"The witness is in the imperial city right now, but his status is a bit special and needs to be interrogated by the emperor alone." After Qi Jin finished speaking, he raised his hand and said: "Today, I guarantee with the head on my neck that what I just said is true. If there is any truth, If there is any untruth, I am willing to accept any punishment without any complaints!”
When Qin Taifu raised his head and was about to speak, Emperor Mu had already looked around at the ministers in the palace: "My beloved ministers, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
"Your Majesty." Xie Lin stood up and spoke respectfully, "I think that although Prince Qi's words are fierce and indignant, and the past events have indeed made people disgusted with Prince Mobei's deeds, we cannot deny it based on just a few words from him. Understand the weight of Prince Mobei’s letter.”
Taifu Qin's eyebrows moved slightly, and he looked at him deeply and in surprise.
"Xie Lin makes sense." Emperor Mu nodded slowly, "Then what do you think we should do?"
"Prince Dugu Yinyun of Mobei is about to arrive in Chu State. I think that for the time being, Prince Qi's movements should be restricted and he should not be allowed to send messages to the outside world to avoid having the opportunity to collude with others. Only in this way can he prove his innocence to be more convincing."
"I think Uncle Xie Xiaoguo is right." The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel bowed in agreement, "It would be better if His Highness the Crown Prince could personally supervise this. Only in this way can the innocence of Prince Qi be truly proven."
The eighth prince came out and said, "I think what Uncle Xie Xiaoguo said is reasonable, but we can't just restrict the actions of Prince Qi. The son-in-law of the Grand Tutor married his daughter to the Prince of Mobei. Such behavior is more serious than a letter. I think that the Grand Tutor should also be supervised. Before the truth becomes clear, no one in the Qin family is allowed to pass on the news to the outside world, and I ask my father to make a decision."
Master Qin's face darkened, but he remained silent.
The seventh prince said: "What the eighth brother said is reasonable, and I second my opinion."
Other ministers also expressed their agreement, but few stood behind Taifu Qin.
In today's court, since the prime minister was suspended, the emperor has not reinstated him, nor has he had any intention of appointing a new prime minister. However, when there are major events in the court, Xie Guojiu and Prince Rong are often called into Qinzheng. The palace was discussing matters, silently as if taking over the prime minister's previous duties.
Today is no exception.
After all the civil and military officials expressed their opinions, Emperor Mu's eyes fell on King Rong: "Prince Rong, what's your opinion?"
"I thought that I would leave Prince Qi to the care of the crown prince. If Prince Qi really behaves abnormally, the crown prince will be jointly and severally responsible. In this way, the crown prince will not show favoritism to the crown prince." King Rong bowed and replied, "The prince of Mobei is about to arrive in Shengjing. If you really think about it, the truth will come out, and Prince Qi will only be wronged for a few days, which is harmless."
"Since King Rong also thinks it is feasible, let's do it." Emperor Mu nodded and coldly ordered Xie Lin, "Xie Lin, you immediately send people to Fengyang to arrest Han Shangwu's family. I want you to find out as soon as possible His relationship with Prince Mobei."
Xie Lin came out of the queue and bowed in response: "I obey your order."
Emperor Mu said coldly: "Qi Jin is temporarily under the custody of the prince. He is not allowed to leave the imperial city at will, and he is not allowed to send letters to anyone. If there is any violation, the prince will also be punished."
"My son, I obey."
Qi Jin nodded: "I obey your order."
Emperor Mu was silent for a moment and looked at Taifu Qin: "Taifu, although I believe in your loyalty, but out of fairness, starting from today, please do not go out again after returning home, and do not allow any officials or strangers in the court. Feel free to step into the Qin family until Han Shangwu is captured and brought to justice and everything comes to light."
Taifu Qin's heart suddenly sank, and a strong uneasiness slowly brewed in his heart. He could not say a word except to listen to the order.
"Prince, you and Qi Jin come to the Qinzheng Hall." Emperor Mu stood up and left, "Retreat from the court!"
The ministers knelt down and said: "Congratulations to your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
Taifu Qin, who was kneeling on the ground, sadly realized that he was no longer the Taifu who was respected by the emperor in the past, and the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty seemed to be leaning towards the prince and the Xie family unknowingly.
Even though the majority were silent, the few people who were willing to speak accounted for most of the court. This was enough for him to understand that he, the Tutor, no longer had many supporters, or did not dare to support him. Anyway, the result would be the same.
Is the Qin family really over?
No, it's just that the situation on the surface is over. When Prince Mobei arrives in Shengjing, the fun has just begun.
Taifu Qin stood up, flicked his robe sleeves slowly, turned around and walked out.
On the way to Qinzheng Hall, Rong Cang turned his head and looked at Qi Jin: "What happened back then? Why did a child suddenly appear? You have no memory at all?"
Qi Jin shook his head: "I have no impression."
"If that child is really yours..."
"It shouldn't be possible, right?" Qi Jin frowned, "To slander me, Taifu Qin made up a lie at will, and the prince believed it to be true?"
"If letters can be forged, can children also be forged?" Rong Cang asked, "Since Taifu Qin knows that you have been to Mobei, someone must have revealed this to him, but he does not know the reason why you went to Mobei. Even if it's a slander, the forged letter is much more credible than the child, and if the child is really over two years old, it would match the time you spent in Mobei... In addition, the king's spies came with news a few days ago that Dugu Yin Yun did bring a child this time."
Qi Jin paused: "Dugu Yinyun brought a child here?"
"Yes." Rong Cang nodded, "I suspect that he came prepared, and the mother of the child is most likely the Princess of Mobei who wants to marry this time."
Qi Jin paused slightly and his face became solemn: "If this is a plot they set up to use this child to frame me, what should I do?"
Although what he said in the palace was the truth, it was the unspeakable humiliation that he had suppressed in his heart for many years, but it was unspeakable for him, and insignificant to others. At most, it was regarded as a joke, which was not enough to make him Clear your name.
Especially Master Qin came prepared.
If he and Prince Mobei had already discussed it and planned to use a child to frame him, how should this situation be broken?
Rong Cang's tone was leisurely: "When soldiers come, we will block it, and when water comes, we will cover it up. The arrival of Dugu Yinyun is not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe there will be a turn of events?"
While they were talking, the two of them had arrived at Qinzheng Hall.
Stepping into the palace gate, Qi Jin lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down: "I know my guilt."
Emperor Mu looked up at him with a heavy gaze: "Qi Jin, what happened back then? How could you be kidnapped by the Prince of Mobei? Why don't you explain it to me quickly?"
"It's true that I was kidnapped." Qi Jin lowered his eyes so that no one could see the expression in his eyes, "At that time, someone at the border gate forged the handwriting of His Highness the Crown Prince. I was kidnapped by Mobei before I arrived at the border gate. They sent nearly a thousand The elite men were lying in ambush on the mountain road, but I didn't notice and let them take over."
"Prince Mobei drugged you?"
"Yes." Qi Jin's lips tightened, "This is also the reason why I have been reluctant to marry."
"What did he do to you..." Emperor Mu seemed a little embarrassed to say, "Did he do anything to you?"
Qi Jin was silent for a long time and slowly shook his head: "I don't know, but that night...I was tortured by the effects of the medicine and became delirious that night. I have no memory of what happened after that, but after I woke up, there were indeed some marks on my body."
