Chapter 88: Your Highness Is Too Unbiased
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Yes, Your Highness.” Su Yingxue suddenly became obedient.
She intentionally sat next to Wu Hongtao, who was kneeling obediently. It looked as if he was kneeling before her.
Wu Hongtao was seething with anger but didn’t dare to act recklessly in front of Chu Yihan. He could only cover his bruised ego with his hand.
Liang Jin sought Chu Yihan’s guidance. “Your Highness, with your presence here, do you find any flaws in my handling of the case?”
Chu Yihan’s face turned stern, and his eyes were as cold as stars. “I don’t understand when Lord Liang, who has served as the capital governor for so many years, started making such careless decisions.”
Liang Jin’s heart trembled, and he quickly prostrated himself. “I have been remiss. I humbly request Your Highness’s guidance, and I will correct my mistakes promptly.”
Chu Yihan naturally exuded an aura of nobility and dominance. Liang Jin, Wu Hongtao, and Su Dingheng didn’t dare to challenge him. They remained on their knees, bowing as if they were in the Taichi Hall, attentively listening to the emperor’s decrees.
“Lord Liang, in both cases you handled, the root cause lies with Wu Hongtao’s lack of discipline and instigation. Yet you plan to take the rescuer and the provoked individual into custody. Does that make any sense?” Chu Yihan’s voice grew colder, and his pressure intensified.
Although Liang Jin felt the pressure, he had no choice but to speak the truth. “Your Highness, although Miss Su is the rescuer and was provoked, she is also at fault for causing harm. Moreover, she knew that Lord Wu is an appointed official of the court, yet she assaulted him in public. This cannot be considered innocence.”
Wu Hongtao saw an opportunity to defend himself. “That’s right, Your Highness! This Su Yingxue intruded into my residence and assaulted me in public. It was truly going too far!”
Chu Yihan nodded. “I heard that when Lord Wu went to the clinic, he brought more than twenty guards with him?”
Wu Hongtao wanted to gain sympathy from Chu Yihan, so he continued, “That’s correct! All of my twenty guards were injured! Your Highness, just look at my face. It’s swollen from Su Yingxue’s slap!”
“Do you still have the audacity to complain to me?” Chu Yihan reprimanded with a cold voice. “As an official of the imperial court, you have recklessly harassed a weak woman and brought numerous guards with you, only to end up battered and bruised! Wu Hongtao, how is it that I was unaware that there is such a useless person in the court? What purpose does the court serve by providing a salary to worthless individuals like you?”
Wu Hongtao was stunned into silence.
Su Yingxue was also momentarily stunned. She propped up her face, her beautiful eyes filled with puzzlement.
She wanted to ask Chu Yihan, “Your Highness, isn’t your bias a little too obvious?”
She couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
However, Chu Yihan didn’t perceive it that way. His voice remained cold and deep. “As an official of the imperial court, you have brought disgrace upon the court. Today, I shall punish you with a hundred cane strikes. Lord Liang will bring you back to the Capital Prefecture for the execution.”
“A hundred cane strikes!” Wu Hongtao collapsed onto the ground.
Wasn’t this tantamount to taking his life?
Liang Jin also felt that a hundred cane strikes were excessive, but Chu Yihan was the Ninth Prince, and he was above everyone else. Even the emperor might not refute his words.
Therefore, Liang Jin didn’t argue and instead tactfully responded, “I will comply with the decree. However, Your Highness, I must ensure Lord Wu’s safety, or else the case cannot be tried in the future.”
“Lord Liang, you shall make that decision yourself.” Chu Yihan ceased further questioning.
“As for Miss Su, Your Highness, what will be her fate? If you have no specific instructions, I will bring her back to the Capital Prefecture,” Liang Jin stated as he stood up.
“She doesn’t need to accompany you back to the Capital Prefecture. I will personally watch over her until the court hearing takes place,” Chu Yihan replied with an unchanged expression..