"Reporting to the Supreme Emperor, this is what happened. Now, the Ministry of Punishment is already preparing to close the case."
In the Nangong Palace, Zhu Yi stood at the bottom and told everything that happened in the morning.
Beside him, in addition to Zhang Shi, was Ningyang Marquis Chen Mao.
Although they had already vaguely felt that the Supreme Emperor was secretly wooing Chen Mao, they were still a little surprised to be summoned together this time.
As a result, when Zhu Yi was talking, Zhang Min, who was standing beside him, kept staring at Chen Mao, not knowing what he was thinking.
However, these small actions were naturally not taken seriously by Zhu Qizhen. After hearing Zhu Yi's report, a trace of anger appeared on his face and he sneered.
"For such a big case, in the end, two palace servants who were dead long ago were blamed. The emperor was really good at it!"
Seeing the angry look on the Supreme Emperor's face, Chen Mao hesitated and spoke.
"The Emperor is aware that there is a lot of discussion about this matter outside the country. Many people feel that the Emperor's handling of this matter is too hasty."
"anything else?"
Looking at Chen Mao, Zhu Qizhen asked, the anger on his face not diminishing.
As soon as these words came out, Chen Mao was immediately at a loss. What else could there be?
The emperor has already made a final decision. Even if someone talks about it, it can't actually change the overall situation. What's more, the case files of the Ministry of Punishment are well written. At least, from a clear point of view, the entire chain of evidence is complete. If you want to challenge
The problem is not easy either.
Therefore, even if there is discussion, it is only at the level of discussion, but these words are obviously not what the Emperor wants to hear.
There was silence in Chonghua Hall for a moment, and then Zhu Qizhen snorted softly, but instead of embarrassing Chen Mao anymore, he asked.
"What happened to what I told you before?"
After hearing this, Chen Mao's face became more and more embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke.
"Your Majesty, over at the Beijing Camp, after Yu Qian's restructuring, the entire organization, rules, and leadership of each battalion are completely different from before."
"Nowadays, most of the generals in the Beijing camp, except for Yang Hong and Fan Guang's old troops, are people who were promoted by Yu Qian before. It is not easy to arrange for some of our generals to go in..."
However, as soon as these words came out, Zhu Yi was secretly shocked. He didn't expect that Chen Mao actually had a secret mission that he didn't know about, and it seemed that this mission was related to the Beijing camp.
For a moment, Zhu Yi was horrified, and at the same time, he also increased his vigilance. Although he didn't know why the Supreme Emperor suddenly started to re-employ Chen Mao, and he didn't know why Chen Mao was willing to follow the Supreme Emperor, but he could hand over such a matter to the Supreme Emperor.
Let Chen Mao do it, which shows that the Emperor has established trust in Chen Mao, and it is almost unreserved.
This is not good news...
Zhu Qizhen had a clear view of Zhu Yi and Zhang Xi's performance, but he did not expose it, he just said to Chen Mao.
"Although the task is difficult, we must do it. When the late emperor was here, he praised Chen Hou a lot and called Chen Hou the pillar of the country. Now that I am trapped in Nangong, Chen Hou naturally needs to take more care of me."
"I am terrified..."
These words surprised Chen Mao, and he quickly bowed and saluted.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qizhen nodded and said.
"The people in Nangong are too arrogant. Although I want to continue talking with Chen Hou, if I stay too long, I'm afraid it will cause discussion among outsiders. Chen Hou should leave now."
"yes……"
Therefore, Chen Mao didn't stay too long and quickly stood up and left. Then, Zhu Qizhen's eyes fell on the two remaining people in the palace, thought for a moment, and said.
"I have been playing for so long, and you must be tired. I ordered people to prepare refreshments in the side hall. Duke Cheng can go and use some first, and you and I will continue our conversation later."
Ah this...
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Min and Zhu Yi were a little confused, but they soon understood.
The Supreme Emperor wants to talk to the two of them alone...
Although there were many doubts in his heart, Zhu Yi did not refuse, but glanced at Zhang Xi.
"I obey the decree."
Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yi was taken down and came to the side hall.
Several palace attendants were guarding beside him. Zhu Yi was still a little worried, but she still sat down and ate something decently.
But he was still thinking about Zhu Qizhen's intention in doing this, so he felt a little bit dissatisfied.
