't foster father also a father?"

Chu Shiyu hesitated for a moment, then said with determination: “What I mean is that I want to marry your mother and become your father.”

Little Qin Hao was stunned for a while, then said with some regret: "Mom doesn't agree. When I called her dad before, she got very angry."

He knew that he could never have imagined at that time that it would be so difficult to gain a reputation now. But now the key point is to change this kid's camp. Even if it can't be changed, at least don't make things worse.

"If your mother agrees, would you be willing?"

"Of course I do! I like my godfather's too."

Chu Shiyu was speechless. He could tell that Qin Hao would recognize whoever Liu Rusi agreed with as his father... He asked tentatively, "Now your mother still doesn't agree. Father wants to slowly change her mind. Are you willing to help Father?"

Little Qin Hao immediately shook his head and said, "I can't help my foster father. Last time I knocked on the door, my mother blamed me. Besides...my foster father has become more and more disobedient recently and always makes my mother angry!"

He is really a fence-sitter, no, a sissy. Liu Rusi's attitude determines Qin Hao's position, but although it is not good for him, it is not a wrong thing.

"I don't want to make your mother angry... but this is different from your mother being angry with you. When a man likes a woman, he can't always listen to her. Sometimes he will accidentally annoy her." If he wanted to listen to her, he should have stopped long ago. What's the matter now?

Little Qin Hao was full of disbelief and questioned: "My father also loves mother and has never made her angry."

Chu Shiyu was so angry that he wanted to crush this kid to death! He endured it again and again, and maintained a friendly tone and said: "That's because they have been together for many years. Do you know if they were angry when they first met?"

Little Qin Hao fell into deep thought. His parents had spent much more time together than he could remember...

"Have you read Guanju? To the one you love, the zither and the harp are friendly to him, and the bells and drums are pleasing to him. But sometimes, if you play the wrong tune or the wrong rhythm, it will make him angry."

Chu Shiyu patiently said, "Godfather and your mother have only known each other for a short time. I don't know what tune can please her. I have to try a few more times. But if you can help, Godfather should be able to make her less angry..."

As he was speaking, little Qin Hao's big eyes suddenly drifted behind him and looked back and forth, looking very guilty.

Chu Shiyu's heart trembled. No way? He turned around quickly!

The pretty lady just looked at him expressionlessly.

"Rusi...are you looking for Qin Hao, or...for me?" Chu Shiyu's heart was beating fast. He wondered if she had heard him or not. Would she make matters worse?

"I want to ask, has Prince Kang forgotten that there is a concubine named Zhang in the yamen? She is still in that small courtyard." Liu Rusi said helplessly.

Chu Shiyu didn't bother her these days, so she didn't restrain herself so much. She would occasionally walk around in the backyard. Taking a walk helps digestion. Just now, she passed by the small courtyard where Concubine Zhang was confined. She heard a lot of noise inside, and then she realized that King Kang didn't even let anyone notify...

Chu Shiyu just remembered that there was such a person. He lowered his eyes for a moment, and then said to the guard beside him: "Get a few cars, the worst kind, to take the people from that courtyard to chase King Kang. Drive as fast as possible."

He knew that Zhang Ruxiu had once scolded Liu Rusi. Although Qin Hao scolded her back on the spot, it did not stop him from taking some revenge.

Liu Rusi could hear his malicious intent, but she was calm inside. She just heard him cursing at everyone inside. It would be a pity for her to be able to help him ask a question. So, let him go. It's just a short distance and he won't die.

Pulling little Qin Hao inside, Liu Rusi pursed her lips and couldn't help but complain: "Qin Hao is only five years old! Can you please not tell him that?"

Chu Shiyu secretly sighed that he was unlucky. It seemed that he had heard it. He defended himself in a false voice: "I didn't say anything. I just said a few lines of poetry... I always make you angry recently. I just want to ask him how to make you feel better..."

Listening to his depressed tone, a slight sense of guilt filled Liu Rusi's heart again. In fact, she really enjoyed the feeling without him bothering her...but she didn't want him to be so depressed.

"As long as you stop getting angry and behave like a gentleman, I won't be angry." Liu Rusi said seriously. He only had a few days left in Xingzhou. He could control himself in a few days, right? When they got to the capital, they would meet less often. Slowly, maybe he would be able to see things clearly and let it go.

"Okay..." Chu Shiyu decided to compromise. Rather than just retreating and ignoring the matter, it was more acceptable to temporarily restrain his worldly thoughts.

Seeing that he was serious this time, Liu Rusi stopped pestering him and said, "Teach the rest of the math in the next few days. It may not be convenient to teach them together when we get to the capital."

"Mom, that's so nice! Shall we start today?" Little Qin Hao didn't quite understand or have any interest in things like getting angry, but when he heard about the class, he immediately became happy.

Chu Shiyu's depressed expression faded away, and he muttered in his heart, did she really think that they could separate in Beijing? Although he agreed to let her return to Beijing to buy a house, it was uncertain when to buy it and when to live in it...