Shen Baicai went home for a day and entered the palace again.

She has met with Emperor Hengde a lot of times these days, and with the in-depth exchanges in the imperial study before, there is no pressure at all to enter the palace to face Saint Shen Bai this time, and she is as relaxed as going back to her own home.

Gu Hengzhou is the same to everyone, and after entering the palace, he kept his face stiff and didn't speak.

Chunxi was summoned by the emperor for the first time, and she was so nervous that she walked with her hands and feet, Shen Bai saw it, grabbed her hand directly, and pulled her forward.

Her hands were soft and warm, and although they were not as wide as those of other men, they also had a calming power.

Chunxi glanced at her in surprise, after all, she was greedy for that bit of warmth and didn't break free.

The three of them went to the imperial study together, and before entering the door, Shen Bai let go of Chunxi, and the three of them went in and knelt down to salute.

There are many people in the imperial study, in addition to Emperor Hengde, there are also the four princes Zhao Chou, Prime Minister Li Deren, Zhenguo Duke Gu Tingge and Taifu Shen Ruxiu.

This posture looked like it was going to be tried, and Chunxi was so frightened that his shoulders trembled, and he fell to the ground and didn't dare to get up.

Emperor Hengde's eyes swept over Sixi coldly, this Gong'e is not very old, and her appearance looks very ordinary, she is the kind of very inconspicuous existence, if it is not for this incident, I am afraid that I will not have the opportunity to show my face in front of Emperor Hengde in this life.

Feeling Emperor Hengde's gaze, Chunxi's body trembled even more, and cold sweat broke out all over his body, and Emperor Hengde asked in a deep voice: "What's your name?" ”

Chunxi's forehead was close to the ground, and he replied in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, the slave's name is Chunxi, and she was a palace lady on an errand in Yingze Palace before. ”

She was so frightened that her voice trembled, and if it weren't for the silence of the imperial study, she couldn't hear what she said.

Zhao Chou stared at Chunxi coldly, as if looking at a dead man, such a slut caused him to not sleep well for the past few days, and when the limelight of this matter passed, he must make this slut worse than dead!

Zhao Chou's eyes became more and more resentful when he thought about it, and Shen Bai noticed it, and moved to the side to help Chunxi block his sight a little.

Zhao Chou's eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze was eager to turn into a quenched knife, swishing at Shen Bai's body.

In addition to this little slut, he will definitely not let go of the stinky boy of the Shen family.

Shen Bai calmly looked at Zhao Chou, not only did he not feel afraid, but instead bent his eyes, smiled brightly, and provoked silently, as if to say: Fourth Highness, what can you do with me?

Zhao Chou's heart was full of fire, and he almost couldn't help but look for Shen Bai's stubble, but was glared at by Li Deren, and Zhao Chou suppressed his anger and calmed himself down.

Emperor Hengde looked at Chunxi and continued to ask: "Since you are on an errand in Yingze Palace, why did you go to the Guogong Mansion for no reason?" ”

Chunxi replied tremblingly: "It was His Royal Highness the Prince of the World who asked the slave and maid to go out of the palace with him." ”

Emperor Hengde's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in an accentuated tone: "Of course I know that His Royal Highness the Prince took you out of the palace, but I need a reason, and I will answer after you think about it!" ”

Emperor Hengde released a powerful coercion, Chunxi was so frightened that he cried, looked up at Shen Bai at a loss, and Emperor Hengde said coldly: "I am asking you, what do you think he does?" ”

Chunxi hurriedly lowered his head and replied with a sob: "Slave...... The slave maid was on an errand in Yingze Palace, a few days ago, the concubine Niangniang came to Yingze Palace, saying that she would send some window flowers to the Fourth Highness, and let the slave maid take her around the Yingze Palace, but she didn't expect to go to a secluded place, but the concubine Niangniang grabbed the slave and asked the Fourth Highness where the Fourth Highness detained Young Master Shen, these are the affairs of the masters, the slave and the maid dare not talk about it casually behind their backs, but the concubine Niangniang said that if the slave and the maid can tell the truth, let the young master Shen recognize the slave and maid as a righteous sister, and let the slave and maid leave the palace in advance. ”

These are all real things that have happened, and although Chunxi's voice trembled violently, the logic was very clear.

