Princess Chaoyang stood up suddenly, felt dizzy and fell forward.
Fortunately, the maid beside her was quick-witted and supported her in time.
"My lady, are you okay?"
"Mother, how are you? I'll send for the imperial physician to come to your house and treat you."
"stop!"
Princess Chaoyang shouted, "Why are you going? Even if I'm going to die soon, I have to deal with the current situation first. Besides, I won't die for a while."
Zhao Chuanming stamped his feet anxiously, "This is too much, it's really too much. My son will go meet the Jinwu Guards right now."
"Help me. The Jinwu Guards must be here on orders from the palace. I'm the one who has to go."
Princess Chaoyang took a deep breath and walked out the door with the help of her maid.
All the masters, big and small, from each room in the princess's mansion came out.
Dozens of people surrounded Princess Chaoyang and walked outside.
Everyone's faces were solemn, and many were terrified. When they saw the Jinwu Guards, their legs went weak and they almost fell to their knees.
"This humble official greets Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
Wei Zhong was still very polite and did not look ferocious.
Princess Chaoyang frowned, "Master Wei, are you here because of the group of thieves who have besieged the Princess's residence?"
Wei Zhong laughed, "Your Highness, you're joking. I'm here, naturally, because of the assassination of Madam Zhao. At the scene, we found fine iron arrowheads used in sophisticated crossbows. This is a major case!"
His Majesty personally intervened, demanding the Jinwu Guards solve the case within a specified timeframe. Since the incident occurred yesterday, I haven't slept a wink. Fortunately, hard work pays off. This morning, all the perpetrators were brought to justice and severely punished, and they confessed everything they should and shouldn't have.
"Having obtained a clue, I can finally report to His Majesty. His Majesty has issued an order that no one involved in the case, regardless of their status or background, even if they are royal relatives, will be spared. Those who should be arrested should be arrested, and those who should be killed should be killed! I am His Majesty's lackey, and I will carry out His Majesty's orders without compromise."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Zhong revealed a ferocious expression and his eyes swept across everyone's face.
Anyone who made eye contact with him lowered their head and trembled in fear.
Wei Zhong is a famous person who can stop children from crying at night.
Zhao Chuanming couldn't hold back his facial expression at first, and looked terrified.
"Master Zhao looks like he knows something?" Wei Zhong looked at Zhao Chuanming with a smile.
Zhao Chuanming panicked and shouted, "Don't try to frame me. Madam Zhao's assassination has nothing to do with me."
"Shut up!"
Princess Chaoyang remained composed. Her face was gloomy, and she faced Wei Zhong without any fear. "Go and tell His Majesty that I need to go to the palace to see him. I have something to say."
Wei Zhong laughed heartily. "Your Highness, if you have anything to say, please go to the Imperial Prison and speak. No matter what you say, I will report it to His Majesty truthfully."
"How dare you! I am the eldest princess appointed by the late emperor himself. Without his order, you can't send me to the imperial prison. I don't believe that His Majesty has ordered you to arrest someone here."
Wei Zhong smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. His Majesty did not order me to come and arrest you. However, except for the women who have been married for six months and children under fourteen, all others will be taken away."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Zhong no longer concealed his murderous intent.
"You dare!"
Princess Chaoyang could no longer hold back her expression and angrily scolded Wei Zhong, "I will go to the palace to file a complaint with the emperor."
"Without the order of His Majesty, no one is allowed to leave the Princess's Mansion, including Her Royal Highness the Princess. Come, guard all exits of the Princess's Mansion and do not allow anyone to enter or leave."
The people below asked, "Are we going to send those palace guards away?"
Wei Zhong smiled coldly, "Don't worry about those people. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will take care of them."
After receiving the order, the Jinwu Guards took quick action.
Those who are arresting people are arresting people, and those who are guarding the gate are guarding the gate.
The people who were checking important items in the study were also busy.
From the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard, everything with written records was taken away.
For a while, the Princess's Mansion was in chaos, with women crying, children crying, and even men crying.
"Rebellion, rebellion..."
Princess Chaoyang was furious and pointed at Wei Zhong and cursed, "You traitor! I'm going to the palace to complain. I want you dead!"
"Your Highness the Princess wants me dead, but I dare not. Your Majesty is the only one in the world who can sentence me to death."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Zhong waved his hand and said, "Take the person away!"
All the adult men and women in the princess's mansion were tied up with ropes, gagged, and taken out of the mansion.
Only two new daughters-in-law and several underage children were left.
Such a big commotion naturally attracted the attention of the mansions on the same street.
Even though they were not on the same street as the princess's mansion, they still sent people to the door of the princess's mansion to inquire about the news.
"The Jinwu Guards are investigating the case!"
