In the prison of the Criminal Department, Fan Ning was stunned at first, and then laughed and pounded the ground: "If you didn't slander me like in the Yamen during the day, I could still draw a talisman for you to drive away the evil in your mind, now you better go back early, don't go at night, and ask for more blessings!" ”

Gao Min was not in a hurry, grabbed the prison fence with both hands, and said: "I know that His Highness is difficult to accept for a while, but what Gao said is based on real evidence, and there is not a word of nonsense. You are the eldest daughter of the Emperor and the Queen of Heaven, Princess Anding, who passed away sixteen years ago...... Even if you are outside the palace, you should have heard that at that time, the queen of heaven and the queen of heaven had a fierce fight, and there were rumors that the queen of heaven did not hesitate to suffocate the little princess who was less than one year old in order to bring down the queen and queen......"

Fan Ning yawned, leaned against the dirt wall, and curled up: "Yes, the little princess has been suffocated to death, what are you talking about?" During the day, the officials of your criminal department all said that Xue County's order was written in a script, I think the three of you are delirious, right? If I am really a princess, why don't you let me out quickly, entertain me with good wine and food, and dare to lock me up here? ”

"It's no wonder that the princess is too often ordered Gao to do this for a reason. After all, His Royal Highness was arrested as Fan Ning, the murderer of the Hongwen Pavilion Annex, and the fact that His Royal Highness is Princess Anding is unknown to anyone except me and Uncle Taichang. For the safety of Her Royal Highness the Princess, and for the princess to be able to restore her former dignity one day, everything has to be considered in the long run. For now, let's be patient for a few days, and when the limelight passes, Taichangbo will arrange for the princess to be secretly taken to the mansion, and then report to the emperor. His Royal Highness should know that now that the two saints are in the court, the queen of heaven is becoming more and more powerful, but her powerful position is only dependent on the emperor's favor. No matter what the queen of heaven has done over the years, the emperor can't bear to be harsh. But if the emperor knew that his favorite daughter was framed and faked for power by the pillow side, and she had been exiled for many years and suffered a lot, what do you think the emperor would do? Don't hide it from Your Highness, Gao found that in addition to us, there seem to be other forces looking for Your Highness everywhere, including the henchmen of the Queen of Heaven to Junchen, so what is going on, Your Highness will know if you think about it. ”

"Ah, the Queen of Heaven wants to kill me? No way! Fan Ning pretended to be extremely frightened, and then sneered, "It's a shame that you are still the head of the criminal department, and you dare to say such a headless, tailless, rootless and unfounded?" If there is really any fake death medicine, wouldn't people die if they want to die, and live if they want to, the world has already been chaotic, and what royal law order is there. ”

"Your Highness is right, but there are always exceptions to everything, otherwise there would be no palace secrets recorded in this history book for thousands of years. Sixteen years ago, in the fifth year of Yonghui, the queen of heaven was only Zhaoyi, even though she was deeply favored by the emperor, but Queen Wang was the real master of the harem. In order to bring down Queen Wang, Wu Zhaoyi came up with the illusion of creating the impression that Queen Wang suffocated His Highness out of jealousy. However, the tiger poison does not eat children, Wu Zhaoyi is difficult to start, so he sent someone to ask for a medicine that can make people fake their death, and what they got is this Lotus Powder", Gao Min said, took out a fragment of a pill from his sleeve, and threw it to the rats wandering around the prison, after the rats swallowed the pills, they immediately lay on the ground, as if they were dead, "The effect of this powder is to make living creatures fake their deaths within a few hours." After Wu Zhaoyi got this medicine, if he got the treasure, he calculated the time to ask the queen to come to his palace. After Queen Wang came, Wu Zhaoyi hurriedly hid, Queen Wang saw that His Royal Highness Yuxue was cute, and teased His Royal Highness to play on the shaker, and then waited left and right, and did not see Wu Zhaoyi coming, so she went back. After the queen left, Wu Zhaoyi fed the lotus to His Royal Highness, and everything that followed was very clear in the streets and alleys, so there was no need for Gao to say more. ”

Fan Ning still didn't believe it, and continued to question: "If Tianwei really didn't kill Princess Anding, but let Princess Anding fake her death, how can you hide it from Dali Temple?" Your entire Dali Temple of the Criminal Department has been bought by the Queen of Heaven? ”

"What follows is just the speculation of the lower officials, since the Queen of Heaven wants to set up this situation, she must be fully prepared, so she must have asked someone to find a dead baby of about the same age, take the opportunity to bring it in for the princess, and then replace it with His Royal Highness when no one is around, and His Royal Highness was taken out of the palace in the same way. Needless to say, the only one who can do this is Li Chunfeng, the secretary of the Secret Pavilion who does things for the princess. Over the years, His Royal Highness has lived with Li Jucheng, isn't it proof? ”

As soon as the words fell, the rat that had just been fed medicine and faked death suddenly regained its vitality like a corpse, squeaked twice, and then disappeared in a puff of smoke. Faced with the undeniable facts in front of him, Fan Ning began to hesitate. Could it be that the master really concealed his background and kept himself by his side for many years, just to fulfill the secret agreement with the queen of heaven and take care of himself?

