The sky is approaching, but there is still a haze over the entire capital.
Zhu Chunming was assassinated. Although the murderer's head had been hung on the city wall, the Zhu family, who firmly believed that there was a mastermind behind the murder, would not give up. The entire court was filled with a sense of chilling panic.
In the midst of the chaos, the Gu family, who are famous for their stubbornness, have come into conflict with the noble family Pingyang Marquis. So far, both the Pingyang Marquis Mansion and the imperial palace are silent. No one knows what these parties are planning. , the silence is more overwhelming than the noise. The whole capital has a solemn atmosphere, and everyone is waiting for the development of the situation.
The Gu family's house in Beijing is far away from the busy city. In the early morning, except for a few children playing and jumping on the street, no one else passed by. Just when the children were arguing and quarreling over a few stones, there was a sudden burst of noise at the entrance of the alley. There was a commotion. It seemed like a lot of people were coming over. The children stopped arguing and looked over.
I saw a group of men wearing soap clothes, holding chains, and looking gloomy striding towards them.
"The Criminal Department is handling the case, everyone else, get out of the way!" they shouted, the chains in their hands clattering as they moved.
"Servant of the Ministry of Punishment!" The children were stunned for a moment, then immediately exclaimed and dispersed.
Under Zhu Chunming's control, his cousin Zhu Chunyang was in charge of the General Affairs Department and the Minister of Punishment. The Punishment Department undoubtedly became his personal minions. This group of omnipotent and pervasive officers had a great reputation and had the effect of quelling children's cries. .
When the door of the Gu family was knocked open by this group of people, the street was already crowded with people who came after hearing the news. They watched curiously and fearfully, but did not dare to step forward to listen carefully to what they were saying.
"Where's Gu Hai?"
Everyone in the Gu family was rushed into the yard. Looking at the few three or four people, the leader couldn't help but frown and shouted.
"My brother has gone to the Ministry of Civil Affairs..." Gu Shiba Niang replied in a deep voice.
"Why are there only these few people?" The officer shook the roster in his hand and asked with a frown, "Did they abscond?"
"My mother went back to her hometown to pay homage to her ancestors..." Gu Shiba Niang replied, looking at the servants, "I wonder what business these gentlemen have?"
"It's a coincidence that you've come back..." The officer snorted coldly, then looked at Gu Shiba Niang and waved the ticket issued by the Punishment Department in his hand, "Someone reported that you are involved with the rebels and bandits. Come with us to the Punishment Department." Let’s take a trip…”
As soon as these words came out, the servants of the Gu family present looked panicked.
"That's so easy to say!" Gu Shiba Niang sneered and pointed at the door lintel, "There are no criminals in the three generations of my Gu family, and there are no daughters who have remarried. All three generations of my ancestors and grandchildren have been officials, and you are openly asking for arrest when I enter the house. Do people have etiquette and rules in their eyes?”
If you say this to other guards, they may immediately scare them.
"That girl is sharp-tongued, cunning and discerning. Without enough evidence, I really won't send you to your lord..." Pingyang Hou Nianxu said, his eyes flashing slightly, as if he had already seen how the girl would react when he heard it.
Zhu Chunyang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, who was sitting across from him, laughed heartily, with a look of contemptuous confidence in his eyes.
"You've got the wrong person to talk to us about etiquette, laws and regulations..." He patted Fu Tai's belly, "Don't talk about a small family of seventh-rank officials, even the first- and second-rank officials of the current dynasty, We have never been short of people in this prison. We have to see if you are qualified to discuss etiquette, laws and regulations with our punishment department. At the very least, you have to be as good as me before I can let you say a word..."
Marquis Pingyang nodded, smiled, and said nothing.
"I would like to thank Marquis Pingyang for his thoughtfulness this time..." Zhu Chunyang said, cupping his hands at him.
"Where is it..." Marquis Pingyang said with a smile, with a calm expression, "I originally thought it was just a quarrel between children, but I didn't pay attention to it. Unexpectedly, after asking, I found out that there was really a problem. I don't dare to hide such a big thing and not report it. .....”
A trace of ferocity flashed across Zhu Chunyang's face. There was a problem. Of course he knew there was a problem a long time ago! It's just because he has no evidence and no opportunity, so he just thinks he is deaf and blind. Now someone has personally sent him an opportunity. If he misses it again, he will really be deaf and blind!
"I want to see if pulling out the carrot can bring out the mud this time! None of those damn dog thieves who are hiding behind to harm my brother can escape!" Zhu Chunyang said in a deep voice.
Marquis Pingyang's expression changed slightly. In Zhu Chunyang's eyes, the main person targeted this time was Gu Hai, and then the same kind of purge party members around Gu Hai. He wanted to use this heinous case to Pull out these thorns in the flesh in one fell swoop. Although some of them have been captured and removed, there are still many people who cannot be dealt with, especially those in high positions. As long as these people are around for a day, everyone in the Zhu party will find it difficult to sleep and eat. This is not only self-blame for Zhu Chunming's death, but also anxiety about the future.
"Sir..." Marquis Pingyang pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "I feel very sad about Master Zhu..."
There was something in his words. Zhu Chunyang put away his emotions and turned to look at him.
"In total, it has been fifty years since I entered the court in the third year of Qingkang, and I have been accompanying your majesty for fifty years..." Pingyang Hou sighed softly with a hint of emotion. Said sadly.
