The day after tomorrow was the canonization ceremony, Chu Nanzhi changed into more festive clothes, and accompanied Lin Jinxiao and his family to have breakfast in the main room. Everyone was enjoying themselves and was not affected by Xiao Dingfang's death.
For the past two days, Mr. Chang has been ill, and Mr. Nie has also taken leave to prepare for going to Beijing. The little treasures do not need to go to school. After dinner, Chu Nanzhi will accompany them to play Cuju in the yard.
Seeing the little ones having fun one by one, Chu Nanzhi had a smile on her face, but she saw Chen Chuan hurriedly walked in again, with a bitter face that looked like there was nothing good to do.
Chen Chuan walked straight to Chu Nanzhi, and did not forget to look around. He did not find Lin Jinxiao's figure, so he whispered to her: "Princess, Guan Siyuan is outside asking for an audience."
"Guan Erbai?"
A flash of surprise flashed in Chu Nanzhi's eyes: "What's the matter with him?"
"Xing Huan, the governor of Funing County, just committed suicide in prison. He came here to plead guilty."
Chen Chuan's brows were furrowed, his face was full of sorrow, and he was wondering.
Seeing that the sealing ceremony was approaching, accidents occurred frequently, which made them, the subordinates, very embarrassed.
Hearing this, Chu Nanzhi's face was also clouded: "Prefect Xing was still trying so hard to ask for help from me yesterday, why did he suddenly commit suicide?"
This really surprised her.
Instructing Chen Chuan to stay in the yard and watch the little treasures, Chu Nanzhi quietly left the yard and arrived in front of the gate of Defu. As soon as he spotted Guan Erbai's figure, he immediately knelt down and apologized with fear:
"The lower official failed to look after the repeat offender and betrayed the princess's trust. I still ask the princess to punish him."
"Get up quickly."
Chu Nanzhi asked him to get up, looked around, took him to a secluded place in front of the courtyard gate, and asked in a low voice: "What's going on? Did Governor Xing really commit suicide?"
"Absolutely true."
Guan Erbai replied with determination in his eyes: "Since the princess's instructions yesterday, Xiaguan has been keeping a close watch on him, and no one has approached him. However, Xiaguan never thought that Governor Xing would want to commit suicide. I'm afraid he didn't hear it.
After hearing the news that the Xu Xun envoy was out to patrol Funing County, he committed suicide out of fear of guilt."
"Suicide out of fear of crime?"
Chu Nanzhi smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He cherished his life so much and wanted to save him, so how could he commit suicide for no reason?
Before the matter in Funing County is settled, he will definitely choose to continue living in a mediocre manner if it is not a last resort.
Chu Nanzhi thought secretly in her heart for a while. Although Guan Erbai was told to guard Xing Huan yesterday, the prison in the state capital is no longer the dungeon of the county captain's palace and the county government. There are more people and it is a newly established prison.
, there will inevitably be omissions in a mixed bag.
She then asked: "Has anyone been to the state prison after I left?"
"Someone has been there."
Guan Erbai immediately reported: "This morning, just after the curfew, the Chief Supervisor of Wang Fu Hai accompanied Master Wei Kang of the Sili School and Master Shi Song of the Royal Palace, but they were all stopped by the lower officials. They have not been to the prison.
."
"Captain Sili and Lord Changshi?"
Chu Nanzhi frowned slightly and pinched her chin.
Sili Xiaowei is the secret inspector responsible for supervising the capital and surrounding states. When a major case such as the assassination of the governor of the state by the county governor occurred in Pingning Prefecture, it would be reasonable for him to go there for questioning as a routine matter.
Long Shi Song Liao was also specially responsible for supervising the palace officials, and was sent by the Queen Mother. The dignified county guard was thrown into prison. It was also reasonable for him to inquire, but what was Chief Hai doing with him?
This made Chu Nanzhi quite puzzled.
"Just after the curfew, these people went straight to the prison."
Chu Nanzhi murmured to himself, and suddenly realized that it was because of Xiao Dingfang's death that Hai Da'a noticed something, so he followed him to the state capital prison.
