"My lord, I absolutely do not believe you would... would kill someone... *cough*... *cough*..."
Yan Tinghao struggled to speak, leaning on Prime Minister Shangguan's shoulder, his retching a torrent of misery.
Prime Minister Shangguan, now covered in vomit, turned green. He pointed a trembling finger at Yan Tinghao, speechless for a long time.
Yan Tinghao, having purged even his yellow bile, felt a silken cloth wave before his eyes. He grabbed it and wiped his mouth.
...
Whether it was the foul stench or sheer anger, Prime Minister Shangguan's head ached terribly, his mouth twitching subtly to one side.
"Oh, Prime Minister Shangguan, have you done so many wicked deeds that bad luck has finally found you?"
Prime Minister Shangguan looked at the newcomer with disbelief, murmuring,
"Bai Yichen!?
No, you're not Bai Yichen, you're Bai Yichen's son, Bai Hexuan?"
"Tsk tsk, Prime Minister Shangguan, you show signs of a stroke after just a few years.
It truly is because you've done too many immoral things, isn't it?"
Murong Bai said this, covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve, and then turned towards the outside with disdain, calling out:
"Rong San, Feng Si, hurry and lend a hand, and throw out this useless fool Yan Tinghao!"
Hua Jinrong and Feng Qingchen, who then walked in, did not lift a finger. Instead, they directly ordered the imperial guards who had come with Prime Minister Shangguan to apprehend the culprit.
Seeing that Yan Tinghao, the source of the filth, had finally been dealt with, Murong Bai nudged Lin Qingge with his chin.
"What, did he bully you?"
Although "he" was not named, everyone present knew who was being referred to.
Lin Qingge nodded without hesitation.
Murong Bai then took out a familiar small paper packet from his waist. "Here, colorless and odorless. Just a tiny bit is needed, and I guarantee he won't see tomorrow's sun."
Prime Minister Shangguan: ...
"By the way, I heard from Elder Su that he once gifted you a jade pendant. Do you wear it?"
Lin Qingge, unsure why Murong Bai was asking, thought for a moment. "A jade pendant, yes, I do have one."
As she spoke, she pulled a red string from her neck. At the end of the string was a jade pendant inscribed with the character 'Huai'.
This was originally a meeting gift from Elder Su to Lin Zimo, but the jade pendant was too heavy for the little child.
Lin Qingge reluctantly tied it around her neck and wore it close to her person.
However, upon seeing this jade pendant, Prime Minister Shangguan's expression changed dramatically.
"This...
Where did you get it?"
Lin Qingge dangled the jade pendant in her hand, asking with some confusion,
"Is there anything strange about this jade pendant?"
"Reporting to my lord, you may not know, but the late Emperor Emeritus was named Xia Huai.
It is said that at the time of the Emperor Emeritus's passing, he bestowed his personal jade pendant upon Elder Su, who was then the head of the Grand Secretariat.
Seeing this jade pendant is equivalent to the Emperor Emeritus's personal presence. Those who possess it are blessed by the Emperor Emeritus and are exempt from all punishment.
In other words, my lord, even if you were to punch a hole through the sky, as long as you possess this jade pendant, you can emerge unscathed and leave unharmed~"
"Wow, it's that powerful?"
After hearing Hua Jinrong's explanation, Lin Qingge suddenly felt as if the jade pendant in her hand weighed a thousand pounds.
Perhaps Elder Su had removed the jade pendant from his waist so casually that she had never considered this possibility.
No wonder Lin Moyuan's expression had been so strange at the time; he must have known the origin of this jade pendant.
Thinking of this, Lin Qingge looked at the new Emperor before her.
She saw the new Emperor speak calmly.
"This jade pendant is indeed an imperial gift from the Emperor Emeritus, and Elder Su willingly gifted it to Lady Lin.
Seeing this token is equivalent to the Emperor Emeritus being present."
After the new Emperor spoke, he was the first to bow towards the jade pendant.
"Imperial Grandson Xia Chengjin, together with the Empress, pays respects to the Emperor Emeritus."
With the new Emperor leading the way, everyone else then knelt down in a cascade of 'patter patter'.
Prime Minister Shangguan, still covered in vomit, had no clean spot to kneel. He could only brace himself and choose a spot relatively less soiled, then knelt down.
Lin Qingge, who had instantly become the center of the veneration: This... not only is it sudden, but it also feels quite good, what should I do?
"Since Lady Lin possesses the jade pendant of the Emperor Emeritus, imprisoning her in jail is clearly inappropriate.
Therefore, Lady Lin will be confined to the Changshou Palace for the time being. A final decision will be made after the truth of the case is ascertained."
Clearly, the new Emperor also did not believe that Lin Qingge was the killer.
However, Prime Minister Shangguan interjected persistently.
"Your Majesty, the deceased was the Crown Prince of a nation!
If other nations were to learn that our Great Xia not only disregards human life but also handles matters so perfunctorily, it could risk them joining forces against our Great Xia!"
"Prime Minister Shangguan, your health is not good, so you need not worry about this case."
After the new Emperor spoke, Feng Qingchen, who was at the doorway, picked up the conversation. "Yes, Prime Minister Shangguan, rest assured, I, Prime Minister, will handle this case impartially!
Therefore, Prime Minister Shangguan, you should just pray that I don't catch the real killer.
After all, not everyone possesses the imperial gift of the Emperor Emeritus's life-protecting jade pendant!"
Prime Minister Shangguan, hearing the subtle sarcasm in Feng Qingchen's words, snorted from his nostrils.
Despite this, he did not leave. Instead, he stubbornly insisted on personally witnessing the 'suspect' being confined to Yongshou Palace.
Although the scene of the crime was guarded by imperial guards, Lin Qingge still gave Murong Bai a meaningful look. He understood and sighed.
"Considering that you've been wrongly accused of being the killer, I won't charge a fee for the body today."
"What do you mean, 'considering that I've been wrongly accused of being the killer'?"
"My lord, Forensic Examiner Murong means that he usually assists you in solving cases, which is public service.
Now, he is contributing his part to clear your name, which is a personal favor.
Given your friendship with Forensic Examiner Murong, if he were to still ask for money, would he still be considered human~"
Lin Qingge and Murong Bai, both falling into silence simultaneously: ...
Due to Prime Minister Shangguan's presence, Lin Qingge, who had intended to stay and investigate the scene of the crime, had to return to Yongshou Palace accompanied by the Empress, Leng Ningyue.
The Empress not only exchanged glances with officials but also walked side-by-side with them.
If this were to get out, it would be disastrous.
Thus, the new Emperor also followed behind with a darkened expression.
However, Ling Han, who was originally teaching Lin Zimo martial arts in the courtyard, had a cold glint in his eyes upon seeing the new Emperor.
The next moment, he actually drew his sword and lunged at the new Emperor!!!