Chapter 120 Chapter 120 is the only genuine version...
"Say that again?!"
In Wenyuan Pavilion, Prime Minister Song slammed the table.
When the Dengwen Drum was struck for the first time, Wenyuan Pavilion vaguely heard some movement.
Several important officials were present at the time, discussing some specific matters regarding disaster relief in Qingzhou. Someone struck the drum for reporting, and the Jinyiwei on duty had to report it.
Even if the emperor is not here, it should be reported to the cabinet.
However, after waiting for a whole incense stick, a Jinyiwei came and reported everything about the Meridian Gate wall tower.
Every word and sentence is incredible.
Prime Minister Song slammed the table and stood up. The others looked at each other in confusion, their sharp eyes like knives stabbing at the Jinyiwei below.
The Jinyiwei, sweat dripping from their throats, lowered their heads and continued, "...Ji Yan reported that the Emperor had an affair with the late Duke Zhenguo's concubine Teng, resulting in the birth of a child. Another, Ji Xinyuan, threw himself upon our swords and died. The situation below the Meridian Gate is turbulent. The Co-prefect requests that His Royal Highness Prince Chen leave immediately."
"The Duke of Zhenguo has a concubine?" Prime Minister Song was the first to figure out this clue in the chaos.
He remembered that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion had never taken a concubine since the old Duke.
Xie Yingchen explained, "She was the wife of the former Duke of Zhenguo, Ji. Because she was married off, the emperor demoted her to a concubine."
I remember now, it was her. Prime Minister Song muttered absentmindedly, "So, the illegitimate child is Gu Yan? Absurd, truly absurd."
He was now extremely grateful that he had chosen a new master when his mind was still clear, otherwise he would have been driven crazy by the emperor sooner or later.
Prime Minister Song was about to go out and see what kind of ridiculous thing this was, but he stopped and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please come with me to the Meridian Gate."
Xie Yingchen nodded and said, "With the Emperor absent, I cannot take any action without authorization. I ask all the gentlemen to come forward and bear witness."
The Jinyiwei wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and led the way.
The square became even more chaotic at noon, and even students and teachers from the Imperial College and nearby academies rushed over.
From the palace gate to the Meridian Gate, the city walls were completely blocked and noisy.
The imperial guards cleared the way, and Xie Yingchen and his men walked up to the city wall, where they saw blood all over the ground.
Clan leader Ji, who was kneeling on the ground holding Ji Xinyuan, raised his head and looked at Xie Yingchen, who was surrounded by people. None of these people were wearing dragon robes, which meant that the emperor had not come.
At this point, it is impossible for the emperor not to appear, unless he is not in the palace at all.
Miss Gu was not talking nonsense. The emperor and Ji Ruo were together in the farm at the foot of the mountain.
Prime Minister Song cleared his throat and said loudly, "The Emperor is not in the palace. If you have any grievances, you can speak to His Royal Highness Prince Chen."
Wait, are we going to try him here? Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue’s heart skipped a beat, and he whispered, “Sir, the Minister.”
In public, wouldn't everyone hear it? This kind of scandal that brings shame to the royal family should be brought to the government office, right?
Minister Mo had a sullen face and made no response.
"Yes." Chief Ji's tears mixed with blood soaked his cheeks. His face was red and white, his eyes were bloodshot, and the thin old man looked desolate and helpless.
The head of the Ji clan swallowed hard and choked up, saying, "I want to sue the current emperor. I have committed adultery with the late Duke Zhenguo's concubine, Ji Ruo, and secretly gave him the surname Gu to deceive the late Duke Zhenguo. The child born of adultery is none other than Gu Yan, the youngest son of the Gu family."
Unlike his indignation just now, he spoke very slowly, each word clearly, and his high-pitched voice was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.
"I, a common people, only ask for justice to prevail."
"The Ji family is guilty of failing to educate their daughter."
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, but his back remained straight, like a proud bone that would rather break than bend.
These words caused a new commotion.
