Chapter 166: Grounding (Two Chapters in One)
Two days later, a waiter at an inn in Tong'an City immediately recognized the person in one of several portraits as a guest who had stayed there before. However, when the waiter saw Eunuch Jin in person, he couldn't help shaking his head. "No, no, he looks a bit like me, but that man stood straight and walked with his head held high."
Eunuch Jin has been a eunuch for decades, and hunching over has become a habit for him. Not only him, but all the eunuchs in the palace walk with their chests hunched and their backs hunched, ready to bow at any time.
In the court, Emperor Yongjia asked about this matter. The Third Prince said calmly, "Although Eunuch Jin has served me for many years, if he harbors evil intentions and violates the law, I will not shield him. The Ministry of Justice has always been fair in its investigations. If you need my cooperation, I have no choice but to do so."
If you don't defend yourself, don't cry out for injustice, and don't prove yourself, then go ahead and investigate if you want.
Emperor Yongjia was very pleased with these words, as the third prince was his favorite son.
The pressure was put on the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Justice naturally put the pressure on Yan Xia. Even though he did not receive a salary from the Ministry of Justice, since he was investigating the case, he had to find out the results in the shortest time possible.
Yang Shengqiu had also persuaded two old eunuchs. They were castrated and entered the palace at the same time as Eunuch Jin, but they were not very lucky. They had been working at the bottom level and had suffered for decades, but they had never had the chance to serve the noble lady.
However, Eunuch Jin had a smooth life in the palace. He first served Concubine Qiao, and later he set up a household with the Third Prince. He had more than a dozen godsons and grandsons. It was said that as early as ten years ago, he bought a farm of several hundred acres so that he would have a place to live in peace in the future when he retired.
Although they entered the palace at the same time, these two old eunuchs are not even qualified to serve tea and water to Eunuch Jin. Suddenly someone finds them, and just by saying a few more words, they can own a small courtyard with an entrance. Such a good thing is something they could never dream of.
The two agreed immediately, and the people from the Ministry of Justice really found out about them. After all, although there were more than a dozen young eunuchs who entered the palace at the same time, only three of them, including Eunuch Jin, were able to survive until now.
Both of them remembered that Xiao Jinzi always talked about how he had a brother who was sold when he was young. He also said that the brother looked very similar to him and they would be able to recognize him at a glance even if they met him in the future.
Two days later, the Ministry of Justice found out that Eunuch Jin had never been to Tong'an County, and he was released that afternoon.
Although the truth of this case has not yet been revealed, Eunuch Jin has been cleared of suspicion. No matter who is the mastermind behind this, it has nothing to do with the Third Prince's Mansion.
In a room somewhere in the capital, heavy curtains were hung even during the day. Upon learning that Eunuch Jin had been released, the Fourth Prince threw all the porcelain within his reach to the ground. Amidst the sound of shattering pieces, the Third Prince collapsed dejectedly on the Arhat bed.
He had been planning this for several months, and originally thought that he could bring down at least one of the princes, whether it was the crown prince or the third prince. Even if he couldn't, he could at least make his father despise him. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Justice didn't even investigate the crown prince, and the third prince's mansion only arrested an old eunuch and kept him for a few days before releasing him. It was not a big deal, and they handled it with care!
The Fourth Prince was trembling with anger. Wasn't it said that Yan Xia was good at criminal law? Why didn't they find out that it was the Third Prince who framed the Crown Prince?
Even a fool could see that, but Yan Xia couldn't? And those imperial censors in the Censorate, don't they usually just love to meddle in other people's affairs out of thin air? Now that such a big case has emerged, why haven't they submitted a memorial to impeach the Crown Prince and the Third Prince?
They are all a bunch of opportunists!
Villains, all of them are villains!
None of them are good!
The eldest brother is the crown prince, so they have to curry favor with him. The third brother is favored, so they also have to curry favor with him. But he, the fourth prince, has long been forgotten.
He was only eighteen years old, and his wonderful life had just begun. He was born with a jade spoon in his mouth, and he had once been dressed in fine clothes and rode a horse, full of vigor and ambition.
But now, although he had thrown away his crutches, he was left disabled. He asked the eunuch to pull hard, but his two legs were still one long and one short. He had obviously put a thick layer of padding in his shoes, but he still limped when he walked. During the palace banquet, almost everyone was looking at his legs. Although those people didn't say anything, he knew that they were all laughing at him, laughing at him for being a cripple.
