Is Yuan dead?
All the ministers were dragged by the emperor to watch the play.
"Ding--" the sound of gongs and drums rang out, and the show began.
At this time, a man dressed in black brocade clothes appeared, and a mask carved with honeysuckle covered the upper half of the man's face.
Everyone thought that this was a gentleman who came to perform, but at a glance they realized that this man's stern demeanor was definitely not that of an actor or craftsman.
Some people also realized that this person was the emperor's favorite person recently, but he was not a kind person. It was he who proposed the kite punishment a few days ago.
As everyone was speculating, the emperor stood up and walked towards the man in black. "Sir, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have my attendants go and greet you."
"Your Majesty, I heard that Mr. Yuan had a good show, which I found very interesting, so I came here uninvited. I apologize for my impoliteness." The man leaned forward slightly.
"It is my honor to have you here, Mr. Pei, please take a seat!"
The ministers looked at this and wondered which prince this gentleman belonged to and which power in the court was leaning towards.
Yuan Xuanlang looked at Mr. Pei and felt that he looked familiar, but he was wearing a mask and could not make out his expression, so he could not recognize him.
"cough!"
Yuan Xuanlang withdrew his gaze after being reminded by his father.
Watch the opening shadow play.
"Imperial Physician Ying, you dared to murder the young prince while he was treating him. This has touched the emperor's bottom line." The eunuch's figure was reflected on the curtain, looking down at Imperial Physician Ying who was kneeling on the ground.
Imperial Physician Ying's body trembled, and he cried out, "I am innocent! Your Majesty, please understand!"
"No need to quibble. Minister Yuan has already figured out the matter. You put the herb of heartbreak in the herbs, causing the young prince's life to be in danger. Now the truth is out. The emperor has ordered that Doctor Ying be given a cup of heartbreak wine. Please." The eunuch signaled the courtier to bring the poisoned wine to Doctor Ying.
Imperial Physician Ying's hands trembled as he muttered in a daze, "Grand Secretary Yuan... Heartbreak Wine... Heartbreak Grass... Honeysuckle... I am innocent..."
"This..." The ministers watching below the stage couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. This was an old story being brought up again. Back then, no one thought that Imperial Physician Ying was wronged because they believed in the upright Imperial Minister Yuan.
The emperor had naturally heard about this matter and raised his eyebrows to look at Yuan's father.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for bringing up old matters again."
The emperor said nothing and continued watching the show.
"Dad!" A small figure ran up to Doctor Ying, hugged his father and started crying.
Imperial Physician Ying hugged his son tightly. When the eunuch was about to lose his patience, he pushed his son away and kowtowed deeply. "I plead guilty. I hope Your Majesty will spare my innocent wife and children's lives in consideration of my years of loyal service! I will die without regrets!"
"I will report this to the Emperor. Imperial Physician Ying, please don't delay."
Doctor Ying took the wine glass and died after drinking it.
However, he did not know that his wife and children were not spared in the end.
When the curtains darkened and then re-lit, Yuan Taiqing went to see the doctor. As he saw the medicine the doctor was prescribing for him, the slender brown flowers on the straw paper caught his eye. He couldn't help but wonder, "Doctor, why did you add the root of the heartbreak grass to the medicine?"
The doctor laughed and said, "This isn't Gelsemium elegans, it's Honeysuckle. They look alike, and people often mistake Gelsemium elegans for Honeysuckle, which causes severe abdominal pain. Well, that could be fatal."
Yuan Taiqing took a step back and recalled the past. The horrifying truth calmly surfaced in broad daylight, and a huge feeling of powerlessness came over him.
However, the Ying family is gone, and the years have passed, burying this matter in the past. Who will remember it?
Where did he start his investigation? Where did he file a complaint?
"The cat replaces the prince, the heartbreak grass replaces the honeysuckle, who can tell the true and the false? Even Bao Gong finds it difficult..." The music is played and the music is sung.
The music faded and the curtain darkened.
