Chapter 118: Three Departments Joint Review: The Prodigal Returns to the Capital

【The establishment of the Dali Temple!】

【Its original purpose was indeed to balance the excessive judicial power of local government offices.】

【In the past, local offices often sentenced prisoners to death on their own, leading to wrongful and fabricated cases.】

【Especially in recent years, collusion between local powers and officials caused a surge in people traveling to the capital to file complaints, along with several shocking crimes.】

【In those horrific cases, entire families were exterminated—dozens killed—and some were concealed under tales of ghosts and spirits to confuse public perception.】

【Upon learning of this, the Emperor flew into a rage.】

【Thus, the Dali Temple was established as an agency to review cases.】

【The Ducha Yuan was also established to supervise officials and prevent corruption and abuse of power.】

【Under normal circumstances, the Xingbu handles most cases; however, when major cases arise—particularly those involving capital punishment or imperial relatives—the Dali Temple steps in to adjudicate.】

【Though final judgment rests with the Xingbu, the Dali Temple's opinion remains critically important.】

【If the Dali Temple disagrees with the Xingbu's ruling, it may submit a memorial to the Emperor requesting his decision.】

【Moreover, there is another rare scenario!】

【In special cases, the Dali Temple, the Xingbu, and the Yushi Tai conduct a joint trial—known as the "Three Departments Joint Review."】

【You furrowed your brow, recalling!】

【Though your father has retired from active duty, as a second-rank official and former commander of the Lu Family Army, his influence remains formidable.】

【Your uncle's case is deeply entangled with Prince Jing of the North, making the entire affair extraordinarily complex and sensitive.】

【This case has stirred the court and the people alike; gossip fills every street and alley.】

【The Dali Temple has already petitioned the Son of Heaven to convene a Three Departments Joint Review.】

【Three days ago, the Emperor issued an edict!】

【It was officially decided: the Ducha Yuan and the Three Departments Joint Review will take place tomorrow morning.】

【Besides officials of the Ducha Yuan, two high-ranking ministers will personally attend as observers.】

【The presiding official of this "Three Departments Joint Review" is none other than the highest-ranking officer of the Dali Temple—the Dali Temple Qing.】

【Below the Dali Temple Qing in rank within the Dali Temple is the "Dali Temple Shaoqing."】

【Two are typically appointed; they serve as the Dali Temple's second-in-command, assisting the Dali Temple Qing with daily affairs.】

【Below them are the fifth-rank Sicheng—the very rank this young man currently holds.】

【The Dali Temple also bears responsibility for the capital, meaning most cases in Jingcheng must pass through its hands.】

【This further enhances the Dali Temple's authority.】

【For a family to have a son enter the Dali Temple is as prestigious as a son passing the metropolitan examination as a second-class Metropolitan Graduate.】

【In such an institution, a fifth-rank Sicheng is already a senior official; for this young man to hold such a post at his age, his ability must be exceptional.】

【Of course!】

【His family background cannot be ignored.】

【As the grandson of Wang Yang, his family's advantages and connections have paved a smooth path for his official career.】

【The Wang family is a prominent southern clan that aided the Second Prince in ascending the throne, granting them immense prestige and status in the capital.】

【Under such family circumstances, the young man naturally outpaces most of his peers, becoming a standout among his generation.】

【Though Wang Yang often chats with you about daily matters, he has never directly mentioned your father's case.】

【Yet this is already remarkable!】

【Amid such a storm, Wang Yang still came to greet you at the city gate—it is true kindness and loyalty.】

【Such friendship is especially precious in the treacherous, shifting world of court politics.】

【Lu Yu has just silently transmitted a message to you: many eyes are watching this spot at the gate, including several experts, even one Grand Master.】

【You nodded slightly; it is normal for the capital to be filled with hidden dragons and tigers, brimming with experts.】

【Moreover, every step you take upon entering the capital is watched by countless pairs of eyes.】

【You walked together into the bustling heart of the capital, where streets roared with noise and crowds surged like rivers.】

【Yet you stopped here, preparing to take leave of Wang Yang.】

【Wang Yang's face showed helplessness.】

【He had intended to escort you all the way to the Lu residence—or at least to Yulong Street, where the Lu family lived.】

