Liang Jing went out of the palace on errands today and was not in Ronghua Palace.
The queen has recently contracted an external infection and is in low spirits, and has no time to personally intervene in these matters.
He asked Liang Xiao to deal with it, thinking that it wouldn't be a difficult task, as long as he found out who it was and how to deal with it.
Xue Hengzhao and others arrived at Ronghua Palace and stood in the open space in front of the back hall.
The weather has changed in the past few days, and it has rained for two days in a row. At this time, the sky is still gray and the wind is not strong. I can't help but shrink after standing for a long time.
Liang Xiao did not speak, but sat on the chair under the steps, slowly drinking tea from the purple clay pot.
A pair of eyes scanned the crowd like awls, scrutinizing the prisoner's behavior.
Everyone was silent for a long time before Liang Xiao finally asked Wei Zhong: "Chief Wei, are all the dressmakers in your palace here?"
"We're all here." Wei Zhong had already passed everyone by.
"Okay, then I'll start asking questions," Liang Xiao nodded, "You all stand up straight, prick up your ears, and listen carefully to what I'm asking.
But as agreed, no one can hide or lie. You know, I am asking questions for the Queen. Anyone who dares to deceive will be punished by death! "
Hearing what he said, everyone who was already confused became even more panicked.
The unexplained panic is the worst, as if you are in the dark and don't know when a knife will stab you.
"The winter clothes you sent me from the palace contained laces. Who did it? Come forward so as not to injure others." Liang Xiao stood up, scanned everyone again, and asked loudly.
For a long time no one moved or answered.
Liang Xiao sneered and said, "I knew it would be like this, but since I don't want to admit it, I will investigate further.
Those of you who are literate should stand in front, and those of you who are illiterate should stay behind. "
No one spoke, but they all started to move around. After a while, they divided into two teams. The literate people were in the minority, only about twenty, and the rest stood at the back.
"Chief Wei, look at these people, are they all standing right?" Liang Xiao looked at Wei Zhong, obviously Wei Zhong was not within the scope of his suspicion.
Wei Zhong looked at all these people and nodded to show that no one was lying to them.
"Come here, bring a pen and paper to each of these literate people and let them write. Just write these eight words: spring, summer, autumn, winter, cold and summer." Liang Xiao added, "Let me tell you, everything is fine now. Don't play tricks and force me to use tricks."
Although these twenty-odd people are literate, not all of them can write well.
After presenting the written words, Liang Xiao read them one by one, picked out the piece of paper with the best writing, took it into his hand, compared it with another piece of paper for a long time, and asked: "Who wrote this?" ?”
The handwriting on the paper is elegant, elegant and dignified.
"It was written by my slave." Xue Hengzhao took a step forward.
Liang Xiao recognized her and called her name: "Xue Hengzhao, do you know your guilt?"
"I don't know what crime I have committed. Please let me know clearly." Xue Hengzhao knew there was a conspiracy, but she was not panicked.
"Haha, this note was found from the collar of the cold clothes made in your palace." Liang Xiaoyang raised the note in his hand, "Similar notes were found from the collars and sleeves of several clothes. few.
They wrote such things as "The spring breeze is not everywhere, and the conquests are hard for years", "Cold clothes are sent to the north, and the beautiful woman's tears are like springs", and there are also such rebellious words as "The side court bleeds into the sea water, and the king's kindness is not seen three inches deep"! "
Everyone was very horrified when they heard this, and wished they could distance themselves immediately.
"You still say you didn't know? This handwriting and the handwriting you wrote were clearly written by the same person." Liang Xiao confirmed that this was written by Xue Hengzhao, "What is the purpose of bringing these things with you?
At least it is to vent personal anger, but at worst it is to shake the morale of the military! "
"Father-in-law, I never did such a thing. Otherwise, when you asked us to write, why should I write it truthfully? We could just change the font and get away with it." Xue Hengzhao's eyes were as calm as water, without any waves.
"That's not easy. You know you can't escape." Liang Xiao was unmoved. "The words you wrote before can also be found elsewhere."
Xue Hengzhao wanted to say more, but Liang Xiao suddenly left her and walked down the steps.
It turned out that Liang Jing was back.
"Master, you are back. The Queen ordered me to interrogate the people who wrote the anti-poetry, and I have found one suspect, but she still refuses to plead guilty." Liang Xiao stepped forward and whispered.
"Tell me the whole story first." Liang Jing took two more steps forward and climbed up the steps.
Liang Xiao quickly moved the chair over and asked him to sit down.
It turns out that the cold clothes made in each palace will eventually be sent to Ronghua Palace for collection, and the number will be counted. Each hundred pieces will be bundled into a package, tightly wrapped in raincloth, sent out of the palace by carriage, and handed over to the Ministry of War.
Moreover, these winter clothes must be carefully inspected before being sent out of the palace to prevent needles from being left on them, or if there are any imperfections, so they must be taken out and redone in time.
After the winter clothes from Furong Palace were delivered today, several palace maids conducted routine inspections.
I felt foreign objects on the collars and cuffs of several pieces of clothing. When I opened them, I found small folded pieces of paper with those disrespectful words written on them.
The palace ladies didn't dare to hide it after seeing it, so they reported it.
So there is the matter behind.
"Master, the palace maid named Xue is very suspicious. One is that her handwriting is correct, and the other is that she is a sin slave. She has complaints against the Holy Emperor and the court, and took this opportunity to do this rebellious thing." Liang Xiao was at this time Basically it has been identified as Xue Hengzhao.
Liang Jing listened to what he said and glanced at Xue Hengzhao.
Xue Hengzhao looked as usual and was not in a hurry to argue.
"Then lock her up first." Liang Jing said expressionlessly, "I will judge this matter, and everyone else should go back."
Wei Zhong looked at Xue Hengzhao and then at Liang Jing.
He really wanted to plead for Xue Hengzhao, but he was afraid that it would be counterproductive.
Judging from the current situation, Xue Hengzhao is highly suspected. If he is really convicted, others may be implicated.
But he felt from the bottom of his heart that it was not Xue Hengzhao who did it, but he couldn't find any evidence to prove it.
"Eunuch Wei," Liang Jing spoke to Wei Zhong first, "could you please go back and tell Concubine Fu that the matter needs to be further clarified, so this palace maid will stay for now.
When I find out clearly, I will tell you the whole story. "
"In that case, please trouble Mr. Liang to investigate the matter clearly.
Never let evildoers go, let alone wrongly accuse good people. "Wei Zhong can be regarded as expressing his position.
Liang Jing said nothing more, just waved his hand and asked people to take Xue Hengzhao down.
Outside the palace, the Sixth Prince's Mansion.
Hanxiang came in with a red box, smiled and said to Yao Wanyi: "Master, there is news from the palace."
As he spoke, he opened the box and inside was a plate of Jade Rabbit and Snow Shamea Balls.
Yao Wanyi couldn't help but laugh: "I'll see how she escapes this time."
Thank you Angelica for the tip and everyone for your support!
(End of chapter)
