This is why they only knew that the Fourth Prince was caned because of Xiao Ruoyi, and that Concubine De was punished and demoted from her position as concubine when she went to see Emperor Donglin, but they did not know that Concubine De met with her adulterer Ji Zhonghai in the middle of the night.
After all, it was already late at night, and Emperor Donglin didn't want anyone to know about it for the time being, so he just ordered the secret guards to detain them.
This led to these ministers being upset that Concubine De was demoted by Emperor Donglin for "no reason".
Everyone felt that it was inappropriate for Emperor Donglin to punish Concubine De just because of this incident, and the old censor Lord Zhuo also condemned Emperor Donglin for being unfair.
Emperor Donglin tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingers and sneered at the old censor who stood up. "How many of you think I did something wrong?"
No matter it was because of Concubine Shu or Concubine De, the ministers all stood up, and there was no one in the entire court who did not stand up.
Emperor Donglin saw this scene and laughed coldly, "Haha, good, very good! I have never seen you so united!"
All the ministers who stood up spoke righteously and believed that they were standing on the highest moral ground.
"Your Majesty, Concubine De has not committed any serious fault. Demoting her to a concubine position is too severe!"
"Liangpin was guilty of a heinous crime of poisoning the heir to the throne, and being banished to the cold palace was a mercy. Now that she is released from the cold palace and restored to her position as a concubine, the people of the world will surely be dissatisfied!"
...
...
"That's right, Your Majesty, Concubine De shouldn't be demoted, and Concubine Liang shouldn't be removed from the cold palace!"
"Your Majesty, it is not confirmed whether Liangpin's daughter is the heir to the throne. Liangpin should be severely interrogated!"
"The Fourth Prince was only punishing the servant who offended him and he did nothing wrong. Your Majesty, please understand!"
The ministers were all talking nonsense. Some were arranged by Concubine Shu, some were arranged by Concubine De, and of course there were also some troublemakers.
Emperor Donglin just glanced at the ministers who were talking, and then looked sarcastically at the Minister of Works Cai Li, the father of Concubine Duan Cai Hanqi.
"Lord Cai, do you think so too?"
Cai Li immediately knelt on the ground and admitted his fault, "It's okay for me to discipline you. It must be my daughter who did something wrong to cause your anger!"
As a family member of the person involved, Cai Li naturally would not think that Emperor Donglin was at fault and immediately took the blame himself.
Emperor Donglin smiled meaningfully, "Yes, Lord Cai, your daughter thinks so too. It's all your fault!"
Cai Hanqi resented her father for sending her into the palace in order to curry favor with him and gain fame and fortune, and she has always hated her father.
Cai Li was stunned when he heard this, with a look of confusion and puzzlement on his face.
Didn't his daughter send him a message last night asking him to speak for her? How come it sounded like Emperor Donglin meant something different?
However, Cai Li lowered his head and rolled his eyes, thinking that it might be Emperor Donglin who said it nonsense, so he quickly raised his hand to wipe his clean face and admitted his mistake, "It's my fault!"
Emperor Donglin tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingers, "Concubine Duan blames you for breaking up their lovers in order to get close to the rich and powerful!"
After the words fell, the ministers were shocked. What was going on? Why did it seem that according to the emperor's words, Concubine De was not demoted just because of Xiao Wenhang's matter? Was there something they didn't know?
Compared to those confused and bewildered ministers, Cai Li, who knew what happened back then, felt a pang in his heart.
What? Breaking up lovers? Was the daughter's affair leaked?
After all, it was Cai Li who separated the two, so he didn't know Xiao Wenhang's background. He just thought that the relationship between the two was known by Emperor Donglin.
But Cai Li thought, that was all many years ago? Even if he knew, it would be fine!
If it was just because he was a little unhappy, he could understand it a little, but demoting his daughter's position as a concubine was a bit too much!
Cai Li looked very sad. "Since ancient times, marriages are decided by parents and matchmakers. I am doing this for her own good, but she just doesn't understand!"
"Yes!" Emperor Donglin nodded, "Indeed, then let you explain it carefully!"
Then he ordered angrily, "Come here, bring the person up!"
So, Ji Zhonghai, Concubine Duan Cai Hanqi and the fourth prince Xiao Wenhang were brought in.
All the ministers looked at the three people kneeling on the ground with shock and confusion on their faces. Why did three people come up?
What happened that they didn't know about?
I always feel like something is wrong. What's going on?
Xiao Wenhang, who was brought in, immediately knelt on the ground and cried and begged Emperor Donglin, "Father, Father, I really don't know about Mother's affairs! I am your son, definitely not the son of that rubbish!"
Last night, Xiao Wenhang was sent to meet Ji Zhonghai and Duanpin.
Knowing that his life experience had been known by Emperor Donglin, and that he had been caught committing adultery with two people, he completely collapsed.
Xiao Wenhang was still unwilling to accept all this. He had great hatred towards Concubine Duan and Ji Zhonghai, and even refused to admit that he was Ji Zhonghai's son.
If Xiao Wenhang had not been unable to move after being caned thirty times, he would have already stepped forward and torn Ji Zhonghai, who had cheated on Emperor Donglin, into pieces.
As soon as he saw Emperor Donglin, Xiao Wenhang immediately expressed his attitude, hoping that Emperor Donglin would let him go.
"boom!"
However, if Xiao Wenhang confessed, it would be as if an atomic bomb exploded in the hall, making everyone dizzy.
I always feel that they can recognize Xiao Wenhang's words when they are separated, but why don't they recognize them when they are put together?
Cai Li looked at Xiao Wenhang in confusion and shock, and subconsciously scratched his ears, thinking he had heard it wrong.
What did his grandson say? That he was not the son of Emperor Donglin?
This, this, this...what is going on?
He only knew about the relationship between his daughter and Ji Zhonghai, but he didn't expect that they were so bold that they could stay together even after marrying Emperor Donglin, and even gave birth to a son!
Thinking of the very likely scenario, Cai Li felt as if all the strength had been drained from his legs and he was shaking with fear.
"Oh my god, is this true? Concubine Duan is cheating on me?"
"The fourth prince is not of royal blood!"
"Damn it, Concubine De actually dared to do such a thing!"
"You've been used. You dared to confuse the royal bloodline. You must be sentenced to death!"
After the ministers learned the reason, they were shocked, followed by deep regret.
If they had known this was the reason, they would never have come forward.
This is even worse than what Concubine Liang did back then. It was confusing the royal bloodline!
No wonder Emperor Donglin directly demoted Concubine Duan's position. It was good enough that he didn't give her a cup of poisoned wine. She deserved to die!
Especially those ministers who had accepted money from Cai Li, when they thought about how they had just spoken up for Cai Hanqi and wanted to restore her position as Concubine De, they suddenly felt like they were slapped in the face.
They were so scared that they lowered their heads, wondering if they had done anything out of the ordinary that would be remembered by Emperor Donglin, who would then hold them accountable.
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