Outside the hall, the Minister of Dali Temple slowly stepped across the threshold, walked to the front, and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am late, I hope your Majesty will forgive me."
In the audience, Zhang Xi and Yuan Zuo frowned.
He's not dead?
The old emperor just smiled and said, "I love you, it's not too late now."
The Minister of Dali Temple stood up slowly, adjusted his official robe a little, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, yesterday you entrusted Dali Temple to investigate the case, and today the results have been obtained. The person who killed the Marquis of Zhennan is none other than the current crown prince, Sun Gusheng!"
These words shocked the other courtiers present.
If I were to say that I had only heard one side of the story from Yuan Zuo and Zhang Xi, I would not believe it entirely.
They were originally opposed to the crown prince's ascension to the throne, and naturally they didn't need to express their feelings for Xiao Jiujiu. As long as the prince's life was worse, it would be more beneficial to them.
But now that this result was spoken by the Minister of Dali Temple, it was different.
What kind of place is Dali Temple? It is a place that offends people. You can actually turn a blind eye to many cases, but as long as it is ordered by the emperor, Dali Temple must investigate to the end. If you go back and forth, you will actually offend. attracted many people.
It’s Dali Temple that takes the blame.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Xi immediately knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, since the ministers of Dali Temple have investigated clearly who is the murderer of Zhennan Marquis, even the prince cannot be open to him. If word spreads, he will be laughed at by the people. .”
The old emperor twitched his eyebrows, "Are you teaching me how to do things?"
"I don't dare."
Zhang Xi said softly: "I just want to seek justice for the Marquis of Zhennan."
Yuan Zuo who was on the side immediately echoed: "Your Majesty, the emperor is guilty of breaking the law and the common people are guilty. If your Majesty really wants to protect the prince, we ministers have nothing to say. But if your majesty really does this, we are not afraid." Are we, the ministers, so coldhearted?"
Zheng Dehai, standing next to the old emperor, angrily shouted: "How dare you! Commander Yuan, how dare you talk to His Majesty like this?"
Yuan Zuo straightened his back and said: "Mr. Zheng, if His Majesty is determined to protect the Crown Prince, then no matter how much resentment we have, we will not dare to express it openly. But justice is justice, justice is justice, and killing people should be done." life for a life!"
Perhaps because he felt that the court meeting was a bit noisy, Guan Jing, who had been silent until now, stood up and came to Yuan Zuo. With just a slight step of his foot, a burst of energy gathered in the room.
"Commander Yuan, how is it appropriate to make a scene at court?"
Guan Jing just stood there and immediately formed a pressure. This pressure was very strange. Others might not be able to detect it, but Yuan Zuo could sense it clearly.
At this moment, Yuan Zuo's face was ashen and his tone gradually weakened. He just asked angrily: "Is it possible that General Guan also wants to side with the prince?"
Guan Jing said coldly: "I just don't want to see the court meeting being so noisy, general."
Yuan Zuo took a deep breath and said with some emotion: "That's right. After all, Zhennan Marquis is not General Guan's former subordinate. The relationship between you and him is not deep. Even if he dies, you may not be able to get anything back for him. justice."
This statement is correct. Guan Jing was later appointed as the general of troops and horses. Before that, Yang Yanyu sat in the position of general of troops and horses, and Zhennanhou was also followed by Yang Yanyu.
All the officials present were a little scared. What did Yuan Zuo eat today to make him so bold that he dared to offend Guan Jing?
You know, there must be a reason for Guan Jing to sit in that position.
Guan Jing just chuckled and raised his hand slightly.
Yuan Zuo watched his movements and immediately channeled his energy, preparing for Xia Guan Jing's blow.
However, Li Xiang suddenly emerged from the crowd, came to Guan Jing's side, held down his slightly raised hand, and then shook his head at him.
Guan Jing glanced at Li Xiang suspiciously, but still didn't take action.
Afterwards, Guan Jing put away his pressure and walked back to his original position.
A storm that was supposed to start was just suppressed.
Yuan Zuo was somewhat lucky to have survived the disaster. If Guan Jing had taken action just now, he might have been carried out.
But things continued, and many officials immediately came out of the team.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhennan has an excellent reputation among the people, but such a good man was killed by His Highness the Crown Prince. However, His Highness the Crown Prince turned a deaf ear to the laws of the day. If he did not kill him, how could he be angry with the common people."
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhennan has made great contributions to the current dynasty, and he is an old minister who has fought with your Majesty in the world. If he does not give justice to the Marquis of Zhennan, I am afraid that the Marquis of Zhennan will not be able to rest in peace!"
"His Majesty."
"His Majesty……"
These officials were all members of the lineage of Marquis Wenru and Marquis Zhennan. Seeing the advantage at hand, they were naturally unwilling to miss it.
The old emperor listened to these people's words with a calm expression on his face. When the voice gradually became quieter, he finally said: "If all of you, dear friends, think so, then you might as well invite the prince into the palace in person. Let me ask, dear friends, what do you think?"
The courtiers looked at each other and agreed.
Although they were a little frightened, fortunately they thought that what they did was quite clever and they didn't leave any evidence. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince really wanted to attack him, he wouldn't be able to produce any evidence.
The wind is still heading towards them.
The old emperor said to Zheng Dehai who was standing aside: "Invite His Highness the Crown Prince over."
…
…
Zheng Dehai was ordered to go and immediately came to the ancient mansion.
In front of the ancient mansion, Zheng Dehai laughed.
The two teenagers had been waiting at the door early.
Zheng Dehai stepped forward and saluted: "Your Highness, Your Majesty allows you to enter the court."
Sun Gusheng nodded and said softly: "Let's go."
