Chapter 120 [VIP]
"Say that again?!"
Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, Chief Minister Song slammed his fist on the table.
When the Dengwen Drum was struck for the first time, Wenyuan Pavilion could vaguely hear some noise.
Several important officials were present at the time, discussing specific matters related to disaster relief in Qingzhou, when someone struck the Dengwen Drum, and the Jinyiwei on duty had to report it.
Even if the emperor is not present, it should still be reported to the cabinet.
However, after waiting for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a member of the Imperial Guard arrived and reported everything about the incident at the Meridian Gate.
Every word and phrase is utterly baffling.
The chief minister slammed his fist on the table and stood up. The others looked at each other, their sharp gazes like daggers piercing the Imperial Guards below.
The Imperial Guard, drenched in cold sweat, lowered his head and continued, "...Ji Yan said that the Emperor had an affair with the concubine of the late Duke Zhenguo, and they had a child out of wedlock. Another man named Ji Xinyuan threw himself onto our swords and died. There's already chaos at the Meridian Gate. The Assistant Magistrate requests His Highness Prince Chen to go there immediately."
"The Duke of Zhenguo has a concubine?" Amidst the chaos, Chief Minister Song first pieced together this clue.
He remembered that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had never taken a concubine since the time of the old Duke.
Xie Yingchen explained, "She was the former wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, Lady Ji, who was demoted to a concubine by the Emperor for marrying in her place."
"I remember now, it's her." The Grand Secretary Song muttered absently, "So, the illegitimate child is Gu Yan? Absurd, utterly absurd."
He was now incredibly grateful that he had chosen a new master while he was still relatively clear-headed; otherwise, he would have been driven mad sooner or later under this emperor.
The Grand Secretary Song, who had been planning to go out and see what kind of absurd method this was, stopped in his tracks, cupped his hands, and said, "Please come with me to the Meridian Gate, Your Highness."
Xie Yingchen nodded and said, "With the Emperor absent, I cannot act on my own initiative. I request that all of you gentlemen come forward to serve as witnesses."
The Imperial Guard wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and led the way.
The square was in even more chaos at noon, with students and teachers from the Imperial College and nearby academies rushing to the scene after hearing the news.
The area from the palace gate to the Meridian Gate was completely blocked, and there was a lot of noise.
With the imperial guards clearing the way, Xie Yingchen and his men walked up to the city wall, where they were greeted by a scene of blood everywhere.
The Ji clan chief, who was kneeling on the ground holding Ji Xinyuan, raised his head upon hearing the sound and looked at Xie Yingchen, who was surrounded by a crowd. None of these people were wearing dragon robes, meaning that the emperor had not come.
Given the current situation, it's impossible for the emperor not to appear, unless he's not even in the palace.
Miss Gu wasn't lying; the Emperor and Ji Ruo were together at the manor at the foot of the mountain.
The Grand Secretary Song cleared his throat and said loudly, "His Majesty is not in the palace. If you have any grievances, you can speak to His Highness Prince Chen."
Wait, are we going to conduct the trial here? Vice Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue's heart skipped a beat, and he called out in a low voice, "Your Excellency, Minister."
In public, wouldn't everyone hear it? Shouldn't this shameful affair, which brings disgrace to the royal family, be discussed in the government office?
Minister Mo remained silent, his face grim.
"Yes." Clan Chief Ji's tears mingled with blood, soaking his cheeks. His face was streaked with red and white, his eyes bloodshot, the thin old man looking desolate and helpless.
Chief Ji swallowed hard and choked out, “This humble citizen has a complaint against His Majesty, that he committed adultery with Ji Ruo, the concubine of the late Duke Zhenguo, and gave birth to a son who was secretly given the surname Gu to deceive the late Duke Zhenguo. The child born out of wedlock is none other than Gu Yan, the youngest son of the Gu family.”
Unlike his previous indignation, he spoke very slowly, clearly, and in a loud voice that everyone could hear him.
"This humble citizen only asks for justice to be served."
"The Ji family has failed to properly educate their daughter, and should be held equally guilty."
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, but his back remained ramrod straight, like an unyielding spirit that would rather break than bend.
These words stirred up a new uproar.
The late Duke Zhenguo fought for the Great Qi Dynasty and died for it. When his memorial tablet was placed in the Ziji Pavilion in July, his many achievements were announced to the people by the court. At the bulletin board in Meridian Gate Square, Hanlin Academy scholars repeatedly told them about his deeds. Whether they were literate or not, they were already familiar with these things and admired them greatly.
If it weren't for the Duke of Zhenguo, the Liang Kingdom would have invaded six years ago!
Now they're telling them that while the Duke of Zhenguo was fighting and protecting the country before the war, his body never to be found, the Emperor was secretly having an affair with his wife and fathering an illegitimate child?!
The child born out of wedlock has taken the surname Gu. What, does he think he can inherit the Gu family business?
"Heaven's justice is clear, the world is bright and open, how can such debauchery and disregard for human ethics be tolerated?" This was the indignant student, who was meticulous about the meaning of words, shaking his head.
"If I work myself to the bone to support my family, and my wife is having an affair behind my back, and I'm expected to raise their son, I'll kill that adulterous couple!" said one of the laborers.
