Chapter 339 Ning An Ru Meng: You Yue is no longer stupid (43 chapters)

Amidst Yan Mu's puzzled and surprised expression, Xie Wei simply got up and left, unusually without offering any further explanation.

Xie Wei entered the palace and presented the Yan family's military tally to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang's excitement was palpable, and his smile was genuine. "Lord Yan... are you really willing to hand over the military tally to me?"

Xie Wei lowered his gaze, "If you are unwilling, then what is Your Majesty holding in your hand?"

Shen Lang was taken aback, then burst into laughter, “Heaven is helping me! It truly is heaven helping me! Consort Qin is pregnant, ensuring the continuation of our great empire. My illness is also improving daily. Now, the Yan family has voluntarily relinquished their military power, proving that I am the monarch chosen by Heaven. My subjects are convinced, and the people are devoted to me!”

Every time he boasted, Xie Wei's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Shen Lang really knows how to pat himself on the back.

It doesn't matter, whether he puts it on or not is unimportant, as long as he listens.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Yan and Prince Yan have always been very loyal, but unfortunately there are always people in the court who gossip and influence Your Majesty's judgment."

Previously, the Marquis of Yan had specially presented a miraculous medicine for treating coughs, and now he has voluntarily relinquished his military power. If such a minister is not considered loyal, then what kind of minister is?

"Could it be someone like the Duke of Dingguo, who can't wait for the Emperor to establish a Crown Prince?"

Shen Lang's expression was solemn.

Xie Wei continued, "I have been working tirelessly these past few days and have confirmed that the beggar case at the City God Temple was actually a conspiracy specifically targeting Prince Yan."

That day, Prince Yan did give some food to a few beggars, including almond cookies from Tianxianglou, osmanthus cakes from Shijinzhai, hazelnut shortbread, and so on. However, these were all things Prince Yan had bought for his new wife. He had seen how pitiful the beggars were on the way and had spoken kindly to them, which is why his wife had parted with the food.

Under these circumstances, how could he possibly poison it?

Shen Lang frowned upon hearing this. "But the autopsy report I saw said that those beggars did indeed die from poisoning after eating almond cookies, osmanthus cakes, and hazelnut shortbread?"

"That's because after the beggars received Prince Yan's reward, someone deliberately mixed poisoned pastries into them!"

According to my investigation, the beggars had just separated from Prince Yan's carriage when they were chased into a dead-end alley by a vicious dog. Then, a child who was also a beggar, holding a stick, helped them fight off the dog.

They were grateful to the little beggar and shared some of the snacks they had with him.

Little did they know, this little beggar was a deliberate act orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives, with the sole purpose of killing them!

"Your Majesty, I have found that little beggar. Would Your Majesty like to hear who ordered him to do this?"

These words caused Shen Lang's confused eyes to widen suddenly!

He had been ill for too long. His physical condition was improving, but his spirits seemed to be getting worse. However, no one dared to say this.

From the Imperial Medical Academy to the civil and military officials and the concubines, everyone praised and flattered her, creating the illusion that Shen Lang would surely live to be a hundred years old.

Xie Wei didn't expose it and let it be.

With Shen Lang's tacit approval, the little beggar was brought into the Qianqing Palace.

The truth has come to light.

Shen Lang clenched his fists and slammed them hard on the armrests of the dragon throne. "Outrageous! All these years, I have truly raised a fine uncle!"

The royal family has never lacked cases of one person gaining power and all their relatives rising to prominence, especially when the maternal relatives of the emperor become powerful and dominate the court.

Shen Lang remembered that when the Prince of Pingnan rebelled, Xue Yuan saved the emperor and quelled the rebellion, so he had always been tolerant and kind to the Xue family.

In the end, it turned out that we had raised a tiger that would eventually cause us trouble!

"Thank you, Minister Xie. The matter concerning the Yan family is my fault; I failed to investigate properly. Now, what should I do?"

Shen Lang knew he couldn't bring himself to suddenly cause trouble for Xue Yuan or even go against the Empress Dowager.

After all, the Empress Dowager was his birth mother.

Xue Yuan is a Duke and has many cronies in the court. Even if he can be punished for framing Yan Ling, it won't affect his fundamental position.

On the contrary, it will only further alert the enemy.

Only now did Shen Lang realize the gravity of the situation, especially after discovering that Xue Yuan truly harbored rebellious intentions…

When Yan Mu presented him with evidence of Xue Yuan keeping a private army, he didn't take it seriously.

In the capital, many ministers kept skilled martial artists in their residences for security and protection, which was not a big deal.

But Xue Yuan went to such lengths to bring down the Yan family, using ruthless and unscrupulous methods, that Shen Lang suddenly felt a little afraid.

Seeing this, Xie Wei's lips curled up slightly. Yes, that's it. He had to make Shen Lang afraid so that he could proceed to the next step smoothly.

...

A few days later, the "ironclad evidence" of the beggar case at the City God Temple became increasingly intense. Even with the powerful team of Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe, they were unable to find any evidence to prove Yan Ling's innocence.

In the imperial court, Shen Lang sighed, "Marquis Yan, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that Yan Ling has disappointed me too much!"

He is the heir apparent, a role model for men in the capital. How could he treat human life so lightly? If I do not punish him, I will find it difficult to explain to my subjects!

Guards, draft the imperial decree!

—Yan Ling, son of the Marquis of Yongyi, disregarded the law and treated human life with contempt. He was demoted to a commoner and exiled to Huangzhou!

"The Marquis of Yan has condoned his son's senseless murder and failed to properly educate him. Like Yan Ling, he is exiled to Huangzhou and, without my decree, shall never return to the capital!"

As soon as Shen Lang finished speaking, the court erupted in uproar, with people whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

"Young Master Yan, did you really kill someone?"

"Stripping them of their titles and ranks, exiling them to Huangzhou, even the Marquis... isn't this punishment too harsh?"

Xue Yuan, looking triumphant, crossed his arms and said calmly, "Human life is of paramount importance, how can it be considered too heavy? You are all pillars of this dynasty, enforcers of the law, do you really intend to bend the law for personal gain?"

The Duke of Dingguo's faction all wore gloating smiles, speaking up for Xue Yuan, "That's right, even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners, so what is this Prince Yan? If he dares to do it, he should dare to take responsibility, otherwise what's the difference between him and a coward?"

The imperial court was filled with incessant chatter and noise, resembling a bustling marketplace.

Shen Lang could no longer stand it and roared, "Shut up, all of you! Yan Mu... do you plead guilty?"

Amidst countless gazes filled with anticipation, mockery, or disdain, Yan Mu lifted his robes and knelt down with composure, saying, "Your subject Yan Mu accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Many people watched this scene in disbelief.

"How could this be? Has Lord Yan confessed his guilt so easily?"

"It seems that the young master Yan might not be innocent. Otherwise, why would Lord Yan confess? Alas, I was foolish in my youth. I have always thought he was innocent!"

"Exile? Banishment? Do you think the Yan father and son have any chance of returning?"

"Yan Ling just got married. Now that he's been exiled, what will happen to the You family's daughter?"

The question this person asked was exactly what the Earl of Qingyuan had been frantically trying to find out! Of course, he wasn't worried about Chu Yuan, but rather afraid of being implicated!

After running around several times and asking around without any results, he returned home and found himself looking at Madam You with displeasure. He said angrily, "Look at the good daughter you gave birth to! She has only brought a few good days to the family, and before she could even sit down properly, she has turned into a disaster!"

"I've had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to run into you and your mother. I'm afraid I won't even be able to keep this respectable title of Earl of Qingyuan anymore!"