lovenovelstory Chapter 65 A Subtle Shift in Concepts [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Chapter 65 A Subtle Shift in Concepts [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
"Grandfather!"
Yang Yan's voice rang out again in the hall. This time, it was no longer the impassioned speech from before, but rather a voice filled with heartache and indignation.
"In my opinion, Liu Wenchang's death is no small matter! And the truth behind it is extremely suspicious!"
The atmosphere in the imperial court, which had been slightly relaxed because of Yang Jian's words "like me," was instantly tightened again by these few words.
The officials looked at each other, thinking to themselves: Has the Prince of Changning gone mad? His Majesty has already decreed that this matter be dropped, labeling it as "arrogance," thus saving his life. Why is he still so relentlessly courting disaster?
Yang Su slightly raised his eyelids, and a glint of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes.
This kid isn't just trying to get away with his crime.
He's going to... bite back!
"My grandson impersonated someone else to take the exam, which is absurd and morally reprehensible. I am willing to accept the punishment. Even if my grandson's reputation is ruined as a result, it will only be a laughing stock in the royal family and will not have any real impact on the imperial examination ceremony."
Yang Yan's voice suddenly rose: "But! A scholar who has traveled thousands of miles to the capital to take the imperial examination, with the ambition to serve his country, has died mysteriously on the eve of the examination, right under the emperor's nose and within the capital. Furthermore, if someone of ill intent were to expose that I took the exam for someone else, the very foundation of the imperial examination system would be damaged!"
"It wasn't just a scholar who died!"
"What is being shaken is the law of our Great Sui Dynasty! The dignity of our court! And even more so, the golden reputation of our Imperial Grandfather, who 'appointed only the talented'!"
Yang Yan stepped forward, pointing outside the hall as if thousands of impoverished scholars stood there: "I ask Your Majesty, I ask all the officials, if this matter is not thoroughly investigated, what will the scholars of the world think? What will the people think?"
"They'll think that Daxing City is a den of dragons and tigers! They'll think that going to the capital to seek fame and fortune is just a scam! They'll think that the lives of poor people are as worthless as weeds in the eyes of the powerful!"
"If the true culprit is not thoroughly investigated and brought to justice, it will likely discourage scholars from all over the land!"
boom!
These words were powerful and resounding.
This "using someone else's strength against them" tactic is used to its fullest potential!
Yang Guang, who had been maintaining that pained expression, now looked as if he had been slapped hard across the face, his muscles twitching uncontrollably.
His original plan was to use Liu Wenchang's death to frame Yang Yan as a "murder suspect," or at least as someone "morally deficient."
But now, with a gentle nudge, Yang Yan has completely escalated the nature of the problem.
It's no longer a question of "whether the imperial grandson committed murder," but rather "the dignity of the national law and the support of the people!"
If we don't investigate, it means the court is incompetent, and His Majesty doesn't value those from humble backgrounds; if we do investigate...
Liu Wenchang is indeed beyond dead, and his actions have been thoroughly investigated, but who can guarantee that under the thunderous wrath of someone like Yang Jian, those mad dogs from the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice won't actually find some clues?
You know, there are no secrets in this world, especially when the emperor wants to tear down a wall!
Yang Yan stood there, looking at Yang Guang across from him whose expression had changed slightly, and sneered inwardly.
Second Uncle, if you want to muddy the water, then I'll help you muddy it even more!
Since you say there's a murder case, then let's investigate the murder case!
Let's see whose mess they're messing up!
On the throne.
Yang Jian's gaze instantly sharpened.
Those eyes slowly moved away from Yang Yan's righteous and awe-inspiring face and swept over Yang Guang, who was standing to the side trying to remain calm.
Then, the blame fell on the Imperial Censor Yuan Xiaosun, who was already drenched in sweat and whose legs were trembling, and on the Prefect of the Capital, who wished he could bury his head in his crotch.
The main hall was deathly silent.
Everyone felt the oppressive aura emanating from the emperor.
Yang Jian wasn't stupid.
From Yang Yan's words, "Why choose to kill in the capital?", he had already roughly guessed the whole story.
In the end, it was nothing more than a clumsy drama of princes vying for the throne.
Although Yang Guang, in order to strike at the crown prince, even extended his reach into the imperial examination system, he did not hesitate to commit murder in the capital!
This definitely crossed Yang Jian's bottom line.
But can he investigate?
If we really investigate further, what if we find out that it was Prince Jin who ordered the murder to frame the eldest grandson of the emperor?
What about the dignity of the imperial family? What about the prestige of the Sui Dynasty?
Yang Jian took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and disappointment.
He looked at Yang Yan with a complicated expression.
This child is forcing the emperor to take a stand; he's forcing him to express his opinion on Yang Guang's position.
He's somewhat clever, but still too naive; he doesn't understand the art of ruling.
Such family scandals should not be exposed to the light of day.
"The Jingzhao Prefecture will investigate on its own. Why should a prince like you worry about this?" Yang Jian said calmly.
But this seemingly casual remark set the tone for the matter: it was forbidden to discuss it publicly in the court anymore, and it was to be left to be "handled" by those below.
That is to say, that's the end of it.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan was not disappointed. He knew, of course, that Yang Jian would not actually investigate Yang Guang on the spot; that was a pipe dream.
His purpose was ultimately very simple: to show his fangs, to let Yang Jian know that he had been framed, and at the same time to let Yang Guang know that he was not a pushover to be easily manipulated!
At the same time, Yang Guang should be made aware of the dire consequences of this matter. Anyone who brings it up again will be going against Yang Jian.
Now, the goal has been achieved.
Knowing when to quit while you're ahead is the way to survive.
"Grandson knows his crime!"
Yang Yan did not hesitate at all, nor did he offer any further explanation. He simply kowtowed again without hesitation.
"Your grandson is young and impetuous, and has acted recklessly, violating the laws of the land. He is willing to accept all punishment from his imperial grandfather without uttering a single complaint!"
This smooth combo made Yang Su, who was standing next to him, secretly praise him: "Good lad, he knows when to advance and retreat, he's a tough character."
Just a moment ago he was acting like a fighter who was advocating for the poor and needy, but in the blink of an eye he turned into an obedient and docile grandson.
This "at-willed" attitude actually made Yang Jian hesitate to take action.
beat?
Yang Yan had already been flogged in the Daxing Hall for this matter.
If he were to punish him even more severely, wouldn't that make him, the imperial grandfather, appear to be a fickle and treacherous person, or even suppress his grandson's "ambition"?
After all, the boy was his own grandson, and the boy's explanation of the imperial examination system still amazed him when he thought about it now.
Yang Jian tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, then suddenly turned his gaze to Yang Guang.
Since you're the one who caused this mess, you're the one who has to clean it up.
"Deceiving the emperor is a grave crime. What is the Prince of Jin's opinion on how to handle this?!"
All eyes turned to Yang Guang.
Yang Guang cursed inwardly—that old geezer!
If he were to suggest severe punishment or even killing Yang Yan, it would only confirm his reputation as "narrow-minded and cruel to his own brothers," which would not only be useless but would also make him appear to have ulterior motives in this matter.
After all, Yang Jian had just praised Yang Yan for "resembling me," so to call for war at this moment would be to slap the emperor in the face.
But what if he says a light punishment, or no punishment at all?
So what was the point of all that fuss he just did? Wasn't he just contradicting himself? And it would make the officials think he had no principles and treated the law like a joke.