Chapter 497 Demoted to Commoner
In the imperial court, the emperor severely punished the court officials who had submitted a memorial impeaching Qin Shi'an for garrisoning troops.
Xiao Zhuo glanced at Xiao Ji beside him, a meaningful look appearing in his eyes.
The thirteenth prince was usually very low-key, but this one move won over the hearts of his father and empress.
Qin Jinzhi is the Achilles' heel of both of these people. It's baffling how these officials could possibly impeach her at this point.
However, Xiao Ji's actions also served as a warning to him.
Now the crown prince is dead, and the grandson is young.
The princes who have reached adulthood have all entered the court.
It's just a matter of whether or not they get the important job.
Xiao Ji exchanged Qin Jinzhi for the qualification to intervene in important political affairs.
They do have some tricks up their sleeves.
Xiao Ji looked at the heavily punished officials with a mocking glint in his eyes.
There are many people in the capital who want Qin Jinzhi dead, and even more who covet the power under her command.
The people behind these officials simply want to erode Qin Jinzhi's power.
But these people forgot that Qin Jinzhi and the two people sitting high on the cloud platform are one and the same.
Qin Jinzhi's immense power was also due to the tacit approval of the two people above her.
Similarly, if Qin Jinzhi dies, this power will return to the hands of these two.
The Jin state of today is no longer the Jin state of a few years ago, where powerful clans could rival imperial power.
To gain power, you need the approval of these two individuals.
Qin Jinzhi was his ladder to success.
Power obtained from the emperor and empress is the only legitimate right.
People like Qin Jinzhi, unless there is confirmed news of their death.
He won't bring himself to the surface.
Many people in Beijing have gradually noticed this.
They were afraid of Qin Jinzhi's existence.
Even though she had been away from Beijing for several years.
Even though she was nearing the end of her life.
That Miao doctor was very skilled; he knew exactly how much time Qin Jinzhi had left to live.
That's what you call foolproof.
However, news came along with that Qin Shi'an's health could no longer withstand the arduous journey and that he would be temporarily staying in Pingbo City.
It was a Miao doctor under Xiao Ji who failed in his attempt to poison Qin Shi'an and was killed on the spot.
Xiao Ji knelt before the imperial study, his heart filled with indescribable panic.
How is that possible!
Qin Jinzhi is nearing the end of her life, so why would he go to the trouble of sending someone all the way to poison her?
But both witnesses and physical evidence are available.
Before his death, the Miao doctor confessed that he had ordered the poisoning of Qin Jinzhi.
He poisoned the meritorious official who had helped pacify the state of Chu.
This person is still Qin Jinzhi.
He's finished.
Xiao Ji knelt in front of the Imperial Study for a day and a night.
Finally, Eunuch Hong stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you."
Xiao Ji got up with some difficulty.
He had lost all feeling in his knees.
Xiao Ji forced himself to walk into the imperial study.
He knelt down before the emperor again.
"Father, I am innocent! I sent this person to Jinzhi to detoxify her. How could I do such a stupid thing!"
The emperor threw a thick stack of papers at Xiao Ji.
"Stupid? You're not stupid."
If it weren't for the fact that some of the medical officers sent to provide support also knew a bit about Miao medicine, you probably would have succeeded.
These are the Miao doctor's statement, and your letters to him.
Xiao Ji, I believe you are different from your brother, without those wolfish ambitions.
She flattered me with the golden branch while plotting to get rid of her.
Your performance is far superior to that of a traditional opera troupe!
Xiao Ji frowned as he looked at the letters; some of them were indeed written by him.
However, there are some letters he never wrote.
But the handwriting was exactly the same as his.
Holding the letters, Xiao Ji trembled as he said, "Father, this is truly not what I did. These letters were not written by me. I beg you, Father, to see the truth!"
The emperor looked at him with a cold smile, "You're still trying to argue even now? I'm not so old and blind that I can't even recognize your words!"
Xiao Ji was utterly speechless.
The emperor looked at Eunuch Hong and said, "The thirteenth prince, Xiao Ji, is of bad character and has harmed loyal officials. He is hereby demoted to a commoner."
Xiao Ji immediately shouted, "Father! Your son is innocent!"
The emperor rose and looked coldly at Xiao Ji, "I spared your life because your men failed. If anything happens to Jinzhi, I will never forgive you."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Xiao Ji didn't understand; everything was perfectly fine.
Why did he suffer such a crushing defeat?
He looked at the letters in his hand that he hadn't written.
Suddenly, his pupils dilated.
He seemed to know who wrote these letters.
His calligraphy was personally instructed by that person.
It can be said that he developed his own style by completely imitating that person's calligraphy.
If that person wanted to imitate his handwriting.
It's as easy as turning your hand.
His good seventh brother!
King Ren, far away in his fiefdom, heard the news that Xiao Ji had been demoted to a commoner.
He laughed uncontrollably.
He looked towards the capital city. "Thirteenth brother, do you like the gift your elder brother left for you?"
A guard beside the Prince Ren asked, "Your Highness, the Miao doctor is dead. What about his family?"
Niou looked at him and said, "Then naturally we should reunite with him. A family should be together all the time."
"yes!"
Prince Ni brought news from the capital to Lady Du's residence.
Du Meiren is meditating.
Niou went in and sat down at the table opposite her.
Du Meiren seemed not to hear the sound of Renwang entering.
Renwang was not annoyed. He smiled and said, "Mother, news came from the capital today that my thirteenth brother has been demoted to a commoner because he tried to kill Qin Jinzhi. Isn't that ridiculous?"
Du Meiren suddenly opened her eyes, "How is this possible!"
Xiao Ji was very patient; he would never do anything to put himself in danger.
Du Meiren stared at Renwang with red eyes, "You did this?"
Renwang chuckled softly, "Mother, isn't this a rhetorical question you already know the answer to? So, how do you feel when you hear that your most beloved son has been demoted to a commoner? Are you heartbroken or relieved?"
Du Meiren gritted her teeth and said, "You're a beast! He's your own brother!"
Renwang stood up, feeling refreshed. "Mother, do you know why you lost? Imperial power is a cannibalistic force. You used imperial power to devour people, so naturally you couldn't avoid being devoured by it. Where is the affection in the royal family? But don't worry, when I return to the capital, I will definitely take you back with me. However, at that time, I will honor the Empress as the Empress Dowager. You have always wanted to suppress her, but I will make sure she is always above you!"
At this moment, Niou's hatred was released to its fullest extent.
He left laughing, feeling immense pleasure as he listened to the sound of porcelain shattering behind him.
Although they were unsuccessful in dealing with Qin Jinzhi.
But she was still going to die.
Xiao Ji has now been demoted to a commoner.
The two people he hated most would never have a chance to turn their lives around.
All that's left is for him to return to the capital and reclaim everything that belongs to him.
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