The remnants of the previous dynasty have been hiding in the deep palace for many years, hiding the truth from the emperor and empress, outlasting the crown prince and crown princess, and even marrying in grand style. They colluded with powerful officials to call the shots in the court. This crime is certainly enough to have one's property confiscated and the family exterminated, but it can also easily confuse people and make them lose confidence in the court.
The imperial court is now being harassed by the Oirat Mongols in the north, invaded by Japanese pirates along the coast, and there is a rebellion by the natives in Yunnan. It is a turbulent time and such a horrific thing cannot happen.
Some truths only need to be known by a few people.
Xiao Heng was so considerate and sensible that Emperor Yuanfeng felt a little guilty. He took a deep breath, walked to Xiao Heng, and gently patted Xiao Heng on the shoulder. After a moment, he whispered, "Ah Heng, if your father had half of your courage..."
But it was meaningless to say this now, so Emperor Yuanfeng changed his words: "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer any more injustice."
Xiao Heng was silent for a long time and did not respond.
Emperor Yuanfeng did not blame him. He sighed and walked out of the door. Eunuch Xia was already waiting. He bent over and reported to Emperor Yuanfeng softly: "It has been resolved. He... said some treasonous words..."
"I don't want to listen anymore." Emperor Yuanfeng waved his hand. He knew without thinking that what was said were all bad things about the crown prince and Xiao Heng, but he was no longer interested. He looked back. It was already dark, and Xiao Heng's back was even more blurred in the dark. Emperor Yuanfeng shook his head and turned around. Seeing Song Xiangyu still in a hurry in the yard, he felt a little unhappy and couldn't help glaring at him: "What are you doing sneakily?"
Song Xiangyu pursed his lips shyly, trotted over and saluted, saying with a smile: "I'm just curious, Your Majesty, what's going on? Why is it related to the Crown Prince again..."
Before he could finish his words, Emperor Yuanfeng glared at him again.
But Emperor Yuanfeng knew Song Xiangyu's character, and knew that his cousin was not scheming. And since he could ask about it, it meant that he really didn't know it before.
For some reason, Song Xiangyu's intervention made Emperor Yuanfeng feel much better. He scolded Song Xiangyu and then said, "Don't believe everything you hear. Don't ask Ah Heng later, he is busy. If you have nothing to do, go back first. You are already old, why are you still so out of tune?"'
Although it was a scolding, it was also very intimate.
Song Xiangyu scratched his head and agreed.
After Emperor Yuanfeng left, he put away the smile on his face and hurried into the room. Seeing Xiao Heng reading Manager Xu's confession, he breathed a sigh of relief and fumbled for a lighter to light a candle: "It's so dark, what can you see? Why don't you light a lamp?"
Xiao Heng didn't say anything. After a long while, he put down the things in his hands and called out softly, "Father."
Song Xiangyu was stunned. He lit the candle and wiped away the tears from his eyes while turning around. He snorted as calmly as possible: "Now he is getting worse. He refuses to discuss anything with others. What a dog temper! Do you know how risky it is today?! If you get excited and say something wrong, even if Xu Shun is finished now, you will not have a good result, do you know?"
"I know everything." Xiao Heng was a little tired. After interrogating Xu Shun and dealing with Emperor Yuanfeng, he himself seemed to have just been pulled out of the water. His whole body felt heavy as if filled with lead. He adjusted his sitting position and explained, "But I have no other choice. It has been a day and a night since Xu Shun was put in the imperial prison. After today, it is not certain whether he can continue to stay here. If I don't seize this opportunity, I may never have the chance to ask these questions. So I can only take a risky move and drag it out with them. We will be the only ones who can't afford it."
Song Xiangyu knew these truths, of course. Seeing Xiao Heng so tired, he felt very distressed. He opened his mouth and took a deep breath slowly: "Forget it, fortunately we got through the danger. The emperor just left. From the looks of him, we should have won. Xu Shun is finished."
No one expected that Xiao Heng would actually finish the case within a month.
Princess Jingming was indeed murdered by Li Qingzhou and Xuanyuan. At the same time, some of Li Qingzhou's other activities were also uncovered, such as bullying the people in the northwest and misappropriating military pay. Even the Xu family was implicated and many secrets were discovered.
However, Xu Chong could not bear the shock and committed suicide in prison. When Xu Shun learned about it, he also suffered a stroke and died.
The powerful second chancellor was finished so suddenly, and many people in the court were unable to react for a while.
In particular, some of Xu Shun's disciples wrote letters to the emperor, saying that Xiao Heng was a serious cruel official, and that it was probably because Xiao Heng used excessive torture that caused the old assistant to have a sudden stroke.
However, Emperor Yuanfeng, who had always been open-minded about speaking out, suddenly became furious. He stripped the person who wrote the letter of thanks in public, and took him to Zuoshun Gate to beat him with fifty sticks.
Now everyone in the court knew Emperor Yuanfeng's attitude, and the voices speaking for Xu Shun suddenly became quieter.
"It really serves him right!" Queen Mother Tian suddenly shouted, hating the Xu family to the core: "He always acted so righteous and awe-inspiring in the past, and fooled so many people!? But what was the result? He is the most despicable one!"
The death of Princess Jingming caused her temperament to change drastically. She used to be a person who could control her emotions, but in recent days she has become very irritable and gets angry easily.
Tian Xun was holding a cup of autumn pear paste at the side and whispered, "Yes, this is their retribution."
"What retribution?!" Empress Dowager Tian couldn't help sobbing, and gritted her teeth with a sullen look on her face: "That evil creature Li Qingzhou is still alive and well. She must be tortured to death to relieve the hatred in my heart!"
Whenever Empress Dowager Tian thought about how scared and helpless her four-year-old child must have been when he died, her heart felt as if it was being cut open.
And all this was caused by Li Qingzhou. Empress Dowager Tian wished she could tear her into pieces with her own hands.
Tian Xun quickly reached out and patted her back, sighing and gently coaxing her: "The Queen Mother is very kind-hearted. If the princess is still alive, she will definitely be able to feel it. She doesn't want you to be so sad."
Empress Dowager Tian narrowed her eyes and was about to speak when someone outside reported that the emperor's eldest grandson had arrived.
The person that Empress Dowager Tian was most happy to see was Xiao Heng. Upon hearing this, she urged him repeatedly, "Please come in quickly!"
Tian Xun's eyes suddenly lit up.
Soon Xiao Heng came in. Before he could even salute, Empress Dowager Tian called out to him, "No need to be so polite, Ah Heng. Have you found out everything?"
"Yes, everything has been checked out." Xiao Heng responded, and added: "The princess's body has also been buried." (To be continued)