Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

"After all, they are my people, so I have to take care of them."

Chu Shitong took a step forward and brought Chu Shifan into the court.

Meng Yongliang quickly stood up from his seat in the court and stepped forward to greet him. His old face was smiling like a flower, and his tone seemed to have changed into a different person, respectful and cordial.

"Hey, Your Highness Prince Qi, Master Fan, I am so sorry for not welcoming you. How did you two find time to come here today?"

Master Fan was amused by his shrewd and shameless behavior, and he crossed his arms and winked at Chu Shitong.

Chu Shitong was too lazy to pay attention to him.

"I came here today to talk to the prefect about something."

Meng Yongliang smiled and said, "If you have anything to say, just send someone to tell them. Why do you have to come here in person?"

Chu Shitong remained calm and said in a cold tone, "Someone in my palace has made a mistake. It would be unreasonable for me not to come in person."

"If someone from your house..." Meng Yongliang said halfway, his smile froze on his face, and his expression immediately became flustered, "Someone from your house?"

He turned to look at Han Zijun and Fang Ming. Fang Ming's swollen face seemed to have not yet recovered. Han Zijun was held down on the shoulders by the guards, and his face looked a little embarrassed.

A few days ago, he vowed to take part in the provincial examination, but today, Chu Shitong saw him in such an embarrassing state. Anyone would feel ashamed.

Meng Yongliang swallowed his saliva and smiled cautiously, "Are you kidding me... Hu Da and Hu Er said that Han Zijun and Fang Ming are just two poor scholars with clean family backgrounds. How could they be from your house..."

Chu Shitong's gaze suddenly fell on him, and his brows frowned slightly.

"Do you think that I came here specifically to play a joke on you?"

Meng Yongliang immediately waved his hands, "No, no, no, you definitely don't mean that... I was just joking..."

His expression changed almost immediately, and he shouted at the guards who had just slapped Han Zijun, "Hurry up and let Mr. Han go! Didn't you hear His Royal Highness Prince Qi say that he was someone from Prince Qi's mansion?"

The guards who were holding Han Zijun down immediately let go.

Ji Shu and Bishui stepped forward immediately. Bishui checked Han Zijun's injuries from head to toe, while Ji Shu helped lift him up.

Bishui looked up and down worriedly, "Zijun, are you okay?"

Han Zijun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gave Bishui a forced smile, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Bishui. I'm fine."

Ji Shu said, "Don't worry, the prince is here. If you have any grievances, just tell him and he will protect you."

No matter what, Han Zijun is still a member of Chu Shitong's mansion. Although he does not have a legitimate identity, one should still look at the owner when beating a dog, not to mention that Han Zijun is not a servant in Prince Qi's mansion at all.

Ji Shu knew that Chu Shitong was a person who did not like to meddle in other people's affairs, but since people were bullying his own family members, Chu Shitong had to take care of the matter.

Chu Shifan said leisurely, "I didn't realize, Your Excellency the Prefect, that you are quite good at changing your face."

Meng Yongliang's face turned pale, and he turned his head awkwardly to look at the people watching at the gate of the prefectural government, and said, "Come here, close the gate first."

The guards immediately went forward to close the door. The people were still waiting to see the show, and complaints arose one after another.

"Why does the door have to be closed after His Royal Highness Prince Qi comes?"

"Aren't cases tried in public? How can they be tried behind closed doors?"

"Haha, the prefect wanted to bend the law for personal gain this time, but he didn't expect to run into a hard nail."

"Don't close the door! We're still waiting to see!"

The people gathered at the door, and the guards were unable to drive them away. They had no choice but to draw their swords and threaten the people to disperse.

Unexpectedly, their flashing of the knives scared the people so much that they ran away in panic, and passers-by couldn't help but look inside.

Chu Shitong watched this scene quietly, laughed and said sarcastically: "Perhaps the news will spread all over the capital tomorrow that the prefect closed the court for trial and ordered the guards with swords to threaten innocent people."

Meng Yongliang had not expected things to turn out like this. He had no time to hold those guards accountable for their crimes. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Who knew that the minister would impeach him when he heard about this in court tomorrow.

"Your Highness Prince Qi, Master Fan, you two just saw it. I only said to close the court for trial. I never told them to threaten the people with knives..."

Chu Shifan said, "Isn't that the same idea? In all these years, the capital has never had a closed court trial except for the case a long time ago. It's just a small matter, so I think the emperor uncle wouldn't mind knowing what happened."