No one spoke in the imperial study for a while, Chunxi paused and continued: "The slave maid didn't know that Young Master Shen was in Yingze Palace, but when I changed my duty, I heard that someone was locked up in the dark room of Yingze Palace, so I asked the people in the palace not to approach casually, and the slave maid was bewitched by the conditions offered by Concubine Shu, so she took Concubine Niangniang to the dark room, but I didn't expect that it was Young Master Shen who was locked in the dark room.

Young Master Shen had a high fever and was delirious, and the lady concubine ordered the slave maid to help Young Master Shen to see His Royal Highness the Prince, but the slave and maid did not dare to disobey, and after leaving the palace, they were worried that the Fourth Highness would punish the slave and the maid when they came back, and the slave and maid could only leave with His Royal Highness the Prince. ”

Chunxi recounted the events of that day in the original version, and after speaking, he didn't stop kowtowing on the ground: "The slave is greedy for a while, betrays the master, and begs Your Majesty to spare her life!" ”

Chunxi couldn't stop crying, and Emperor Hengde looked at Gu Hengzhou and asked, "Is what this person said true?" ”

Gu Hengzhou said in a deep voice: "It is true that Weichen asked Concubine Shuniang to enter Yingze Palace to help find people, but what happened in Yingze Palace Weichen is not clear, and he can't judge the authenticity, and it is indeed true that Concubine Shu's promise to this palace lady will let her leave the palace in advance and be Young Master Shen's sister." ”

As soon as Gu Hengzhou finished speaking, the eunuch of the Sidian shouted loudly outside the door: "Concubine Niangniang has arrived!" ”

The door of the imperial dining room opened, and Concubine Shu walked in in a gorgeous palace dress, not affected by the interrogation posture of the room at all, and saluted: "The concubine meets Your Majesty, Your Majesty is blessed and safe." ”

Concubine Shu's voice was soft, very pleasant, Emperor Hengde's face was a little pale, beckoning to her, and Concubine Shu walked to Emperor Hengde's side.

Emperor Hengde raised his chin slightly and asked, "Can the people in the hall know the concubine?" ”

Concubine Shu looked at Chunxi and ordered softly: "Raise your head!" ”

Chunxi raised her head and looked at Concubine Shu with tears in her eyes, Concubine Shu nodded: "This is Chunxi of Yingze Palace, and the concubine has some impressions of her." ”

Emperor Hengde asked Chunxi to repeat what she had just said, and when she finished speaking, Emperor Hengde turned his head and asked Concubine Shu: "Is what she just said true?" ”

Concubine Shu generously admitted: "That's true, it's the concubine who went to Yingze Palace to take away Young Master Shen in the name of window flowers." ”

Emperor Hengde pursed his lips, his expression was cold, and he thought about this matter seriously, not to mention anything else, after Zhao Chou detained the important ministers without authorization, this matter was taboo.

Li Deren's expression was cold, and he glanced at Concubine Shu fiercely, he always felt that Concubine Shu was the most peaceful in the harem, but he didn't expect Concubine Shu not only to dare to go directly to Yingze Palace to take people away, but also dare to come to the palace in person to confront him.

After Concubine Shu finished speaking, she stood quietly, as if she didn't notice Li Deren's gaze.