Seeing that the goal had been achieved, Gao Min didn't linger longer, and took out a book from his sleeve: "Your Highness, this is the record file in the palace of Yonghui in the fifth year, 'On the third day of the lunar month, Wu Zhaoyi gave birth to a daughter, Yuxue is lovely, and she loves her very much, and she immediately returns to the Zhaoyi Palace after each dynasty, and holds the princess in her arms day and night...... Later, there is evidence about how the princess mourned, who did the excess, etc., this thing is not something that Gao can forge, His Royal Highness will know if you take a closer look", Gao Min said, put the scroll on the ground, and turned around and walked out of the prison.

Fan Ning sat for a moment, hesitated for two minutes, and finally picked up the notebook, what she wanted to read was not anything else, but the sentence "I love it very much, and I will return to the Zhaoyi Palace immediately after every day, and hold the princess in my arms day and night", did she really have parents who loved her so much, instead of the luxury in her dreams?

The heavy rain turned into a lingering light rain at night, and Chang'an City under the rain curtain was more quiet and mysterious than the daytime. A carriage carrying a beautiful woman drove to the Zhou Guogong Mansion in the east of the city, although she was wearing a veil, she could still see her melancholy expression, and her clear eyes were decorated with melancholy clouds and light rain, which was in line with this unprovoked and boring rainy day.

In the past few days, news has come from Luoyang, the capital of the gods, saying that the emperor has annoyed Li Hong for some reason, and may suspend his right to supervise the country, and hand over the investigation of Li Hong to the foreign emperor Helan Minzhi.

Helan Min has always been on discord with Li Hong, how can Honglian not be anxious? She asked Zhang Shun quietly, but Zhang Shun was also confused and anxious, but there was no way.

It is always necessary to find out first, what is the emperor angry about, Li Hong can deal with it, Honglian has no other way but to come to the door in person, intending to set a set of Helan Minzhi's words. But as long as she remembered Helan Minzhi's disgusting appearance, she was frightened and trembled, and she desperately concentrated on breathing, trying to calm herself.

I still remember the day that scared her in the autumn of the previous year, because of the entanglement of a group of powerful sons, forcing the mother of the teaching workshop to arrange a ransom bid for her, Honglian begged for uselessness, and had made up her mind to die. That night, she wore the most gorgeous silk clothes, painted fashionable makeup, played the pipa on stage, but carried a dagger in her sleeve, looking at the drunken and faceless sons in the audience, she was sure that night would be her own death.

Rather for the jade to be broken, not for the tile, at the end of the song, she looked at those who rushed to bid, scrambling to bid, her eyes became more and more cold, who knew that at this time on the farthest red silk seat, suddenly there was a handsome young man with a young eye, and the bidding made the whole house frightened.

The young man was Li Hong, and later I heard him say that it was the first time he came to Pingkangfang that day, and he didn't know what everyone was doing, but when he saw the dazed appearance of the red lotus on the stage, he made a move to the gods, and also left the name of throwing a lot of money.

Later, he bought a house for her in the clean alley of Pingkangfang's back street, originally to shelter her from the wind and rain, but who knew that it later became his paradise, when he was tired, as long as he went there to listen to her play a song, all his troubles would disappear.

They didn't know when they fell in love with each other, maybe it was the first time they met in the workshop, or maybe it was in the long years that followed, although neither of them said it, but they both understood each other's thoughts.

Honglian once thought very melancholy, if her background could be two points better, or if Li Hong was not the crown prince, would they have a future, but after the entanglement, she wanted to cherish every moment of the reunion in front of her.

The red lotus slowly withdrew from her memory, with a sweet smile on the corner of her mouth, and her body no longer trembled. As long as it is for Li Hong, life and death can still be put aside, and today's things are nothing.

With the sound of horses, the carriage slowly stopped, and the coachman called outside the door: "Girl, the Duke of Zhou has arrived." ”

Honglian lifted the curtain, got out of the carriage, and walked to the inner courtyard with an umbrella and the butler waiting under the eaves of the porch.

Honglian had never been to the East Palace, and when she saw that the Guogong Mansion was so handsome and magnificent this week, she couldn't help but sigh a little. Li Hong was willing to give up the Fuli Hall in the East Palace, and always went to visit her in that small courtyard and accompany her, and she never resented her, but she still understood that the gap between them was as different as a cloud.

