Sweat suddenly broke out on Ren Li's head.
He had never really dealt with the new emperor before.
I had heard that the emperor was difficult to deal with, but I had never thought that his vision was really so sharp.
This time, he was indeed not alone in protecting Ningyang Marquis and Cheng'an Marquis. The entire British government was standing behind him.
This excuse was also a way they reluctantly found after much consideration.
In their expectations, both the emperor and the judge should be struggling with how to convict Marquis Ningyang.
But now, Fa Si's focus is indeed still on Marquis Ningyang.
But what he didn't expect was that the emperor didn't bother too much with Ningyang Hou and directly targeted Huichang Bo.
As a result, Ren Li's position became a bit awkward.
The purpose of their method was to extract Ningyang Hou, Cheng'an Hou and others, but someone must bear the blame.
They blamed Xue Xuan for alienating the Tian family, and blamed Huichang Bo for colluding with the clan.
The nobles had no concern whether Xue Xuan died or not, and even wished he would die.
After all, if it hadn't been for this stubborn Leng Tou Qing, things wouldn't have developed to this extent.
But Huichang Bo was in trouble.
Originally, Ren Li and others planned to save Ningyang Hou first, and then find a way to extract Huichang Bo.
After all, that was the mother clan of the Empress Dowager Shangsheng. With her here, the emperor should be a little cautious.
But what he didn't expect was that the emperor would pass by Marquis Ningyang and directly push this hot potato onto Ren Li's head.
As a result, he was in a difficult situation.
To protect Marquis Ningyang, Uncle Huichang would not be able to escape the charge of colluding with the clan, but if he really wanted to propose severe punishment to Uncle Huichang, it would be absolutely impossible.
Even if he wanted to say something like this, he couldn't say it out of his mouth.
After hesitating for a moment, under the unkind eyes of all the ministers, Ren Li had no choice but to bite the bullet and say.
"Your Majesty, this matter involves the father of the Holy Mother in the palace. I dare not make false claims. I should ask for His Majesty's sanction."
This is to return this difficult problem to the emperor's hands again.
However, how could others not see Ren Li's avoidance of important matters?
Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu, said directly.
"What are you saying, Marquis Ren? This case is of great importance and involves the clan, nobles, relatives, and civil servants."
"Just now when Marquis Ren was dealing with Jiao Jing, Xue Xuan and others, his words were categorical. Why did Bo Nuo Nuo dare not say anything when it came to Huichang Bo?"
"Does it mean that because Uncle Huichang is the father of the Holy Mother, he can ignore the law and do whatever he wants? Or is it that Ren Hou is a weakling and only dares to bully Xue Xuan, a scholar who has no power to restrain a chicken? When I meet a relative like Uncle Huichang, I dare not say anything."
"With this kind of behavior, I have to question whether Marquis Ren is acting out of public motives and wants to find out the truth, or whether he is really just trying to get away from the crime of Marquis Ningyang and others!"
Ren Li's face turned red, but he couldn't think of a rebuttal for the moment.
At this moment, a servant suddenly came in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Holy Queen Mother has arrived."
Zhu Qiyu glanced at Ren Li lightly, then stood up and led a group of ministers towards the palace gate.
Outside the palace gate, Queen Mother Sun, dressed in formal attire, stood impressively, followed by a group of palace maids and chamberlains.
All the ministers paid homage, and Zhu Qiyu also bowed and said.
"I've seen the Holy Mother."
Queen Mother Sun nodded, still with the usual kind smile on her face, and spoke.
"No gift."
Immediately, a chamberlain hurriedly added a smaller seat next to the throne. After everyone took their seats, Queen Mother Sun spoke.
"A woman from the harem of the Ai family should not interfere in court affairs, but recently the Ai family heard that the case of King Guangtong involved Huichang Bo and his consort Xue Heng. They were worried, so they came to have a look. Please take a look. Forgive me, sir."
All the ministers looked at each other in shock, stood up quickly and held their hands in front of them, saying they didn't dare.
However, Zhu Qiyu's expression remained as usual and he spoke.
"The Holy Mother came just in time. Just now, I and the ministers were discussing this matter. Marquis Ningyuan Renli said that Marquis Ningyang and others were deceived and did not collude with the clan in private. It was Uncle Huichang who colluded with the clan in private and accepted bribes. "
As soon as he finished speaking, Ren Li felt a cold gaze fall on him, making him sweat.
