The demeanor of Wan's generation's favorite concubine is truly extraordinary.
But I heard Tang Fan still say in that unhurried tone: "I want to teach the imperial concubine to know that the parents of the minister died early, and the sister married outside, not the Tang family. Strictly speaking, the whole family is indeed dead."
The corners of everyone's mouth twitched, and they all fell for these words.
Even Mr. Wan was stunned for a moment, and instantly forgot what he was going to scold.
Tang Fan's words changed: "The minister said that the minister pushes officials, and the dead, not the living. Since there are words from the imperial concubine, then the minister can investigate the case with peace of mind."
In this matter, he has already been involved, and it is difficult to ride a tiger, so he has to accept it.
Concubine Wan's public denial that the matter is related to her is equivalent to making an oath in public. With this statement, Tang Fan will be less constrained during the investigation.
But Tang Fan won't think that this matter really has nothing to do with her because of Concubine Wan's words.
Although the direct poisoning method looks stupid, it is not impossible if it is effective. Wan's favorite harem, even if the prince dies, the emperor may not hold her accountable. Most of them are excuses to help Wan's clear responsibility. , In this case, why is it impossible for Wan Shi to gamble
All in all, the case is not necessarily complicated, but because the characters involved in the case are all heavyweights, it is particularly troublesome.
Originally, Tang Fan would not be in charge of such a case, at least the Ministry of Punishment or Dali Temple should take over, but because the person who recommended him was Wang Zhi, Wang Zhi was also a person of Concubine Wan, and the cabinet Zaifu was present. Basically, they were unwilling to fight against the emperor, so there was a strange silence for a while, and no one objected.
Thinking about it carefully, anyway, the Ming Dynasty has always had a lot of rare things. Since there are adopted sons as their own queen mothers, there are civil and military officials who pretend to be deaf and dumb, there are emperors who are held hostage by aliens, and there are even more than the emperor. A noble concubine who can still be favored at the age of sixteen, and an eunuch who is feared by hundreds of officials before twenty, it seems that it is not so unacceptable to have a small push official from the sixth rank to investigate this case.
Emperor Chenghua yawned and tossed around in the middle of the night. He was really sleepy: "If that's the case, then that's it. It's too late now. The prince will go back to rest first, and all the patriarchs should go back first."
Wang Zhi asked, "Your Majesty, that case...?"
Emperor Chenghua waved his hand: "Let's talk about it tomorrow, Tang Fan can also go back first, and then enter the palace tomorrow. If there is anything that needs to be asked at that time, you need to cooperate with Wang Neichen as much as possible."
Wang Zhi had to come down.
Concubine Wan walked over to hold Emperor Chenghua's arm, while looking at Tang Fan coldly, she said meaningfully: "This matter is my innocence, and please Mr. Tang to find out the truth, so as not to let me be blamed in vain. name!"
Tang Fan didn't seem to hear her warning, and said, "I should do my best."
As soon as the emperor and prince left, the three patriarchs naturally didn't want to stay any longer, they all left in an instant, Shang Ming let Wang Zhi steal the limelight, vented all his anger on Tang Fan, and smiled neither yin nor yang: "Master Tang, the case is hot, you have to do it yourself, don't check it, and take your own life."
Tang Fan snorted: "Thank you for the reminder."
Wang Zhi smirked: "Shang Ming, don't say I didn't remind you, don't always think about fighting for merit, think more about how to share the worries and solve problems for the nobles, if you have the ability to find the murderer, the noble concubine will definitely Remember your kindness!"
The East and West factories have always been at odds with each other. Shang Ming and Wang Zhi looked at each other with a substantive flame. In the end, the former rolled his eyes and snorted, "Don't be too complacent, if your surname is Tang's failed to come up with a satisfactory result, you have to follow the unlucky!"
After saying that, he twisted his waist and threw his sleeves away.
Wang Zhi looked at his back and sneered, then turned to Tang Fan and said, "Master Tang, I'll take you out of the palace."
Tang Fan knew that he had something to say, but he didn't shirk. The two walked out of the Ciqing Palace and walked all the way to the palace gate. Wang Zhi could only let the Xianzaren and others follow from afar, while he himself followed Tang Fan. Pan, one person and one lantern, walk side by side.
"Wang Gong, you and I have no grievances in the past, but recently, you have hurt me badly this time." Tang Fan said lightly.
