Chapter 719: Chapter 160: Heaven’s Change (Part 3)
Three major cases, from which he gained considerable profit from the Cheng Prince Mansion case.
While the Third Prince suffered heavy losses due to the Righteous Law Pavilion case!
With these gains and losses, the gap between the two immediately widened.
At present, it seems the Third Prince has almost lost the qualification to continue competing for succession!
This change has even more far-reaching implications than the dismissal of the three cabinet officials!
“Is there anyone else with a petition?”
After dealing with Mi Han, the Emperor asked.
“Your Majesty, I have a petition!”
At the end of the line, near the door, the gray-haired He Jian stepped forward.
The Emperor said expressionlessly: “Speak.”
He Jian bowed and said:
“The Righteous Law Pavilion case was reported by me. I believe there is surely a bigger mastermind behind this case, and it is related to someone within the royal family!”
This statement caused a stir among the courtiers.
Many turned their heads towards He Jian, their eyes full of astonishment.
They only felt that this old man was truly daring!
The Emperor had severely punished those buyers and disciplined a Deputy Pavilion Master, already displaying firm actions, clearly indicating no intent to delve deeper.
But He Jian was still relentless.
“Your Majesty, I also have a petition!”
At this moment, a youthful voice rang out.
A golden figure emerged from the queue, it was indeed Li Fei!
He cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty previously instructed me to investigate the assassination at the Heavenly Altar. I cooperated with Lord He in the investigation and have uncovered many key clues. Earlier, I even captured a vital witness, leaving only the final step to solve the case!
But unfortunately, this vital witness died within the Righteous Law Pavilion, and Lord He happened to discover the Righteous Law Pavilion’s involvement in trafficking Exotic Beasts and Magic Artifacts during the investigation.”
The Emperor looked at Li Fei expressionlessly: “What do you want to say?”
Li Fei: “I wish to say that the Righteous Law Pavilion case should be investigated further. Surely more clues can be found, which will not only uncover the mastermind but also solve the Heavenly Altar assassination case!”
Upon exiting customs, he immediately applied to enter the palace for an audience with the Emperor.
Back then, the Emperor expended much effort for his affairs and provided full support.
Now he resolved his issues, naturally, he wished to report to the Emperor at the earliest opportunity.
But the Emperor did not meet him.
For the past five days, Li Fei had been applying daily for the audience but was rejected each time.
When the Emperor learned he intended to pursue ‘Cultivating Martial Arts, Refining Body into a Weapon,’ he expressed opposition.
But Li Fei did not heed and still insisted on this path that no one had successfully taken before.
Disregarding the outcome, this choice essentially betrayed the Emperor’s trust and regard for him.
An eligible loyal minister should not make such a choice.
But from the beginning, Li Fei knew he could never become the loyal minister the Emperor desired in his heart.
The Emperor’s refusal to see him was to reprimand him.
Li Fei understood this clearly.
Just like he understood now, the Emperor did not intend to further investigate the Righteous Law Pavilion case, but he still chose to stand out and support He Jian.
The Emperor ignored Li Fei and looked at Lou Hongtao:
“Lord Lou, you were responsible for investigating the Righteous Law Pavilion case, did you find any connection between this case and the Heavenly Altar assassination case?”
Lou Hongtao immediately replied: “I found no connection.”
Only then did the Emperor look at Li Fei: “Li Fei, did you hear?”
Li Fei: “Someone within the Righteous Law Pavilion colluded with the New Heaven Association, which is now the prime suspect in the Heavenly Altar assassination case. Thus, I believe further investigation into the Righteous Law Pavilion case will surely yield results!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a cabinet minister from the Monitoring Pavilion stepped out of the queue:
“Your Majesty, I was also part of the investigation of the Righteous Law Pavilion case. All those buyers have confessed; the evidence is conclusive with no mastermind, and no involvement from the New Heaven Association. I believe it’s unnecessary to repeat the investigation based on an uncertain assumption. If the Monitoring Pavilion has time and resources, they would be better spent on unresolved cases.”
After he finished speaking, more officials stepped up.
These people all opposed Li Fei and He Jian’s suggestion to further investigate the Righteous Law Pavilion case.
After everyone expressed their opinions, the Emperor made the decisive conclusion:
“The Righteous Law Pavilion case ends here.”
Li Fei’s expression remained unchanged.
He had actually anticipated this outcome for a long time.
He chose to stand out only to share the ‘fire’ with He Jian.
Just as he promised He Jian, the latter needed only to focus on the investigation, while he would handle everything else!
To this point, two of the three major cases had concluded completely.
Only the Gansheng World Entry Conference case remained unresolved.
Li Fei and He Jian still had a chance.
“Is there anyone else with a petition?”
The Emperor asked again.
Just when everyone thought today’s grand court session should end, a figure suddenly stood up from the seats.
Ye Ze’an walked to the center and cupped his hands to the Emperor:
“Your Majesty, I have a petition.”
The Emperor looked at the Grand Secretary: “What does the Grand Secretary wish to propose?”
Ye Ze’an raised his head and said boldly:
“Your Majesty, today in court these three major cases each have their own cause and effect, but at their core, I believe the three cases point to the same issue.”
“The court’s oversight on local matters is insufficient!”
Ye Ze’an revealed the answer:
“The Gansheng World Entry Conference case is particularly apparent, no need to elaborate further.
The Cheng Prince Mansion case, though the culprits committed their crimes under the Emperor’s domain, they colluded with the New Heaven Association, and those illegal activities took place elsewhere.
The Righteous Law Pavilion case is likewise; those buyers are scattered throughout the regions.
Although the court has set up Inspection Bureaus, Inspection General Office, and Inspection Department across the regions, stagnant water is not clear for long, the lack of movement among local officials led to persistent loopholes in the inspection system.”