【Now, you've only walked a hundred paces beyond the city gate!】

【You did not want Wang Yang entangled in this; if he escorted you to the Lu residence, he might invite trouble.】

【Wang Yang said unwillingly: "Shen Zhou, let me escort you brothers to the Lu Mansion to see your mother."】

【You shook your head, already preparing to depart.】

【At that moment, the young official beside Wang Yang suddenly called out loudly: "Shao Bao, please wait!"】

【You turned back curiously.】

【You saw!】

【The young man's face was resolute, his gaze blazing as he said gravely: "Shao Bao, whether it concerns Marshal Lu's case or Wei Gao's, I urge you not to interfere."】

【"This is a matter of Daqing's state affairs—a crime of treason. We cannot speak lightly. No matter the outcome, the Dali Temple will deliver a fair judgment."】

【Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed sharply.】

【Though Wang Yang wished to stop his grandson from speaking further, knowing his stubborn nature, he could only sigh and shake his head.】

【You smiled and said: "What if I choose to interfere anyway?"】

【At your words, the young man's gaze turned icy and merciless: "Anyone who violates state law, regardless of status, will be severely punished as a warning to others."】

【"Moreover, Shao Bao, you are currently a commoner. Under Daqing law, commoners have no right to interfere in such cases."】

【Wang Yang, seeing this, roared: "Enough!"】

【The young man took a deep breath, stepped silently aside, and said nothing more.】

【You removed the wide-brimmed hat you had worn and looked at the young man.】

【"Right and wrong speak for themselves; justice resides in the hearts of men."】

【With that said!】

【You turned and took your leave.】

【Wang Yang watched your retreating backs, his heart filled with emotion.】

【The Lu family has always upheld noble integrity.】

【Now, the Lu family faces such a great calamity.】

【Even Lu Jiaxuan, Lu Yu's father, never begged for his help for fear of dragging him into trouble—and now Lu Chen has come to the capital the same way.】

【Wang Yang gazed toward the deep palace, wondering: what does the current Emperor of Daqing intend to do?】

【Destroy his own ten-thousand-li Great Wall?】

【Do all the purple-robed nobles in court believe this young Shao Bao, Lu Shen Zhou, is an easy target?】

【Wang Yang shook his head.】

【In the north.】

【Countless children, upon hearing the name Lu Shen Zhou, would instantly stop crying.】

【Within the capital!】

【Crowds surged, merchants numbered in the thousands, jade towers lined both sides of the streets, and at sunset, lanterns blazed brightly.】

【Though the capital was still chilly in the morning, people had already begun their daily bustle.】

【Autumn leaves turned yellow, the air grew cool, breath visible; by noon, warmth returned.】

【Merchants began calling out their wares early, crowds flowed ceaselessly.】

【You moved through the throngs.】

【Vibrancy and bustle were the first impressions of any Daqing native visiting the capital for the first time.】

【You and Lu Yu walked together.】

【Teahouses, entertainment quarters, mansions of high officials, or the pleasure houses of Changle Lane—all lined the streets, taverns stretching in rows.】

【At night!】

【Beneath the rolled-up curtains of brothels, Yangzhou slender horses, courtesans from the imperial music bureau, and courtesans of the lower ranks walked among men with folding fans; madams called out from within.】

【There were also gambling dens—where people gambled away fortunes, rolling dice, cockfighting, quail fighting, betting on dice, all manner of exotic games unseen elsewhere.】

【People always say the money in the capital is worth less than elsewhere.】

【Throwing away a thousand taels is commonplace in the capital.】

【Beyond Xuanwu Gate, past Yulong Street, lies Yulong Street, where the Lu family resides.】

【You two finally arrived at Yulong Street!】

【And there stood the Lu Mansion.】

【At the mansion's gate stood an old woman alone, gripping the doorframe, gazing far off at the two of you.】

【Your heart warmed instantly.】

【"Mother, we're back!"】

【Lu Yu called out from afar.】

【The old woman answered softly, raising a hand to shield her eyes.】

PS: hhh, today my foster father didn't scold me—I was so nervous, afraid he'd leave. Weekend rest, I'll definitely write more, Aoao ！！！

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(End of Chapter)