Chapter 168 – Historically Memorable Villainy Arc
Even the person being accused of the crimes did not intend to defend himself, so it was practically meaningless for the imperial court to discuss his crimes. If they kept droning on it would only make them seem like they’re venting unreasonably. The noisy court gradually quieted down. Lu Li’s charges were sorted and then presented one by one before the court.
Song Zhilan sat on the imperial throne. His gaze was hidden beneath the fringe of beads on his crown. He spoke in a calm tone without any inflection, “Ministry of Justice, based on the law how should the Prime Minister of the Right be punished?”
The minister of the Ministry of Justice took a step forward. He cupped his hands together in salute and bowed. He said, “The Prime Minister of the Right is guilty of terrible crimes. According to the law, he should be imprisoned immediately, and executed on a chosen date. He will be fined and his property will be confiscated…”
After all of the prime minister’s deliberate planning and all of his tricks, this was the ending he got.
Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.
They’ve finally gotten to this point. But it was strange that Song Zhilan did not feel anything in his heart. The young emperor lowered his gaze. He had unconsciously clenched his hands into fists. He slowly uncurled his fingers and said softly, “Do as the law says. Court ends here today. Everyone is tired. Court dismissed.”
After saying that, Song Zhilan got up from the throne and strode away.
The courtiers were a little at a loss as they watched the emperor leave court. Each of them was stunned for a while, then they gradually left court while whispering to each other, but their gossip was nothing more than talking about how the Prime Minister of the Right has committed so many crimes so he wouldn’t be able to escape death anymore.
Song Rong stood where he was, the phrase “executed on a chosen date” seemed to still be ringing in his ears. It made his chest feel incredibly stuffy. He wanted nothing more than to rush out there and speak up, but he knew that now was not the time.
It might have just been a passing inquiry for the Minister of Revenue, but the man’s words sparked an idea in Song Rong’s head.
The prime minister’s mansion seemed very expensive and regal, but it was just an empty shell. The place where he should have stored all his treasures was empty, so a large sum of money must have been used somewhere else.
Song Rong didn’t believe that Lu Li possessed the temperament of a spendthrift. As long as he followed this trail, he would definitely be able to discover something.
It’s just… he had to be quick about it…
The dark ferocity hidden in the young emperor’s eyes made even a seasoned general wary.
Song Rong lowered his eyes. His mind was rapidly running through calculations of where he could start his investigation, but then he suddenly heard someone calling him.
His raised his head towards the sound of the voice. Only then did he notice that the court was mostly cleared out by now. Lu Li was looking at him with a calm expression, but at some point his pale cheeks had gained a rosy flush.
The man was burning with fever!
A nervous thought suddenly reared up. Before Song Rong could second-guess himself, he had already walked over to Lu Li and quickly caught the man in his arms just as he was about to fall over.
Lu Li has an extremely proud personality, so he would never easily reveal his weakness in front of others, especially not in a courtroom full of people. He’s been trying to hold on all this time, but he was likely already at the end of his rope.
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Song Rong’s towering body blocked Lu Li’s figure from view, so that the few stragglers in the courtroom would not be able to see him in his weakened state. Lu Li’s weight pressed against Song Rong’s arm as the other man lost his strength. Song Rong’s eyes felt hot. He steadied Lu Li’s body. When he looked down he could see that Lu Li’s weakened state had completely wiped out the apathy from his eyes. Song Rong’s heart clenched.
Song Rong knew very well that Lu Li never intended to show this weakened side to him. But Lu Li’s ink black eyes had became crystal clear due to the high fever. Looking at him like this, it was impossible for Song Rong to just stand aside and watch without doing anything.
Watch him push himself to his limits, watch him topple over, watch him throw away his life… He couldn’t do that.
The courtiers had all dispersed, leaving only the silent imperial guards in the courtroom. Song Rong took a deep breath and was about to pick Lu Li up bridal style, but Lu Li suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Lu Li’s eyes showed that he was sullen and indignant. He silently glared at Song Rong. But due to his high fever, his gaze was not scary at all. Rather, it was breathtaking…
Song Rong cut of his train of thought abruptly. He felt like if he finished that thought it would be a frivolous insult to this magnificent jade-like person.
Su Shi was unaware of his current situation. He was only thinking about the prison time that he had won through great difficulty.
The young emperor had allowed him to keep his dignity. He didn’t order the imperial guards to drag him away to the prison. Compared to the first time around, when he was nearly shoved into a prison cart and paraded through the streets, this treatment was much better.
There needed to be an imperial order for his imprisonment. The other man might have snatched away his first imperial decree, but he would get another one sooner or later.
Translations by Vanilla Muse. Read on vmnovels [dot] com
Su Shi gave Song Rong back his hand stove. It had already cooled down. He thanked Song Rong in a low voice. Then he turned around. He was about to called for an imperial guard to take him to the dungeons, when he suddenly heard an apology from behind him.
Before Su Shi could react, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck. Su Shi turned around in astonishment. Before he could summon up any anger, his vision blacked out.
Song Rong had knocked Lu Li out. He quickly caught Lu Li’s limp body. He wore an apologetic expression. He could almost feel Lu Li’s burning fever through the layers of fabric.
Since Song Zhilan did not dare to look, Song Rong would send Lu Li to him.
Song Rong met the astonished stares of the imperial guards with an indifferent expression. In a heavy voice, he said, “The prime minister is seriously ill. Can I have the imperial physician diagnose and treat him first, and then send him to prison after his condition has stabilized?”
The author has something to say:
Gong: Copy down the imperial decree, follow these pots, and remove them one by one. (/≧–≦)/
#He actually got angry with me.
#He also hit me.
Q^Q
Thanks for the update
I caught up! Oh no 🙁 Thank you for continuing to update. Su Shi should enjoy his pot now while he still has it… Song Rong is slowly and silently creeping up to overturn it…