As soon as Li Tan finished speaking, the court fell into an awkward silence, with no one daring to speak.
After a long time, the emperor said: "Yi Shangshu, is this possible?"
Yi Shangshu hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please be aware that I like calligraphy and painting. It is well known that I like calligraphy and painting, but I really don't know about what Mr. Li said!"
Li Tan turned a blind eye and continued: "After the calligraphy and painting were sold to Yi Shangshufu, within a few days, Anjing stood out among many competitors and was successfully promoted to the prefect of Haining!"
Although Mu Fang rarely spoke, his many years of court experience told him that this unknown An Jing must be the person arranged by his opponent, and he successfully passed Yi Zheng's numerous preliminary inspections, with the purpose of knowing all the details of Yi Zheng's bribery.
, finally came out to testify against Yi Zheng, Mu Fang was secretly annoyed, this Yi Zheng was so unsatisfactory, he fell into the trap set by others so easily!
Yi Zheng argued: "Please, Your Majesty, please check carefully. An Jing's promotion to Haining Prefecture was strictly in accordance with the court procedures for official evaluation and promotion. It has nothing to do with any calligraphy and painting. I have never seen any calligraphy and painting of An Jing!"
Feng Qingcheng wondered aloud: "My Highness, I feel a little strange. An Jing was originally the magistrate of Suzhou, but he was just a seventh-rank official, while the prefect of Haining was a fifth-rank official. I dare to ask Lord Shangshu, what achievements did An Jing have that made him exceptional?"
Promote, upgrade to three levels in a row?"
After all, Yi Shangshu was a veteran at playing with power. He quickly calmed down and replied calmly: "Your Highness the Third Highness is unaware of something. The official document reported by the Chief Secretary stated that An Jing is upright and upright, loves the people like a son, is considerate of the people, and has won the hearts of the people."
I love you. I believe that the prefect of Haining has a great responsibility and needs a good official like An Jing, so I promoted An Jing in an unusual way, so that he can be grateful to the emperor for his great kindness and seek benefits for more people. I have a pure heart and a clear conscience!
"
Feng Qingcheng smiled coldly. She was really good at talking. She was considering the court wholeheartedly. Even if the employee neglected his duty, it would be excusable. Even if there was to be an investigation in the end, Yi Zheng was only suspected of negligence and had no actual responsibility!
Feng Qingcheng said: "Just now, Mr. Li said that Anjing spent 70,000 taels of silver to buy three calligraphy and paintings at Moxuan Calligraphy and Painting Workshop under the guidance of a "kind person". I wonder what Mr. Shangshu's explanation is for this?"
Yi Shangshu said calmly: "Weichen is completely unaware of this matter. Just now, Weichen has informed the emperor that Weichen likes to collect calligraphy and paintings. As we all know, Weichen is deeply grateful for the emperor's favor. It is inevitable that some people will want to like Weichen, but
Wei Chen knows very well that he must not live up to the emperor's holy grace, and has always refused to accept all gifts. Everyone in the government and the public knows that even if Wei Chen meets someone who likes the real thing, he will definitely buy it at the market price, and he will not deceive anyone!"
Feng Qingcheng smiled faintly and said mockingly: "Yes, he is indeed an innocent child. The calligraphy and painting worth 70,000 taels, Yi Shangshu's house only accepted 300 taels. It is indeed the market price!"
Yi Shangshu said sternly: "I really don't know about this matter. I am reporting to the emperor. I have always been honest and upright. I think day and night about how to share the emperor's worries. I never dare to have any selfish motives. I ask the emperor to observe clearly and return the favor to the emperor."
I wish you justice!"
The emperor remained calm and looked at Li Tan, "Li Aiqing, what happened to An Jing, the prefect of Haining, and where is he now?"
Li Tan, who has been handling the case for many years, said loudly: "To inform you, Your Majesty, after An Jing was promoted to the prefect of Haining, he was frightened by the power of the Emperor and felt uneasy all day long. He came to Dali Temple to surrender the day before yesterday!"
Yi Shangshu's face changed drastically. An Jing was really a chess piece set up by his political enemies, specifically used to testify against him!
