The Cannon Fodder and Villain’s Happy Ending

Chapter 397

After Imperial Physician Xu left, the emperor rose from behind the imperial case and walked over to Gu Zezhi’s side to sit down.

Zhou Xin personally served the emperor a fresh cup of tea and glanced quickly at the emperor, whose face was slightly sullen as he twirled the jade ring on his thumb while muttering to himself, “In order to get himself off the hook, he even went so far as to commit matricide?”

The emperor’s eyes darkened slightly, as dark as the ink recalling past events.

Qin Zhun’s late eldest brother, Qin Jue who passed away was once the emperor’s companion. The two had been very close since childhood, and before the Qin family was exiled, they often ride horses, read books, and play ball together; they also often talk at night.

Qin Zhun was Qin Jue’s biological younger brother and the late Marquis’ son. Thinking about his old friend and the late marquis, the emperor really did not want to think he was that vicious.

In the emperor’s eyes, Qin Zhun was foolish and not cruel.

How could he reach the point of killing his mother?!

Gu Zezhi casually grabbed a handful of fish food from the box expressionlessly as he calmly said, “It could also possibly be Qin Xin.”

“……” The emperor’s eyes flashed as he meaningfully looked at Gu Zezhi.

Although Gu Zezhi only said “possibly”, he was never a person who talk nonsensical, since he mentioned Qin Xin, he probably suspected Qin Xin more.

In the past ten years, the Qin family had enough troubles so for the emperor, he would rather believe it was Qin Xin.

Gu Zezhi scattered the fish food from the window into the pool outside, and the golden-red carp in the pool immediately swam over, causing ripples and disrupting the autumn water.

Changing the topic, Gu Zezhi said. “Your Majesty, the Taipusu Case has to be finalized as soon as possible.”

The emperor squinted as he looked at the carp in the pool, frantically snatching fish food.

He understood Gu Zezhi’s meaning. In just a few days, not only had something happened to the Qin family, but there were also many people in the court waiting for opportunities to form cliques or provoke troubles, and they were even running around making connections that made everyone in the court restless and panicked.

Clenching his fist, the emperor ordered. “Pass on my word that the three divisions will have a trial on this case three days later.”

Before conducting a joint trial, the three departments should thoroughly investigate and examine the case first.

The Taipusu case was big incident since many people were involved, this also caused the court of Dali Temple frightened by the investigation. In fact, the scale of investigation was somewhat uncertain; therefore, they postponed the investigation as long as they could while observing the emperor’s attitude towards the case. Now, after receiving the oral order, they knew what the emperor’s stance was and immediately moved their hands and feet to sped up the trial.

There was a saying, the punishment was not for a doctor*. These days, Qin Zhun, who was imprisoned, suffered a lot, but he did not lose any flesh or blood. He only refused to admit his involvement, in hope that Madam Su could raise enough money to redeem him, however before Madam Su could do so, the Dali Temple started to interrogate him.

(*the doctor referring to officials, has committed a crime will not be punished)

The Dali Temple came prepared and brought the witnesses and physical evidence to Qin Zhun, they all stated how much he had embezzled causing Qin Zhun to gasp. He thought he had hidden his tracks perfectly and made sure they were untraceable.

At this time, Qin Zhun had no choice but to reluctantly confess everything. He also identifies Li Yuanchun, the former official in Taipusu hoping that he could be treated leniently as a witness.

Therefore, an urgent arrest warrant was issued, and Li Yuanchun, who had returned to his hometown, was arrested.

After Qin Zhun signed the confession, he was sent back to prison. He waited anxiously until the day of the joint trial in an open court from three departments, with the Dali Temple serving as the main judge. Qin Zhun was convicted of corruption and was sentenced to seize his title, dismissed from his office, exile, and confiscate all of his properties.

Hearing the verdict, Qin Zhun knelt motionless as if frozen, and it was only when the two yamens came to pull him that he reacted, shouting, “I refused to accept this!”

Qin Zhun looked pale and panicked. At this moment, apart from the shock, he was afraid.

He thought that at most he would be dismissed from office, he thought that at most he would sell his family business to fill in the amount of silver that he had moved away, that he would at least still have his title, and at least he would still have some of his family business left.

Instead, he was sentenced to confiscate his title and go into exile; he had left with nothing!

Qin Zhun couldn’t help thinking of the exile fifteen years ago. At that time, because his father and brother were both there, he was still able to endure. He knew that, no matter how bad the situation was, the Qin family still had support. Even in the exile area of Minzhou, some officials secretly took care of them thinking of their old friendships. Once, he accidentally heard his father tell his brother that as long as he survived those years and waited for the crown prince to ascend to the throne, everything would be fine…

At that time, he was also counting on it.

But it’s different now, with his father and eldest brother gone, he’s left on his own ……

“I refused to accept this!” Qin Zhun shouted louder, but the two yamens didn’t care and forcefully dragged him outside the public hall.

Qin Zhun was getting more and more frightened, and shouted heartbreakingly, “Your Majesty, I want to see His Majesty!”

“Our Qin family was exiled to Minzhou fifteen years ago for the sake of the emperor, and my elder brother even died in Minzhou because of this ….”

Qin Zhun’s voice was getting farther and farther away as he was dragged down, leaving only the people in the public hall outside who were still unsatisfied. Some people curiously inquired about what Qin Zhun had said 15 years ago, and for a while, rumors started flying.

The words shouted by Qin Zhun in court were heard by the emperor on the same day.

Emperor: “….”

The emperor stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, and did not speak for a long time.

Sunlight cast a dappled shadow on his face through the sparse canopy of trees, and a few finches fluttered outside the window, making a subtle winging sound.

Beyond this, there was no sound.

***