Emperor Hengde didn't seem to see Li Deren and Zhao Chou's changing faces, and continued to ask: "When Concubine Ai took Shen Bai away from Yingze Palace, what was her state?" ”

Concubine Shu said: "Young Master Shen had a high fever at the time, he was unconscious, and he was not in a very good state. ”

Emperor Hengde asked: "In addition to the fever, is there anything strange about him?" ”

Concubine Shu thought seriously for a moment and replied: "At that time, the concubine inadvertently saw a small piece of blood on Young Master Shen's clothes, and the location of the blood stain was close to the buttocks, because it felt a little strange, so it left a deep impression on the concubine. ”

Concubine Shu's words implied a strong meaning, Zhao Chou couldn't sit still, and immediately retorted: "You are talking nonsense!" He had no wounds on his body at all, how could there be blood on his clothes? ”

Zhao Chou's body was full of anger, as if he wanted to immediately pounce on him and bite Concubine Shu twice, Concubine Shu raised her eyes and looked at him calmly, and said softly: "The concubine is just explaining the facts she saw, as for whether Young Master Shen is injured or not, where the blood stains on his clothes come from, he should seek confirmation from the imperial doctor who treated him at that time, and His Royal Highness doesn't need to be so excited." ”

Li Deren glanced at Zhao Chou angrily, he warned Zhao Chou countless times, but unfortunately Zhao Chou just couldn't listen to the persuasion, and he couldn't hold his breath when he encountered something.

As soon as Concubine De finished speaking, the eunuch of the Sidian Palace shouted outside again: "Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Zhang has arrived." ”

Emperor Hengde responded with a "come in", the eunuch of the Sidian pushed open the door, and Imperial Physician Zhang walked in, lifted the hem of his clothes and knelt down respectfully and shouted: "Weichen greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live." ”

Seeing Imperial Physician Zhang, Zhao Chou and Li Deren's eyes flashed with obscurity at the same time, and they both knew very well that Imperial Physician Zhang was the person left by the former queen.

Without waiting for Emperor Hengde to ask, Li Deren knelt down first and said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Zhang has had a problem with the Li family for many years, and the old minister thinks that his words are not enough to believe. ”

Zhang Taiyi is the first queen pulled up, medical skills are notoriously superb, the first queen is critically ill, he was misdiagnosed, almost disfigured by Concubine De was beaten into Dali Temple, and later the first queen died, Emperor Hengde personally put him out of the prison of Dali Temple, the case ended without illness, Emperor Hengde gave Concubine De a rich reward to show comfort.

Ten years have passed, and if Li Deren hadn't mentioned it, no one would have remembered this long-standing grievance.

Imperial Physician Zhang did not agree with Li Deren's words, straightened his back and said righteously: "Your Majesty, Weichen and the Li family have nothing to do, and what the prime minister said is too heavy." ”

Li Deren still wanted to say more, Imperial Doctor Zhang preemptively said: "Ten years ago, Weichen was indeed accidentally misdiagnosed and almost disfigured Concubine De, Weichen deserved it, and there was no complaint, fortunately, His Majesty is magnanimous and willing to give Weichen a chance, so that Weichen can use this medical skill to make a little achievement, and Weichen will not be able to repay His Majesty's great kindness even if he dies, and he will never dare to hide his resentment." ”

Imperial Physician Zhang said every word sonorously and forcefully, smashing the ground loudly, he had already confessed to what happened ten years ago, if Li Deren was still holding on to this matter, he would seem to have a ghost in his heart.

Li Deren said anything with a cold face, Emperor Hengde raised his eyes and looked at Imperial Doctor Zhang and asked: "A few days ago, Xingyuan brought Shen Bai back to the Gongfu from the palace, and it was Aiqing who treated Shen Bai's injuries, what did Aiqing see from Shen Bai that day?" ”

Imperial Physician Zhang replied: "Your Majesty, Young Master Shen has a cold, he has a high fever all over his body, and there are dozens of needles on his back, and the high fever has not subsided, and the situation is quite critical. ”

Emperor Hengde asked: "In addition, what else does Aiqing see?" ”

These words were meaningful, Li Deren was shocked, and Zhao Chou exclaimed in disbelief: "Father, you don't believe in your son!?" ”

