The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 85

A few subordinates stood there, their eyes cast downward, as they tried to ignore the scene. They had become immune to this. Search as he might, sooner or later they would have their next task.

Finally, the Crown Prince pulled out a gaudy book from the bottom of the bookshelf, titled My Stunning Prince. He had read this book four or five years ago, finding its content unbearable at the time. It told the story…

As soon as he opened the book, a flash of realization struck the Crown Prince. The book described a prince who went out alone on a stormy night, was struck by lightning, and ended up swapping souls with a woman who was gathering firewood. After the lightning strike, the woman’s soul inhabited the prince’s body.

Staring at the book, the Crown Prince suddenly laughed. Interesting. What once seemed unbearable now felt intriguing upon revisiting. No wonder the Fourth Prince seemed so strange. Perhaps the Fourth Prince had also been struck by lightning. The body was his, but the soul had changed. The girl he had been searching for might now be in the Fourth Prince’s body.

Caressing the book’s cover, the Crown Prince wore an expression of excitement, as if he had found a treasure. His sudden laughter caused a chill to run down the spines of his subordinates.

Carefully placing the book on the table, the Crown Prince turned to his attendant, “You stay. The rest of you, return to your posts.” With that, everyone dispersed except for the Crown Prince’s personal attendant.

“Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince strode outside, “To the magistrate’s office.” The attendant followed, puzzled. Hadn’t His Highness said he had no interest and wouldn’t go? Why the change?

The Crown Prince walked briskly, and meanwhile, Song Jin, having finished a bowl of noodles, arrived at the magistrate’s office with Lu Zhan. Wang Fugui knelt, trembling as he accused the Third Young Master of Duke of heinous acts. Beside Wang Fugui knelt Qian Lai. Having come back to life, he was still weak, his face pale, but his eyes were filled with anger and hatred.

Song Jin, seated on one side, observed Qian Lai, thinking that if such a person truly died, he would become a vengeful ghost haunting Duke. Her thoughts wandered, and she frowned. Why was she thinking about this? There were no ghosts in this world. Really! Mentally rolling her eyes at herself, Song Jin refocused.

Wang Fugui had finished his accusation, and the magistrate, sitting behind the desk, asked coldly, “Do you realize that the person you are accusing is the pillar of our nation, the son of Duke, and an official himself? Accusing an official, have you thought this through?”

Wang Fugui’s face showed determination. “There’s nothing to think about. My son is dead. The living must seek justice for the dead.”

The magistrate snorted derisively, “Justice.” He turned to the Fourth Prince, “Your Highness, what do you think?”

Song Jin immediately replied, “Your Excellency, you are the one judging this case. I am merely here to assist. Please proceed.”

Facing Song Jin, the magistrate felt a surge of anger. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t have even allowed a chair to be brought for the Fourth Prince. Moreover, the Fourth Prince refused to bring his consort back from her parents’ home. But the Crown Prince’s intentions were clear: this case must make Duke fall.

Throwing a cold glance at the Fourth Prince, the magistrate banged his wooden block, “Summon the Third Young Master of Duke!”

Immediately, a young servant from Duke’s Estate stepped forward and bowed respectfully, “Your Excellency, my young master caught a cold yesterday and couldn’t even get out of bed this morning. I am his personal servant, and I know everything. Duke sent me in his stead.”

Duke did not know the Crown Prince’s stance on this case. Seeing the servant, the magistrate’s eyes flashed with cold amusement.

“Did the Third Young Master ever order someone to beat Wang Fugui’s son to death?”

The servant glanced disdainfully at Wang Fugui, “Never.”

Wang Fugui then said, “My son wasn’t beaten to death by the Third Young Master. He died after receiving fifty lashes ordered by the magistrate’s office.”

This trial was public. Many citizens gathered outside to watch. Previously, Wang Fugui’s petition only accused the Third Young Master of Duke. Now, with this sudden statement, the crowd erupted in whispers.

Song Jin observed Wang Fugui, thinking that Shen Yue and her father had arranged this well. An unexpected move. It seemed they aimed not only to topple Duke but also to bring down the magistrate.

Pondering, Song Jin turned to look at the magistrate. The magistrate’s face darkened with rage, and he banged the table, “Outrageous! Are you accusing me?”

Wang Fugui’s expression didn’t change much. “My son’s flogging was witnessed by many. I’m just stating facts. I am not accusing you, Your Excellency. My main accusation is against the Third Young Master. You probably lashed my son under his orders. I understand.”

Song Jin almost laughed out loud. This Wang Fugui, who seemed honest and simple, was quite adept at sharp words.

Before the magistrate could respond, Song Jin coughed, “Your Excellency, it seems you are also implicated in this case. Perhaps it is inappropriate for you to preside over it.”

If the magistrate had been accused from the start, the case would have been assigned to another judge by the Ministry of Justice. If Duked the magistrate bought off the new judge, then what? Now it was perfect. The Emperor had personally ordered that he and the magistrate judge the case together. With the magistrate implicated, Song Jin now had the freedom to judge the case.

Song Jin slowly stood up and walked towards the magistrate. The magistrate glared at him coldly, “What are you doing, Your Highness? Do you think I am guilty?”

Such audacity! Song Jin smiled, “How dare I think Your Excellency is guilty? Everyone knows that even though I am a prince, my status is far below yours!”

These words incited murmurs among the citizens outside. The magistrate’s face darkened, “What do you intend to do?”

Song Jin replied, “Nothing much. We’ll continue the trial. Since you are implicated, it’s not appropriate for you to handle the case. I will ask the questions for now. After all, the Emperor said we should handle this case together.”

“You…”

The magistrate banged the table, turning to glare at Wang Fugui, “Are you accusing me?”

Wang Fugui shook his head, “No, Your Excellency. I am accusing the Third Young Master of Duke.” He paused, then added, “But my son was lashed by the magistrate’s office. I just don’t know if it was under your fair judgment or if the Third Young Master instructed it.”

The magistrate stared at Wang Fugui. When he had last seen this old man, he wasn’t so confident. What was this? Did he think he had found a powerful backer and dared to challenge him? Overestimating himself!