Chapter 329 Hu Ji is dead, and there is no evidence of death
Zhang Han had a very good impression of Zhao Gao, much better than his later impression of Ge Nie.
In Zhang Han's eyes, Zhao Gao was a loyal, knowledgeable, and qualified confidant to the First Emperor, just like himself.
It stands to reason that people with the same personality should repel each other, just like two strong people cannot get along. But Zhang Han does not exclude Zhao Gao. The safety of the First Emperor is more important than anything else.
After reporting to the First Emperor and confirming that Zhao Gao had the authority, Zhang Han simply handed over the authority and followed Zhao Gao's orders - leading a group of newly formed secret guards to secretly search for the items left by Concubine Hu, and investigate and
People who come and go with Hu Ji.
Concubine Hu accidentally fell into a well and drowned while wandering in the garden. Concubine Hu was surrounded by eunuchs in her palace, but the maids did not take good care of her, and most of them were executed in public.
This incident spread as soon as it spread, and it did not have any impact on the government and the public. Except for the eunuchs in the harem, the ladies in the palace became more and more cautious when traveling, and the concubines all lived in seclusion and were cautious in their words and deeds.
As the master of the harem, Empress Afang had real power rather than decoration. As soon as she learned about this incident, she went to the First Emperor and asked for the reason.
The First Emperor told the truth to the maid he had served since childhood and the woman he loved deeply throughout his life. He made it clear and clear about the cause of Concubine Hu's death and that Concubine Hu had framed his younger brother.
Only Afang in the harem could let the First Emperor tell everything completely without hiding anything.
In Zhangtai Palace, Afang wore a solemn black skirt, embroidered with bird patterns carefully drawn by imperial craftsmen.
After listening to the retelling of the First Emperor, Afang's first reaction was:
"Impossible! Uncle wouldn't do that!"
Her expression was very determined.
To say that this uncle of his is so capable that one day he will dethrone the First Emperor from the throne and take the throne himself, Afang Xin would be worried about this.
However, everyone in Afang did not believe that Ying Cheng was a lustful evil spirit who raped the concubines of the First Emperor. Especially the person who told this story was Hu Ji, the subjugated princess of the Chu Kingdom who had a deep hatred for the First Emperor.
Afang doesn't have a good impression of Hu Ji at all, and he always sides with Ying Chengyu, both rationally and emotionally.
"A clumsy frame-up! This bitch will die as soon as he dies. How dare you drive a wedge between your uncle and your majesty! Anyone involved in this matter will be punished by the Yi clan!"
Afang, who was usually gentle, was also really angry, with an evil spirit gathering between his brows.
Being able to be the queen of the Qin Empire and being able to control the concubines in the harem. Afang not only relied on the favor of the First Emperor, but also his own prestige and means.
In the harem, Afang's status was almost equal to that of the First Emperor, and he was a veritable master of the harem. In all matters involving the First Emperor, Afang would kill people without mercy.
The First Emperor nodded slowly with a gloomy face.
"I will let Zhao Gao do this, but I want to see who actually extended his hand into my harem!"
Afangfeng's eyes were filled with evil thoughts, he chanted the word "Zhao Gao" in his mouth, frowned and said:
"Zhao Gao can be trusted? He was once the son of the Zhao Kingdom, and he had a close relationship with the Queen Mother. He also had an ear knocked off by his uncle. It is inappropriate to ask him to investigate this matter."
The First Emperor paced back and forth.
"I was confused by Hu Ji's words, and it was Zhao Gao who reminded me that Cheng Xi is a boy. Although Cheng Xi has been wary of him in every possible way, and he has been dissatisfied with Cheng Xi and has his own thoughts, but he is generally credible.
He has saved my life so many times that I can’t even count it. Zhao Gao never gets involved in personal matters when it comes to official matters."
Afang follows her husband just like she followed the young master when she was a maid.
"What I wrote is reasonable, but I still think it is inappropriate. Since this matter happened in the harem, I will personally investigate!"
"I have asked Zhang Han to secretly collect evidence and investigate, and I have not fully trusted Zhao Gao. Fang'er, you can investigate it yourself... Well, that's fine. The sooner this matter is settled, the better."
Afang's eyes were as cold as stars, and his heart was full of murderous intent.
No one who can be a queen in the Qin Empire is a vase.
Turning his head and looking at the side hall of Zhangtai Palace, Afang felt that there was a weak but strong breath of life there, which was the fire of life of a child.
"Is that girl Yinman in there?"
There were so many young masters and princesses in the harem, but the only one who dared to come and play in Zhangtai Palace where the First Emperor worked was the fifth princess of the Qin Dynasty, Ying Yinman, who didn't like women's red knitting, but only loved to dance with guns and sticks, and was not afraid of anything.
Afang is a little confused, why is this girl so honest today?
Not a sound was heard.
"No, it's Hu Hai."
