Catching Monsters

Chapter 376 Jiang Yun is the victim

This morning, outside the palace, all the civil and military officials gathered, their faces showing disbelief, and they occasionally whispered to each other.

The matter being discussed was naturally the recent uproar in the capital about the Fourth Prince being seriously injured, and what was most surprising was that...

Today is quite a novel experience.

His Majesty is actually preparing to interrogate the monster that injured the Fourth Prince in the imperial court. This is truly an unusual event.

A court trial? Such a thing was extremely rare in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Soon, the courtiers noticed a figure gradually appearing at the waiting area to enter the palace.

The fourth prince, Xiao Jingfu.

Xiao Jingfu, supported by two eunuchs, was waiting at the palace gate. It seemed that his injuries had not fully recovered. This scene surprised many ministers.

It was obvious that Xiao Jingfu's injuries had not fully healed, yet he still wanted to enter the court.
It is well known that many people have heard that Xiao Jingfu was seriously injured. That night, it took more than a dozen old imperial physicians working together and expending a great deal of effort to save Xiao Jingfu's life.

Of course, Xiao Jingfu's reappearance was not unexpected, since the monster who severely injured him would reveal the true culprit during the morning court session.

As someone directly involved, Xiao Jingfu certainly wanted to know the truth as soon as possible.

Xiao Jingfu glanced around, listening to the commotion among the surrounding officials, and couldn't help but take a deep breath, a hint of unease showing in his eyes.

He was filled with anxiety as he thought about Hu Yi.

He glanced at Zhang Yuhu, who was not far away, and Zhang Yuhu was also frowning.

Soon, the palace gates slowly opened, and the officials entered the palace.

The civil and military officials quickly took their places in the hall. Soon, an announcement was made that His Majesty had arrived, and everyone quieted down, no longer making any noise.

Xiao Yuzheng, dressed in a dragon robe, walked out with a calm expression. After he sat down on the dragon throne, everyone was about to pay their respects.

Despite his injuries, Xiao Jingfu prepared to kneel down and pay his respects.

"Prepare a seat for the Fourth Prince." When Xiao Yuzheng saw Xiao Jingfu arrive, a look of surprise flashed across his face. He couldn't help but think to himself, "The Fourth Prince is so badly injured, yet he still came all this way. It seems he truly hates the monster that injured him to the bone."

"Thank you, Father."

Soon, a eunuch brought a chair and placed it on one side of the court, inviting Xiao Jingfu to sit down.

Xiao Yuzheng's face was cold. He glanced at the assembled officials below and slowly said, "You are all well-informed and must have heard about the assassination attempt on the Fourth Prince."

"I want to see who is so audacious as to attempt to assassinate Jingfu!"

Xiao Yuzheng's words clearly carried an extremely strong killing intent.

This murderous aura made all the ministers present feel somewhat uneasy.

Your Majesty is about to kill someone!

Below the court, there was complete silence. Of course, no one was worried, since they hadn't done it themselves.

"Have Feng Yu bring Hu Yi up!"

After saying this, Xiao Yuzheng slowly sat down on the dragon throne, his sharp gaze sweeping around like a lion surveying its territory.

Soon, outside the main hall, Feng Yu led Hu Yi slowly into the hall.

Upon seeing Hu Yizhen appear, Xiao Jingfu coughed violently, and he was genuinely panicked.

Seeing this, Xiao Yuzheng, who was sitting above, was not surprised. He assumed that Xiao Jingfu was agitated because he had seen the murderer who attacked him a few days ago.

"Speak," Feng Yu said coldly, glancing at Hu Yi.

Hu Yi stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "You must be Emperor Xiao Yuzheng of the Zhou Kingdom?"

"How dare you!" Feng Yu said in a deep voice, reminding Hu Yi of his impudence, "Here, you must address him as Your Majesty!"

"Alright." Xiao Yuzheng didn't care about these trivial details, waved his hand and stared at him, saying, "Tell me, who instructed you to kill Xiao Jingfu?"

Hu Yi glanced at Xiao Jingfu, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "I can talk, but you have to promise me that you will release me and Hu Meier."

This was also Jiang Yun's suggestion, that Hu Yi would only reveal the real culprit if the meeting took place in the imperial court.