The Duke of Zhenguo fought for the Great Qi and died for the Great Qi. When his spirit tablet was placed in the Purple Pole Pavilion in July, his achievements had already been announced to the people by the imperial court. On the bulletin board in Meridian Gate Square, Hanlin Academy scholars repeatedly preached to them. Whether they could read or not, they were already familiar with these things and admired them deeply.
If it weren’t for the Duke Zhenguo, Liang Kingdom would have invaded six years ago!
Now you tell them that while the Duke of Zhenguo was fighting the enemy and defending his country before the war, leaving no trace of his body, the emperor was secretly committing adultery with his wife and even fathering a child from illicit relations?!
The adulterous child was given the surname Gu. So, do you want to inherit the Gu family business?
"The principles of heaven are clear and the universe is bright. How can one be so licentious and disregard human ethics?" This was said by the scholar who was nitpicking, shaking his head in anger.
"If I work myself to death outside to support my family, and my wife has an affair with someone else behind my back, and asks me to raise their son for them, I will kill those adulterers." This is the common people who do hard labor.
"It's fake. How is this possible?"
"Mr. Ji is exposing his shame, how could it be false?"
The noise from below the city wall was about to overturn the sky.
"Master Ji," Prime Minister Song asked first, "speaking nonsense, disrespecting the emperor, and wantonly slandering him is a capital offense. Have you considered this carefully?"
"yes."
Chief Ji said with a dry throat, "Every word I say is true. If I tell a lie, I will be cut into pieces."
"Your Highness Prince Chen." Prime Minister Song bowed to Xie Yingchen and said righteously, "These two men risked their lives to make a warning. I'm sure what they said is true."
"Prime Minister Song, you can't say that." Prince Li was unwilling to believe it. "This is a matter of great importance. How can we believe his one-sided statement?"
Whether they are having an affair or not, as long as they are not caught on the couch, no one’s words count!
Xie Yingchen stared at Patriarch Ji. This matter seemed too much like something Yaoyao had arranged behind the scenes. She loved to use crooked tactics, but she would never rely on luck alone to determine victory or defeat. It must be a sure win.
Xie Yingchen asked, "Do you have evidence?"
"have!"
With this shout, Chief Ji used all his strength to shout.
Wow!
Everyone gasped.
Xie Jing, who came after hearing the news, heard it clearly from below.
His heart was about to jump out of his throat.
Xie Jing was originally in Fengluan Palace. He wanted to discuss with the Queen how to persuade his father to come back. However, when he heard that members of the Ji family were making trouble by beating the drum, he hurried out.
“Get out of the way!”
Xie Jing didn't bother to ask anyone to clear the way for him, and he squeezed forward desperately through the crowded crowd.
After finally stepping onto the stone steps, he stumbled up and heard the increasingly loud voice of the Ji clan leader: "The emperor is now in the manor outside the city, with Ji Ruo. You will know once you go and see him."
Pop.
Xie Jing missed a step and slid down the stone steps, hitting his knees hard on them.
His face was pale. His father was indeed with Ji. They were inseparable and intimate. The sweetness and tenderness in his father's eyes was something he had never seen before, not even in his mother's.
"I beg His Royal Highness Prince Chen and all the others to go and take a look."
Can't go.
If you go, you will definitely be exposed.
Xie Jing limped up, dragging his legs and gritting his teeth, pointing at him and cursing, "A troublemaker has fooled you with a few words, and you still want to follow him? Ridiculous! He should be dragged away and given a hundred strokes of the cane. Let's investigate who is behind this, stirring up trouble, and attempting to ruin our father's reputation."
Although Patriarch Ji did not recognize Xie Jing, he could guess his identity by hearing him call him "Father".
He knelt there, his eyes were cold and calm when he lowered his head, and when he raised his head, he looked desolate again.
He put down Ji Xinyuan who was in his arms, and slowly climbed up with his hands supporting himself. The blood on his hands dripped down, leaving one bloody handprint after another on the city wall.
He stood up straight, a look of determination on his old face.
"Every word I say is true."