Wang Zhi chuckled: "Wealth and wealth are in danger, it's a pity that you are such a smart person to be under a mediocre person like Pan Bin. If you can help Concubine Wan to clear up her grievances this time, this is a great opportunity. And human feelings, when the time comes, you will be promoted and rich, and you will be on the rise, isn't it just around the corner?"
Tang Fan was expressionless: "Mr. Wang also looks down on me too much. I'm afraid that before I get promoted, my life will be at risk."
Wang Zhidao: "This time, what happened is purely an accident, and no one wants it to happen. Master Tang knows how I can be on an equal footing with Shang Ming? Back then, the establishment of the West Factory was also an accident, but since it has already happened, we must Turn surprises into opportunities.”
Tang Fan said, "Mr. Wang doesn't have to go around in circles, just speak straight."
Wang Zhi didn't care about his tone: "I might as well give you the truth first, this is not what the imperial concubine did, otherwise the imperial concubine would not have strongly demanded that your majesty investigate thoroughly. The murderer has been identified. Do you know who it is?"
Tang Fan raised his eyebrows slightly.
Wang Zhi didn't betray him, and said word by word: "The imperial concubine feels that this matter is the work of the prince."
Tang Fan's eyebrows jumped, and then he frowned deeply.
Wang Zhidao: "Actually, with your intelligence, it's not difficult to think of this, right? You must have heard of the death of the prince's biological mother three years ago. The concubine thought that the prince was young, but he already remembered things, so she held a grudge. I want to use this to frame her and frame her."
Tang Fan frowned: "But the prince is still young..."
Wang Zhi interrupted: "Yes, but there are loyal people around the prince, even you civil servants, don't you have a lot of heart for the prince?"
Concubine Wan has been in control of the harem for many years, but if there are children born in the palace, they will never escape the fate of early death. The survival of the prince Zhu Youxi is a miracle. With the help of the eunuch Zhang Min by Wan Guifei's side, the abolished Empress Wu, the Queen Mother Zhou, the eunuch Wynn, and many unknown palace maids and servants, Zhu Youxi concealed from Wan Guifei's eyes and ears and lived until he was killed. Booked as a prince.
From another point of view, it is conceivable how furious Concubine Wan was when she heard the news, but at that time, except for Zhu Youji, the emperor had no heirs. There is no way to put Zhu Youxi back in his mother's stomach, and there is no way to prevent him from being canonized as a prince.
Three years ago, at the end of the same year when Zhu Youji was canonized as the prince, the prince's biological mother, Ji Shi, died of a sudden illness. Although there is no evidence, many facts show that this is the masterpiece of Concubine Wan.
Seeing that the prince's name has been set, Concubine Wan wanted to recognize the prince in her own name, and the Ji family became an unsightly existence, so she had to die.
But after that, the prince seemed to have grudges, and he was also estranged and polite towards Concubine Wan, and he did not approach him easily. Concubine Wan wanted to ruin the plan of raising the prince, and hated the prince again. He always felt that it was difficult for him to forget the death of his biological mother. , one day he will avenge himself.
This past story is no secret, and Tang Fan also knows a thing or two.
Wang Zhi said slowly: "Last time Pan Bin gave me an idea to make me more friendly with Donggong. This idea is actually yours, right? After listening to your words, I think it makes sense. , I didn't think that there is a ready-made opportunity right now. If you can prove that this case has nothing to do with Concubine Wan and is not done by the Prince, not only Concubine Wan will treat you differently, but even the Prince will be grateful to you. You Do I need to say more about the benefits that can be gained from this?"
Since Wang Zhi named the prince just now, Tang Fan had already guessed what he was going to say, and he smiled lightly: "Mr. Wang, that idea was for you, not for me. Since the case is in my hands now, How I want to investigate, naturally I have to follow my rules, but Wang Gong, you recommended me, if I can't solve the case by then, you will be implicated by me."
Wang Zhi angrily said: "Tang Runqing, I warn you, don't mess around! Am I still not clear enough! With your cleverness and means, it's not entirely up to you to control which direction the case will go! Once the matter is done, both you and I will benefit, don't be ignorant of flattery!"
Tang Fan was still leisurely and calm: "You didn't consult me beforehand, but now that the matter is coming, you force it on me, which is too unkind? Yes, do as you say, We all have benefits, but I can't hide from my conscience. Even if the officials can't benefit the people, at least they can't confuse right and wrong. Now we are all in the same boat, I can only promise you to do your best to investigate, but what is the truth in the end? It's not that you have the final say, Mr. Wang, nor is it that I have the final say, but the facts."
