When the ice and snow hadn't melted and the first month hadn't risen, an unexpected thing happened, and it happened in the harem.
In Concubine Wen Gui's bedroom, a man dressed as a small inner prisoner wanted to assassinate the twelve-year-old second prince Chen An, but fortunately he was captured by the guards without any danger.
Emperor Zhaowu was furious, and ordered to find out the chief envoy within three days, and to dismiss Zhu Lanting, the commander of the imperial guards.
After interrogation, it turned out that the assassin was not a real internal official, he had high cheekbones, a dark face, and red cheeks, which is rare for people from the Central Plains, and he looked like a Northwesterner at first glance. He himself confessed that he was ordered by Concubine Hui to assassinate the second prince. He was not familiar with the terrain of the harem, and it was Concubine Hui who led him to Concubine Wen Gui's bedroom. Here come the assassins.
This result was no small matter, since the crown prince and concubine Hui were involved, no one dared to speak out, so Dali Temple Minister had to truthfully report the content of the interrogation, but he immediately went to Yan Zilian to discuss it.
The incident of the assassination of the prince has caused a lot of trouble in the city, and everyone is talking about it. Although the content of the interrogation is confidential, there is no impenetrable wall in the world. Soon, the news spread like wildfire, and almost everyone in the Imperial Academy knew about it. When Yan Sikong learned the result of the interrogation from his former colleagues, Yan Zilian had already entered the palace to have a face-to-face interview.
Yan Sikong was very anxious. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that it is impossible for Concubine Hui to do such a thing. She is just an illiterate country girl with no background and a timid nature. Besides, her son is already a prince, so there is no way for a prince to assassinate a feudal prince.
Like many people, Yan Sikong suspected that Concubine Wen Gui had framed him. Concubine Wen Gui's father was the Secretary of the Ministry of War and had many contacts with the imperial guards. It seemed that it would not be difficult to install a person into the palace, but this matter was decided with Zhu Lanting. It doesn't matter, Zhu Lanting is a decent person, and it is impossible to shoot himself in the foot.
Yan Sikong is not suitable to stay in the Imperial Academy for a long time, he plans to visit Yan Zilian's house at night, he thinks that Chen Yu's mother and son must be panicked at this time, and really wants to go to the East Palace to appease him, but unfortunately he can't do anything, unless...
Yan Sikong thought of Concubine Xian, his future mother-in-law, who was also deeply loved by Emperor Zhaowu. If Feng Ye could go to ask Concubine Xian and speak well in front of His Majesty, it would be more helpful.
Thinking of Feng Ye, Yan Sikong's heart tightened. He had tried his best to avoid thinking of Feng Ye, but he still couldn't restrain himself. Moreover, he found shamefully that he was looking forward to an excuse to find Feng Ye more than Concubine Hui. .
He scolded himself fiercely, he was really stupid and confused, not to mention that he and Feng Ye are in such a situation now, just from Xie Zhongren's eccentric words at the banquet that day, it can already be seen that Emperor Zhaowu's attitude towards The fear of King Jingyuan. He used to hope that Fengye would join him in supporting the crown prince, but after King Jingyuan defeated Oala, he hoped that the Feng family would not be involved in the battle for the position, otherwise they would be even more suspicious.
That night, Yan Sikong went to visit Yan Zilian's mansion and asked about the assassination case. Yan Zilian sighed again and again, saying that the Holy Wrath was in full swing, Concubine Wen Gui was crying again, and Xie Zhongren was still fanning the flames. The emperor couldn't listen to anything. The university scholar remonstrated at the same time, only in exchange for a few days' reprieve, so that Dali Temple can continue to investigate the case.
Yan Sikong asked about investigating the case again, and Yan Zilian was even more helpless, saying that the man insisted that Concubine Hui ordered him to do so, and that he might be a dead man bought by Concubine Wen Gui. Moreover, Xie Zhongren also asked the Metropolitan Procuratorate to intervene in the investigation. Yan Zilian did not dare to be negligent and asked the Ministry of Criminal Justice to also intervene. It is unimaginable that such a simple case needs to be tried by the three judicial departments. Because the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Criminal Ministry are Xie Zhongren and Yan Zilian respectively He is a party member, and Dali Temple is just, Xie Zhongren has added weight to the balance, how can Yan Zilian not keep up.
