The waiter in the shop was eloquent, and he stated the case like a storyteller, Si Cheng raised his hand to stop him, and asked straightforwardly: "What did the two sons of the Meng family have a dispute with here that day?"
The shop clerk replied: "That day, the two gentlemen were sitting here drinking together, and then a very beautiful girl came, and the two young masters flirted with her when they saw her beauty... Well, they talked to her, and then for some reason they made a big fuss about her." One of the young masters was accidentally pushed down, hit the back of his head on the corner of the table, and lost his life. Everyone panicked. At this moment, the Eighth Prince came down. He seemed to know the girl, so he sent someone to call The officers and soldiers came and took the two sons away."
The Eighth Prince? Si Cheng didn't see this detailed record when he looked through the case file from Jingzhao Mansion before, so he asked, "The Eighth Prince knows that girl?"
The waiter in the shop said in a low voice: "Yes, it's strange to say that the one who came to pick up this girl was the Fifth Prince... I heard it was the Fifth Prince's side concubine..."
Si Cheng felt that the matter was not simple, so he asked the accompanying clerk to take down the dictation of the shop clerk, and then left.
But on the Meng family side, because the two families are of the same family, they live close together, and they are all in the same workshop, so the people who went to investigate were scattered, and it was also a big deal to ask the people in the neighborhood what the Meng family did on a daily basis. Gained.
It turns out that these two families have become overlords in a corner of the capital by virtue of being the mother clan of the imperial concubine.
This time when they heard that the person who came was an official from Dali Temple, the common people were very happy, so they told all the sufferings of being oppressed by the Meng family in the past. use.
At one time, three groups of people returned to Dali Temple after finishing their work, and each reported the harvest of the trip. Dali Siqing originally wanted to find out information related to the case, but he didn't want to drag out so many crimes of the Meng family. Since the matter involved the imperial concubine, it had something to do with the harem. If it was publicized, it might hurt the emperor's face, so he wrote a letter and sent it to the palace himself.
The emperor was taking a nap in the imperial study, when he suddenly saw someone calling the Minister of Dali Temple to see him, so he asked him to come in and inquire about the progress of the case. Dali Temple Minister's face was solemn, and he looked around at the court ladies and eunuchs, the emperor turned his back and asked Dali Temple Minister to sit down and talk.
The Minister of Dali Temple thought it over and said: "After receiving the order, I ordered the officials of Dali Temple to go to Huixian Building and the Meng family to investigate, and found that the records in Jingzhao Mansion are correct, but the Meng family..."
The emperor didn't like his hesitant behavior, and said, "What happened to the Meng family? Just tell the truth, don't worry."
The minister of Dali Temple hesitated for a moment before he spoke: "I only found out after asking the local people that the two branches of the Meng family were domineering and poisoning the common people. Repent, and the two sons involved in the case have always misbehaved... "
Before the minister of Dali Temple could finish speaking, a teacup was thrown to the ground in front of him, smashing it to pieces, and he quickly knelt down, not daring to speak any more.
The emperor was obviously furious, he threw the teacup and still didn't feel venting his anger, he said in a hateful voice: "The Meng family is so bold and treats the law as a trifling matter, it's a pity that no one reported it to me. What were you hesitating just now? Is the imperial concubine tolerant of this matter because of her own face? Do you think I am the kind of stupid king who doesn't know right from wrong? I want you to see what kind of sanctions will be imposed on those who despise the king's law!"
The Prime Minister of Dali Temple trembled and fell on the ground. Seeing that the emperor was so angry that he could not choose what to say, he knew that the Meng family would not escape the punishment. This matter was a blessing for the common people.
It took a while for the emperor to calm down a little, and said: "What are you still kneeling for? Get up and write for me to draw up the will."
Dali Temple Minister raised his head in doubt, and was about to ask what purpose he was writing, when he heard the emperor lightly say "copy the house" and froze on the spot.
Although the minister of Dali Temple was surprised, he got up and wrote the imperial decree according to the emperor's order. After finishing the writing, the emperor stamped it with the jade seal, and he found a reason to leave.
On the way back, the minister of Dali Temple was still uneasy. Just now the emperor dictated, and he remembered clearly every word of the imperial decree he wrote. Li died, and was charged with homicide... The Meng family, rich and respected, greedy for riches, indulged their sons and nephews, recruited power and accepted bribes, and arrogantly confiscated their titles. "
The Meng family would never have imagined that a life lawsuit would lead to such an end. The Minister of Dali Temple has been in the officialdom for many years, and he has long been used to seeing the rise and fall of various families, so he still can't help but sigh at this time. The situation in the court is likely to change, and it is difficult for the imperial concubine to stay out of this matter. Although the emperor has not mentioned it at this time, it will eventually be counted. At that time, the fourth prince may also suffer disaster.
