Miss Truth
Chapter 318 - 200: The Dragon’s Wrath_2

Chapter 318: Chapter 200: The Dragon’s Wrath_2

As the Chief Historian in Li Ke’s residence, Quan Wanji should have rectified Li Ke’s behavior. His failure to uphold Li Ke’s morals is a crime worthy of death! Li Shimin said this, mostly to save his own face - it was not his son’s fault for the error, but that of the people around him who failed to advise him properly.

Liu Fan, as straightforward as Wei Zheng, immediately retorted, "Even Fang Xuanling, serving Your Majesty, cannot stop you from hunting, how can we solely blame Wanji!"

His point was that Fang Xuanling was an Imperial Minister and still unable to stop Your Majesty from hunting, how could we solely blame Quan Wanji for his crime!

Fang Xuanling, who was directly named, remained unfazed, imperturbable as thunder.

Li Shimin had intended to recover his dignity, but instead ended up more embarrassed. He suddenly rose to his feet, fiercely kicked over the table in front of him. Along with a loud crash, overwhelming anger swept through the hall, and afterward, the hall was filled only with the sounds of shattered porcelain and falling documents. The slaves in the hall were terrified into prostration.

Li Shimin snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and left. Striding ahead, the maids couldn’t keep up, and the bead curtains rattled loudly as he brushed through them.

There was a silence in the great hall, the temple workers lay on the ground for a long while before they recovered. Slowly easing their emotions, they called out in a sharp voice, "Court is dismissed!"

Then, starting with Grand Chancellor such as Fang Xuanling, the elder statesmen began to exit the hall in succession.

A group of officials, in clusters of twos and threes, were abuzz with discussion as they descended the front steps. Today’s morning court could truly be described as dramatic and stirring...

Grand Chancellor like Fang Xuanling and others of elder statesmen status, after descending the steps, naturally turned towards Zichen Palace. Zichen Palace has pavilions on both sides, where the emperor discusses matters with high officials, so typically in the Tang Dynasty, promoting senior officials was referred to as "entering the cabinet", and these officials were also revered as Elders.

"Minister Wei truly deserves to be Minister Wei. Just in May, he wrote a lengthy admonition ’Ten Considerations to Remind Taizong’, and today he offended the three departments in one fell swoop..."

The group of officials who were whispering quietly, saw the gloomy-faced people from the three departments passing by, furious, and suddenly fell silent.

Who among the three departments is easy to provoke? One need not mention the Ministry of Criminal Justice and the Ministry of Justice, if caught by someone from the Imperial Censorate and reported, it’s no joking matter.

Upon leaving the front hall, the officials quickly suppressed their gossipy hearts and hurried to their respective government offices.

Xiao Song saw Zhang Liang, nodded slightly as a greeting, and without exchanging words, the two walked together through the snow-covered path towards the Ministry of Criminal Justice.

It was only in a secluded spot that Zhang Liang finally spoke, "You handled the situation brilliantly."

"You flatter me, Minister Zhang," Xiao Song replied with a smile.

Zhang Liang glanced at him, relaxed his expression, patted him on the shoulder, and with a laugh said, "Your temperament is really the polar opposite of Duke Song."

Xiao Yu was strict and inflexible, righteous and straightforward, speaking concisely and directly at court, repeatedly defying the emperor’s will. Xiao Song, on the other hand, was just the opposite.

To this, Xiao Song merely smiled without a word.

The case was already in the hands of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, handled by Xiao Song. However, as he delved deeper, he found the case to be extensively interconnected, so he simply kicked it over to the Ministry of Justice, then "accidentally" revealed the stakes involved to the Imperial Censorate. Despite the Imperial Censorate frequently submitting accusations, when it came to significant matters, even they had their moments of leniency.

Thus, the agencies kept passing the case back and forth, but it could not be left unresolved, for if the missing person were not found, the victim’s family would sooner or later file another complaint. Xiao Song then simply implemented a small scheme, forcing others to bring the matter to Wei Zheng.

It was best for Wei Zheng to expose the affair, as it presented an opportunity to drag more people into the water. When the case was solved and someone sought revenge, the Ministry of Criminal Justice would not have to bear it alone.

The entire matter was orchestrated and implemented by Xiao Song, while Zhang Liang timely dragged the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Censorate into it in the court.

After midday, snow began to drift in the sky again.

In the Ran residence, they were packing Ran Yunsheng’s luggage; they had already decided to let him stay at Xiao Song’s residence for two days. The letter sent in the morning had just passed noon when Liu Qingsong came to pick him up.

"Achoo!" Liu Qingsong covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, sitting in the hall withered like a frost-bitten eggplant.

Ran Pingyu said worriedly, "It truly troubles Doctor Liu to come in person to pick up my son while ill. Doctor Liu, I hope it’s nothing serious?"

Ran Yunsheng certainly sought Xiao Song’s residence, but arriving uninvited with luggage would have been somewhat awkward, so Liu Qingsong personally came to fetch him.

"I caught a bit of cold last night... although it might sound a bit rude..." Liu Qingsong said while sniffling, "I am known as the Divine Doctor Liu among the folks, a mere cold is nothing to me."

It really was quite rude! Ran Pingyu, unable to spot the slightest air of confidence that the statement might imply from his appearance, still clasped his hands in agreement, "I lack experience and knowledge, please forgive me, Doctor Liu."

Liu Qingsong lazily waved his hand to indicate it was nothing, then he added, "Another thing, although it might be a bit rude..."

Ran Pingyu’s eyelid twitched as he looked at his casual and indifferent demeanor, thinking, You have never been polite, "Please, Doctor Liu, feel free to speak your mind."

"Shilang going to Xiao’s residence alone might be a bit lonely. I heard that there are three ladies in your household, why not all of you go there to avoid any issues?" Liu Qingsong said with false seriousness.

Ran Pingyu clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to throw his shoe at him, and said solemnly, "It’s inconvenient for the ladies of the house, Doctor Liu must be joking."

Liu Qingsong laughed heartily, "No worries, no worries."

He meant that even if Ran Pingyu rejected his kindness, he would graciously let it pass with a laugh.

Ran Pingyu of course understood as well, and even his best patience was a bit strained, his smile stiffening on his face.

"Ah yes, everything is packed." Ran Yunsheng entered, breaking the brief awkward silence.

Thereupon, Ran Yan, Ran Meiyu, and Ran Yun arrived as well. Although they were all in Chang’an City, they would be apart for several days.

Ran Meiyu, though envious of Ran Yunsheng going to Xiao Song’s residence, knew what propriety was and naturally did not dare to overstep, only bidding goodbye like Ran Yan and the others. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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