Before he could move, Master Liao walked in angrily with an expression of discontent, "Father, that Wei guy arrested my people and punished all of them on her own accord! Now I cannot find any of them, you must help me locate them!"
"She punished them in private?" Magistrate Liao's eyes sparkled as he had a brain wave. "Come to court with me later. File a suit against Wei right in front of the provincial capital officials!"
Master Liao was slightly dumb and could not understand immediately, "Can we do that? Is it not more satisfying if you ordered her to release my men and fire her from his position?"
"How many times have I said this? Her position was nominated by the imperial court. No matter how much power I have, I cannot just fire anyone!" This son who only knew how to eat, drink and have fun angered him so much. "Let Private Advisor Zhang teach you what to say when you arrive in court, he knows his way around these things."
"Alright." Master Liao felt downcast after a scolding. It never used to be so troublesome. In the past, he would just kill whoever was bothering him. He never had to go to court over something like that. What an annoyance!
Private Advisor Zhang was observant and could see what Master Liao was thinking of, "Master, do not underestimate this suit that you are filing. Your father mentioned that most of the provincial officials are on our side. If you do it right, your suit could not only fire Wei, you might also put him in jail for the rest of his life!"
"Really?" Master Liao's disheartened look disappeared as his eyes brightened.
Private Advisor Zhang did not know that Master Liao had sent assassins to kill Helian Wei Wei. He only took Master Liao's words for it, he himself wanted Helian Wei Wei to be punished so he did not ask further and said confidently, "With your dad, we can paint her black even if she was innocent!"
Assistant Zhang's statement was not wrong. Those officials from the provincial capital would not want to return empty-handed anyway. They were dissatisfied with Helian Wei Wei's method as well. They had come to enjoy life, but instead, they were shamed in front of so many people, hence they were not feeling too good about her.
On top of that, they were on good terms with Magistrate Liao. They already knew in their hearts what the next steps were.
However, at this very moment, the lost touring pacifier of three provinces, Lord Chen, finally arrived at the border of Fuping County.
The pageboy begged for forgiveness all the way.
Lord Chen was very anxious, but he did not show it on his face.
He was afraid something would happen. Before he came he had visited the locally stationed troops camp and showed his letter to a confidant of the Retired Emperor.
When the confidant saw the letter, his expression changed, but he gave him a piece of confirmed information, "That prince is in our province. It was the Retired Emperor's orders."
In just one sentence, Lord Chen could discern the changes in the imperial court.
This prince's methods had always been brazen.
It was obvious what his objectives were with this visit to Fuping County.
He would not be contented with just one Fuping County.
It was clear that his intention was to clear the entire province's potential powers with one fell swoop!
Lord Chen trembled at these thoughts and stared at the nearing Fuping yamen. As he thought of those officials who were here for investigations and his previous colleagues, his forehead turned cold. He hoped that they would somehow recognize His Highness' intentions and behaved themselves...
"Achoo!" Chen Liang, who was following Helian Wei Wei, sneezed violently and looked pitifully at his master. "Why? Why wasn't I allowed in the field? I heard from Da Xiong that you were very cool." He felt so proud upon hearing about it, what had he missed from being absent!
Helian Wei Wei drank her tea calmly, "Your appearance is too attractive."
"The Third Prince is the one who is attractive." Chen Liang muttered softly as he glanced at the person in charge of the shadow guards. Subconsciously, he straightened his body.
Helian Wei Wei smiled, "You don't have to be envious. During Old Master Yan's session this afternoon, you can be of use."
"Really?" Chen Liang got excited as he looked at his bronze mirror. "I am going to dress up now!"
Helian Wei Wei was rendered speechless.
The Little Seventh Prince was biting a meat bun at the side. He munched strongly for a bit and said, "Third Aunt, why are all your servants so dumb?"
Helian Wei Wei sighed deeply and said, "They must have been brought up too well."