At this point, the two had already walked near the palace gate, and Tang Fan no longer paid any attention to him, and shoved the lantern that was about to go out into the hands of Xiao Huangmen who was leading the way. Go outside the palace gate.
The night wind blew the hem of his clothes and looked at him from a distance. Against the backdrop of the vast palace city, Tang Fan's whole person seemed so insignificant, yet so isolated and independent, he was so small that he wanted to go away by the wind.
Wang Zhi didn't catch up, just stood there, squinting, watching his back go away.
"Wang Gong, it's very windy in the middle of the night, I'm afraid I'll catch a cold!" The little Huangmen at the back came up, showing a bit of caution to please.
Wang Zhi didn't speak, his expression was unpredictable. After a long time, he let out a smirk: "I thought it was Liu Mian again, but who knew that I ran into a Shang Hongzai... Civil servant, hum!"
Xiao Huangmen did not understand why, and his face was blank.
Tang Fan didn't run into Suizhou when he entered the palace, and he didn't see him when he got home, until the sky was dawning and he was just drowsy when he heard the faint sound of the courtyard door being opened from outside. Suizhou is back.
The latter did not hide the dust and tiredness on his face, but his eyebrows were still cold and sharp. He raised his eyes and saw Tang Fan coming out of it, and immediately raised his eyebrows: "I heard that you went too last night?"
Tang Fan nodded: "Yes."
Sui Zhou's eyebrows tightened: "You shouldn't go."
Tang Fan spread his hands: "People can't help themselves in officialdom."
Seeing that Suizhou's face was still solemn, he couldn't help but chuckle: "Okay, the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge, you haven't had breakfast yet, walk around, go out to find a breakfast stall, eat something to warm your stomach first, and be more energetic. ."
At this time, those who should go to court should have gone to court long ago, and those who should go to the yamen should also be sitting in the yamen, but Tang Fan was in the palace most of the night last night, and now he is in charge of the East Palace case, and his spirit is really overwhelmed. I simply prepared to take a leave of absence due to illness, and I would fill in the slip when I went to the yali tomorrow.
This area is a residential area, and there are many stalls selling breakfast on the street. Suizhou and Tang Fan randomly picked a stall that made fried dough sticks and fried dough sticks and sat down. They asked for a plate of fried dough cakes and two bowls of soy milk.
Tang Fan briefly explained what happened last night.
In fact, Suizhou already knew the general plot. After Han Zao died, Jin Yiwei got the news and entered the palace immediately. Because the situation is not yet clear, and the matter of the demon Li Zilong's intention to seize the palace two years ago is still vivid in my mind. , the people of Beizhen Fusi were divided into several groups, and they were assigned to various places in the palace. Suizhou, because of his higher rank and his relationship with the Queen Mother Zhou, knew more, but after all, he didn't have as detailed as Tang Fan. .
After Tang Fan's description, his understanding of the matter became clearer.
In the busy city, the two of them sat in the corner and whispered, one of them was the scary Jin Yiwei. Naturally, no one approached, and it was convenient for them to speak, so that no one could eavesdrop.
After hearing Tang Fan's description, Suizhou's eyes turned cold, and he said directly, "Wang Zhi has bad intentions."
Tang Fan nodded and smiled bitterly: "Yes, everything has a cause and an effect. I didn't expect that I gave Pan Bin an idea a few days ago, and I went around in circles, but I got myself into it!"
Suizhou said with a touch of concern: "Then what are you going to do?"
Tang Fan smiled: "What can I do now? It's nothing more than a word search. It's important to know how and where to search, but I was in the palace last night and only heard Wang Zhi's one-sided remarks. Word, both His Majesty and Concubine Wan are present, there must be a lot to say, I don't know if you are at the Beizhen Fusi, have you heard any news?"
Sui Zhou didn't even think about it: "I'll check with you."
Tang Fan shook his head: "It's enough for me alone, how can I involve you too, or I'll lose my black gauze hat."
Suizhou said, "I'm fine."
Tang Fan said flatly: "But I can't do this to my friends!"
Sui Zhou gave him a deep look: "Since you are a friend, you don't have to refuse, I have made up my mind."
Tang Fan was a little moved.
After getting along for a long time, he knew that Sui Zhou was actually a person who was cold on the outside and hot on the inside, but this heat was not aimed at everyone, but only on those he valued. For example, A-Dong, Tang Fan knew very well that if she wasn't his sister-in-law, Suizhou would never give her a high opinion.
