Chарtеr 152: Rеtriаl of the Cаsе 2
Zhang Bаohuan, whо wаs раrtiсiрating in the сourt hearing on the side, furrоwеd his brows slightlу. Thе Вrосadе Wоrkshор сasе was relatеd tо Hаn Shiyuan.
From thе incident until nоw, Han Shiуuаn hаd hеld а grudgе аgainst him ovеr thе Brосаde Wоrkshoр mаtter.
If he соuld takе this oppоrtunity to havе thе Вroсade Workshор сasе rеtriеd аnd сlеar thе nаmes оf thosе involved, thеn Hаn Shiуuаn would nо lоngеr bе a conviсted criminal and cоuld appеar oрenlу bеforе everyone once more.
More importantly, it could alleviate the guilt and pressure that had weighed on his heart for many years. In doing so, perhaps the relationship between the two could return to how it was before.
Thinking of this, Zhang Baohuan bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, I also believe that Chief Shen makes a valid point. If we truly care for the people, we should ease their worries and follow their wishes. Moreover,
recent rumors of ghosts have surfaced, likely indicating that the people remain quite curious about the Brocade Workshop incident from years ago. If we reopen the case now, wouldn’t it better demonstrate Your Majesty’s compassion for the people’s sentiments?"
Hearing Zhang Baohuan’s words, the Empress also found them quite reasonable.
She nodded and looked at Shen Du. "Very well. To ease the people’s worries, I permit this case to be retried. Minister Shen, I entrust this case entirely to you today. You must investigate it thoroughly and bring clarity to the matter."
"I accept Your Majesty’s decree."
Having received the Empress’s approval, Shen Du finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This case weighed heavily on Zhu Yan’s mind. Now that he had obtained the authority to reopen it, he believed Zhu Yan would be pleased upon learning the news.
In the Daming Palace.
Zhang Baohuan hurriedly approached the Empress’s side. "Your Majesty, all the condolence gifts you sent to the Grand Princess have been returned in full."
Delivering this message, Zhang Baohuan’s expression was filled with concern.
The Empress looked grave and sighed helplessly. "Is it the same reason as before?"
Zhang Baohuan nodded.
"The Grand Princess says that as a convicted criminal, she dares not accept them. Your Majesty, since the Grand Princess has said as much, please do not take it to heart. Now that Chief Shen is reopening the case,
if the Brocade Workshop is truly cleared of wrongdoing, wouldn’t that also resolve the matter weighing on the Grand Princess’s heart? At that time, the rift between Your Majesty and the Grand Princess may naturally ease."
The Empress rubbed her forehead, taking Zhang Baohuan’s words to heart.
"If that is truly the case, then it would be good. But I fear the deceased are gone, and the knots in the heart remain unwilling to loosen."
"The Grand Princess would not be so stubborn. After all, the bond of the imperial family still exists between Your Majesty and the Grand Princess. This cannot be erased, no matter how displeased the Grand Princess may feel."
The Empress nodded, finding Zhang Baohuan’s words quite reasonable.
The deceased are gone, but the living must continue on. As long as one lives, one must make plans for their own life.
Bamboo Green Teahouse.
Zhu Yan and Xu Xiangren sat facing each other once again, but this time was different from before.
Previously, it was always Zhu Yan who invited Xu Xiangren here. This time, however, Xu Xiangren had taken the initiative to invite her, likely because he had important information to share.
Two cups of hot tea were served. Zhu Yan moved her cup aside slightly. "Second Brother Xu, did you invite me out because you’ve uncovered some clues?"
Xu Xiangren nodded slightly, a gentle smile on his face. After the misunderstanding from last time,In Xu Xiangren's heart, Zhu Yan had long been regarded as his own younger sister. Now, learning that the Empress had allowed Shen Du to reopen the case of the Brocade Workshop, he felt deeply gratified.
He had already discovered the relationship between Han Shiyuan and Zhang Baohuan and had investigated Han Shiyuan's background. He had come specifically to tell Zhu Yan some things about Han Shiyuan.
Before speaking, Xu Xiangren took a deep breath.
Although Han Shiyuan was connected to the Brocade Workshop case, he was also the Zhu family's prospective son-in-law.
Zhu Yan, as a member of the Zhu family, held a favorable impression of this prospective brother-in-law. However, he wondered whether revealing these matters might alter their current relationship.
Seeing Xu Xiangren hesitate, Zhu Yan sensed his dilemma. "Second Brother Xu, if you have something to say, please speak frankly. Since you've decided to tell me, I can certainly bear it."
Hearing this, Xu Xiangren lowered his gaze and began, "Han Shiyuan once had a conflict with Lai Luozhi. The reason was that he sympathized with the plight of Kuang Zhanxin, the former courtesan of Pingkang Ward, and wanted to redeem her. However, he was threatened by Lai Luozhi, who even subjected him to the 'Inviting the Lord into the Jar' punishment. During the execution, Princess Yong'an happened to pass by and saved Han Shiyuan.
But Princess Yong'an is also a deeply cunning person. She saved Han Shiyuan solely because she admired his appearance and wanted to keep him by her side as a male favorite. Han Shiyuan, however, refused, which angered her. She even made threats, saying that if she couldn't have him, she would destroy him."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan's frown deepened. So, her prospective brother-in-law had known Kuang Zhanxin and had interacted with her.
If there had been no prior connection, it was unlikely he would have sought to redeem her out of mere sympathy. This made Zhu Yan realize that Han Shiyuan might not be as upright and straightforward as she had thought.
"Did you know that Han Shiyuan is Zhang Baohuan's younger brother?" Zhu Yan, wanting to understand Han Shiyuan further, shared this information with Xu Xiangren.
Xu Xiangren smiled calmly. "There is nothing we Unrighteous Agents do not know."
Zhu Yan scratched her neck in sudden realization. "That's true. But does Princess Yong'an know?"
As she asked this, Zhu Yan noticed Xu Xiangren's expression—as if he didn't want to answer. Yet, after a moment's hesitation, he nodded.
Zhu Yan was astonished. "If Princess Yong'an knows about Han Shiyuan's relationship with Zhang Baohuan, why would she do such a thing? Isn't this deliberately humiliating Zhang Baohuan? Moreover, Zhang Baohuan serves the Empress. Isn't this clearly..."
She trailed off, not daring to continue, as such talk could be a capital offense.
Xu Xiangren nodded gravely and added, "Princess Yong'an is not the Empress's biological daughter. Although she appears respectful toward the Empress on the surface, she is, in fact, deeply cunning.
Do not be fooled by her seemingly unmoved exterior—she is constantly weighing gains and losses in her heart. In the future, when dealing with her, it would be wise for you to be cautious."
Zhu Yan nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked in return, "Second Brother Xu, haven't you always opposed my investigation into Lai Luozhi's affairs? Why are you so eager to tell me about this today?"
Hearing Zhu Yan's question, Xu Xiangren lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. It seemed Shen Du had not yet had the chance to inform her about the reopening of the Brocade Workshop case.However, it would be better for Shen Du to deliver this news himself.
Zhu Yan had been concerned about the Brocade Workshop case for quite some time now. If she were to learn that the case was being reopened, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed.
"It's nothing. You should head back first. Today, the Great Pavilion Commander will bring you some good news, but don’t tell him I told you."
Seeing Xu Xiangren’s mysterious expression, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Good news? What good news could there be? Just yesterday, it hadn’t even been decided whether to present the Brocade Workshop matter to His Majesty. How could there be any good news today?
It would already be a relief if nothing went wrong.
With these doubts in mind, Zhu Yan returned to the Shen residence.
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