After about a stick of incense, someone from the palace finally came in and said.
"My lord, the Emperor has summoned you."
So, Zhu Yi stood up and followed these palace people back to the Chonghua Palace.
But this time, as soon as he entered the palace, he found that there were many fewer people in the palace. Basically, except Zhu Qizhen and his personal palace attendants, only Zhu Yi was left.
With a secret shiver in her heart, Zhu Yi stepped forward and saluted politely. After a sigh of relief, Zhu Yi stood up carefully without raising her head.
There was a brief silence in the palace. Zhu Yi could feel that the Supreme Emperor's eyes were locked on him, but soon, the other party's voice rang out and asked.
"Zhu Yi, what do you think is the truth behind this poisoning incident?"
His tone was calm, without the anger just now, but it made Zhu Yi more cautious. After thinking for a moment, he spoke.
"Back to the Supreme Emperor, I feel that there is definitely something behind this matter. It is quite unusual for the Criminal Department to close such a big case so quickly. There are rumors outside that the main evidence in this case was found by the Jin Yiwei.
Yes, and the Jinyiwei...are directly subordinate to the Emperor."
Although the words were cryptic, the meaning behind them was also clear.
However, after Zhu Qizhen heard this, his tone did not change much, and he continued to speak calmly.
"So what you're saying is that it's the emperor who wants to harm me?"
Zhu Yi immediately knelt down and said.
"The Supreme Emperor clearly knows that I have no intention of alienating the Tian family. However, the so-called guarding against others is indispensable. When it comes to the safety of the Supreme Emperor, we should be very cautious and not let go of the slightest possibility."
"oh?"
This time, Zhu Qizhen's tone finally changed, and his voice became a little deeper, saying.
"So you think that the Criminal Department and Jin Yiwei jointly concealed the truth this time?"
This seemed to be the same old problem just now, but this small change in Zhu Qizhen's tone set off alarm bells in Zhu Yi's heart.
He could feel that the Supreme Emperor was a little dissatisfied with his answer just now, but he didn't understand why?
What he said just now, apart from being a little more obscure, should theoretically be in line with the Supreme Emperor's thoughts at the moment. Why would he be dissatisfied because of this?
He gently raised his head to look at the Supreme Emperor who was looking up. As expected, the other person's brows were slightly furrowed and his eyes were a little deep.
As a result, Zhu Yi's thoughts started to spin rapidly, and he went through the conversation again, and soon he discovered the clues.
The Supreme Emperor seems to have been 'tangled' with who is behind the poisoning case, but the problem is that no matter what the superficial version of this case is, at least the Supreme Emperor has already determined that the emperor is behind it.
In that case, what else did he ask?
Want to get Zhu Yi's approval? No, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and Zhu Yi soon had the answer.
What the Supreme Emperor wants is not the truth, but...loyalty!
"I Wan die, please forgive me for my sins. In my opinion, when this case occurred, so many people serving in Nangong were not aware of it. It can be seen that the people behind the scenes can control many people in Nangong at the same time. The case
After the case was reported, the Ministry of Punishment and the Jin Yiwei jointly tried the case, but the case was closed in such a hurry, which shows that the people behind the scenes can also exert power to suppress the foreign court."
"Nowadays, in both the government and the public, there is no one else with such authority except the emperor."
After saying these words, Zhu Yi kowtowed heavily, looking loyal and courageous.
Sure enough, when Zhu Qizhen spoke again the next moment, although he was a bit stern, the faint dissatisfaction in his tone had disappeared and he said.
"Zhu Yi, what you said is extremely treasonous!"
So, Zhu Yi straightened up and said.
"I would never dare to slander Your Majesty, but the fact is that it cannot be changed except by my words or my inaction. Please give me a clear warning."
After the words fell, Zhu Yi saw the Supreme Emperor sighing heavily, his face showing a bit of deliberate sadness, and said.
"I never thought that the emperor and I would reach this stage. Anyway, since the emperor is like this, even though I care about my brothers and family ties, I can't just sit back and wait for death."
"Zhu Yi, what do you think?"
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Yi suddenly felt clear in his heart, and became even more sure of his judgment just now.
Regarding the poisoning case, no matter what the outside world said, the Supreme Emperor already had the answer in his heart. Therefore, when he asked about this matter, he did not really want Zhu Yi to help him speculate.