However, in fact, he and Suizhou did not have a deep friendship for many years, only the friendship established in the case of the Marquis of Wu'an.
The white head is as new, and the tipped cover is as old.
Some people are born with such a tacit understanding. The word friend is not about the longevity of time, but whether they are congenial with each other.
He, Tang Fan, was so fortunate to have met such a friend.
Speaking of which, refusal was a slap in the face, Tang Fan smiled casually: "Then I'll be disrespectful!"
Sui Zhou's expression was light: "It should be like this."
He paused and said, "I don't actually have more news than you, but one thing can be confirmed, Han Zao did not die of a sudden illness."
Tang Fan's spirit was refreshed. This sentence is too important. It can directly determine the direction of their investigation. He hurriedly asked, "How do you say this?"
Suizhou said: "Han Zao is an old man of Han Fang. He was born in Han Fang when he was forty years old. The family loves him like a treasure. This Han Zao is naughty and unusual. , Han Zao and the prince were eating at the Queen Mother Zhou's place. It happened that the imperial doctor went to ask for the Ping An pulse, and the queen mother asked the doctor to give Han Zao a number. At that time, the doctor concluded that Han Zao was in good health, but the prince was born with insufficiency and was slightly thin. Some."
Tang Fan pondered: "So, the cause of Han Zao's death is really related to the poison smeared on the soup bowl?"
Suizhou shook his head: "I don't know. After the incident, Han Zao's body was transferred to the West Factory. If we want to investigate, we must do it as soon as possible, otherwise it will be more difficult to wait until the body is corrupted or the Han family comes to ask for someone. "
Tang Fan nodded: "That's what I mean, you haven't slept all night, go home and rest first, I'll go to the West Factory."
Sui Zhou glanced at him and didn't say anything, but the meaning was obvious: You are a weak scholar even if you are not tired, I will be more tired than you
After the two finished breakfast, they headed straight to the West Factory.
Suizhou's brocade clothing is quite conspicuous in the West Factory, but Tang Fan was ordered to handle the case, and those internal factory fans thought they had already received orders. As soon as Tang Fan reported their identities, they led them in.
The team in charge who received them was originally from Jin Yiwei, called Bian Yu, but judging from his performance, he still recognized Suizhou, and his attitude was very enthusiastic: "Wang Gong said, what Master Tang wants to investigate, let us do our best to cooperate with you. , Han Zao's body is indeed stored here, people from the Han family came to ask for it early in the morning, but we didn't give it."
Tang Fan nodded: "I want to meet the maid in the imperial concubine's palace who brought soup to the prince. I heard that she is also with you?"
Bian Yu said: "Yes, she was brought here last night, and I will bring the adults there."
He glanced at Sui Zhou again, with a hint of embarrassment on his smiling face: "Sui Baihu, you know that Xichang and Jinyiwei have never dealt with each other very well, if Wang Gong knew that I let you in, he would definitely hold me accountable. responsibility… "
"I won't hold you accountable."
Wang Zhi's voice rang out, and the three of them followed the sound. The founder and leader of the West Factory came over with a smile on his face.
"Brother Runqing, did you sleep well last night?"
You must know that Tang Fan and Wang Zhi had a disagreement last night, and they almost turned their faces. Wang Zhi pointed at Tang Fan's nose and told him not to be ignorant. Although Tang Fan was not afraid, he definitely didn't think Wang Zhi would know it. Generous enough to not hold grudges.
Unexpectedly, after only half the night, Eunuch Wang acted as if he had completely forgotten the unpleasantness of last night.
The arrogance and domineering in front of others, the cautiousness in front of the emperor and imperial concubines, the aloofness when I first met Tang Fan, and the approachableness now, all show the multiple faces of this royal celebrity. The stunt of the door is not good, even the young man of the West Factory is very skilled in the skill of changing his face.
Tang Fan was equally reluctant, he smiled slightly: "It's a lot of work for Duke Wang to remember, I was really excited to see Sheng Yan last night, tossing and turning, I wonder how Duke Wang was sleeping?"
How often has Bian Yu seen the majestic factory boss give other people a good face, and was so surprised that his chin almost dropped.
You must know that even if the chief assistant of the cabinet came, Wang Gong seemed to be ignoring it. Now he is facing a small official from the sixth rank, but it is rare to show a smile. This is really the sun coming out from the west!