The emperor nodded slightly, "Have you found anything new?"
Li Tan said: "Because it concerns Lord Yi Shangshu, I dare not take it lightly, so I ordered Anjing to take us to check the Moxuan calligraphy and painting workshop, and found something strange!"
"What's the matter?" The emperor said calmly.
Li Tan said: "The three famous paintings that An Jing bought for 70,000 taels actually reappeared in Mo Xuan's calligraphy and painting workshop. This time, the price of these three paintings is 80,000 taels!"
As soon as this statement came out, there were whispers all around. Anyone with a discerning eye knew what was going on. The painting was indeed real and could be resold again and again. It was really a business with no capital and huge profits!
Mu Fang suddenly said: "In the calligraphy and painting business, good and bad vary, and there are many fakes. How can Anjing be sure that the three calligraphy and paintings from Moxuan Calligraphy and Painting Workshop are the three he bought before?"
Li Tan was unhurried and unhurried, "What the Prime Minister said is true, but Anjing not only sold all his family property, but also borrowed money from all the people he could borrow from, raising a huge sum of 70,000 taels of silver, and made a desperate move.
In exchange for only three paintings, his entire wealth and life were at stake. An Jing was naturally extremely careful. He could recognize these three paintings even if they were burnt to ashes. It was absolutely impossible to admit his mistake. If the Prime Minister had any objections, he could inform An Jing.
Confront Jing!”
Mu Fang knew that the other party was well prepared this time and had adopted a two-pronged approach. It must have been that when someone was impeaching Yi Zheng in the court, a group of people from the Mo Xuan Calligraphy and Painting Workshop had already been captured!
The emperor said coldly: "Yi Shangshu, why did the painting that someone in your family bought for three hundred taels reappear in Moxuan Calligraphy and Painting Workshop? What's your explanation?"
It was already summer, and the weather was hot. Yi Zheng began to sweat on his head and his body was soaked. Faced with the irrefutable evidence of An Jing, he had no choice but to abandon his carriage to protect the commander and kowtow desperately, "Wei Chen really doesn't know, he must be Wei Chen
The servants in the government are deceiving the superiors and concealing the truth from the inferiors, and the subordinates are also victims. Please be aware of this, Your Majesty!"
Feng Qingcheng sneered and said: "The servants in the Shangshu Mansion are really well-versed. Even the Master Shangshu, who has always been very aware of everything, has been kept in the dark. Your Highness really admires it. How come there are no such capable servants in the Mansion of Your Highness?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and looked coldly at Yi Shangshu who was kneeling on the ground and kowtowing. After a long silence, his voice was cold, "As for the matter of Yi Zheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, selling his official position and conferring a title, it has been handed over to Dali Temple for detailed investigation. I want to hear it personally.
Yi Zheng is temporarily dismissed from the post of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Jiang Aiqing takes over!"
Yi Shangshu immediately turned pale and fell into the hands of Li Tan. Even ghosts had to speak human words. He glanced at Prime Minister Mu secretly and found that Prime Minister Mu was looking away and not looking at him. He immediately collapsed to the ground!
★★★
Jingyuan, Jingjing Wan is in the crape myrtle bush, picking petals to make rouge, her long hair swaying in the wind, pleasing to the eye.
Feng Junhan stood tall and tall, walking slowly. Ning Jingwan heard the footsteps and raised her head. He stopped not far in front of her. He was dressed in white clothes and looked like the warm snow that has not yet melted in spring.
, soft, indifferent, and with a kind of coldness that is not easy to detect, as clear as a god, with eyebrows flying sideways, romantic and uninhibited, just like the color of flowers, seductive to the soul, and extremely beautiful.
Jing Jing Wan stared at him blankly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he suddenly leaned forward and approached Jing Jing Wan, with a little charm, "Does it look good?"
Jing Jingwan knew that he was seducing her again, and was about to say something teasing when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Mu Xueyuan behind him, wearing a green palace dress, and walking in with several enchanting concubines, and said coldly: "No matter how handsome the prince is,
After all, he is just a man, how can he compare with such charming beauties?"
