Then, he dismissed Chu Qianchen impatiently: "Princess Chen, you should go back too."
The emperor was exhausted and wanted to send everyone away, but before he could say the next word, he heard Chu Qianchen sighing softly.
Everyone's eyes turned towards Chu Qianchen following this sigh.
Chu Qianchen slowly took out a pink handkerchief from his sleeve and raised his hand to press the corners of his eyes with it.
She is young and pretty, so she doesn't need to cry. This would make her look aggrieved and weak.
"It's been less than a month since the prince left the capital, and the emperor can't tolerate Prince Chen's mansion anymore. He framed him today, what will happen tomorrow and the day after tomorrow?"
"I am a woman and child, powerless, and I know nothing about government affairs. I have no say at all. If the emperor summons me to the palace for questioning again in the future, I am afraid I will not be able to help the prince..."
She spoke in a sobbing and pathetic voice, as if she had something grievance to express, but in fact there was not a single tear in her pair of clear black and white eyes.
The generals felt the same way and couldn't help but put their families into the same situation.
Yes, let a woman face the questioning of the emperor, the prince and Kang Hongda, what else can they do except shed tears? ! Even if Chu Lingxiao sued Prince Chen for treason, the emperor could summon Prince Chen back to Beijing for confrontation. It is too much to order the Jinyiwei to go out at any time and use women and children as a pretext!
Chu Qianchen slowly wiped the corners of his eyes with his handkerchief and sighed, "Since the emperor knows that he has wronged our prince, why doesn't he even issue an edict of apology?"
"..." Gu Nanjin's pupils shrank. He didn't expect Chu Qianchen to bring up the matter of the edict of repentance at this time.
The edict of repentance is no trivial matter. In history, only a handful of monarchs have issued edicts of repentance, and there are only three reasons for it. The first is natural disasters, the second is the misalignment between the monarch and his subjects, and the third is when the regime is in danger.
If the emperor issued a self-criticism edict at this time and eliminated the first reason of natural disaster, there would only be two reasons left, and these two reasons were also ones that the emperor could not admit no matter what.
There is no way the emperor would agree to confess his guilt.
Gu Nanjin rubbed his temples with a splitting headache, not knowing what else to say.
The air in the imperial study was almost condensed, as if a storm was about to come.
The emperor glared at Chu Qianchen fiercely, and at this moment, he even wanted to give her a piece of white silk.
“Princess Chen,” the emperor said coldly, “your father was too ambitious to show off, so he was deceived by Feng Miguo and reported false news to me. He slandered my ninth brother and the prince of Nanyang first, and although his situation is pitiful, as for his crime…”
The emperor said nothing more, and his threat was obvious.
In this matter, he has already given in step by step. If Chu Qianchen continues to make trouble, he can only aggravate Chu Lingxiao's crime.
Everyone present understood, including Chu Lingxiao.
Chu Lingxiao's face turned even paler, and he quickly knelt a few steps towards the emperor, crying, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
"I was just being used by a villain!"
He tried hard to wink at Chu Qianchen, and at this moment, he no longer cared about hating Chu Qianchen.
He was really scared, fearing that the emperor would demote him in a fit of rage, or even put him in jail.
"..." Chu Qianchen lowered her little face, half covering it with the handkerchief in her hand, and remained silent.
When the slender girl remained silent, she looked even more fragile, as easily broken as a delicate flower.
Seeing this from the eyes of other people around, they couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy, thinking that it was a bit beneath the emperor to threaten a weak woman with the life and future of Chu Qianchen's father.
After all, the emperor was the first to make a mistake in the whole thing and wrongly accused the Prince Chen's Mansion.
Several civil officials around him had originally just been watching the situation, but now they could no longer stand it and secretly sighed at the emperor's narrow-mindedness.
Kang Hongda took in the changing expressions of the civil and military officials outside and was speechless: the emperor was so angry that he had lost his mind, and each move was getting worse and worse.
