The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 174

The Emperor ground his teeth in anger.

The Chief Eunuch stood there with his head bowed. “Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice and the others are waiting outside.”

The Emperor snorted heavily, throwing a teacup to the floor. After a long moment, he spoke through clenched teeth, “Let them in.”

Although the Third Prince was now unable to participate in the investigation due to his injuries, this situation was different from what the Emperor had originally planned. The former scenario was a public slap in the Emperor’s face, while the latter was a well-thought-out scheme.

They were not the same!

The Emperor was nearly exploding with rage. The air in the Imperial Study was tense. The Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court were experienced officials, accustomed to such situations. Despite their cautious demeanor, they remained relatively calm.

The newly appointed Commander of the Capital’s Garrison, however, was not doing well. He trembled uncontrollably, his teeth chattering loudly.

The Emperor, still filled with anger, looked at him with interest. Sixteen years on the throne had taught the Emperor that what he enjoyed most was not the power of commanding the Three Palaces or receiving thousands of responses to his orders. What he enjoyed most was the fear others had for him, the kind that came from deep within and was uncontrollable.

When he first ascended the throne, the ministers were cautious and fearful of him. But as time went on, they became more like old hands. He hadn’t seen someone this scared in years.

“Are you the new Commander?” the Emperor asked.

The Commander, hearing his name, was so frightened that his legs gave out, and he knelt down, shaking even more. “Y-yes, Your Majesty, I-I am.”

The Emperor watched him, feeling his anger slightly diminish. He turned his gaze to the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice.

“Explain what happened,” he demanded.

The Chief Justice detailed the events. The Minister of Justice, who had no direct involvement but had to be present for the transfer of the Third Prince to the Ministry of Justice, added, “I have dispatched all available personnel to capture the culprits. However, the chaos was such that by the time the news reached the Ministry, it was already too late. We have only the descriptions provided by the Supreme Court’s guards to go on.”

He paused before continuing, “There were likely two perpetrators. One drew attention and threw the oilcloth, while the other, who must have been very close to the sedan chair, set it on fire.”

This statement provoked the Chief Justice. “What do you mean by that?” he demanded.

The Minister of Justice, unfazed, replied, “Exactly what I said.”

“Are you accusing someone from the Supreme Court of tampering with the sedan chair?” the Chief Justice retorted.

“I have no evidence to say that for certain,” the Minister of Justice said calmly. “I’m merely stating what I have learned so far.”

The Chief Justice huffed in frustration. The Minister of Justice continued, “As soon as the incident occurred, the Capital Magistrate rushed to the scene and sealed it off. I arrived shortly after. Based on our analysis, we concluded that the person who threw the fire source must have been among the escorting team.”

“You…” the Chief Justice sputtered in fury, pointing a trembling finger at the Minister of Justice. “You have no right to interrogate my men.”

“I don’t, but the Capital Magistrate does,” the Minister of Justice replied. “He is responsible for maintaining order in the capital and has the authority to question anyone involved in a disturbance, as decreed by His Majesty.”

The Chief Justice fell silent, seething.

The Emperor turned his gaze back to the trembling Commander. “What do you think?”

The Commander flinched and pressed his forehead to the floor. “Your Majesty, I-I wasn’t at the scene. I deserve punishment.”

The Emperor laughed coldly.

At that moment, the Chief Eunuch returned. “Your Majesty, someone from the Third Prince’s residence has arrived.”

“And?” the Emperor asked.

The Chief Eunuch sighed softly. “The Prince’s burns are severe. Even with the best medicine, there will be significant scarring. Additionally, the Prince is still unconscious from the shock, and it’s uncertain when he will wake.”

The Emperor pondered this information. The latter part of the report fit his initial plan, but the former…

“Has the imperial physician been sent?” the Emperor asked.

The Chief Eunuch nodded. “He is on his way.”

The Emperor waved him away and turned to the Chief Justice. “This incident happened under your watch. Regardless of whether my son is guilty or framed, he was alive and well when I entrusted him to you.”

The Chief Justice broke into a cold sweat and knelt down. “I am guilty, Your Majesty.”

“I want the culprits found,” the Emperor continued. “No matter what my son has done, there are laws to address his actions. It’s not for others to take matters into their own hands. Moreover, my son might be innocent.”

The Emperor paused, then added with emphasis, “The Ministry of Justice will handle this investigation. You will cooperate fully until the matter is resolved. You are relieved of your duties until then.”

The Chief Justice went pale and began trembling like the Commander beside him.