CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127: FATHER AND DAUGHTER (PART 2)

Under the bright candlelight, Chen Zhuo’s face was ashen, revealing uncontrollable resentment and anger in his eyes.

Father and daughter, though no longer harmonious, had previously maintained a semblance of decorum.

Tonight, the mask finally dropped, and the truth was revealed!

The father and daughter confronted each other, one calmly seated, the other standing stiffly, one tall, one short. Their gazes locked for a long time, and in the end, it was Chen Zhuo who admitted defeat.

"How did it come to this?" Chen Zhuo’s eyes reddened, tears spilling from the corners: "Shao Hua, we are father and daughter, flesh and blood. How did it come to this?"

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips, not a trace of amusement in her eyes: "Enough with the nonsense. There are only two paths before you, no third option."

"You have one night to think clearly."

"If you follow my instructions, there will still be a place for you at the Nanyang Prince Mansion."

"If you are unwilling to plead for Zhou Ying, you need not show up at tomorrow’s morning court hearing. Just take Aunt Mei and her children to Fanyang. I will have personal soldiers escort your family of four back. Every year, I will send some silver over, ensuring you don’t go hungry."

"Leave now!"

It was as if a massive stone was lodged in his throat.

Chen Zhuo’s forehead veins throbbed once again.

However, confronting those cold and sharp eyes, his heart trembled repeatedly, and he dared not utter a word of refusal.

Stiffly, he turned around and pushed open the study door.

He met Chen Jinyu’s curious face.

Chen Zhuo’s lips moved as if wanting to shout angrily. Alas, the strength drained from his limbs, leaving him powerless.

He thought himself resolute as he swept his sleeves and left.

Tut tut! Why does he seem like a stray dog?

Chen Sheren inwardly mocked, then entered the study. Seeing the Commandery Princess calmly seated, he swallowed his intended inquiry: "It’s late, the Commandery Princess should rest."

Jiang Shaohua stretched lazily, smiled, and stood up: "Busy for a day, indeed a bit tired. You should rest early too, tomorrow morning there’s the case hearing, who knows how long it will last."

...

At this moment, Yang Shi quietly sought an audience with Chief Historian Chen.

Once the door closed, Yang Shi revealed a distressed expression: "Chief Historian Chen, how should tomorrow’s murder case be reviewed?"

Chief Historian Chen was sparing with words: "Judge impartially!"

Yang Zheng was exasperated: "Chief Historian Chen, don’t joke. If the Commandery Princess wants the case judged by Da Liang Law, County Magistrate Cui could have handled it directly. Why summon me specially?"

Chen Zhuo glanced at Yang Zheng: "Since you already understand, why ask me?"

Yang Zheng sighed deeply, then chuckled bitterly: "Just hoping for some comfort from Chief Historian Chen."

"Our Yang Family, since my great-grandfather’s time, has handled criminal affairs. Much of Da Liang Law has Yang Family members participating in its formulation. I’ve learned Da Liang Law since childhood."

"What the Commandery Princess wants not only violates Da Liang Law but also societal norms. If the case is judged according to her wishes, how could I manage the Criminal Room with dignity afterward!"

By the end, Yang Zheng was genuinely moved, his eyes red, tears falling.

Such a murder case requires documentation for the Ministry of Justice.

If Yang Zheng presides and reaches an absurd judgment, he might be scorned by thousands and ridiculed by millions. Future Da Liang history books might record it.

Thinking thus, it’s a burden too heavy to bear.

Yang Zheng cried while shaking his head: "No! I cannot judge the case like this!"

Chen Zhuo felt conflicted. He also disagreed with the Commandery Princess’s actions, but emotionally and position-wise, he had to support her.

"Yang Shi, calm down." Chen Zhuo handed a clean handkerchief to Yang Zheng.

Yang Zheng wiped his face hastily, eyes red: "I must see the Commandery Princess, express my heartfelt opinion."

Chen Zhuo replied lightly: "You know the Commandery Princess’s temper. Do you want to be sent back to the Yang Family like Chief Steward Qiu was?"

Yang Zheng was speechless.

He didn’t have the courage for such drastic actions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here lamenting without taking action.

Chen Zhuo looked at Yang Zheng and slowly said: "You wrote to Vice Minister Yang, hoping he’d transfer you from Nanyang Prince Mansion to elsewhere, didn’t you?"

Yang Zheng reacted as if stung by a wasp, jumping up: "How did you know!"

"Because after receiving your letter, Vice Minister Yang wrote to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, apologizing to the Commandery Princess." Chen Zhuo’s voice was calm: "The Commandery Princess spared your dignity, not revealing this."

"She knew you’d come to seek my intercession, so she handed me the letter to pass to you. She instructed me to tell you that for her, this patricide case is an excellent opportunity, so it must be judged according to her wishes."

"However, Yang Shi, don’t be too troubled. Tomorrow, Lu Junma will also stand in court, personally pleading for Zhou Ying."

Hmm?

Yang Zheng halted.

Chen Zhuo observed, feeling pleased, and slowly continued: "So don’t panic. If this case spreads nationwide, the greatest discussion will focus on Mrs. Zhou’s father and daughter, the Commandery Princess, Lu Junma, Aunt Mei, and even Lu Ying and Ruohua, not you getting fame nationwide."

Human nature is such.

Feeling down, look down, there’s someone worse off, your heart suddenly feels much better.

Yang Zheng let out a breath, his voice still full of grievance: "I really don’t understand why the Commandery Princess must go this far."

"Lu Junma indeed behaved improperly, but the Commandery Princess has punished Chief Steward Qiu and severely warned Lu Junma. Now Lu Junma behaves, isn’t that enough?"

"Must it escalate to the point where father and daughter split irreparably?"

"If this spreads, Lu Junma will face disgrace, and the Commandery Princess will be seen as harsh and unfilial. What’s the point?"

"Why doesn’t Chief Historian Chen advise the Commandery Princess?"

He did advise.

But failed to persuade her, instead the Commandery Princess persuaded him.

"This will happen sooner or later. Better early than late; after a year or two of gossip, it will fade. Wait until marriage age for a scandal, isn’t the impact greater?"

"I do care about reputation, but I have bigger concerns. I won’t allow Lu Junma a chance to interfere with the Prince Mansion, nor permit anyone to align with him."

"Rather than later disasters of father and daughter fighting, better eliminate threats now."

Chen Zhuo recalled a previous scene, sighed inwardly, and solemnly told Yang Zheng: "No longer hesitate or overthink, judge the case according to the Commandery Princess’s wishes."