Before being summoned by Emperor Hengde alone, Zhao Chou had already said that nothing had happened to him and Shen Bai at all, but today Emperor Hengde summoned so many people to go to the imperial study, and asked this kind of question to Imperial Doctor Zhang, obviously not believing his words, and wanted to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Emperor Hengde looked at Zhao Chou, and the coercion of the Ninety-Five Emperor and his father pressed on Zhao Chou like a mountain, and said, "When did I let you speak?" ”

Although Zhao Chou is the prince, all of them standing in the imperial study at this time are higher than him and have more seniority, and it is Emperor Hengde who personally asks him, and he suddenly jumps out to interrupt like this, there are really no rules.

Zhao Chou was angry when he saw Shen Bai, because of Emperor Hengde's distrust, his reason was directly broken, and he stiffened his neck and said: "The son has nothing to do with him, father, you are acting like this today, it is clear that you don't believe in the son, and the son is not convinced!" ”

Emperor Hengde looked at Zhao Hou coldly and asked, "Since you haven't done anything, why don't you dare to let me ask clearly?" ”

Zhao Chou was choked, Li Deren had already raised objections to Imperial Doctor Zhang's testimony, but Emperor Hengde ignored it, it was useless for him to mention this matter now, his thoughts turned more than a dozen times in an instant, Zhao Chou said loudly: "Erchen did detain Shen Bai, and had people torture him, and stabbed him in the back with dozens of stitches, but he didn't do anything else, if he really had any injuries on his body, he must have deliberately made it out to frame and retaliate against Erchen." ”

Zhao Hou insisted that Shen Bai was trying to frame himself, Shen Bai knelt on the ground, looking well-behaved and innocent, because his tongue was injured, he was not in a hurry to defend himself, and Shen Ruxiu stood next to him and did not speak.

Emperor Hengde asked Zhao Chou: "What you said, can anyone testify to this?" ”

Zhao Chou was dumbfounded.

No.

He didn't have any witnesses, after Gu Hengzhou took Shen Bai away from Yingze Palace, all the palace people who were on duty in Yingze Palace that night were killed by him by his order, and they were done cleanly, without leaving any handles, and naturally there was no one to testify to.

Although each palace has a certain amount of power to deal with the erring palace people, but those who can be elected to the palace are all good families, and the act of killing more than a dozen palace people in one breath like Zhao Chou is too brutal, if it is known by the world, I am afraid that it will attract a lot of abuse and crusade.

Zhao Chou didn't dare to respond with a dark face, Emperor Hengde swept past Zhao Chou and Imperial Doctor Zhang, looked at Chunxi, and said in a deep voice: "You are the only person in Yingze Palace who is still alive today, tell me what you know." ”

Chunxi had been lying on the ground and didn't dare to move, and when he heard Emperor Hengde's question, he trembled like chaff, and only after a while did he tremble and say, "Slave...... The slave maid didn't know that Young Master Shen was detained in Yingze Palace that night, and the slave and maid were not on duty, but when they changed duty on the second day, they heard that someone was locked up in the dark room of Yingze Palace, and the slave didn't know anything else. ”

There is no impermeable wall in the palace, and these palace people will also discuss gossip in private, Emperor Hengde drank ginseng tea and said coldly: "Think about it again." ”

Chunxi was soaked in cold sweat, her little face became pale, and after a long time, she said in a trembling voice: "Slave maid...... When the slave maid changed the duty, I heard that Yingze Palace had been making trouble for a long time that night, like ...... It seems that the Fourth Highness is having fun with someone. ”

"Presumptuous!" Zhao Chou was furious and glared at Chunxi viciously, Chunxi was so frightened that he couldn't stop kowtowing on the ground: "Slave maid...... The slave maid also heard people say this, and they don't know if it's true or not, and the palace people in the palace love to say some gossip about catching wind and shadows, maybe ...... Maybe it's fake, it's not necessarily. ”

Chunxi's kowtowing action was very skillful and hard, and a small patch of bright red blood soon appeared on the smooth and bright floor tiles of the imperial study, looking humble and pitiful.

