Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 418 Kill without mercy
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately knelt down.

"It is God's destiny, the emperor decreed:

The recent uncovering of a shocking case is a disgrace to the nation and a source of pain for the military.

Lin Congrong, formerly Marquis of Wangshu, served as a soldier and was stationed on the frontier for a long time. He was known throughout the court and the country for his loyalty and prudence.

Unexpectedly, Marquis Jiang Yunhe of Zhenyuan, Grand Master Liu Mang, Minister of War, and others harbored evil intentions and colluded with each other.

Whether out of personal grudges or for personal gain, they fabricated charges against Lin Congrong, falsely accusing him of treason and colluding with the enemy. They also secretly intercepted the army's supplies, causing the border troops to suffer from hunger and cold and their morale to plummet.

Such actions betray the Emperor's grace, harm loyal officials, and shake the foundation of the nation; they are crimes deserving of death!

After a joint trial by the three judicial authorities, the evidence was irrefutable, and the treacherous plot had nowhere to hide.

I am furious. I hereby declare that, in accordance with the laws of the land and the law of the emperor, the mastermind and accomplice Jiang Yunhe, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, and the Minister of War, shall be stripped of their titles and official positions, escorted to the marketplace, beheaded on the spot, and their property shall be confiscated to compensate for the loss of grain and fodder.

Those who have joined the rebellion should be thoroughly investigated and punished, and no one should be allowed to escape justice.

Nian Lin was loyal and brave throughout his life in the military, but he was framed and died unjustly. I feel deep sorrow for him.

His title of Marquis of Wangshu was posthumously restored, and his name was exonerated and his innocence rectified, in order to honor his loyalty and bravery.

The remains were moved back to their homeland, buried with great ceremony, and a shrine and monument were erected for worship throughout the four seasons.

Although Jiang Yunhe's son, Jiang Liuyun, is of treacherous lineage, he was not involved in his father's treasonous plots, and I pity him for it.

Now, by special imperial decree, they are exempted from joint liability and spared from further investigation.

This decree should serve as a warning to all, both within and outside the court.

Those who are loyal to the country will be treated with great favor by me; those who form cliques for personal gain and frame loyal officials will be severely punished by me, regardless of their rank!
Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

Admire this! "

With this imperial edict, the matter was settled.

Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, respectfully accepted the imperial edict, while the other officials displayed varying expressions.

Lin Zhiqing observed carefully and found that, apart from Wang Yuan, the others were not surprised by the outcome of the matter.

To be more precise, everyone was surprised when Eunuch Wang announced the results of the Zhenyuan Marquis's administration's decision.

However, there was little reaction to the fact that Lin Congrong was innocent.

This incident further confirmed Lin Zhiqing's previous thoughts.

Most of the officials in the imperial court should know that Lin Congrong was innocent.

However, for various reasons, they did not speak.

It could be because Lin Congrong threatened the interests of the marquis system, or it could be due to the jealousy of certain people.

But ultimately, the root of the problem lies with the emperor.

If the emperor hadn't tacitly approved, the court officials wouldn't have remained silent.

The Lin family was ultimately just a victim of power struggles.

Having understood this, Lin Zhiqing felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave when he looked at the Dali Temple again.

This place should have been the most just place in the world, but who knows how many wronged souls are buried under that plaque.

Compared to Lin Zhiqing's感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), the other members of the Lin family looked extremely happy, and Lin Congli almost lost his footing.

"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!" His eyes were red. "Congrong, you are innocent! You are innocent!"

"So many years have passed, so many years have passed!"

His posture was truly moving.

Lin Zhiqing glanced sideways, and Lu Huai, seeing this, spoke softly:
"Ah Qing, you're here."

Yes, we've made it through.

Lin Zhiqing smiled faintly. The Lin family could finally establish themselves in Shengjing City with a clean reputation.

She looked at Jiang Yunhe beside her.

Contrary to expectations, Jiang Yunhe simply closed his eyes and remained silent.

Is this resignation to fate?
Lin Zhiqing didn't think Jiang Yunhe was that kind of person.

