In Beicheng, on Xuanwu Avenue, in the mansion of the Minister of Punishment, Zhao Kai, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, just returned home when he heard a burst of crying.
Mrs. Zhao's eyes were swollen from crying, and she was wailing, never leaving her son Zhao Jie who died in vain.
There was a bit of sadness in Zhao Kai's eyebrows, but he was more calm. He didn't seem to feel sad at all because of Zhao Jie's death.
He finally glanced at Mrs. Zhao, and the annoyance in his heart became more and more intense.
"Okay, that's it, why are you crying?"
When Mrs. Zhao heard this, she became even more angry. "Zhao Kai, your son is dead. How can you still sit here peacefully? If you don't go and avenge my son, I will cut that Yu Zhi's body into thousands of pieces and kneel in front of my son's grave to apologize."
When he learned about Zhao Jie's death, Zhao Kai also felt dizzy.
But why did Zhao Jie go to that villa? Why did he meet Yu Zhi again?
It all seems like a mess, and I can't figure it out.
Stupid woman... Zhao Kai cursed in his heart.
The Minister of Punishment, a second-grade official, is already a very popular minister.
In Zhao Kai's eyes, everything happening now is full of conspiracy. Who is planning this, and who is harming my son’s life?
But Zhao Kai knew that no matter who was setting up the stage, now it was Zhao Kai's turn to make his debut.
"Who sent the death news to the mansion? Fu Taining, or who?" Zhao Kai asked.
Mrs. Zhao had already burst into tears, she just cried and complained about the poor child who died tragically. The housekeeper beside him responded: "I don't know who sent the jade pendant that the young master carried. He said that the young master had died at the hands of Yu Zhi and would arrive in Kyoto today. Madam then went to the city gate to wait."
Zhao Kai looked thoughtful and gently stroked his beard. "Tell me carefully what happened at the city gate today."
...
...
In the center of Baiwei, Xiao Jingyu watched the prison car crossing the street with a faint smile in his eyes.
He saw the young man in the prison car and disliked the young man's leisurely look. "Sure enough, he is just as annoying as my royal brother."
Xiang Jinghao glanced at Xiao Jingyu and felt Xiao Jingyu's joy.
"Is this gift still suitable to my brother's taste?"
Xiao Jingyu smiled and poured a glass of wine for Xiang Jinghao and said: "I'm afraid Yu Zhi didn't expect that he would end up in prison just after returning to Beijing. Zhao Kai loved his son and had high hopes for Zhao Jie. Now he is dead like this. , Zhao Kai will not let the murderer go. This Yu Zhi will definitely die. Jing Hao, your plan is cruel!"
Xiang Jinghao drank wine, making this arrangement not only to do things for Xiao Jingyu, but also to vent his anger.
"Brother, this is ridiculous. Everyone in Kyoto wants to beat him up. Sooner or later, someone will come out to deal with him."
"However." Xiao Jingyu changed the topic and said, "Is it worth using the life of the Minister of Punishment to frame Yu Zhi? What if Zhao Kai learns the truth..."
Xiang Jinghao had no such worries at all and said with confidence: "I just sent Zhao Jie to Yu Zhi. This man was indeed killed by Yu Zhi. What's wrong with this? Besides, Zhao Jie is so useless If you ask him to go to Beiliang Mansion to run some errands, he can't do anything, so it's useless to keep him."
Xiao Jingyu also nodded in agreement and spoke again: "However, today the Qiu family took action for Yu Zhi, Qiu Yu took the opportunity to take action, and Qiu Ruoruo also appeared. I'm afraid there are variables in this matter."
The Qiu family is small in number, but in the huge Kyoto, it is a presence that cannot be underestimated.
Xiang Jinghao sneered, his voice full of disdain. "Humph, the Qiu family, it's just because that old fox Qiu Jinfeng didn't die that the princes and nobles of Kyoto gave the Qiu family three points. Sooner or later, that little bitch Qiu Ruoruo, I will make her kneel on the ground and beg me. "
Xiao Jingyu glanced at Xiang Jinghao again. He didn't expect Xiang Jinghao to be more arrogant than he thought.
Before Qiu Jinfeng died, no one dared to say this. Even Xiao Jingyu wanted to rely on the Qiu family to seize the throne.
"Jing Hao, I have to remind you. As long as Qiu Jinfeng is not dead, don't have such thoughts. Qiu Jinfeng has disciples all over the government and the public, he is not the only one. If you want the Qiu family to die, you want Qiu Ruo to die. If you die, a lot of people will be involved. By then, I'm afraid my uncle won't be able to save you!"
His uncle is Xiang Jinghao's father, King Xiang Ji of Chu.
When Xiang Ji was mentioned, Xiang Jinghao's heart twitched and he put away the cold look on his face. He is not afraid of heaven or earth, but the one he fears most is Xiang Ji.
Xiao Jingyu spoke again: "Yu Zhi fell into prison. My imperial brother will definitely rescue him, so it's time to think about how to deal with him."
Xiang Jinghao thought for a while and then said: "That man was alienated from the courtiers when he was in Kyoto, and his subordinates even more ministers took refuge in him. Now he is far in the north, and I am afraid he is out of reach. Brother, there is no need to worry so much."
"A few days ago, the night ghost attacked and killed that person, but he was lucky to survive. Now that the Northern Army and the Ten Thousand Tigers Army are jointly protecting him, it is impossible for others to succeed in the assassination. However, I think that night ghost will not give up. Brother Just wait a little longer, I’m afraid there will be good news.”
Xiao Jingyu nodded and said, "That's all it can do."
...
...
After sending Yu Zhi to Dali Temple, Fu Taining returned to the mansion.
