With this sentence, Ling Xiao knew that the content of this piece was probably not good.

But he still didn't expect it to be "bad" to this extent.

Zhu Heng didn't know that the plague in Yangcheng was artificially spread, and he might not have thought that there was a problem with the time difference in the middle. Therefore, Ling Xiao originally thought that this piece of music should be a meritorious service, or at most an arrogant expression of apology to the people of Yangcheng, in short, the content would never catch him off guard.

However, he was wrong.

This is a petition for sin. In the nearly 1,000-word recital, Zhu Heng confessed the eight major crimes, crying word by word, as if he couldn't wait to deal with his military law immediately.

first said that he was gullible in believing the order, and before he could think deeply, he led his troops to besiege Yangcheng overnight, which brought immeasurable losses to Yangcheng;

Besides, he mistakenly believed in the villain, and had a lot of dealings with Li Zhongdao, the king of Nayang City, and privately let Li Zhongdao and his relatives go in and out of Yangcheng to deliver news to King Rui;

Then he said that he was deceived by others, mistakenly thinking that the plague in Yangcheng was uncontrollable, and hastily led troops to attack the city and even set fire to the city, resulting in deaths and injuries among the soldiers and people......

Pile by pile, he didn't intend to hide it for himself at all.

But the meaning between the lines is that even the blind can see that the key lies in "believing in orders", "being deceived by others" and "mistrusting bad people".

There is also "Delivering a message for the Wise King".

The most important thing is that he also added fuel to his heart: three days ago, he received an order from King Rui's mansion, and King Rui ordered him not to inquire about the situation in the city, and to set fire to the city, leaving no chickens and dogs.

This order contradicts Ling Xiao's righteous act of inviting Ying to Yangcheng today, and anyone can see that there must be something greasy in it.

Either Zhu Heng's recital is lying, or today's King Rui and Imperial Physician Zheng asked Ying to go to Yangcheng for treatment and save people is just a performance.

What would the emperor think? Ling Xiao didn't dare to guess.

At this time, he had finished reading the chapter in his hand, and the emperor ordered him to pass it to the courtiers. He was reluctant, but was robbed by An Guogong.

An Guogong's voice was elegant and clear, and he read it out in public without hurry, and the content of the piece resounded throughout the hall.

At this moment, Ling Xiao has no way to "improvise".

He hurriedly crawled towards the dragon case, kneeling and crying: "Father! The words on this piece are not true! Be...... It was Zhu Heng and Ruan Qingzhi, the demons, who conspired to kill their sons! Erchen has always thought of the people, so he may instruct Zhu Heng to set fire to the city! …… Confrontation! Erchen asked to confront Zhu Heng! ”

"I'll let him come." The Emperor sighed, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and stopped looking at him.

This is going to be investigated as a case.

Ling Xiao fell suddenly, panicked.

The Manchu Dynasty had a lot of civil and military discussions, and the sound almost lifted the roof of the main hall.

This situation lasted for a long time, until Ruan Qingzhi was almost asleep in the chair, and finally an old minister knelt down: "Your Majesty, there are many suspicious points in this case!" If what Miss Ruan and Zhu Heng said is true, then ...... What is the purpose of His Royal Highness King Rui? ”

"What is the purpose, I'm afraid I have to ask His Royal Highness King Rui himself." Zhang Jian said coldly.

Another old man sneered: "The purpose of His Royal Highness King Rui is not difficult to guess. Wasn't there a dispute between the true and false phoenix lives of the two young ladies of the Prime Minister's Mansion before? Miss Ruan fled to Yangcheng for refuge, and His Royal Highness King Rui ordered to spread the plague and burn Yangcheng, which can not only get rid of Miss Ruan, but also add the name of 'demon' to Miss Ruan's body, so Miss Ruan's 'phoenix life' is justified, isn't it wonderful? ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone moved their eyes to Ruan Qingzhi again.

Ruan Qingzhi looked frightened and waved his hand again and again: "The old man looks down on me too much!" It is true that His Royal Highness King Rui wants to kill me, but it is far from the point of pulling people from a city to come to my funeral, don't wronged him! ”

The old minister pulled his beard and felt that Ruan Qingzhi's words were a little inexplicable.

Why did she go back and speak for King Rui?

