Chapter 861: Chapter 860: The Law is Vast and Indomitable, Lax but not Leaky

Chapter 861 -860: The Law is Vast and Indomitable, Lax but not Leaky

“`

“Was it stolen by someone from the palace?” asked the Minister of Justice through a voice transmission; he dare not speak it aloud—the matter was too grave.

If they were to delve deeply into the investigation, who knows what they might uncover.

The Ministry of Punishments had recently clashed with the imperial family, with two princes ending up in their clutches—an unprecedented event in history.

“It’s most likely one of two possibilities: either an immortal intervened, or it was indeed someone from the palace.”

But regardless of the possibility, neither made sense.

There was no motive for the crime.

Why would anyone steal the imperial throne after a full meal, to have the Emperor conduct court standing?

By that logic, it seems all ministers would have a motive.

“You, draft a list of those who are familiar with the palace’s Array Method.”

“Yes.”

The Minister of Justice was efficient in his work and quickly produced a list, which was populated by names from the royal family; Emperor Xia was at the top of the list.

Xu Xin slapped the Minister of Justice on the head, “Fool, why put His Majesty on the top? Could it possibly be His Majesty who stole it?”

Hearing this, the Minister of Justice promptly removed Emperor Xia’s name.

Emperor Xia had nine sons and seven daughters. With the capture of the Fourth and Fifth Princes, two suspects were eliminated.

Of course, in addition to the princes and princesses, Emperor Xia’s personal eunuch, Eunuch Li, and others also were under suspicion.

Having obtained Prince Jiang Qun’s approval, the Ministry of Punishments quickly began the search.

“Minister Xu, how goes the investigation?” Jiang Qun called for Xu Xin in Yangxin Hall, eagerly hoping to find out the whereabouts of the throne.

Otherwise, how embarrassing it would be when Father Emperor returns to find no throne.

“To report to Your Highness, after the investigation over these two days, it appears that all princes and princesses are without suspicion—except for one.”

“Oh? Who is it?”

Xu Xin stated seriously, “Prince Jiang Qun.”

“According to our investigation, since Prince Jiang Qun returned from Ji State, he has disappeared for many days, with no word on his whereabouts, which is highly suspicious!”

Jiang Qun suddenly began coughing violently.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Xu Xin got a huge fright, worrying that he might have angered His Highness.

Considering that His Highness’s lifespan was nearing its end, he’d be in deep trouble if he accidentally caused him to breathe his last.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, it’s just an old ailment,” Jiang Qun waved his hand, indicating Xu Xin need not panic so.

After a couple of harsh coughs and clearing his throat, Jiang Qun said, “Qun’er has no interest in vying for the throne; this is common knowledge. He would never stoop to steal it and has no motive. Minister Xu, you should investigate others.”

Xu Xin opened his mouth as if to say, Your Highness, are you trying to shield Prince Jiang Qun? But then he thought better of it; His Highness had a point. If another prince had stolen the throne, one could explain it as “trying out the feeling,” but Prince Jiang Qun was famously indifferent to the struggle. Why would he steal the throne out of the blue? It made no sense.

“Yes.”

Beyond the Imperial Palace, standing at the entrance, Xu Xin pondered deeply; but if it wasn’t Prince Jiang Qun, then who could it be?

“Forget it, I should go award Lu Yang. That lad has always been sharp-witted. I’ll ask him for his thoughts.”

Lu Yang first reported the Fourth Prince’s rebellion, and later persuaded Shi Lei and others to turn themselves in, unraveling numerous mysterious old cases. This was a significant achievement, and the Ministry of Punishments was definitely going to award him for it.

It was just that Xu Xin had been so busy recently with the Fifth Prince’s faction and the matter of the throne that he hadn’t found time to see Lu Yang.

“`

Now he wanted to change his mood.

…

Meng Residence.

Fairy Eternity brought four new members of the Da Dou Dynasty to stay at the Meng Family, treating it as their base.