What he wants is for Zhu Yi to say personally that the emperor is behind this case. In this way, the Supreme Emperor can continue to say what he wants to say, such as...
"The Supreme Emperor is wise, and I am willing to die for the Supreme Emperor!"
A flash of hesitation flashed across Zhu Yi's face, but soon, he spoke firmly.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qizhen nodded imperceptibly and said.
"I know that among all the people in the court, only those in the Chengguo Palace are the most loyal to me. Get up..."
"The Supreme Emperor is so complimentary that I feel ashamed that I cannot bear it."
Zhu Yi stood up carefully, lowered her hands, and spoke humbly and sincerely.
As a result, Zhu Qizhen became more and more satisfied, and his tone finally became a little gentler, saying.
"Don't worry, the emperor and I are brothers after all. Although the emperor is unkind, as the eldest brother, naturally I can't do the same. What I asked you to do is just in case, I and you
They can all have the ability to protect themselves.”
"Please give me your Majesty's orders. I will do my best."
Zhu Yi's voice was sonorous and powerful.
Then, Zhu Qizhen's face straightened slightly and he spoke.
"Okay, do you know that Song Wenyi will return to Beijing soon?"
"Know……"
Zhu Yi nodded and replied.
"It is said that the Holy Mother asked him to return to the capital. It seemed that he was planning to send him to Nangong to serve the Supreme Emperor, but..."
"But what?"
Seemingly sensing Zhu Yi's doubts, Zhu Qizhen asked with a mysterious smile in his eyes.
So, Zhu Yi hesitated and said:
"The Supreme Emperor Mingjian, although Song Wenyi is now a famous official in the palace and is in charge of the imperial palaces in various places, the eunuch is still an eunuch after all. The Holy Mother named him to serve in the Nangong, so the emperor will definitely take this opportunity to remove
All errands of Song Wenyi."
"Without Huangzhuang, Song Wenyi..."
Transferring Song Wenyi back to Beijing is considered a harem matter, but when it comes to Nangong, the whole court will know more or less news.
Many people think that the reason why Queen Mother Sun asked Song Wenyi to go to Nangong was because she liked the imperial palace in his hands.
After all, this is a big piece of fat.
Although the current Huangzhuang has only begun to take shape, in the past few years, it has not only attracted many refugees, but also brought these people who may have become unstable factors back under the jurisdiction of the local government.
Moreover, many places have begun to see initial results. Under this large-scale unified farming, not surprisingly, the harvest is much higher than before.
It is precisely because of this that the imperial court was able to maintain a basic balance of revenue and expenditure despite successive years of natural disasters, and no serious financial crisis occurred.
Under this system, people still rented fields and farmed land, but the fields they rented became the fields of the imperial village. The difference was in the division of harvests.
In addition to paying taxes on time, the remaining part is handed over to the lord, and the other part is put into the inner treasury. It seems simple, but there is definitely a lot of oil and water in it.
As the eunuch in charge of the imperial palace, Song Wenyi must have made a lot of money over the years. Therefore, many people, including Zhu Yi, were speculating whether the Supreme Emperor was eyeing this piece of fat.
But then again, the emperor must understand such a simple truth, so even if he gets Song Wenyi, he may not be able to get the imperial village.
No, to be precise, you definitely can’t get it!
but……
"Who said I want the Imperial Manor in Song Wenyi's hands?"
Facing Zhu Yi's question, Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile.
"Not Huangzhuang?"
Zhu Yi was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said.
"But if Song Wenyi loses Huangzhuang, then..."
Then what use is he as a person?
He is not a eunuch like Liu Yongcheng who is proficient in martial arts. He can protect the Supreme Emperor personally. Even if Song Wenyi has made a lot of money over the years and his family is rich enough, it is his own money after all. The Supreme Emperor will not be reduced to a slave.
Grab the money and spend it.
And, to put it bluntly, even if it costs money, none of them, a noble family that has been passed down for many years, is much stronger than the newly emerged Song Wenyi.
Neither looking for money nor seeking power, what would the Supreme Emperor do if he wanted such a person to come here?
Seeing Zhu Yi's thoughtful look, Zhu Qizhen chuckled again and spoke mysteriously.
"Don't forget, Song Wenyi is a great eunuch who has single-handedly presided over the construction of imperial palaces in various places. Does it mean that such a person has no value if his errand is taken away?"