Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 125 Entering the Palace
Looking at the utterly dejected Wang Ruofu, Jia Jue couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Even the five fingers of a person are not all the same length. Parents always say they are not biased, but looking at the world, no one's heart is in the exact middle; everyone's heart is biased.

Wang Ruofu was clearly the one abandoned by Old Mrs. Wang.

Moreover, she was abandoned without hesitation by Old Madam Wang because of the already deceased Wang Ruoyu.

Wang Ruofu always knew that her mother liked her older sister far more than she liked her.

But what she couldn't accept was that even though her sister was dead, her mother was still willing to sacrifice herself for a dead person.

This was a huge rejection for Wang Ruofu. She really didn't understand what she had done to deserve such treatment from her mother.

After Sheng Hong comforted Wang Ruofu, Jia Jue looked at Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu and said.

"Father-in-law, mother-in-law, things have come to this point, the Wang family will definitely not let this go well."

"I expect there will be some trouble at the Marquis's residence soon, so please refrain from visiting during this period."

Sheng Hong said after hesitating for a moment.

"My dear son-in-law, this hurdle may be difficult to overcome."

“The Wang family has Granny Sun as a staunch witness, and Minglan’s uncle is also a stubborn person.”

"I don't think he'll compromise easily."

Jia Jue said with a slight smile.

"Don't worry, the sky won't fall down."

Seeing Jia Jue's confident demeanor, Sheng Hong breathed a slight sigh of relief.

They traveled without books. After finishing their discussions, the group changed carriages, and Jia Jue took Sheng Minglan back to the Marquis of Champion's residence.

After returning to the Marquis's residence, Sheng Minglan went to her bedroom, feeling extremely guilty. Because of the Sheng family's affairs, she had caused trouble for the Marquis's residence time and time again, which made Sheng Minglan feel a mix of emotions and very ashamed.

Just then, Jia Jue entered the room.

After seeing Jia Jue, Sheng Minglan hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Seeing this, Jia Jue walked over and sat down next to Sheng Minglan, gently took her hand and said.

"Minglan, worry and anxiety are damaging your spleen."

"Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about our children."

After hearing this, Sheng Minglan hugged Jia Jue and said with great emotion.

"Husband, it's all my fault. If you hadn't married me, you wouldn't have gotten into all this trouble."

Jia Jue lightly kissed Sheng Minglan's forehead and then said.

"Don't say such silly things again."

"Old Mrs. Wang resorted to this desperate measure, getting herself into the mess, because she was forced into it."

"Someone's got their eye on me. Just wait and see, I'll catch them red-handed soon."

"Don't worry, I will definitely protect you and our child. As long as I'm here, the sky won't fall."

Sheng Minglan nodded obediently and nestled quietly in Jia Jue's arms.

After comforting Sheng Minglan, Jia Jue gathered all his wives and concubines together, gave them some instructions, and then went straight to the palace.

Two quarters of an hour later, inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Yongping listened to Jia Jue's words and pondered for a while before speaking.

"Kid, this old lady Wang is willing to risk her life to harm you. That sounds too unreliable."

"No matter what, she is the widow of the late Grand Tutor, and the Wang family and the Sheng family are related by marriage."

"Just for the sake of a daughter who died under mysterious circumstances, she was willing to drag the entire Wang family down with her."

"Tell me the truth, boy. Is there something fishy going on that you haven't told me?"

The reason Emperor Yongping found it suspicious was that Jia Jue had concealed something when telling him about the Wang family's affairs. He did not reveal that he had secretly investigated the collusion between the Wang and Kang families, or that there was a mastermind behind it all.

Jia Jue only told Emperor Yongping about how Old Lady Wang committed suicide and framed him.

Upon hearing Emperor Yongping's question, Jia Jue hesitated for a moment before taking out a brocade box and speaking.

"Your Majesty may not know this, but Old Madam Wang dotes on her eldest daughter the most."

"As far as I know, in recent years, Old Madam Wang has helped Lady Kang cover up more than ten murder cases alone."

"Kang Wangshi was attacked and killed by a tiger at night at a hot spring resort on the outskirts of Beijing. However, Old Madam Wang believed that it was Chen who had secretly done something to it."

"So she has been plotting revenge all along. This box contains the clay doll that Old Madam Wang tricked my mother-in-law into praying for blessings at the Tianhou Temple."

“This clay doll was sent to my residence by my mother-in-law and is placed on my wife’s bedside.”

"It contains musk, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women."

"If I hadn't had some basic medical knowledge and noticed the underhanded tricks involved, my wife would probably have already met with a terrible fate."