Hidden in the shadows and responsible for protecting Emperor Xia during his Transcendance Tribulation stage, he really had the urge to tell the Ministry of Punishments the truth, finding it difficult to keep a straight face. Several times he almost burst out laughing.

Unfortunately, his mission was to protect Emperor Xia, and he couldn’t do anything beyond that.

He had thought that protecting Emperor Xia would be a tedious task, but he had not expected the process to be so rich and colorful—far more interesting than solitary cultivation.

“Would you like to come up and take a seat?”

Fairy Eternity rewarded her armies, allowing the three great generals to sit on the imperial throne to experience it.

“Forget it, it doesn’t look comfortable to sit on,” Ao Ling and the other two shook their heads in refusal, indicating that they had no covetous desire for the throne. The emperor could rest easy, there was no need for tests.

“Alright then,” Fairy Eternity had not expected Ao Ling and the others to be so astute, seeing through her test. If any of them had dared to take a seat, she would have stripped them of their posts and seized their properties.

Fairy Eternity turned to ask Lu Yang in the Spiritual Space.

“Xiao Yang, what were you talking about ‘covetous hearts’ and ‘seizing properties’ just now?”

“It’s nothing, just talking to myself out of boredom,” he replied.

While Fairy Eternity was establishing the Da Dou Dynasty, Lu Yang was also busy, constantly sparring with the Invincible Nascent Soul, making rapid progress in strength. He could vaguely contend with the Invincible Nascent Soul, even managing to analyze the external situation while doing so.

Even though the cost was being defeated by the Invincible Nascent Soul.

But Lu Yang persisted in doing so, which was commendable for his determination.

“Xiao Yang, now that we have the throne, what’s our next step?”

After thinking for a while, Lu Yang said, “Rebellions need a just cause, like fabricating a sword slaying a white serpent, or having a fox howl about ‘Great Chu rising, Chen Sheng as king.’ Or maybe digging a stone out of the river with ‘A one-eyed stone figure stirs the Yellow River and the world rebels’ inscribed on it—of course, it’s all fake.”

Fairy Eternity, ever so clever, got the point immediately and drew out her vowels, “Faking it, I understand. The Immortals Jiuchong often do such things.”

“The fox howl is too common and not very convincing. Right, we could bury a stone in the ground and write on it. Let’s see, write ‘Da Dou rising, Lu Yang the king’!”

“Uh, my status is humble, no need to include my name,” Lu Yang hurriedly refused when he heard this, as he had no desire to be associated with rebellion.

Fairy Eternity held Lu Yang in high regard, “Xiao Yang, do not belittle yourself. As a faithful minister under me…”

“That’s ‘a minister by your side,'” Lu Yang corrected her seriously; he still had the responsibility of being the imperial teacher and managing the cultural fortunes of the Da Dou Dynasty.

“Ah, a minister by my side. As my faithful minister, how could I neglect you? We shall share fortunes together!”

While Fairy Eternity and Lu Yang were talking, Xu Xin arrived at the Meng Residence, heading straight for Lu Yang.

Fairy Eternity did not notice the movements outside, but the three great generals did.

Ao Ling reacted the fastest; they couldn’t let Xu Xin see the three of them together with Lu Yang. That would be difficult to explain, and everything about the Ancient Heavenly Court would be exposed.

Jin Caiwei clapped her hands three times in succession, and the three of them turned into three paintings hanging on the wall, blending in seamlessly.

Xu Xin, accompanied by people from the Ministry of Punishments, pushed the door open and entered with a hearty laugh.

“Ha ha, Lu Yang my boy, so you were staying at the Meng Residence. It took quite an effort to find you. You reported the Fourth Prince and persuaded Shi Lei and others to turn themselves in. I’ve come especially to commend you,” Xu Xin announced.

To show his regard for Lu Yang, Xu Xin personally carried a tray containing a commendation order, cultivation resources, and other items.

Then, as he pushed the door open, he saw Lu Yang seated on the imperial throne.