Miaozhen was not actually sleeping. Although her eyes were closed, her ears caught the slightest movement in the room.
She heard someone yelling in her ear, but she didn't get angry. She slowly opened her almond-shaped eyes and said, "This official is wrong. Although I am in Jialan, I believe in Mr. Huang in my heart." The art of doing nothing is just like a Taoist nun. It is not elegant and it is very wrong for the military master to talk about it again."
"Haha!" When the officer under Zheng Xin heard this, he laughed twice and said, "Well, you thief..."
He was just halfway through saying the word "Ni" when Miaozhen suddenly turned his head, a pair of very charming eyes released a frightening murderous look, and gave the officer a fierce look.
The officer was so stared at by Miaozhen that he immediately shrank by half an inch. He swallowed half of the unspoken word "ni" back into his stomach, and barely finished the second half of the sentence: "... Taoist nun, you still dare to show off here! How dare you show off here!" Why don’t you salute His Highness quickly?”
After hearing this, Miaozhen stopped paying attention to the officer and did not get up. He turned to look up at Zheng Xin and said, "Your Highness? Isn't he the eldest son of the current emperor?"
Zheng Xin saw that although Miaozhen was a prisoner, he was neither humble nor arrogant, and he said: "You are right, I am the eldest son of the current saint. I didn't expect that you, a despicable and cruel villain, also knew about me. What’s the origin?”
Miaozhen bent down slightly, saluted, and replied: "The high palace is both civilized and martial, and its reputation is far-reaching. Even an outsider like Pindao in a poor country is famous. It's just that Pindao is now shackled, which is inconvenient. , otherwise you will have to pay full respect to His Highness.”
Zheng Xin felt very comfortable after being flattered by Miaozhen. Seeing that she was indeed a weak woman and wanted to imitate the kind character of his father, he said to his subordinates: "The prisoner is a weak woman, and the guards here are too weak." It's very tight. You might as well remove her torture device first. I always feel awkward talking to her like this."
The officer next to Zheng Xin listened to the order and immediately took out the key and was about to remove Miaozhen's handcuffs and shackles, but was stopped by Qiu Yizhi and said: "This Miaozhen looks very weak, but inside he is a snake and a scorpion. He is the younger brother, too. Having narrowly avoided being attacked by her, Your Highness must be careful and not be careless."
Zheng Xin said nonchalantly: "Don't worry, brother. Although Brother Yu is not afraid of death, he is not one of those common men who don't know whether to live or die. With Yuchi... Yuchi Heroine beside you guarding you, it's okay to be afraid."
When Miaozhen heard that they were calling each other brothers, he couldn't help but asked in surprise: "What? Could it be that Sir Qiu is also... also a His Highness?"
Zheng Xin laughed "haha" after hearing this: "Did you not know until now? This is the son of the emperor, who is called 'His Royal Highness'."
Hearing this, Miaozhen suddenly burst into laughter and said: "That's it, that's it! No wonder this Lord Qiu has such a different demeanor. It turns out that he is the 'His Royal Highness' who has helped the emperor achieve unparalleled achievements! I am a poor man!" I have admired him for a long time, but I didn’t expect that ‘His Royal Highness’ would come to Shanyin County to be the county magistrate! Alas, Pindao was not wronged this time!”
While Miaozhen was sighing, Qiu Yizhi felt something was wrong and hurriedly said in Zheng Xin's ear: "Your Highness, my appointment as an official here is a secret of the imperial court. How could you tell this thief Miaozhen so easily? Where is the Taoist nun?"
Zheng Xin listened, but waved his hands indifferently, and said softly: "What's the big deal? This thief Taoist nun's life only lasts for a short time, are you still afraid that she will go out and talk nonsense?"
Without waiting for Qiu Yi's reply, he said to Miao Zhense again: "You thief Taoist nun, do you know that you have committed a heinous crime and it is unforgivable?"