Just look at the series of words Chu Qianchen said since she entered the imperial study today. How could she care about her father's future? Her heart is completely with Prince Chen! Chu Qianchen pursed her lips, was silent for a while, and finally said: "It is a blessing for my father that the emperor 'appreciates' my father so much."
Compared with Chu Lingxiao's current embarrassment, Chu Qianchen's words seemed extremely ironic and meaningful.
Prime Minister Zhang and other ministers were savoring her words, all of them thoughtful.
The death of King Nanyang concerned the peace of the entire Northwest. The emperor had doubts about the death of King Nanyang and it was only natural for him to send an imperial envoy to the Northwest to verify it.
But there were so many capable officials to choose from, why did the emperor choose Chu Lingxiao? To put it bluntly, Chu Lingxiao was neither good at literature nor martial arts, so what was there about him that was worthy of the emperor's "appreciation"? Unless the emperor had other intentions.
Everyone couldn't help but suspect that all of this was simply directed and acted by the emperor himself, and Chu Lingxiao was just a chess piece of the emperor who could be discarded at will. After all, it was impossible for Chu Lingxiao to point out to his face that it was the emperor who instigated him.
Many people looked at the emperor with suspicion in their eyes.
The word "outrageous" was on the emperor's lips, but he finally gritted his teeth, swallowed it, and his face became even darker.
Originally, he sent Chu Lingxiao to the northwest in the hope that he could find out some problems. When Eunuch Ni went to the Yongding Marquis' Mansion to convey the imperial edict, he also hinted to Chu Lingxiao a few things, but he did not let Chu Lingxiao forge evidence to frame him.
The emperor felt even more disgusted with Chu Lingxiao. If he hadn't been stupid enough to be used by Qin Yao, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation now, being caught by a little girl!
The emperor's eyes gradually became darker, as if a storm was brewing in them. He warned, "This man should know when to stop. Your father is too good at 'studying', which is why he made a big mistake."
Chu Qianchen and the emperor looked into each other's eyes.
She just wanted the emperor to issue an edict of repentance.
When the prince comes back this time, she will definitely not let him run around anymore!
The prince's body needs rest. If the emperor always jumps up and down from time to time, it will be really annoying. Only when this person is hurt, will he remember the lesson, think twice before acting, and dare not act rashly again.
Chu Qianchen said calmly: "It's not necessarily a bad thing to delve deeper into research. Otherwise, wouldn't we have missed the clues that were right in front of us? Fortunately, we found out the truth today and cleared our prince's name."
"Otherwise, the prince escorted Wuhejialou back to Hao Kingdom, but the emperor insisted that the prince had secretly run away to the northwest."
Chu Qianchen emphasized the four words "Wuhajialou".
The emperor didn't understand at first, but Kang Hongda understood it all of a sudden and narrowed his eyes.
Just as Chu Qianchen said, Gu Jue was still on the way to escort Wuhejialou. It was impossible for him to avoid the eyes and ears of Wuhejialou and sneak away to the northwest.
Therefore, if Gu Jue really went to the northwest as Chu Lingxiao said, it would mean that Wuhejialou and Gu Jue had a very good relationship, so good that they were willing to cover for him.
Chu Qianchen could have denied this matter to death, but she deliberately said it meaningfully at this time.
The same words mean different things to different people. Prime Minister Zhang and others outside don't know the whole story, so they will just think that Gu Jue is indeed innocent.
The problem is that Chu Qianchen said this to the emperor.
The emperor reacted a beat later and opened his eyes.
Is she threatening herself with Wuhejialou? Gu Jue not only has the support of the Northern Army and the Nanyang Palace, but is also on good terms with Wuhejialou. Once the emperor takes action against the Chen Palace, then, given the relationship between Gu Jue and Wuhejialou, will Wuhejialou support Gu Jue's rebellion? After all, Nan Hao is eager for Da Qi to fall apart so that they can take advantage of the opportunity.