"Catch him!"
"Are you really going to arrest him?"
"If someone commits a crime, they must be arrested."
"Then, then, will Her Royal Highness the Princess be arrested too?"
"It's none of your business. Why are you asking so many questions? Are you an accomplice?"
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! I'm the steward of the Minister of Rites's house on the street behind."
"It's none of your business, so stop asking."
“Yes, yes, yes!”
He agreed verbally, but did not move.
Everyone gathered outside the gate of the Princess's Mansion, craning their necks to look around.
It has been many years since I have seen such a lively scene.
It seems like I haven't seen it since the death of the previous emperor.
How rare!
Today, we saw the noble being taken away by the Jinwu Guards again. It was really, really gratifying!
Ordinary people like to see noble people in trouble the most, which is more exciting than seeing a man from the Zhang family stealing a wife from the Li family.
“It’s coming out! It’s coming out!”
A group of people, both men and women, were tied up with ropes and taken out.
"That's Lord Zhao. He looks so majestic on weekdays!"
"Ah, that lady has bought something in my store!"
"That young man also came to my shop to drink. He was very generous. He gave me tips of one ounce of silver at a time..."
"The young master is so handsome, how come he was arrested?"
"I heard that anyone over the age of fourteen would be thrown into the imperial prison."
"What a sin! Look at that young wife, she's barely 20 years old, and she's already been thrown into the Imperial Prison. Even if she manages to get out, how can she still have the nerve to live?"
"Don't mind your own business. They don't think about you when they're enjoying themselves, so don't worry about them."
"That's right! This is the Princess's residence, and they are all relatives of His Majesty. Maybe they are just pretending."
"That can't be! The Jinwu Guards have already been dispatched, how can they just be pretending?"
"Stop talking and just watch!"
The things that the royal family and high-ranking officials care about are naturally different from those of ordinary people.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci personally stood on the wall, watching the movements in the Princess's Mansion.
Seeing the Princess's Mansion fall to this state, one can't help but feel a sense of grief.
He sighed and ordered his son and the housekeeper, "Keep the doors and windows shut tight. No one is allowed to leave the house except for daily shopping. Keep those boys under control. If anyone is still hanging around outside, bring them back and give them a good beating."
"Father, why is it so? The misfortune of the Princess's Mansion has nothing to do with our Zhu family."
"What do you know, useless thing? I was able to survive from the reign of Emperor Zhongzong until now, do you think it was all due to luck? What do you think they are doing out there now?"
"It's just arresting people."
Marquis Cheng'en Zhu Ci climbed down the ladder from the wall and slapped his son across the face. "Fool! You only saw the arrests, but I saw the beginning of a major purge. If Your Majesty wanted to suppress the impact of this matter, could he have the Jinwu Guards arrest people in a high-profile manner?
In the past, when similar matters occurred, servants would be sent to the government office on their masters' behalf to report. But think about it carefully: yesterday, the emperor's wife was assassinated, and today the Jinwu Guards came to arrest her. His Majesty is clearly planning to launch a major investigation, to use this opportunity to stir up a storm in the court, and to launch a major purge.
Don't forget, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you haven't made any large-scale changes to the court. Doesn't Your Majesty have any trusted aides? Doesn't Your Majesty have anyone you wish to promote?
A new emperor appoints new ministers. Your Majesty has endured for over two years, but now it's clear that he no longer wants to endure. Remember what I said, if you don't want to die, don't stand out. Stay home and don't go anywhere. Don't respond to anyone who comes.
After a series of harsh words from Cheng'enbo Zhu Ci, Master Zhu finally realized the seriousness of the matter.
He covered his face and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you really want to purge the court?"
Zhu Ci, the Earl of Cheng'en, snorted coldly, "If not, how can your Majesty's trusted advisors rise to power? With each radish in their place, the old guard monopolizes the radish pit, leaving no room for newcomers. Everyone says your Majesty is benevolent, but everyone forgets that your Majesty's blood flows from the Liu family. There's not a single kind person in the Liu family, and they're ruthless when it comes to killing."
Butler Zhu also said, "Master, just listen to your uncle. Your uncle has experienced decades of ups and downs, so he won't be wrong."
Master Zhu said, "I'm just asking for your advice, old man. So, Princess Chaoyang's mansion is really finished? Is she finished too?"
Cheng En Bo Zhu Ci sneered, "If she is not finished, how can Your Majesty have any reason to take action against other members of the royal family?"
Master Zhu was startled. "Your Majesty, are you planning to target other members of the royal family? Aren't you afraid of too much criticism from the court?"
Zhu Ci, the Earl of Cheng'en, smiled mysteriously, "Killing the royal family is something the court officials would love, so why would they object?"
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