Chapter 251: Two Imperial Edicts! One Step Away from Success!

Prince Su finished speaking with a half‑smile, and as his words fell, many married ladies and young maidens in the back had already gone weak‑legged from fright.

Each family's master tightly held onto the person, and also hissed a few reprimands in a low voice.

But who hasn't heard the name of the Yanluo Slaughter God?

If they were sent to the Ministry of Punishments and then personally tried by the Court of Judicial Review, could they still have a chance to survive?

"Is our Duke Pei's manor also doomed?"

"How could this be? We really know nothing at all……"

"Exactly, we're wronged—we really know nothing……"

"Sniff, sniff, sniff……"

The officers of the Court of Judicial Review acted swiftly, immediately stepping forward and gathering all the Pei family members together.

The servants were pressed to the ground, while the household guards were restrained with swords.

The masters were all quickly bound at the wrists with rope, then each one was tied together in succession.

Behind them it descended into chaos, and many had already begun to sob softly from fear.

Duke Pei's face naturally looked grim.

If only he himself were being tried, he would have at most one life; even if he died without saying a word, that could save the whole Pei household.

But if the entire Pei manor were actually arrested and taken to the Ministry of Punishments, and he even received Prince Su's personal summons, how many could still walk out alive?

And how many of them truly know nothing at all?

Duke Pei suddenly lifted his gaze and glanced at Pei Lao Furen.

Upon seeing Pei Lao Furen stare at him with eyes full of sorrow and a complex expression, Duke Pei cried out in anguish: "Aunt……"

Duke Pei then knelt on the ground and suddenly kowtowed deeply toward Pei Lao Furen.

"Aunt, though our household has suddenly met this great calamity, even if I plead my case further, in Prince Su's eyes it would be nothing but sophistry."

"But please, Aunt, testify for our Pei manor—we truly know nothing of these accusations at all!"

"Take the fact that Father once suddenly ordered the entire Pei household to sever ties with you, Aunt. You know that Father personally summoned me and told me that, because of his illness, sooner or later it would inevitably implicate the whole Pei household."

"And he knew you, Aunt, have already suffered enough; having endured so much, he did not want you to be possibly implicated by the Pei clan in the future."

"That is why Father resolutely made that decision back then—not letting you return home, and forbidding us from having any further contact with you……"

"Aunt, Father treats you this way already—how could he possibly drag our entire Pei household into such danger?"

"We are truly innocent; please, Your Highness, use your discerning judgment, and please Aunt, bear witness for us a little……"

Duke Pei suddenly burst into tears.

Pei Lao Furen was also startled.

She murmured in disbelief: "The truth, the truth really is like this?"

"We returned together from the battlefield—what illness exactly did my elder brother suffer back then, and why do I know nothing about it?"

"If he truly did this to protect me, ruthlessly severing ties between the Pei household and me, but did he ever ask my wishes?"

"Bu'er……"

"And if that is indeed the case, why do your two other aunts who married far away still maintain regular contact with the Pei household?"

Duke Pei: "Because you accompanied Father onto the battlefield, you are the sister he cherishes most in his heart, forever!"

"Moreover, Father never imagined he would be so muddle‑headed today, that there would be a day when the world would despise him so, yet he still clings to a faint hope……"

Pei Lao Furen shook her head: "No, Bu'er."

"Aunt knows elder brother's nature—he is the most staunch and loyal general in the world; if he truly could foresee that his illness would someday bring disaster to the whole Pei household, he would certainly not linger in this world!"

"Given his nature, he would certainly have ended his own life back then to eliminate future trouble—and how could he, merely to survive, harm so many innocent maidens' lives?"

"Unless……"

Pei Lao Furen could not utter the words.

"Unless elder brother has a reason he absolutely cannot die."

Pei Lao Furen turned away to wipe her tears; seeing that she refused to lend a hand, Duke Pei immediately changed his tone: "You truly are, as our grandparents said, a heartless and unrighteous woman! Even though you bear the Pei surname, you would never sacrifice even a bit of your own interests for the whole Pei household……"

"Haha, hahaha……"

"It's me—I was desperate and sought any doctor, yet still hoped you could do something for Duke Pei's manor……"

"Prince Su, if you insist on charging our Pei household with some crime, I, the minister, can bear it all myself. These young masters and ladies in the household are all innocent……"

Prince Su: "This prince will not wrong a good person, nor will I mistakenly kill an evil one. Now, regarding these blood cases in your Pei mansion, after I investigate, implicating the whole household will be the fate your Pei duke deserves."

"Men, take Duke Pei and everyone from his mansion, all of them……"

Before Prince Su's words had even fallen, a sudden loud shout came from afar: "The imperial edict has arrived—Prince Su, where is Duke Pei? Please both come out immediately to receive the emperor's personally delivered edict!"

"An imperial edict?"

"Or two of them!"

Li Qingluo looked toward Prince Su.

This sudden imperial edict completely disrupted Prince Su's steps.

Everyone in the courtyard knelt again; this time Prince Su also had to kneel to receive the edict.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

After investigation, it is confirmed that Prince Su Duan Rongshi, several months ago while handling a case at the charity estate, inadvertently killed the second young master of the Shangdu Marquis's mansion while trying to capture rebels; as a royal prince and honored official, this is a grave dereliction of duty.

Therefore, we punish Prince Su by suspending his post as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, ordering him to seclude himself in his mansion for three months of reflection, and to apologize to the Shangdu Marquis's mansion.

