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墨書 Inktalez
"Ha, how naive," the Xuande Emperor remarked. He questioned the matter of Prince Chen's shipwreck in the Nujiang River, noting that many had witnessed it firsthand, with both eyewitnesses and physical evidence. "What do you have to say about that?"
"We have re-interviewed the witnesses from that time," came the reply. "Their consistent testimony was that they saw only clothing from a distance. They identified the person by their clothes, but they couldn't see their faces clearly. How can such testimony be trusted? It must be some trick by the Chongjing Emperor to deceive us."
"The remains have been found in the Suburbs of the Capital," another voice interjected. "Facts speak louder than words; what more is there to discuss?"
Yet the Xuande Emperor questioned further, suggesting that the remains could also be fabricated. "Those stark white bones—if it weren't for the scattered clothing, would you be able to identify them?"
"I am not so easily fooled!" came the firm response. "Before Prince Chen married, I shared meals and slept beside him. I know every mark and injury on him, including those of his two children who often stayed at my residence. I personally compared the scars on the remains; there is no mistake!"
"Perhaps someone fished the body out of the river and buried it in a valley," Qin Taifang countered once more. "The coroner provided a very clear autopsy report—there are no signs of water damage on the remains. Moreover, the Nujiang's current is swift; anyone who falls into it would be swept far away. Retrieving remains from Nujiang is no easy task."
"Your Majesty, if we did not have solid evidence, we would not dare disturb you. We came because we possess proof. If Your Majesty still has doubts, the evidence will provide answers."
He continued, "Including the false imperial decree supposedly issued by Chongjing Emperor, which I have also obtained, along with that grand eunuch from Emperor Jingwen's era who is currently imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."
At this point, Qin Taifang reluctantly added in a low voice, "The investigation into the Chen Wang Case confirmed that it has nothing to do with the Sang Family."
His voice was too soft; Xuande Emperor, whose hearing was not sharp, asked, "What did you just say?"
Suddenly, an official nearby shouted, "Lord Min says that the Chen Wang Case has nothing to do with the Sang Family!"
With that shout, silence fell over the court.
Today’s discussion was about the Chen Wang Case; how could they allow the Sang Family to overshadow it? If it weren't for being required to mention it during negotiations, Lord Min wouldn't have brought it up at all. But since he had agreed to do so, he whispered a word—just enough to meet expectations—hoping Xuande Emperor wouldn’t hear him.
But unexpectedly, someone had blurted it out!
Lord Min turned to see who had spoken up and realized it was one of his old comrades from Prince Chen’s faction, also present during negotiations with the Sang Family.
The man gave Lord Min an apologetic look.
What could he do? The other party was wary of Lord Min fabricating evidence and had specifically warned him about it. He wasn’t just an old associate of Prince Chen; he had some questionable dealings on the side and was being leveraged against.
There were certainly still people from the Sang Family in court watching closely; he couldn’t afford to defy them.
As Xuande Emperor's attention shifted toward the Sang Family, it seemed like with this discussion of the Chen Wang Case concluded, they might also emerge unscathed? When had he last heard about the Sang Family? It seemed they were resurfacing once again.
Thoughts inevitably drifted deeper, but were quickly interrupted. Shi Yun took the lead, and Court tacitly joined in, breaking Xuande Emperor's train of thought.
The stripping of titles and the excavation of the Royal Tomb were certainly out of the question. In the end, they could only take a few steps back, burying Prince Chen with state honors. His heroic deeds and the circumstances of his demise were documented and posted in various prefectures across Great Jing.
Min Wang, however, remained dissatisfied; he could not easily let Chongjing Emperor off the hook. His malice had to be known throughout Great Jing. Xuande Emperor, suffering from illness and unable to sit for long, was troubled by the noise and reluctantly agreed to Min Wang's demands.
While matters had been settled, the wording of these two documents was crucial. Min Wang waited in the palace to review the drafts. The Two Lords made their final revisions and presented them to Min Wang.
After reading just the beginning, Min Wang was pleased; the text exalted Prince Chen while denigrating Chongjing Emperor, creating two starkly contrasting portrayals that thrilled Min Wang.
However, upon reaching the end, he unexpectedly saw the name Sang Family mentioned, with a note indicating Prince Jing's Residence. This final section was substantial, using formal language to clarify matters regarding Sang Family.
Furious, Min Wang ordered those parts removed. Mingze looked up from his work at him. "Min Wang, you can't be someone who goes back on your word."
Min Wang was taken aback. "Minister Ming, I want to eat that! Are you helping Sang Family? Have you been coerced by them?"
Min Wang then turned to Shi Yun. "Chancellor, you too?"
Mingze and Shi Yun did not respond; he began talking to himself instead. "It's over; Sang Family has become formidable without a sound, even managing to hold sway over the Two Lords."
"They previously promised me they could help dig out Chongjing Emperor and properly bury Prince Chen. I mocked them for lacking such capability; now it seems I am the one who looks foolish."
"If their talk of disturbing graves is true, it indicates their ambitions are vast—Great Jing Dynasty is in peril."
"Master Xiang, you cannot just stand by and watch them grow powerful!"
Mingze replied, "Min Wang, don't incite us; you can tell His Majesty yourself."
Min Wang stood there looking troubled. Mingze made an exaggerated expression of surprise. "Min Wang, just how much leverage do you have that others are holding over you?"
Qin Taifang's face flushed bright red, stammering, "I didn't mean to."
"Tsk tsk, you certainly don't seem like someone who didn't mean it," came the teasing reply.
Qin Taifang avoided eye contact, lowering his gaze to the proclamation, feeling increasingly reluctant to let the Sang Family have their way. Instinctively, he wanted to tear it up.
Mingze intervened, "Min Wang, pay closer attention. The seal has already been stamped on the document; tearing it would be a great disrespect."
"Oh, indeed," he said, realizing only now that he had been so focused on the text earlier. "Is it really true that His Majesty personally sealed it?"
"Yes."
"How could he allow this? He must not have read it thoroughly!"
"Indeed, he hasn't."
"Then why didn't you stop him?" Mingze pressed. "If you had just said that His Majesty saw it himself and was unwilling to seal it, the Sang Family's plans would have fallen through. Besides, if His Majesty finds out later, you won't fare well either."
Mingze reminded him, "Min Wang, regarding clarifying matters for the Sang Family, the Court has mentioned it before—this was something you brought up personally. Later, someone else loudly repeated it; His Majesty heard it clearly and didn't say anything."
"It’s not that His Majesty didn’t want to speak! It’s clear that everyone was in sync, each contributing to glossing over the matter. This created the illusion that the Emperor was aware and had no objections."
Min Wang recalled how nearly half of the court had participated in this charade.
"The Sang Family certainly has some clever tactics!"
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