Just wondering, Ruan Qingzhi suddenly stood up again, holding a serious figure behind his back: "In my opinion, His Royal Highness King Rui has taken such a lot of pains, and the first purpose is probably to make meritorious contributions: if the people of Yangcheng have not been saved by me, His Royal Highness's 'righteous act' of inviting himself to Yangcheng today will be an important bargaining chip for him to ascend to the throne of the crown prince in the future, and the prescription in the hands of Imperial Physician Zheng may not be of any use at all, which is enough for His Royal Highness King Rui to deceive the love of the people all over the world." Ladies and gentlemen, think about it, isn't that the truth? ”

The ministers talked a lot, but no one came to echo her words, but someone shouted in a moment: "How do you know the thoughts of His Royal Highness King Rui? It's clearly your little girl's film! ”

Ruan Qingzhi was unimpressed and continued: "This first 'purpose' is indeed my blind guess, but the second one is not. ”

She took two steps forward and looked at Ling Xiao: "His Royal Highness King Rui's second purpose is indeed to use the plague in Yang City to get rid of a person, and make that person bear the infamy of the ages and never turn over. It's just that that person is not me, but a big man who deserves to be buried with 200,000 people. ”

"Demons! Demons! Nonsense! Ling Xiao jumped up in a rage, his face turned pale and his eyes were red, as if he was crazy.

Next to him, Jin Wuwei hurriedly stepped forward to stop him from hurting people. Ling Xiao struggled desperately, and when his hair fell out, the image was even more terrifying.

The ministers next to him hurriedly avoided it, and saw that Ling Xiao was still staring at Ruan Qingzhi and roared: "Demon, you don't want to talk nonsense here!" What 'big man' deserves to be buried with 200,000 people? ”

Ruan Qingzhi looked down at him, unhurried: "I don't think that person is worth it, and that person himself thinks it's not worth it." But maybe your Royal Highness King Rui thinks it's worth it? Otherwise, what are you doing this for? Now you don't have to talk about the people anymore, after all, it was me and that person who accompanied the 200,000 people who were born and died in Yangcheng, not His Royal Highness King Rui. ”

Ling Xiao was pressed to the ground and couldn't struggle, so he had to try his best to calm down, staring at Ruan Qingzhi and threatening with his eyes: "This king admits that he has the heart to fight for merit, but the outbreak of the plague in Yangcheng has nothing to do with this king!" Ruan Qingzhi, you have made a great contribution this time, and this king is also grateful and admired, but I still want to advise you not to take advantage of this to make waves, so as not to lift a stone and hit yourself in the foot, and your good deeds will become a big sin! ”

Ruan Qingzhi didn't care about such a threat, and was about to go back, but he heard the emperor cough, and said in a deep tone: "Ruan girl, I will order someone to find out about the matter of Yangcheng." You're tired from running all the way, so let's go back to the house and rest. Your reward will be sent directly to the Prime Minister's Mansion later. ”

"Your Majesty," Ruan Qingzhi turned around and saluted, "the reward of the people's daughter is not in a hurry. However, there was a person who was deeply involved in this case in Yangcheng, and he said that there were several issues to be discussed with His Royal Highness King Rui, and the people brought him on their own initiative, and asked His Majesty to allow him to enter the palace. ”

The Emperor frowned and said nothing, his expression as if he was a little annoyed.

Ling Xiao became more and more nervous, struggling and jumping up again: "Don't allow it!" He is not allowed to enter the temple! Is it possible for any messy person to come to the court? Bang out! ”

"Yo!" Ruan Qingzhi was shocked, "Your Royal Highness King Rui, the people have always thought that the biggest person in the world is the emperor, but it turns out that this court is already the master of your house?" That's fine......"

"Pass him in." The emperor suddenly said in a deep voice.

The eunuch hurriedly made a noise outside, and saw the light and shadow flickering at the door, and two men walked in.

The one wearing the mask is known, it is Miss Ruan's manservant Ye Han; The one he was carrying in his hand was also known, it was Li Zhongdao, the monarch of Yangcheng Mansion.

Ling Xiao stretched his neck and looked back for a long time, confirming that no third person came in, so he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and sat down on the ground.

There is no such thing as "that person". The man didn't come. Thank God.

At this time, Ye Han had already escorted Li Zhongdao to the front, and knelt on the ground according to him: "Say it yourself!" ”

Li Zhongdao kowtowed to the emperor, and without waiting for others to ask, he said it in a rambling manner.

