Hongli raised his head, his face twisted in extreme pain, and he tremblingly said: "Son... my son knows, rope... rope!" He was beginning to lose control of himself.
Ling Ruo understood what he meant, and said with a trace of reluctance and helplessness: "Yang Hai, go and tie up the emperor!"
This night ended with Gao Bin being executed and Qiao Yaner being imprisoned in the Ministry of Punishment for torture. However, for Hongli, the matter would only truly end if he got rid of his drug addiction.
The next day, the news that Qiao Yan'er was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment quickly spread throughout the palace like a bird with wings. Xia Qingchu couldn't believe it when she first heard about it. After all, Hongli had shown so much trust in Qiao Yan'er before.
How could she suddenly be charged with a crime and remanded to the Ministry of Punishments for such serious punishment?
"Is this serious?" Faced with Xia Qing's inquiry, Xiao Shouzi said with excitement: "What I said to the master is absolutely true. It was spread throughout the palace. Even the Queen Mother went there last night. I heard that General Qiao
It was the Empress Dowager's wish that Yan'er be taken to the Ministry of Punishment, and she would be sentenced to a ten-year term of Ling Chi. The servant inquired and found out that in the past ten years, Qiao Yan'er would have been stabbed nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times. It was terrifying for the servant to think about it.
.”
Cuizhu said at the side: "Isn't that right? I have been in the palace for so many years and I have never heard of Lingchi's punishment. However, the time from execution to death for those people is only ten days at most, and they can be cut with a thousand swords."
That's right, Qiao Yan'er has to endure ten years and close to ten thousand dollars!"
Xia Qing frowned and said, "Have you ever found out what Qiao Yan'er's crime is?" According to the crime she knew, it was impossible for Qiao Yan'er to receive such a heavy punishment. There must be some things she didn't know about.
Xiao Shouzi shook his head and said: "This servant doesn't know." After a moment of pause, he suddenly said: "By the way, there is one more thing. This morning, Lord Gao Bingao, the governor of Jiangnan River Channel, was executed by the emperor's decree!"
Xia Qing said in surprise: "Gao Bin? Isn't he managing rivers in Fujian? Why did he suddenly commit a capital crime?"
"According to the emperor's decree, Mr. Gao committed the crime of treason, but..." Xiao Shouzi scratched his head and said in confusion: "I can't understand why Mr. Gao changed from managing rivers to
It is really strange to commit the crime of treason."
Xia Qing thought for a moment and said, "Has the decree been passed on?"
"Not only has the decree been passed down, Master Gao has already been executed!" Under Xia Qing's puzzled eyes, Xiao Shouzi said: "I heard from the people in the Yangxin Palace that Master Gao entered the palace with a secret edict last night and stayed in the Yangxin Palace for a while.
, he was taken away and executed, and the ones who got into trouble later were Qiao Yaner and Manager Xi."
Xia Qing said in shock: "Sixi? Has he also been executed by the emperor?" Sixi has followed Hongli for many years and has always been loyal. Logically speaking, it is impossible for him to betray or do anything detrimental to Hongli.
Xiao Shouzi shook his head and said: "That's not true, but General Manager Xi was seriously injured. Although Dr. Zhou tried his best to treat him, his life or death is still uncertain at this moment!"
"It seems that a lot of things happened last night." After murmuring, Xia Qing raised her eyes and said, "Cui Zhu, go prepare your companions. I have to go to Kunning Palace."
No matter what happened, it was a good thing that Qiao Yan'er was executed. Perhaps through this incident, Xianyue could untie her heart and rebuild the old relationship with Hongli.
When Xia Qing rushed to Kunning Palace, Madam Hu was already there, with a look of helplessness on her face. After Xia Qing sat down, Madam Hu said: "Your Majesty, since the Emperor has dealt with Qiao Yan'er, this matter
It’s better to let it go as it is.”
Xianyue stroked the string of agarwood beads on her wrist and said indifferently: "The emperor can deal with whoever he wants to deal with. It has nothing to do with me."
Mrs. Hu glanced at Xia Qing, who said knowingly: "Madam, the reason why you are so angry with the Emperor is because the Emperor favors Qiao Yan'er and refuses to punish her. But this incident shows that
The emperor doesn't have much trust in Qiao Yan'er
, before... it was only because I was deceived for a moment that I had a misunderstanding with the empress. It has been so long ago, so why should the empress keep brooding about it." When Xia Yue was silent, she said again: "For a Qiao Yan'er.
, is it worth it?”
Xianyue glanced at her and shook her head: "It's not worth it." Without waiting for Xia Qing to be happy, she said again: "But the emperor just questioned and even reprimanded me because of Qiao Yan'er. In his heart, I am not as good as
A Qiao Yaner is trustworthy."
"Empress..." Mrs. Hu just said two words, Xianyue raised her hand and said: "I know that you have good intentions, but I and the Emperor..." There was a flash of pain in her eyes, but she was quickly
He suppressed it and said calmly: "We will never go back to the past."
Mrs. Hu advised: "There are no absolutes in this world. It just depends on whether I am willing to let go. If you hold your breath like this, it will be you who will suffer in the end. So why bother."
"There is nothing to be miserable about. I have no thoughts about the Emperor anymore. I only wish to have a good life and raise Yongxu up." Before Mrs. Hu could say anything else, she already said: "You don't need to persuade me anymore.
Palace, as early as that day when I left the Yangxin Palace, everything was doomed and cannot be changed."
Seeing her resolute attitude, Mrs. Hu had no choice but to keep silent. After a while, Xia Qing said: "Do you know why the emperor wants to commit treason and execute Gao Bin?"
Xianyue frowned and said: "After the noble concubine talked to me just now, I am also very surprised. Since the emperor came to the throne, he has always entrusted Gao Bin with important responsibilities, and Gao Bin has lived up to the emperor's expectations. Although he went out several times during this period,
chaos, but under his rule,
Floods in various places have indeed been reduced a lot; Gao Bin was able to serve as a Han and serve as the second-rank governor of Jiangnan River, precisely because of his ability to control floods; and he was always grateful to the emperor, loyal and commendable, and he conspired to rebel and commit crimes... It is really unimaginable.
"
Xia Qing raised her eyebrows and said, "What's even more strange is that after entering the Yangxin Hall for a while, he issued an order to kill him. He was not tried by the Ministry of Punishment, and he was vague about what Gao Bin had committed. It was really... a bit hasty."
Mrs. Hu said: "There is another thing. I wonder if the empress and Concubine Hui have heard about it. When Gao Bin entered the palace, he was escorted in by two men in black. The men in black could freely enter and exit the forbidden areas of the palace.
There is only one kind.”
Xianyue glanced at her and said, "Concubine, you mean a secret agent?"
"Yes, it is a secret agent. The emperor even used secret agents, which shows that this matter is not simple, not to mention that it also involves Qiao Yan'er's execution and Si Xi's serious injury."
Things became more and more confusing, until Hu and Xia Qing left separately without any clues. When she woke up in the afternoon, Xianyue went to see Yong Cang. When she left, Yong Cang was being supported by her grandma.
I staggered along when I saw Xia Yue coming in. I happily kicked my chubby little feet and stretched out my hands for Xia Yue to hug her.
Xianyue hugged him lovingly and said with a smile: "Are you good today? Did you lose your temper?"