The next morning, in Qinzheng Hall.
On the dragon throne, Emperor Chongde was wearing a bright yellow robe embroidered with a pattern of a dragon soaring across the sea.
He glared angrily downwards, his entire body emitting an aura of a king that intimidated the world!
Qi Nanche knelt down in the court, feeling a chill all over his body, and suddenly heard:
"You're so brave!"
The sound was like thunder above the head, shaking the ears!
He immediately broke out in a cold sweat and bent his upper body even lower.
It was only after he sobered up this morning that he found out that he had taken advantage of his drunkenness last night to kill a beggar who was having a banquet outside the house!
Killing one or two beggars is not a big deal!
But this matter happened to be known by the people on the prince's side, and was exposed and impeached by the Left Censor-in-Chief at the morning court today!
Although Qi Nanche usually has a bad temper, he knows how to restrain himself in front of his grandfather.
Qi Nanyan was secretly cursing his fifth brother for being so stupid. Why did he have to kill anyone else?
He turned his head slightly and secretly glanced at Prime Minister Liu Yangfeng.
Liu Yangfeng walked out of the train, stepped forward, and said:
"Your Majesty, Prince Jing got drunk at his wedding yesterday, and it was not intentional.
It would be better to let Prince Jing's Mansion help that person deal with his affairs after his death.
If he has family, then I will give him more money as compensation, so that his family can live a stable and peaceful life."
Qi Moli rarely attended court today. After listening to Liu Yangfeng's words, he stretched lazily and asked in a puzzled manner:
"According to Prime Minister Liu, a beggar's life is so worthless that all he needs to pay is some silver."
Liu Yangfeng was also a veteran minister of three dynasties, and had seen many ups and downs. Facing King Mo Ying's questioning, he simply smiled faintly, bowed, and said:
"Your Highness has misunderstood me, this old minister. Since ancient times, the emperor has committed the same crime as the common people.
I am not being biased when I say this, I am just trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong.
"I would like to ask you, Your Highness. Yesterday, His Royal Highness Prince Jing got married. Your Highness, did you attend the banquet?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Moli uttered only two words: "Never."
Liu Yangfeng nodded, then turned to look at Qi Nanyan and said:
"May I ask, Your Highness Prince Rui, did you go to the banquet yesterday?"
Qi Nanyan was so smart that he nodded immediately and said with a smile: "Of course I will go."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yangfeng bowed deeply to Emperor Chongde and preached righteously:
"Our dynasty governs the world with benevolence and righteousness. Yesterday, His Royal Highness Prince Jing celebrated his wedding, and we invited all our relatives and friends from around the world to treat him with respect.
That person came uninvited, which was a form of impoliteness.
Making a scene at a wedding banquet after drinking is the second immoral act.
When his body was searched, it was found that he had secretly hidden artifacts from the royal palace. This was his third bad behavior.
Refusing to see the official and attempting to escape is the fourth form of insolence!
On the day of His Royal Highness Prince Jing's wedding, he encountered such a villain. Naturally, he should help him!
Although I accidentally killed him in the end, it is understandable and there are reasons for it. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
Upon hearing this, Qi Moli's brows furrowed, and he looked at the Crown Prince Qi Nanyuan opposite him, then closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Qi Nanyan still had a gentle smile on his face. He took a step forward and said:
"What Prime Minister Liu said is true!
I was also at the wedding banquet last night. I saw the thief doing this after drinking, and wanted to persuade my fifth brother to swallow his anger and not cause trouble.
But that man was so arrogant that he disrupted his wedding banquet in public!
My fifth brother made a serious mistake out of youth and impetuosity. I hope that the emperor will see clearly and forgive my fifth brother."
He Wenqin, the Left Censor-in-Chief, who was standing in the court, heard this and bowed to Emperor Chongde, saying:
"Your Majesty, all the unjust, false and wrongful convictions throughout history are due to listening to one side of the story!
Now that the victim has passed away, there is no room for argument.
Everything in the world requires fairness and justice.
The most difficult thing about this matter is that the beggar has a low status and represents the working people!
If this matter is not handled fairly, it will definitely create a rift between the government and the people, and the situation will become like fire and water!
I think it would be more convincing if this matter could be handed over to the relevant authorities to handle!"
Liu Yangfeng glanced at He Wenqin and said disapprovingly:
"Master He, please don't exaggerate here!
I'm afraid the people in the city will deeply despise these lazy thieves who just eat and drink for free, and will avoid them as much as possible!"
He paused, then bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, I believe that since His Royal Highness Prince Jing is newly married, and all the nobles in the court can testify to this, there is no need to imprison the prince."
Emperor Chongde pondered for a moment, his eyes swept over Qi Moli who was silent with his eyes closed, and then he said:
"Since the court has testified, this matter may not be wrong.
Then order Prince Jing to stay in his palace and not go out until this matter is thoroughly investigated!"
Seeing this, He Wenqin knew that the emperor was deliberately showing favoritism, so he tactfully returned to the train.
Qi Nanyuan changed the subject and said:
"Your Majesty, it's quite a coincidence.
The appearance of beggars at Prince Jing's banquet reminded me that there seemed to be more beggars in the capital than in previous years.
A few days ago, I also asked people to contact a few people, saying that they were disaster victims from Huaibei.
I wonder if the man His Royal Highness Prince Jing killed was also from Huaibei?"
After these words came out, Qi Nanyan, who was standing behind him, froze his smile slightly, but immediately smiled again:
"Your Highness, you are worrying too much. That man is just a thug on the streets of Beijing.
Regarding the refugees in the capital, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is usually busy with government affairs and is unaware of this:
In autumn and winter, when cold mists invade the border, people from the northern provinces often migrate south to Beijing to seek refuge.
There is nothing wrong with this.”
Qi Moli opened his eyelids and snorted coldly:
"Did Prince Rui ask those people personally?"
Qi Nanyan was stunned when he heard this and said, "To answer Uncle Nine, I haven't encountered any refugees this year, so naturally I haven't had the opportunity to investigate."
Emperor Chongde felt annoyed as he watched the quarrel among the people below the stage.
He coughed lightly, looked at the ministers, frowned and asked:
"Where is the Minister of Revenue?"
Zheng Jianmin, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was mixed in the train, was frightened when he heard the words.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, then hurriedly walked out of the train, bowed and said:
"I am here."
Emperor Chongde's face darkened and he said:
"Have you received any disaster reports from Huaibei recently?"
Zheng Jianmin was afraid of angering the emperor, so he thought carefully for a moment and said:
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has not received it."
Seeing this, Qi Nanyan interrupted at the right time:
"If that's the case, then those refugees are just lying!
In order to avoid being expelled back to their hometown by the patrol officers, they naturally come up with these lame excuses."
Qi Moli spoke lazily, word by word:
"What if local officials conceal the disaster?!"
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