44: The lawless Prince Yong! The alpaca who was called a fool

Chapter 44: The Lawless Prince Yong! The Alpaca Called a Stupid Pig!

As Yuan Meng's words left her mouth, Zhu Ge of the Supervisory Council, who was assisting in the joint trial, stared with wide, round eyes, wanting to laugh but unable to.

Minister Han of the Ministry of Justice and the Qing of the Court of Judicial Review, sitting in the hall, both twitched their mouths, but dared not stop Lao Lai from raging.

Si Lili also dared not be lazy and immediately knelt down, wailing, "Your Honor, please uphold justice for this humble one!"

"Although this humble one is in a Brothel, I am a virtuous courtesan who sells art, not my body. His Highness Prince Yong forcibly took my body, which is truly intolerable!"

"He also said that his brother is the Emperor, and no one in Great Qing can do anything to him. It's useless even if I scream my throat out, woo woo woo..."

Si Lili cried heartbrokenly, with tears streaming down her face, a truly blood-curdling accusation!

She had already completed the task Li Chang'an had given her; what happened next was beyond her control.

The joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices, instigated by an imperial appeal, was different from a regular three-hall joint trial for major cases.

Because appealing to the imperial platform was essentially lodging a complaint with the Emperor, the Three Judicial Offices merely acted on behalf of the Emperor to hear the case.

The final sentencing required the Emperor's personal decision.

Therefore, what Li Chang'an needed to do now was to frankly admit guilt, as Emperor Qing would certainly not impose a heavy sentence.

Because in Great Qing, royalty who broke the law could not be punished the same as commoners.

In the original story, the Second Prince had human lives on his hands, but Emperor Qing merely confined him and docked his salary.

Now, Li Chang'an had only forcibly taken a Brothel woman; this case was destined to be a lot of thunder but little rain.

However, such a commotion would surely lead to officials from the Education Bureau, the Censorate, and even the Ministry of Rites submitting memorials, suggesting that Imperial Concubine Liu be summoned from the palace to discipline Li Chang'an.

After all, Li Chang'an's literary standing was significant, and it concerned the Luck of Southern Qing's literary world.

Moreover, Prince Jing and Fan Jian would both help with this matter; those two calligraphy and painting pieces were not given for free.

Therefore, Li Chang'an now not only had to admit guilt but also had to appear lawless, even arrogant and overbearing.

After Si Lili finished speaking, Li Chang'an immediately said, "Miss Li Li, what this Prince said is correct."

"Look, you want to file a complaint, but no one dares to take it up. Even if you come here, what can you do to this Prince?"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Lao Lai's face instantly darkened.

"Your Highness, the joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices represents the highest judicial dignity of Great Qing. I hope Your Highness maintains reverence!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Minister Han of the Ministry of Justice said, "His Highness Prince Yong has countless beauties by his side, and his twelve golden hairpins are widely renowned. Why would he force a Brothel woman!"

"There must be a hidden motive. Si Lili must have ulterior motives. Guards, apply torture!"

Lao Lai exclaimed in surprise, "Is applying torture like this not too hasty!"

However, Minister Han of the Ministry of Justice and the Qing of the Court of Judicial Review both insisted on applying torture.

Two yamen runners had already brought the finger-crushing device, and Si Lili's hands, which played the zither and flute, were about to be crippled.

With her hands placed in the device, Si Lili glared resentfully at Li Chang'an. "You're going to torture me to death!"

"Prince Yong is lawless. Even with torture, this humble one will definitely press charges!"

Just then, Li Chang'an clapped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Honors, for upholding justice for this Prince. This woman has accused this Prince throughout the capital, she deserves to be tormented!"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Si Lili very cooperatively cursed, "Li Chang'an, you're not human!"

Li Chang'an sneered at her words. "Little beauty, cursing is so energetic, much more stimulating than your cries of resistance last night."

Minister Han of the Ministry of Justice nervously said, "Your Highness! This is the grand hall for criminal trials. Everything you say will become evidence in court!"

Lao Lai also said with some reluctance, "Your Highness saying this means admitting guilt. You must consider this carefully!"

The Qing of the Court of Judicial Review widened his eyes, almost pleadingly, "Your Highness, please reconsider."

As long as Li Chang'an vehemently denied it, they had ways to make Si Lili change her statement. But if Li Chang'an directly admitted guilt, they would be helpless.

Li Chang'an showed an innocent expression. "Consider what? This Prince admits it."

"My brother is the Emperor; you can't convict me!"

"The Qing Kingdom belongs to my Li family. It's no big deal for this Prince to sleep with a Brothel woman."

"Aren't Brothel women meant to be slept with? Last night, this Prince merely didn't negotiate the price properly."

Si Lili was very cooperative, crying even more miserably, "This humble one simply wasn't willing, no matter the price!"

Li Chang'an arrogantly said, "What if you're unwilling? Now that the deed is done, what can you do to this Prince?"

