Lin Xiaosu led the way, with Yin Ti close beside him, answering Lin Xiaosu's first question: what had the scene been like when the incident occurred?
As they walked farther away, those left behind stood apart in their respective groups.
The Minister of Justice, Song Lifu, had a flicker in his eyes...
An extremely soft voice reached his ear. "Minister Song, has Li Chengnian... has he violated a taboo?"
It was the Seventh Prince's voice.
Song Lifu said, "Your Highness means that by stepping forward to speak for Wenhua Pavilion, he seemed to be trying to win people over?"
"Precisely. That is a great taboo in officialdom. This young brother of ours still seems a little green. As his senior, you ought to give him more guidance."
Song Lifu smiled. "Your Highness already regards him as a brother!"
"I once served in the army, and military men tend to be simpler. What he has done is enough to make him my brother. It is merely inconvenient to express it openly as a member of the imperial family," the Seventh Prince said.
Song Lifu said, "Your Highness is not versed in official affairs, yet even you can recognize this taboo. Naturally, His Majesty can see it too. Then may I ask Your Highness why His Majesty still helped him win people over this time?"
The Seventh Prince froze.
Indeed, even a political novice like him could see that this brother of his seemed to be courting support. His imperial father had ruled the realm for more than forty years. How could he possibly fail to see it?
Why had his imperial father shown not the slightest displeasure toward him, instead doing everything he could to help him, personally delivering Wenhua Pavilion's gratitude into his hands?
"Minister, why is that?" the Seventh