Chapter Thirty-seven: Accepting the Case, Provoking Anger

Why would Wu Jianhui make such a fuss about a trivial matter like changing personnel, instead of speaking privately to the emperor, who was also his aunt? Why bring it to the imperial court, and with such a clear intent to ruin Huang Siyuan? That’s unacceptable. Huang Siyuan is loyal and diligent, just a bit rigid in temperament.

The old emperor speculated that perhaps Huang Siyuan had offended Wu Jianhui somewhere, prompting Wu to seize the opportunity to stir things up. By deliberately causing a scene in court, Wu was likely helping the emperor find an excuse, so the matter wouldn’t appear so unsightly.

The old emperor shifted in her seat, preparing to speak, when her gaze caught Di Ying, who seemed to be dozing, his head nodding gently.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she pointed at him, “Di Ying, tell us your thoughts.”

Di Ying straightened his ceremonial tablet, reluctantly stepped out of the ranks, and bowed with a slow, unwilling “Yes.”

His attitude amused the old emperor. She thought that asking Di Ying to comment on this matter was indeed unreasonable, both emotionally and logically. Yet Di Ying always insisted on quoting national law, didn’t he?

Unable to resist, the old emperor addressed Di Ying, “I know this has nothing to do with you, but as a new official in the Court of Judicial Review, and since this is your first time attending morning court, and the matter concerns legal cases, please share your opinion.”

“Yes,” Di Ying answered again, then lifted his eyelids to glance at the emperor.

The old emperor understood that look. It clearly meant: You asked me to speak, so don’t blame me if I say something wrong.

She smiled, nodding gently, feeling that Di Ying was indeed still a newcomer, still unfamiliar with her character—she possessed a boundlessly tolerant heart.

Seeing the emperor nod, Di Ying instantly straightened his back, his expression turned serious, and his somewhat sleepy phoenix eyes suddenly became sharp and piercing.

The old emperor’s heart unexpectedly skipped a beat.

Before she could fully process it, she saw Di Ying stride to Wu Jianhui's side and begin a barrage of questions.

“May I ask, Lord Vice Minister, what exactly was stolen from your villa? What was its value? Why did you not follow protocol and report first to the Capital Administration Office?

Nearly thirty thieves broke into your villa at night—wasn’t that robbery rather than theft? Why do you downplay the matter, calling it mere theft?

Did you report directly to His Majesty because you have a close relationship with her? And another thing: on a night of raging snowstorm, how could carrier pigeons fly? How did you actually learn of the theft?

You insist the city gates were privately opened… Does that mean you ordered the gates opened? Or was it one of your servants who did so, delivering the message to you?

Please clarify the details truthfully in front of the emperor.”

Wu Jianhui was left wide-eyed and furious, snapping, “Bah! Di Ying, you impudent brat, stop spouting nonsense and slandering me!”

Di Ying, spat upon, refused to back down. Grabbing Wu Jianhui’s sleeve, he appealed loudly to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, you see, I serve alongside Lord Vice Minister, yet he dares to insult me in your presence! You must stand up for me!”

The old emperor rubbed her forehead.

This Di Ying… In every word, he was accusing her of favoritism and the Wu family of arrogance, while demanding that she settle the matter. What could she do—punish Wu Jianhui with a flogging?

Wouldn’t that be like slapping her own face? Yet Wu Jianhui had indeed grown… arrogant.

As the emperor fretted, Wu Jianhui brusquely shoved Di Ying aside, the force knocking him to the ground. Afterward, he pointed at Di Ying’s nose and cursed, “Impudent brat! You have no skill, yet you dare to disrupt court and meddle in affairs. I’ll beat you to death!”

Di Ying scrambled up, stiff-necked, confronting Wu Jianhui, gritting his teeth, “You say I have no skill? Are you saying Her Majesty is blind?”

Wu Jianhui was about to grunt agreement to the first part but quickly swallowed his words at the second.

He pushed Di Ying’s face away and turned to plead with the emperor, “Your servant has not slept all night and is somewhat muddled; I lost decorum in court and beg Your Majesty’s pardon.”

He paused, unable to contain his irritation, and continued, “Di Ying’s questioning provoked my anger, and so I was momentarily overwhelmed. I hope Your Majesty will understand.”

The old emperor regarded Wu Jianhui calmly, her voice steady, “If you believe I have employed the wrong person, and that Di Ying is young and incompetent, then the case in your villa shall be entrusted to Di Ying for investigation. You and all your people are to cooperate fully, with no obstruction. Do you understand?”

Wu Jianhui…

He could sense the displeasure and warning in the emperor’s tone, knew well the consequences of any further disobedience, and hurriedly lowered his head, answered “Yes,” and stepped aside.

Even after standing for a while, and as the emperor announced the end of court, Wu Jianhui still couldn’t grasp how things had gone so awry.

He could only curse himself for being too eager to get rid of Huang Siyuan.

That Huang Siyuan was insufferable, always causing trouble for his household staff. Was it not just a few shop assistants roughing up someone? Was it really such a minor issue? Why must he keep harping on it?

Even the Capital Administration Office didn’t care, yet Huang Siyuan always made a fuss.

“Oh! Lord Vice Minister, you haven’t left yet? Are you waiting for me? Then let’s go, shall we? Let’s take a look at your villa. By the way, Lord Vice Minister, you haven’t told me what was stolen from your villa—how many items, and their value?”

Wu Jianhui was still puzzled when he heard Di Ying’s odd, mocking tone behind him.

He felt a surge of irritation, wanting to storm off.

Then Di Ying, in his most official manner, said, “Lord Vice Minister, don’t blame me for reminding you—Her Majesty herself assigned your villa case to me!”

As Di Ying spoke, his voice grew louder and more pointed.

This, combined with his failed attempt to lodge a complaint, the risk of being exposed for false reporting, and Di Ying’s repeated use of “Lord Vice Minister,” made Wu Jianhui furious.

In truth, with so many Wu officials in court, they naturally addressed each other by title, and Wu Jianhui was long accustomed to it. Usually, he felt proud and pleased hearing it.

Think about it—from sixth rank, fifth rank… now up to full fourth rank, “Vice Minister of the Left” was proof of his achievement, ample reason for pride.

But now, somehow, when those three words came from Di Ying’s mouth, Wu Jianhui felt only shame—a strange, overwhelming sense of disgrace.

He spun on his heel, glared at Di Ying, about to unleash a torrent of abuse.

But he only saw Di Ying waggling his eyebrows at him.

Wu Jianhui…

He struggled fiercely to swallow the curse that almost escaped his lips.

Grinding his teeth, he warned, “Di Ying, don’t go waving a chicken feather as if it’s an imperial command. You may investigate this case, but you must consider my mood. Understand what should be said, and what should not—do you hear me?”