AWB Chapter 290 False Accusation
Chapter 290 False Accusation
When Feng Ziheng met the Emperor, he told him everything that had happened that night in Prince Ning's courtyard without any concealment.
The Emperor frowned at him: "What are you doing at Youchuan's place so late?"
“Yes, this evening, His Highness Prince Ning summoned me to discuss the revision of the laws and regulations. During this revision, both His Highness and I lost track of time.” Feng Ziheng gave a wry smile. “Fortunately, we rested well yesterday, otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to keep up. As for His Highness Prince Ning, he didn’t get much rest the night before last. Yesterday, he was investigating the case of the second young lady of the Marquis of Anle’s mansion during the day, and then he worked non-stop all night… I’m too old to compare myself to him.”
The Emperor was outwardly listening, but inwardly he was pondering the relationship between Prince Ning and Feng Ziheng. One was his beloved nephew, and the other was his nominal cousin, but in reality, they were childhood friends.
They both worked at the Dali Temple, and Xiao Youchuan, that kid, was used to doing things his own way.
He was very pleased with himself. He spoiled Xiao Youchuan, Feng Zizhou, and many other children from noble families, letting them run wild and believing that he was their protector.
He should be everyone's protector. As long as he, the emperor of the world, is around, whatever they do is forgivable.
The Emperor nodded: "Ziheng, how old are you now? How can you compare to that brat Youchuan?"
Feng Ziheng laughed as well: "Next time, if His Highness Prince Ning asks me to write a letter in the middle of the night, I really can't agree. I can't stand it, I can't stand it."
"And then what? What did that kid Jing'an go to do?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and, after instructing Si Jing'an to follow the Third Prince, arranged for a eunuch to accompany Si Jing'an and observe his every move. The information received was that Si Jing'an was timid and somewhat unruly, but overall he was good. As for his knowledge and abilities, he was far, far inferior to Si Jingyu of yesteryear.
Not to mention comparing him to Si Jingyu, even his literary talent is not as good as his father Si Xingzhi's.
If you are not proficient in the Six Arts, you will not amount to anything when you grow up.
He followed the third son out of kindness, because he was the only son in the Si family.
When Feng Ziheng heard the Emperor's question, his expression turned grim. He said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the Marquis of Anle's heir has quite the audacity to collude with another attendant to accuse His Highness the Third Prince!"
Who doesn't know that the Emperor has three sons, and his favorite is the young Third Prince? The Third Prince is well-behaved and sensible, and he is also very knowledgeable. At a young age, he has shown considerable insight into several important political matters.
The Emperor was taken aback: "How dare these fellows do this? What are they accusing the Third Prince of?"
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Anle's heir is narrow-minded and dared to frame the Third Prince, claiming that the Third Prince abused and killed animals, and he made such a claim with great certainty. I was furious and told him that framing the royal family is a serious crime, and that there are no provisions in the law for sentencing the death of cats and dogs."
The Emperor's eyelids twitched sharply. False accusation was indeed a serious crime. However, animal cruelty was not a criminal offense, only a moral condemnation. Could his son really have committed such a cruel act as animal cruelty?
Feng Ziheng continued, "After I said this, the Marquis of Anle's heir and the Wan family's son actually claimed that His Highness the Third Prince had tortured and killed many people. However, they could not provide any evidence at all; these were all things that happened before they followed His Highness the Third Prince. How can hearsay be taken seriously!"
He spoke with righteous indignation, as if it were all Si Jing'an's fault.
But the more he said this, the more suspicious the emperor became. It wasn't that he thought his thirteen or fourteen-year-old son would kill someone for no reason, but rather that he felt Si Jing'an's dull mind shouldn't be able to come up with a plan to frame someone.
So the animal cruelty is probably true. Si Jing'an was scared after discovering it, so he asked Xiao Youchuan for help. But when he found that there was no way to solve the problem, he simply exaggerated and said that the third brother had killed someone.
"Nonsense," the Emperor said coldly.
Feng Ziheng nodded in agreement: "That's right. But Prince Ning actually believed it. He... sent people to surround the Third Prince's courtyard to interrogate him."
"What?!" The Emperor stood up abruptly. "Isn't this absurd? How can the nonsense of two children be taken seriously? Instead of dissuading them, he joined in their folly! This is utterly lawless! Guards, bring Xiao Youchuan to me!"
Feng Ziheng knew this would happen, and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I originally thought the same thing. But I have worked with Prince Ning for nearly two years and have quite a good understanding of his character. Since he was brought back, he has been working diligently, and it is because of his hard work and integrity that there have been no setbacks..."
"what do you mean……"
Feng Ziheng said, "I don't think I have the same keen sense as Prince Ning. Perhaps he has really discovered something wrong? If there are indeed disloyal people around the Third Prince, it would be best to find out."
The Emperor pondered for a moment. Although he was annoyed by Prince Ning's impulsiveness, he felt that Feng Ziheng was more right. The people around the Third Prince before were not very reliable, and things only improved after he replaced them all.
But he was, after all, the emperor, and couldn't possibly keep track of everything the third prince did. So much time had passed; those with ulterior motives might have taken further action, allowing Prince Ning to uncover everything at once and eliminate any future worries.
However, even with this thought, he still couldn't let the matter of Si Jing'an falsely accusing the third brother of murder go unpunished.
"In that case, then order someone to arrest Si Jing'an and that Wan... Wan what?"
"Wan Cheng".
"They should be detained, and they need not be released until this matter is resolved."
The Emperor, with a thunderous voice, made the decision and ordered Feng Ziheng to handle it.
Feng Ziheng agreed. After coming out, he saw that it was already dawn. He took a deep breath, looked around, and saw Lord Kuang coming in this direction.
He lowered his eyes, a worried look on his face.
Lord Kuang indeed stepped forward to inquire, "Your Highness looks troubled. Is there something troubling you? Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Sigh." Feng Ziheng sighed, "It's the Si family brat who caused trouble. It's really... worrying. As you know, the Feng family and the Si family have no dealings. But this matter was ordered by His Majesty, who commanded me to personally oversee the operation and take down that Si family brat."
Since it was the Emperor who gave the order, it's not appropriate to ask others for help.
After exchanging pleasantries, Feng Ziheng hurried off to carry out his duties.
Lord Kuang's eyes flickered, but he had other ideas in mind. He turned around and headed towards the courtyard where the Si family lived.
When the entire Si family learned that Si Jing'an was going to be imprisoned, they were all stunned.
"Young man, weren't you with the Third Prince? What did you do to deserve being imprisoned?"
But no one could give them an answer.
Si Muyan pondered for a moment and said, "The matter has not yet come to light. Someone came to deliver a message to us, wanting us to plead with the Emperor."