At this time, Miaozhen's handcuffs and shackles had been removed. While rubbing his wrists and ankles, which were turned blue and red by the torture instruments, he said: "It's just one death. His Highness just now said that he is not afraid of death, and so is Pindao." Same, not afraid of death.”
Qiu Yizhi heard this and interjected: "Not afraid of death? You misunderstood the heresy and want to pursue some illusory way of becoming an immortal by harvesting yang and replenishing yin. Isn't it just for the sake of immortality? This 'not afraid of death' 'Three words, don't you think it's ironic when they come out of your mouth?"
Zheng Xin also echoed: "You may not be afraid of the word 'death', but are you afraid of being cut into pieces by a thousand knives or being cut to pieces? If you can readily confess during the trial in the next few days, in addition to being less tortured, Maybe I can be extra-judicial and give you a happy death."
After hearing this, Miaozhen's face turned pale. She forced out an awkward smile and said, "The palace has issued an order, and of course Pindao will obey it. It's just that I'm afraid that Pindao will talk too much, implicate innocent officials, and let the court It’s ugly.”
Miaozhen relied on the fact that he had a lot of privacy of officials in Jiangnan Province, so he pinned all his hopes for survival on the local officials in Jiangnan who would interrogate him and throw rat traps at him, so he was quite confident.
However, although she could be said to have extraordinary knowledge, how could she know that the emperor sent his eldest son Zheng Xin to handle the case in order to use her as a breakthrough to punish the Jiangnan officialdom? What he was afraid of was that she would implicate fewer officials.
Therefore, Zheng Xin smiled contemptuously and said: "Since my father came to power, he has attached great importance to officialdom. All corrupt officials who take bribes will be severely punished. As long as you, a thief Taoist nun, don't make false accusations for nothing, why should I be afraid of you?" Today I put my words here. Any Jiangnan Province officials whose crimes are proven to be true will be dealt with according to the law regardless of their rank, official position, or seniority!"
After hearing this, Miaozhen froze in place. The smile she forced on her face suddenly froze. Her mouth was slightly open and she could not speak for a long time.
Zheng Xin frightened Miaozhen after hearing his few words, and felt very proud. After a few more instructions, he ordered his officers to lock her up again, and took Qiu Yizhi and others out of the temporary meditation room. Converted prison cell.
After coming out, Zheng Xin and Qiu Yizhi went to a nearby cell and interrogated Li Shenshi, who was also a prisoner.
Although Li Shenshi was an experienced official, he was not as calm and calm as Miaozhen. When he saw Zheng Xin coming, he hurriedly kowtowed to say hello. Before he could ask any questions, he started to burst into pain with runny nose and tears, which continued continuously. Repent of your sins.
It's just that Li Shenshi was crying and talking at the same time, and his speech was so unclear that others couldn't hear what he said.
Zheng Xin waited for him to finish crying and just asked about the warmth and warmth of his daily life. Li Shenshi was so moved that he burst into tears again and kept talking vaguely for a long time.
Seeing that Zheng Xin couldn't ask him anything, he shook his head and walked out with Qiu Yizhi.
As soon as he left the room, he heard Zheng Xin say: "Brothers traveled thousands of miles and were harassed by Japanese invaders. It's really hard. However, according to the emperor's decree, the case must be handled quickly and cannot be delayed. Brother Yu wants to do it tomorrow. The trial will begin, I wonder if my brother’s health will hold up?”
Qiu Yizhi smiled and said: "What are you talking about, Your Highness? When we followed the emperor to march north, on which day did we not march hundreds of miles? On which day were we not disturbed by Turks? What if we used physical fatigue as an excuse? , Why don’t you get scolded by the emperor for asking the army to delay their march for a day and a half? This case has actually been delayed for several months, and the case will be heard tomorrow as ordered by His Highness! "
Zheng Xin was quite pleased when he heard him mention the past events in Youyan Road. After thinking about it for a while, he changed the topic and said: "In addition, according to Brother Yu, if the lobby is located in Qixia Temple, It seems not solemn enough. It seems that the main hall of Jiangnan Road should be used to show the majesty of the king's law! "What do you think?"