Suddenly, the emperor felt as if the big knife pointing towards the capital was suddenly hanging above his neck.
He felt a chill on his back and cold sweat soaked his shirt.
The emperor used up almost all his strength to avoid losing his composure.
After being silent for about a cup of tea, the emperor finally moved his pale and dry lips and uttered, "I was deceived by the traitor and wronged Gu Jue."
His eyes were warning Chu Qianchen to stop.
However, Chu Qianchen only knew to beat the fallen dog, and went further, "Since the emperor knows that the prince has made contributions to the country, he should be rewarded for his merits."
What she meant was that the emperor's edict to confess his mistakes could only be considered as "admitting his faults", but if he did not reward Gu Jue, it would not be considered as repentance.
Su Mubai seized the opportunity and said, "Your Highness Prince Chen has guarded the North for many years and fought back the Red Di for the Great Qi, making great military achievements. But now, anyone can speak out of turn and frame His Highness Prince Chen. It's really disheartening!"
"Today we have the Marquis of Yongding, but who will dare to frame the Prince of Chen next time?"
The other generals also felt the same way and echoed the sentiment, showing an attitude of unity.
Su Mubai couldn't suppress the curled corners of his lips. If the occasion wasn't inappropriate, he would have applauded and cheered for Chu Qianchen.
This opportunity is perfect. If I don’t take this opportunity to kill the emperor today, I would be doing myself a disservice!
"Then how should I reward Prince Chen?" The emperor said gritting his teeth, feeling that Chu Qianchen was simply getting too much and was biting him like a mad dog.
Chu Qianchen said directly: "Your Majesty has guarded the North for many years, why don't you give the North to Your Majesty..."
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
She actually asked for the Northland to be given to Gu Jue! ? The emperor had no patience to listen to Chu Qianchen and interrupted her: "No, the Northland!"
The North is vast, and asking the emperor to hand over the North, which is comparable to two states, to Gu Jue would be tantamount to cutting off one's own arm. He would never agree to it.
Gu Nanjin frowned slightly and tasted that familiar taste again.
Chu Qianchen sighed and wiped the corners of his eyes with the handkerchief again.
The emperor's heart was beating fast and he was a little afraid of her. If he allowed her to continue making trouble, he might even have to give up the north.
He gritted his teeth and said before Chu Qianchen could speak: "In the north, there are small countries such as Chidi and Dingling causing trouble. Now Chidi has surrendered and asked for peace, but Dingling is still resisting stubbornly. If the northern army can conquer Dingling, I will grant Dingling to Gu Jue as a fiefdom."
Dingling's territory is less than half of Chidi's, and Dingling is barren and poor. It is precisely because of this that they harass the northern border from time to time. So what if Dingling is given to Gu Jue? Su Mubai's heartbeat quickened when he heard this, but he didn't dare to show it on his face.
The emperor didn't see it, but Su Mubai could see it. Chu Qianchen had never intended to ask for the Northern Land on behalf of the prince, because everyone knew that the emperor would never agree.
Dingling was not the territory of Da Qi. The emperor felt that he was being generous to others, so he readily gave it away to deal with the problem, but he did not know that Dingling was a precious land.
One step back, all steps back.
Ever since the emperor agreed to confess his guilt, he has been led by Chu Qianchen and has lost control of the situation.
Chu Qianchen finally put down the handkerchief, bowed casually, and thanked the emperor for his grace on behalf of Gu Jue. He then sighed, "Your Majesty is loyal to Da Qi, as long as the emperor understands. I hope the emperor will not always listen to other people's one-sided words in the future."
She was clearly only a teenager, but when she said this, it sounded like an elder scolding her.
Since the emperor ascended the throne, even Empress Dowager Yin has never spoken to the emperor like this.
"..." The emperor's face turned slightly blue. He held his breath but couldn't breathe out. He only felt pains in his chest, which was as painful as twisting his chest. However, he could only hold on and dared not fall down.
