Chapter 153 Recommending Talents
Let me say it again, it’s not that I didn’t hear it clearly, but I want to confirm it again.
Zhao Duan was very familiar with this. He remembered that the last time it was in this pavilion, the person sitting in his position was Yuan Li.
He was only fit to stand aside and serve them tea and water.
But this time, the one sitting here is already me.
"Yes, sir..." He repeated the original words calmly.
This time, the empress confirmed it.
She pursed her lips, and because of the emperor's instinct to conceal his feelings, she subconsciously restrained all outward emotions.
But the surprise that arose in my heart could not be faked.
"The eunuch who just returned to the palace did not mention this matter."
She calmed herself down, fished out the missing chess piece from the chess box again, and held it in her palm.
It seems to give me some sense of control.
Zhao Duan said:
"Because that father-in-law passed away early. In fact, if it weren't for the coincidence that the evidence I was waiting for just arrived, I wouldn't be able to do this today."
Xu Zhenguan said, "I want to know the whole story."
Zhao Duan had already prepared a draft in his mind, and he had already delivered it in court.
He immediately told the story in detail, starting from the descendants of the Xue family at the beginning, and all the way to how he accidentally encountered Zhou Cheng who was investigating him because of a person called "Wang Shan". Then he simply took advantage of the situation and completed this series of moves, defeating Zhou Cheng in one fell swoop.
The story was very long and the empress listened attentively.
When she listened to stories, her crystal-clear ears would tilt forward slightly and her eyes would not blink.
Occasionally he would interrupt suddenly to ask for some details.
Even the two of them were taking turns making moves in the game without any delay.
"That's probably what happened,"
After a long while, Zhao Duan finished his story:
"My two colleagues have worked very hard on this matter, and Lord Yuan has made great contributions. Without them, I alone would never have been able to accomplish this."
He even remembered to ask for credit together, which was all due to the muscle instinct he had developed from writing articles in his previous life.
It’s actually like this… It’s actually possible to do this… It’s actually possible to do this…
Xu Zhenguan had a lot of thoughts in his mind.
He was surprised at Zhao Duan's methods, but also angry at the crimes Zhou Cheng had committed in the past.
At first, when she gave orders to Zhao Duan, she said to find evidence of his crime.
But I didn't expect that it would involve such a big old case.
Not only was it unexpected, but Zhao Duan could start from this angle, pretending to repair the plank road, and trick Zhou Cheng into this trap.
After all, who would have thought that his voluntary imprisonment was a "game within a game"?
Not to mention Zhou Cheng, even she, who knew the situation in advance, thought that the "Su Hongyu" case was a trap set by Zhao Duan in order to complete his mission.
This trap was already very clever and was enough to satisfy her.
But until now, when everything was revealed, she realized that she thought Zhao Duan was on the third floor, but in fact he was on the fifth floor...
The Su Hongyu case was just a feint to cover up the real killer move...
I can only say one thing, Zhou Cheng’s loss was not unfair!
Furthermore, she had never imagined that the "Nine Ministers" who were responsible for judicial justice and the ministers entrusted by the late emperor to take care of the young emperor would dare to commit such a serious crime of deceiving the emperor!
If we say that Xu Zhenguan started to deal with Zhou Cheng purely out of political necessity, he also felt a certain degree of guilt towards this regent.
Now, after learning about what Zhou Cheng had done back then, he felt only anger.
"What a daredevil! What a deceitful trick!"
Xu Zhenguan could not hide her anger, her face was covered with frost. She stood up as if she was in the throne room:
"Such a treacherous person is still alive today, causing officials like Xue Lin to suffer injustice for ten years after his death!"
The palace ladies nearby were terrified when they saw this, not knowing why the emperor was angry.
"Your Majesty, calm down," Zhao Duan stood up and advised:
"The late emperor was deceived by Wang Zhen, which led to this miscarriage of justice. Your Majesty has only recently ascended the throne, so it is not surprising that you have not yet realized the true face of Zhou Cheng."
His words were still too euphemistic. In fact, the old emperor was stupid and incompetent.
During his reign, he relied on eunuchs, and his power was diluted by the cabinet headed by Li Yanfu, while eight princes were allowed to become more powerful.
After his death, his two sons fought each other and brothers killed each other... Even if his daughter ascended the throne, she would still leave behind a mess...
It's absolutely amazing.
"No need to say more, Mr. Zhao," the empress shook her head, suppressed her anger, and said murderously:
"You did very well this time. Now that Prime Minister Zhou has been captured, Lord Yuan must have rushed to the palace.
If Xue Lin's case is brought to light, the consequences will be significant... Humph, in my opinion, the Dali Temple is rotten from top to bottom, and everyone should be arrested and investigated!"
Zhao Duan thought for a moment and suddenly said:
"I think there are good officials in the Dali Temple. For example, there is a judge named Lu Zhi, who seems to be quite good."
Xu Zhen looked at him and said in surprise:
"That minor official who submitted a memorial to impeach you? I remember that when you arrested fifty-eight people last time, he was the only one who didn't bribe you."
The implication is: Isn’t this your enemy?
Hey, are you so concerned about me? You know all these details... Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"If you are an honest and upright official, you should not be implicated."
"Even if I have a grudge against you?"
"Oh, I do have some tolerance."
Xu Zhenguan said nothing, the look in her beautiful eyes as she looked at him became even more different, as if she was looking at him with new eyes again:
"I understand. You stay in the palace for now. Once I have dealt with these matters, I will... call you to speak."
As he spoke, he probably thought of the last time when he left Zhao Du'an in the palace, and the two of them were at Tangquan Palace, receiving acupuncture with silver needles.
When the empress turned around, a blush seemed to pass across her fair cheeks, which disappeared in a flash.
