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Chapter 537 Yu Changshi

"Father, I can testify for Minister Lu." Lu Chao, who had been kneeling silently to the side, suddenly spoke up.

As soon as he spoke, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Lu Chao knelt there, his back straight, his face as calm as ever, as if the atmosphere in the South Study wasn't so tense, or as if he wasn't particularly eager to stand up for Lu Qing.

It was all just ordinary casual conversation.

"You?" Emperor Jin glanced at Lu Chao. "Could it be that you also went to the Brahma Land with him?"

"Your subject has not set foot in the Brahma lands at all." Lu Chao shook his head calmly. "However, after hearing about this matter, your subject felt that something was amiss. In order to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from using this matter to create trouble, I immediately set off to return to the capital."

Although I did not go to Brahma's land, this matter is of great importance. The Brahma King's nephew's one-sided statement is not enough to prove that Lu Qing and others plotted to harm the Brahma King.

So before returning to Beijing, I also sent someone to try to obtain the prescription that the divine physician Yan Daoxin had given to the Brahma King.

After the prescription was delivered back by fast horse, I sent it to the palace and had it examined by the Imperial Pharmacy. He confirmed that there were no problems and that the prescription contained only detoxifying and health-preserving ingredients, and that there were no ingredients that would clash with each other and shorten one's lifespan.

After I returned to the capital, I personally supervised the examination of the body of King Brahma.

This is the examination document for Brahma's corpse.

He took out a document from his sleeve, held it up above his head with both hands, and the eunuch Gao quickly stepped forward, took it from his hands, and placed it on Emperor Jin's desk.

Emperor Jin picked it up and examined it. Lu Chao continued, "This matter is of great importance, so those involved in the investigation are all experienced and authoritative individuals."

According to their examination, before his death, Brahma was no different from a living dead. It would be inappropriate to say that he was strong on the outside but weak on the inside. He was like a candle flickering in the wind, and he would not live long no matter what. His sudden death was only a matter of time.

The damage to his internal organs also shows that it was caused by years of gradual erosion by poison, which eventually led to the exhaustion of his internal organs and the dissipation of his vital energy.

Therefore, it is clear that Brahma's death was ultimately due to someone poisoning him over the years during his daily life, not a problem with the antidote prepared by Yan Daoxin. Thus, Brahma's death cannot be attributed to Yan Daoxin, much less to Lu Qing.

Emperor Jin flipped through the document in his hand, then looked up at the document below: "So, you are now pleading with me on his behalf?"
Even though I already reprimanded you for this matter during the morning court session, you still intend to risk angering me by pleading for Lu Qing?

Zhu Yu knelt behind, and when she heard Emperor Jin ask this question, she couldn't help but secretly glance at Emperor Jin. She found that although Emperor Jin was asking Lu Chao, his gaze was on Lu Qing.

"Yes." Lu Chao nodded calmly and resolutely. "Your subject grew up with Minister Lu and has no doubt about his character and temperament."

Although the sudden death of King Brahma is a matter of great importance and cannot be taken lightly, and an explanation is necessary, Lu Qing, as the carefree king of Jin Kingdom, should not be unjustly accused without cause.

While maintaining vassal relationships is important, the reputation of the Jin Kingdom is equally crucial. If any relative of a vassal king can falsely accuse and frame Jin Kingdom's princes and high-ranking officials, where will Jin Kingdom's dignity be placed?
Therefore, your son humbly requests Your Majesty to handle this matter impartially and ensure that no innocent person is wronged.

Emperor Jin shifted his gaze from Lu Qing's expressionless face to Lu Chao's. He saw that Lu Chao also had a calm expression, and although his tone was firm, no excitement appeared on his face.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jin suddenly smiled, but his smile vanished quickly, only appearing at the corner of his eye before disappearing before it reached his cheek. He still looked cold, serious, and even somewhat gloomy.

"Good, good, good." He was silent for a moment, then clapped his hands a few times. "What a fine display of brotherly love and affection!"
You are brothers, of one heart and one mind, with deep affection and loyalty, while I have become the heartless and cold-blooded one who shows no mercy.

“Your subject has absolutely no such intention,” Lu Chao said. “In your subject’s mind, Father has always been a benevolent ruler who is reasonable and values ​​relationships.”

I believe that this time, with the facts laid bare and the truth clear, Father's final decision will once again confirm my opinion of you.

Lu Chao's words were undoubtedly a compliment to Emperor Jin, which Emperor Jin could tell. However, no matter how much praise one gives, it is never offensive. He simply snorted and did not respond further, but instead looked at Lu Qing again.

"And you? What did you say?" he asked, his tone suggesting he hoped Lu Qing would give a similar answer to Lu Chao.

Lu Qing seemed not to hear, kneeling upright with her eyelids down, not uttering a word.

Seeing this, Eunuch Gao was extremely anxious. He was right next to Emperor Jin and dared not make any move. He could only rely on his position so that Emperor Jin could not see his face unless he turned around. So he kept blinking at Lu Qing, trying to turn the hint into an explicit message and quickly convey it so that Lu Qing would understand and open his mouth.

But Lu Qing seemed to be possessed by a stubborn mule at this moment, and didn't say a word.

Emperor Jin gradually lost his patience, his face growing increasingly gloomy. He retorted, "Are you deaf or mute?!"

Lu Qing remained silent.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Perhaps the Prince of Xiaoyao has been unable to eat or sleep well in that confinement place these past few days, and is still somewhat dazed…” Eunuch Gao cautiously spoke up from the side.

As soon as Emperor Jin raised his hand, he immediately shut his mouth in fright, afraid that he might accidentally get himself into trouble.

"Hmph, what do you mean by dazed! When I questioned him earlier, his mouth and brain were perfectly fine!" Emperor Jin glared fiercely at Lu Qing. "I think he's clearly ungrateful!"

Over the years, he hasn't appreciated any of my efforts for him. I've even turned a blind eye to his reckless and audacious behavior. But instead of showing any gratitude, he's now become quite emboldened. He made a mistake, went to the Vatican without permission, and brought back this huge trouble, and now he's stubbornly arguing with me.

As he spoke, he pointed to Zhu Yu kneeling behind Lu Qing and said to Lu Qing, "Do you really think I don't know who this Chief Secretary Yu you're always bringing in and out of is?!"

Upon hearing Emperor Jin's words, Lu Qing, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, immediately looked up at him, and Zhu Yu also hurriedly looked at Emperor Jin, his heart pounding wildly.