Chapter 243: Counterfeit
Zhao Chongli and the people he brought with him were all imprisoned in Yangzhou Prefecture.
Qu Ling wrote a memorial to the emperor.
Unexpectedly, Nian Zheng's memorial reached the emperor faster than hers.
"Look, your sister and Prince Liang's concubine submitted the memorial together."
The emperor threw the memorial to Zhao Yuanrong.
Zhao Yuanrong took a look and said, "This concubine of Prince Liang should not be underestimated."
She completely denied any responsibility for Zhao Chongli's matter.
It was said that Zhao Chongli took advantage of the prince's serious illness, secretly used the official seal to steal documents, and bribed the mountain bandits, disguised himself as a general, and entered Yangzhou.
First, please send troops to suppress the bandits.
Second, I ask Your Majesty to take back the military commander's power in the Prince of Liang's Mansion and appoint another capable and virtuous person.
"The Prince of Liang has many concubines, and all of them are sons. The Crown Prince hasn't been appointed, yet the one who submitted the memorial is a concubine without any children."
I can only say that this concubine Nian is very capable.
King Liang's sons are reluctant to abandon their troops in the south of the Yangtze River, and are probably fighting fiercely for succession at this moment.
But Nian Zheng wrote a memorial to the court, cutting off the source of the problem and surrendering to the court.
The emperor thought for a moment.
Gave approval to Jianzhou.
The request of Prince Liang's concubine was approved, and she was made the principal wife. A suitable person was chosen from among the heirs of Prince Liang to inherit Prince Liang's palace.
In addition, Prince Rui Pei Jingming immediately went to Jianzhou to temporarily take over the position of governor, commanding the troops in the south of the Yangtze River to fight against the bandits.
After receiving news from the capital, Qu Ling became interested in Nian Zheng again.
She asked Nian Sihua, "What kind of person is your eldest niece?"
Nian Zheng was still young when Nian Sihua left the Nian family.
She grew up in the care of the old lady.
When the old lady was young, she and Nian Zongben made Tongjiang Academy the best academy in Jiangnan. She was a person with tough methods and managed her family like she managed an army.
Nian Zheng grew up under her wing and was influenced by her.
Later, when the old lady passed away, Nian Zheng bypassed her mother and took direct charge of the Nian family's inner chambers.
The second wife was dissatisfied and wanted to take the power of the family from her.
Nian Zheng was released directly.
But what’s the point of just delegating power?
The Second Lady gave no instructions whatsoever to the servants, and so she replaced all the important positions with her own confidants.
In just half a year, the Nian family was unable to make ends meet.
Those businesses and shops were like they were possessed by an evil spirit. It was extremely difficult to make money in the hands of the Second Lady.
The second wife, who had gone to great lengths to get the power to manage the family, begged Nian Zheng to take it back.
"My eldest sister is a person who wouldn't even step on an ant on a normal day, but if someone touches her things, she won't let it go," said Nian Sheng.
"My aunt is in the capital, so she doesn't know some things. My eldest sister went to Jianzhou, and the Nian family's inner house is still managed by her former subordinates. Otherwise, how could my eldest aunt, who has no opinions, manage the Nian family?"
The more Qu Ling listened, the more he felt that Nian Zheng was extraordinary.
At night, she said to Chi Yuan, "It seems that I have to post to Jianzhou."
"Do you want to meet Prince Liang's concubine?"
"Now she's Princess Liang."
"But she wants to kill you." Chi Yuan frowned.
Zhao Chongli led people to encircle the Imperial Examination Hall, and Qu Ling was among them.
"She didn't mean to kill me, but in her heart, it didn't matter whether I lived or died."
Qu Ling did not hold a grudge against Nian Zheng for this.
Instead, she really wanted to know how Nian Zheng persuaded King Liang.
etc.
Qu Ling realized something was wrong.
"To the prison."
She put on her clothes and went to the government office.
When Yu Liang hurried to the government office, Qu Ling had already been waiting for a while.
"Sorry for disturbing Master Yu's sweet dreams."