"Your Highness Prince Qi, you have seen this matter. If His Majesty investigates, you cannot sit idly by..."

Chu Shitong walked forward and Meng Yongliang followed closely behind. It was not until Chu Shitong sat down at the case-solving table that Meng Yongliang froze in place.

Chu Shitong sat steadily on the chair, crossed his legs on the table, and said almsgivingly: "Well, this case is related to someone in my house. I think the prefect may have made a wrong judgment before. It just so happens that I am here now, why don't you ask the prefect to redetermine the case in front of me."

Meng Yongliang immediately said, "Of course, there must be some misunderstanding in this matter."

Meng Yongliang glanced at Chu Shitong, who was sitting in the main seat with a leisurely look on his face, and then glanced at Chu Shifan, who had moved a chair to sit down and was ready to watch the show. He felt that he was really unlucky today. He could only stand next to Chu Shitong and said with a stiff upper lip: "This case will be reopened, and all those involved in the case will re-tell their testimonies."

Seeing that the situation was not good, Hu Da immediately changed his testimony. He changed his previous attitude and began to give his testimony honestly and even with some grievance.

"I am Hu Da. Today, I took my brother Hu Er to the street. I don't know how I bumped into these two young masters. They mocked me. Hu Er was so angry that he said a few words back. I didn't expect that these two young masters relied on their education to make up excuses and scolded Hu Er so much that he was speechless..."

After hearing a few words, Chu Shitong couldn't listen any more.

This testimony, given by a tall, bearded, ferocious-looking man, was an insult to his size and the intelligence of those around him.

Hu Er was stunned by what he heard. When he gave his testimony, he stuttered and it was obvious that he wanted to make it up according to Hu Da's statement. However, Hu Da changed his statement halfway through, and Hu Er didn't remember anything. So the testimonies given by the two were totally irrelevant.

Meng Yongliang, who was standing by, was sweating all over as he listened.

Hu Er finally finished speaking, and Meng Yongliang quickly asked Han Zijun and Fang Ming to give their testimony.

"Mr. Han, Mr. Fang, please tell us your testimony."

Han Zijun looked at Meng Yongliang coldly, and told Chu Shitong clearly everything that had happened before.

It was about that. Han Zijun and Fang Ming made an appointment to go to a bookstore today, but they met Hu Da and Hu Er on the way. Han Zijun recognized Hu Da and Hu Er as the people who had bullied him before. Although he felt hatred in his heart, he did not show it.

As a result, Hu Da and Hu Er recognized Han Zijun, mocked him, said all kinds of nasty things to him, and even wanted to rob him.

Han Zijun then cursed back angrily.

Hu Er started the fight first, and the four of them started fighting instantly. However, due to their size and age, Han Zijun and Fang Ming were beaten pretty hard.

Meng Yongliang asked Chu Shitong in a flattering manner.

"Your Highness Prince Qi, how do you think this matter should be judged?"

Chu Shitong said: "If you don't want to do this job, you don't have to do it in the future."

It’s none of Chu Shitong’s business how the case is judged. As long as she gives Chu Shitong enough face, she can judge the case however she wants.

Meng Yongliang said repeatedly: "No, no, I don't mean that."

He looked at Hu Da and Hu Er helplessly. He naturally knew these two men. They were relatives of the housekeeper in the mansion. Meng Yongliang knew very well that they were both ruffians, but because the old housekeeper had worked hard in the mansion for many years, and he had asked Hu Da and Hu Er to help deal with some things that were not decent before, he thought for a moment and decided to punish the two first and talk about other things after Chu Shitong left.

"Ahem, Hu Da, your and Hu Er's testimonies are full of loopholes, and you are obviously lying! I have heard about what you and Hu Er did when you were causing trouble on the streets. I couldn't find evidence to punish you before, but now you are so bold as to hit someone in the hands of His Royal Highness Prince Qi. You really deserve to die!"

Meng Yongliang's exaggerated acting skills made Chu Shitong and Chu Shifan unable to bear it.

Han Zijun looked at Meng Yongliang's face with a sneer. How ridiculous it was now that he had abused his power for personal gain and confuse right and wrong in front of him before!

Hu Da and Hu Er were so scared that they fell to their knees one after another.

"Please spare my life, sir! I am telling the truth!"

"Yes, yes, yes! My brother is telling the truth!"

Meng Yongliang said, "I know what is right and wrong! Hu Da and Hu Er have no law in the capital, but they are causing trouble on the streets. Considering their previous evil deeds, they will be sentenced to prison according to the laws of Beiqing! Five years in prison! Come on! Take them to prison!"

