Chapter 203: The Popular Choice?

Ziwei Ward, Princess Xingguos Residence.

The noble families, still shaken from the previous night’s terror, gathered within Wangqiu Hall.

The noblewomen were seated according to their rank, their distance from Princess Xingguo arranged accordingly.

After recounting the crimes of Prince Anping, Lady Xu, the concubine of Prince Huanyang seated at the head of the right side, leaned forward slightly with an expression of perfectly measured anxiety. ‘Prince Anping committed such treasonous acts; he truly deserves his punishment. Women like myself are shallow in our understanding, and in the past, I failed to see that Prince Anping was such an unfaithful and unfilial man.’

At this point, her voice trembled, and she slowly stood up and knelt, wiping away tears. ‘At the beginning of the year, for the birthday of the Princess consort of Prince Anping, I gifted her a hundred bolts of Beijing brocade, a Kesi silk screen, and a hu of pearls from the East Sea. Thinking about it now, if these items were used to fund their treason, I would deserve death a thousand times over.’

The hall fell silent in an instant.

The ladies held their breath, focusing intently.

In the far reaches of Wangqiu Hall, nearly at the entrance, Lin Fuyao sat with her two children.

She had to strain her ears to hear Lady Xu, and upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but whisper to Jiang Yuan with a hint of schadenfreude, ‘Look at that. Now that Chen Duan has confessed his crimes, they all claim to be’shallow in understanding.’ They are all sharper than the last.’

With Chen Duan having confessed, the confiscation of the Prince’s Residence was inevitable.

When that time came, letters and gift lists exchanged with various families would inevitably be discovered in the residence.

A few months ago, he was still the heir apparent. Regardless of who each family supported, giving gifts during festivals and maintaining relationships was unavoidable.

Lady Xu was asking for forgiveness on behalf of everyone, and also taking the opportunity to test the intentions of Princess Xingguo.

After all, they were just’shallow women,’ so even if they had made mistakes, it was understandable.

They were trying their best to avoid implicating their respective husbands.

At the head of the hall, Princess Xingguo lowered her eyes slightly. Her jade fingers held a sky-blue teacup, and she unhurriedly skimmed the froth again and again.

The porcelain lid tapped against the rim of the cup, producing a faint scraping sound that was exceptionally clear in the pin-drop silence of the hall.

She repeated the same action over and over again.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Just then, she suddenly looked up, as if she had only just noticed the silence in the hall and the gazes focused on her. A gentle smile quickly spread across her face. ‘Why are all you ladies so reserved? The tea is getting cold. Please, have a taste; this is the new Mingqian tea offered as tribute this spring.’

The noblewomen awoke as if from a dream and hurriedly reached for the teacups by their sides.

However, their minds were not yet settled, and their hands were inevitably unsteady. For a moment, the hall was filled with the chaotic clinking of lids against cups, and some tea even spilled, adding a touch of awkwardness and panic.

Princess Xingguo, however, chose this moment to say unexpectedly, ‘Exchanges during the holidays and social visits are unavoidable. After all, Chen Duan once presided over various rituals and sacrifices on behalf of Your Majesty. I naturally understand everyone’s difficulties.’

Upon hearing such frank words, a collective sigh of relief was clearly audible throughout the hall.

A few who had not experienced much of the world even subconsciously patted their chests.

‘However~’

But immediately, Princess Xingguo’s tone took a sharp turn. ‘Thoroughly investigating the traitorous faction and purging the remnants is a matter of national importance. The imperial court will carefully adjudicate this case, striving to bring the truth to light and ensuring that not a single person escapes justice.’

After saying this, she raised her hand from a distance, gesturing for Lady Xu, who was still kneeling on the ground, to rise. ‘Rise, Concubine. Your intentions show your loyalty; I will not let you be wrongly accused.’

In the back room, Lin Hansu, separated by a gauze curtain, unconsciously tightened her grip on her sleeves, a surge of indescribable fervor and envy welling up in her heart.

Turning clouds with one hand and rain with the other—the ability of Your Highness to control the rhythm of the conversation and the emotions of the crowd truly filled her with admiration.

If she had this ability, she would be able to make Xu Jiuxi roll her eyes in frustration during an argument!

She wanted to share her admiration with Zhao Yan and Ruan Ruan, but when she turned around, she saw that the two little ones, who had been by her side just a moment ago, had slipped out at some point.

