Chapter 283: Hidden Deeply
Two groups of people were standing outside the special cell, which was neither dark nor damp nor smelly and was prepared specifically for nobles.

One group was headed by the Court Justice Du Zhou, assisted by jailers and law enforcement officers. It was a huge group of people.

Another group.

There were only two people, Liu Ju and Jin Midi standing behind him.

At this moment, there was another person alone in the cell, the Minister of Rites, Du Xiang, Marquis of Yangping, who was neatly dressed and sitting calmly.

“Your Highness, what happened today?”

The person who asked the question was the Chief Justice Du Zhou, who accepted the bow.

He did not ask the prince why he was here, but pointed out implicitly: Your Highness, I’m afraid you have to give an explanation for what happened today!

A quarter of an hour ago.

When Du Zhou learned that Taichang was imprisoned in the Tingwei Prison, he was furious, but he forced himself to suppress his impulse.

After a while, when his subordinates came to report that the prince had taken his men to prison, Du Zhou gathered a large group of people and rushed here, kicking and scolding them all the way.

He had just been cursing Wang Wenshu in the prison corridor, shouting for war and killing in such a loud voice. Was he shouting for Wang Wenshu who was somewhere unknown to hear?

No.

It was shouted for the prince to hear.

Liu Ju heard this and felt the anger of the court judge. “Calm down, court judge. I heard that the Minister of State Affairs was imprisoned for a crime and was shocked. I came here to ask you about this.”

The answer was very formal and official. It was enough to intimidate the jailers who were standing respectfully, but it could not intimidate the court judge who was standing in front of them.

Du Zhou’s face was stern. “The Minister of Rites is the head of the Nine Ministers. He was imprisoned, but I don’t know why. Judging from your Highness’s tone, it seems that you have heard about it before.”

“Can you enlighten me?”

Liu Ju did not answer. Jin Midi, who was standing behind him, looked over and said, “The Minister of Rites used the musicians under the command of the Grand Music Officer without authorization. This is against the law and he should be punished according to the law.”

The Grand Music Director was an official under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Rites, in charge of court musicians.

The Minister of Rites arbitrarily used the musicians under the command of the Grand Music Order. In other words, the Minister of Rites Du Xiang used people who served in the palace to serve him without permission.

This guilt…

From the perspective of “disrespect”, it is a serious matter. However, if the emperor does not care and does not pursue it, then it does not matter whether it is a serious matter or not.

But now that Taichang has been imprisoned, the natural choice of how his crime is determined is the former.

As to whether Taichang had really committed this crime and whether the prince’s followers had lied, that was not within Du Zhou’s consideration.

Such things as need to be quantified must be true.

Du Zhou glanced at the Prime Minister in the cell. Sure enough, Prime Minister Du was sitting there expressionless and without any excuse.

Think for a moment.

Du Zhou bowed to Liu Ju and said, “Your Highness, the Minister of Rites has imprisoned me for punishment. Even if I did not know about it beforehand, I still have to inquire about it afterwards. Moreover, I have to consult Your Majesty!” He emphasized the last two words “Your Majesty”.

“Well, the court judge can go and ask for instructions.”

Liu Ju answered with a relaxed look on his face, as if he didn’t notice the tone of questioning, nor did he care about the serious consequences of imprisoning the head of the Nine Ministers.

See this.

Du Zhou’s expression changed, and he said more bluntly: “No matter how the Taichang offended Your Highness, as long as he is in the court, he is under my jurisdiction. How to deal with him must be done according to the law.”

“That’s fine.” Liu Ju still had a smile on his face. “It’s our duty to ask for instructions and follow the law. Go ahead.”

At present, when Taichang is imprisoned, everything from conviction to imprisonment is legal and in compliance with regulations.

There are precedents to follow.

The former Minister of Rites, Zhou Zhongju, was stripped of his title, dismissed from office, and sentenced to imprisonment because of his corrupt family traditions and bad conduct.

His predecessor, Kong Anguo’s cousin, Kong Zang, was Taichang when he was questioned and dismissed from office because of the destruction of Nanling Bridge and the decline of the etiquette.

The reasons for their being questioned were all about making a big deal out of a small matter, just like today’s Prime Minister Du.

