Chapter 836: Give in
The atmosphere in the hall was tense, with people from the aristocratic families watching covetously. Not to mention Cao Dejiang and others who were loyal to the emperor and empress, even other people had sensed that something was amiss.
The case of Guo Changming had already been determined. The evidence submitted by the Ministry of Justice was enough to execute the entire Guo family and exterminate all nine generations of the Guo clan. It didn't matter whether Shi Qingrong really assassinated Guo Changming. What mattered was that Guo Changming had personally "identified" Shi Qingrong.
As for the two assassins, there was nothing wrong with the Queen ordering their arrest and separate interrogation. Although it was not approved by the Three Courts, the imperial power was above the court power. The king could kill his subjects if he wanted, not to mention there was evidence. In the past, both the deposed emperor and Xiao Yan had done so more than once or twice when they were in court, but no court officials had ever questioned them for this.
Now Min An and others are defending Shi Qingrong's questioning of the Queen. It seems that every word he says makes sense, but in fact it is nonsense.
It was obvious that when Shi Qingrong was imprisoned a few days ago, the aristocratic families were in a panic. Even if they wanted to plead for mercy, they did not dare to be so forceful. Now the court is forcing the queen, and every word they say is implying that someone is framing him. Where do they get the confidence to act like this?
Cao Dejiang's face was cold, and he held the jade sceptre in his arms as he spoke in a deep voice, "Lord Min, what you said is clearly sophistry. Guo Changming personally identified you as a falsehood, and you said the assassin's confession was insufficient evidence. What evidence do you still need? Why weren't you so eloquent before Guo Changming was executed?"
Old Master Huo from the Imperial Censorate also had a cold expression on his face. "If what Liang Xiang and the others say is true, then from now on, the court will not care about any evidence when judging cases. As long as a person's death is just nonsense, then the accusation can be regarded as insufficient evidence due to personal vendettas. Then, even the most heinous crimes can be acquitted."
Qian Baokun snorted coldly, "Prime Minister Liang and Lord Min are really good at speaking."
Don’t these bastards know whether Shi Qingrong is guilty or not?
How many people from aristocratic families have clean hands? Why was Guo Changming silenced? Why are they so guilty? Don’t Liang Guangyi and others have any idea about this?
Qian Baokun saw the ransom money sent by the aristocratic families into the palace the day before yesterday. The purpose was to make the Queen stop focusing on the matter of Guo Changming and stop "implicating" those people from the aristocratic families with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice, so as to avoid uncovering more shameful things if the matter was investigated further.
But they didn't expect that after they paid the money, the Queen let the Ministry of Justice go as she said. Guo Changming was executed, and the aristocratic families jumped out to plead for justice for Shi Qingrong, and kept saying that the Shi family was wronged. Do these bastards take advantage of the fact that people can't speak after they die?
If it weren't for the fact that mentioning the more than two million taels of silver would make people think that the Queen was partial, Qian Baokun really wanted to throw the account book on Min An and the others' heads.
If you weren't feeling guilty, would you be being kind by giving money to the Queen?!
Fu Laiqing, a young figure, stepped forward. "The criminal court has been investigating this case for a long time, and the assassin's confession is clear. Now he's suddenly being questioned, and with such ridiculous remarks, are you trying to redress Shi Qingrong's innocence, or are you trying to make excuses for something else?"
Liang Guangyi ignored Qian Baokun's sarcasm, he just looked up.
"We, your servants, have absolutely no such intention. However, the Shi family is a family of meritorious officials who have assisted the imperial family for several dynasties, and Shi Qingrong is also a pillar of the court. Whether it is punishment or conviction, we should be more rigorous. Only in this way can the Empress be convinced."
"Prime Minister Cao mentioned Guo Changming just now. Although he is dead, if he could really testify against the Shi family, the Empress will surely find something else under her strict interrogation. The Empress is wise and will surely not imprison an important official for his casual accusation."
"It's hard to tell the assassin's confession, but Guo Changming's is enough to convince the court. As long as he leaves a confession stating that the Shi family is really involved in the Ministry of Justice and that Shi Qingrong murdered court officials, we will naturally be convinced. The Shi family deserves the punishment they deserve. Even if the entire family is executed, we will not hesitate."
Liang Guangyi's words were not harsh, and he even restrained his previous aggressiveness. There was no problem in his words. Even Cao Dejiang and others had nothing to say if they wanted to refute him. Other court officials also agreed with him.
Guo Changming was guilty of a serious crime. It was impossible for him to reveal only a little when the Queen ordered a strict interrogation.
The Queen ordered the arrest of Shi Qingrong because she must have had solid evidence. As long as she could produce Guo Changming's confession, she would be able to appease everyone and prove that Shi Qingrong was unforgivable.
"Empress, with war raging everywhere and the people feeling uneasy, I'm sure you wouldn't want to be branded as someone who wrongly persecuted court officials while the Emperor was away from the capital, right?"
The people from the Fan family spoke with some ill intentions.
Everyone in the hall looked up at the Queen.
Tang Ning, wearing the queen's court dress, hid behind the pearl curtain. Her entire face was obscured by the hanging pearl curtain, making it difficult to see her expression. She did not say a word, but anyone could feel the tense atmosphere in the hall. They could also feel that the relationship between the court officials of the aristocratic families and the queen was like a taut bowstring that could break at the slightest touch.
After a moment, the Queen said in a cold voice, "Shi Qingrong's crime is indeed suspicious. I order the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to re-examine him."
"Empress!" Fu Laiqing looked shocked.
Qian Baokun and others also changed color.
The Queen ordered the arrest of Shi Qingrong, and the Shi family's property was also searched by the Queen. If Shi Qingrong was convicted, there would be no problem. But now the Queen has made a concession and agreed to re-examine Shi Qingrong's case. Doesn't that confirm what Liang Guangyi and others said, making outsiders speculate that the Queen's previous actions were selfish?
Shi Qingrong's charges are questionable, but what about the Queen who ordered his arrest?
Qian Baokun said anxiously, "Empress, the evidence of Shi Qingrong's guilt is irrefutable. You kept him in prison so that you could question him after Your Majesty returned to the capital. You don't have to let this pest go just because of some people's nonsense..."
Old Master Huo from the Imperial Censorate also said in a deep voice, "Everything the Empress does is for the sake of the court. She must not give in because of some shameless villains. I believe that the Empress is fair and just. But, Prime Minister Liang, what is your intention in forcing the Empress with such means?!"
Liang Guangyi's face was calm: "I only want evidence, how can I force you?"
"you!"
Qian Baokun was shocked by their shamelessness and felt furious. "The evidence is the evidence. The Queen should just give it to them. You don't know what Guo Changming said. If you weren't guilty, why did you eagerly raise money and send it in a few days ago..."
“That’s enough!”
The queen suddenly interrupted Qian Baokun's words, and the figure behind the bead curtain also stood up.
She was not tall, but after many days of governing the country, she already had the majesty of an emperor.
"Since there are doubts about Shi Qingrong's case, the case will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple for retrial. There is no need to discuss this matter further. I will adjourn the court."
Qian Baokun frowned tightly, and Fu Laiqing and others were also puzzled. However, the court officials from the aristocratic families all had smug looks on their faces.
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