Yuan Xuanlang looked at Mr. Pei, mottled and dim light and shadow lingered on his mask. His eyes were so deep that people could not see his emotions, as if they were a pool of stagnant water.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!" Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yuan's father knelt down and kowtowed before the emperor, pleading guilty. "I falsely accused Imperial Physician Ying, causing others to be implicated. This injustice has been undone, and I am guilty beyond measure."
"Oh? Is this the reason why Mr. Yuan resigned from the post of Grand Secretary?" The emperor looked down at him leisurely.
"Yes, I cannot sleep or eat well. I feel guilty and unworthy of the position of Grand Minister."
"What does this have to do with your son?" The emperor narrowed his eyes, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes.
"There was only one box in the escort vehicle that was filled with honeysuckle, and the rest were original items. The King of Nanning was not prepared to offer this herb, and I'm afraid it was a warning from someone who knew about it."
"Hahaha, this is a good play. How should this crime be punished, my dear?"
"I have committed grave sins, causing the annihilation of the entire Ying family. My crimes are beyond punishment. I am willing to listen to your majesty's judgment."
"Your Majesty, my father is simply unable to do so. This debate about gold, silver, and heartbreak is difficult even for Lord Bao. Please be lenient with me, Your Majesty." Yuan Xuanlang pleaded for his father.
"What should I do, sir? How do you think I should deal with this?" the emperor asked Mr. Pei beside him.
"In my humble opinion, the theme of the song is about the difference between a broken heart and gold and silver. Doctor Ying died because of this. So, we should give him a taste of his own medicine. Why not give Mr. Yuan two cups of medicinal soup, one for the broken heart and one for the honeysuckle? Choose one and leave it to fate."
There was silence for a few seconds, the air was stagnant, and all the ministers looked at each other, no one spoke.
The emperor laughed so hard in his seat that he leaned back in laughter. "Haha, that's brilliant! Come on, do it quickly!"
Father Yuan looked at the emperor who smiled casually, his lips trembling a few times, and finally kowtowed to the ground, "Your Majesty, I… thank you."
When the two cups of medicine were served, his eyes lingered on the two cups of black medicine.
He looked back at his son, with thousands of words stuck in his throat, and he was speechless. Then he picked up the cup on the left and was about to drink it, but Yuan Xuanlang snatched it away and drank it in one gulp.
"Xuanlang! What are you doing!" Yuan's father's eyes were bloodshot, everything happened too suddenly.
Yuan Xuanlang stumbled for a moment, then forbearingly picked up the other cup and drank it all, then knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, a son must pay for his father's debts. I will take the punishment for my father."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then laughed mischievously, "Ha, isn't this the filial son that the Grand Tutor was talking about? I approve."
The emperor straightened his sleeves and said, "When you die of poison, remember to report to me. I will record you in history, hahaha!" Then he walked away. Mr. Pei glanced at Yuan Xuanlang coldly, with a hint of mockery in his eyes, and followed him.
Leaving behind a noisy and confused crowd.
In the afternoon, while walking his bird, the emperor asked his attendant, "Can Mr. Yuan come to report his death?"
The attendant said: "No report has been received yet."
The next day, while admiring the flowers, the emperor asked his attendants, "Is Yuan's son dead?"
The attendant replied, "I don't know yet."
On the third day, while feeding the fish, the emperor asked, "Is Yuan Xuanlang dead?"
Servant: "I don't know yet..."
The emperor kicked the servant to the ground, "You don't know! Do you only know how to eat white rice?!"
"Your Majesty, Yuan Dalang is not dead."
A cold voice sounded, and Mr. Pei came.
The emperor approached quickly, "What? How did you know that, sir?"
He looked calm and composed, saying, "The poison of the heartbreak grass can be cured with honeysuckle. Yuan Xuanlang will survive after taking the antidote."
"Sir, you are so calm, could it be that you knew it from the beginning?"
Mr. Pei said calmly, "Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me then? That kid got away with it!"
"Your Majesty, were you happy and cheerful at that time?"
"Yes, I am happy."
"If that's the case, why bother with the outcome? Humans are born to live for perception. Golden chopsticks and jade chopsticks are false, all living beings are false, only oneself is true."
The emperor's face showed an expression of reverence, "Sir, you are my savior..."
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