Sure enough, Xu Wenqu was kneeling before the emperor, with a collection of poems lying on the ground beside him.
Yan Shiyue stepped forward and bowed, then picked up the collection of poems and took a look. Although she did not understand much, she could tell that there were indeed many words slandering the king.
Emperor Ming Yan gave a signal, and a man came forward and told the story.
Xu Wenqu is currently a bachelor of imperial studies. They work in the West Hall, which is a large hall, but is divided into three parts, each with its own screen, forming a small office room.
Today, Xu Wenqu's colleague Su Ping, who lives next door, said that he had an authentic work of Wu Daozi at home. After being asked several times by his colleague, he reluctantly brought it for him to see.
Then everyone gathered over there to admire the paintings. In the crowd, someone knocked over the screen, and it fell towards Xu Wenqu.
At that time, Xu Wenqu was on duty before the emperor. Everyone felt sorry for him and helped to sort it out. Then someone found the hidden collection of poems under the desk and flipped through it, and found the anti-poems.
Because the West Hall was actually very close to the Imperial Study, these people discussed it and then came to file a complaint with the Emperor.
What a sophisticated scheme!
With so many people involved at once, no one knows who is the driving force behind the situation! Even the people involved may not know!
...
...
Yan Shiyue couldn't think of a good idea for a moment, and said anxiously: "But Mr. Xu wouldn't do that!"
Someone coughed and explained to her, "Prime Minister, this is indeed Xu Qing's handwriting, and it matches Xu Qing's usual habit of writing poems... Moreover, some of the things mentioned in it also match some of the things Xu Qing experienced..."
Someone came forward and kowtowed: "Your Excellency, I am Li Jinzhong. I had some misunderstandings with Xu Xueshi back then. I believe Xu Xueshi is holding a grudge against me. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."
Yan Shiyue pursed her lips.
She said seriously, "But if someone really wrote a rebellious poem, they could have hidden it at home! Why bring it to the palace? Are they afraid that others won't know? This doesn't make sense!"
Someone said, "Prime Minister, firstly, I heard that Xu Qing is staying at your residence, and those who come and go are all Dragon Guards, so it may not be private. Secondly, this collection of poems is hidden in the case file, if the screen had not fallen down today, even if someone went over to drink tea and chat, they would not be able to see it."
Yan Shiyue fell silent.
No matter how stupid she was, she knew it was directed at her.
But how should this situation be resolved?
Xu Wenqu raised his head and gave her a look, saying loudly, "Prime Minister, those who are innocent will be innocent. Please do not interfere in this matter."
She thought about what Xu Wenqu meant.
He should be thinking that there is no way the other party would really want to kill him, as that would make them enemies, so...it's okay for her to just ignore it?
But how could she not care?
Lin Fujian stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, although Xu Qing encountered setbacks when he was young, he is now the top scholar and a tutor in front of the emperor. His career can be said to be smooth sailing. According to common sense, he should not have such resentment. I am more inclined to believe that someone framed him."
Someone immediately mocked him, "Is Elder Lin now saying 'it's only natural'?"
Someone else said, "Xu Qing had written for the prime minister many times, writing about foot binding and admonishing students for various things. His writing was brilliant and every word was a pearl. He also had a great past. How could he have any resentment in his heart?"
"Even if he has made contributions, his faults cannot be denied!"
"It is precisely because of his outstanding literary talent... Can you tell me who could have ghostwritten this collection of poems? Wasn't it Xu Wenqu who wrote it?"
"That's right," someone said, "The evidence is irrefutable. The Prime Minister cannot make a decision based on his own assumptions. You should let the Dali Temple make the decision."
"Xu Qing was favored by the Prime Minister and the Emperor, but because of a trivial matter in the past, he complained about the Emperor and the Prime Minister spoke for him. Where does the Emperor stand?"
"The Prime Minister's heart is like an ice pot and autumn moon. It is possible that he cannot believe this for a moment."
"There are differences between close and distant relatives, and the Prime Minister should consider it carefully."
These people were talking at once and arguing fiercely. Yan Shiyue was at a loss as to what to do and could not help but look at Emperor Ming Yan.
Emperor Ming Yan's face was as gloomy as water, and he just looked at her quietly.
Yan Shiyue withdrew his gaze.
She calmed down completely and knew that Emperor Ming Yan would not help her in this matter.
After all, with overwhelming evidence, how could he know who wrote the poem?
Lin Fujian curled his lips slightly, then retracted them.
Which monarch could tolerate the word "rebellion"? He had long expected Emperor Ming Yan's attitude.
Xu Wenqu kowtowed to her again: "Sir, Xu Qing has a clear conscience. Please don't worry. I believe the Dali Temple will definitely investigate thoroughly."
Yan Shiyue avoided his greeting and bit her lip in thought.
Interrogate all the people involved? Even if there are suspects, there is no evidence.
Start with poetry? The possibility of finding out the words, paper, ink and so on is not very high. As for poetry, there are so many talented people. If Xu Wenqu wants to imitate others in writing poetry, he should be able to do it.
The room fell silent, and Emperor Mingyan ordered: "Xu Qing will be temporarily imprisoned, and the Dali Temple will investigate and report back."
Yan Shiyue said anxiously: "Aye!"
Emperor Ming Yan glared at her and said, "Be obedient!"
The Dali Temple Minister stepped forward and responded, "I obey your order." Then someone stepped forward and tried to take Xu Qing away.
Lin Fujian and others slowly relaxed their shoulders and exchanged a few glances silently.
The first step is done.
The next step is to start from her side and convince her to push out a scapegoat, killing two birds with one stone!
Watching them drag Xu Qing away, the Dali Temple Minister reached out to pick up the poetry collection on the ground, and Yan Shiyue suddenly said, "Wait a minute!"
Emperor Mingyan said, "Fuyan, stop messing around!"
"I'm not kidding!" Yan Shiyue said, "Father, I suddenly thought of something. Mr. Xu's handwriting, Mr. Xu's writing style, Mr. Xu's desk, all of these can be called ironclad evidence, but what if I can produce other 'iron evidence' to prove Mr. Xu's innocence?"
She bowed and said, "Father, please give me a quarter of an hour. I can convince everyone."
Emperor Mingyan said, "Yes."
Yan Shiyue then asked the Dali Temple Minister, "Sir, is the calligraphy of this collection of poems new?"
The Dali Temple official said, "The ink is still fresh, so it must have been written less than ten days ago."
She then asked Mr. Xu: "Sir, is there a ground heating in the West Hall?"
Everyone was completely baffled. Xu Wenqu was puzzled, but still answered: "No, we use fire pans in winter, and we remove them after February."
"Have you read that poem, sir?"
“I have.”
"Is the poem full of resentment? Is it discontent with the king? Is the intention of the poem worthy of condemnation?"
Everyone: “……???”
Is this to help him or to save him? Is this to give up on him?
Lin Fujian was also puzzled, but inexplicably felt that something was wrong and stared at her closely.
Xu Wenqu slightly lowered his eyelashes.
But he immediately raised his eyes, looked directly at her, smiled, and said word by word: "This humble official has read a few of them, all of which are full of passion and express their true feelings. It is obvious that the person is harboring resentment, and his heart... is worthy of death."
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