The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1072 - 1051: Investigation

Chapter 1072: Chapter 1051: Investigation

Su Jian and Du Yu fought, and Du Yu hit Su Jian with a polo mallet in front of everyone, which is undeniable.

After Minister Feng from the Ministry of Justice took over, he immediately summoned Du Yu for interrogation, although without detaining him, but the message was clear, Du Yu couldn’t leave the capital any time soon.

But precisely because it happened in front of everyone, it’s well known that although Du Yu used the polo mallet to hit someone, Su Jian was capable of getting back on the horse at that moment.

When Su Jian was hit with the mallet, Du Yu even assumed a defensive posture, preparing for Su Jian to mount again and strike back with the mallet.

It could be said that at that time, Du Yu was fully prepared to have a serious fight with Su Jian.

But who could have expected that there were nails on Su Jian’s boots, and when he tried to mount the horse again, he inadvertently kicked the horse’s belly, causing pain to the horse, which then started bucking, and Su Jian, who was in the midst of mounting, was thrown off balance, half-hanging off the horse...

Then the horse ran forward wildly as if it had gone mad, until the State Duke Hejian noticed something was wrong and rode up to sever the saddle with his sword; otherwise, Su Jian could have been dragged to death by the horse.

Of course, his fall to the ground didn’t fare well either, as a hoof kicked him in the abdomen before the horse ran away.

Minister Feng thoroughly investigated all the causes and consequences of the incident, while writing a memo to the emperor, he was also inwardly relieved that the horse’s hoof hadn’t kicked Su Jian’s head, otherwise, he reckoned that not even a great immortal could have saved him.

Minister Feng had only written half of it when Feng Zongping’s head peeked in from the door.

Hearing the noise, Minister Feng glanced at his grandson and then asked with downcast eyes, "What’s the matter?"

Feng Zongping immediately came forward with a playful smile, "Grandfather, how is the investigation of your case going?"

"It’s finished," Minister Feng said as he continued to write, "This incident serves as a warning to you all, to stay away from troublesome places like the racecourse. Didn’t you go to the Western Suburb Racecourse last time? I heard you were involved in some kind of dispute among classmates."

Feng Zongping coughed lightly and said, "No, a classmate from the Highest Institute set up another classmate, initially it seemed like he wanted to trick him into overpaying for a horse, but it turned out to be a gambling scheme. That classmate’s Senior Brother, who is studying at the Imperial Academy, got to know about it, couldn’t stand it, and set up a counter scheme, making that classmate lose face in front of us. If grandfather doesn’t believe, you can ask Yin Huo, he was there at the time too."

Minister Feng was slightly surprised, "Yin Huo was there too?"

"Yes," Feng Zongping knew what his grandfather was surprised about and laughed, "Grandfather might not know, but Yin Huo now also has friends at the Imperial Academy, and the one who helped his Junior Brother is his friend, named Bai Shan. He brought us along probably as witnesses."

Minister Feng frowned and asked, "Who is the student from the Highest Institute who set up the scheme? To cheat some money is one thing, but luring someone into gambling could ruin a family’s foundation."

Feng Zongping said, "His name is Zhang Jinghao, and his grandfather is Grand Master of Remonstrance Zhang Zheng."

Minister Feng was surprised, "Him? The Zhang family has always been strict with family teachings; how could he..."

Feng Zongping said with a smile, "Perhaps it’s precisely because the family teachings are too strict that he acts so recklessly outside."

Minister Feng looked at his grandson thoughtfully and said, "Speaking of strict family teachings, our Feng Family has always been strict as well..."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zongping immediately straightened up and said, "Grandfather, I’m just playful, but gambling, visiting brothels and such, I never partake in."

"What about playing polo?"

Feng Zongping said, "That’s just a hobby."

Minister Feng said, "Lately, it’s better to go out less and come back right after classes are over."

Feng Zongping mysteriously asked, "Grandfather, is what people outside are saying true?"

"What are people saying outside?"

"They say that the affair concerning the young master of State Duke Pi’s residence was orchestrated by the Third Prince, with the aim of causing the Crown Prince to lose his wits and make a mistake," Feng Zongping lowered his voice and said: "You should know, with the anger already brewing in the Crown Prince towards the Third Prince due to the miscarriage of the palace concubine, if the young master has another mishap..."

Minister Feng raised his hand and smacked his grandson on the head, scolding him: "Are these words for you to speak? Such rumors and hearsay, upon hearing them you should stay far away..."

Feng Zongping, holding his head, said, "Grandfather, everyone just discusses these things privately. You know it too, His Highness the Third Prince often visits our Imperial Academy, he is studying the classics, and has good relationships with the teachers and students. I am just worried, so I came to ask you."

Minister Feng then sternly said, "Stay out of courtly struggles. In the future, if the Third Prince goes to the Imperial Academy, keep your distance. Focus on studying for the civil service exams honestly, and don’t think about taking any crooked paths."

Feng Zongping rolled his eyes, asking softly, "Grandfather, are you saying he is taking a crooked path?"

Minister Feng let out a heavy sigh, and said: "The Eastern Palace is the foundation of the state, not something that can be discarded or established on a whim. Although the Crown Prince has been somewhat senseless these past two years, he has not gone too far. State Duke Zhao and the loyal ministers would not agree to depose the Crown Prince. The Third Prince is too presumptuous."

"What if the Crown Prince continuously has no children?"

Minister Feng fell silent for a moment before saying, "Since this time the Crown Prince’s concubine was able to conceive, it proves that all is still possible. If really impossible, adoption in the future will do. As long as the Crown Prince remains firm, with the Empress and State Duke Zhao there, he will not be deposed."

Feng Zongping thought to himself: But what if the Crown Prince cannot remain firm?

However, he ultimately did not voice this question out loud.

Minister Feng also came to this realization himself; he sighed deeply and thought: If the Crown Prince cannot hold firm, then it will depend on what His Majesty has in mind.

Feng Zongping quietly asked, "Grandfather, do you favor the Crown Prince more?"

Minister Feng didn’t answer, only saying, "The recent incident at the Eastern Suburb Polo Grounds is not as simple as it appears on the surface. Just two nights ago, a xiaos serving Su Jian from State Duke Pi’s household committed suicide, and another two died at the Polo Grounds, all by suicide."

Feng Zongping’s mouth gaped open.

"I can tell you that this was neither the Third Prince’s scheme nor the Crown Prince’s desperate ploy."

Feng Zongping felt a chill down his spine, "This, does this involve other people? It’s understandable if the Third Prince is contending for the throne, after all he’s born of the Empress, but the other princes..."

Minister Feng gave him a meaningful look and said: "How do you know it was done by the princes that we have now?"

"Was it another enemy of Su Jian?" Feng Zongping asked, "Someone wanting to kill with a borrowed knife, to frame Du Yu? Did Su Jian have such a formidable enemy?"

Minister Feng didn’t correct him but went along with his thought: "How do you know there isn’t one?"

"He seems to get along quite well with everyone on a day-to-day basis, though there are fights, there is no deadly enmity, right?"

Minister Feng waved his hand and said: "Think about it yourself, no, actually don’t think about it anymore. Go and read your books properly."

Minister Feng thought for a moment and then lifted his head, "By the way, the classmate from the Imperial Academy you just mentioned, that Bai Shan, is he the Junior Brother of Zhou Man, the little miracle doctor who saved Su Jian?"