Chapter 391: First Volume, Chapter 391: I

First Volume, Chapter 391: I'm Just Insulting You

The only two cases in Shedynasty where a prince was accused were both instigated by the Qin Family.

Qin Cheng Clan accused the First Prince, leading to the First Prince's Death.

Qin Feng inherited his mother's fine tradition: he accused the Eleventh Prince, and it was foreseeable that if the accusation succeeded, the Eleventh Prince would be buried in obscurity by the Liang Emperor—though he could still remain a Carefree Prince, his entire life would be reduced to mere idleness, with not a shred of political future left.

The officials of Dali Temple were deeply puzzled.

Could the Qin Family be the Li Imperial Clan's nemesis?

The Judicial Officer of Dali Temple, seeing he could no longer avoid it, gritted his teeth and began the hearing, asking sternly: "Qin Feng, why are you accusing the Eleventh Prince? Beware of careless words—every word and action of yours will be recorded by the Registrar of Dali Temple. Any act of malicious framing or false accusation will be punished by death. Reflect on this."

Although Dali Temple proceedings were not public and barred spectators, all supervising officials were present.

After all, any case involving Dali Temple was no trivial matter.

The Judicial Officer of Dali Temple presided over the case, assisted by the Deputy Chief and the Registrar, while officials from the Ministry of Personnel supervised in person.

There were more than ten officials alone.

Because this case involved the imperial family, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Zongzheng Temple both sent representatives to oversee it—even the Imperial Household Department got involved, with its Chief Steward Zhang Xiuye listening in.

Besides officials, fifty Dali Temple guards, twenty Imperial Guards, and two Palace Guards were present to maintain order.

Facing this array, even high-ranking court ministers felt half-defeated before speaking a word.

Yet Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, lounging carelessly, claiming his noble title exempted him from kneeling and bowing—even though everyone present sneered at Qin Feng's noble rank.

Even the lowest-ranking Imperial Guard here held the rank of Hundred Households; Qin Feng, a mere Ten Households, was inferior even to them.

"Today, Liu Lan and Chen Teng came to my Qingya Pavilion to cause trouble and flirt with my eldest daughter. Though the Eleventh Prince did not directly participate, he deliberately allowed these two scoundrels to act—equivalent to being an accomplice! To protect the Qin Family's honor, I had no choice but to temporarily detain Liu Lan and Chen Teng—but the Eleventh Prince shielded them, forcibly ordering me to release them! He even declared that even loyal ministers who have achieved great military feats and devoted themselves entirely to Shedynasty could still be killed with a single word!"

"I'd like to ask: Is this how Shedynasty treats loyal and virtuous subjects?"

Qin Feng's words left Dali Temple utterly silent.

The Judicial Officer of Dali Temple stroked his beard: flirting with women was minor, but shaking public morale was grave—the Eleventh Prince should never have uttered such arrogant words.

Yet Qin Feng's Qingya Pavilion maintained close ties with literati across the realm; if this matter was not handled properly, it would soon become known throughout Heaven, and the entire imperial dignity would be shaken.

But…

To punish a prince rashly—where would the imperial authority stand? After all, he was of sacred blood; if the Emperor later took revenge, the Judicial Officer of Dali Temple could not bear the consequences.

Dali Temple appeared calm on the surface, but inside, it was utterly desperate, silently cursing that brat Qin Feng for always throwing them impossible problems!

At this critical moment, the Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices suddenly barked: "Qin Feng, you claim Liu Lan harassed Qin's eldest daughter—what proof do you have? The case is not yet concluded; everything remains suspicion, not confirmed guilt. Yet you directly call Liu Lan and Chen Teng 'two scoundrels'—this violates legal procedure!"

Hearing this, the Judicial Officer of Dali Temple smiled.

Finally, someone stepped forward to take the arrow! Let them fight it out—just don't drag me into it.

Qin Feng had already noticed the Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was present; he immediately retorted: "Liu Lan is one of the main culprits in this case. As Liu Lan's father, shouldn't you recuse yourself? Why are you here?"

The Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices snorted: "You are accusing the Eleventh Prince, not Liu Lan—why should I recuse myself? Matters involving the imperial family require the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to be present for oversight—it is entirely lawful."

That old fox has some sharp tongue.

Too bad…

Qin Feng shrugged, his expression perfectly reasonable: "If the Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices doesn't need to recuse himself, doesn't that implicitly admit Liu Lan's guilt is confirmed, requiring no defense? Liu Lan openly harassed my eldest daughter in broad daylight—every civilian witnessed it. Someone who so recklessly tarnishes the reputation of Jingdu's youth—I call him a scoundrel. What's wrong with that?"

The Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices turned black with rage, clenching his teeth.

If Liu Lan was declared a scoundrel, as Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, he would at least be charged with failing to educate his son.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices oversees examinations, sacrifices, and rituals—its core value is "virtue."

Liu Lan's crime of harassing a woman was no joke; if proven, he would be implicated!

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices coldly snapped: "Determining guilt is the jurisdiction of Dali Temple—how dare you, a mere Ten Households, pass judgment? Shen Qingci is the daughter of the Supervisor of War; even if Liu Lan were arrogant, he would never provoke her deliberately—I suspect this is malicious framing!"

Watching the Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices fume, Qin Feng sneered.

Now you're throwing a tantrum?

This is nothing yet!

Qin Feng's smile widened: "Liu Lan wouldn't provoke her? Are you implying, Judicial Officer, that Liu Lan was instigated by the Eleventh Prince?"

The Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices fell silent—the Eleventh Prince might be useless, but his status was undeniable; how could blame be shifted onto him?

Seeing the Court of Imperial Sacrifices defeated, Zhang Xiuye immediately stood up, pointing at Qin Feng and roaring: "How dare you! You keep claiming the Eleventh Prince instigated this—what proof do you have? Without proof, it's framing! I give you one incense stick time to produce evidence—or else you'll be convicted of framing a prince and executed!"

Qin Feng had long expected Zhang Xiuye, that meddling shit-stirrer, wouldn't stay quiet.

He smiled sweetly and retorted: "You eunuch, what right do you have to speak here?"

At these words, Zhang Xiuye froze, then erupted in fury: "Qin Feng, how dare you be so disrespectful!"

The Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices quickly added: "Chief Steward Zhang is the Emperor's personal attendant—how can you slander him?! Utterly disrespectful!"

The Judicial Officer of Dali Temple pretended not to hear; the Ministry of Personnel officials remained silent.

Facing Zhang Xiuye and the Judicial Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' scolding, Qin Feng merely scratched his ear, unbothered: "Did I say something wrong?"

"This is Dali Temple. You, a Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department, are merely here to listen and report back to your master. You're a messenger—what business do you have speaking up?"

He grinned: "You eunuch faction—do you intend to interfere in state affairs?"

This heavy accusation silenced Zhang Xiuye instantly—since Shedynasty's founding, eunuch interference in politics had been the greatest taboo.

Unable to refute Qin Feng on legal grounds, Zhang Xiuye shifted to moral condemnation: "You're disrespectful!"

Qin Feng laughed: "I'm being disrespectful? What are you going to do about it, you half-and-half freak with a rotten ass!"