After hearing this, Emperor Yongping looked at Xia Shouzhong, who was standing to the side, and said...

"Xia Shouzhong, summon the imperial physician."

"promise."

Not long after, Physician Li from the Imperial Medical Academy came into the hall, bowed, and said...

"Your Majesty, I, Li Mingcheng, Imperial Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, pay my respects."

Emperor Yongping didn't waste any time and immediately gave his orders.

"Imperial Physician Li, quickly examine this clay doll and see if it contains musk."

"The minister obeys the order."

Physician Li picked up the clay doll and examined it closely, then sniffed it.

Then Physician Li said with certainty.

"Your Majesty, this clay doll does indeed contain musk, and quite a lot of it, with a very strong musk scent."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongping's face darkened. He stepped down from the platform, kicked the clay doll away, and said angrily.

"What I hate most in my life is such underhanded tricks."

As soon as Emperor Yongping finished speaking, Xia Shouzhong said with some surprise.

"Your Majesty, something's not right. There seems to be more to this clay doll than meets the eye."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongping looked over and saw that the clay doll had been kicked away by him and hit a pillar, then cracked open, revealing the outline of a small wooden figure inside, which was covered with many fine needles.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Yongping's heart skipped a beat. This looked exactly like a curse. Emperor Yongping then gave the order.

"Xia Shouzhong, go and clean it up, see what's inside this clay doll. Physician Li, you may leave now."

"The slaves obey the order."

After Physician Li left, Xia Shouzhong quickly picked up the clay dolls and began cleaning them. However, after cleaning up most of the wooden figures inside the clay dolls, Xia Shouzhong was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud.

Emperor Yongping frowned slightly upon seeing this.

"You lackey, why are you making such a fuss?"

Xia Shouzhong spoke in a trembling, hesitant voice.

"Your Majesty, this is a little figure made using the magic of nightmare suppression. Your Majesty's name is still on it."

"What! Quickly, bring it here."

Emperor Yongping's tone immediately became serious.

Then Xia Shouzhong hurriedly brought up the wooden figurine.

The wooden figurine bears the inscription "The Tyrant Zhou Jingping."

Upon seeing this, Emperor Yongping couldn't help but sneer, his laughter filled with murderous intent, sending chills down Xia Shouzhong's spine.

"Very well, it seems I have been too lenient these past few years. They think I have compromised again and again, and can't even lift a knife anymore."

“Boy, I know you’re not the kind of person who doesn’t fight back after being wronged. Tell me, how much do you know about these clay dolls?” Jia Jue said immediately.

"Your Majesty, after I noticed something unusual about the clay doll, I had my wife subtly inquire and found out that my mother-in-law went to the Tianhou Temple because she was misled by Old Madam Wang."

"As for this clay doll, it was made by Zhang Laosan, a villager from Zhangjia Village in Shahe, a suburb of Beijing."

“Zhang Laosan and Zhao Si, the steward of the Tianhou Palace, have a close relationship. It is certain that one of them was responsible for making the clay doll, and the other was responsible for placing this ingenious clay doll in the hall when my mother-in-law went to the Tianhou Palace to offer incense, so as to ensure that the clay doll was taken away by my mother-in-law and sent to the Marquis’s residence.”

"It's just that I discovered the clay doll too late. By the time I went to investigate further, both Zhao Si and Zhang Laosan had died in accidents."

Emperor Yongping listened and then calmly replied.

"Accidents? There aren't that many accidents."

"If this old lady Wang simply wanted to avenge her daughter, it would be understandable to add musk to the clay doll. But she wanted to cause your wife to miscarry."

"But what reason would she have to put another little figure, a cursed demon, inside the clay doll?"

"If you think you can frame me with such means, you are underestimating my magnanimity as an emperor."

"This method is too stupid. Old Mrs. Wang shouldn't be that foolish."

"It seems like she was set up. This clay doll is a deliberate frame-up by the person behind the scenes, who took advantage of Old Mrs. Wang's eagerness to avenge her daughter."

"Then he used this as leverage to force Old Mrs. Wang to commit suicide and frame you, thus achieving his ulterior motives."

Jia Jue couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Emperor Yongping was truly wise and decisive. He had managed to deduce the truth of the matter almost perfectly based on just a clay doll. He was truly remarkable.

Jia Jue said after a moment of thought.

"Your Majesty, I have failed in my duties and have let you down. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Emperor Yongping waved his hand and said.

"Alright, kid, stop with the pleasantries."