Chunxi's will is not firm, and after denying it, it makes this statement seem more real.

Zhao Chou was furious, rushed over and wanted to grab Chunxi and question, Gu Hengzhou got up and blocked in front of Zhao Chou, Zhao Chou didn't want to do anything to Gu Hengzhou, worried about his identity, Gu Hengzhou was just a strong retreat.

Zhao Chou was carried away by anger, but Li Deren did not, he remembered that this was in the imperial study, Emperor Hengde was still sitting here and watching, in front of the emperor, that is, he did not put Emperor Hengde in his eyes, not only ignoring the emperor, but also not respecting and filial piety.

Li Deren's temples jumped abruptly twice, and he couldn't help but shout at Zhao Chou: "Jing Yuan! Stop, don't you kneel down and ask Your Majesty for guilt! ”

Zhao Chou couldn't listen to a word, and forced Gu Hengzhou to the corner of the house, seeing that he was about to destroy the furnishings in the house, Emperor Hengde ordered in a deep voice: "Go far, take him down!" ”

With an order, Gu Hengzhou shot as fast as lightning, dismantled Zhao Chou's moves, grabbed his right hand and cut it behind his back, and pressed him to his knees.

With so many people in the room watching, Zhao Chouhe had suffered such a great humiliation, his eyes were red with anger, and he turned his head and yelled at Gu Hengzhou: "Gu Hengzhou, you are looking for death!" ”

"You dare to move a finger against him!?"

Emperor Hengde raised his voice, dropped the ginseng tea in his hand, the teacup shattered into slag on the ground, and the fragments were splashed everywhere, suppressing the roar of Zhao Chou's anger, the entire imperial study was silent, and Chunxi lay on the ground, trying to restrain his breath to reduce his sense of existence.

Like a basin of ice water poured down, Zhao Chou's anger was extinguished in an instant, and he suddenly came to his senses, he looked up and saw the banter surging under Shen Bai's calm expression, and also saw the disappointment in the eyes of his grandfather Li Deren, and the cold scrutiny in the eyes of Zhenguo Gong.

Zhao Chou reacted to what he had just said and done, he used force in front of his father, and said that Gu Hengzhou was looking for death.

This is the only son of Zhenguo Gong, who else can kill him except Emperor Hengde? He was just a prince, how could he dare to say such a thing to Gu Hengzhou?

Rao is Zhao Chou has never been afraid of heaven and earth, and he was also shocked into a cold sweat at this time, he didn't dare to resist anymore, knelt down in front of Emperor Hengde, and restrained his anger to defend himself: "Erchen didn't do that kind of thing, it was all Shen Bai slandering Erchen, Erchen was just too angry so he didn't control it for a while, and begged his father to forgive him." ”

Although Li Deren was very disappointed in Zhao Chou, in the end it was his own grandson, and he immediately helped Zhao Chou speak: "Your Majesty, the Fourth Highness grew up under your watch, you won't know his temperament, he ......"

In the past ten years, every time Zhao Chou made a mistake, Li Deren used this set of rhetoric, which had been tried and tested before, but this time Emperor Hengde was indifferent and interrupted coldly: "Jing Yuan is indeed something I watched grow up, but after these years of busy government affairs and Rui Xuan's auxiliary government, my focus has shifted to the teaching of Rui Xuan, and I have neglected to discipline Jing Yuan, and to this day, I don't know him a little." ”

This was a bit heavy, Li Deren was not only frightened, but more afraid, he didn't think much about it, he hurriedly said: "It's the old minister's fault, the old minister didn't teach Jing Yuan, and he has been entrusted by His Majesty!" ”

Li Deren is a veteran of the two dynasties, so he took the fault on his head, hoping that Emperor Hengde would not continue to investigate, but he didn't expect to hear Emperor Hengde say the next moment: "Since the prime minister knows his mistake, can he know how to ask for punishment?" ”