Chapter 1264: Chapter 1264
Chapter 1264: Chapter 1259: Conviction
But why does she look so convincing?
“Let’s go. There’s still a lot to be done.”
Jin Zijin turned around and strode away.
He was very dissatisfied with how things were handled today. That old bastard dared to act brazenly, relying on the Emperor’s many concerns and scruples, certain nothing serious would be done to him.
If the tiger is released back to the mountains this time, it will be difficult to find another justification to deal with the Ducal Residence.
The Emperor and Empress came with joy but left disheartened.
The gates of Prince Jin Residence were sealed, the servants were dismissed and sold off, and the concubines, along with Prince Jin himself, were all imprisoned in Zongrenfu’s dungeon.
A heavy snowfall blanketed all the filth within Prince Jin Residence.
In the empty Qianqing Palace, the only person left serving by the Emperor’s side was Eunuch Wan.
Eunuch Wan wept bitterly and said, “Your Majesty’s body is no longer what it used to be. Why must you insist on holding on? Let the Crown Princess come and take a look. It’s said her medical skills are different from the Imperial Physicians’, perhaps she could heal you.”
The Emperor squinted his eyes and said indifferently, “When people grow old, this day inevitably comes. If she finds out, Zijin will also know. At such a critical time, no one can know that I am ill.”
“Alas…” Eunuch Wan let out a long sigh.
Thus, Imperial Physician Fang only told everyone that the Emperor’s ailment was merely an episode of emotional distress and that rest for a few days would suffice.
“Go to the dungeon and check on that old bastard Jin Shien. Let’s see how much longer he can hold on.”
Eunuch Wan’s face was full of hesitation as he said, “Your Majesty fainted earlier, so this old servant took it upon myself to instruct the prison guards not to torture the Protector Duke. He’s quite advanced in age, and this old servant fears that a few blows might finish him off. At that time…”
The Emperor wearily waved his hand, stopping him from continuing, and said, “Go take a look. I’m afraid someone might make a move.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Following Jin Zijin back home, Gu Youyou still couldn’t calm her nerves. She was acutely aware of how much effort Jin Zijin had poured into this battle. If this is the final outcome, it could truly drive one to madness.
Prince Jin Residence had been sealed, and Prince Jin himself had been moved into Zongrenfu, yet that old bastard was merely charged with negligence in proper instruction?
Then shouldn’t the Emperor himself also be charged with negligence?
Because the crux of this matter was defined as Prince Jin and Jin Wei recklessly indulging themselves. Not only were they gifting women to each other, but their games went even further, taking them into each other’s homes. To make it worse, their madness escalated into a bizarre spouse-swapping scheme—Jin Wei took his turn in the first half of the night, then switched back to Prince Jin in the latter half. What kind of insanity is this?
And now, what does this count as? Jin Wei killed himself, and that woman, after murdering her own son, also committed suicide. Is that how they decided to end the game?
But no one is truly foolish. If Jin Wei and Prince Jin’s bond were really so close to this extent, Jin Wei wouldn’t have dug a tunnel and escaped with Madam Zuo. She was a neglected woman anyway, already carrying Jin Wei’s child. Why not just hand her over openly?
It’s not as if it’s unheard of for ministers to secretly exchange concubines.
So everyone knows that the Protector Duke is spouting nonsense, yet even the Emperor finds himself helpless to act.
The news of the Protector Duke’s imprisonment would soon spread. By tomorrow’s morning assembly, who knows how many of the Ducal Residence’s lackeys will plead with the Emperor for his release? In the end, the Emperor would likely buckle under the pressure and let him go.
After returning from Prince Jin Residence, Jin Zijin remained silent. Suddenly, Gu Youyou shot up from her chair and exclaimed, “We can’t sit idly by, Zijin. By tomorrow’s morning court, when the officials start pressing the Emperor, His Majesty will be placed in a very passive position. We must compel the Protector Duke to confess before then. Otherwise, once things are addressed openly on the court, the matter will likely be reduced to merely a case of negligence in proper instruction.”