Qiu Yizhi originally didn't care about these false etiquettes, but when he heard that Zheng Xin's words made sense, he complimented him: "Where do you have any ideas from me? Your Highness's suggestion is very appropriate. I accept it. It's just that we have to borrow it." You have to be more cautious when opening a dojo in someone else’s place, and the security measures must be as tight as possible.”
Zheng Xin nodded and said: "That makes sense. I will give the order right now to replace all the Jiangnan Dao Yamen officers with the officers and soldiers I brought." He changed the topic and said, "There is one more thing. That is Yin Chengliang and Cai Min Although the evidence of the crime is conclusive, the verdict has not yet been made, and he is still the official of the imperial court. Therefore, during the joint trial, Brother Yu is only the one sitting in charge, and he and his brother are the concurrent presiding officers. Please don't be offended. "
This was a custom made by the Han Dynasty's judiciary. Qiu Yizhi naturally had nothing to say, so he agreed and said: "With His Highness sitting in the middle, it's okay to come. I will also take His Highness as my leader. I think it's getting late. I'll take my leave now and stay at Mr. Bansong's manor. If you need anything, Your Highness, just come to me."
Zheng Xin nodded and said: "Tomorrow will be another battle of words. It would be good for my brother to go back early to rest and recharge his batteries. Also, this 'Mr. Bansong' has a good reputation. When the matter is settled, I will also come to ask for advice." of."
After hearing this, Qiu Yizhi thought: "Mr. Bansong" Lin Shuhan is arrogant and has a weird temper. If he insists on refusing to see this powerful "His Highness", then he doesn't know how this situation will end.
However, this was not a top priority after all. Qiu Yizhi didn't have the time to think about it now, so he just made a few promises and led Yuchi Jiming out of Qixia Temple.
Nothing happened that night, and Qiu Yizhi also took a rare opportunity to have a good sleep.
In the early morning of the next day, Qiu Yizhi got up very early. After washing and eating, he called Yuchi Jiming and rode straight to the Yamen of Jiangnan Daofu.
From a distance, Qiu Yizhi and others saw a five-clawed golden dragon flag with a red background and gold thread on the flagpole at the entrance of the yamen, fluttering fiercely in the wind.
Zheng Xin had already been granted the title of king, but he did not have a fiefdom yet and was not considered a vassal king. Therefore, according to Han law, the four-clawed red dragon flag should be hoisted. However, this time he went south in accordance with the emperor's imperial decree. As a serious imperial minister, he could naturally use the golden dragon flag that symbolized imperial power.
Since it was the symbol of the emperor, of course Qiu Yizhi couldn't just ride by the banner carelessly. He quickly dismounted and bowed three times and bowed nine times to the banner.
He got up and was about to ride on horseback when an officer walked up to Qiu Yizhi, gave him a military salute and said, "His Royal Highness is here. Your Highness has asked me to wait here for a long time. Please come in now, Your Highness." Let's go to the Yamen." After saying that, he reached out and took the reins of Qiu Yizhi's bloody horse, and led Qiu Yizhi towards the Yamen.
Yuchi Jiming was about to follow her in, but the officer stretched out his hand to stop her and said, "This girl has no official title, so please wait outside."
How could Yuchi Jiming be convinced? Just when she was about to argue, she heard Qiu Yizhi say in her ear: "He is a person who can't make decisions. What's the point of arguing with him? Jiming wants to go in and see the excitement, so why bother?" Do you have to go through the gate?"
Yuchi Jiming understood this, smiled slightly, turned around and ran away without knowing where he was.
Qiu Yizhi ignored her and followed the officer slowly towards the Yamen.
They also saw that the Taofu Yamen, which was already very grand and impressive, had been reorganized and the surroundings were kept spotless. A group of Imperial Guards were neatly lined up in front of the door - the elites brought by Zheng Xin from the capital. (To be continued)