When had His Highness Duke of Qin ever visited the justice courts, much less visited anyone in prison?
News of Qin Wangfei's imprisonment had already spread like wildfire. The crown prince was still under treatment and the emperor had yet to convict anyone, so everyone was more interested in the Duke of Qin's movements. But who knew that he'd come directly to the prisons without even entering the palace?
Official Ouyang of the justice courts was naturally one of Emperor Tianhui's men, but he didn't dare to slight His Highness Duke of Qin. With His Highness Duke of Qin's schemes and methods, he could easily remove his official hat at any time.
Between Emperor Tianhui and His Highness Duke of Qin, even a third-rank official like him had to tread carefully as if he were treading on thin ice.
Originally, Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue had been separated into different prison cells and treated like normal prisoners. Official Ouyang had even prepared a torture chamber for them to await Emperor Tianhui's orders.
As soon as he heard His Highness Duke of Qin's arrival, Official Ouyang arranged for them to be placed in clean and comfortable cells in the prisons. Each of them had their own cell separated by an iron gate and treated with the highest standards.
As for why Long Feiye was visiting the prisons in a high-profile manner, that was because he'd ordered someone to report his intentions before he even arrived at the justice courts. This meant that … the justice courts had to formally receive him.
A carriage bearing the Duke of Qin's insignia stopped in front of the justice courts' main gates. Long Fei Ye was dressed in fine robes as he stepped off the carriage on the back of a servant. He was handsome and aloof, noble and inviolable.
All of the doors of the justice courts were wide open. Official Ouyang and all of the officials knelt at the foot of the steps to welcome him. It was a spectacular sight, so it was hard for the entire capital not to know that the Duke of Qin had come to visit.
How was this a prison visit? Those who didn't know better might even think that His Highness Duke of Qin had come to inspect the justice courts!
But Long Fei Ye didn't place any importance on their respect. He walked past Official Ouyang and said Cold, "Still not leading the way?"
"Yes, yes!" Official Ouyang hurriedly got up and personally led the way. This was his first time seeing His Highness Duke of Qin up close, but he was so intimidated by his cold and solemn aura that he didn't even dare to raise his head.
Long Fei Ye did not ask anything along the way and went straight to the prison. Unfortunately, he bumped into Han Yunxi from afar. She was leaning against the iron gate and whispering to Gu Beiyue. The two of them were whispering to each other intimately.
He stopped abruptly and watched without batting an eyelid. Even His Highness Duke of Qin would get jealous? Did this man, who made countless women go crazy, need to be jealous?
Lord Ouyang and the rest who were following by the side didn't know what was going on and didn't dare to make a sound. Lord Ouyang mustered up his courage and carefully raised his head. When he glanced at Long Fei Ye, he immediately broke out in cold sweat and didn't dare to raise his head again!
Heaven knows what a frosty face it was!
Lord Ouyang began to doubt whether his arrangement of the prison cells was right or wrong.
Amidst the silence, the air grew tense.
It wasn't until Han Yunxi inadvertently turned her head and saw them that everyone let out a sigh of relief. It was as if something big would have happened if she hadn't looked over.
Han Yunxi hadn't expected this. She'd only entered at dawn, but Long Fei Ye had arrived in just half a day. She knew that even if Zhao mama didn't say anything, this guy would quickly find out about this matter. She just hadn't expected him to come here.
She had just been discussing this matter with Gu Beiyue. Apart from the people of Medicine City, no one else would be able to help them.
Long Fei Ye should be very clear about this.
He was on good terms with the Wang Clan of Medicine City. It shouldn't be difficult for Duke Wang to come forward and find the Council of Elders.
Han Yunxi didn't mention any of this to Gu Beiyue. She was only puzzled. What was this guy doing here instead of going to the Wang Clan?
Of course, no matter what he was here for, she'd be safe now that he was here. Han Yunxi didn't hide the pleasant surprise in her eyes as they shone brightly.
"Greetings to Your Highness Duke of Qin."
Gu Beiyue bowed. Han Yunxi murmured, "Your Highness …"
Long Fei Ye didn't say anything. As soon as he approached, Official Ouyang hurried forward to open the lock. Unexpectedly, not only did Long Fei Ye have no intention of entering, he even questioned him Coldly, "Official Ouyang, who allowed you to open the lock of a criminal personally appointed by His Majesty?"
Uh …
Everyone was startled by these words. Even Han Yunxi was taken aback. She didn't understand what he meant.
Gu Beiyue stood in the shadows, so his expression couldn't be seen. However, Long Fei Ye didn't allow him to rise. He maintained his salute from beginning to end.
Official Ouyang was even more confused. He stepped back and said, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is right. This official has failed in his duty."
Long Fei Ye didn't enter, but he couldn't just stand there. Official Ouyang hurriedly ordered someone to bring a chair for him to sit outside the cell. Tea, pastries, and incense were all served.
Long Fei Ye lazily sat down. He wasn't in a hurry to speak. If he didn't speak, Han Yunxi, who didn't understand the situation, wouldn't speak. This made Official Ouyang very anxious.
He was at a loss!
What did His Highness Duke of Qin mean by this attitude? Should he tactfully step aside and let His Highness and esteemed wangfei speak alone? Or should he continue to stand guard here and listen to what they had to say?
"Official Ouyang, His Majesty has imprisoned the criminal in the justice courts. Are you in charge of this case?" Long Fei Ye finally spoke.
"Yes." Official Ouyang didn't dare to reveal too much. He complained inwardly. How was His Highness Duke of Qin here to visit him? He was simply here to interrogate him.
"When will the trial begin?" Long Fei Ye asked again.
"This official is also waiting for His Majesty's orders." Official Ouyang really didn't know.
"According to the law, can Qin Wangfei be bailed out until the trial begins?" Long Fei Ye asked again.