"What is royal law? Royal law is a tool for our imperial family to govern the world."

"Our imperial family must be above royal law. You still want to use royal law to accuse this Prince? Daydreaming!"

Li Chang'an's wild words left the three hall officials dumbfounded.

The scribes on both sides stopped writing simultaneously, and the entire hall suddenly fell silent!

His Highness Prince Yong was too lawless!

The Qing of the Court of Judicial Review said to the scribes, "These are His Highness Prince Yong's angry words; don't record them."

Minister Han of the Ministry of Justice also waved his hand, "The Ministry of Justice also should not record them."

However, Lao Lai did not relent. "The Censorate, record His Highness Prince Yong's words truthfully!"

"His Highness Prince Yong does not understand the law, disrespects the law, and acts recklessly!"

"His behavior is arrogant, he lacks discretion, and he disregards royal law. He will surely become a scourge to Great Qing in the future!"

"Your Highness's words today, this humble official will personally present to Your Majesty, to let Your Majesty determine your guilt!"

Li Chang'an cupped his hands in gratitude and sincerely said, "Lao Lai, thank you!"

"If all officials of Great Qing were like you, with civil officials dying in remonstrance and military generals dying in battle, unifying the world would be within reach!"

Li Chang'an spoke the truth; he was waiting for Lai Mingcheng to impeach him.

The angry Lao Lai was suddenly stunned. These words were not something a profligate could say.

"Hmph! Stop with your glib talk. Just wait for His Majesty's imperial judgment!"

Regarding Yuan Meng's matter, the Ministry of Justice invited professionals to explain special preferences to Lao Lai.

Unless it was a three-hall joint trial, the Censorate did not participate in hearing cases, so Lao Lai was not clear about criminal investigations.

Lao Lai listened in a daze, but ultimately had to defer to professional opinions.

The matter of Li Chang'an assaulting and bullying Yuan Meng then became a case of mutual consent... In the Imperial Study.

Emperor Qing sat with a dark face behind the curtain; there were not many people present.

The Crown Prince, Prince Jing, the Second Prince, the chief officials of the Three Judicial Offices, Chen Pingping, Mei Zhili, and the party involved, Li Chang'an.

Even the accused Li Chang'an was summoned, which further indicated Emperor Qing's reluctance to inflict heavy punishment.

After listening to the report from the Three Judicial Offices, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince both looked at Li Chang'an.

In the Crown Prince's eyes, there was some admiration, while the Second Prince secretly gave a thumbs-up!

They had heard Li Chang'an's arrogant words clearly!

How they wished they could say, "My father is the Emperor, who can do anything to me! Who can convict me!"

But they couldn't!

Emperor Qing had high expectations for them; saying such things would probably get them beaten to death!

Li Chang'an was not an imperial prince, and his literary fame was too great. He was neither strictly disciplined yet held a very high status, which was truly enviable!

Name: Li Chengqian

Age: 15

Realm: None

Talents: Performance (Ninth Rank), Stratagem (Seventh Rank), Fashion (Seventh Rank)

Abilities: Performance (Ninth Rank), Stratagem (Sixth Rank), Painting (Third Rank)

Affection: 40

The Crown Prince's performance ability was maxed out, and he had developed painting ability.

This guy, he wouldn't have already started secretly painting Li Yunrui, would he?

With everyone present, Emperor Qing slowly said, "The case of Prince Yong bullying Yuan Meng is not established. So, what do you think of the case of forcibly taking Si Lili?"

"Crown Prince, you speak!"

The Crown Prince cautiously said, "Uncle Prince Yong's words and actions were inappropriate, and he doesn't quite understand the law. I believe he did not intentionally break the law."

"Your son suggests that Uncle Prince Yong should heavily compensate Si Lili, and that the Three Judicial Offices send people to teach Uncle Prince Yong legal statutes and criminal law."

"Additionally, I ask Imperial Concubine Liu to discipline Uncle Prince Yong more strictly, and to confine Uncle Prince Yong for three months to reflect on his mistakes!"

Emperor Qing slowly nodded. "Well said. Li Chengze, you speak!"

The Second Prince tossed his hair and loudly said, "Your son seconds that!"

"Furthermore, if Uncle Prince Yong likes Si Lili, he can take her as a concubine. This would also avoid criticism from others and preserve the reputation of the imperial family!"

After the Second Prince finished speaking, he even winked at Li Chang'an, with a look of smugness in his eyes.

Si Lili was such a beauty; this should win over Uncle Prince Yong, right!

However, Emperor Qing suddenly roared, "Stupid pig!"

This shout was extremely sudden, shaking the bookshelves. Li Chengze was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

"Your son is terrified!"

The little alpaca was truly terrified. Was his suggestion not good?

By taking Si Lili, wouldn't Li Chang'an bear less infamy?

Li Chang'an secretly shook his head. The Second Prince wasn't a stupid pig; he was a 'grass-mud horse' (a pun on a profanity)!