In the imperial study room, the emperor also had his own plans in mind. The power of the imperial concubine's mother clan has become so strong that he can't control it. The Meng family has no military power, is quite powerful in the court, and is in charge of the country's salt and iron trade. Therefore, he has been jealous for a long time, and he has heard the bad name of the Meng family. Outside, there has been no evidence, and the teacher has no name, and has not been able to suppress it. This case gave him an excellent opportunity. Although he and the imperial concubine have been married for many years and their relationship is considered harmonious, if someone threatens the imperial power, he will not let it go.
When the imperial edict was issued, the whole family of the Meng family was shocked. They did not expect such a result at all. They secretly sent someone to the palace to send a letter to the imperial concubine, but the imperial concubine just said that she was ill and did not see outsiders. The Meng family begged for help everywhere, but those so-called friends were just greedy for his wealth and status. Now that the Meng family has lost power, they have already hid aside, not wanting to implicate themselves.
The Meng family's position in the court was taken away, their family property was confiscated, and the only money they had was used to deal with the jailers and small officials, begging them to take care of their nephews in prison. Still willing to speak nice words to him? It's just that you don't do anything after collecting money. Poor Meng clan, who was once brilliant, but now they are treated with cold eyes. The huge house has almost been evacuated. At that time, the wat was full of beds. Now the dead are dead, and those who are imprisoned are still at home. Waiting for money to live, so the several heads of the family discussed and sold all the houses in the capital at a discount, and then dismissed most of the servants, and left the capital with the crying women and children to find another small place to live.
When the tree fell and the monkeys scattered, the popular Meng family declined, and several small forces attached to the Meng family also fell. That day when the people of the He clan went out of the city, they only carried a few carriages. It can be said that all the gold and silver were scattered and the power was poured out.
In the harem, the imperial concubine was involved in this incident and was also demoted to concubine Meng. Before, she fainted because of Yang Tingming and complained of illness all day long, but now she was really ill. The blow had broken her. At her age, her appearance has long been decayed. In the past, she was only favored and undefeated because of Yang Tingming. Now that the building is about to collapse, all she can do is wait in vain for the final judgment.
Here in the former dynasty, after the national teacher Yunyou came back, he heard that Yang Tingming had been put in prison, so he went to the palace to meet the emperor to explain the matter in detail. An hour later, the national teacher left the palace, and an imperial decree was prepared to be placed on the case in the imperial study.
Yang Tingming waited for his cronies and concubine mother to try to rescue him in the prison, but after waiting for several days without any news, he finally received a decree of punishment.
Just listen to the eunuch read: "Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said: the fourth prince, Yang Tingming, to Mu Tianen, did not think about serving the country and the people, but secretly colluded with King Qi Nan, intending to rebel and committing the crime of treason. I will die to thank the world, but thinking of his many years of service to the imperial court, he was exempted from the death penalty and demoted to the common people, so as to make an example to others, I respect this!"
After the eunuch finished reading, Yang Tingming was so disheartened that he knelt on the ground without any response.
The eunuch bowed and asked, "Fourth Prince, it's time to get up and receive the order."
Yang Tingming was stunned, Fang raised his head and smiled miserably: "Fourth prince? What kind of fourth prince am I?" He took the roll of bright yellow silk cloth with both hands, and said slowly: "Common man Yang Tingming, thank you Lord for your kindness!"
He was brought in the cell these days, his father and emperor never came to see him, and none of his mother, concubine or side concubine came. Maybe they wanted to come, but they couldn’t get in. The throne has lost a lot.
As soon as the imperial decree came out, both the government and the public were shocked. The civil and military officials had already obtained some news that Yang Tingming was suspected of treason, but they did not expect that the emperor would directly convict him without even having a trial. There was no such precedent before. The reason is, Although the ministers dared not talk about it publicly, they talked about it behind their backs. Even so, almost no one is willing to risk the world's displeasure to intercede for Yang Tingming.
Only a few officials from Yang Tingming's party gathered to discuss the matter, hoping that Shangzuo would allow the emperor to try the case of the fourth prince to save the dilapidated situation.
The emperor also knew that some of Yang Tingming's party members in the court were loyal to him. This time Yang Tingming was convicted, these people would definitely go up to fight for his chance of retrial, so he only read some history books in the imperial study and ordered the eunuch to guard the door. He said that the emperor was busy with state affairs and didn't want to be disturbed, so he didn't see anyone who came, and the memorial would be presented at another time.
In his life, he hated his courtiers for forming cliques and controlling the situation of the country, especially this person was his once beloved son, and he became even more furious after knowing the truth. Therefore, this kind of hatred towards Yang Tingming now is a long-standing grudge, and he is also determined to get rid of this chronic disease in the court.
