Chapter 91: Yes, I am guilty
Although Yujing is still gray after the heavy rain, it has quietly gained a bit of vitality. Only those who have lived on this land for a long time can feel this bit of vitality.
The white marble steps in the imperial city were much cleaner than usual. After such a long drought, the color of the yellow sand seemed to have melted into them.
Zhao Changning stopped, straightened his messy body, calmly took off his coarse cloth coat, and carefully combed his slightly damp hair to ensure that there were no mistakes in his posture.
She followed the escort and entered from the Meridian Gate. The moat was already flowing with water, covering up the pile of bones.
Not far after crossing the bridge is the majestic Taihe Gate.
Zhao Changning seldom observed things carefully, but today, watching it from the perspective of a prisoner, it was truly awe-inspiring. She was very glad that Chen Mi did not put shackles or anything like that on her.
The road from Taihe Gate to Taihe Hall was very long. In addition to the sword-wielding guards standing on both sides, she also saw female officials such as Song Huan not far away.
Everyone was very calm, without any excitement or crying, not even shedding tears. They just stood there quietly, silently looking at their aunt.
However, Zhao Changning seemed to hear their silent shouts in his ears, which were so arrogant and angry, mixed with overwhelming power.
She looked at them and felt very satisfied. She had the illusion that even if she died today, they would still be able to hold on.
Song Huan noticed their eye contact and nodded vigorously at her.
Zhao Changning understood the meaning and immediately smiled back. She felt grateful. What was just a selfish act at first had become her support today.
What a wonderful arrangement, God is so fair.
Entering the hall, Zhao Changning remained calm. Facing the unfriendly gazes, he looked around the crowd with his head held high before slowly kneeling down.
"Your Majesty, I bow to you. Long live the Emperor."
From the moment she came into the emperor's sight, a strange color flashed across his ink-black eyes. He involuntarily clenched the armrest and almost fell off the seat.
It was the first time he saw her in such a miserable state. Black blood clotted on her blue official robe. Her face, which had never been made up, was as pale as goat's milk, and even the color of her lips revealed her fragility. Although she did not care about her appearance, she never lost her composure.
Fortunately, she was not injured.
Anyi looked at his aunt cautiously, very worried.
As Zhao Changning entered the hall, murmurings began to murmur.
The emperor was extremely unhappy. Zhao Changning's appearance represented himself, and he didn't know what those people wanted to do.
But the drought had just passed, and there was no benefit in going against the officials. She was too bold.
"Nu Shu Ling, please get up." His deep, abyssal gaze enveloped her from above, and he whispered softly, "What do you have to say about Qian Jiao Tower?"
Zhao Changning lowered his head and explained everything about Qianjiao Tower in a calm tone.
"...My mind was completely bewildered at the time. When I drew my sword, I asked him again if he was the one behind this. After he admitted it, my mind went blank, and for some reason I raised my sword and stabbed him. As far as I know, officials from the six ministries have been behaving like this for years, and they're using money from the imperial court. It might have been fine in the past, but in this time of national crisis, how can they act like this? They keep saying they have no money, but is it because all their money is spent on this?"
She immediately knelt down and said loudly, "I implore Your Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation. This matter must have been orchestrated by more than one person, intent on discrediting the officialdom of Dayong and deliberately stirring up hatred among the people. Your Majesty, if this matter is not dealt with, how can we appease the public anger and live up to the trust of the people?"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone shouted, "You killed court officials, and you still want to talk about the great officialdom? Do you have the nerve to do this?"
Zhao Changning looked over and said, "I only kill those who deserve to be killed. If one day you become a corrupt official who abuses his power and disregards the people, I will kill you as well."
The man was choked and speechless, and he was furious.
"What do you mean?" Sun Zhidao's thick brows furrowed like peaks and ridges. "Did someone from our six divisions deliberately harm you? Zhao Changning, is that what you mean?"
Zhao Changning said coldly, "I didn't say that. Since Elder Sun said so, then tell me whether you were involved in it or not."
Sun Zhidao raised his fist in anger, "Zhao Changning, I gave you face in the past, don't be shameless..."
Anyi saw that a fight was about to break out, and he could not help but look at the emperor hurriedly.
"Lord Sun?" The emperor, sitting at the head of the table, looked at the solitary Zhao Changning and roared uncontrollably, "Look at this place!"
He looked at Zhao Changning with angry eyes. When their eyes met, both the king and the minister could see each other's determination.
Zhao Changning could feel the hint in the emperor's eyes. Over the years, the emperor and his subject understood each other very well. Even the slightest frown and smile told them what the other was thinking. The emperor wanted her to bow her head, temporarily, and he would protect her.
She was very hesitant, with countless thoughts surging in her mind, and her self-doubt and unwavering determination were fighting fiercely.