We hope you will sincerely repent henceforth, be worthy of the common people, and never again commit such negligence.

(This is) the imperial command!"

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

The daughter of Duke Pei, Pei Zixuan, is dignified and graceful, talented and virtuous, possessing both ability and morality, a worthy and chaste lady, deeply favored by Us; We decide to appoint her as a sixth‑rank Constant Attendant, bestow the honorific Serene, grant her residence in the Listening‑to‑Rain Pavilion, award her five hundred taels of silver, twelve pieces of jewelry, and twelve bolts of fine silk.

Choose a day to enter the palace; I approve.

Pei Zixuan, the Fourth Lady of the Pei household, is nineteen years old yet still unmarried.

The Pei family kept her; it turns out she is of great use.

Li Qingluo glanced at Pan Li, and Pan Li also wore a shocked expression.

But in fact, the entire Pei clan, aside from them, is also utterly shocked.

These two edicts arriving have truly completely altered the whole situation.

Everyone in the Pei residence instantly wore joy and smiles.

Only the Fourth Lady of Pei wore an extremely sullen expression.

She lowered her head, using great effort to hold back her tears, then stepped forward and, together with her father Pei Guogong, respectfully received the edict and thanked the great grace.

Prince Su wore a grim face, took the edict, and rose.

In front of the Grand Eunuch Wang He, he crumpled the edict in his hand until it was all wrinkled.

Wang He could only pretend not to see, trembling, he respectfully said, "Your Highness, please return to Prince Su's residence as soon as possible… close the doors and reflect…".

Prince Su gave a cold smile, "The Emperor's edict arrives just in time. I was about to apprehend someone, yet I must temporarily shed my official robes—do you think the Pei Guogong residence is now beyond our reach?"

Wang He involuntarily wiped sweat from his forehead.

After all, this Yama King before me has killed countless people; whenever a case is to be cleared, the Emperor turns a blind eye, never caring about his deeds.

The Dali Temple together with the Ministry of Punishments is now so clean, and that is tightly linked to this Yama King's methods.

But the Emperor flips his face in an instant, punishes when he wishes, and clearly protects the Pei family; it would be strange if Prince Su weren't furious.

Wang He could only force a smile.

"Your Highness, the Emperor said you only need to receive the edict; you need not enter the palace to see him."

Duan Rongshi suddenly became completely calm.

He seemed to have accepted the fact, turned and left with all his guards and subordinates.

"Tell the Father Emperor, I, your son, obey the edict!"

Before leaving, Prince Su cast a glance at Li Qingluo.

Although his gaze merely brushed over where she stood, Li Qingluo knew he was looking at her.

For some reason, seeing him so calmly holding the edict and walking away, Li Qingluo watched his back and sensed a hint of loneliness, resentment, solitude, and mockery.

A sourness rose in her heart, and an indescribable swelling of bitterness instantly filled her entire chest.

Prince Su genuinely intends to investigate the Pei residence's case, and truly wishes to help Southern Jia clear the true culprit.

But with imperial authority above, even though he usually acts arrogantly and his investigative methods are decisive, ruthless, and harsh, he still cannot overcome a single word from the throne.

All of it ends in a futile effort.

It's truly laughable…

From the Pei residence they emerged, and the Pan family hurried over.

"Li'er—"

Pan Li's mother stepped down from the carriage, hugging Pan Li, tears streaming.

"We received a secret letter saying you were at the Pei household. We didn't believe it; we don't understand how you could be here."

"We never expected you to actually be here! Do you know we've been searching for you for a whole day?"

"Fortunately, being at the Pei household is better than being taken by real bandits."

"Li'er, hurry back home with us…"

Li Qingluo looked toward her grandmother.

Pei Lao Furen slowly nodded; indeed she was the one who sent the letter to the Pan family.

It was just that the Pan family arrived too late and knew nothing of what had transpired inside the Pei residence.

Pan Li, eyes reddened, shook her head: "Father, Mother, it was the eldest daughter of the Li family who rescued our daughter. Both of us were tied up by the Pei family. As for the rest, let's discuss when we get home."

The deeds done by the Pei residence are hard to conceal completely.

So Pan Li does not intend to hide everything; she will speak what she can from her own standpoint.

The Pan couple were immensely grateful to Li Qingluo and even invited her to visit the Pei residence.

Pan Li: "Father, Mother, this matter naturally calls for us to personally go to the Li household to thank the daughter who was rescued."

Li Qingluo hurriedly reminded, "We are now at the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu in the southern city."

Pan Li then corrected herself: "Yes, we will go ourselves to the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu to properly thank Miss Li and also Pei Lao Furen. If it weren't for them, our daughter wouldn't have been able to come out so quickly."

The Pan couple thanked repeatedly.

After seeing Pan Li off, Li Qingluo looked at the woman crouching at her feet.

Just now they were about to bring this woman out, but Pei Guogong seemed still inclined to intervene.

It was Pei Lao Furen who said, "You said your entire Pei household knew nothing about the dungeon matter; if so, I will take this surviving victim away!"

Grand Eunuch Wang He remained nearby, and Pei Guogong could only watch helplessly as they led the person away from the Pei residence.

On the carriage returning, Pei Lao Furen sighed, "It seems the Pei residence is indeed protected by the Emperor."

"Luo'er, regarding this matter, do you have any thoughts?"

Li Qingluo looked at Pei Lao Furen, who did not answer immediately.

Instead she suddenly slapped her thigh hard: "Ah, Grandmother! The granddaughter still has an important matter unfinished! Quickly, leave the city—"