While imprisoned in the Dali Temple, Zhang Ji protested his innocence. He denied ever whipping the Eighth Princess. He simply said that after their wedding, the Eighth Princess refused to consummate the marriage, and he was angry and ignored her.
Later, the virtuous prince apprehended a servant in the mansion, who confessed that he had been bribed by Zhang Ji with silver. That same day, he knocked the Eighth Princess unconscious in the mansion's backyard, fed her a love potion, and lit aphrodisiac incense in the room. He then notified Zhang Ji to come and destroy the Eighth Princess's virginity, forcing her to marry Zhang Ji!
Zhang Ji was horrified by this man's accusation. He kept shouting, "I'm being wronged! I don't even recognize this man! That day, I was knocked unconscious in the bamboo grove at the Xianwang Mansion. Later, I don't even know who left me on the Eighth Princess's bed!"
At this time, a tall man wearing a bamboo hat entered the Dali Temple. He stood outside the cell where Zhang Ji was being held and coldly addressed Dali Temple Minister Lu Zheng: "Is this how you investigate cases at the Dali Temple? Since there's a witness, if Zhang Ji refuses to confess, you'll torture him severely! Or do you think his cousin is the Third Prince, so you don't dare torture him?"
Zhang Ji cursed in his cell: "Chu Chengli! I know it's you! You're a hypocrite! You framed me! You deserve a horrible death!"
Crown Prince Chu Chengli took off his hat with his hands, his dark eyes filled with coldness. "Zhang Ji! You've ruined this Crown Prince's sister's lifelong happiness! Do you think this Crown Prince will let you off so easily?"
Zhang Ji's eyes widened in anger. "You fool! We've all fallen into someone else's trap! Think about it, I've always admired the Eighth Princess. How could I possibly do such a despicable thing to her?"
The prince humbly said to Lu Zheng, "Lord Lu! I want to talk to Zhang Ji alone!"
Lu Zheng curled his lips and said, "Your Highness, I'm waiting for you outside! If you need anything, just call me!"
The prince waited until Lu Zheng walked out of the cell. He sneered, "Zhang Ji! I don't care who's behind this! I only know this is an opportunity to bring down your Zhang family! Zhang Liu has been in the position of Minister of Justice for too long! He can retire and return home to enjoy his remaining years!"
Zhang Ji's eyes were bloodshot: "You despicable villain! His Majesty will not let you wrongly accuse my father like this!"
The prince sneered, "Even if the emperor wanted to keep your Zhang family, the officials in the court wouldn't agree! The position of Minister of Justice is a very popular position! Alas! Zhang Liu is an honest and upright official! It's a pity that he gave birth to a rebellious son like you. Your Zhang family is ruined in your hands!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji fell to the ground with a look of regret on his face!
The prince said to his attendant guards, "Go and feed the servant of the virtuous prince some good food!"
The guards opened the cell next to Zhang Ji and force-fed the pills to the servants of Prince Xian's mansion.
Zhang Ji was shocked and asked, "Why did you poison him?"
The Crown Prince wore a smile, but his eyes were icy cold. "This Crown Prince didn't intend to poison him! It was Consort De who wanted him dead! Because... it was the Third Prince who ordered him to give the Eighth Princess an aphrodisiac! Haha! Zhang Ji, your Zhang Mansion is worthless in this Crown Prince's eyes!"
Zhang Ji shouted: "Master Lu! Master Lu! The prince is poisoning the witness!" But no matter how loudly he shouted, Lu Zheng did not come in.
The prince looked at him coldly, put on his hat and left the Dali Temple!
The Dali Temple was silent at night. After a maid from the palace came to visit Zhang Ji, the servant of the Xianwang Mansion who was imprisoned was poisoned to death! The Dali Temple conducted a thorough investigation and found that the maid who visited the Dali Temple prison at night was none other than the maid from the Defei Palace...
The next morning, Zhang Ji confessed his guilt in despair! He couldn't let De Fei and the Third Prince be implicated.
