The news that Mrs. Chen was tortured and killed by Zhao An spread widely.
There are rumors in Gyeonggi that Zhao An did not know what means he used to get all the female relatives of the Chen family to be rewarded to him. Now the Duke's Mansion has become the Zhao Mansion. Zhao An ravaged Chen in the mansion in the name of curing the plague. The family members of the family committed prostitution during the day, and their sins were heinous.
"Alas, then Factory Director Zhao seems to have become the second in command of Chen Guogong."
"The young man who slays dragons eventually becomes an evil dragon, relying on his favor and being arrogant to bully the king."
"If we don't get rid of the eunuchs, our Daxia Kingdom will not be around for long."
Many people were discussing this matter in the streets, and some even made a narrative about Zhao An's crimes and publicized it in teahouses.
"Get out of the way!"
"The Jingzhao Mansion is on an errand, and everyone else waiting here should retreat quickly!"
Chen Qun personally took people to the streets of the capital, entered wine shops and teahouses to pick up people, and arrested a dozen of them as examples. They were whipped in the streets to warn the people not to spread rumors.
After several blows with the whip, the skin and flesh of several storytellers were torn apart, and they shouted that they were wronged.
The people saw it in their eyes and felt unjust.
The North and South Holy Gates were very quiet, and no news came out from Tianshuiyuan and Yunlan Pavilion, as if they were not aware of this matter.
Above the court hall, hundreds of officials shouted.
The empress majestically swept past a group of courtiers and threw the memorandum down in the palace, "How unreasonable!"
The officials looked at each other and dared not speak.
The empress said: "Eunuch Zhao worked hard for the Great Xia, and the female family members of the Duke's Mansion should be executed according to the law. It was the Queen who begged me to pardon her. Now that a plague has broken out in the Duke's Mansion, and Eunuch Zhao wants to protect them regardless of their safety, how can he harm Chen?" Madam, if you don’t believe it, you can go to the Duke’s Mansion to find out!”
Li Meng, the newly appointed Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Household Affairs, said: "Your Majesty, public opinion in the government and the public is raging now, and the people are spreading rumors about Mr. Zhao's evil deeds. Even if it is false, there must be an explanation."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The people are afraid that the eunuchs will cause chaos in the country. Why don't Your Majesty obey the will of Heaven and obey the will of the people?"
Several officials came out to agree.
The empress said coldly: "Do you want me to comply with public opinion and kill Eunuch Zhao?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Under the Golden Palace, a large number of officials fell to their knees and no one knew who the shameless leader was.
When the empress saw this, she was so angry that her liver ached.
She thought that by eradicating Chen Guogong, she would gain power. Unexpectedly, the ministers united together and planned to force Zhao An to death. There must be a dark hand behind it to add fuel to the fire.
Thinking of this, the empress said sternly: "I have handed this matter over to Jingzhao Mansion for handling. I believe the people will understand that Eunuch Zhao is innocent."
Li Meng opened his mouth, and finally fell silent. He was from Concubine Yun, and now he was sitting in the position of official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and it was thanks to Zhao An, but he couldn't say more, otherwise it would be too obvious.
Suddenly, a shout came from outside the palace: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu has arrived——"
The word "King of Chu" fell hard on the hearts of all the officials like a heavy hammer, and everyone's expressions changed.
Under countless gazes, a one-armed middle-aged man walked into the hall. Although he was disabled, his demeanor was very cold. At first glance, he looked like a hero who had experienced battles for a long time. He even had a bloody aura like a butcher. .
According to the court etiquette, disabled people were not allowed to enter the palace, let alone relatives of the emperor. However, all the officials in the Ministry of Rites lowered their heads and dared not speak. Even some elderly officials looked at the King of Chu with a bit of fear in their eyes. .
King Chu, the culprit who destroyed the champion Hou Manmen!
Everyone knew whether the champion had any objections, but King Chu still did it.