"Your Majesty committed adultery with my wife, which is debauchery; you neglected state affairs and ignored the people of Qingzhou, which is stupidity."
"I, a humble commoner, am reporting this to you for the sake of upholding justice and upholding the law. I have never considered living!"
After Chief Ji finished speaking, he rushed towards the Dengwen Drum.
"Stop him!" Prime Minister Song shouted.
How could the Ji family members just die without saying anything? Jiang Zhitong was shocked, but luckily he was prepared. As soon as the person rushed over, four or five Jinyiwei rushed over and hugged the Ji clan leader's waist tightly.
If one more person dies, I'm afraid they will all be buried with him.
Xie Jing's ears were buzzing, and the unfinished words were stuck in his throat.
He thought that if he threatened them, the other party would be afraid, but who would have thought that Patriarch Ji was so determined to die.
Xie Yingchen stepped forward, raised his hand to support the Ji clan leader, and said righteously, "After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he established the Dengwen Drum. He once said that by using the Dengwen Drum, one can advise the emperor and express grievances. When the Dengwen Drum sounds, it reaches the ears of the heavens, who will surely investigate and bring justice to the people."
The ministers nodded repeatedly. This was indeed what Emperor Taizu said himself.
Prime Minister Song was the first to respond: "Your Highness is absolutely right. This person said that the Emperor is now with the daughter of the Ji family, so he must know the whereabouts of the Emperor. Let's go and take a look and find out the truth."
Xie Jing objected loudly: "No!"
No one paid any attention to him, so Xie Yingchen asked, "Master Ji, do you know where the emperor is now?"
Patriarch Ji said hoarsely: "I know."
"Take us there." Xie Yingchen made the decision with just one sentence.
Patriarch Ji bowed and said, "Yes."
At this point, Patriarch Ji must take them there. His only worry is that if the emperor gets the news and leaves Ji Ruo behind, then the whole game will be over.
Miss Gu set up this chess game and placed him on the chessboard as a chess piece, which meant that she, as the chess player, would not make a move that would end in failure.
Patriarch Ji can only choose to believe now.
"Cousin Jing, Prime Minister, Prince Li, Duke Wei..." Xie Yingchen named seven or eight people in one breath, representing various factions, "You all go with me."
"Prepare the horses."
The people under the city wall looked around and when they saw them coming down the wall, they spontaneously made way for them.
Duke Wei pulled on Prime Minister Song's sleeve, motioning him to step back a few steps, and asked in a low voice, "Are you really going?"
"What else?" Prime Minister Song asked back.
"One person is dead." He pointed at Ji Xinyuan on the tower, then at the head of the Ji clan, "One person could hit the pillar at any moment."
"The Ji family has been the leader of the literati since the previous dynasty. Listen to what those students are shouting down there. The literati, the pure stream, love to bang their heads against the pillars. Once chaos breaks out, they'll all bang their heads against the pillars and walls at the Meridian Gate. Are you worthy of this responsibility?"
The Duke of Wei was speechless. After a pause, he stammered, "Prime Minister, look at how anxious the Third Prince is. I'm afraid, I'm afraid the Emperor is really with Ji Shi... Well, if we follow him, the Emperor will get angry and embarrassed, and nothing good will come of it."
"Your Highness the Third Prince is really something. You should at least report to the Emperor first. What's the point of coming here to argue about whether to go or not? It's a waste of time. After all, you are young and act impatiently. Alas, no wonder you, the Prime Minister, chose Gongzi Chen."
Prime Minister Song sneered at his test and quickened his pace to follow closely behind Xie Yingchen.
As the group mounted their horses at the Meridian Gate, Xie Yingchen instructed, "Qin Chen, go and ask to see Governor Shen. While we're away, he'll be in charge of the capital's affairs."
After saying this, he rode away.
Xie Jing secretly winked at Xiao Yunzi behind him.
He now had only one thought in mind, hoping that little Yunzi could be smarter and get to the farm before them so that his father could be prepared, whether by hiding or leaving quickly.