"Could they be brought up better than Third Brother?" The Little Seventh Prince stood up staggering and placed a hand on Helian Wei Wei, "Since young, Third Brother has been one with many tricks…"
Chapter 479 - Overpowering With Rank?
Helian Wei Wei pinched his little tiger-like face and she too felt the same, "Your Third Brother is an odd one."
With an eminent aura surrounding him, Baili Jia Jue glanced at the a.d.u.l.t and the child who were behind him, and he said with his mild tone, "Both of you know the consequences for letting me hear another comment of myself."
The a.d.u.l.t and the child were immediately uptight.
"He heard us?"
"He can still hear us even like this?"
"Third Brother is insane."
"Yes, he is indeed..."
The shadow guard's lips twitched. The conversation between the young master and the princess consort was too loud.
There would be no reason for not overhearing them when they were that rowdy...
The shadow guard lowered his gaze and said, "Your Highness, should I remind the Princess Consort?"
Hearing that, Baili Jia Jue looked at the shadow guard coldly, "Remind about what?"
"No, nothing." The shadow guard had a hunch that the man was not pleased and dared not continue. He understood the position that the princess consort had in His Highness' heart. He then respectfully bowed his head.
Baili Jia Jue averted his gaze and walked past the shadow guard. His eyes were twinkling like an ocean of stars as he lowered his head to look at Helian Wei Wei. He subsequently held out his hand. His deep voice was like that of a fine instrument, effortlessly bewitching whoever that heard it, "Let's go, my lord, to the second game..."
When Helian Wei Wei saw the unapparent arc on the corner of his lips, she knew that someone was going to be unlucky again. Yet, she was more than happy to join hands with His Highness.
She slid her hand into his palm and with a tug, their fingers intertwined.
Little Seventh Prince tagged along behind them. A meat bun was dangling from his mouth as he eyed everyone with vigor.
The people in the yamen did not know the reason why a child was around. The yamen runners found it unusual, so they kept looking behind their back.
The interrogation officially started. It was possibly the biggest case in Fuping County in a hundred years. Imperial officials from various counties had gathered, not to mention that Helian Wei Wei was seated among the four lords from the provincial capitals.
However, Helian Wei Wei was composed, appearing indifferent like how she usually was.
Private Advisor Long who was beside her was cloaked in a prominent aura. It was as if he had spent years in the imperial court. With the air that he had set off, he seemed more like an imperial official than the four lords of the provincial capitals.
Private Advisor Zhang still could not get over the fact that the former had taken over his place. He furiously glared at Baili Jia Jue and spat in his heart. When that Lord Wei was out of the way, he doubted that the man with nothing but looks would be able to flaunt any longer!
Baili Jia Jue was a private advisor brought in by Helian Wei Wei. It was obvious that she would bring him around, especially during the interrogation.
"Bring out the criminal Yan Dazhao," his voice was light and low. Strangely, everyone could hear him as though his pressurizing voice rang in everybody's ears.
It was the main reason why Private Advisor Zhang detested him. They were both private advisors, but the man stood in a higher position than the rest of them. Even when facing higher-ups, he had never displayed any other emotions.
What are you so arrogant about!
Private Advisor Zhang sneered. A smile then flashed across his face. As he moved closer to Baili Jia Jue, he acted like a senior trying to correct a junior by pointing it out to Baili Jia Jue. "Xiao Long, there are so many lords here. We as private advisors should talk less and let the lords conduct as they see fit. You're new here so you wouldn't understand; there are specific procedures and methods to an interrogation. You mustn't be rash like Lord Wei."
Baili Jia Jue glanced at him calmly.
Private Advisor Zhang saw his reaction and pressed on vigorously, "We are all a family. If there were things that you don't know, you could ask me. Speaking after consulting with me would lead to fewer mistakes..."
Private Advisor Zhang was babbling away when Baili Jia Jue parted his lips unhurriedly. His tone was neither cold nor eager, his attitude was so casual as if he did not take Private Advisor Zhang seriously. "Who are you?"
