"Mother-killing" is an "evil rebellion", a heinous crime. The affairs of the Duke of Qi have now spread to the whole world. Even those who have not studied the law know how to end this matter.
But at this time Yan Tian did not dare to answer easily. She remembered her father's repeated warnings: The capital city is no better than Luozhou, but the palace must be more cautious in words and deeds!
This is the coldest and most majestic place in the empire, where the most powerful people in the world live. That supreme power has even deified those who possess it. No words are needed, just a look, a sigh, or the most ordinary gesture can instantly destroy a living life, or even a clan's hundreds of years of splendid prosperity...
Power is the largest and most ferocious monster in the world. It stands quietly behind the person who owns it, covering the mortals in front of it with a thick shadow, giving them the power of gods, as well as the arrogance and willfulness of gods.
At this moment, kneeling at the feet of such a "god", Yan Tian finally fully understood the good intentions of his old father during the night talk in Luocheng. I have lived a carefree and carefree life since I was a child, but this is just because "the sky is high and the emperor is far away" and "it's easy to rest against a big tree to enjoy the shade".
But when she really faced the behemoth of monarchy, she was so weak and powerless that she was no more pitiful to those nobles than the weeds under the stone steps outside the palace.
Yan Tian, who had always been carefree, felt an impact and shock that she had never experienced in her sixteen years of life at this moment. It was also at this moment that she thoroughly reflected for the first time on the empire she was in and her insignificance in this vast empire.
"Why don't you speak?" There seemed to be a hint of impatience in the Queen Mother's voice.
Yan Tian's thoughts were instantly pulled back. She hurriedly kowtowed, and replied carefully and carefully: "Back to the Queen Mother, before making a judgment, you should read the files carefully, personally examine the suspect, verify the evidence, and ask the judge. Evidence, to understand the whole story and the ins and outs of the case. The ancients even advocated the "five listenings" when interrogating suspects. Looks, words, breath, hearing, eyes, no clues should be missed. After all, criminal matters are as minor as the disaster of one person in prison. More importantly, it is a matter of life and death for the whole family. In this case, Yan Tian has not checked the documents for verification and has not interrogated the suspects. He does not know the facts of the case and does not understand the reasons. He really does not dare to make rash judgments in front of the empress."
"Haha, what a clever mouth!" The Queen Mother seemed to have finally lost her patience. She put the tea bowl heavily on the table and said with a sneer, "After talking for a long time, it's as if I didn't say anything at all!
"On this matter, no less than ten people have come to the Ai family and said that 'the case is clear and the evidence is irrefutable'. There are also no less than ten people who have come to say that 'it is only natural for a son to avenge his father'. Haha..."
The Queen Mother's smile became even more sarcastic, "The group of people who said 'irrefutable evidence' had righteous and awe-inspiring faces, but most of them had selfish motives. If they just want to avenge the victims, that's fine. But most of them are just greedy. Not enough, I want to use one life to exchange for the future titles of my children and grandchildren.
"Those who say, 'It is natural for a son to avenge his father,' are doing it under the guise of sharing my worries, but they only want high-ranking officials, rich salaries, glory and wealth.
"Now we have a naughty girl like you, who is so vague and vague, but who can't offend anyone because she has both sides! What? But you think my old lady is so easy to fool?! Even a little girl like you doesn't say a single word of truth in her mouth. !”
The Queen Mother's temper seemed to be out of nowhere, but Yan Tian understood it. The group of "just people" who said "the evidence is as solid as a mountain" were naturally Mrs. Pingguo's natal Lu family and her relatives and friends. Maybe there are also distant relatives of Ping Guogong's sect. According to rumors, in order to compete for the dukedom of that country, many members of the Fang clan strongly advocated "extermination of relatives for righteousness".
As for those who say "it is natural for a son to avenge his father", they are naturally trying to please the Queen Mother. Knowing clearly that the Queen Mother, a giant Buddha, intends to protect the only bloodline of the Fang family, how come no one rushes to "share the worries" of the Queen Mother?
In fact, this case is not difficult. It makes sense whether the evil son of the Fang family lives or dies. The Queen Mother and the Emperor were afraid that they had already made up their minds. But whether this "principle" can stand up and whether it can stop the crowd depends on the ability of the people below.
That's why Bao Yingbai, the former Jingzhao Yin, postponed the trial for a long time. He doesn't have the ability, let alone the courage! Either he risked the disapproval of the world, and in the end, he was killed by people's opinions and became a faint official who was afraid of power. Or completely offend the Queen Mother and the Emperor... That would be a death without a burial!