It's a long story. He was recruited by King Rui after entering the imperial examination at the beginning, and he talked about King Rui's means of sending him to Yangcheng to collect wealth and collect talents and listen to the news, and then talk about the plague in Yangcheng this time......

Wrong! Ling Xiao became nervous again.

Li Zhongdao is his person, and he is closely related, how could he explain things so thoroughly!

This thief has rebelled!

"Father!" Ling Xiao fell to the ground and cried bitterly, "Father, it's all the fault of the sons!" Erchen didn't know anyone at the beginning, mistook this thief for Zhongliang, and sent him to Yangcheng, which is the closest to Shangjing, thinking that he could rely on the wealth and prosperity of Yangcheng as a barrier to Shangjing, but this thief took the opportunity to make waves and kill the people...... Please ask your father to issue an order to eradicate traitors for Southern Qi! ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Several officials of the Hanlin Academy also knelt out, "Li Zhongdao is a traitor, how can his words be trusted!" It's better to kill it as soon as possible, so as to be right! ”

The hall was silent for a moment, and no one came out to echo it, and no one rushed to refute it. Even the emperor just looked at it with a gloomy face and didn't speak.

So Li Zhongdao paused for a moment and continued: "...... The jar of poison that King Rui ordered to be sprinkled all over the city was inconvenient to bring back to Shangjing, and the guilty minister had been buried in the backyard of Yangcheng's house, and could be taken out for examination at any time if necessary; Letters exchanged over the years, including those related to the plague, have been brought with them for Your Majesty's attention. ”

His hands were tied and he couldn't move, so Ye Han stepped forward and took out a large bag of letters from his bosom and handed them to the eunuch, and sent them to the emperor's desk.

The emperor didn't open it, stared at Li Zhongdao and asked, "So, this Yangcheng plague is indeed the work of King Rui?" ”

Li Zhongdao straightened his chest with difficulty, knelt straight, and said solemnly: "Yes." ”

"Father, son-in-law is wronged!" Ling Xiao bowed to the ground, crying breathlessly.

The emperor lowered his eyes for a long time.

The civil and military officials in the hall knelt down one after another, but no one spoke.

With so much human and material evidence, the facts of the case are almost completely clear, quibbling is useless, and falling into the well is redundant.

For now, it is only waiting for the emperor to make up his mind.

In fact, with the progress of Zhang Jian's investigation these days, the ministers have become accustomed to finding out one of the charges of King Rui every other day, so when something like this happened today, the ministers were not very shocked.

It's just that the emperor is afraid that it will be difficult to accept. In just a few months, an almost flawless candidate for the prince has turned into a vicious man who can artificially spread the plague and murder 200,000 innocent people in order to make meritorious contributions.

The emperor leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes silently, so long that the ministers almost suspected that he had fainted, and motioned the eunuch several times to come forward to check.

Fortunately, the Queen Mother sat firmly above, and the people's hearts were stable, so there was no chaos.

It was already past noon, and when the ministers were hungry and dizzy, the emperor finally raised his head: "Remove the crown of Prince Lingxiao, the fourth prince, and hand it over to the three divisions for trial." Li Zhongdao and Zhu Heng are summoned at any time, and they must be sure that they are safe. ”

The officials of the Criminal Department, Dali Temple, and Yushitai were ordered at the same time, and the atmosphere in the hall was dull and solemn.

Ling Xiao is still shouting grievances, but he can't prove his innocence, and no one will pay attention to this kind of empty talk.

The big thing has been decided, and the dynasty can be dispersed.

The emperor couldn't say the word "retreat" for a long time, and looked at Ruan Qingzhi after a long silence: "You just said, Rui ...... The four princes committed this great evil in Yangcheng in order to get rid of one person. That person, it's not Li Zhongdao, right? ”

Ling Xiao, who had just been stripped off his court uniform and removed the crown, and had not had time to drag it down, looked at it with a pale face.

Ruan Qingzhi turned around, knelt down facing the dragon case, and raised his head: "It's not Li Zhongdao, the fourth prince is targeting someone else." But...... The maiden wanted to intercede for that person first: he didn't dare to come to see His Majesty early, not because he didn't want to come, but because the thief had been eyeing him, and his life hung by a thread. In this battle of Yangcheng, that man turned the tide and made great contributions, please look at the face of the people of Yangcheng and allow him to take the credit. ”

The emperor held the dragon case and slowly stood up.

