The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 182

The Minister of Justice stammered, “It was Zhao Jide who told me privately.”

The Emperor was momentarily speechless. So it was him! The renowned pig slaughterer and top scholar! This man was even more stubborn than the Minister of Justice. Ten Ministers of Justice couldn’t compare to one Zhao Jide.

It was Zhao Jide who had publicly accused the Third Prince of ordering the arson at the Fourth Prince’s residence in the Imperial Hall and then claimed not to recognize the Third Prince. The Emperor had a certain tolerance for such obstinate ministers. The court needed such people.

The gloom on the Emperor’s face dissipated without him noticing, and he said irritably, “Stay away from him!”

The Minister of Justice, obviously surprised by the Emperor’s remark, looked up in confusion.

The Emperor changed the subject, “What about Deqing Temple? Have you found anything?”

The Minister of Justice shook his head. “No. Zhao Jide and I went to Deqing Temple to investigate fifteen times, but we found nothing. During Master Deqing’s ritual, only the Fourth Prince visited once on the first day. No one else went there.”

Pausing, the Minister of Justice continued, “Moreover, several coroners examined Master Deqing’s body and found no internal or external injuries apart from the stab wounds. The cause of death was indeed weapon injuries, and the time of death was shortly after the Fourth Prince left.”

The Emperor felt a heavy weight in his heart. Lately, he had been waking up from nightmares. Sometimes he dreamt of being hacked to pieces, falling into a pit filled with sharp weapons, or being trampled to death on the battlefield. All these dreams ended in a horrible death.

These recurring nightmares made the Emperor particularly troubled by Master Deqing’s death.

“So, you mean there’s no killer?” the Emperor asked.

The Minister of Justice nodded. “Though it sounds far-fetched, I can’t think of any other explanation. Master Deqing’s death is beyond human control. No one could have killed him like that unless they stabbed his corpse with numerous weapons posthumously. But that’s too perverse and would take a very long time. On-site investigation shows this possibility is zero.”

Taking a breath, the Minister of Justice continued, “Therefore, Zhao Jide and I believe Master Deqing might have provoked something during his ritual.”

As two of the most stubborn officials, Zhao Jide and the Minister of Justice always believed there were no ghosts or monsters in the world. For the Minister of Justice to say such a thing showed how desperate he was to close the case.

The expression on his face was very clear: he wanted to close the case.

The Emperor sighed. “If it can’t be solved, then close it.”

Before the Emperor could finish his sentence, the Minister of Justice, fearing he might change his mind, immediately responded, “Yes!”

The Emperor continued, “This case is closed, but the Third Prince’s case must continue to be investigated. I am not the arsonist!” he ordered coldly, glaring at the Minister of Justice.

The Minister of Justice, trembling with embarrassment, accepted the order.

After the Minister of Justice left, the Emperor took a sip of hot tea handed to him by the Chief Eunuch.

“I’ve been too lenient with those two. They dare to say anything, even accusing me of being the killer!” the Emperor complained.

The Chief Eunuch stood by with a smile, “Your Majesty is wise. Throughout history, wise rulers have had straightforward ministers. Your Majesty’s tolerance is their good fortune, and also the good fortune of the Great Yan Dynasty.”

The Emperor snorted but couldn’t help smiling.

As they spoke, a little eunuch announced, “Your Majesty, the Heavenly Hound is here.”

Ever since the Duke’s case was concluded, the Heavenly Hound had stayed in the palace. Last time, when Shen Yue was framed at a banquet, it was the Heavenly Hound’s intervention that forced the culprit to confess. However, recently, the Heavenly Hound had been listless. Despite the Emperor’s attempts to appease it, it remained indifferent. Why had it come today?

The Emperor was pleased. “Let it in.”

The door to the Imperial Study creaked open, and the Heavenly Hound trotted in, wagging its tail. It jumped onto the desk, rolled over, and nestled in the Emperor’s lap.

The Emperor was delighted, laughing heartily. “The sun must have risen from the west today. It’s actually being affectionate with me.”

The Chief Eunuch smiled, “Your Majesty’s mood has improved lately. Even the Heavenly Hound can sense it. When Your Majesty was in a foul mood, even I was afraid to approach, let alone the Heavenly Hound.”

The Emperor shot a glance at the Chief Eunuch. “You old thing, you’ve learned to be as cheeky as Zhao Jide, daring to say anything!”

The Chief Eunuch quickly lowered his head.

The Emperor petted the Heavenly Hound’s head, his smile genuine. “Why have you come to see me today?”

The Heavenly Hound, using its spiritual power, conveyed its thoughts to the Emperor: It wanted to eat the new Eight Treasures Duck from the Imperial Kitchen.

Hearing this voice in his mind, the Emperor burst out laughing. “I knew it! You only came close because you’re hungry!”

The Emperor didn’t find anything wrong with his words, but the Chief Eunuch slightly frowned, though he didn’t remind the Emperor.

The Heavenly Hound inwardly sneered: Fool.

Unaware, the Emperor laughed heartily, petting the Heavenly Hound with one hand and gesturing to the Chief Eunuch with the other, “Go to the Imperial Kitchen and see if the Eight Treasures Duck is ready. If it is, bring it here.”

The Chief Eunuch quickly complied. Before long, he returned with a food box. “Your Majesty, the Heavenly Hound has impeccable timing. The Eight Treasures Duck has just been prepared,” he said, flattering the Emperor.

The Emperor, genuinely smiling for the first time in a while, personally took out the Eight Treasures Duck and placed it before the Heavenly Hound. “Eat, you greedy dog!”

The Heavenly Hound rolled its eyes, thinking: Who are you calling a dog? I’m a Heavenly Hound! A purebred! If not for my master’s orders, would I be here begging for food? Fool!

Rolling its eyes, the Heavenly Hound lowered its head and began eating the Eight Treasures Duck. Despite its disdain, the duck was indeed delicious.

Just as it had eaten half the duck, a little eunuch reported, “Your Majesty, Magistrate Zhao seeks an audience.”

The Emperor frowned. Why was Ironhead Zhao here? “Let him in!”

At the Emperor’s command, Zhao Jide entered the Imperial Study, bringing in a chill with his iron-faced demeanor.

Since the Imperial Hall incident, the Emperor found it hard to face Zhao Jide. Every time he saw him, he couldn’t help but think of the nickname “Ironhead.”

Unaware of the Emperor’s thoughts, Zhao Jide respectfully saluted and said, “Your Majesty, an hour ago, a murder case occurred in the capital involving the Fourth Prince. I have come to seek your orders.”