Don't say that the emperor's relatives and relatives are the sons and daughters who have a little money, and they just treat these kabuki as things, and they can get Li Hongqing's eyes, I really don't know how many lifetimes of blessings have been cultivated.

Needless to say, this Helan University scholar can not be romantic for a day, and when the sky is dark, he can't wait for the Kabuki in the house to add wine and dance, so it is not lively.

After the housekeeper passed the message, he opened the door of the side hall, and saw Helan Minzhi sitting in the hall pouring himself a drink, and when he saw the red lotus, he immediately stood up, waved his hand to signal the singing and dancing to stop, and sent everyone else out.

Even if he was wearing a veil and couldn't see his true face clearly, Honglian's appearance was far better than that of other vulgar fans, Helan Minzhi woke up a little when he was on the board, walked forward, and said with a smile: "I was drunk that day, and I abruptly surprised the girl, Min's heart has always been uncomfortable, and I want to find the girl to make amends, but I don't know where the girl is hiding......"

Red Lotus pretended to return the salute and avoided his outstretched hand very naturally: "I was slightly ill a while ago, so I didn't come out to see anyone." After a day or two, I heard from my mother that the university scholar came to me to listen to music, so I hurried here. ”

Honglian said, took a few steps back, picked up the musician's pipa on the table, sat on the stool and played it. Helan Minzhi also sat back on the soft seat, propping his head and squinting, as if he was savoring: "There is a bit of melancholy in today's girl's song, I don't know what it is?" Min Zhi is willing to serve the girl, and the girl is sent alone. ”

Honglian smiled, and said both true and false: "The little girl knows that the scholar is now the Duke of Zhou Guogong, and he is very appreciated by the emperor and queen, but what the little woman asks for is not easy, but I am afraid that it will affect the scholar." After all, there are many nobles in this Chang'an City, in case someone ......"

Red Lotus Ken spoke to him like this in a good voice, which made Helan Minzhi so happy that he couldn't find the north, and he got carried away for a while, patted his chest and said: "Now in this Chang'an City, it is I, Helan Minzhi, who has the final say, even my cousin of the prince is about to be convicted, where is there anything I can't do?" ”

Honglian's heart tightened, and her hand to pluck the strings also slipped, but she was extremely skilled, and quickly handled it properly, and asked in a calm tone: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about to be convicted?" This is why, he has done a good job in the past few years in charge of the country, and many people respect him......"

Helan Min has always been on discord with Li Hong, if in normal times, he is afraid that he will be immediately annoyed, and directly accuse Honglian of being partial to the prince, today somehow, but there is no anger at all, he shook his fingers, laughed, took out a stack of files from his arms, patted them on the case and said: "Girl, look at it yourself, where is Minzhi's bragging!" ”

Honglian took the file and skimmed through it, but saw that on one of the pages was the hand of a person named Ning Chungong, which recorded the location of his household registration, as well as his parents, brothers and sisters, etc.; On the other page, there is a rubbings of a waist card, which is engraved with five small characters: "Ning Chungong" and "Prince Praetorian Guard".

Helan Minzhi couldn't hide his smile, and stood against the red lotus: "It has been verified by the Criminal Department that this so-called Ning family is the prince's former henchman, and there has never been a son named Ning Chungong at all. This so-called Ning Chungong is the heinous person who burned down the annex of my Hongwen Pavilion! Li Hong, as the crown prince of the prison state, knew that this person was a criminal of the imperial court, but he did everything possible to shield him, and even did not hesitate to use the power of the prince to make a fake hand and waist card for her, so that she could enter and leave the inner hall and threaten the safety of the emperor and queen of heaven. ”

Honglian was very surprised, she really didn't expect that this matter was about Fan Ning; Second, he didn't expect that Li Hong, who has always been in the government step by step and diligent in self-denial, would use his private power in order to help Xue Ne investigate the case and gain time, and now he has found solid evidence by the Criminal Department. According to the law of the "Yonghui Law" on the prohibition of the palace city, this move is already a capital crime, even if his status as a prince can save him from death, just by knowing the law and breaking the law in the prince's prison, he can completely destroy the trust of the two saints and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Honglian had mixed feelings in her heart, but before she could react, she was snatched from the pipa in her hand by Helan Minyi, skimmed it casually, and then took her in her arms, so that she couldn't move: "Don't talk about the side matter, when I see the girl, Minzhi's soul is gone." Today, the girl doesn't have to push again, otherwise she will really kill Minzhi......"