It is not a good thing for Yan Wenkuan to come to Beijing. He seems to be promoted, but if he makes a mistake, he will actually die.
Sweat started to fall on Yan Tian's forehead, but she didn't dare to hesitate. She could only kowtow to the ground with determination, and said bravely: "Yan Tian doesn't dare to deceive you. It's just that the suspect has not been tried and the files have not been seen, so Yan Tian does not dare to act recklessly." Make an assertion.”
"Such tough lips and teeth!" The Queen Mother sneered, "Okay! Then the Ai family will allow you to go back and read the files of this case, interrogate the suspect, and help your father sort out the ins and outs of this case. I would like to see Miao Miao. Is the 'Huayan Judgment' who decided the 'Qian Erlu' case really capable!"
The Queen Mother actually knew her nickname? ! Yan Tian was shocked, but before he could answer, the man on the phoenix seat was already serving tea to see off the guests. The nanny who had just introduced Yan Tian to the audience immediately came over to retreat.
Yan Tian didn't dare to say anything, he kowtowed politely and bowed out.
"Why are you so angry, mother? You are so angry that you are so angry." The eldest princess Xiangning came out at some point and sat next to the Queen Mother. She stretched out her hand to take the ginseng tea presented by Aunt Rui and brought it to her mother with a smile.
The Queen Mother's anger was calmed down in this way, and she didn't know whether she was moved by Xiang Ning's "Mother" that she hadn't called for a long time, or by her daughter's flowery smile.
She did not pick up the cup of ginseng tea, but put her arms around her daughter: "The last time Yan Yan called me mother was before she got married..." The words stopped abruptly, and it took a long time for the Queen Mother to sigh heavily.
Xiang Ning didn't seem to take it to heart. He put down the tea cup and continued to laugh: "I am already a grandmother in my thirties, so why do I still call people by their nicknames?"
"Whenever he is, that will be my child too!" A smile finally appeared on the Queen Mother's face. Seeing this, Ma Rui felt relieved and waved her hand to exclude everyone in the hall, so that the two of them could say something personal.
"I'm not angry with this little girl. After living a long time, I can still live longer and older, but I can't get along with a yellow-haired girl who is fifteen or sixteen years old?
"What I'm angry about is the people in this world. Everyone is pretending to have the Holy Will to relieve you of your worries, but they are all distorting the Holy Will in various ways to add worries to you!
"Everyone with a discerning eye knows what's going on with the Fang family, and why did I ever say that I would bend the law and pursue selfish interests? As a result, everyone is in danger, and Bao Yingbai is even more timid, as if he doesn't dare to make a judgment because it's in my way!
"You have seen Concubine Li in the past few days. She comes to look at the morning and dusk with a sad face every day. Who is she showing her face to? It's not for the old woman from the Ai family!"
The Queen Mother became angry again as she spoke, and Xiang Ning hurriedly stroked her chest to help her breathe.
"Oh, I know what she was thinking. She was just complaining about her sister, and because the murderer was my grandnephew, she acted like that. I don't care about her either. People in this world misunderstand my old wife. There were many people, but she was not alone.
"It's just that in this matter, except for meeting this girl today, I have never intervened from beginning to end. The direct descendants of the Fang family have been very kind to me. The previous generation, Lao Pingguo Gong and his wife, really treated me as their own daughter. I also He really wanted to keep the only bloodline of Duke Ping's mansion.
"But I know more about the laws of the country! I just want them to give me a result as soon as possible regarding the Fang family! Even if they really want to kill that kid..." The Queen Mother suddenly couldn't speak anymore, with tears in her eyes, "... Then, hurry up and don’t drag him and let him suffer. The most torturous thing is not knowing life and death. You can’t sleep at night, and you are heartbroken every day, making life worse than death..."
The Queen Mother finally shed tears. After all, she was a relative of her mother's family and a child she had watched grow up. It was unbearable to think about it. What's more, he also thought of Fang Yong, the Duke of Ping who died tragically.
Princess Xiangning couldn't help but sigh.
"Did the late Emperor and I make mistakes back then?" The Queen Mother wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, shook her head and sighed, "At that time, Fang Yong had no heirs. I saw that Old Duke Ping and his wife were anxious, so I became anxious too. Only then did I I thought about asking the late emperor...but who knew it would end like this..."