Yan Sikong frowned and said: "This eunuch asked the Metropolitan Procuratorate to intervene, and his behavior is suspicious. Could it be that he also participated in this matter, afraid that we will tamper with the confession in private?"
"I also have the same doubts. Lord Tingwei enforces the law impartially. It is not easy to persuade him to tamper with the confession. Even if he can be persuaded, now that Xie Zhongren orders the Metropolitan Procuratorate to intervene, it will be impossible."
"Turning the confession is not good, what if the assassin is killed? Let's die without evidence."
Yan Zilian nodded: "This is the next strategy. If there is no better way, this is the only way to do it. Let's see if the assassin can change his mind at the joint trial of the three courts."
After Yan Sikong returned home, he couldn't sleep all night. He was full of uneasiness and uneasiness, and always felt that this matter could not end well.
The next day, Yan Sikong's premonition came true.
The official of Xie Zhongren's faction, Li Ke, played in the court, saying that when the crown prince went to the northern suburbs to worship the mausoleum and pray for the empress dowager a few years ago, he actually summoned him directly, lit incense in the north, and performed the ceremony of the emperor. Without a father and without a king, it is simply rebellious.
This memorial aroused turmoil all over the court, and Emperor Zhaowu was so angry that he bearded and fought, and summoned the prince in court to confront the official.
The crown prince resolutely refused to admit it, but the official spoke conclusively, saying that the guards around the crown prince naturally protected the crown prince, but the scene in the northern suburbs that day had already been rumored in Beijing.
The official did not have any evidence, but dared to impeach the prince, and the others had nothing to do with him.
In the system of this dynasty, the so-called Yanguan refers to the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the six divisions. The censor includes those in Beijing and the thirteen supervisory censors who patrol the prefectural roads, and they specialize in supervising all officials inside and outside the court. The six divisions supervise the six divisions. Most of them have extremely low grades, but they have a unified privilege, that is, they can "hear things and play things", which means that they can play on hearsay things without being responsible, and they can do anything. Zou, it's not about my undergraduate degree, my family's affairs, or even the emperor's palace, I can meddle in my own business.
Most officials, including the emperor, are tired of this group of maggot talkers, but they can't violate the ancestral system. Besides, talkers are sharp swords, and everyone has a time to use them.
In a rage, Emperor Zhaowu sent Concubine Hui and the prince to prison at the same time, saying that he would thoroughly investigate the assassination case together.
The incident has reached such a level that everyone speculates that the emperor wants to abolish the crown prince, and many people point their fingers at the second prince, thinking that he is irresponsible in this matter, and people in the court are panicked for a while.
When Yan Sikong heard the news that Concubine Hui and the crown prince were imprisoned, his legs were so weak that he could hardly stand. He held the door and stood for a long time before striding to Wenyuan Pavilion to find Yan Zilian.
When the teacher and the student met each other, their faces turned pale.
Yan Sikong said anxiously: "Teacher, did the Tribunal find out anything?"
Yan Zilian shook his head heavily: "Sure enough, Concubine Wen Gui has colluded with Xie Zhongren, and the one who impeached the crown prince today is the Li Ke Shizhong." He gritted his teeth and said, "A eunuch and a woman are colluding in an attempt to usurp the crown prince. The crown prince!"
Yan Sikong clenched his fists: "This eunuch..." He wished he could skin Xie Zhongren and cramp it!
"Although your majesty has imprisoned the empress and the prince, the ministers have complained one after another. It is safe for a while, but..." Yan Zilian covered his tired eyes, "Your majesty doesn't like the prince, let alone Concubine Hui, otherwise it wouldn't be Those who send them to prison just by two or three words from the officials are my Dasheng's princes, what a shame!"
"How can we care about decency now?" Yan Sikong said urgently, "As the teacher said, His Majesty doesn't like their mother and son, and has always wanted to have another second prince. Now that the Empress Dowager is seriously ill, she is no longer able to put pressure on Her Majesty. I'm afraid Your Majesty will take this opportunity to abolish the crown prince!"