As he spoke, Helan Minzhi's big hand swept all the way from the front of Red Lotus's sideburns all the way over her beautiful cheeks and pointed chin, all the way down, reaching out to the placket of her chest. Honglian struggled desperately, and did not forget to persuade her: "Zhou Guogong should not be like this, you can be regarded as one of the best romantic gentlemen in Chang'an City, if you are known to use a strong ...... on a little woman"

"Minzhi is naturally disdainful of others", Helan Minzhi's hand kept moving, leaning over and gently sniffing the faint fragrance of the red lotus, "But as long as you can get the girl, it's too late for others to envy Minzhi, how can you laugh." ”

When the red lotus dodged, Helan Minzhi touched the short knife in her pocket, and couldn't help but look awkward, he tore off the red lotus's coat, and the short knife fell in response, and Helan Minzhi's still handsome face gradually distorted: "Huh...... Min Zhi treats the girl sincerely, what does the girl mean by this? Since the girl wants to play something extraordinary, then Min Zhi is not welcome! ”

After that, Helan Minzhi pressed the red lotus to the ground, the back of the red lotus's head fell painfully, tears rolled down instantly, and the thin arms kept pushing Helan Minzhi, but it was like a grasshopper shaking a tree, and it was difficult to do anything.

Helan Minzhi sneered, and was about to do nonsense, when he suddenly heard the voice of the old housekeeper outside the door: "Lang Jun, Lang Jun ......"

"Get out!"

"Lang Jun, something is wrong...... The people of the criminal department sent an important message. ”

Hearing this, Helan Minzhi couldn't help but stand up, tied Honglian's hands and feet together with strips of cloth, straightened his clothes, smiled very evilly, and raised his hand to pinch Honglian's face: "Girl, don't be anxious, Minzhi will come when she goes." ”

Xue Ne took a few clothes from the Pingyang County Mansion, and was passed to the East Palace by Li Hong, thinking that there was something important, but as soon as he entered the palace, Li Hong ordered the maid to bring a bowl of soup and medicine, Xue Ne took it blankly and asked: "Your Highness, what does this mean?" ”

"It's not poisonous wine, it's for you to replenish your body", Li Hong said with a smile, "This palace has heard that Tao Mu said, you haven't slept for three or four days in a row, what is this intention, don't want to live anymore?" ”

"Naturally not", Xue Ne wanted to drink it all and then reply, but this decoction was bitter and hot, Xue Ne could only drink it and reply, and leaned sideways to show respect, "I feel that I have been entrusted by His Highness, I am ashamed, and I just want to close the ......case quickly."

"Let's get her out of the prison quickly, isn't it?" Li Hong didn't forget to tease Xue Ne, raised his eyebrows and smiled, and then showed regret on his face, "Actually, a clear-eyed person will know that your inferences are much stronger than those of the high director of the Criminal Department, but he is very good at inciting the people, but you are too honest, and those inexplicable witnesses will be pointed out by him as horses, and it is not surprising that black and white will be reversed." ”

Xue Ne suddenly felt that the world was spinning, he hurriedly supported the table with his hand, and apologized: "Somehow, the minister suddenly felt a little dizzy, and he lost his honor in front of His Highness......

"How can you not faint, just now you drank that decoction, I asked the imperial doctor to specially prescribe it, that is, to force you to sleep and rest...... Zhang Shun, find a clean room and let Xue County Order rest. ”

"I can't do it", Xue Ne held his forehead with his hand, obviously dizzy, but he still refused to obey his fate, "Shen Yan is a foreign minister, how can he rest in the East Palace......"

"I don't have a female dependent here, don't you rest here, do you want to sleep on Suzaku Street?" Li Hong didn't listen to Xue Ne's argument anymore, and waved his hand to signal Zhang Shun to take him down.

Xue Ne was disrespectful, so he had to give up his hand and go down with Zhang Shun. Li Hong looked at the starless and moonless night from the window, and a little uneasiness surged in his heart, and he was confused, unable to figure out where this uneasiness came from.

Zhang Shun hurriedly entered the study again, he lowered his voice, and a little trembling in his voice showed urgency: "Your Highness! Lingnan Express! ”

There was no urgency in Lingnan, this statement was a code word agreed between Li Hong and Zhang Shun and others, which meant urgent news from his henchmen who had been planted in Helan Min's place. Over the years, in order to prevent Helan Minzhi from disturbing the court, he buried an internal response near Helan Minzhi, this person is usually not responsible for transmitting any information, but only serves Helan Minzhi with one mind, so as to gain his trust, and only notify himself when a very major change occurs.

Li Hong took the letterhead from Zhang Shun's hand and carefully dismantled it, but it was a blank piece of paper. Li Hong unhurriedly took out a small porcelain bottle from his arms, poured the liquid in it on the paper, and the handwriting began to appear, but he saw eight words written on it: Red Lotus is trapped in the Zhou Guogong Mansion at night.

Only then did Li Hong understand where the inexplicable feeling of worrying about his stomach came from, he changed his previous calm and self-control, and didn't care about whether there was a curfew or not, so he rushed out in a panic without wearing his clothes.