pertwk Chapter 575: When the Sky Falls, Someone Will Hold It Up
Chapter 575: When the Sky Falls, Someone Will Hold It Up
In recent days, Xia Wenjin has been overwhelmed with work, leaving her with no time to see Huangfu Jingchen.
She was unaware of Huangfu Jingchen’s move back to the Cheng Prince Mansion.
When the rumors circulated around town about Prince Cheng’s Heir narrowly escaping death and undoubtedly having future blessings, she had heard of it yet naturally associated it with Huangfu Haichen, the princely heir, and not Huang Zheng.
Of course, the main reason was that the matter concerning Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin had turned into an iron-clad case, leaving her with no mind to focus on other things.
As for Huangfu Jingchen, ever since Xia Wenjin left that day, he asked Uncle Chen to inquire about her whereabouts, intending to find her once he handled his affairs.
Just as he returned to the Cheng Prince Mansion with his father and mother according to their original plans, Uncle Chen reported back with information.
Naturally, Xia Wenjin had been cautious. Even though Uncle Chen, a master personally trained by Lu Qianxue, had encountered Xia Wenjin and was in the Capital City, it took them several days, using numerous resources, to discover some traces.
Only when Xia Wenjin was busy with the affairs of Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin, without deliberately hiding her tracks, did they come to understand the general situation.
Huangfu Jingchen even disguised himself to visit the jail and met Xia Wanqing.
That night, the rough, robust man’s image left a deep impression on Huangfu Jingchen. Even from afar, the man’s dragon-like stance and proud spirit, unchanged by the surroundings, remained unforgettable.
He remembered that man was called Xia Wanqing, a name he heard Xia Wenjin use.
But he hadn’t realized that man was Wenjin’s father, embroiled into the case concerning the Duke of England’s grandson’s murder and deemed the mastermind, soon to be executed.
Learning this news greatly unsettled Huangfu Jingchen, as he had fought against Xia Wanqing before. With Xia Wanqing’s skills, to kill Zhan Baoqing was but a slap, and any talk of conspiracies or schemes was impossible.
However, the imperial edict from the Emperor had already been issued by the time he received the news.
With the awkward status of the Cheng Prince Mansion, Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t use its name for this matter, so he could only act in secret.
Concubine Cheng Lu Qianxue’s people left for him were very useful, and he had already prepared a memorial to deliver the message to the palace, requesting entry to thank the Emperor.
After all, under the effects of the many supplements bestowed by Grandfather, his "injury" recovered very quickly. Within a few days, he was able to walk. Since he could walk, he naturally had to go to the palace to express gratitude!
However, before the palace responded, Uncle Chen informed him that Miss Xia had sounded the Injustice Bell at the Capital City Government Office.
Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t wait any longer and immediately rushed over.
His urgency was such that he didn’t even bother to pretend about his injuries, causing a shock among Prince Cheng and Concubine Cheng, until Old Chen explained the situation in a few sentences. Yet, Old Chen’s clarity was limited to the matters he investigated these past few days; he wasn’t aware of the previous affairs between Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin.
Understanding that their son’s frantic actions were for a girl’s matter, Prince Cheng and Concubine Cheng exchanged glances, feeling gratified that their son finally showed interest in a good girl.
Lu Qianxue told Old Chen, "Inform the Princely Heir to go ahead and act freely; should the sky fall, his father and mother are here!"
Government hall.
Wen Yuanting stated, "Even if you sound the Injustice Bell, you are only subjecting yourself to punishment, not able to act as substitute!"
Xia Wenjin tugged Huangfu Jingchen’s sleeve, saying, "I know you wish to help, but you cannot assist in this matter. Rest assured, as a doctor, fifty strokes won’t kill me!" If it weren’t for the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Capital Guard acting quickly to appease the Duke of England’s anger or to achieve some particular aim, making the case iron-clad, she wouldn’t have needed to take this step.
Her influence hasn’t penetrated the officialdom yet, leaving her in a passive situation.
Huangfu Jingchen shook his head, positioning himself before Xia Wenjin, saying, "You and I are friends, and your father and uncle are considered my elders. As the younger generation, it is my duty to toil. Moreover, as a man, how can I stand by while you suffer punishment?"
He clasped his hands towards Wen Yuanting, "Mr. Wen, the law is merciless, yet there is humanity within justice. Miss Xia is worried about her father’s wrongful suffering, willing to brave danger herself. Your kind heart, how could it watch such a devoted daughter endure severe punishment? I volunteer to take this punishment, complying with the law while considering humanity, what prevents you from agreeing?"
Wen Yuanting found this very frustrating, thinking today might turn into a laughingstock, with such a dignified place witnessing two people competing to receive punishment. It appeared they didn’t take him, the Capital Governor, seriously, nor did they respect the authority of the office.
Who are you calling sir, beneath whom?
You’re the princely heir of Cheng Prince, using a false name, Huang Zheng; do you really see yourself as Huang Zheng?
If anyone else came to substitute for punishment, he would have both punished. But this individual, he couldn’t dare.
Look how pale he’s turned, how weak his body seems. If a few blows resulted in significant harm, would the couple from the Cheng Prince Mansion...that pair of King Yan’s couple, turn the Capital City Government Office upside down?
In his dilemma, Uncle Chen squeezed through the crowd, loudly saying, "Young Master, Young Master, the lady asks this old servant to deliver a message: go ahead and act freely, should the sky fall, they are here!"
Huangfu Jingchen nodded, saying, "I understand!"
Wen Yuanting: "..."
He couldn’t tell if he should say anything crude!
Act freely? If the sky falls, they will take over? So this means the Princely Heir can go ahead and act as he pleases since Prince Cheng and his wife would handle the aftermath? Is this a threat? It certainly seems so!
It was a genuine threat.
He feared no other prince, but he truly feared Prince Cheng, and not only him but also Concubine Cheng.
Wasn’t twenty years ago noisy enough when Prince Cheng almost turned the Capital upside down to marry Lu Qianxue?
Twenty years ago, Lu Qianxue was by no means weak, despite being a Jianghu woman. The mysterious person at the time asserted: if she wanted, even the stars in the sky, he’d find a way to retrieve them for her! Offending her was like offending him!
Though years had passed and the mysterious person might no longer reside in the Capital, Wen Yuanting mused repeatedly, feeling despite being a Fourth Rank, Capital Governor, with direct access to the Emperor, he had no strength to oppose that mysterious person, nor Prince Cheng!
Was there a more frustrated Capital Governor on earth?
What aggravated him further was, regardless of which of the two got punished, they were likely to be beaten to death before finishing the punishment.
Yet failing to punish, with so many watching, sets a precedent, diminishing the significance of the Injustice Bell in the future, suggesting a lack of adherence to law and order.
This suffocating sentiment persisted, yet couldn’t be released.
He glared at the youthful pair in front of the hall, undeniably picturesque, yet why was this artwork so bothersome?