"You, you..." Private Advisor Zhang did not expect to get this answer. His fingers were shaking as he glared at Baili Jia Jue!
Pfft!
Helian Wei Wei was unable to contain her laughter. She could clearly see Private Advisor Zhang's stoned face from her seat. He was furious yet unable to express it, and that look on his face was extremely foolish.
Baili Jia Jue was still indifferent. His gaze was fixated in front of him, staring at the yamen hall. There were no ripples in his narrow eyes as if he was not the one that had spoken earlier.
Helian Wei Wei coughed lightly and put on a serious face. Within her sight, she saw Old Master Yan who was brought in by two yamen runners.
He did not kneel because he possessed the title of the imperial scholar, standing there casually with a huge and round belly. When his gaze met Helian Wei Wei's, without waiting for her to question him, he started shouting, "My lord, I was framed!"
Helian Wei Wei taunted, "You? Framed?"
"My lord, I know you always have the wrong idea about me," Old Master Yan said smilingly, "This is not my lord's fault. I had worked hard for this position today and it is not odd to have rumors about me flying around. I had never asked anyone to thank me. However, I never thought that there would be people that would see that as a chance to defile my name. All in all, if you, my lord, have any prejudice against me, I could rectify my name to prove to you over time. Yet, to bring this matter to the court is not fair, right?"
Chen Liang and Little Seventh Prince stood together in the crowd for the hearing. The former scolded relentlessly, "I, as a young master who has lived for so many years had never met someone as shameless as this Yan! He was clearly the one who snatched the girls off the streets, but he claimed himself to be some kind of hero! We shouldn't waste our breath talking to people like him; we should just overpower him with our rank!"
Holding the meat bun in his mouth, Little Seven's handsome small face was darkened. "Those who harm the people will definitely have their karma. The Third Brother has tons of ways to shut him up. Even without using his rank, Third Brother could easily make him pay the price."
"Right!" Chen Liang nodded, holding out his hands to massage the little one's shoulders. He flattered, "Little uncle is brilliant!"
Little Seventh Prince turned around and said in an imposing manner, "You, not bad."
It was a miracle to be praised by the little uncle. Chen Liang was so touched that he was on the verge of tears! Back then, in the White Academy, he was so afraid of this little uncle that he would choose to take another route!
Even though he was young, he was lethal. All the yamen runners here meant nothing to him!
"Old master, old master!" It was not easy for a servant to find his young master. He only managed to catch a glimpse of his young master after tiptoeing in the crowd. Grabbing Lord Chen's sleeve, he pointed at the crowd, "I, I found the young master!"
Lord Chen followed his servant's finger and looked. His eyes which were unable to keep calm found his beloved son, but when he saw that the Little Bald Head was standing beside his son, he writhed in agony. Why is that little 'ancestor' here!
Chapter 480 - Dug Your Own Grave
In the War Dragon Empire, from the Retired Emperor to Eunuch Sun, there was no one that did not pamper the Little Seventh Prince.
When he was newly promoted to the Capital, he had heard from the people in the palace that the Retired Emperor was highly concerned about Little Seventh Prince. The Retired Emperor was desperately finding ways to feed Little Seventh Prince so that the latter would stop abusing the cranes in the palace.
Even though the Retired Emperor made those remarks, everybody could understand his abundant love for Little Seventh Prince.
Therefore, it would be better for nothing to happen to Little Seventh Prince in the jurisdiction under his control.
If not, even being beheaded a hundred times was not enough to pay for his fault!
Fortunately, his silly son had finally come around. It seemed like his son was on good terms with Little Seventh Prince.
Lord Chen soothed his c.h.e.s.t, trying to breathe normally. In a mere half-day, his heart had gone through an extremely bumpy roller coaster ride that had set him flying up and down.
"My lord, should we head over now?" The servant was delighted to see his young master again!
Lord Chen, the governor of three provincial capitals, pulled the servant back, "Hold on."
Hold on? The servant could not understand his Old Master's intention.