"Princess, you are too kind."
Yu Liang had indeed just been pulled out of his aunt's soft bed.
He cursed in his heart, but he had to put on a respectful smile on his face, "Princess, what's the matter that brings you here so late at night?"
"I want to see Zhao Chongli."
There was a layer of frost in Qu Ling's eyes, "Lead the way."
Yu Liang didn't dare to say anything more and quickly led her to the deepest dungeon.
Zhao Chongli squatted in the cell, the blood on his body dried, and he was dying.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly looked up.
After seeing who it was, her eyes suddenly burst with intense hatred, "Qu Ling, you vicious woman, I am a member of the Zhao clan. Even if I am demoted to a commoner, my surname is still Zhao."
"I've committed a crime and am under investigation by the eunuchs. You've detained me here without permission. Aren't you afraid that the royal family will report you?"
He knew Qu Ling was not afraid.
He also knew that there were many memorials to the emperor implicating Qu Ling.
But he was very scared, and he could only say such words to give himself courage.
Qu Ling's expression remained unchanged. He walked straight up to him, took the whip handed to him by Chi Yuan, and whipped Zhao Chongli hard.
"From now on, you are not allowed to speak unless I ask you."
Zhao Chongli curled up in pain.
He wrapped his arms around himself, not daring to speak again.
Qu Ling asked, "Was the person you met in Jianzhou the King of Liang?"
"Of course."
"How do you know for sure it was King Liang?"
"Who else is in the Prince of Liang's mansion but the Prince of Liang?"
There was no trace of smile in Qu Ling's eyes. "If Nian Zheng found an outsider to impersonate King Liang, would you recognize him?"
Zhao Chongli was speechless.
Swallowed.
He... couldn't recognize it.
He had met King Liang only a handful of times, and each time it was just a quick glance without them even speaking.
Moreover, it was always at night when Prince Liang met him in Prince Liang's mansion.
The candlelight in the room was dim.
Zhao Chongli's scalp felt numb.
If that person wasn't King Liang at all...
A chill ran up his spine, and his lips trembled. "What do you mean?"
Qu Ling said calmly, "Nian Zheng has submitted a memorial to the court, alleging that you took advantage of the prince's illness to steal the official seal and documents, bribed bandits, and impersonated Prince Liang's personal soldiers to cause chaos. I request that Your Majesty suppress the bandits and, by the way, kill you."
"That's not the case at all."
Zhao Chongli thought there was something wrong with his ears.
"The document was given by King Liang, and the bandits were arranged by King Liang. How could I know anyone from the stronghold?"
"This vicious woman!"
No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity when he looked at Nian Zheng at that time.
What is the difference between Nian Zheng and Qu Ling!
Just as cruel and ruthless.
"When you first arrived at Prince Liang's Mansion, Nian Zheng knew you were sent there on purpose."
Qu Ling scoffed, "She's very smart, and she even did me a favor."
Originally, Nian Zheng's plan to massacre the Jiangnan students and Nian Zongben should have been carried out by someone else.
After Zhao Chongli delivered it to the door.
She "kindly" sent Zhao Chongli to Qu Ling.
Zhao Chongli was trembling all over.
From the beginning to the end, was he just an unlucky guy who was plotted against by two women?
Qu Ling turned to look at Yu Liang, "Has he been tried?"
Yu Liang's forehead was covered with sweat, "Not yet..."
Qu Ling's eyes turned cold, and he suddenly drew the long sword from the guard's waist.
“Puff—”
The sword pierced Zhao Chongli's chest, and blood splattered.
Zhao Chongli widened his eyes and looked at her in disbelief.
Qu Ling drew back the sword, and blood dripped from the tip of the sword.
She said lightly, "Zhao Chongli colluded with bandits and deserves death. I have submitted a memorial to His Majesty. The case is closed."
Yu Liang was so shocked that he was speechless.
After a long while, he trembled and said, "I obey your command."
Qu Ling turned and left.
"After the results of the Autumn Examination are announced, I will hold a Deer Singing Banquet to congratulate the new successful candidates."
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