After a night of interrogation, Uncle Xie Xiaoguo took the confessions of his grandmother and two maids and arrived at the Qinzheng Hall to face the Holy Spirit and state Princess Chen's crimes.
"I found out that someone had spiked the prince's wine with an aphrodisiac. However, the maid mistakenly mixed the prince's and King Chen's utensils and forgot to change the wine flask during the exchange of utensils. As a result, the wine mixed with the drug was stolen by Chen. The king drank it.”
"The maid accidentally tripped while pouring tea for the prince, and fell into his arms. The tea spilled all over the prince. This maid had no intention of harming anyone, but she was instigated to throw herself into the prince's arms, thinking that she could win a job as a servant. The concubine did it, and the nanny who later took the prince to change clothes was ordered by Princess Chen to take the prince to the south courtyard wing while the medicine took effect, because the concubine had been arranged there early. "
"The concubine was unaware of this matter. She was just too trusting and thought that King Chen was waiting for her in the wing, but she didn't know that she had fallen into someone else's scheme."
"As for why King Chen entered the wing in the end, it was because the concubine Xu suddenly had a stomachache, and the maid hurriedly called for someone. King Chen was worried about the child in the belly of the concubine, so he followed the maid to the south courtyard and arrived at the wing just in time. At that time, the several glasses of wine that King Chen drank took effect, and then he met his concubine in the side room...According to people who were at the table with King Chen, King Chen drank a lot of wine, and the effect of the medicine may be a bit strong, so..."
Emperor Mu sat in the Qinzheng Hall and listened to Xie Lin's report without saying a word. His face was terrifyingly gloomy: "Is this the whole truth?"
"This is the preliminary confession I got." Uncle Xie Xiaoguo lowered his eyes and submitted the confession to several cases. "If the emperor wants to know more carefully, I will continue the interrogation."
Emperor Mu looked at the confession in silence and did not speak for a long time.
Just a preliminary confession?
To be precise, it should be just a superficial confession. Half of the truth has been found out, and the other half has been retained.
Emperor Mu believed that this incident was the result of Princess Chen's evil plan and her own fault. However, some things were so coincidental that it was impossible not to doubt her.
During the wedding of the Seventh Prince, the difference in the utensils used by the Crown Prince and King Chen may be due to someone's deliberate calculation. However, when the utensils were exchanged, the pot of wine was not replaced and happened to be left in front of King Chen's table. This is one of the doubts.
Of course, it could also be a coincidence.
When Rong Cang went to change clothes, the concubine happened to have a stomachache, and King Chen was called to the side room. This is the second doubt.
If these two points are coincidences, then it can only prove that even God is on Rong Cang's side.
There was also the nun who was kneeling outside the wing room in the south courtyard. She clearly did not see the prince enter the room, but when everyone arrived, she kept shouting, "You can't humiliate the prince's face." Such a clumsy way of framed, was it because Princess Chen was too stupid? Or are some people too smart?
There were many doubts, but Emperor Mu was too lazy to investigate further.
He picked up the confession and threw it into the incense burner, and said in a deep voice: "No need to check anymore. It is unlucky to encounter such a thing on the wedding day of the seventh and eighth princes. Let's stop it here."
Xie Lin responded: "Yes."
Emperor Mu raised his hand to support his forehead and closed his eyes gently: "Everyone involved in the plan will die."
"I obey your order." Xie Lin bowed and saluted, "If there is nothing else to do, I will leave first."
Emperor Mu waved his hand and said coldly: "Yang Dexi."
"The slave is here."
"The six parts of the decree are conveyed. All the matters approved by the Prime Minister within this year will be sorted out and submitted to me. I will review them again."
"yes."
"In addition." Emperor Mu's brows tightened, as if he was making an important decision, "I would like to thank my uncle for coming to the palace. I have important matters to discuss with him in detail."
"Slave, let's do it now." Yang Dexi hurriedly turned around and walked out.
Emperor Mu was leaning on the couch, resting his forehead with one hand, enjoying a moment of silence and thinking to himself.
Were Rong Cang and Chu Yunfei really unaware of this vicious plot, or did they use it to defeat King Chen and his wife?
It stands to reason that Princess Chen's plan is full of flaws. It seems to be a temporary decision without careful planning and arrangements.
Rong Cang and Chu Yunfei were men and women sitting in separate seats. If they wanted to detect Princess Chen's plan in time and respond in time, or even fight back, in such a short time... could they do it?
…
The courtiers were well informed.
Even though Emperor Mu ordered not to publicize it, what happened in the Seventh Prince's Mansion was so shocking that it obviously could not be hidden from the ears of these old foxes.
The officials of King Chen's party have been frightened for the past few months, and last night they were even more frightened and couldn't sleep.
Early the next morning, the atmosphere in the court was depressing.
Everyone was as silent as a cicada.
Even the voice of shouting "Long Live the Mountain" seems to have lost its usual momentum.
If you look carefully, you will see that many ministers come to court with dark circles under their eyes, and their faces are tired and pale. You can tell at a glance that they did not sleep well last night.
However, unexpectedly, Emperor Mu did not lose his temper over what happened yesterday. Instead, he comforted the seventh and eighth princes with a few words, and said calmly: "As the saying goes, when you start a family and start a business, the seventh and eighth sons completed one of the most important events in their lives yesterday. First, he can be considered a man with a family, and he should focus more on building a career in the future."
The Seventh Prince and the Eighth Prince came out and both knelt down and saluted: "My son, I obey the decree and will definitely live up to my father's expectations."
Although Emperor Mu didn't lose his temper, he looked a little depressed: "Starting from today, Lao Qi will go to your father-in-law's staff to practice and train, and learn from the seniors with an open mind. Don't act like a prince."
The seventh prince responded respectfully.
"Dou Shangshu." Emperor Mu turned his eyes slightly, "You don't have to be polite to him, just use it how you want. If he is lazy and careless, just come up with a piece of paper, and I will teach him a lesson."
Dou Shangshu came out in fear and did not dare to say anything.
"As for the eighth prince..." Emperor Mu turned to look at the eighth prince, "What do you want to do?"
The Eighth Prince respectfully replied: "I deeply admire Uncle Xie Xiaoguo. I just think he is extremely smart and full of tricks. I want to learn from Uncle Xie Xiaoguo."
Emperor Mu frowned: "Scheming?"
Uncle Xie Xiaoguo stood in the hall, looking at his eyes, nose, and heart. He was as gentle as jade. He looked very calm and magnanimous, which really didn't fit with the word "scheming."
The Eighth Prince coughed lightly: "No, what I mean is that Uncle Xie Xiaoguo has a good brain and strong ability to do things. I should learn more from him."
Emperor Mu hummed, a little curious: "Xie Lin is in charge of the Criminal Department and the Household Department. Which department do you want to join?"
"...The Criminal Department." The Eighth Prince chose a safer department, "I want to learn how to analyze the case, so that I can follow the investigation in the future."
The household department involves money, and he is really afraid of accidentally being involved in a major corruption case.
After all, he has been timid for more than 20 years, and it cannot be changed overnight. Be careful and you will be able to survive forever.
Emperor Mu nodded absently: "In that case, Xie Lin, the Eighth Prince will follow you to practice in the Ministry of Household Affairs for the time being."
ah?
The Eighth Prince was stunned, Hubu?
Did his father say it wrong, or did he hear it wrong?
What he just mentioned was clearly the Ministry of Punishment.
Xie Lin calmly saluted and responded: "I obey your order."