Fu Taining's mansion was not far away, but Fu Taining didn't feel at ease along the way.
In just one night, from yesterday to today, Fu Taining went from being complacent to being worried now.
"In front of the city gate, Qiu Yu and his daughter came to help, which shows how much the Qiu family values Yu Zhi. It seems that the Qiu family wants to protect Yu Zhi. Damn it, what is the relationship between Yu Zhi and the Qiu family? The family is so helpful.”
"Dali Temple is not a good place either. Alas, that's all I can do. It depends on what His Highness will do next."
Fu Taining was in a dilemma and sighed. "I knew it wasn't a good job."
Just when Fu Taining was about to enter the mansion, a group of people stopped Fu Taining.
The dark blue official uniform is embroidered with flying fish, the uniform steel knife, and the uniform gauze hat. It is obvious at a glance that he is a presence that is not easy to mess with.
These are the guards under the Metropolitan Procuratorate, responsible for patrolling the world's courts. It would definitely not be a good thing if the ministers of the court were to be supervised by the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
"Master Fu, Master Jiang Qing of the Metropolitan Procuratorate has invited you. Please come with me."
Fu Taining quickly recalled all the countless things in his life in his mind, but he couldn't find anything. But he knew that the guards must have come because of the fire last night.
Fu Taining looked at these guards with an ugly expression. "Everyone, I came back from Nanzhou Mansion and haven't entered the house yet. I'm going to change my clothes and then go to the Metropolitan Procuratorate with you."
The leading guard said calmly: "Master Fu, it's better to hurry up. Master Jiang is still waiting for you at the Metropolitan Procuratorate."
Fu Taining responded and walked quickly towards the house.
It was just time for a cup of tea. Fu Taining walked out in a hurry and followed the guards.
After about a cup of tea, another person walked out of the house and left in another direction.
Little did he know, all this fell into Qiu Ruoruo's eyes.
"Grandpa An, follow him." Qiu Ruoruo said. Qiu An drove a carriage and followed behind the man.
"Brother Xiaoyu is right. There is someone behind Fu Taining. But Fu Taining is really timid. He panicked when the people from the Metropolitan Procuratorate came."
Qiu An held the reins, smiled slightly, and couldn't help but praise: "Master Xiao Yu is smart. With this intelligence, there are few people in Kyoto who can make him suffer."
"Hmph, these bugs will only plot behind their backs." Qiu Ruoruo said viciously.
On the way back to Kyoto, Yu Zhi kept pouring threatening words into Fu Taining's ears.
Both the Qiu family and Li Haomiao were Yu Zhi's backers, and they were all people he, Fu Taining, could not afford to offend.
Fu Taining could only turn to the people behind him for help.
Fu Taining's behavior just now was also within Yu Zhi's expectation.
"Miss, the direction that man is going is to Prince Chu's Mansion."
Qiu Ruoruo's eyes lit up and she murmured: "He really is a bug with this surname."
...
...
In front of the Chengming Hall of the imperial palace, Zhao Kai knelt on the ground, crying and looking miserable.
"Your Majesty, my son died tragically. Please make the decision for my son and punish the perpetrators severely."
At this moment, there were many people standing in the Chengming Palace. In addition to Zhao Kai, Li Xiuyuan, Qiu Jinfeng and many ministers were also there.
Xiao Yuande never thought that Yu Zhi, who was recalled from the northern border, did not come to Chengming Hall to return to his life, but was instead imprisoned in the prison of Dali Temple.
This kid is really interesting... Xiao Yuande couldn't help but laugh.
Cough cough cough!
Did Your Majesty just laugh?
My son is dead, why is Your Majesty so happy?
Are you afraid that your Majesty did this?
Then don't talk anymore, I don't want to offend His Majesty and there will be no one to take care of him until the end of his life.
Everyone made guesses and began to think about the meaning behind the laughter.
Zhao Kai was also stunned, not knowing why. My son is dead. Even if you are the emperor, you shouldn't laugh, right?
Xiao Yuande said sternly: "I have heard what happened. There are many doubts about this matter. The people killed by the officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the people taken by the Ministry of War, and those who died were the family members of the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. This case has brought great changes to the court. All three are involved together.”
"Prime Minister Li, please tell me first, how to deal with this matter?"
Li Xiuyuan glanced at Zhao Kai and then at Qiu Jinfeng, already thinking of his words.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the evidence of this matter is conclusive, and since the left minister of the Ministry of War has found out the truth, there will definitely be no mistakes. Although Yu Zhi has made meritorious service, he must not abolish the law. He must pay with his life."
Xiao Yuande seemed not to have heard what Li Xiuyuan said, and said to Zhao Kai: "Zhao Kai, are you satisfied with what Prime Minister Li said?"
Zhao Kai lowered his head and said in a choked voice: "I just want to find out the truth and give my son justice. Whoever kills will have to pay for it with his life."
Zhao Kai did not directly say that the murderer was Yu Zhi, but was vague.
No one understood what Zhao Kai was thinking.
Xiao Yuande took a deep look at Zhao Kai and smiled in his heart. This guy is not blinded by hatred.
"This is natural. Finding out the truth is the greatest comfort to the deceased."
Li Xiuyuan said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the evidence for this matter is conclusive. And the evidence of the crime was found in front of everyone, and it is irrefutable. Handing the criminal to the Ministry of Justice for trial will definitely make the suspect bow his head and plead guilty."
Under the hint of Li Xiuyuan's eyes, many ministers began to stand up and reconsider.
At this time, Qiu Jinfeng coughed a few times, as if he had just recovered from his sleep.
"This is inappropriate."