There are even rumors that the Jianghu people who entered the palace first to massacre were all sent by the King of Chu in advance because he had a personal grudge with the champion.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
King Chu knelt on the ground, his voice thick and majestic.
The empress forced a smile on her face and said, "The emperor's uncle has come far away and his body has not recovered. Why should he enter the palace in such a hurry."
King Chu Yingwu's face had a touch of gentleness, "I haven't seen your Majesty for a long time, and I am worried about it. Fortunately, your Majesty has planned a strategy, so the Chen family's traitors were not allowed to succeed."
"Give your uncle a seat."
The empress waved her hand, and an eunuch immediately brought a chair.
King Chu was not polite and sat down directly.
All the officials frowned when they saw it. What an honor it was. Even Duke Chen Guogong did not receive such good treatment.
Next, the King of Chu reported some things at the border in the north.
Over the years, there have been dozens of wars, large and small, and it was precisely because of his presence that the Beidi barbarians were unable to go south and wreak havoc.
This credit alone exceeds that of all officials.
Only a look of dissatisfaction flashed across the old face of Marquis Tongwu.
He was a good friend of the champion. The champion died in the hands of the King of Chu, and he was also exiled. It would be impossible for him to face the King of Chu with a smile.
The King of Chu added: "I heard that your Majesty has reorganized the black factory, and the factory director Zhao Eunuch is a rare talent."
He suddenly mentioned Zhao An, which attracted the attention of all the officials.
The empress had to reiterate that there were all rumors and the plague.
The King of Chu said: "How can your majesty be offended? Someone wants to force your majesty to kill loyal ministers, and your majesty must not let it go."
As soon as these words came out, the empress was overjoyed and emboldened. She immediately planned to praise the King of Chu in front of all the civil and military officials.
"Wait!"
The Marquis of Tongwu suddenly came out of the queue and looked at the King of Chu quietly: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu returned to the capital without listening to the imperial edict. Isn't it illegal?"
The officials were shocked and secretly speechless.
What Marquis Tongwu said is correct, there is something to watch today.
The inner residence of Zhao Mansion.
Zhao An had just taken a bath when he heard Qiao Yan talking outside the door: "Sir, the King of Chu has entered the palace and is discussing your matter. Moreover, Marquis Tongwu had a disagreement with him. In addition, I heard that the Queen seems to have an affair with Your Majesty. Impeaching you, His Majesty is very protective of you."
Zhao An frowned and secretly thought that his cracking of the Heart-Eating Gu might have been exposed.
But the conflict between Tongwuhou and the King of Chu is reasonable. If he is really the son of the champion, he will unite with Tongwuhou.
Zhao An responded casually and asked Qiao Yan to continue staring.
After getting dressed and crossing the screen, Xu Ruqing sat at the table and checked the prescription. She said without raising her head: "The King of Chu suddenly entered the palace, and it's probably because of you."
"What do you think, madam?" Zhao An came up behind her, touched her hair tenderly, and called her madam quite smoothly.
Xu Ruqing smiled and said, "I guess King Chu will definitely protect you."
"Why?"
"The King of Chu has just returned to the capital. He should know about your relationship with His Majesty. I don't think he will return to the north. Moreover, he has broken his arm and is getting old. It is time for him to stay in the capital to take care of himself. At this moment, I will use your matter to test the crowd. Sir, I would also like to take a good look at the situation in the Qing court so that I can gain a foothold in the capital."
Xu Ruqing's answer surprised Zhao An, and he thought about it carefully.
It's just that I don't know much about King Chu yet, not to mention that the other party is suspected to be the original owner's enemy who destroyed the family. If there is a chance, this revenge will still be avenged.
Let’s wait a little longer.
"Sir, do you really plan to stay in the house during this period and not go anywhere?"
Xu Ruqing asked curiously.
Zhao An said seriously: "Wouldn't it be nice to lie down at home? As long as no one comes to provoke me, why should I go out into the muddy water?"
"I hope your majesty is sincere in helping sir."
Xu Ruqing sighed softly.
