Chapter 333: The East Palace's SchemeChapter 130: A Kick

Li Chen's words were utterly vulgar.

But it is also simple to the extreme.

Its effects are immediate.

Wang Tenghuan finally realized that today's events were definitely not as simple as the prince regretting and not wanting to let the Ninth Prince gain fame.

This is an opportunity to make a big splash.

So it's definitely not going to end so easily.

Even after decades of navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, Wang Tenghuan, a man who had long cultivated an impassive demeanor like Mount Tai before a storm, found his heart stirred by a tempestuous wave.

Li Chen didn't even bother to look at Wang Tenghuan. He turned his head to face Jiang Zhou and said coldly, "Jiang Zhou, this palace won't tempt you into confessing. I'll make it clear to you today: based on these things from the porridge factory, your fate today is sealed. You will die."

"But you still have a choice in how you die. Tell me honestly who was involved in the embezzlement and how it was done, and I'll give you a quick end."

"At this point, Li Chen's tone suddenly turned icy cold. He said, "But if you still harbor any hope, then wait to be slowly dismembered and executed. During your execution, you can watch with your own eyes as your clan members one by one join you on the road!"

"Then you can see, those people you are now desperately trying to protect, will they shed a tear for you"

Jiang Zhou's eyes widened in alarm, his breathing quickened. A terrifying, indescribable dread enveloped him completely, so great that he even forgot the pain for a moment.

He didn't expect Li Chen to actually have murderous intentions towards him.

And Wang Tenghuan hadn't thought of that either.

Although the matter was orchestrated by Jiang Zhou, it involved several departments and dozens of officials from all levels of the imperial court. While their positions may not have been high, they held crucial roles. These were the people he had painstakingly placed over the years.

Therefore, Jiang Zhou absolutely cannot have anything happen to him.

Even if Jiang Zhou died, he absolutely couldn't blow the whistle on that big net behind him. Otherwise, the consequences... Wang Tenghuan shuddered just thinking about it.

Before Jiang Zhou could speak, Wang Tenghuan hastily interjected, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. This place is not a suitable place for interrogation. It's better to return to the imperial court first, hand Jiang Zhou over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation, and then have a joint trial by the three judicial departments. If Jiang Zhou is truly guilty, this old minister will be the first to punish him!"

This statement is well-phrased and skillfully avoids any flaws.

But Li Chen ignored him completely.

To be handed over to the Ministry of Justice

Three Courts Joint Trial

Which of these government offices is not controlled by Zhao Xuanji and Wang Tenghuan in the cabinet

If this were to happen, Jiang Zhou would surely vanish that night and be nowhere to be found.

"Jiang Zhou, this palace is asking you a question! Don't you dare keep anything from me!"

Li Chen let out a shout, causing Jiang Zhou, who still clung to a sliver of hope, to tremble.

"If you don't speak, then so be it. This palace will send people to your home and bring your family members here one by one. I will have them killed before your very eyes. I guarantee they will die in the most agonizing way possible. As an official, you haven't brought any benefit to your family, but instead, you drag them into this misery. Is this what you truly desire"

Li Chen's words shattered Jiang Zhou's last hope.

He was filled with terror, shouting out, "No! Your Highness, my family are all innocent!"

“Whether or not you are innocent, this palace will make its own judgment. But if you do not tell the truth, do not blame this palace for being ruthless.” Li Chen pressed forward step by step.

Wang Tenghuan suddenly stepped in front of Li Chen, his eyes wide and hair bristling, he roared, "Prince! Are you trying to provoke the entire court!"

Once those words were spoken, Li Chen and Wang Tenghuan became irreconcilable enemies. There would be no peace until one of them was defeated today; otherwise, Li Chen's status as the Crown Prince would be completely destroyed, his reputation in tatters.

So Li Chen's response was also very simple and blunt. of the imperial court's heir apparent. In simpler terms, it holds legal weight.And all imperial edicts issued by the emperor or crown prince, as well as imperial decrees issued by the empress dowager...