Anyi was standing next to the emperor and naturally understood these hints. He was so anxious that sweat broke out on his back. He really wanted to ask his aunt to give in and get through this first.
At this time, someone stood up. It was an official from the Ministry of Rites.
"Even if Nv Shu Ling had a million reasons, that's definitely not a reason to kill a colleague right in front of them. Nv Shu Ling, the person you killed was someone you saw occasionally. You might have crossed paths with them, maybe even spoken to them, but you killed them without hesitation. You're so ruthless, how could you not expect the same fate?"
"The same fate?" Zhao Changning curled his lips coldly. "Since your Excellency says so, how about I first invite all the female officials together, and then ask the male actors to strip naked and perform for all of us. Would your Excellency be willing to watch together? If your Excellency is willing, I will accept any fate..."
"You bastard, you're disrespectful..." The man cursed loudly, his face flushed with anger. "You're disrespectful! How can a woman be so shameless? Just because you're an official, do you have no shame?"
"Yeah, how can being an official mean you're shameless?" Zhao Changning said in surprise. "Isn't it disgraceful for a female actor to strip naked and perform on stage? Do you think you're going to lose face? My Lord, this is the first time I've heard such talk."
She said this with self-affirmation, "That's right, reading these degrading things every day and still calling yourself well-read, how shameless and degrading, bah."
“You, you, you…”
After all, it was the six ministries that suffered losses first. Those people were too reckless, allowing Zhao Changning to seize the handle and attack them today, which is really shameful.
However, even so, they still have something to say.
"Your Majesty, did you kill one minister today just because of Zhao Changning's words? If you kill another minister tomorrow, and one after another, what will Zhao Changning do?"
"I beg Your Majesty to favor the virtuous and stay away from the sycophants, and to make a decision for the deceased court officials. Please do not let them down."
After these words were spoken, Song Zongheng and Xu Jiawen looked at each other and shut up helplessly.
The most taboo in officialdom is to be too prominent. If you speak out at this time, you will probably be hated by everyone in the future. After all, Zhao Changning's methods are too cruel. As long as he doesn't kill anyone, there will always be a reason for this matter.
Anyi's heart tightened and he just thought it was over.
When Zhao Changning heard someone comparing her to a treacherous villain, without mentioning the female actor or the misuse of court money, and just using the dead to trample on her, her eyes couldn't help but show a chill, and the anger in her heart was aroused again, as if the female actor was still in front of her.
She didn't care about the emperor's eyes or the protection he offered her, and she knelt down with a plop.
"Your Majesty, if you can investigate everything, see the humiliation I have suffered, and determine who is guilty, who is loyal and who is treacherous, I am willing to accept all blame and punishment."
The emperor was stunned by her sudden kneeling. He didn't expect that the usually docile female secretary would be so firm today.
But he couldn't help feeling a little unhappy. This was giving him a difficult problem. Why didn't he just follow the directions he was being shown?
He lowered his voice, "You are acting on your own and disobeying the Holy Will, Lady Scribe, are you trying to embarrass me?"
Zhao Changning smiled bitterly, his pale face calm, and looked up at the emperor.
"No, Your Majesty, I know I am guilty. My guilt is unforgivable and irrefutable. The only thing I blame is that I am a woman, just like the actors on the stage."
She slowly turned her head and looked at the many ministers dressed in red and green in the court, her eyes full of coldness.
"I ignored everyone's objections and headed south alone, risking my life to make more money to support you, a bunch of cowardly and brainless people who only know how to fight for power and profit. You deserve to die of poverty, starvation, and humiliation at the hands of foreigners, rather than suffer the humiliation you've suffered today..."
Song Zongheng sensed something was wrong and immediately interrupted her, "Nu Shu Ling, please be careful with your words."
Xu Jiawen also gave her a concerned look and told her not to say anything more.
Qi Yuwei's eyes were gloomy and he sighed slightly in his heart.
Zhou Min's eyes were complicated. He didn't think Zhao Changning was scolding him because he was confident that he was not a corrupt official. But Zhao Changning's words made him ponder. In her eyes, was the officialdom in Dayong so unbearable?
At this moment, there were only two words in Anyi's mind: it's over.
Zhao Changning hesitated for a moment. She knew that these words were harsh and unpleasant to the ear. She thought no one would speak up for her, but there were also people who felt righteous.
"Zhao Changning, are you cursing Dayong?" During her few breaths of silence, someone immediately jumped out angrily, "Great, we are pests, and you are the only loyal minister. Great, great, Zhao Changning, you have evil ambitions and are spreading evil to confuse the people. The emperor should punish you severely."
"Nüshu Ling, you are overestimating yourself. Without you, will Dayong still be unable to move forward?"
"That's right. Even if you tell the world today, it won't cover up your guilt. Killing an official appointed by the imperial court is a grave crime. You must repay a life with a life."