Yang Tingming's cronies came to the door of the imperial study one after another, begging to see the emperor, pleading for Yang Tingming's order to apply for a retrial, but the eunuchs blocked them one by one. In desperation, they all knelt down and begged the emperor for mercy.
The eunuch was used to these things and was familiar with the emperor's temper, so he didn't even bother to go in and report it, so he went to the ministers and said, "My lords, please listen to what the old slave said, and go back. No one can understand the emperor's golden words." Change. The fourth prince has accepted the decree, it is not a capital crime, but if you adults still insist on kneeling here to plead with the emperor, saying that the fourth prince is dedicated to the country, it will be difficult to say what will happen after that, please think about it carefully stop."
The trusted ministers thought about the meaning of the eunuch's words, and felt cold sweat. Since they said that the fourth prince is innocent, the implication is that the emperor misjudged the judgment, which is tantamount to questioning the imperial power, and they also know the emperor's temperament. If they kneel down again, Yang Tingming will be accused of colluding with party members again. I'm afraid it's more than just a capital crime. Thinking of this relationship, the ministers hurriedly got up, thanked the father-in-law for reminding, and dispersed to go back to the mansion.
At the same time, Yang Tingjing returns from victory and is reunited with Fenghuang. The two are overjoyed to reunite after a long absence. On the second day, the emperor held a celebration banquet in the palace and asked him and his wife to go together.
It is said to be a celebration banquet, but in fact there are no outsiders, it is equivalent to a small banquet of the royal family itself, the emperor, concubine Shu, Fenghuang and Yang Tingjing are present, and Yang Tingfeng is also called, naturally with a sense of Zhou Wan.
Everyone sat down according to their own identities. The emperor looked at a few people and saw that the concubine Shu was dignified and dignified, her son was handsome and handsome, and her daughter-in-law was beautiful and virtuous. Xichen, the second is that our family hasn't gathered like this for a long time, so let's be more casual, don't be restricted just because I'm here."
The emperor specifically emphasized the term "family", but in fact, everyone here had their own concerns, so they smiled cooperatively when they heard the words, and then Yang Tingjing and Fenghuang toasted the emperor and concubine Shu, the emperor was happy After drinking it, Shupin only took a sip and put down the cup, smiling very forcedly.
Yang Tingfeng felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, this banquet was obviously for his seventh brother to celebrate, and he was just here to make up the numbers, and the previous incident also made his father dislike him, so he drank one cup after another. Zhou Wanyi watched him feel angry and resentful, so she kicked him under the table to remind him not to lag behind others.
Yang Tingfeng was kicked suddenly while he was in a daze, and just about to start scolding, he saw Zhou Wanyi also stood up, took a glass of wine and smiled: "My son is not talented, I can't serve you like my seventh brother and seven sisters-in-law." Since I am serving the country, I will respect my father, mother and concubine here to celebrate my birthday, and also talk about congratulating Seventh Brother on his victory." Yang Tingfeng also got up in a daze, and saluted the emperor, concubine Shu, and Yang Tingjing and his wife. glass of wine.
As soon as everyone sat down, the emperor mentioned Yang Tingjing's actions on the front line with admiration. Yang Tingjingqian said that he was just lucky and did not make any efforts, and it was all the credit of the generals in the army. Seeing him being so modest and peaceful, the emperor felt even more joyful. Remembering that the ceremony of conferring the prince had not yet been held, he laughed and said: "It is better to hit the sun than to choose a day. Tomorrow is a good day, so I will make Tingjing a prince." Well, everything is already ready at the left and right House of Internal Affairs, only you, the protagonist, are missing."
Yang Tingjing and Fenghuang got up to thank each other, Zhou Wanyi pretended to congratulate her, and Shupin smiled faintly, while Yang Tingjing was still sitting in a fog, drinking.
At this time, the emperor looked at Shupin with a smile and said: "Shupin is a good teacher, and she has been in the palace for many years. She is gentle and elegant, and understands my wishes. Today, she will be promoted to a noble concubine and take the empress's seal. Tomorrow, there will be a double happiness. The ceremony of sealing the concubine is also held."
Concubine Shu was stunned for a while before she thanked her, but she didn't feel joy in her heart, because all this was not brought to her by Yang Tingfeng, but instead she was honored by Yang Tingjing. She really couldn't be happy with this kind of favor, and she didn't have a good look at Yang Tingjing.
In the early morning of the next day, Yang Tingjing entered the palace to be conferred, and first went to Concubine Shu's bedroom to pay her respects, but Concubine Shu asked her mother to tell him that she hadn't gotten up yet.