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. You can only be a thief for a thousand days, not a thief for a thousand days."

"Things are still unclear, so you'll have to put up with this."

"I reckon the Wang family will definitely come to file a complaint with the Emperor."

"Let's assess the situation first."

"The mastermind behind this is determined to frame you; he must have some ulterior motive."

"I'd like to see what these people are up to."

As soon as Emperor Yongping finished speaking, a powerful drumbeat was heard from outside the palace. Then, the guards came into the hall, bowed, and said...

"Your Majesty, Wang Shiping, the Privy Councilor, has struck the Dengwen Drum, requesting Your Majesty to uphold justice."

Emperor Yongping said calmly.

"You're here. Alright, you can go now. Xia Shouzhong will bring you in later."

"The minister obeys the order."

Jia Jue then left the Qianqing Palace.

About half an hour later, Jia Jue returned to the Qianqing Palace, bowed, and said...

"I have met His Majesty."

When Wang Shiping saw Jia Jue, his eyes almost bled.

Jia Jue, however, remained calm and composed, as if a gentle breeze were caressing his face.

Emperor Yongping raised his hand slightly and said.

"You may rise, Marquis of Champion. I have come to ask you: Minister Wang has come to file a complaint against you, accusing you of murdering his mother. Is this true?"

Jia Jue waved his hand and said.

"Your Majesty, this matter is completely fabricated. Old Madam Wang committed suicide. I do not know why she would frame me. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth."

Wang Shiping was furious after hearing this.

"Jia Jue, you beast who dares to do something but not admit it, you killed my mother, I will make you pay with your life."

Jia Jue remained indifferent, not even bothering to respond.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Yongping said.

"My dear Wang, I will make a fair judgment on the matter."

"This matter involves the widow of Grand Tutor Wang and the Marquis of Champion's mansion. The truth will definitely be revealed."

"Xia Shouzhong, convey the imperial decree, ordering the three judicial departments to jointly try this case."

"During the investigation, the Marquis of Champion was relieved of all his posts and awaited summons from the three judicial departments at his residence."

"Minister Wang, please calm down."

"If the evidence is truly conclusive, I will show no leniency before the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Alright, you may leave."

"On behalf of my mother in heaven, I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness and virtue."

Wang Shiping wiped away his tears and quickly bowed.

Wang Shiping then left the hall in anger.

Just then, Jia Juefu looked at Emperor Yongping with sudden realization and said.

"Your Majesty, are you suggesting that the mastermind behind this is intentionally trying to gain control of the Imperial Guard and the Capital Garrison?"

Emperor Yongping said calmly.

"No matter what their purpose is, I will still lay the bait."

"Your lawsuit is going to be a long one. The longer it drags on, the better I can see the true nature of the mastermind behind this."

Jia Jue said after a light laugh.

"It turns out Your Majesty had already planned this out; I was just worrying unnecessarily."

Emperor Yongping said with a slight smile.

“I am not the kind of prince who was born in the deep palace and raised by women.”

"Before I ascended the throne, I was assisting with government affairs in the Six Ministries."

"Over the years, I have seen countless storms and waves. If I cannot even see through such tricks, then I am afraid I will not even be able to get a day's rest."

"Alright, given what has happened, I won't keep you for dinner in the palace. If you want anything to eat, have the imperial kitchen pack some to take home later."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Jia Jue couldn't help but think of a rather cheesy phrase.

That despicable mastermind, don't underestimate the bond between me and His Majesty!

It must be said that Emperor Yongping truly did not disappoint him; he brought the clay doll just to see how Emperor Yongping would react.

However, after Emperor Yongping finished looking at the clay doll, he had no doubts about himself at all, and without the slightest hesitation, he was certain that this matter had nothing to do with him, and that it was the Wang family who were conspiring with others to harm Jia Jue.

In fact, Jia Jue probably had his eye on the person who was secretly plotting this.

Jia Jue's greatest value lies in his control of the Beijing Garrison and the Imperial Guards.

These two positions are the most likely targets of the mastermind behind the scenes.

However, judging from Emperor Yongping's confident demeanor, it's best if the mastermind behind this doesn't get caught by Emperor Yongping, or he'll be in deep trouble.

After leaving the palace, Jia Jue felt relaxed and happy.

Although Old Mrs. Wang got herself involved and was willing to risk her life to drag Jia Jue down with her.

However, both the mastermind and Jia Jue knew very well that this matter could not bring Jia Jue a devastating blow; at most, it would only severely damage his vitality.

(End of this chapter)