Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 170 The Emperor's Face

Xia Yuan had committed more than one crime, to the point that even the emperor could not tolerate. He originally wanted to protect him, but seeing the repeated acts of shielding him, he was also very angry.

"Your Majesty, some cases involve investigating Minister Xia of the Ministry of Works. I do not have the authority to do so, so I request that Your Majesty transfer these cases to other ministries." Cheng Sheng kowtowed and pleaded sincerely.

"This is outrageous! Do these people think I'm dead? This empire still belongs to Prince Yi!" Emperor Cheng was furious, but finally agreed to transfer the case to the Ministry of Justice.

Cheng Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now, as the Crown Prince wished, the Ministry of Justice would not implicate him in Xu Zhiyuan's crimes.

If he later says that he was also deceived, no one will keep pressing him.

As for Yi Wang, although he offended him, it was a last resort. Xu Zhiyuan and Yi Wang were too close, and if they didn't clearly state that they were cutting ties, the stigma of factional strife would be no laughing matter.

Being resented is better than losing your head right now. After all, the country still belongs to His Majesty. The emperor is in his prime, and the crown prince and other princes can only sit back and wait. It's not his turn to take charge.

On that day, Xia Yuan's case was transferred to the Ministry of Justice, while Xu Zhiyuan's case was handed over to the Court of Judicial Review by the Ministry of Justice.

The reason why the case was not handed over to Shuntian Prefecture was that the Shuntian Prefect and Xu Zhiyuan were still related. In order to be fair, the Ministry of Justice sent the woman and child who filed the complaint to Dali Temple.

Gu Chang'an only asked a few questions before issuing an arrest warrant and arresting the person.

By the time Shen Li finished dinner, Xu Zhiyuan had already been in the Dali Temple for two hours. Shen Li knew without a doubt that it was no accident that the person was sent to Gu Chang'an; Gu Chang'an must have been involved in the whole thing.

The newly crowned top scholar is probably having a hard time these days. This is something Gu Chang'an wants to do, so she won't interfere, nor will she feel any sympathy for him.

In this life, the heartless man's retribution won't wait seven years; it's happening right now.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The case shocked the government and the public, because it was discovered that Xu Zhiyuan had hired someone to kill his wife and daughters. If it weren't for a chivalrous person passing by and helping, the mother and daughters would have been corpses long ago.

I've seen ruthless people, but I've never seen anyone this ruthless.

The emperor was so angry that his hands were trembling. After the court session, he scolded Shen Zizai: "I said I would give your daughter Li a top scholar title, but you old stubborn man insisted on giving opportunities to poor students. Now look at who you've given opportunities to!"

Shen Zizai stood there with his head down, not saying a word.

"Now look what's happened! The whole world is laughing at me, watching me choose a man who killed his wife and children from two hundred candidates as the top scholar!" Emperor Cheng said as he walked in front of him, feeling that he had completely lost face.

Shen Zizai felt somewhat guilty but also aggrieved: "Your Majesty, I couldn't tell he was this kind of person just by looking at his writings. It was my oversight."

"It's all your fault, you stubborn old man." Emperor Cheng was even angrier when he heard him make excuses, and although he had nothing to say, he still had to retort.

For the first time, Shen Zizai felt his words were utterly powerless.

Emperor Cheng raged for a while, but after sitting down, he said, "Minister Shen, do you think our dynasty's criminal laws have been implemented improperly? Powerful officials commit crimes, and top scholars break the law. Isn't this because the government's policies are ineffective?"

He always focused on tax revenue and finance, and now it seems there may have been oversights in criminal matters as well.

"In my opinion, the laws of this dynasty are applied properly and there is nothing wrong with them," Shen Zizai said after thinking for a moment.

“That is the fault of the officials,” Emperor Cheng said with dissatisfaction, then added, “Do you know why I have been so slow to promote a new Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?”

"Gu Chang'an is diligent in his duties." Shen Zizai knew this in his heart, and said it aloud as well.

Emperor Cheng nodded: "Yes, Gu Chang'an is capable and resilient, truly a rare talent. If the Great Zhao had more courtiers like him, I wouldn't have to worry about these things."

"Your Majesty flatters me." Although Shen Zizai said this, he agreed in his heart.

Gu Chang'an not only has ambition but also the ruthless methods to support it. What's rare is that he is wholeheartedly devoted to the country, making him a truly capable minister.

"Speaking of them, I've always had a question." The emperor's expression relaxed as he said to the serious Shen Zizai, "They've been married for almost two years, why don't they have a child yet?"

"Uh..." Shen Zizai thought it was some big problem, but this question really stumped him.

As for the child... he and his wife had secretly wondered about it. It was one thing that their relationship wasn't good before, but now that the young couple was all lovey-dovey, their daughter's health shouldn't be so poor that there shouldn't be any signs of pregnancy.

"I'll send a royal physician to examine them later." Emperor Cheng became even more curious upon seeing this.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Shen Zizai expressed his gratitude somewhat awkwardly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Hanlin Academy was in an uproar. When Xu Zhiyuan's crimes were mentioned, everyone showed their disdain and gathered together to talk about how wicked Xu Zhiyuan was.

Shen Li vaguely remembered that these people were the same group of people who had supported Xu Zhiyuan back then.

Zhao Wencai was somewhat gloating. He originally wanted to talk to Shen Li, but seeing Shen Li's calm expression as if she didn't care, his respect for her grew even more.

He neither flatters others when they are famous, nor mocks them when they are down, and he doesn't even show surprise. He truly has a calm and composed mind. What a gentlemanly demeanor!

Of course, Shen Li didn't know what he was thinking. She wasn't surprised simply because she didn't want to act. She wasn't really surprised, and she didn't really want to act either, so she seemed quite indifferent.

"Lord Shen, I admire you greatly," Zhao Wencai said as he walked over.

"..." Shen Li looked completely bewildered.

What is he saying? Does he not know that he did this?

"Now, only you and I are left in the first rank. I hope you will take good care of me in the future," Zhao Youcai said sincerely.

He genuinely believed that following Shen Li would bring him good fortune. In previous years, the Imperial Academy only selected the top scholar (状元) for the imperial examinations, while the second and third place scholars (榜眼探花) were also selected as compilers. Although their duties were similar, their ranks were different.

Being one year ahead means he can save at least three years of hard work; how could he not be grateful?

"Brother Zhao, you're too kind. I've been used to staying at home all these years, so I don't know much about the outside world. I should ask you for advice." Shen Li replied with a cupped hand.

Zhao Wencai repeatedly said he dared not, but he was secretly pleased. In the past, with Xu Zhiyuan blocking his way, it was extremely difficult for him to stand out since he had neither background nor good looks.

Now things are different. Xu Zhiyuan has no chance to turn things around, and he has latched onto a powerful figure. Why should he worry about his future?

He was more astute than Xu Zhiyuan and knew that this leg was much thicker than that of the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.

Simultaneously with the Xu Zhiyuan case, the Xia Yuan case was also being investigated. The Ministry of Justice arrested the suspect immediately and rescued the woman who had been tied up in a separate courtyard. The woman and her child reunited and wept for her husband and father who had been beaten to death.

The evidence in this case is sufficient, so there is no need for a major investigation. The Ministry of Justice is more concerned about Minister Xia of the Ministry of Works' cover-up and is determined to hold this minister accountable.