"Mother, don't blame yourself. What does this have to do with mother? You are too sad, so you blame all the bad things on yourself. So you are still the mother of all peoples, but which common people Do you still have to take responsibility for anything?"
Xiang Ning knew that her mother was getting into trouble, so she wanted to change the subject, so she continued, "What do you think of that girl?"
"That girl..." The Queen Mother turned to look at Xiang Ning with a meaningful look, "She is calm and cautious. The rest... I can't see it now. What? Are you trying to make a decision for Arn?"
Sure enough, since the emperor had received the letter, it was impossible for her mother to know nothing.
Xiang Ning said with a smile: "She hasn't even written her horoscope yet. Besides, although she looks fine now, who knows what her temper will be like? And what happened this time, I don't know if she can stand upright? The queen will just take it as her own for now. It’s just a kid playing nonsense, don’t take it seriously..."
"You kid!" the Queen Mother scolded with a smile, "How can Arn's matter not be taken seriously? But it's better to look at it again. You're right, this girl just came to Beijing and she doesn't know anything about her temper and temperament. From just now From the looks of it, it can be considered a decent response at best.
"There are so many beauties in the capital, and there are even countless daughters from famous families in Daqi. Naturally, we need to take a closer look at Ah En's affairs. What's more, I heard that this girl was a shrewd girl in Luozhou, and she was very articulate. Not forgiving. This is not good. Although the appearance of your daughter's family is important, her good temperament is the most important thing."
Hearing what her mother said, Xiang Ning couldn't help but laugh: "But I really want to find a powerful supervisor to take care of Ah En."
"How can you be such a mother?! Everyone else is afraid that if they meet a powerful person, their son will be offended. However, Arn is really suffering from that little monkey..." Talking about her grandson, the Queen Mother finally became happy, and what she just said also made her happy. It was just temporarily covered up.
…
At the same time, Yan Tian had followed her step by step and led her out of the gate of Cining Palace. It was said that this palace was the most wealthy place in the world, but she did not dare to raise her head and look at the surrounding scenery. Because this is also the ultimate chilling place in the world.
A group of palace people walked towards them, and in the middle, surrounded by stars and the moon, was a bright and flying beauty. The leader immediately led Yan Tian to hide under the palace wall.
But as soon as the beauty stepped across the threshold of Cining Palace, she saw Qinglu, the eldest maid next to the Queen Mother, coming out to welcome her. She smiled without being humble and said: "Empress Li is really thoughtful. These days, the Queen Mother wakes up from her nap every day and comes to serve her. , It’s really hard work. But the eldest princess is here today, and she just ordered her to have a good chat with the Queen Mother, and ask all the ladies and gentlemen who came to serve her to go back."
Qinglu was trained by Aunt Rui. In recent years, she has become more and more popular in front of the Queen Mother, and she seems to have the intention to take over the position of the female official in charge of Aunt Rui in the future.
Naturally, Li Bi did not dare to offend her. Although her face was dull after being blocked outside the door in front of all the servants, she still had to look very happy on her face.
"Since the eldest princess is inside, I won't go in and disturb the Queen Mother's peace."
Qinglu smiled and nodded: "The Queen Mother has remembered all the hard work that the Queen Mother has done in the past few days. The Queen Mother is kind and just told us that although it is the beginning of spring, it is still cold today. All ladies and gentlemen, you are precious. , at this time of year, you should take good care of yourself, and don’t go out easily and catch the cold again. Is it still warm in Chunhui Palace, the empress?"
Naturally, all the mistresses in the palace are provided with enough charcoal. How could the palace of a favored concubine like Libi, who gave birth to a princess, not be warm? Qinglu's words were clearly urging Libi to stay in her palace and not wander around.
Li Bin is not a stupid person, and she will understand the implication after thinking about it for a while. She couldn't help but grit her teeth secretly. The Queen ran around Cining Palace every day, but she didn't worry about her "getting cold again"? But he didn't dare to show his face at all, so he could only flatter Qinglu with a few words of kindness in front of Qinglu with his smiling face, and then said goodbye to Qinglu with a smile.
Although Yan Tian, who was hiding behind the leading mammy, didn't know about the lawsuits in the palace, he understood the wit in the palace maid's words and couldn't help but secretly laugh.
At this moment, a sharp voice suddenly came from above his head, like a thin needle of cow hair poking straight into Yan Tian's ears: "Hey! What a handsome little face! Whose family is this? The girl?"