So Long Fei Ye had come to bail her out. At least this guy still had a bit of humanity. Han Yunxi's heart finally relaxed.
"Your Highness, according to the law … a criminal personally appointed by His Majesty cannot be bailed out, unless …"
Before Official Ouyang could finish speaking, Long Fei Ye raised his hand to indicate that he didn't need to explain. His attitude had taken a 180-degree turn. "The Son of Heaven is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Official Ouyang is an impartial person worthy of praise."
Official Ouyang was overwhelmed by the favor and didn't know how to reply. Han Yunxi hadn't expected this at all. She creased her brows and stared at Long Fei Ye.
Just why had he come?!
Long Fei Ye's eyes were calm as he prepared to continue speaking. But it was then that an announcement came in. "Qinwang Rong has arrived …"
Qinwang Rong!
Who was Qinwang Rong?
Tianning's nobility was divided into six ranks: Wang, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron. "Wang" was a direct descendant of the imperial clan.
In terms of status, Qinwang Rong and the Duke of Qin were both Qinwang. But in terms of seniority, both the Duke of Qin and Emperor Tianhui had to call Qinwang Rong "imperial uncle."
Qinwang Rong was the late emperor's younger brother!
Qinwang Rong was the number one official who'd helped the late emperor conquer the country. After the late emperor ascended the throne, he'd retired from the scene and rarely interfered with court affairs. Although he had no power in name, he had a high reputation within the imperial clan. When the late emperor was still alive, he was the one who had the most say by his side.
During the struggle for the throne, various factions had tried their best to rope him in, but Qinwang Rong had always remained neutral. He'd never favored any of the princes.
Now that Tianning was under Emperor Tianhui's rule, this old qinwang who'd rejected him in the past still had the right to speak. Whether it was Emperor Tianhui or the Duke of Qin, they had to respectfully call him Imperial Uncle whenever they saw him.
Who would've thought that Qinwang Rong would show up at a time like this? Why had he come?
Had Emperor Tianhui invited him here to intimidate His Highness Duke of Qin? But that didn't seem likely. After all, Qinwang Rong hadn't shown his face during the struggle for the throne, but he still doted on His Highness Duke of Qin the most.
Official Ouyang was about to go greet him when Qinwang Rong arrived.
His thick eyebrows reached his temples, and his eyes were bright and spirited. Although he was old and his hair had turned white, he still looked luxurious and majestic. His scholarly robes couldn't hide the stern and dignified air of a man who'd spent half his life on the military.
Han Yunxi had long heard of this Qinwang Rong's illustrious name. Besides Long Fei Ye, this old qinwang was the most respected of all the princes in Tianning.
What kind of wind was blowing today to bring Tianning's most respected prince here? The justice courts were honored to shine with golden splendor!
No one else knew why Qinwang Rong had shown up, but Han Yunxi had an inkling. It looked like news of Mama Su had reached this old qinwang's ears.
Long Fei Ye rose to his feet and even said respectfully, "Imperial Uncle, long time no see."
Han Yunxi followed the others in making deep bows. "Greetings to Qinwang Rong. May Qinwang Rong live thousands and thousands of years!"
Qinwang Rong didn't even consider Han Yunxi worthy of his attention. He didn't even spare her a glance as he sat down in Long Fei Ye's seat. "Feiye, your lordship just heard about this and came to take a look. I'm not bothering you, am I?"
Long Fei Ye didn't answer directly. Instead, he said Cold, "Han Yunxi, why haven't you thanked Imperial Uncle for his concern?"
Han Yunxi expressed her thanks, but Qinwang Rong didn't accept it. Instead, he laughed coldly. "Your lordship came for the crown prince. I came specifically to see what kind of despicable woman dared to swindle her way into the palace and plot against the crown prince!"
Silence fell upon the crowd at his words.
Han Yunxi clenched her fists and prepared to retort, but Long Fei Ye said, "If she wasn't the daughter of the empress dowager's savior, would His Majesty have trusted her so easily? It's a pity … "
Long Fei Ye didn't finish his sentence, but only gave a light, mocking laugh.
Han Yunxi looked at him in disbelief. Belatedly, she realized that this guy hadn't come to bail her out at all, but to express his stance and draw a clear line between them!
Because of Mama Su's matter, the great changes in the court, the crown prince's illness, and Qinwang Rong's appearance, he was going to abandon the rook to save the king?
How could he be this kind of person?
Han Yunxi tightly clenched her teeth. Her anger towards Long Fei Ye overshadowed her dissatisfaction towards Qinwang Rong. She didn't want to believe it.
Because he already knew that he would throw her out one day, was that why he refused to tell her all his secrets?
She really had been willing all along. For the first time, Han Yunxi discovered that she was pitifully stupid.
Long Fei Ye's attitude also surprised Qinwang Rong. However, Qinwang Rong was a shrewd old man, not a calf that was easy to scare.
"Han Congan has already misdiagnosed once, and now this kind of thing has happened. In your lordship's opinion, the Han family must be exterminated as a warning to others!" He said Coldly.
The Han family was what Han Yunxi cared about the most. He didn't expect that Long Fei Ye would actually agree. "After the case is settled, severe punishment must be meted out. Your lordship came today specifically to inform Official Ouyang that there's no need to have misgivings about this lordship's face. Everything must be done according to the law. "
As he spoke, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Official Ouyang is a fair and just person. Your lordship was just praising him."
Official Ouyang was already dumbfounded by His Highness the Duke of Qin's attitude. He thought that since Qinwang Rong had already made an appearance, the Duke of Qin would probably yield to His Majesty. It was just a woman, so what should be lost would still be lost.
"Your Highness is too kind. Impartiality is this official's duty. This official definitely won't disappoint Your Majesty!"
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