Murong Zhuangzhuang thought for a moment and laughed, "That's right, there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children. Chen Linglong is just a concubine, and Zi'an is the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion. If I can prove that they did push Madam off the carriage, then they are deliberately murdering the mistress. As the legitimate daughter, Zi'an has the power to punish them. As for the severity of the punishment, it can be measured according to the severity of the crime. Madam is now blind, which is already a serious injury. Therefore, as long as Zi'an does not kill them, it is legally justifiable."
The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty were indeed like this. A concubine in the mansion was only half a master and needed to obey the orders of the legitimate daughter, not to mention the wife.
In many wealthy families, there are countless mistresses who beat their concubines to death because they disliked them. Chen Linglong's case is nothing.
However, Chen Linglong had lived in the mansion for many years, and had regarded herself as the lady, so she had long forgotten her own identity. Not only her, but many people had forgotten her identity and subconsciously believed that she was the lady.
She looked at Zi'an, "You actually know the law? That's amazing."
She was so confident just now, which showed that it was not only Yuan who knew the answer, but she also understood it.
Zi'an didn't know much about the law, and didn't have time to read it slowly, so he just took a look at this issue in Yuan's collection of books.
Therefore, as long as the prince is willing to make a big fuss, Chen Linglong will have nothing to do with the matter.
Zi'an looked at Murong Zhuangzhuang and said, "Princess, is there someone you can ask for help?" If this person could help, there would be basically no worries tonight.
"Who?" Murong Zhuangzhuang asked.
"Prince Li!" Zi'an uttered three words softly from his lips.
Murong Zhuangzhuang laughed, "Third brother!"
(I would like to correct this. Prince An is the second son. There was a mistake in the previous article. I have corrected it now.)
Because they went to invite Prince Li, they were delayed for at least half an hour before returning to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Prince Li did not come with the carriage, saying he would come later.
The gate of the prime minister's residence was opened, and several carriages were parked at the door. The sedan chair of the government office was also parked neatly behind a carriage covered with green silk. It seemed that there would be a big scene tonight.
Seeing this, Murong Zhuangzhuang sneered, "Great, even the Grand Tutor is here."
It can be seen that the prince had already ordered someone to notify Prime Minister Xia, and Prime Minister Xia came here together to discuss matters with Grand Tutor Liang.
When Zi'an and the others entered the room, Aunt Cuiyu beside the old lady came up and saluted to Murong Zhuangzhuang first, then said to Yuan and Zi'an: "The old lady invites the lady and the eldest lady to the main hall."
Zi'an ignored Aunt Cuiyu, helped Yuan over the high threshold, and went straight to the hall.
The hall of the prime minister's residence was brightly lit. The old lady sat on the armchair in the middle, Prime Minister Xia sat on the right, and the crown prince also had a seat, but he did not sit down. Instead, he was supported by someone and stood next to Grand Tutor Liang, looking a bit like Grand Tutor Liang's follower.
As for the right side of the hall, there were two people sitting there, both of whom seemed to be the princeling ministers who were attending the meeting tonight.
Sitting on the left was a middle-aged man in official uniform. He looked dignified. When he saw Zi'an and Murong Zhuangzhuang come in, he stood up first.
Behind him stood several men dressed as detectives. Zi'an guessed that he was Lord Liang, the Prefect of Jingzhao, and the nephew of Grand Tutor Liang.
Xia Wan'er and Madam Linglong were being treated by a doctor. When Zi'an came in, Madam Linglong knelt down crying, "Mother, please help me. She beat me up like this for no reason. She even chopped off my fingers. It would be fine if she only hurt me, but Wan'er was already betrothed to the prince, but she destroyed my appearance. How can I face people in the future? Please help me, mother and all the adults."
Everyone stood up and greeted Murong Zhuangzhuang first. Murong Zhuangzhuang walked straight over and sat on the chair next to Jingzhao Yin. Four guards quickly stood behind her, protecting Murong Zhuangzhuang like four mountains.
After she sat down, she said calmly, "Everyone sit down, why are you standing?"
Everyone sat down and looked at Zi'an and Yuan.
Zi'an helped Yuan walk towards Murong Zhuangzhuang, intending to let her sit down.
The old lady shouted, "Both of you, kneel down!"
Zi'an didn't do as he was told. Instead, he helped Yuan sit down, then raised his head and looked at the old lady. "Old lady, may I ask what crime did your granddaughter and mother commit? Why do we have to kneel as soon as we enter the house?"
The old lady narrowed her eyes and stared at Zi'an. Her face was ashen and the veins on her forehead were slightly prominent. She slapped the armrest of the table and said sternly, "How dare you ask what you did wrong? It's also because I was too indulgent in you in the past. You have become so domineering and vicious that you even dared to hurt my stepmother. Today, the Grand Tutor and Lord Liang are here. I will never tolerate you. I must kill my own relatives for the sake of justice."
After she finished speaking, she turned to look at Lord Liang, the Jingzhao Yin, and said with great sorrow, "Lord Liang, I have failed to manage my family and teach my grandson correctly. This is a family matter, but I have to disturb you. I am really ashamed. I would like to trouble you to review this matter. You don't have to consider my face and punish me. Just follow the law. Fortunately, the princess is here, so I can't take sides."
When she said the last sentence, she looked at Murong Zhuangzhuang respectfully, but her eyes were cold and there was no respect in them at all.
Murong Zhuangzhuang saw that everyone had tea beside them, but she was the only one who sat down. No servant came up to serve her tea. It seemed that the Prime Minister's Mansion was really bullying her because she had no power.
After hearing what the old lady said, Jingzhao Yin Liang said, "Old lady, don't blame yourself. This is a case of wounding, so it is right for the government to hear it. Since the crown prince and princess are here today, and the Grand Tutor is also here, we don't have to go back to the government. We should first understand the situation here and then make a decision. What do you think, His Royal Highness?"
The prince said coldly, "Of course it will be tried here. I will not go to the government office. You should investigate immediately. Just as the old lady said, those who deserve to be beaten, punished, and imprisoned will all be dealt with tonight. Do not delay any further."
The prince's legs were already numb, but he couldn't sit still. He was already getting impatient. If he hadn't wanted to vent his anger, he would have left long ago.
Lord Liang bowed, "Yes, I will follow your orders."
He sat down and first glanced at Yuan. He didn't know that Yuan was blind. He only saw that Yuan's forehead was bandaged, and the injured position was the same as Madam Linglong. Being familiar with the law, he naturally knew that this matter was a bit tricky, but fortunately the prince and his uncle were there, so he thought it would not be too difficult to judge.
His eyes fell on Zi'an's face and said, "Xia Zi'an, this is not a court, so you don't need to kneel, but you must stand during the interrogation."
Zi'an was standing originally. After hearing what Lord Liang said, she said calmly, "Then, Lord, do you think I am sitting now?"
Seeing her so arrogant, Lord Liang said that the princess was protecting her, and then said, "Okay, I want to ask you, Madam Linglong accused you of grabbing her hair, dragging her to the door of the clinic and hitting her on the marble, then cutting off one of her fingers with a dagger, and then injuring the second young lady of the Xiangfu, Xia Wan'er. Do you admit your guilt?"
Zi'an said: "Yes, I did it all, but may I ask, sir, what crime have I committed?"
(End of this chapter)