Looking at Jiang Liuyun again, he stared intently at Lin Zhiqing, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Lin Zhiqing turned his head indifferently.

Lu Huai stepped forward, blocking Jiang Liuyun's view. Yan Yu, seeing this, raised an eyebrow and smiled, then leaned close to Lin Zhiqing's ear and whispered:

"How did you end up with your lover? Didn't we used to be forbidden from mentioning his name?"

"cough."

Before Lin Zhiqing could answer, Lu Huai coughed lightly and subtly put his arm around Yan Yu's shoulder:

“My father had dealings with Judge Yan before, Brother Yan, I have some questions I would like to ask you.”

Yan Yu saw through it but didn't say anything, and followed in Lu Huai's footsteps.

Lin Zhiqing didn't have time to pay attention to these small details.

Her attention was focused on the imperial edict she had just received.

A simple imperial edict can actually contain a great deal of information.

After returning to the Lin family, Lin Zhiqing was still pondering the issue of the imperial edict.

In comparison, the rest of the Lin family members looked much happier.

The wind direction in Beijing is changeable.

The Lin family suddenly received many more visiting cards.

But the Lin family has no interest in entertaining guests right now.

Lin Shi'an immediately sent a letter to Bianliang.

The brothers Lin Congyan and Lin Congli went to the ancestral hall.

Ignoring the pain of being beaten thirty times, Lin Yangyang went straight to Shuqing Pavilion.

Lin Zhiqing's Shuqing Pavilion has never been so lively.

"Hiss!" Lin Yangyang lay on the bed, her face scrunched up in a grimace.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! Asagao, be gentle!"

Asagao immediately slowed down her movements as she covered Lin Yangyang with the blanket:
"Miss Yangyang, the doctor clearly told you to rest well. You must be in pain if you come here now."

"What do you know? I want to hear my sister's explanation!" Lin Yangyang looked beyond the screen.

Separated by a screen, Lu Nanyue shook her head: "Yangyang, it hurts me to see you like this."

"Sister was a bit impulsive." Lin Shi'an shook his head slightly, without any hint of blame in his tone.

Yan Yu covered his mouth with his fan, gloating, "This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this. It's truly an eye-opening experience."

"You little flirt, you're mocking me again! Grandma... Ouch, that hurts!" Lin Yangyang pulled at her wound.

Unlike the smiling faces of the others, Lin Zhiqing took a deep breath and silently recalled what Lin Shi'an had just said.

Lin Yangyang was beaten because Jiang Yunhe distorted the truth, and the person who gave the order was Zhou Chongzheng.

These two are now among the top of her list of people she dislikes.

While the others didn't notice her subtle expression, Lin Shi'an couldn't help but speak up:

"Yan Yu, it's fortunate that you arrived at just the right time today, which delayed us a bit, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to wait for Jiang Liuyun to come."

Upon hearing this, even those unaware of the details realized that Yan Yu's disappearance was not as simple as it seemed.

Lu Huai and Lu Nanyue looked at Lin Zhiqing.

Yan Yu scoffed, "Why are you two looking at her like that? I did all the work."

"Nonsense!" Lin Yangyang was the first to object: "Qing-meimei clearly gave you three brocade pouches."

When the three brocade pouches were mentioned, even Yan Yu was speechless, and he himself was even a little curious:

"Lin Zhiqing, how did you know they had set a trap to lure me in?"

When he opened the third brocade pouch that day, it contained only one sentence:

If things go wrong, running away is the best course of action. Don't go back to the Lin family. Pretend to disappear, and you'll be back in court for the trial.

"Just these few words?" Lin Shi'an was somewhat surprised.

"I thought Qing had discussed this with you beforehand."

"No." Yan Yu's tone carried a hint of complaint.
"You skeleton spirit, you clearly sensed something was wrong, why didn't you discuss it with me sooner?"

Before Lin Zhiqing could speak, Lu Huai raised an eyebrow and said:

"Ah Qing certainly believes in your abilities."