…
…
Just as Zhao Duan entered the palace, full of anticipation, waiting for the empress to summon him again.
The results of the joint trial by the three courts spread like ripples in the capital.
Zhao family.
"Madam, Miss, we can't even enter the Dali Temple. We'll be driven away if we even get close. Didn't the female official surnamed Qian say she'd come home to deliver a letter after the trial is over?"
In the inner courtyard, the old housekeeper tried his best to stop the mistress from going out.
Nearby, the rest of the Zhao family servants also gathered here, looking sad and the atmosphere was depressing.
After a few days, Eugene Hua looked much more haggard.
His eyes were bloodshot, a sign of insomnia all day long.
Beside her, Zhao Pan, who was supporting her, had a pointed jaw that seemed to have become thinner.
The girl's face was also gloomy, and her autumn-water eyes were filled with deep worry. At this time, she also advised:
"Mom, the manager is right. If there is any progress, my brother's subordinates will definitely come to report it."
Eugenie murmured with her bloodless lips:
"But I'm really worried. What if something really happens to your elder brother?..."
There were tears in the beautiful woman's eyes and her expression was sad.
A few days ago, after learning that Zhao Duan was arrested, You Jinhua plucked up the courage and went to the Lihua Hall of the Zhaoya.
However, I only learned that Zhao Duan would not be tortured in prison.
As to whether it can come out and what the outcome will be, no one knows.
As rumors spread, public opinion became increasingly unfavorable. Eugene Hua cried all day at home, Zhao Pan was also depressed, and the entire Zhao family was in panic.
"Mom, no, he was fine last time, so he will definitely be fine this time too."
What Zhao Pan was talking about was the Zhuang Xiaocheng case. The girl took out the sachets that the mother and daughter had sewn together from her bosom and forced a smile:
"It will definitely be fine. We haven't even given him a gift yet..."
At this time, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the house. The family looked up hurriedly. Eugene Hua couldn't wait and trotted towards the door with her daughter.
Qian Kerou dismounted with a smile on her round face. Without waiting for the mother and daughter to ask, she announced the good news:
"Master Zhao has been cleared of all charges. He was framed and has now been released!"
Eugene Hua's beautiful eyes widened: "Really?"
Zhao Pan's breathing quickened, and the girl's whole body brightened up.
Qian Kerou smiled and said:
"Of course, not only that, but the Lord has also sued the Dali Temple Minister who framed him. Now everyone outside is talking about it."
The Zhao family servants looked at each other, and the gloom disappeared.
…
…
In Dongcheng, in an alley where a big willow tree grows.
The private school was only half a day today, and the children dispersed at noon.
"Miss, the car is ready, let's leave the city now."
Uncle Fu locked the door and said to Xue Xuan who was sitting in the yard.
She did not wear the female scholar's robe today, but changed into a white dress. In the bamboo baskets at her feet were prepared incense, candles, and paper money.
The bookish, weak, and thin-skinned young lady came back to reality from her distraction, holding a jar of wine.
He said "yes", went out with Uncle Fu, got on the donkey cart, and headed out of the city.
Today is Xue Lin’s memorial day.
It is also the memorial day for the wronged souls of the Zhengtong year who were executed together in autumn thirteen years ago.
"Miss, I heard this morning that today seems to be the day Zhao Duan will be tried."
Uncle Fu was driving the donkey cart and suddenly said.
Xue Xuan, dressed in mourning clothes, sat on a cart holding a wine jar.
——A carriage with a carriage was an expensive item, so she could only borrow a donkey-drawn cart from her neighbor to leave the city and go to the grave in the suburbs.
After Zhao Duan came to her house that day, she was really nervous for a long time, but two days later, she learned that Zhao Duan was in prison.
The presiding judge seemed to be Zhou Cheng, the man who falsely accused and murdered his father.
Xue Xuan still didn't understand why Zhao Duan asked those questions.
But I vaguely feel that there is some hidden connection between it and his imprisonment.
Maybe it was those dirty court struggles... Xue Xuan thought.
Maybe it was because all the trials were held jointly by three judges and Zhou Cheng was the presiding judge... She inexplicably felt a trace of sympathy for that devilish Zhao Duan who threatened her with the life of her child to get her to speak.
Of course, it was just a slight feeling. Xue Xuan only felt disgust and fear towards Zhao Duan, a notorious traitor and bully.
"People outside say that Zhao Duan is dead. In this way, he won't bother the young lady anymore." Uncle Fu waved the whip and gently whipped the little donkey.
Xue Xuan held the wine jar and said softly:
"Uncle Fu, is the charge of raping and murdering a woman true or false?"
Uncle Fu was surprised and said, "Miss, you think it's not true? But the rumors outside are so detailed."
Xue Xuan shook his head and said:
"I don't know either. Given that person's bad reputation, it shouldn't be surprising for him to do something like this, but... the presiding judge is Zhou Cheng, so I can't say for sure."
Uncle Fu was silent, knowing that she was thinking about the unjust case of that year, and he sighed softly.
This is a topic he has tried hard to avoid mentioning over the years. After all, it happened so many years ago.
A few days ago, Zhao Duan came to ask, and he still had a glimmer of hope in his heart, thinking that perhaps this old injustice could be vindicated one day.
But now... that Zhao Jisi can't even protect himself, so... that's it.
"Gee!" Uncle Fu whipped the horse.
Suddenly, a group of officials were seen rushing onto the street from a distance, and the two leading them looked very familiar.
The other party ran straight to the donkey cart and forced the master and servant to stop, and then, under the nervous and frightened gaze of Xue Xuan and Uncle Fu.
Haitang stepped past Zhang Han and said to them with a smile:
"We meet again. Well, Zhao Jisi asked me to say hello to you on his behalf."
(End of this chapter)
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