The First Emperor said calmly.
The First Emperor concealed his emotions very well, but it was of no use in front of Afang, the man he knew and loved.
Afang noticed that his husband seemed a little guilty the moment the First Emperor spoke. Without thinking too much, he quickly understood the source of this guilt.
The First Emperor declared to the outside world that Hu Ji fell into a well and died. He could hide it from the world, but he could not hide it from himself. The death of Hu Ji was inseparable from the First Emperor himself.
The First Emperor did not feel guilty about the death of Hu Ji, but in front of his biological son Ying Huhai, it was normal for him to feel a little guilty for forcing his mother to death so that he could become the only son without his mother in the harem.
"I have no heirs, and Epang Palace has always been lifeless. Is it okay to let Hu Hai come to accompany me?"
For an eighteenth-year-old son who has lost his biological mother, naturally no one dares to say anything outside. But in Xianyang Palace, most of the young men who are older than him and of the same status as him, the princesses will inevitably say some unpleasant things.
But if Ying Huhai were in the Afang Palace and had been brought up by Afang, the princesses would not gossip because of Afang's power.
Xia Ji, the biological mother of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, had no power, so she was sent to Zhao as a hostage. However, she was able to return to Qin from Zhao because she recognized the heirless Mrs. Huayang as her mother.
Most of the later feudal dynasties were based on the idea that the mother is more valuable than the son. The harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, and all the harem forces were blocked. However, in the Qin Dynasty, where the power of the harem was not castrated, the son was valued based on the mother.
The First Emperor knew that this was Afang's rhetoric. The sons and princesses in the harem were all taken care of by Afang. If it weren't for him, why would Afang need to take Ying Huhai with him, who had already publicly announced that he had given up?
He hesitated and said:
"No need, I will just open a palace for him."
"Your Majesty, you can't trust Afang? Do you think Afang will be disadvantageous to him because of his mother?"
"How could I..."
"Then let A Fang take care of you."
The queen walked up to her husband and smoothed the horizontal lines on the Emperor's forehead with her bare hands.
"Your Majesty is someone who wants to do great things. Don't waste your energy on useless things. This is all A Fang can do for Your Majesty. I am very happy to be able to share His Majesty's worries."
"...I feel wronged."
In the side hall of Zhangtai Palace, the Emperor himself found a clay pot for him, teasing the eighteenth prince Ying Huhai who ordered the search for insects.
These few short moments changed his life's destiny.
Under Ying Chengyu's butterfly effect, in this life, he should have been unable to leave his name in history because of his biological mother's hatred of the First Emperor.
But now, he not only has the favor of the First Emperor, but also the blessing of Queen Afang. Ying Huhai once again has the possibility of being named in the history books.
Three days passed.
Zhao Gao, who is in charge of all the power in the harem, Zhang Han, the commander of the Shadow Secret Guards who secretly received orders, and Queen Afang, the master of the harem.
Under the investigation of these three people, the death of Concubine Hu should have come to light long ago. The truth should have been revealed, and the person behind the scenes should not have been able to hide it.
However, what is shocking is that the three parties found nothing. They could not find the person Hu Ji would rather die to protect, as if that person did not exist.
It would be understandable to say that Concubine Chu could hide any information under the influence of the three parties. After all, Concubine Chu was a relative of Chu State, and she also had the identity of sister Ying Chengyu.
But why could Hu Ji, a concubine who was not in power and favored, hide it? There were almost no secrets in the life of this subjugated princess. When she met whom and what she did, it was all found out clearly.
A few days ago, he cursed Zhao Gao, who was ordered by the First Emperor to teach Ying Huhai, and drove him out.
Half a month ago, I wanted to go to the Chu Palace to visit my sister, but Queen Afang blocked me and went back, yelling at her in the palace.
…
Zhao Gao bowed his waist respectfully and reported.
The First Emperor listened to these things reported by Zhao Gao, and compared them with what Zhang Han secretly reported and the Queen secretly investigated, and there was almost no discrepancy.
Zhao Gao recounted all the events from the perspective of a complete bystander. He did not add personal feelings or thoughts, just like a machine.
"You met Concubine Hu."
The First Emperor sat behind the desk, waited for Zhao Gao to finish his report, and then said calmly.
Most of the people that Concubine Hu saw were palace maids and eunuchs who need not be mentioned at all. The only person who can be called an exception these days is Zhao Gao.
"yes."
Zhao Gao said calmly.
"How many times have you repeatedly tried to kill me, Zhao Gao, are you trying to sow discord this time?"
"I do want Lord Chang'an to die, but it's not a personal grudge. It's more because it's not good for Your Majesty."
Zhao Gao admitted it straightforwardly and did not deny it.
"The Lord of Chang'an kept Li Mu as a retainer, offered wax sacrifices to incite people's support, launched a mutiny to massacre Meng Xibai, and dared to threaten His Majesty's safety. If he is not eliminated, Your Majesty will eventually turn against him!"