Just as the thought flashed through my mind, I saw two green horses carrying a carriage galloping slowly towards me.
Seeing Song Liao's figure, Chu Nanzhi hurriedly waved to Guan Erbai and murmured in a low voice: "Go and report this matter to His Highness. Remember, it can only be said that Governor Xing heard about Xu Jinzhou's trip to Fuzhou.
Ningjun was on patrol, so he committed suicide out of fear of crime. Only in this way will His Highness not hold you accountable."
Guan Erbai only thought that the princess was trying to protect him, and he wanted to kneel down to thank her. He nodded gratefully and left immediately.
Seeing that the cavalry team had arrived at the gate of the mansion, Chu Nanzhi quickly collected his thoughts and said with a smile to Song Liao who was about to dismount: "Master Chang Shi is such an honored guest, why do you want to come to visit me suddenly?
"
Song Liao got off his horse and walked over with Captain Sili and Hai Da'a.
He looked at Kang Xiu, the captain of Sili School who was also a little displeased, with a sullen face, and first introduced: "Reporting to the princess, this is Kang Sili who was ordered to patrol the various states. Yesterday, during his patrol, he heard about the shocking incident of a county guard assassinating a prince in this state.
, I came here specifically overnight to inquire, but I didn’t expect that when I went to the state prison, I was stopped outside by a small jailer."
Glancing at Chu Nanzhi with dissatisfaction, Song Liao asked with a sinister look: "I would like to ask the princess for advice. What's the point of this?"
"Xing Huan was so bold that he openly ordered someone to assassinate His Highness. Then the magistrate of Tuyuan County, Funing County came to report. Xing Huan enriched his own pockets and exploited the people, causing many people to become homeless. There were complaints from all over the country. Could it be that I sent people to strictly monitor him?
What’s wrong?”
Faced with his aggressive questioning, Chu Nanzhi also refuted it harshly.
"this"
Song Liao looked unconvinced, but Kang Xiu interrupted his words with a wave of his hand.
Kang Xiu looked at Chu Nanzhi with a calm expression, and said with a slight smile: "Princess, please don't blame me. We are also worried about your highness's safety, so we went to the prison to find out more."
"This is really a joke. The two adults were worried about the safety of His Highness, but they went to prison first. I really can't understand. Do you think I and Your Highness are deceiving the world?"
Chu Nan's Zhiliu eyebrows trembled slightly as he looked at the few people and said solemnly: "Neither I nor Your Highness had any involvement in this matter. All the power was left to the Governor of the Tang Dynasty for trial. I never thought that Prefect Xing had heard some rumors and was here with you all."
He committed suicide in prison before my lord came."
"Suicide?"
Song Liao and Kang Xiu looked at each other in astonishment.
Hai Da'a was also slightly stunned. He grinned and said, "How could His Highness falsely accuse his subordinates? Xing Huan must have done many evil things and was worried about being investigated, so he committed suicide out of fear of crime."
After saying that, he looked at Chu Nanzhi quietly and asked with concern: "Princess, is your Highness in serious trouble?"
"Although I was a little frightened, fortunately I have recovered."
While answering, Chu Nanzhi looked at Hai Da'a carefully. There was nothing unusual about his expression in his words and deeds, but there were no clues.
Kang Xiu originally had doubts about this matter, but after listening to Chu Nanzhi's words, he knew that the governor was personally interrogating the case, and thinking that Xu Jinzhou was ordered to go on patrol, at this juncture, Xing Huan's suicide did seem to be a suicide in fear of crime.
Not daring to say anything more, he bowed his hands to Chu Nanzhi respectfully and said, "I have come a long way, and I have never met His Highness. Please ask the princess to lead us to meet Your Highness."
"My lords, please come in."
Chu Nanzhi stepped out of the way and personally led a few people into the courtyard, but from the corner of his eye he was still looking at the calm Hai Da'a from time to time.
From beginning to end, this man's face remained calm and his heart did not beat. He was as steady as an old dog. He was truly worthy of being a popular figure in front of the Empress Dowager.