If Xiao Yuzheng agrees to spare his and Hu Meier's lives in court, their lives will most likely be saved.

"This isn't the place for you to haggle," Xiao Yuzheng said coldly. "Do you think you can leave this place?"

"Then I won't say anything." Hu Yi's face was ashen.

Sitting to the side, Xiao Jingfu, who was almost suffocating with tension, heard these words as if he had heard divine music. He suddenly stood up from his chair and said loudly, "Father, why are you bargaining with this monster?"

"We can discuss finding the real culprit later. Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an edict immediately to execute these two evil men who harmed me and to seek justice for me."

After speaking, Xiao Jingfu looked at his father with anticipation, hoping that he would issue an edict to execute Hu Yi directly.

Then I won't need to worry anymore.

"You scoundrel, your heart is far too vicious." Hu Yi looked at Xiao Jingfu, clenched his fist, and was extremely dissatisfied: "Even the venomous snakes of our demon kingdom are not as vicious as you."

Hu Yi was also furious and turned to look at Xiao Yuzheng: "No one wanted to assassinate Xiao Jingfu, and Hu Meier and I are innocent."

Upon hearing this, the ministers in the court, who had been silently watching the commotion, exchanged bewildered glances, somewhat surprised. Had this monster lost its mind?

The Fourth Prince is so badly injured, yet he still says no one wants to kill him?
Xiao Yuzheng's eyes were cold, and his patience was about to run out.

"Hu Meier and I were sent to kill Jiang Yun, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!" Hu Yi said loudly. "But Hu Meier and I mistook him for someone else."

For a moment, the ministers in the court, including Xiao Yuzheng, were all stunned.

Is this guy going to kill Jiang Yun?
Then, after admitting their mistake, they turned their attention to the Fourth Prince?

Such a blunder...

These two monsters are such a shoddy operation.

What a coincidence that the Fourth Prince was beaten up like this?
"Absurd." Xiao Yuzheng naturally didn't believe it and was about to reprimand him when Hu Yi continued, "Then tell me, why would I take action in the Sanqing Temple?"

"And why Xiao Jingfu appeared at the Sanqing Temple, haven't you thought about this question?"

"It was Xiao Jingfu who contacted me and asked me to kill Jiang Yun."

"We had never met before, and Hu Meier and I mistook him for Jiang Yun."

These words instantly caused a huge uproar. All eyes in the court turned to Xiao Jingfu, who took a deep breath, widened his eyes, and, ignoring his injuries, stood up, pointing at Hu Yi: "You're spouting nonsense!"

"How could I, the fourth prince of the Zhou Kingdom, possibly associate with a demon like you, and even allow you to kill a commander of the Imperial Guard!"

"You are slandering me, the prince."

"Father! Quickly execute this demon, lest he spread his heretical words and mislead the people."

Xiao Yuzheng sat back on the dragon throne, his eyes unusually sharp.

Xiao Yuzheng wasn't stupid. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that this matter was indeed very strange. For example, why would the fourth prince, Xiao Jingfu, appear at the Sanqing Temple?

And he was unexpectedly attacked and injured by Hu Yi and his group?
Could it be, as Hu Yi said, that Xiao Jingfu sent people to kill Jiang Yun?
Thinking of this, Xiao Yuzheng's face turned cold. He glared at Xiao Jingfu, took a deep breath, and said, "Temporarily restore the court. Feng Yu, bring Hu Yi here. Also, Jingfu, you come with me."

Xiao Yuzheng waved his hand and headed towards a smaller living room on one side of the court.

Feng Yu, expressionless, placed her hand on Hu Yi's shoulder: "Let's go."

Xiao Jingfu, however, looked grim, but gritted his teeth and followed.

After arriving at a small hall on the side, Xiao Yuzheng glanced at Xiao Jingfu, then at Hu Yi: "I want to know the truth. Jingfu, you tell me yourself."

"I want to hear what you have to say."

Xiao Jingfu's heart skipped a beat. Things had escalated to this point; if he continued to deny it…

After all, Tao Kui is still in prison. If the interrogation proceeds in this direction, Tao Kui and he are deeply connected and cannot deny it.