Zhao Changning's spirit returned instantly, and she felt ashamed for her previous hesitation.
She knelt on the ground and suddenly chuckled disdainfully. Her frail body trembled slightly and her shoulders shook.
Everyone looked at her with strange eyes, as if they were looking at a madman.
The emperor at the top also frowned and called out solemnly, "Nu Shu Ling?"
Zhao Changning had not slept or eaten anything all night, and he felt weak all over. He had no choice but to support himself with his hands and slowly get up.
She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty. Yes, I am guilty. I have a great sin that I will never be able to escape from since I was born. That is, I am a woman..."
A look of determination appeared on her paper-pale face, and the fire in her eyes could no longer be concealed, as if magma was erupting.
"...From the day I became an official, I've been constantly judged, mocked, despised, and shrouded in malice. My sins are judged by you gentlemen, and my very being is judged as well. I've been judged since I was born, but who gave you the right? Even if I'm guilty, if they want me to die, it's the Emperor who'll speak. What right do you have to complain? Just because you're willing to watch female actors, just like your mother and daughter, posing naked and flirting?"
Zhao Changning glanced around with disdain and said indifferently, "Who do you think you are?"
His words were bold and straightforward, like a sharp knife piercing people's hearts. For a moment, everyone was stunned and silent.
I don't know when it started snowing outside the temple, and a thin layer has accumulated. Just like yesterday's heavy rain, it is so white and pleasing to the eye.
The emperor sat at the top, his eyes slightly narrowed, looking at Zhao Changning carefully as if he was recognizing her again. He saw her accusing him calmly and coldly. Although she was saying words that were extremely treasonous, it strangely made his heart flutter, as if he was back to the night when his father passed away, and she stood up and argued for him without being humble or arrogant.
He had never known why he was attracted to her before. He just thought it was the stubbornness in her eyes, or the intelligence she could see in the subtle details, or her occasional beautiful and gentle smile. Today, he finally understood, as if a certain point finally matched and finally had a clear position.
She is untouchable, untempted, and unshakable. She is so unique and charming.
All this took only three or five breaths. Seeing that his ministers hadn't reacted, the emperor suddenly became furious and slammed the armrest. "Come here, Zhao Changning has lost her mind and is talking nonsense. Take her to the inner prison and await her punishment."
The taut string in Anyi's heart snapped with a loud noise.
Zhao Changning closed his eyes and said nothing.
After the court session, Anyi asked Yunhui to serve the emperor, while he hurried to find his aunt. Fortunately, he arrived before entering the inner prison.
"Aunt, I'm sorry I didn't report it to the emperor in time last night."
Zhao Changning was slightly stunned. "Where was the emperor last night?"
"It was too late at the newly appointed Noble Lady Yu's place. There were thunder and lightning and heavy rain. We were stopped by the people in Noble Lady Yu's palace. Aunt, you are safe only in the inner prison. The emperor woke up early this morning and heard that you were in trouble. He was also very worried..."
Zhao Changning's expression became complicated after hearing this. After a long while, she smiled as if she had seen a list of names of people to be buried alive with the dead.
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The author has something to say: [Angry][Angry][Angry]
Pre-collection——"Rebirth of Climbing High Branches" please collect it! [Heart]
Speaking of Wen Xueer and Zhao Cen Ning, everyone in Yujing City sighed with regret. They were a perfect match, but unfortunately their love was like an illusion. In just two years, the couple turned into enemies and completely fell out.
The plays written in the market described the two as the union of a phoenix and a phoenix, which was sad, sorrowful and lingering.
Wen Xueer was furious and changed the script herself, portraying her ex-husband as a vulgar, shameless, dirty and filthy man who was trying to climb up the social ladder.
She even sneered disdainfully, "Phoenix and Phoenix? They're just useless people climbing the social ladder. If it weren't for me, how could this peasant be where he is today?"
They got married at the age of 18 and divorced two years later. Wen Xueer's budding love was completely shattered.
When she thought of the sincerity she had given, she gnashed her teeth in hatred. Unfortunately, Zhao Cen Ning had already grown up and she could not touch him at all. She could only watch him rise step by step, surrounded by beauties.
After five years of divorce, he wants to get married again?
How dare he?
On the night of Zhao Cen Ning's wedding, she was drunk and rushed into the Zhao family with a knife.
When the former couple met again, their eyes were red.
Unexpectedly, the two people were facing each other and were pierced through the heart by an arrow shot from the dark. The former couple hugged each other again.
Wen Xueer's eyes were red as she roared before dying, "Zhao Cen Ning, I hate you."
Zhao Cen Ning caressed her cheek tenderly, "You're so silly..."
Wen Xueer: “???”
She wanted to ask clearly, but when she opened her eyes again, she was back to seven years ago.
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