CHAPTER 996: CHAPTER 994: SIR, I HAVE A TRUMP CARD

Previously in Xingzhou County Town’s court case, Marquis Xinyong’s Residence was very open, the Princely Heir himself went to the main hall to await trial. Many thought that having been a local tyrant for too long, it was quite improper. But the effect was extremely straightforward and immediate.

In the capital’s case, Ye Xinyan was also very open. At the capital’s Yamen’s first hearing, she appeared leaning on a maid’s arm, followed by two old woman servants, and an imperial doctor who was almost embarrassed enough to cover his face.

A few people stepped over the high threshold of the Capital Prefecture Yamen and walked into the front hall of the Yamen.

To speak of it, Imperial Doctor Hu felt he had lost all face, as a dignified imperial doctor, traveling back and forth with a pregnant woman every day, what was this about?

Now, he was even following this pregnant woman to the Yamen for a hearing. Would he, as an imperial doctor, never be able to face anyone again?

But this was the emperor’s personal command, he and another imperial doctor took turns, ready to deal with any emergencies for this Lady Jiang who was about to give birth.

This demonstrates how highly the emperor regards her. Although he is an imperial doctor, how could he dare to be neglectful?

Ye Xinyan had been pregnant for more than nine months, but her figure wasn’t too bloated. She was already Lady of the Jiang Family and pregnant, naturally she couldn’t stand upright like before, disregarding conventions and being aggressive.

Even though it was midsummer, she had no choice but to wear a long veil cap, the silk gauze covering her face and body extending past the knees.

Upon seeing Ye Xinyan, You Chenghui’s eyes lit up instantly, and he was overjoyed.

His position as Intendant of the Capital Prefecture was stable, and if no more thorny cases arose, he might have a good chance of promotion after next year’s evaluation.

Once this case was over, nothing could possibly be more thorny. In the whole world, the only one who has the Death Exemption Token is Marquis Xin Yong, and it’s unlikely that Marquis Xin Yong will come to the capital every year to fight lawsuits.

The Marquis Xinyong’s Heir was a slightly chubby middle-aged man, perhaps having lived in Xingzhou for too long, he had developed the demeanor of a local tyrant; just by his expression, it seemed very arrogant.

In the main hall of the capital’s yamen, there was a seat for this Crown Prince. He now sat upright on one side of the chair, surprised to see the group of female relatives come in.

Behind these female relatives, there was actually a... an imperial doctor?

The Marquis Xinyong’s Heir was stunned. Upon closer inspection, it really was an imperial doctor.

What’s going on here? Even if Duke An had prestige, he wouldn’t have the national imperial doctor follow his granddaughter around, right?

Moreover, his granddaughter was already married!

He dared to fight this lawsuit, and of course, he inquired about it; this Lady Jiang, though renowned, was also a woman. No matter how fierce she was, could she possibly be fiercer than the Death Exemption Token bestowed by Emperor Taizu?

And now, being pregnant, shouldn’t she be staying comfortably at home? There’s really nothing to fear.

He really didn’t anticipate that this woman, already married and heavily pregnant, could actually so boldly disregard etiquette and personally come to the yamen for a hearing.

Isn’t the capital supposed to be the most rule-abiding place? In this situation, wouldn’t there be a respected person condemning and penalizing it?

The Marquis Xinyong’s Heir secretly sneered, it seemed the so-called capital’s rules were just a facade.

Looking outside the main hall, several men who didn’t come in should also be accompanying Ye Xinyan.

Leading them was a young man with a handsome face; judging by his appearance, stature, and demeanor, he should be quite bright. Yet at this moment, he was as gloomy as water, his gaze sinisterly looking at the Marquis Xinyong’s Heir.

The Marquis Xinyong’s Heir was very displeased. A young man not yet thirty, his official rank shouldn’t be very high, yet he looked at him with such eyes. Once outside, he must find a reason to teach him a lesson.

He possessed the Death Exemption Token, and to speak frankly, even if he met a prince or royal, they couldn’t do anything to him.

Beside the young man stood a medium-built man. That man looked ordinary, with a benign face, seemingly with little presence.

Behind them stood a middle-aged man not to be underestimated. Judging by his attire and bearing, he should be an important manager from a prestigious family, looking slick and capable, quite impressive, perhaps someone from Duke An’s Mansion, representing Duke An?

The Marquis Xinyong’s Heir snorted coldly and withdrew his gaze. As usual, he held a gold token bestowed by Emperor Taizu. Are there any others today that could surpass Emperor Taizu? What does Duke An count for?

You Chenghui managed the miscellaneous affairs of the entire Capital Prefecture, his comprehensive consideration for matters was quite astute, and he was thorough from all perspectives. Lady Jiang coming to the yamen to help him solve the problem warranted reciprocal generosity, right?

"Someone, go get the screen."

A superior produces no inferior officers; the aides and government officials very well grasp Lord You’s meaning. They swiftly set up a row of screens before Ye Xinyan.

Behind the screens a large cushioned armchair was comfortably arranged, along with a footstool.

Outside the main hall, Jiang Yifan looked at the arrangements by the government officials, his face finally improved a bit. His wife was at the brink of delivery, and this damnable Marquis Xinyong’s Residence could still stir up such irritating matters, truly annoying.

Yet under such circumstances, if it were anyone else, they really couldn’t hold it down.

This matter involved the first patent in the patent law, also the first infringement case, of considerable importance. Despite his displeasure, he couldn’t stop his wife from coming.

The case was quite simple; the only difficulty was the gold token Marquis Xinyong’s Heir held.

Though it’s called a gold token, it was actually cast of brass, slightly larger than a tile. The pattern on the edge of the gold token was beautiful, the inscriptions should be the imperial handwriting of Emperor Taizu.

With the Death Exemption Token personally inscribed by the founding emperor, Marquis Xinyong’s Residence truly has the arrogant strength.

The submission of the case was straightforward, Marquis Xinyong’s Heir still didn’t express any opinion on the case itself, only saying his family benefited tremendously from Emperor Taizu, enabling the severely disabled ancestors to keep the family lineage alive to this day.

You Chenghui listened, his mouth twitching. Could this be the tone of the Xingzhou Marquis Xinyong’s Residence’s people when dealing with matters? Is this intention not to reason with people, using Emperor Taizu’s influence to oppress?

No wonder local officials were at a loss, they could only pass the case upwards.

Fortunately, You Chenghui was different from those officials; he had his own cards to play.

After the various submissions were finished, You Chenghui faced the direction of the screen and asked, "Plaintiff Lady Ye, do you have anything to say?"

Behind the screen, Ye Xinyan had already removed her veil cap, casually sitting in the chair, feet on the moderately high footstool, with two maids fanning her. The gentle breeze blew, quite pleasantly.

She had long been waiting to speak.

This damn Death Exemption Token, Iron Ticket with Vermilion Writing nonsense, was truly a corruption within a corruption. It was as if telling the holders of such tokens to go forth and commit atrocities freely, the emperor had their back.

Emperor Taizu fulfilled his reputation of benevolence, yet laid a curse for the descendants. Even the current Emperor Qianqing, upon seeing this thing, might also be quite displeased?

There were many smart people around, and not everyone was helpless against Marquis Xinyong; it’s just that officials didn’t wish to court this misfortune.

If any official stepped forward and dealt with a family protected by Emperor Taizu, perhaps when promotion time came, the emperor and superiors would have to think deeply about it.

To support an official violating Emperor Taizu’s wishes would be considered unfilial and disrespectful, right?