Xiao Jingfu knelt on the ground and said in fear, "Father, it was indeed your son who did it. Your son was confused for a moment."

"Confused for a moment?"

Xiao Yuzheng picked up the teacup on the table and smashed it hard in front of Xiao Jingfu, shattering the glass on the floor.

"You worthless bastard." Xiao Yuzheng stared coldly at Xiao Jingfu, gritting his teeth, with a feeling of disappointment and frustration.

He was not angry because Xiao Jingfu killed Jiang Yun.

But this bastard, it's one thing to invite demons, but he's so low-level that he even got the target wrong?
And then, foolishly, he got beaten up like this by the expert he hired.

Xiao Yuzheng was well aware that he had transferred Zhang Yuhu to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and that he had secretly tried to win Zhang Yuhu over.

With the Embroidered Uniform Guard at his command, is it really that difficult to deal with Jiang Yun?

If Xiao Yuzheng were in this position, he would have countless ways to deal with Jiang Yun.

In the end, it all came to this. Everyone in the court heard it. The dignified Fourth Prince colluded with the demon race and murdered a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

How am I supposed to save face like this?

"Look at the state of things. What do you expect me to do? How should I handle this?" Xiao Yuzheng stared at Xiao Jingfu and took a deep breath.

"Your subject is willing to accept punishment."

After saying this, Xiao Jingfu knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed firmly against the cold ground.

Xiao Jingfu was quite clever in this respect; at the very least, he did not deceive Xiao Yuzheng.

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath and shouted, "You wicked child! A commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is an official of the imperial court. How dare you collude with the demon race to kill him? I think you don't want to live anymore! Guards, drag him out and beat him to death!"

Xiao Yuzheng spoke very loudly, clearly intending for the courtiers next door to hear.

After saying this, Xiao Yuzheng glanced at Feng Yu beside him. Feng Yu immediately understood and hurriedly knelt on the ground to beg for mercy: "Your Majesty, please! The Fourth Prince was just confused for a moment. Please spare his life."

"Come out with me."

After Xiao Yuzheng walked out of the side room, his face was as cold as frost and his expression was unpleasant!

How could it not be ugly? Originally, it was thought that someone dared to assassinate a member of the royal family, but in the end, it turned out that Xiao Jingfu wanted to kill the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under his command.

And they've made such a big fuss about it.

How to end this?

"You all heard it, didn't you? Tell me, how can this wicked creature be let off lightly?" Xiao Yuzheng looked at the assembled officials and then shouted, "Guards, drag this wicked creature out and beat him to death!"

"Somebody come!"

Xiao Yuzheng shouted several times, but no guards actually ran in to drag Xiao Jingfu out and beat him to death.

Nonsense. The guards on duty in the palace are all shrewd and capable. If someone were foolish enough to actually run in now, they would drag Xiao Jingfu in and beat him to death...

Should Your Majesty save them or not?

Isn't this embarrassing for His Majesty?

The ministers who could stand in the imperial court were all shrewd and capable individuals.

His Majesty's voice is hoarse from shouting, but no guards have come in to drag him away. He's just waiting for a way out.

Zhang Yuhu was the first to kneel down and loudly said, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince was just confused for a moment. Please forgive him."

Many military officers also hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy.

The civil officials, however, remained motionless, watching the scene unfold before them with expressionless faces.

These civil officials were sticking to tradition and wanted to make the eldest prince the crown prince, but they were really unfamiliar with the fourth prince.

The fourth prince will only become a rival to the first prince.

However, the civil officials present all understood Xiao Yuzheng's attitude. He clearly wanted the officials to plead for leniency for Xiao Jingfu's mistake.

The military officers had already knelt down, waiting for the civil officials to kneel down and request orders as well.

All the civil officials subconsciously looked toward Yan Hua, the Minister of Personnel. Since Yan Hua did not express his opinion, they dared not express theirs easily either.

At this moment, Yan Hua slowly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, how to handle this matter is not up to us."

“Since the Fourth Prince wants to kill Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun is the victim.”

"If Your Majesty truly wishes to deal with this, why not summon Jiang Yun and ask for his advice?"

(End of this chapter)