If he were to go over now, it was very likely that people would recognize him, ruining His Highness' plan - that would mean the end of his governor career.
Thus, he should just listen...
Even though that was what he told himself, it was difficult for him to calm down. He attentively listened to the commotion; his palms were sweaty.
On the other hand, Private Advisor Zhang recklessly opened his mouth, "Lord Wei, I humbly think that we need to collect various pieces of evidence for this case. Who could prove that Old Man Liu wasn't lying?"
Upon hearing that, a smile formed at the corner of Helian Wei Wei's lips. Toying with the jade pendant on her waist, her tone was casual as she called, "Private Advisor Long."
Baili Jia Jue did not speak. He went over and he accurately landed a kick in between Private Advisor Zhang's legs with his feet.
A loud crack resonated!
Private Advisor Zhang dropped to his knees on the ground, his face was agonizing in pain.
"This is nonsense!" Magistrate Liao shot up instantly. He glowered angrily at Helian Wei Wei, "Lord Wei, what place do you think the court is? How could you let your private advisor hit anyone as he wished!"
Baili Jia Jue turned to glance at him, his tone unwavering, "Before Lord Liao questions this, you should ask Private Advisor Zhang whether he understands the law of the court. The lord that is interrogating was yet to speak. Where did he get the authority to talk?"
Magistrate Liao choked on Baili Jia Jue's words so much that his c.h.e.s.t hurt. He turned to look at Private Advisor Zhang who had succ.u.mbed to the floor miserably; the fire in him was reaching a new height. "Even so, you cannot bash others! Is this how you act as a private advisor?"
"Lord Liao," Helian Wei Wei cut him off, "I was the one who gave the order to hit Private Advisor Zhang. Sometimes, you need to discipline the people around you who know no manners. I am disciplining my subordinate, so Lord Liao shouldn't have any problem with that, right?"
Upon hearing Helian Wei Wei's words, everyone recalled that Private Advisor Zhang was the private advisor of Fuping yamen. Was that not under the county magistrate? There was no problem with a county magistrate disciplining his subordinates.
The imperial officials from the four provincial capitals that were sitting in the primar
y seats exchanged glances. They coughed slightly and said in a cold voice, "Does Lord Wei want us here to see you educate your subordinate?"
Governor Chen who was standing at the outer circle could hear that it was the voices of his old subordinates. He could not help but curse under his breath!
He would be destroyed by these id*ots! How dared they poke their noses in any cases!
"Of course not," Helian Wei Wei smiled. She instructed the yamen runners beside her, "Guards, carry Private Advisor Zhang away. Let him think and repent what he did wrong."
The servants went blank. It was the first time Private Advisor Zhang was cast out of the court so unseemly.
All these years, he had never lost.
However, he was now dragged away even before the interrogation started, not to mention that he was bashed so badly...
No matter how the servants cracked their brains, they thought that it was odd.
At the same time, Magistrate Liao had regained himself. It looked like fire would shoot out of his eyes at any moment!
That was it - their true motive!
They had wanted to get rid of Private Advisor Zhang from the very start, forcing him to come forward and defend Yan Dazhao himself!
Well, he had underestimated the private advisor under County Magistrate Wei.
He definitely had some tricks up his sleeves.
Nonetheless, did the duo want to threaten them with that? They were totally naive!
Magistrate Liao sneered, "Even though Private Advisor Zhang did violate the rules, Lord Wei, shouldn't you answer the last question that he has pointed out? Who can be sure that Old Man Liu was not lying? As far as I remember, he has always held a grudge against Yan Dazhao. No matter how little one silver was, it was still money. Since Old Man Liu had accepted the money, it was not against the law for Yan Dazhao to marry his daughter. Besides, there might be other circ.u.mstances. It's not appropriate for Lord Wei to sentence Yan Dazhao without understanding the real situation."
Helian Wei Wei gave Magistrate Liao a look, her fingers fiddling the ring on her pinky, "Lord Liao, for you to say that you really do pamper Yan Dazhao like your own family."
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 211
