Ji Xiu, who has always been different from others, now has a leisurely mood of watching the excitement and not taking it too seriously, and even feels quite relieved.
In this situation at this moment, Xia Tingzhen was forced into such a situation by the Duke of Zhen. If you look closely, how similar is it to the situation when he was pushed out to take the blame for King Xiang?
No, to be honest, Xia Tingzhen is not as unjust as he was then -
At that time, he really had nothing to do with the Empress Dowager's affairs and knew nothing about all the calculations. But now, does Xia Tingzhen dare to say that it was not his idea to poison and kill Duke Zhen Guo?
In the final analysis, it’s just that you have been plotting against others all the time, only to be backlashed in the end!
He wanted to see what the emperor would choose this time... If Xia Tingzhen was serious, no one could touch him!
Rather than being stabbed in the neck by a dark sword, he would rather see this old fox who always seems to be aloof and does not take everyone seriously, and can use it to plot anyone and anything, to experience the feeling of falling from a high place and losing everything.
.
"This matter is of great importance. The two beloved ladies are my right-hand men..." Emperor Qingming said sternly: "I do not want to wrong anyone, let alone anyone. I will definitely know the truth about this matter.
Find out as soon as possible.”
As he said that, he looked at Duke Zhen with a look of guilt on his face: "This time the Duke led troops to Dongyuan to attack the Li clan, it was for Daqing and for me, but I put the Duke in such great danger.
This is my fault... May I ask if the Duke still trusts me now?"
The Duke of Zhenguo had tears in his eyes and clasped his fists heavily: "Your Majesty is the monarch whom I want to sacrifice my life for, of course I believe you!"
Ji Xiu's eyebrows twitched when he saw this: ...Good guy, he didn't know that Duke Zhen Guo had such good acting skills in the past! - Sure enough, no one can succeed casually?
"Okay, since the Duke is still willing to believe me, then feel free to leave this matter to me for detailed investigation and handling. I will definitely give the Duke an explanation."
Emperor Qingming looked at Duke Zhen: "Where is Yue Pei now?"
"Back to Your Majesty, this person is right outside the gate of the Forbidden Palace. It is not for me to make my own decisions, so I have brought him here today for His Majesty's disposal!"
Emperor Qingming nodded and turned to his servants: "It is my decree that this case be handed over to Dali Temple and the Jishiwei for joint investigation and trial."
The waiter came down.
Listening to these words, Xia Tingzhen's eyes changed several times.
What is the emperor going to do?
Just to show off in front of the officials, or to use it as a way to stabilize the government?
Of course, these are nothing to be afraid of, I'm afraid that the emperor's intentions are not all like this...
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Duke of Zhenguo raised his hand and saluted again, with tears still in his eyes, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Your Majesty also knows that the old minister is a rough man. He always doesn't know how to beat around the bush when talking and doing things. What kind of scheming are you playing?
In a word, if I really wanted to rebel, why would I have waited until my age?!"
Everyone in the palace felt their scalps go numb when they heard this.
Only the Duke of Zhenguo dared to say this...
Ji Xiu secretly gritted his teeth - for so many years, he had been deceived by Zhen Guogong's innocent and bold appearance, and he actually thought that he was just an old fool with no heart!
"Back then, I followed the late emperor on his expeditions to the east and west, and went through life and death. In my eyes, nothing is more important than the stability of the Daqing country that I have just decided upon!" The old man seemed to be confessing all the words that were deeply buried in his heart.
When he came out, every word was heavy: "I promised the late emperor to guard this Daqing country, and I have kept this promise all these years, and I think I have never dared to slack off for a day -"
Having said this, he closed his eyes tremblingly and sighed: "But now, I am indeed old, and there is no one in the family who can be entrusted to me. I have never thought about supporting the army and respecting myself, so I let him go."
The two sons in the family are both civil servants... I originally planned to hand over the military talisman to the emperor after deciding on the Li clan this time, and choose one who can take on a big responsibility to lead the Xu family army on my behalf..."
Emperor Qingming's eyes moved slightly when he heard this.
He could hardly tell whether the other party's words were true or false...
However, regardless of whether it is true or not, he has only one purpose, and that is to get back the military talisman——
The Duke of Zhen's words continued, and he turned to look at Xia Tingzhen: "...but to my surprise, I was almost assassinated by this treacherous villain! How can I trust my military power when there is a person with such evil intentions in the court?
Leave it in the hands of his party members! If this brings disaster to Daqing, how can I have the face to see the late emperor!"
"..." Xia Tingzhen pursed her livid lips and looked coldly at the excited old man.
"Taking a step back, I have reached this age and now I just want to spend my old age in peace. Not to mention that although the strange poison in my body saved my life, it also damaged the foundation of my body... If I am raped like this again...
If someone is watching, wouldn’t my whole family be in danger?” Zhenguo Zheng said, “If this worry can be solved, I can feel at ease!”
Emperor Qingming heard the implication in these words.
In addition to demanding a so-called justice, the Duke of Zhen was telling him...are you willing to hand over your military power in exchange for keeping your family safe?
Do you just need some ‘peace of mind’?
Emperor Qingming moved his fingers slightly as he pressed the letter.
If the other party is really willing to cooperate, he wouldn't mind showing some 'sincerity'...
And if the other party is playing tricks on him...
Emperor Qingming sneered in his heart.
Of course, it is essential to be on guard, but even if the Duke of Zhenguo doesn't want this 'sincerity', he can no longer keep it by his side with peace of mind...
"I understand the Duke's painstaking efforts." The emperor promised: "Since I promised to investigate the matter thoroughly, I will definitely give justice to the Duke... If it is found that someone really wants to assassinate the Duke, I will not be the first to tolerate it.
he!"
What Duke Zhen Guo said just now sent chills all over Xia Tingzhen. He really saw clearly...the other party's intention today was to use military power as bait to force the emperor to punish him!
If he wasn't afraid of the other party's plan to train Yue Pei before, then it's hard to say that he's going to use military power now...
After all, the emperor is greedy and stupid...he knows this better than anyone else!
no--
He had to keep the emperor 'sane' and let the emperor know that all this was just a plan to alienate the Duke of Zhen, and he must not be fooled...
At this time, the Duke of Zhen Guo had once again held up the imperial edict and said in a sincere voice: "Your Majesty values me dearly, and I understand this very well. However, this granddaughter of this old minister has really been pampered at home since she was a child. She really entered the palace."
I'm afraid it's not a good thing...but I just want her to marry an ordinary family so that she can live an ordinary life like me in the future."
This can be regarded as a sufficient step up.
When Emperor Qingming heard the words "in the future" and "ordinary days", he showed a faint smile and said: "Since the Duke has made up his mind, I have no reason to force myself. This time, it is indeed my wife."
It's too abrupt and not well thought out, so I'd better ask the Duke not to blame it."
"Your Majesty's words are serious." The Duke of Zhen Guo said in a grateful tone, "Old minister, I would like to thank your Majesty for your support."
Emperor Qingming then signaled his chamberlain to step forward and take back the imperial edict.