"It can't be real. How could that be?"
"It's no exaggeration for Headmaster Ji to expose his shame."
The noise from below the city gate was so loud it felt like the sky was about to fall.
"Headmaster Ji," Chief Minister Song asked first, "speaking nonsense, disrespecting the Emperor, and wantonly slandering him are capital offenses. Have you thought this through?"
"yes."
Chief Ji said with a dry throat, "Every word I have said is true. If there is even one falsehood, I am willing to be torn to pieces."
"Your Highness Prince Chen," Chief Minister Song bowed to Xie Yingchen, speaking with righteous indignation, "these two men remonstrated with their lives, so what they said must be true."
“Prime Minister Song, you can’t say that.” Prince Li was unwilling to believe it. “This matter is of great importance. How can we believe his one-sided story?”
Whether it's a secret affair or not, as long as it's not caught on the bed, no one's opinion matters!
Xie Yingchen stared at Clan Chief Ji. This matter seemed too much like something Yaoyao had arranged behind the scenes. She liked to use underhanded tactics, but she would never rely on luck to determine the outcome; she always made sure of success.
Xie Yingchen asked, "Do you have evidence?"
"have!"
With this shout, Chief Ji used all his strength to yell.
Wow!
Everyone gasped.
Xie Jing, who had come upon hearing the news, heard everything clearly from below.
His heart was pounding in his throat.
Xie Jing was originally in the Phoenix Palace, where he wanted to ask the Empress for advice on how to persuade his father to return. However, upon hearing that members of the Ji family were causing trouble by beating the Dengwen Drum, he rushed out.
"Get out of the way!"
Xie Jing didn't bother to ask someone to clear a path for him; he desperately pushed his way forward through the crowded throng.
Finally, she stepped onto the stone steps and stumbled upwards, the clan chief's voice growing louder in her ears: "The Emperor is currently at the estate outside the city with Ji Ruo. You'll know as soon as you go there."
*Smack*
Xie Jing lost his footing and slid down the stone steps, his knee slamming heavily against them.
His face turned pale. His father was indeed with Ji Shi, the two of them inseparable and intimate. The sweet tenderness in his father's eyes was something he had never seen before, not even with his mother.
"This humble subject begs Your Highness Prince Chen and all the officials to go and take a look."
I can't go.
If I go, I'll definitely be exposed.
Xie Jing limped up, pointing at him through gritted teeth and cursing, "A scoundrel, he fooled you all with just a few words, and you want to go with him to see? Ridiculous! He should be dragged away and given a hundred strokes of the cane, so that we can find out who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes, trying to ruin Father Emperor's reputation."
The clan chief Ji didn't recognize Xie Jing, but he could guess his identity from Xie Jing's address as "Father Emperor".
He knelt there, his eyes cold and calm when he lowered his head, but when he looked up, he was filled with desolation.
He put Ji Xinyuan down from his arms, used his hands to support himself as he slowly got up, his hands dripping with blood, leaving bloody handprints on the city wall.
He straightened up, a look of determination appearing on his aged face.
“Every word I have said is true.”
"Your Majesty's adultery with my wife is licentious; your neglect of state affairs and disregard for the people of Qingzhou is foolish."
"This humble citizen is appealing to Your Majesty for the sake of upholding justice and fairness, and has never thought of living!"
After Chief Ji finished speaking, he charged towards the direction of the Dengwen Drum.
"Stop him!" Chief Minister Song shouted.
Why are all of Ji's family members dying so suddenly? Jiang Zhitong was startled, but luckily he was prepared. Just as he bumped into her, four or five Imperial Guards rushed over and grabbed Ji's waist tightly.
If another one dies, they'll all probably be buried with him.
Xie Jing's ears were ringing, and the words he hadn't finished saying were stuck in his throat.
He thought that a little intimidation would frighten the other party, but who would have thought that Chief Ji's will to die would be so resolute.
Xie Yingchen stepped forward, raised his hand to help the clan chief Ji up, and said sternly, "After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he erected the Dengwen Drum. He once said that the Dengwen Drum allows one to remonstrate with the emperor above and to appeal for justice below. When the Dengwen Drum sounds, it reaches the ears of Heaven, and the matter will be thoroughly investigated."
The ministers nodded repeatedly. This was indeed what Emperor Taizu himself had said.
The chief minister, Song, was the first to respond: "Your Highness is absolutely right. Since this person says that the emperor is currently with Lady Ji, he must know the emperor's whereabouts. Let's go and see for ourselves."
Xie Jing objected loudly: "No way!"
No one paid him any attention, so Xie Yingchen asked, "Does Headmaster Ji know where the Emperor is now?"
Chief Ji replied in a hoarse voice, "I know."
"Take us there." Xie Yingchen made the decision with a single sentence.
Clan Chief Ji cupped his hands and said, "Yes."
Having come this far, Clan Chief Ji was determined to lead them there. His only worry was that if the Emperor received the news and abandoned Ji Ruoyi, then the whole game would be over.
Miss Gu set up this game of chess, placing him on the board as a piece, which means that she, as the player, will not make a single move that results in a dead end.