Since they were in the Princesss Residence anyway, she didn’t pay it much mind.

In the main hall, Princess Xingguo swept her gaze across the room with a gentle look, asking as if making casual conversation, ‘Thoroughly investigating the remnants concerns the stability of the nation; it requires someone who is impartial, upright, and loyal. You ladies have long resided in Central Heaven and are well-informed. Do you have any candidates in mind to recommend for this task?’

This was… a bit against the rules.

How could one ask women about the appointment and dismissal of court officials?

The women looked at each other, trying to guess the intentions of Princess Xingguo.

After a brief silence, Lady Zhang, the matriarch of the Yu family of Central Heaven, stood up and bowed. ‘Your Highness, this commoner woman dares to speak: Prince of Linping is of the noble Bloodline of Your Majesty, and he is resolute and decisive. It would be entirely appropriate for him to preside over this case.’

Once these words were spoken, the Princess consort of Prince Leyang also nodded repeatedly, expressing her agreement.

But the hearts of the others couldn’t help but tighten.

Prince of Linping, Chen Hong, had an old grudge against Chen Duan, and he was known to be narrow-minded, greedy for wealth, and lecherous. If he were to adjudicate the remnants of Chen Duan’s faction, the families that had previously had dealings with Prince Anping, even if they weren’t convicted, would likely be extorted by him.

Princess Xingguo heard this, a smile touching her lips, and she nodded slightly. ‘Chen Hong is indeed capable. Since taking office as the Governor of Central Heaven, he has cracked down on illicit merchants and sought justice for the people.’

After first offering praise, her tone shifted slightly. ‘However, he already bears the heavy burden of the Central Heaven Prefecture. If we were to pile on the complex and meticulous task of investigating the traitorous faction—a job that requires unraveling every thread—it might be too much of a strain on him.’

With those words, Chen Hong was effectively ruled out.

Just as everyone was racking their brains to think of who else was suitable, they suddenly heard someone at the far end of the hall, near the entrance, speak up rashly: ‘Your Highness, why not let the Duke of Chu County take on this task!’

‘…’

Everyone turned their heads in unison to look.

Lin Fuyao was paralyzed with fright, wanting to reach out and drag her reckless son back.

But Jiang Xuan had already stepped forward. His face bore the frankness typical of a youth who had not yet experienced the ways of the world. ‘Last night, it was the Lord who led his troops to protect everyone’s safety! He is highly skilled in martial arts, loyal to Your Majesty and Your Highness, and has been commended by Your Majesty many times.’

A few stifled laughs rippled through the hall, mocking Jiang Xuan’s usage of the phrase ‘highly skilled’.

But more people began to think about it seriously.

Although this son of a concubine was incoherent, he had unintentionally reminded everyone of one thing: the Lord had just protected them, and he had no conflicts of interest with their families. Having him investigate the Prince Anping case was indeed more reassuring than having Chen Hong do it.

Princess Xingguo, seated at the head of the hall, let her gaze pass over the crowd and fall upon the youth. She frowned slightly, pondering for a moment, as if she had finally managed to recall who this person was. ‘The Duke of Chu County… what do you all think?’

‘Your Highness, the Duke of Chu County has repeatedly rendered great service to the nation! This concubine believes he is the right person for the job!’

After Lady Xu, the concubine of Prince Huanyang, realized this, she was the first to express her stance.

Her son was a sworn brother of Ding Suian. If Ding Suian were to investigate the case, he certainly wouldn’t make things difficult for her family!

Although Lady Xu was a concubine, her status was quite special. Prince Huanyang, Gao Shizhen, had three sons. During the Southern Expedition last year, his eldest and second sons both died on the battlefield.

Gao Gan, the third son born of a concubine, instantly became the first and only heir of Prince Huanyang.

She rose in status because of her son.

As soon as she spoke, other ladies who also did not want Chen Hong to preside over the case followed suit, collectively recommending Ding Suian.

Princess Xingguo let out a chuckle and said, ‘Unexpectedly, this Duke of Chu County is so favored by you all. Let me consider it carefully.’

In the back room, Lin Hansu felt an inexplicable sense of strangeness.

To appoint someone to investigate the remnants of Prince Anping, Your Highness could have decided it with a single word, yet she chose to bring it up for discussion.

It was as if she were deliberately testing the attitudes of each family.

My Young Master is not even a member of the royal family; what is the point of Your Highness doing this?