Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 437 Noble
In the study of Prince Duan's mansion, Li Huan was staring intently at an unfinished game of chess.

Xiangyang quietly entered, head bowed, whispering.

"Your Highness, the list of those implicated in the Xiao family has been sent to the Court of Judicial Review for review, and the Ministry of Justice has simultaneously submitted the incriminating files. The Crown Prince has also sent people to keep a close watch on the matter; they are truly determined to go all the way and will not let a single one of them go..."

Li Huan raised his eyes, his fingertips twirling a black chess piece, which he held for a long time without dropping it.

"Is there any movement from the Empress Dowager's side?"

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager summoned the imperial physician early this morning, saying that she was experiencing severe chest pain... Judging from this, she seems to be using this as an excuse to avoid trouble and doesn't want to get involved..."

"How is the Grand Princess?" Li Huan asked, turning his head.

Xiang Yang said, "The people in the Grand Princess's residence are still keeping it a secret. They haven't dared to send the news of the execution by slow slicing. They only said that Lord Xiao is still in prison awaiting trial."

Li Huan then slowly placed the chess piece down.

The sound of the chess pieces being played cut off the white pieces' chance of survival.

"Then we'll find a way to let her know."

"Yes." Xiang Yang had just accepted the order and left when Xue Yuechen lifted the curtain and entered, her face slightly pale and bringing with her a chill.

"Your Highness..." She gave a graceful bow, her skirt sweeping the ground, her face full of smiles, "A-Ning has woken up and is clamoring to see her father. I brought her here to pay her respects to you."

Li Huan looked at his daughter, his expression softening considerably.

Completely unaware of the storm outside, A-Ning skipped in, her small figure clutching half a chestnut cake in her hand, giggling as she threw herself into Li Huan's arms.

"Father, I'll take you to see the rabbit lantern that Mother made. Aunt Jade said it will be very bright when lit at night, and you can even carry it around..."

This was taught to her by Xue Yuechen.

They said that if their father went to Yingyue Residence to see the lanterns, he could stay with them all night.

Li Huan gave a casual "hmm" and gently wiped the crumbs from A Ning's mouth.

"When Father has some free time, he can go see the lanterns. Aning, go back with Mother first and go to sleep, okay?"

"Father, what is slow slicing?" A-Ning suddenly tilted her head and asked, her big, dark eyes filled with childlike innocence. Her question was startling: "Is it something fun? Or some delicious cake?"

Li Huan's fingertips suddenly tightened, and he glanced at Xue Yuechen.

Xue Yuechen immediately lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

Seeing that her father didn't speak, A Ning shook his arm again.

"Father...? Tell me quickly..."

Li Huan then composed himself, pulled A Ning onto his lap, gently stroked the warm hat on her head with his fingertips, and said in a gentle voice, "Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts) is not a fun thing. It is the punishment that bad people should receive after doing wrong things."

Xue Yuechen tightened her grip on the teacup. "Lord Xiao is guilty and deserves to die, but the punishment of slow slicing... is far too cruel. The Crown Prince is leaving no room for maneuver, pushing us to the brink of extermination. Your Highness, are you just going to stand by and watch?"

"My father has given his permission, what can I do?"

Li Huan's voice was emotionless; he simply held A Ning even tighter.
"Just live your life peacefully and don't get involved in these troubles."

Xue Yuechen looked at his calm profile, and the chill in her heart deepened. "The Grand Princess only has Lord Xiao as her son, and she is still hoping in the manor that Lord Xiao can come out so that she and her son can be reunited. If she knew this news, how could she bear it... Sigh, who knows what kind of trouble she will cause later."

Li Huan remained expressionless, saying calmly, "The Grand Princess is a sensible person. She understands the laws of the court and knows how to consider the overall situation... She knows what to do."

To maintain the dignity of the royal family, members of the royal family may be exempted from punishment.

The Grand Princess, being the late Emperor's younger sister, naturally held a noble status and would not be implicated in the Xiao family case. However, other members of the Xiao family were not so fortunate...

Xue Yue sighed and said, "The Grand Princess is getting old, it's better that she doesn't know the truth. Otherwise, if she gets too angry, something bad might really happen..."

Li Huan did not answer. Seeing his silence, Xue Yuechen whispered, "Your Highness, tell me, is the Crown Prince's move more prudent, or too hasty?"

Li Huan raised his eyes, his emotions unreadable.

Xue Yuechen dared not speak again.

Li Huan chuckled to himself, warming A Ning's small hand in his palm: "It is in chaos that true heroes emerge. His move was brilliant."

Then he turned to Xue Yuechen and said, "It's getting late, take Aning downstairs to rest."

The door was gently closed.

The study became quiet.

Li Huan slowly walked to the desk, gazing at the tall pine and cypress trees in the painting, his eyes gradually turning cold.

Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts) was not only a way to eliminate the root of the problem, but also a way to establish authority.

His younger brother, the crown prince, was so ruthless and decisive.

The position of Crown Prince is becoming more and more secure.
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In the warm pavilion of the Grand Princess's residence, the incense was very faint.

The old lady was getting on in years, and her eyesight was failing, making it difficult for her to see clearly. She held the prayer beads absentmindedly, not moving a single one for a long time.

"How is Song'er? Is it cold in prison? Have you sent someone to bring him some warm clothes? Don't let him get cold..."

The two old women beside her exchanged a glance and hurriedly replied with smiles, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We just sent in some newly made cotton robes and hand warmers the other day. The jailers have always respected Lord Xiao and would never dare to neglect him."

Another said, "In a few more days, once His Majesty's anger has subsided, the old ancestor can plead for leniency, and perhaps the punishment will be lighter... and then everything will be fine."

The Grand Princess nodded and sighed softly.

“Song’er has been stubborn since he was a child and always likes to go against people. This time he has caused such a big trouble, he deserves to be taught a lesson. When he comes out, I will have to have a good talk with him.”

Just then, a flurry of footsteps came from outside the door.

A young maid stumbled in, her face pale, screaming and panting.

"Your Majesty...it's terrible! News has come from the palace that Lord Xiao...Lord Xiao has been sentenced to death by a thousand cuts, and the execution will take place on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month..."

"What did you say? What is she saying?"

The prayer beads in the Grand Princess's hand fell to the ground with a thud and rolled a long way.

She suddenly pressed down on the edge of the table, stood up unsteadily, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Say it again. What do you mean by 'death by a thousand cuts'? ​​Who is to be subjected to this punishment?"

Before the maid could say anything more, the old woman quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth, saying urgently, "Grandmother, don't listen to her nonsense. This girl is new and doesn't know the rules; she's just spreading rumors..."

"I want to hear what she has to say! Speak—" The Grand Princess's voice trembled as she reached out to grab the girl's arm, but as soon as she raised her hand, everything went black before her eyes, and she suddenly lost all strength, sliding down onto the soft couch.

Those around her quickly helped her up, only to see that her lips were white, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

"Quickly summon the imperial physician!" the nanny screamed, her voice trembling with anxiety. She pointed at the maid who had brought the news and launched into a tirade of abuse.

"It's all your fault, you loose-tongued little vixen! You're asking for trouble, aren't you? If anything happens to our ancestor, none of us will survive."

The mansion was immediately thrown into chaos.

The maid ran to summon the imperial physician, while the old women surrounded the soft couch, crying anxiously. Only the little maid squatted on the ground, hugging her arms and trembling with fear...

(End of this chapter)