Chapter 444 The Emperor's Intervention

Leaden clouds covered the city. The weather was cloudy and sultry, but suddenly a strong wind blew, blowing the bamboo branches to and fro, and filling the sky with sand.

Soon, large raindrops fell from the sky, like millions of silver threads weaving into a vast and boundless rain curtain.

The sound of raindrops and Xiaoying's screams intertwined, making the listeners feel uneasy.

Qiao Jibai was originally going to the torture chamber, but on the way he heard the news that Su Xiao from the palace was coming in person, so he turned around and went outside.

When Su Xiao saw someone coming out, he quickly said, "Master Xiao Qiao, the emperor summons you to the palace immediately."

Qiao Jibai's eyes moved slightly. The emperor has been in poor health ever since he was assassinated on the day of the blessing ceremony.

Although he did not die, he was not even capable of attending court, which was why the Second Prince took over as regent.

Qiao Jibai looked back, then nodded slightly, "Thank you for the trip, Eunuch Su. I will enter the palace now."

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor was lying on the dragon bed. There was no servant inside the hall, but there were many guards patrolling outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."

Qiao Jibai spoke in a calm tone, and only stood up and walked closer after getting the emperor's response, but he controlled himself and did not look at him, being particularly careful about the difference between the monarch and his subjects.

The emperor leaned on the soft pillow. Although his complexion was much worse than before, thanks to the care of the Imperial Hospital and the longevity elixir prescribed by the alchemist, his complexion looked somewhat rosy.

But the tone still sounded a bit weak.

"How did the interrogation go?"

Qiao Jibai explained the current situation clearly and truthfully, "Your Majesty, no matter what the truth is, the guards of Tianshu Camp saw that Abbot Jingxin and Qiao Yihuan were entangled in an unclear relationship, and the whole capital knew about it. Even if someone was framing behind the scenes, Qiao Yihuan aside, Abbot Jingxin's prestige will definitely be greatly weakened."

The Queen Mother respected Jingxin very much, but the incident happened two days ago, so it was impossible for her not to know about it, but she did not show up or even send anyone to visit her once.

Abbot Jingxin is a god in the hearts of Buddhists and common people all over the world. The four words "Abbot of the National Temple" are enough to make him stand above everyone else and enjoy everyone's pursuit.

Such a person must be spotless.

If there is even the slightest stain, the believers will abandon them.

He also didn't believe that Jingxin and Qiao Yihuan would be so foolish and bold. There were so many guards outside and they did such a brazen thing in front of the Buddha statue.

Whoever is behind this, it's done a great job.

If they target Jingxin and kill her directly, it will only cause an uproar. The assassination of the eminent monk will only cause the three judicial departments to intervene and jointly investigate the case, and they will not stop until the person is found.

But if the reputation of a monk or even an abbot is ruined, it would be tantamount to making his life a fate worse than death.

One kills the body, the other kills the soul.

He was the one who went there personally to take Jingxin to the Imperial Court. He saw with his own eyes that Jingxin, who should have been kind and calm and not afraid even if the sky fell, now had a gloomy and frosty face.

If he had gone after Qiao Yihuan, his reputation would still have been ruined.

Even if she could keep her position as county lord, her future prospects would end here.

It is absolutely impossible to marry into a wealthy family.

He knew that Qiao Yihuan had always liked He Zhiyu and had always wanted to marry him.

If a person of low status suddenly gains a position that is beyond the reach of everyone else, he will inevitably become the target of isolation by the people in the capital.

You can be of noble status, but you cannot become noble suddenly.

The emperor said in a deep voice, "There are rumors that Jingxin and Qiao Yihuan are having an affair, so Jingxin told me that she has wisdom and guided the saint of the previous dynasty, so that I can anoint Qiao Yihuan as the saint. If the Imperial Envoy can't find any evidence, I will become a deaf, blind and heartless emperor."

The elixirs developed by the alchemist that Qiao Yihuan knew were more effective than those developed by any previous alchemist, and the effects were very obvious.

All those prophecies spoken by Qiao Yihuan have indeed come true, which is incredible.

Maybe Qiao Yihuan can indeed listen to the will of God, but it is also possible that he really lacks an opportunity to know it.

Rumors are not without the slightest possibility.

But if the Imperial Censorate determined that Jing Xin and Qiao Yihuan were indeed having an affair, then wouldn't he, the emperor who ordered Qiao Yihuan to be named a county lord, become a laughing stock to the whole world?

Qiao Jibai understood the emperor's thoughts. He wanted to protect Jingxin and Qiao Yihuan in order to preserve his own reputation and not become a laughing stock of the world.

But for the common people, they would only see someone being despicable and shameless and daring enough to deceive the emperor. Who would laugh at the emperor? It was just that the emperor was suspicious.

He said calmly: "Your Majesty is right. It was me who did not think it through and block the news in time."

The emperor frowned slightly, "Is this matter causing a big stir in the capital?"

Qiao Jibai nodded, "Yes, teahouses and restaurants in the capital are talking about this matter, and even passers-by on the long street are talking about it, and it's a big fuss. So I dare not delay and waste time. I will find out the truth as soon as possible and report it to the emperor."

The emperor remained silent. The air was deathly quiet, making it impossible to guess what the emperor was thinking.

Qiao Jibai said truthfully: "The maidservant next to Qiao Yihuan grew up with her and is very loyal. But I questioned her before entering the palace, and she seemed to be in a hurry to tell the so-called truth."

The emperor looked at him.

Qiao Jibai remained calm and composed, "I think it would be suspicious if she spoke, so I have asked someone to torture her. If nothing unexpected happens, she should reveal something."

Emperor: "What will you do if something comes out?"

Qiao Jibai knelt down without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I think this matter involves a lot of people and the rumors are too widespread. I'm afraid that it will spread outside the capital. The guards of Tianshu Camp saw this incident with their own eyes, and it has already spread out. What's more, Prime Minister Shen's granddaughter also saw it with her own eyes. I'm afraid she can't cover her mouth completely."

"The emperor was deceived by a villain but stopped the loss in time and dealt with the villain decisively. The world will only praise the emperor for his courage and respect his ability to let go. But if he suppresses this matter and clears the name of Qiao Yihuan, if the rumors cannot be suppressed, the emperor's prestige will gradually be tarnished in places where the sun cannot reach."

The emperor looked at him in silence for a long time. "I heard that the rumor first started after Prime Minister Shen's granddaughter returned to Beijing."

Qiao Jibai said bluntly: "I think Miss Shen Lingyi of the Shen family is very suspicious. According to the monk of the National Temple, he saw Shen Lingyi go to Qiao Yihuan's room at night and stay there for a long time. But Shen Lingyi has just returned to the capital and her foundation is not stable. It is unlikely that such a thing can spread throughout the capital overnight."

The emperor lowered his eyes, "The Shen family and the Qiao family are at odds, and it is indeed very likely that old man Shen Chunlai is behind the scenes fanning the flames or planning it all. The Qiao family has a county lady, and Shen Chunlai is the last person to see the Qiao family's status rise."