He could have had another life!
It was obvious that he was the one chosen by his father, and he did what his father asked him to do. Xiao Zhen was already dead, but he also survived a near-death experience and was left disabled.
How could he accept this?
Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince burst into tears, like a child abandoned by his parents!
That night, two eunuchs died in the Fourth Prince's mansion, one fell into the water and the other fell down the stone steps.
Sister Liu and the waiter finally changed their confessions. Someone showed them a portrait and asked them to identify the person in the portrait. Yan Xia re-drew a portrait based on their confessions and finally found out that this person was once a eunuch in the Fourth Prince's Mansion.
A few months ago, a group of people were released from the Fourth Prince's Mansion. Among these people, some were elderly and some were sick. This eunuch was one of them. He could not stay in the mansion when he was sick, so as not to pass on his illness to the noble.
Not long after this eunuch left the palace, he died of illness.
Yan Xia found the man's grave and dug out the body. After the autopsy, the coroner proved that the man died of poisoning no more than a month ago.
At this point in the case, anyone with a discerning eye can clearly see what is going on.
Since the matter concerned the prince, Yan Xia was unable to make a decision and reported the case to Emperor Yongjia again.
Emperor Yongjia was silent for a long time, waved his hand, and asked Yan Xia to leave first. When Yan Xia walked to the door, he heard the sound of breaking coming from inside. He raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking, "What a stupid son of the emperor."
That night, the Fourth Prince was called into the palace. Emperor Yongjia closed his eyes as he watched him limp to him and then kneel down with difficulty. If it weren't for this incident, he would have forgotten that he had a lame son.
"You are worse than a pig or a dog. Who gave you the courage to frame your brothers?"
The fourth prince knelt on the ground, crying uncontrollably. His crying made Emperor Yongjia even more irritated. He walked out from behind the desk and kicked the fourth prince!
Dayong was founded on military power, and all the princes learned martial arts when they were young. Although Emperor Yongjia was over forty years old, he was in good health. The fourth prince was seriously injured and has never fully recovered. Although he is young, his physical condition is far inferior to that of Emperor Yongjia.
When Emperor Yongjia kicked out, the fourth prince's broken body flew up like a kite with a broken string and fell heavily to the ground. The eunuchs beside him were horrified, but no one dared to come forward to help him.
The Fourth Prince's forehead hit something and was bleeding.
Looking at the blood flowing out, Emperor Yongjia's face was as gloomy as water: "I ask you, tell me, why did you frame your brother?"
The Fourth Prince weakly raised his head and looked up at his father: "Father, you finally remembered me. I did all this just to see you. If you can remember me, I will die with my eyes closed..."
Emperor Yongjia was stunned. He never expected that the Fourth Prince would do this for this reason.
Come to think of it, among my sons, although the fourth son is far inferior to the third and fifth sons in terms of qualifications, he is the most obedient. No matter what I ask him to do, as long as it is my order, the fourth son will get it done even if it costs his life. Just like the last incident in Shijishan, although I did not give any orders, but with a little guidance, the fourth son did it, and Xiao Zhen would have died long ago. It's a pity that the fourth son still lacked the ability and almost lost his life.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yongjia's cold and hard heart finally softened, and he ordered: "Call the imperial physician."
The eunuchs observed the emperor's words and expressions and knew that he was not completely disgusted with the Fourth Prince. They did not dare to delay and rushed to call the imperial physician.
Listening to the messy footsteps going away, the Fourth Prince breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that he would not die this time. As long as he was alive, he still had hope. He did not dare to covet the chair, but he also did not want the eldest and third sons to sit on it. They were all sons of the emperor. Why were they the mutton-fat jade bottles, while he was the coarse porcelain bowl?
Even if he wasn't having a good life, he would never let those two bastards have an easy life.
The Fourth Prince fainted, but he was not pretending. He was weak and had lost a lot of blood, so he could not hold on any longer.
This matter soon reached Zhao Shiqing's ears through Sister Aping's mouth, and she was stunned for a moment.
The emperor has a fourth prince?
Yes, since there are the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince, there must be a Fourth Prince in between, someone that even the Emperor could hardly remember, let alone Zhao Shiqing who only came to the capital last year.
But he soon found out what was going on with this Fourth Prince.
Xiao Zhen: "I narrowly escaped death, all thanks to him, and now I can still stand here in good health, but he is already a cripple."