All of these, one by one, are a recipe for death for ordinary people. They should have died a thousand and eight hundred times. There is nothing wrong with Zhao Gao's thoughts and words.
The First Emperor heard from Zhao Gao that he thought that before Zhao Gao went to Chang'an to meet Li Mu, he was very respectful to Ying Chengyu and also hinted to Li Si not to go against his younger brother.
He nodded secretly and believed Zhao Gao.
"However, this matter has nothing to do with Gao. Your Majesty, how can Gao be so virtuous and capable of asking Concubine Hu to die to kill Lord Chang'an? To die for Gao? And that day Gao saw Concubine Hu with maids and eunuchs present. Your Majesty can pass it on and ask
Of.
"Gao knows that Lord Chang'an is a boy, how could Gao say such a thing? Gao wants Lord Chang'an to die out of concern for His Majesty. How could Gao want to kill Lord Chang'an because of His Majesty's reputation?"
The First Emperor was noncommittal on his face, but in his heart he almost believed what Zhao Gao said.
Everything must be logical and logical.
No matter how you look at the death of Hu Ji, it has nothing to do with Zhao Gao.
The logic doesn't make sense.
The truth is wrong.
The First Emperor grabbed the crystal clear, pure red without impurities, the size of an ordinary person's fist, priceless glass bead on the table, and strange colors appeared in his eyes.
The Qin State loves water, likes black, and has a black bird as its totem.
Chu State is fond of fire and red, and its totem is the phoenix bird.
"Your Majesty, Gao has a guess, I don't know whether to say it or not..."
Zhao Gao was about to speak but stopped.
"explain."
The expressionless face of the First Emperor was flushed red by the red glass beads.
Emperor Shi Huang had never seen such glazed beads naturally.
Such a round and pure color should be artificial, and only his brother Ying Chengyu could make it.
Zhao Gao gritted his teeth with a risk-taking expression on his face.
"I think what Concubine Hu said may be true!"
The First Emperor didn't respond, but he didn't interrupt either. He looked at the priceless glass beads in his hand and waited until Zhao Gao continued.
Investigations by the three forces of Zhao Gao, Zhang Han, and Afang failed to find out the person behind Hu Ji, so this person may not exist at all.
The investigation has ruled out all possibilities, so the only possibility that was subjectively ruled out at the earliest but not ruled out by the investigation is that Hu Ji is telling the truth.
After eliminating all possibilities, no matter how unreasonable what remains, it is the truth.
But this remaining possibility still has one impossibility, that is, Ying Chenglong is a boy, and Hu Ji cannot give birth to Ying Chenglong's child.
Zhao Gao waited for a moment, and still said with a look of resignation:
"The success of Chang'an Jun's "The Yellow Emperor" is true, but it is also true that he lingers on the terraces!"
Being unbroken can only affect Yingcheng's sowing seeds, but not its movement in and out.
The First Emperor's arms trembled.
"Concubine Hu didn't know that Chang'an Jun was studying "Yellow Emperor" and mistakenly thought..."
Bang~
That priceless big red glass bead hit Zhao Gao on the head, beating Zhao Gao's flesh to pieces and bleeding, and smashed back all the remaining words of Zhao Gao!
"How dare you frame Chenglong!"
The First Emperor's anger was fully visible!
"Get out! You will be punished by the ten sticks!"
"only."
Zhao Gao let the blood flow from his head, responded, and left Zhangtai Palace.
Soon, the sound of the stick crackling came from the outside into the inside, reaching the ears of the First Emperor.
The big red glass bead rolled on the ground once and then stopped. It was stained with blood and shone with a strange light under the bright light.
The First Emperor looked at the glass bead and felt extremely irritable.
He knew that all of this should be false and that his brother could not do such a thing.
If his biological brother was really such a lecherous devil who would not even spare his women, he should have searched the Sixth Prince's Palace long ago, let alone ask for the abolition of the towers.
If Hu Ji was still alive, the First Emperor had countless ways to get the truth from Hu Ji.
Hu Ji believed that Ying Hu Hai was the heir of Ying Cheng, which proved that the two of them had been having a long-term affair.
The First Emperor had no problem with being mistreated, and he favored Hu Ji only a handful of times. If Hu Ji mistakenly believed that Ying Huhai was Ying Chengyu, it would be logical for the two to collide frequently.
Whether two people have been having an affair for a long time is easy to verify the authenticity. Some details cannot be made up, such as where Ying Chengyu has moles on his body.
If Hu Ji says she has never noticed this kind of thing, then ask Ying Chengyu how long it lasts and what position she likes.
But now, Hu Ji is dead, and there is no evidence of her death.
The anxious First Emperor really wanted to recall Hu Ji's soul at this moment and ask for a clear explanation, hoping to have peace of mind.