The guards stepped forward and started to take the two men away. Only then did Hu Da and Hu Er realize that they had caused a big disaster and they knelt on the ground begging for mercy.

"Sir! I know I was wrong!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Sir, my elder brother knows he was wrong!"

Hu Da raised his hand and slapped Hu Er, "What the hell are you talking about? Are you not at fault? It was clearly you who started it first!"

Hu Er was just not good at talking, and he was stunned for a moment after being slapped like that. Then he got angry, and relying on his tall stature, he kicked Hu Da to the ground.

"If you hadn't taken me out to wander the streets every day, would I have been thrown into jail?!"

Although Hu Da was not stronger than Hu Er, he had developed a bad temper over the years. He stood up and wanted to fight with Hu Er, but both of them were pinned to the ground by the guards who swarmed over.

Chu Shitong said, "It is right to put him in jail, but should we compensate the medical expenses of these two young masters first?"

Meng Yongliang immediately said, "Yes, yes, I forgot. Thank you for reminding me, Your Majesty."

"Tiger Da and Tiger Er! Even if you go to jail, you still have to pay for the medical expenses of these two young masters! Do you understand?"

Hu Da and Hu Er were so angry about the internal fight that they didn't hear what Meng Yongliang said at all.

Meng Yongliang said this symbolically and quickly ordered his men to take the two men to jail.

Chu Shitong watched quietly as the guards took Hu Da and Hu Er away.

Meng Yongliang rubbed his hands beside him and said awkwardly, "Your Highness Prince Qi, how do you think about this?"

Chu Shitong still looked indifferent, "What does this have to do with me? Why are you asking me this?"

Meng Yongliang laughed dryly, "Isn't it because Young Master Han is from your family? I was negligent in this matter, and I have troubled Your Majesty to come here in person... Someone, quickly serve tea to His Royal Highness Prince Qi and Young Master Fan!"

Chu Shitong waved his hand, "No need, I have something else to talk to you about."

The smile on Meng Yongliang's face froze again.

What good can come of this?

Chu Shitong said, "I heard that the two brothers Hu Da and Hu Er are relatives of your housekeeper?"

Meng Yongliang's face turned pale.

It turns out that Chu Shitong, who was just performed, knew the truth.

He was silent for a while, then said, "Yes... I'm sorry to bother you, Your Majesty. I was wrong in this matter..."

Chu Shitong said nonchalantly: "Since Hu Da and Hu Er are in jail, I think it's time to change the housekeeper in your house."

Only then did Meng Yongliang know the real purpose of Chu Shitong's coming here.

There are currently two forces vying for the throne in the court. One is Prince Yuan Chu Shixuan, and the other is Prince Yu Chu Shifeng. Although Chu Shitong's power in the court is not as eye-catching as the other two, he is very favored and is on good terms with Prince Yu. If Meng Yongliang agrees to this matter, it means that he will become a member of Prince Yu's side in the future. If he disagrees, I think he will not be able to wear the black hat on his head until tomorrow.

After thinking for a moment, Meng Yongliang said, "Then... Your Majesty, you decide who to replace. I will definitely trust the person Your Majesty recommends."

"I am just doing someone a favor." Chu Shitong said, "Someone will come to your house to look for you tomorrow. That person is the one I recommended."

Meng Yongliang saluted and said, "I will remember this."

Chu Shitong stood up. When the two of them faced each other, Chu Shitong, with a smile that was not funny at all, said softly in a fake and polite voice: "Don't blame me for not reminding you. The person who will come to your house tomorrow is a relative of the eunuch Wang, the chief steward of the palace. If you treat him well, you will definitely benefit from it in the future. If you don't treat him well, someone will come to you to hold you accountable."

Hearing this, Meng Yongliang immediately lowered his head in fear and said, "I will definitely not let Your Highness down."

Chu Shitong smiled, turned around and left with Chu Shifan.

As soon as he left the house, Chu Shifan couldn't help but ask, "What did you say to the prefect later? Why did he suddenly change his attitude?"

"Nothing." Chu Shitong raised his eyes to the clear sky and said, "I just took advantage of my cousin's glory."

Chu Shifan smiled helplessly and said, "Stop teasing me. How could the prefect give me face? You said you are taking advantage of the power of others, could it be that..."

He didn't say who he was thinking of.

However, Chu Shitong gave him a meaningful look at this time, and Chu Shifan also knew that his guess was probably correct.

What Chu Shitong borrowed was Chu Shifeng's current power.