The corner of Zhao Shiqing's mouth twitched. "Not only is the Fourth Prince disabled in his legs and feet, his brain isn't very good either. This case is riddled with loopholes. Take, for example, the two yamen runners responsible for digging the hole. Even I could tell they were suspicious at first glance."
Xiao Zhen: "I also overlooked the Fourth Prince. He was able to come up with this method to cause the Crown Prince and the Third Prince to fight each other. He is indeed a talented person. I underestimated him."
…
In the Fourth Prince's Mansion, when the Fourth Prince woke up, he was already lying on his bed. He stared at Chengchen above his head, stunned.
At this time, a eunuch came in and said, "Fourth Master, when Eunuch Liu brought you back, he read out the emperor's order, confining you to your room for a year."
The Fourth Prince nodded, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.
He framed the Crown Prince and put the blame on the Third Prince. This was clearly a serious crime that warranted the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire family, yet the Emperor only punished him with house arrest for a year. What does this mean? It means that the Emperor feels guilty!
The Fourth Prince reached out and touched his forehead. He gasped in pain, but what followed was an incomparable sense of comfort.
It goes without saying that the eldest and the third brother must be furious at this time.
You all looked down on me and said I was a cripple, but now you know, this cripple of mine almost killed you!
The Fourth Prince became more and more proud as he thought about it. His father should be able to see from this incident that he is the most outstanding among all the princes. He is brave, resourceful, extremely intelligent, and has great talent.
The Fourth Prince looked around, and all he saw were bed curtains, cabinets, and small tables, but he seemed to see his family, country, and the world. He was a prince, no, he was the most outstanding prince.
Who says a cripple can't fight for the throne? As long as all his brothers are dead, the throne will be his, and only his!
At this moment, the Fourth Prince was full of confidence. Even though his head was still aching, he still struggled to get up and said, "Someone, help me walk outside."
Starting today, he will continue to practice walking. What does it matter if one leg is longer than the other?
He firmly believed that as long as he persisted in practicing, he would be able to take steady and firm steps like everyone else.
…
When the news of the Fourth Prince being under house arrest reached the East Palace, the Crown Prince was furious. He took the delicate hand of a concubine and bit it hard. The smell of blood instantly filled his mouth, and the depression in his heart finally dissipated a little.
The prince released his concubine's bloody hand. Another concubine immediately brought him a jade bowl of clear water. The prince rinsed his mouth and spat the blood-stained mouthwash into the bowl. Then he remembered the concubine he had just bitten. When he met her tearful eyes, his heart softened and a doting smile appeared on his face. "Come here, bring me the headgear that the Silver Bureau just sent the other day..."
An hour later, after the Crown Prince had comforted the injured beauty and gotten out of bed to change, a trusted eunuch entered. "Your Highness, I've investigated thoroughly. Eunuch Jin's release from the Ministry of Justice was entirely due to Yang Zhuangyuan's contribution. As soon as the incident occurred, Yang Zhuangyuan went to the Feng Mansion. An hour later, he left the Feng Mansion and quietly went to the Third Prince's residence. Furthermore, a few days ago, his attendant bought a small courtyard in the city. It's been empty ever since, with no one living there."
As the prince changed his clothes, he sneered, "This Yang Shengqiu is really ungrateful. I wanted to recruit him, but he didn't know what was good for him and secretly joined that old dog Feng Ke."
The confidant said, "Before coming to Beijing, Yang Shengqiu was the tutor at Lang Jing's residence. Lang Jing's father-in-law and Feng Ke were old friends. Yang Shengqiu must have considered himself Feng Ke's man for a long time."
The prince couldn't help but sneer, "You are just a scholar who has just come into power. I want to see what kind of trouble you can stir up."
At the same time, the Third Prince also heard the news. He was stunned and said, "Is the information you heard wrong? The Fourth Prince did something like this, and Father only punished him by grounding him?"
After confirming with his men again and again, the Third Prince could no longer contain his anger and slammed his fist on the table.
"Hand over the sign, I want to enter the palace tomorrow!"
Of course, he didn't want to argue in front of his father. He wanted to see Concubine Qiao. If there was anyone in this world who could figure out his father's thoughts, it must be his biological mother, Concubine Qiao.
"By the way, are there any rare items in Master Zhen's newly arrived shipment? Pick out a few and send them to Mother tomorrow."
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