The final details of the case were as follows: After a rigorous investigation by the Dali Temple, the truth of the Eighth Princess was finally revealed. Those shocking whip marks were actually made by Zhang Ji, the son of Zhang Liu!
Furthermore, Zhang Ji was also responsible for administering two potent aphrodisiacs, Burning Love Fragrance and Hehuan Powder, to the Eighth Princess during the Xianwang Mansion's birthday banquet. This man must have harbored a deep admiration for the Eighth Princess, and, desperately seeking her, resorted to such despicable means, attempting to destroy her pure and innocent body! Poor Eighth Princess, she suffered this unprovoked disaster, not only damaging her reputation but also suffering physically and mentally...
Upon learning of this, Emperor Wen was furious. He immediately issued an imperial decree: "Zhang Ji's marriage to the Eighth Princess is dissolved, and he is exiled to the frontier as a warning to others! As a father, Zhang Liu failed to raise his son properly, leading to his son's grave error. Therefore, he is dismissed from his post as Minister of Justice and ordered to resign and return home to retire."
Afterwards, all the slaves in the Zhang Mansion who had participated in the imprisonment of the Eighth Princess were sentenced to death by beheading!
The Third Prince and Empress Defei were completely unaware of what Zhang Ji had done! Emperor Wen soon lifted the Third Prince's ban.
At this point, the Eighth Princess finally regained her freedom, and her reputation was restored! The haze that once shrouded her has dissipated, and now she is reborn like a phoenix from the ashes.
The sun shone on her beautiful face, illuminating her eyes filled with joy and hope. At that moment, the Eighth Princess felt an unprecedented sense of relief and joy, knowing that a bright future awaited her.
The secret guards presented the files they had investigated to Emperor Wen's desk. Emperor Wen frowned after reading them. Why couldn't he find out the truth about what happened that day?
Emperor Wen said to Eunuch Gao: "The Crown Prince and I have very similar personalities. We are both willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals!"
Eunuch Gao comforted him: "Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is also doing this for the Eighth Princess..."
Emperor Wen sneered, "How could he possibly be doing this for the sake of picking wild vegetables? He's trying to bring down the Zhang family! The Zhang family is ruined! I need to think carefully about who will take over the position of Minister of Justice! Go and call the Prime Minister!"
Eunuch Gao summoned Prime Minister Li Mingfu to the imperial study. Li Mingfu entered the study and respectfully saluted Emperor Wen: "Long live Your Majesty!"
A flash of coldness flashed across Emperor Wen's eyes, and he put on a smile: "My dear Li! Tomorrow is the day of the Crown Prince's wedding! As his father-in-law, you must give your full support to the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne!"
Li Mingfu's heart skipped a beat. He replied solemnly, "Your Majesty! I am your subject! Naturally, I will obey Your Majesty!"
Emperor Wen laughed heartily. "Lord Li! I have recruited you for the vacant position of Minister of Justice. Do you have any suitable candidates?"
Li Mingfu pondered for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty! I wonder what kind of person you would like to replace Zhang Liu?"
Emperor Wen was silent for a long time before he said, "I want someone who has no connection to a noble family! Preferably a local official who is familiar with the criminal laws of Dazhao and who is not afraid of powerful people!"
Li Mingfu took out a stack of files and presented them to Eunuch Gao. He said cautiously, "Your Majesty! These are all local officials who meet the requirements. Please make your decision!"
Emperor Wen took the file and glanced through it briefly, then nodded with some satisfaction. "Lord Li, you are so thoughtful! The Crown Prince is waiting for you at the Queen's place. Go and discuss the arrangements for the Crown Prince's wedding tomorrow!"
Li Mingfu bowed and left the Imperial Study. Emperor Wen snorted coldly at the air, "Go and investigate the backgrounds of those listed in the files! Li Mingfu, that old fox! I will never allow one of his men to take the position of Minister of Justice!"
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