Gu Xiaotian couldn't help but ask one more question, "Manager Zheng, what about me?"
Zheng Dehai thought for a while and said truthfully: "Your Majesty has not said clearly. If you are willing to enter the court together, it doesn't matter. If you are not willing, just wait here for news."
Gu Xiaotian laughed and said, "How can I be missing from all the excitement?"
…
…
It didn't take long for the two of them to arrive outside the palace.
Outside the hall, Sun Gusheng was still a little nervous.
This is the first time he has entered the court since his return.
He knows that once he crosses this threshold, he has actually made his attitude clear to everyone.
Gu Xiaotian patted Sun Gusheng on the shoulder and said, "Such a day has to come, do you still want to delay it?"
Sun Gusheng shook his head and said with emotion: "No more procrastination, I have figured it out a bit these days."
Outside the palace, the young eunuch saw the two people approaching and said loudly: "His Royal Highness is here!"
All the officials looked back, and Sun Gusheng walked through the crowd with a calm expression and came to the middle position. He bowed and said, "I have seen your Majesty."
Gu Xiaotian on the side also bowed.
The officials were still a little surprised by Gu Xiaotian's appearance.
Although this young man is in the limelight, he actually does not hold a position in the court. He is actually not qualified to appear at today's court meeting.
However, after he came in, no one objected, which meant that the old emperor acquiesced.
Only Xiang Li had seen Gu Xiaotian enter the palace together, and the smile on his face was very pleased.
The old emperor nodded slightly and asked directly: "Gu Sheng, I ask you, can you really kill the Marquis of Zhennan?"
Sun Gusheng did not hesitate and said bluntly: "Your Majesty, I am indeed the one who killed the Marquis of Zhennan."
The courtiers all exclaimed quietly.
If there was any evidence to be produced before, there is no need for evidence at this moment.
Because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has personally admitted it.
Zhang Xi immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, since His Highness the Crown Prince has admitted it, the truth has been confirmed, and His Highness the Crown Prince should be dealt with according to the laws of the dynasty."
At this moment, all the courtiers stopped breathing.
He just waited quietly for the old emperor to speak.
"Your Majesty, it is too early to draw a conclusion at this time."
Just when everyone thought the old emperor was about to speak, someone walked out of the banquet, which exceeded everyone's expectations.
It was Prime Minister Li who had not spoken during the dinner.
At yesterday's court meeting, Prime Minister Li had actually chosen his side in the eyes of the courtiers. At least he showed that he would not support His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne.
But now, Li Xiang has stepped forward.
No one could guess what he was thinking.
The old emperor smiled and said: "Does Prime Minister Li have anything else to say?"
Li Xiang said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, His Highness the Crown Prince will not kill the Marquis of Zhennan for no reason. There must be some story behind it."
Yuan Zuo said dissatisfied: "Prime Minister Li, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have already admitted it. Even if there is really a story behind it, is it okay for the Crown Prince to kill people blatantly?"
Hearing Yuan Zuo's words, Li Xiang suddenly burst out laughing in the court meeting and said clearly: "Commander Yuan seems to have acquiesced that there is a story behind this. Commander Yuan must know the story behind it. Why don't you tell it and let everyone listen together?" One listen?"
"you……"
After all, Yuan Zuo was just a military attache. In terms of talking skills, he was still not as powerful as the prime minister.
For a moment, Yuan Zuo's face turned red.
Zhang Xi hurriedly came to the rescue and said: "Prime Minister Li, what Commander Yuan said is right. Even if two people really have a feud, it does not give His Highness the right to kill people at will."
Li Xiang nodded and did not refute, but agreed: "Yes, even if there is a festival, His Highness the Crown Prince cannot kill people at will."
Immediately, he changed the subject, "But what if this festival is related to the life of His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Zhang Xi choked for words.
After listening to what Li Xiang said, the old emperor looked at Sun Gusheng and asked: "Gusheng, what else do you want to say?"
From the moment Sun Gusheng entered the court meeting, he only admitted that he had committed murder, and then remained silent. At this moment, the emperor finally mentioned him.
Sun Gusheng walked up and said, "Your Majesty, I think the Dali Temple Master has something to say."
After Sun Gusheng's reminder, everyone finally remembered that the Minister of Dali Temple had indeed only said that the murderer was His Highness the Crown Prince after arriving belatedly, and he had been silent since then.
The old emperor looked at Dali Temple Minister again and asked: "Dali Temple Minister, do you have anything else to say?"
The Minister of Dali Temple took a deep breath.
He had not said the second half of the sentence before, but he was actually waiting for the situation to develop. After all, as a courtier, he had always adhered to the principle of saying more and making more mistakes, and saying less and making fewer mistakes.
But now, he finally could no longer remain silent. He raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhennan was indeed killed by His Highness the Crown Prince. However, according to the truth that I found out, on the night when the Marquis of Zhennan died, His Highness the Crown Prince suffered something. An assassination."
The other officials present were stunned by these words.
Someone actually wants to kill His Highness the Crown Prince?
This is a capital crime!
But immediately after, the Dali Temple Minister’s next words were even more shocking!
"The mastermind behind the assassination of His Highness the Crown Prince that night was the Marquis of Zhennan!"
At this point, the officials of the Manchu Dynasty finally exclaimed, this news is really shocking.
But at this point, all the officials noticed that the Minister of Dali Temple had not finished speaking. It was obvious that there were more important things to talk about.
As expected, the Dali Temple minister continued: "After the court meeting, I have been investigating the truth, but on the day I was investigating the truth, I also suffered an assassination."
"The one who wants to assassinate me is Zhang Xi, the Confucian Marquis!"
Some people died, but not completely...