The ministers were also shocked, and they all looked at Ruan Qingzhi, and everyone could hear their hearts pounding.

Saving a city to that extent of "turning the tide" is a great achievement to worship the marquis. At this moment, this little girl actually said that the great work can only be used to withstand it.

The one who arrived was still "too much" who "didn't dare to come to see the emperor early".

From this, it can be inferred that "that person" should have come to see the emperor earlier. If he doesn't come, or if he's late, it's a great sin.

It can only be the person who was summoned by the emperor to meet him, but he did not appear for a long time.

There aren't many people like that. Combined with several cases in the recent period, a person's name appeared in everyone's hearts at the same time.

But no one dared to say it.

After all, that person is dead.

In the silence, the emperor spoke in a dumb voice, but his voice was sneering: "What kind of person has such great ability to save a city, but he doesn't dare to come to see me by himself, but he has to rely on your little girl to intercede for him?" ”

Ruan Qingzhi didn't know how to answer for a while, and subconsciously looked up at Ye Han.

The emperor and the civil and military officials also followed her gaze.

Ye Han shook his head a little helplessly, walked to Ruan Qingzhi's side and knelt down facing the dragon case: "Father Emperor Mingjian." It's not that the retainer has to rely on a little girl to intercede, but that the little girl herself wants to be a hero! She was afraid that her sons would recklessly break into the palace and make her father angry, so she ......"

Before he finished speaking, the hall was already full of exclamations, and he forcibly suppressed his voice.

The emperor was expressionless and did not say a word.

Ye Han raised his hand to take off his mask, and touched the ground with his forked hand in front of him: "Father, the son is back." ”

The Queen Mother's tears fell instantly.

The ministers in the hall stopped breathing at the same time.

The Emperor sat back slowly, leaning back in his chair, his expression grim, and he was speechless for a long time.

"King Li...... Your Highness! Someone in the corner called tentatively.

Immediately afterward, countless voices rang out from different directions almost simultaneously.

"His Royal Highness!"

"It's really His Royal Highness King Li, I can see it clearly!"

"His Royal Highness King Li is back! His Royal Highness King Li is still alive! ”

"The sky has eyes, the sky has eyes!"

"The sky is endless! The sky is endless, I am Nanqi, ah......"

The voices became louder and more chaotic, and gradually there were cries, screams, and even soon several old ministers howled and fell to the ground, rolling on the ground and shouting "Ancestor bless".

Those aged officials were in a state of flux. There were those who kowtowed and bled and cried, and the colleagues next to them were busy rescuing, and there was a mess.

Prime Minister Ruan Wenzhong, who was standing in the front row, did not cry or kneel, only felt that his eyes suddenly turned black, his feet staggered, and finally fell down with a "bang".

Ye Han still maintained a kneeling posture, deaf to the noise of the hall.

I don't know how long it took, and the emperor's voice finally sounded on the throne: "You, what a big game of chess!" ”

Ye Han raised his head slowly, his face was cold and imposing, and only a faint red mark appeared on his forehead, showing how sincere he was in the kowtow just now.

The emperor was not moved in the slightest, and only a sneer on his face: "The events of the last two months have been arranged by you, right?" You've really grown up and have the ability! ”

Ye Han lowered his eyes and hooked the corners of his lips self-deprecatingly.

Ruan Qingzhi noticed his trembling, clenched the hand hidden under his sleeve, suddenly straightened his waist, and blurted out: "He didn't arrange other people's affairs!" He's done everything he can just to survive! ”

"Green Branches." Night Chill held her hand.

Ruan Qingzhi shook him off hard, jumped up from the ground, and looked up at the emperor angrily: "You don't know what kind of injury he has become!" He hurt his chest and heart! When he was first injured, his clothes were soaked with blood, and he stepped on a bloody footprint! If he hadn't met me, a miracle doctor, he would have died a thorough death! You don't know...... Even if you don't know that he was badly injured, even if you don't know that he was chased all the way from Luoyun Mountain to Shangjing, you should know that he disappeared because he was ambushed! He has died once, and now he has escaped from the ghost gate with all his might, don't you know how to care? Is there a father like you? I thought my dad was the most bastard dad in the world, but I didn't expect you to ......."