"Yes..." Zhu Chunyang looked sad. The Zhu family had enjoyed prosperity and wealth for fifty years, but now the big tree covering the sky suddenly fell down. Even though he didn't say it on his face, he couldn't help but feel a little confused in his heart.
"I have been to the palace in the past few days and met with the emperor. He has expressed my gratitude to him many times. He is so sad that I cannot express it..." Marquis Pingyang continued, "In your majesty's eyes, your Majesty is no longer just a minister, but a friend." ah….."
Zhu Chunyang felt sour and almost shed tears. It was obvious that Pingyang Hou's words were not made up to make him happy, and as far as Pingyang Hou was concerned, there was no need to make him happy.
The relationship between these aristocratic families and the ministers in the court has always been close or far away, and they are impartial. However, they are the ones who can judge the limelight better than anyone else. They first provide evidence and then talk about the emperor. His mood shows that this proves that his feelings for Zhu Chunming are not false in His Majesty's eyes.
What's more, Zhu Chunming's death really irritated the emperor's nerves. In this world, the power of life and death can be determined, especially for such a minister. The minister he entrusted with important tasks can only be implemented by the emperor Longqing. Now Someone actually jumped out and killed Zhu Chunming, which was undoubtedly a loud slap in the face of the emperor. The already moody emperor was completely furious, so this is why the Zhu family went to great lengths to pursue the murder and investigate the case. This was the emperor venting his anger. Anger, we must give a good shock to these people who dare to disobey.
"When my brother was here, because he couldn't be loyal to His Majesty and heal His Majesty's country, he couldn't enjoy the day and night, and it was hard to sleep at night..." Zhu Chunyang said with a bit of sobs.
Pingyang Hou nodded, "So the most important thing now is to thoroughly investigate the murderer and comfort the spirit of the boss..."
That is to say, don’t go off topic… everything must follow this principle….
Zhu Chunming understood what he said, and was very happy to get some advice from this prince who had not had much contact with him: "Thank you so much, Mr. Hou..." Immediately, his sad expression faded, and he returned to the majestic aura of someone who had been in a high position for a long time and said, "I An order has been issued to build Kangzhou County and conduct a thorough investigation on the Gu clan, and no trace will be left out..."
"No matter what, we just need to investigate thoroughly. We really cannot allow such a treacherous person to wander into our court..." Pingyang Hou said while subconsciously looking at the sky outside and raising his brows slightly.
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis. Although the law stipulates that women must be imprisoned only if they commit capital crimes and adultery, but the evidence is conclusive in cases involving the assault and murder of court officials. I want to see who dares to stop my criminal department from arresting people... ." Zhu Chunyang said slowly with a fierce look on his face.
"Having said that, the daughter of this family is the one who wants to enter the East Palace after all. For the sake of His Highness, you still have to..." Pingyang Hou reminded in a low voice.
Zhu Chunming laughed, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, thinking about His Highness? Why should I think about everything for him? Didn't the Zhu family think enough about him? What's the result? His brother died in such a bizarre and tragic death, and this prince didn't even give a shit, yet he had to protect the biggest suspect for the sake of a fucking woman! It can be seen that these princes and grandsons are the most ungrateful! There is no friendship at all with them! Let them suffer some losses, suffer some punishment when they ascend the throne, and pretend to be grandsons with their tail between their legs. Only when they get their wish one day will they realize how valuable they are as ministers!
Come on, I'm afraid no one will come. Let's see who dares to challenge His Majesty's taboos at this moment. Everyone in the world knows that what the headstrong Emperor Longqing hates most is being disobeyed by others! Especially when it comes to incidents involving Zhu Chunming’s death! It was his old man who personally issued the edict. No matter who he is or what his identity is, he will be arrested and investigated without mercy!
A smile appeared on Pingyang Hou's lips. This sentence was enough, and he said no more.
If no one came to stop her, it would be inevitable for this woman to walk around the lobby of the Ministry of Justice. As long as she walked around the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, no matter whether she was guilty or not guilty, she would never think about entering the palace again!
What's more, as long as she comes in, she can never get out unscathed! The smile on Marquis Pingyang's lips gradually cooled down. It's not even a matter of a word for a little ant to crush you to death. You asked for it. Originally, Marquis Pingyang didn't bother to pay attention to this matter. It's better to sell you. You don't know what's interesting, and instead start making trouble. Do you really think that you can rise to the top in one step and no one can mess with you? It’s really short-sighted and doesn’t know the heights of the world! Not to mention you are just a woman who was selected into the East Palace, there are many children of royal blood who were blessed by the saints one moment, but were ruined and disgraced the next moment!
This time I condescend to teach you, young people, a lesson so that you can understand what it means that the power of God is unpredictable and the world is impermanent.
At this time, the confrontation was still going on in the Gu family's courtyard. The curiosity of the onlookers had outweighed their fear of the Ministry of Punishment officers, and they gradually crowded in at the gate and could hear some of the conversation inside.
"...I tell you, you woman, don't be nagging me. To tell you the truth, witnesses are already waiting in our lobby. Even if you bring me the King of Heaven, you still have to come with us today..." the leader of the police officers sneered. ," At this time, Gu Hai is afraid that he has already arrived in our lobby, so you can save yourself the trouble and play this delaying game with us. It is purely a waste.