If this were to get out and let others think that he, the Emperor of Great Qi, was angered by a weak woman and became ill, then he would be completely disgraced and all his tolerance today would be in vain.
The emperor's eyes were sinister. He couldn't get angry at Chu Qianchen, so he could only vent his anger on Chu Lingxiao.
"Chu Lingxiao, you falsely accused Prince Chen and the Prince of Nanyang. This is a serious matter. Come, take him to the Sky Prison and have him tried by the three judges!"
Chu Lingxiao was almost dumbfounded, his face as pale as paper.
He was stunned for a moment, then shouted again in panic: "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
"I absolutely have no intention of murdering loyal people!"
"I am loyal to the Emperor and the court, and heaven and earth can bear witness to that!"
Chu Lingxiao kowtowed to the emperor repeatedly, and after a few kowtows his forehead was bruised and purple, making him look even more embarrassed.
However, no one present was moved by this and they looked at Chu Lingxiao begging for mercy indifferently.
These people are all powerful people and are no strangers to such scenes.
Soon, two haggard middle-aged eunuchs came over after hearing the noise, and pulled Chu Lingxiao up from the ground, one on the left and one on the right.
The emperor was too lazy to say anything more. With a wave of his hand, the two middle-aged eunuchs forcefully dragged Chu Lingxiao out. Their movements were rough and they showed no mercy at all.
Chu Lingxiao still shouted without giving up: "Your Majesty, I have really been deceived by the treacherous villains!"
"emperor……"
Chu Lingxiao was dragged out of the imperial study in a few seconds, and then his mouth seemed to be gagged.
The shouting stopped and the imperial study became quiet.
The emperor's expression was still extremely ugly, and his eyes were fixed on Chu Qianchen.
He lost so badly in today's game! Gu Nanjin sighed in his heart and could only act as a peacemaker, saying with a smile: "I'm sorry to bother Aunt Nine with this trip. Next time, when Uncle Nine returns to Beijing, I and the Crown Princess will visit your house again."
"I will see Aunt Nine off."
He coaxed Chu Qianchen with kind words.
Thinking about how the emperor had ordered Eunuch Ni to summon Chu Qianchen in a domineering manner half an hour ago, with an attitude of not giving up until he achieved his goal, and now, he had to put on a smile to coax the person back, Gu Nanjin felt exhausted both physically and mentally.
Being the crown prince is too tiring for him.
The only thing he could be thankful for was that Chu Qianchen was his elder, so it wasn't too embarrassing for him to be the prince.
Chu Qianchen's smile was light and calm, and she looked exactly the same as when she was first summoned by the emperor.
It was as if the person who had just confronted the emperor was not her. She was neither humble nor arrogant, neither proud nor happy.
Now, none of the court officials inside and outside the imperial study dared to look down on the Princess of Chen, who had not yet reached the age of marriage. Perhaps only Duke Mu and Su Mubai were laughing, and both of them carefully hid their smiles under their eyes.
This time, Chu Qianchen readily agreed: "Then I'll trouble you, Prince."
It means, she's leaving.
Anyway, she has achieved the purpose of this trip, so it is enough to leave the rest to Su Mubai and the others.
Finally, we sent this ancestor away. Gu Nanjin stretched out his hand and made a gesture, almost crying.
Chu Qianchen walked out of the imperial study confidently, seemingly unaware of the emperor's dagger-like gaze on her back.
Half an hour ago, when Chu Qianchen entered the palace, she was led by the Imperial Guards and "escorted" by the Embroidered Uniform Guards. When she returned to the Prince's Mansion from the Imperial Palace, she was personally escorted by the Crown Prince. When she returned to Prince Chen's Mansion, the Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounding the palace had already dispersed.
Inside the palace, it was as quiet as before Chu Qianchen left, as if the storm had not affected this place at all.
Qian Chen's personality is completely different from A Yue and Fei Fei~~ There have been few updates in the past two days, I will make it up to you in a few days.
(End of this chapter)