Feng Junhan followed Ning Jingwan's gaze and looked back lightly, and the soft lines on his face regained their coldness.
Mu Xueyan led all the concubines forward, and her voice was as pleasant as the tinkling of spring water, "I'm here to meet you, the prince, my sister, the princess!"
Feng Junhan nodded slightly, "What's wrong with Yan'er?"
Mu Xueyan smiled gently and said: "I don't dare to disturb the princess and sister because I have nothing to do. Now that the prince has returned in triumph, the prince's concubine position has been empty for a long time. I have prepared a list of candidates for the ladies. I don't know if it is the prince's new beauty.
One thing, should serving the prince be put on the agenda again?" When it was mentioned in front of the prince, how could Ning Jingwan refuse?
Ning Jingwan was angry in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface, "It just so happens that the prince is here, Concubine Xue can just ask the prince for instructions!"
Mu Xueyuan raised her eyes and looked at the prince who had not seen him for many days. He was noble, handsome, indifferent and distant. She lowered her eyebrows and smiled slightly: "Yes, my sister obeys the order. I wonder what the prince means...?"
Feng Junhan glanced at Jingjing Wan without leaving a trace, and smiled faintly, "I have been busy with official duties recently, so we will postpone this matter!"
A trace of doubt flashed in Mu Xueyuan's eyes. She didn't expect that even the prince would refuse. Which man in the world would refuse the beauty that came to his door? What did the prince think?
Jingjing Wan always turned a blind eye and remained indifferent, choosing the petals in front of her. Feng Jun's elegant but cold voice sounded, "Yan'er, the king and the princess have important matters to discuss, please step aside first!"
Mu Xueyan was startled, winked at the beauties behind her, and then Fu Shen said, "Yes, I'm resigning!"
Jing Jingwan looked at Mu Xueyuan's disappointed back, as well as the beauties who retreated sadly before they could finish a few words with the prince. She unconsciously looked at Feng Junhan. Countless women were surrounding a man. Someone was there.
When someone is proud, someone will be frustrated. This is an eternal truth!
Ning Jingwan never wanted to dwell on this meaningless question. Looking at the faint smile flashing in his eyes, she said calmly: "The spring breeze is proud of the horse's hoof disease. It seems that the prince has successfully eliminated the official minister?"
Feng Junhan did not comment, he picked a crape myrtle flower that was in full bloom, and inserted it gently into Ning Jingwan's hair. He admired it to himself and said with a smile: "Sure enough, people are more delicate than flowers. Legend has it that crape myrtle can bring people...
Auspicious, Wan'er is truly my king's lucky star!"
Jingjing Wan said: "I don't care if you are lucky or not. I just want to know when will the prince return the 70,000 taels I paid for buying an official position?"
Feng Junhan smiled slightly, "Isn't Wan'er making things difficult for me? The proceeds from bribery are confiscated by law, so how can we get them back?"
Jingjing Wan glared at him fiercely, "Don't do this with me. Your high-sounding words can deceive others, but not me!"
He stared at the crape myrtle petals in Ning Jing Wan's hand and laughed dumbly, "We are both husband and wife, how can we separate each other? Isn't this silver in Wan'er's hand the same as in the husband's hand?"
Jingjing Wan looked at him coldly. He already regarded all his wealth as his own. He could take it as he pleased, just like his own treasury!
Feng Junhan ignored Jing Jing Wan's unkind expression and smiled faintly, "Wan'er, does he know that your brother is engaged to the daughter of the Minister of Rites?"
Of course Ning Jingwan knew about it. Who didn't know about this marriage that caused a sensation in the capital? Is she so ignorant?
Ning Jing Wan has seen Ming Sifan, who is as beautiful and elegant as spring plum blossoms blooming on snow, and has an elegant temperament!
Jingjing Wan nodded casually, "I heard about it!"
Feng Junhan smiled slightly, "That's good, after your brother married Ming Sifan, I will have another supporter in the court!"
In the early years, Ting Ning Wan could not accept so many calculations in marriage. Now she has understood that the first consideration in marriage must be the interests of the family. For a good marriage, it only needs to match the family, and there is no need to be happy with each other. I was too naive before.