At this time, the bustle in the hall had stopped, and the ministers looked at Ruan Qingzhi dumbfounded, all of them frightened.

Only Luan Zhongcheng rushed to his knees: "Your Majesty, the child has no mouth to hold......"

Before he finished speaking, Ruan Qingzhi interrupted him: "This old man, you don't have to intercede for me, I'm not afraid of death!" I don't believe it, can the emperor be unreasonable? I've never seen such an unreasonable emperor in my eight lifetimes! Don't tell me that being an emperor has to weigh this and that, even if it is an emperor, he should be a person first, right? ”

"Evil obstacles! Shut up! Nguyen Van Trung, who was half-dazed on the ground, struggled to get up, staggered and was about to pounce and fight.

Ruan Qingzhi dodged neatly and hid behind Ye Han, refusing to show weakness on his lips: "Look at you, the father who has no heart is like this!" This kind of father doesn't treat his children as human beings at all, he will only shout and kill! ”

Ruan Wenzhong was so angry that he almost vomited blood, but when he saw Ruan Qingzhi only circling around the night cold, of course he couldn't hit her with his hands and feet.

When he was annoyed, Ruan Qingzhi lowered his voice and added: "You'd better be a good father today, otherwise I'll make a fuss about you killing my own mother fourteen years ago, and no one should think about it!" ”

Ruan Van Trung's face changed greatly, and he staggered and fell to the ground.

Luan Wenguang on the ground jumped up almost at the same time, and grabbed Ruan Qingzhi's sleeve: "What did you say?" Jade Niang, she was ......"

Ruan Qingzhi was stunned for a moment and blinked: "Yu Niang? You are...... My grandfather? ”

Luan Wenguang was about to nod, but Ruan Qingzhi suddenly flicked his sleeves and shook off his hand: "I don't have a grandfather, and I Ruan Qingzhi's six relatives don't recognize me!" ”

After that, he looked back at the emperor: "I just scolded you!" You've cut me! Anyway, you don't even hurt your son, and it's a big deal to cut off a daughter-in-law! ”

Daughter-in-law? Who is Who's daughter-in-law? Has any prince been married? Everyone was a little confused.

Ye Han, who hadn't spoken for a long time, chuckled lowly.

Ruan Qingzhi suddenly realized that he was too fast-talking, his face turned red, and then he raised his head high: "What are you staring at me for?" I just have a crush on Ling Han, I just want to marry him, what can't I say! Anyway, his father doesn't love him, and my father doesn't hurt me, if we don't make up for ourselves, do we have to wait for our father to match us with a crooked melon and cracked dates to get married? ”

Private for life. Everyone finally understood.

But it's not just a matter of personal life.

Some people who have a faster brain have already reacted: This Miss Ruan has always claimed to be a real phoenix! This time, she went through hardships and did not die, but saved the people of a city, and the identity of "Zhenfeng" seems to have been verified again.

At this moment, she would rather bear the notorious reputation of "private life", and declare in public that King Li is the person she has set.

What does this mean?

- His Royal Highness King Li is a real dragon!

More and more people thought of this layer, and then their gaze at Ye Han became more and more fanatical. Many people who were on the same side quickly gathered together to find a way to help Ruan Qingzhi and Ye Han through the current difficulties.

It is a great joy for these two to get together, who cares about the private affairs of any officials!

As for the adults who once firmly supported King Rui, King Jin or some other king, they all fell silent at this moment, and a considerable number of people have begun to consider changing sides.

Except for Ruan Wenzhong, who had been held down by Luan Zhongcheng at this moment, no one realized that he needed to teach Ruan Qingzhi, who dared to scold the emperor, a hard lesson.

She is a phoenix. She is a miracle doctor. She has a cure for the plague in her hand. She was still a little girl who was not yet in her possession.

The emperor won't do anything to her.

Therefore, why should a courtier be a wicked man in vain!

Above the court, after a chaos comparable to a vegetable market, several important ministers stood up almost at the same time: "Your Majesty......"

"You," the emperor interrupted them, his eyes looking at Ye Han, "I just praised you for your ability, and you are dumb?" You have to rely on a little girl to stand out for you, you are not ashamed! ”

Ye Han narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his lips curled slightly as if there was a smile: "Being able to trick such a powerful little girl into standing up for Erchen is also Erchen's ability." ”