So, he quickly spoke.
"Holy Mother, this is the confession of King Guangtong and others. Whether it is true or not still needs to be verified."
However, at this time, Li Xian, who had been silent, spoke.
"Ren Hou, that's not what you said just now. Just now, you kept claiming that King Guangtong and others were deceived. Their testimony can prove that Ningyang Hou was also deceived and misjudged. Why did the Holy Mother come, Are you saying that King Guangtong’s testimony is not credible again?”
Ren Li's expression became more and more nervous, and he seemed to be a little restless.
Queen Mother Sun's face also became quite ugly and she asked.
"Marquis Ren, what Duke Feng Guo said is the truth?"
Ren Li had no choice but to stand up, prostrate himself on the ground and said.
"Your Majesty, Holy Mother, I did not participate in the interrogation. I was just questioning the doubtful points in this case. All the conclusions came from the Ministry of Punishment and the Imperial Guards. I dare not make rash judgments. It is your Majesty and Our Lady who have learned clearly."
Seeing Ren Li's appearance, Queen Mother Sun's face brightened slightly, she turned around and spoke.
"Emperor, although the Ai family lives deep in the palace, they have heard a little about this case. Now it involves Uncle Huichang. It is really of great importance. The Ai family came here today with no other intention. They just want to express their feelings to the emperor. state."
After saying that, Queen Mother Sun raised her eyes and glanced at the ministers below, and said calmly.
"Although the Supreme Emperor is not in the capital now, the brotherhood between the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor cannot be destroyed by anyone. However, if anyone wants to make a fuss about this matter, no matter who it is, the Ai family will not let it go."
"Of course, Uncle Huichang is, after all, a relative of the emperor and the great-grandfather of the emperor. If someone wants to use him as a scapegoat, the Ai family will not agree."
The atmosphere in the palace suddenly became tense.
None of the courtiers expected that the Holy Empress Dowager would be so tough as soon as she opened her mouth.
These words took many twists and turns, but the core meaning was only one, that was Huichang Bo, she was keeping it safe, no one could make any plans!
Not only the courtiers were surprised, Zhu Qiyu also narrowed his eyes.
This matter is becoming more and more interesting.
Is it possible that as soon as Zhang Fu left, internal strife broke out between the British government and the Queen Mother?
After his eyes wandered on the faces of Queen Mother Sun and Ren Li for a moment, Zhu Qiyu spoke.
"Don't worry, Holy Mother, Holy Mother and I have the same intention. We will never wrongfully accuse Hui Chang Bo without any reason, let alone let go of the thieves who alienate the family relationship between me and the Supreme Emperor."
"But now, the testimonies of King Guangtong and Xue Xuan are in front of us. Uncle Huichang is indeed involved. According to the Holy Mother, how should we deal with it?"
Queen Mother Sun's expression was a little cold and she spoke.
"This is the emperor's business. The Ai family has spoken. As long as it is fair, the Ai family has nothing to say."
Zhu Qiyu nodded and said.
"Okay, if that's the case, then Uncle Huichang colluded with the clan and accepted bribes. The evidence is conclusive. From now on, he will lose his title and be demoted to a commoner. Xue Heng, the prince-in-law, will help Uncle Huichang to make connections. From now on, his salary will be halved and he will be banned from all three households in the house. Yue is not allowed to visit. Does Our Lady think this is a fair decision?"
The atmosphere in the hall was silent.
The elders all lowered their heads and said nothing.
No one thought that the emperor would really attack Huichang Bo. You must know that he was the biological father of the Queen Mother and the grandfather of the Supreme Emperor.
The emperor is really not showing any mercy to the Shangsheng Empress Dowager!
However, what surprised them even more was that although Queen Mother Sun's face was ashen, she never had an attack.
She just looked at Zhu Qiyu steadily, and after a moment, she stood up and spoke.
"Since the emperor has evidence, he will be punished according to law. The Ai family said they would not interfere. Now that the matter has been concluded, the Ai family will not stay any longer."
After that, with the support of the chamberlain, Queen Mother Sun stood up and left the Wenhua Hall.
However, when walking down the imperial steps, her eyes always fell on Ren Li, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally...
