Chapter 57: Severed

Huo Yuchen also chimed in, "This minister agrees with Lord Shen, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. If we wish to uncover the truth behind Princess Hua'an's murder, we must first break through the defense from Third Miss Lin."

"The Prince of Chang has always been one to cherish jade and pity the fairer sex, but this is a matter of life and death. Moreover, the victim is our sister, a royal princess. We must treat this case with the utmost seriousness and cannot allow any favoritism..."

These words laid bare the implication that one should not confuse right from wrong or lose sight of what was proper.

No matter how much one might pity the fairer sex, Third Miss Lin could never be compared to Princess Hua'an.

The Prince of Chang was instantly provoked, grinding his teeth in fury as he let out continuous muffled sounds.

Unable to contain his mockery, he retorted, "Isn't the Crown Prince gravely ill and unconscious? Why has he run over to meddle in other people's affairs today?"

"Since your health is poor, you should stay back and recuperate properly!"

Facing the provocation, Huo Yuchen smiled faintly. "Divine Doctor Baili prescribed a new remedy yesterday."

"This prince felt much lighter, so I forced myself to come and take a look. After all, Hua'an and we share the same bloodline. That is why, disregarding my frail health, I wished to come and share Your Majesty's burdens."

These remarks were both sensible and displayed the magnanimity of an elder brother, which sounded exceedingly pleasant to Emperor Wu of Qin.

Regardless of everything else, Hua'an was his biological daughter.

Even though he had numerous children, seeing his own daughter brutally murdered made it impossible for him to remain entirely indifferent.

The desire to seek justice for his daughter did exist, and it was exceedingly strong.

If he could not avenge his daughter's murder, how could he, the sovereign of a nation, continue to sit securely upon the dragon throne?

It would also damage his majesty as a ruler.

Emperor Wu of Qin cast a cool glance at Huo Yuchen and commanded, "Third Miss Lin and her retinue of maidservants shall be taken into custody temporarily. The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Punishments shall jointly investigate this case."

"Zhao Yurou, the First Madam of the Lin family, was blind and ignorant, nearly disposing of Princess Hua'an's body casually and causing a catastrophic disaster. Give her thirty slaps across the face as a warning to others!"

"Lin Aodong and Lin Aosong, the two brothers, shall have their salaries forfeited for one year to reflect upon their faults and cultivate their moral character. Should they commit this offense again, severe punishment shall not be forgiven!"

After a brief pause, he turned to comfort the Imperial Noble Consort De gently, "You shall take full charge of Princess Hua'an's funeral arrangements! The Ministry of Rites will assist you from the sidelines. If you have any needs, speak to Us."

Consort De bowed deeply, her expression filled with profound sorrow. "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your consideration. I shall certainly handle Hua'an's funeral arrangements properly."

Seeing that everyone in the Lin family had received punishments, she dared not plead on their behalf anymore and decided that preserving herself was the wisest course of action.

The Prince of Chang had originally intended to plead for Lin Chuyan once more, but he was forcibly stopped by the Prince of Duan, who advised him in a low voice, "Say no more. Whatever you have to say, plead with Father Emperor in private later."

"Father Emperor is grieving and distressed over Hua'an's matter right now!"

"Why must you go and court displeasure at such a time?"

"You must still take care to preserve Father Emperor's dignity!"

Understanding the hint, the Prince of Chang had no choice but to drop the matter with lingering reluctance.

Upon hearing the Emperor's decree, Lin Chuyan felt as though the sky were about to fall.

Now that her parents and second uncle had all been punished by the Emperor, they were completely unreliable.

The other princes maintained a detached attitude, as if the matter had nothing to do with them, and none of them spoke up to plead for her.

Only the Prince of Chang had spoken kindly on her behalf, and furthermore, he was deeply favored and valued by the Emperor.

She could not help casting a pleading, pitiful glance at the Prince of Chang.

She believed she could certainly stir the Prince of Chang's heart, making it impossible for him to stand by and watch her suffer. She wanted to tantalize him so that he would willingly risk his life for her.

If only the Prince of Chang could prove capable enough to save her from this imprisonment.

As a noble lady, if she were to have a record of imprisonment, how could she ever hold her head high among people again?

No, she refused!

Looking at Lin Chuyan's breathtakingly beautiful face, the Prince of Chang felt his heart flutter wildly, beating incessantly against his ribs.

He had adored Lin Chuyan three years ago, but constrained by her tender age at the time, he had not dared to make a move.

He believed that if he helped Lin Chuyan escape her punishment this time, she would undoubtedly give him her heart.

With this thought, the Prince of Chang decided to ask his mother, the Imperial Noble Consort, for help later. Given his mother's status in the Emperor's heart, the Emperor would surely relent.

Thinking this, the Prince of Chang walked up to Lin Chuyan and comforted her softly, "Put your mind at ease. I will find a way to rescue you as soon as possible. However, you must first think of how to thank me."

With these words, he lightly touched Lin Chuyan's jade-white hand, though the movement was so swift that few noticed.

Yet, their flirtatious glances and subtle gestures did not escape Lin Pianran's eyes.

She arched her pretty brows and acted as though she had noticed nothing.

She surmised that the Prince of Chang was lusting after Lin Chuyan's beauty, while Lin Chuyan was plotting to rely on the Prince of Chang to escape her predicament.

Neither of them was any good anyway.

Let them get together!

When the time came to deal with them, she would wipe them out in one fell swoop.

That would be much simpler!

Lin Chuyan glanced at the members of the Lin family and felt an overwhelming sense of annoyance.

Since Lin Aodong had been the first to propose severing ties,

it played right into her hands.

He who hesitates is lost; indecision brings chaos.

Now that the Lin family had made the first move, it was her turn to make the countermove.

Lin Pianran knelt once more, weeping as she spoke, "This time, thanks to Your Majesty's supreme wisdom and brilliance in upholding justice for this subject's daughter, I have been spared the humiliation of false accusations and my reputation has been preserved."

"Rumors in the streets have always praised Your Majesty as a wise, sagacious, and visionary ruler of grand ambition and extraordinary talent. Today, this subject's daughter has the fortune to behold the Dragon's countenance for the first time, only to find that Your Majesty is even more peerless and extraordinary than the legends suggest—truly beyond all expectation."

"Although my predicament has been temporarily resolved, because I refused to shoulder the blame for Princess Hua'an's murder, my adoptive father and second uncle are deeply disappointed and displeased. Since my adoptive father pronounced the decision to sever ties in the Emperor's presence, it leaves this subject's daughter both heartbroken and ashamed!"

"Now that I am grown, I no longer wish to drag down my adoptive father's family. Let us follow my adoptive father's words and sever the ties between me and the Lin family! I beg Your Majesty to serve as a witness!"

Emperor Wu of Qin, intoxicated by Lin Pianran's flattery and praise, felt lifted out of his grief.

Unusually, his expression turned mild, and his gaze towards Lin Pianran grew much more affectionate.

Most accommodatingly, he spoke, "Since you were merely an adopted daughter of the Lin family in the first place, and both sides desire to sever ties, Today, Us shall grant this wish for you!"

"We shall immediately issue an imperial edict for you to rely upon, lest future disputes and altercations arise to cause unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, Lin Pianran was thrilled.

She had not expected this aged emperor to be so helpful.

This was simply marvelous!

In the future, the members of the Lin family would never again be able to act arrogantly or domineeringly in front of her.

Trying to use the "grace of raising her" to coerce her would be even more impossible.

Just thinking about it made her happy!