His horse followed closely behind Xie Yingchen.
When they were on the city wall, everyone surrounded Xie Yingchen. Even though he was the prince, they had no reaction when he said "don't go", as if his opinion was not worth their consideration at all.
When Xie Yingchen returned to Beijing, he still looked sick and ready to die at any moment. Unknowingly, he had reached a place beyond her reach.
After leaving the city gate, the horses ran faster and faster.
Chief Ji, accompanied by Tongzhi Jiang, rode in the front and led the way.
Xie Jing felt more and more disappointed as he walked.
Patriarch Ji did not take the wrong path. He was indeed well prepared and he really knew where his father was.
After Xie Jing discovered that the emperor and Ji had an unusual relationship, he immediately ordered the accompanying guards to seal off the manor and not allow anyone in the manor to go out. Even Ke'er did not leave the manor.
Why did Patriarch Ji know this? !
Amidst Xie Jing's trepidation, Zhuangzi finally appeared before his eyes. The small Zhuangzi was built against the mountain, with beautiful scenery and birdsong. But if Xie Jing were to choose again, he would never listen to Ji Nanke and bring the emperor here.
"It's right here." Patriarch Ji, exhausted from running around, said with difficulty, "The Emperor and Ji Ruo are both here."
This is what Gu Zhizhuo said, and he probably believed it.
At this point in the game, life or death is no longer under his control.
Xie Yingchen was the first to ride his horse into the manor.
He got there first again! Xie Jing cursed inwardly, followed closely, and shouted from behind him, "Prince Chen, shouldn't we inform the master first? It's not good for us to rush in like this."
"King Chen."
"Xie Yingchen, wait a minute!"
"Thanks……"
Xie Jing's voice stopped abruptly, and the reins slipped from his hands.
The emperor and Ji walked out of the main house not far away, shoulder to shoulder. Ji held the emperor's arm affectionately, her whole body pressed against his shoulder, her eyes filled with tenderness that seemed to drip with tears.
The emperor's face flushed as he looked into her eyes with deep affection.
Xiao Yunzi followed behind with a sad face, and with her was Li Deshun, who looked as pale as death.
Patriarch Ji did not recognize the emperor, but he recognized Ji Ruo. His eyes were filled with rage, and he wished he could tear her apart alive.
"Your Majesty?"
Prime Minister Song blurted out in surprise.
The expressions of the others were different. Prince Li's breath was stuck in his throat and turned into a violent cough.
Ji was once the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo. She could always be seen at New Year's greetings, palace banquets, or birthday and wedding banquets in various mansions. Most of them had seen her before, and even though her face was covered with rashes, they could still recognize her.
She and the emperor were close to each other, going in and out together. No one would believe it if you said they had no relationship.
It’s not like I’m blind!!
"Father, the Emperor."
Xie Jing shouted tremblingly.
He glared at Xiao Yunzi fiercely, and Xiao Yunzi blinked frantically. He had no choice, he really had no choice.
"You're all here."
The emperor gently patted Ji's hand, which was holding his arm, and turned to the crowd and said, "Very well, I was just about to tell you that I want to take Ji into the palace and make her a noble concubine."
Ji's eyes were filled with emotion and she lowered her head shyly.
At this moment, Xie Jing felt like the sky was collapsing.
He stared at Ji, whose face was covered with rashes, with disgust. What kind of evil magic did this woman use to bewitch his father like this?
Such a face.
A face that made him sick.
Prince Li recovered from his shock and said hoarsely, "Say it again!"
"I have made up my mind, you don't need to persuade me anymore."
Prince Li is a member of the imperial family and the late emperor's younger brother.
"You disappeared for three days, just to be with her?"
The emperor nodded gently and looked sideways at Ji Shi: "I am very happy to be with Ruo'er."
"You tyrant!"
Prince Li pulled out a black whip and lashed it at the emperor.
On the whip, three large golden characters "Da Wang Whip" are clearly visible.
It was bestowed by Taizu himself and passed down by every clan leader.
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