So Liu Ju replied very calmly.

But his frank words fell into Du Zhou’s ears, like a piece of meat on a rolling knife, and the key point was that the prince was still standing outside the cell, not moving at all. Did he look like he was letting the court judge handle the matter on his own?

On the contrary, the prince issued an order to expel the guest to the court. Du Zhou’s face was bright and dark. After a while, he said solemnly in front of many officials behind him:

“In this case, I will go to Ganquan Palace to report and ask for instructions immediately.”

Say it.

Du Zhou turned and left.

He has already expressed his opinion when he should, and he will not delay in reporting to His Majesty afterwards. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what the prince said, his words are enough!
As for the rest of the bullshit, even if the Crown Prince and the Minister of Rites had a big fight, Du Zhou would never set foot in prison again.

The Chief Justice, who had been following the procedures and fulfilling his duties, left. The crowd of people that had rushed in with him, after hastily paying their respects to the Crown Prince, followed the crowd out.

Immediately.

In this rather spacious cell with a skylight and bright sunlight, there were only two people outside the cell and one person inside.

They were finally able to speak some real words.

“I was imprisoned just before your Highness came. When the court judge came to the Imperial Household Department to arrest someone, I was wondering if Du Zhou was really crazy.”

“I didn’t understand until I saw Your Highness.” Although he was in prison, Prime Minister Du remained calm and said calmly, “May I ask how I have offended Your Highness?”

While he was speaking, Jin Midi had already taken a few steps forward, took out the key, and opened the cell door.

Liu Ju went inside and found a low stool, and sat opposite Du Xiang. After they sat down, he said, “Is it true that the Minister of State Affairs doesn’t know how I have offended you?”

Du Xiang was silent for a moment, “…I don’t know.”

“The Grand Steward, the Grand Minister, and the Central Guard were all imprisoned a few days ago.” Liu Ju looked at the middle-aged man opposite him, “Do you want me to remind you?”

Theoretically, no, because what was going on behind the scenes was almost about to be revealed, but after Du Xiang’s eyelids twitched, he kept his lips and teeth tightly closed and shook his head slowly.

Things are a bit big.

He won’t admit it easily until the last step.

Liu Ju saw this, but he was not annoyed. He said calmly: “Before the Korean War, the court discussed the generals who would lead the troops, and some people recommended the General of the Cavalry to be the commander.”

“Afterwards, I realized that someone was deliberately fanning the flames with the intention of killing him. After investigating, I found the Taiju Ling, Dazai Ling, and Zhonglei Ling.”

“Who would have thought that we would find you and the Marquis of Pingnan, Li Guangli!”

talking.

Liu Ju raised his hand and patted his knee, a smile reappearing on his face, “Oh, I wonder when Taichang joined my fourth brother’s uncle?”

“It’s hidden quite deeply.”

At this point, whether Du Xiang wanted to admit it or not, he had to admit it. But he closed his eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and when he opened his eyes again, his face was full of frost.

Jin Midi, who was standing aside, stared at him coldly.

Prime Minister Du paid no attention to the others. He just looked at the prince in front of him and said indifferently, “It’s not a question of surrendering. The Marquis of Pingnan can’t afford my surrender.”

“It’s just cooperation.”

Liu Ju nodded thoughtfully, “That’s right. The others in the stables and you, the Minister of State Affairs, all come from prominent families. It would be an understatement to say that you have surrendered to the army.”

“Those powerful families that emerged back then were fighting fiercely with the Changning Palace. They were also cooperating, I know that.”

Hear the words.

Prime Minister Du said coldly: “Your Highness, there is no need to test it. After falling twice at the hands of Li Ji, no one will associate with the King of Yan anymore.”

“Oh.” Liu Ju asked, “So you are mainly promoting the fourth one now?”

“No comment!”

Prime Minister Du closed his eyes and never opened them again. He just said calmly, “Your Highness, if you want to do anything to me, just impeach me. If Your Majesty cannot protect me, I will be dismissed from office.”

“I have nothing else to say. Please go back, Your Highness.”

He was very single, very tough and very unrestrained, but when he heard this, Jin Midi’s eyes turned cold and he sneered!
(End of this chapter)