"This is what we are most worried about." Yan Zilian opened his eyes, and every deep wrinkle on his face was filled with an old man who was overwhelmed with worry, "Abandoning long-term love is going against the law, Your Majesty can't be confused what."
"Is Your Majesty confused on the first day?" Yan Sikong gritted his teeth.
On a normal day, Yan Zilian would have to teach Yan Sikong to be cautious in his words and deeds, but at this time he also thought so in his heart, but Yan Sikong said it for him, and he said solemnly: "I am worried that His Majesty will let the Sanju It will be even more troublesome to interrogate the empress and the prince."
Trials by the Three Judiciaries are bound to be punished. According to the laws of this dynasty, anyone who goes to prison, regardless of whether he is guilty or not, will be given ten lashes before the trial. This is already a powerful way to deter wrongdoers. Most of the royal relatives and relatives will be exempted. snub? Although the mother and son have been neglected for many years, they have never suffered physical pain, let alone what a humiliation it is.
Yan Sikong only felt a chill in his heart, and said in a low voice: "Concubine Hui is cowardly by nature, if she is frightened by torture, or is induced to say something that shouldn't be said, the crown prince will be doomed."
"This is exactly what I'm afraid of." Yan Zilian said, "I'll go to Lord Tingwei in a while. The situation is so serious. If he doesn't fight against the enemy, wouldn't he allow the thieves to bully my future emperor of Dasheng? Maybe he can persuade him with righteousness. he."
"That's what I hope." Yan Sikong suddenly thought of something, "Teacher, what is your son's reaction this morning?"
Officials of this court, above the fourth grade, are going to the early court. He heard that Feng Ye has returned to the capital recently, and today the officials slandered the crown prince, so Feng Ye must be there.
Yan Zilian said: "He advised His Majesty to think twice, thinking that the crown prince was wronged." He stared straight at Yan Sikong, "Do you have a solution?"
"The student thought of a way, but..." Yan Sikong lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and his heart was already agitated, "Because of the gift of marriage, I have become estranged from the prince, so I may not be able to succeed if I ask him."
"Hey, on the grounds that I was worried about complaints from the aristocratic family, I advised His Majesty not to release the news before the marriage was granted, in order to prevent Xie Zhongren from interfering and urging His Majesty to betroth Wan Yang to someone else. Who would have thought that His Majesty cared so much about family status. Yan Zilian looked at Yan Sikong, "What can you do? Do you want King Jingyuan to intercede for them?"
"No." Yan Sikong said seriously, "If King Jingyuan intercedes, it will add fuel to the fire."
Yan Zilian immediately realized the key point: "That's right, the emperor is afraid of King Jingyuan. If he pleads for the crown prince again, the crown prince will definitely lose his position. What do you mean..."
"Let Princess Wanyang go beg the Queen Mother."
Yan Zilian's eyes brightened: "Good plan. Your Majesty dared to do this, he must have kept it from the Empress Dowager. The princess went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager every day. As long as she secretly told the Empress Dowager, she would not involve the Concubine Xian. Now I am afraid that only the Empress Dowager can do it." Save Concubine Hui and the crown prince. Wait..." He worried again, "But the imperial guards have recorded the entry of the prince into the palace, so we can't hide it from the emperor."
"The prince doesn't need to enter the palace, all he needs is a letter to be sent to the concubine Xian, and this matter requires the teacher to take action. Can the teacher persuade Commander Zhu to deliver the letter for the prince? Now the palace is heavily guarded. Commanding Dai Zui to perform his duties, only he can do it."
Yan Zilian smiled wryly and said, "Go ahead with my old face and ask to move him. Besides, Commander Zhu is the martial artist assigned by the queen mother to the prince. I believe he also wants to help the prince. Then you, are you sure to ask the prince to move?"
Yan Sikong showed embarrassment: "No."
Yan Zilian grabbed Yan Sikong's hand, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle: "Sikong, you know the pros and cons of this matter, you can't have it, you must have it."
Yan Sikong knelt down slowly: "Student, you must go all out."
Feng Ye...