Chief Ji now has no choice but to believe.
“My cousin Jing, the Grand Secretary, Prince Li, Duke of Wei…” Xie Yingchen named seven or eight people in one breath, representing various factions. “You will all come with me.”
"Prepare the horses."
The people below the city gate looked around, and when they saw them walking down the gate, they spontaneously made way for them.
Duke Wei tugged at Chief Minister Song's sleeve, gesturing for him to step back a few paces, and asked in a low voice, "Are you really going?"
"Otherwise what?" Chief Minister Song retorted.
“One is already dead.” He pointed to Ji Xinyuan on the city wall, then to the Ji clan chief. “The other is about to run into a pillar.”
“Since the previous dynasty, the Ji family has been a leader among scholars. Listen to what those students are shouting. The literati, especially the Qingliu faction, love to bang their heads against pillars. If things get chaotic, they'll all be banging their heads against pillars and walls at the Meridian Gate. Can you bear the responsibility for that?”
Duke Wei was speechless. After a moment, he stammered, "Grand Secretary, look at how anxious the Third Prince is. I'm afraid... I'm afraid the Emperor is really with Lady Ji... Sigh, if we follow him, the Emperor will be furious and won't get away with it."
"The Third Prince is really something. He should at least have reported to the Emperor first. What's the point of arguing here about whether to go or not? It's just a waste of time. He's still young and impetuous. Sigh, no wonder you chose Prince Chen, Grand Secretary."
Song, the chief minister, sneered repeatedly at Xie Yingchen's probing and quickened his pace to follow closely behind.
The group mounted their horses at the Meridian Gate. Xie Yingchen instructed, "Qin Chen, go and see Chief Eunuch Shen. He will be in charge of all affairs in the capital while we are away."
After saying that, he spurred his horse and rode away.
Xie Jing secretly winked at Xiao Yunzi behind him.
He now had only one thought: that Xiao Yunzi could be quick-witted and get to the estate before them, so that his father could be prepared, whether by hiding or leaving quickly.
His horse followed closely behind Xie Yingchen.
When they were on the city wall, everyone surrounded Xie Yingchen. Even though he was the prince, he didn't react at all when they told him "don't go," as if his opinion was not worth their consideration.
When Xie Yingchen returned to the capital, he was still sickly and looked like he could die at any moment. Unbeknownst to him, he had already reached a place that was beyond his reach.
Once outside the city gate, the horse ran faster and faster.
Chief Ji, accompanied by Assistant Magistrate Jiang, led the way at the very front.
Xie Jing felt increasingly disheartened as he walked away.
Chief Ji did not go astray; he was indeed prepared, and he truly knew where his father was.
After Xie Jing discovered that the relationship between the emperor and the Ji family was unusual, he immediately ordered the accompanying guards to seal off the manor and forbid anyone in the manor from leaving. Even Ke'er did not leave the manor.
How did Chief Ji know?!
With Xie Jing filled with trepidation, the manor finally appeared before him. The small manor was built against the mountain, with beautiful scenery and birdsong. But if Xie Jing had to choose again, he would never have listened to Ji Nanke and brought the emperor here.
"This is it," the clan chief said with difficulty, extremely weak from his recent journey. "The Emperor and Ji Ruo are both here."
This is what Gu Zhizhuo said, and he probably believed it.
At this point in the game, whether he survives or dies is no longer within his control.
Xie Yingchen was the first to ride his horse into the manor.
"He beat us to it again!" Xie Jing cursed inwardly, following closely behind, and called out from behind, "Prince Chen, shouldn't we inform our master first? It's not good for us to barge in like this."
"King Chen."
"Xie Yingchen, wait a minute!"
"Thanks……"
Xie Jing's voice stopped abruptly, and the reins slipped from his hand.
The Emperor and Lady Ji walked out of the main house not far away, shoulder to shoulder. Lady Ji affectionately took the Emperor's arm, her whole body pressed against his shoulder, her eyes filled with tender affection that seemed to drip with water.
The emperor, his face flushed, gazed into her eyes with deep affection.
Xiao Yunzi followed behind with a long face, accompanied by Li Deshun, whose face was ashen.
Chief Ji didn't recognize the emperor, but he recognized Ji Ruo. His eyes blazed with fury, and he wished he could tear her apart alive.
"Your Majesty?"
The chief minister, Song, blurted out in surprise.
The others had different expressions. Prince Li choked on his breath and coughed violently.
Lady Ji was once the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo. Whether it was New Year's court celebrations, banquets in the palace, or birthday and wedding banquets in various households, they would always run into her. Most of them had seen her before, and even though her face was now covered with red rashes, they could still recognize her.
She and the emperor were always close together, going in and out of the house together. No one would believe that they had no relationship.
It's not like I'm blind!
"Father, Father Emperor."
Xie Jing called out tremblingly.
He glared fiercely at Xiaoyunzi, who blinked frantically. He couldn't help it; he really couldn't.
"You've all come."
The emperor gently patted Ji's hand that was holding his arm, and turned to the crowd, saying, "Very well, I was just about to tell you that I want to take Ji into the palace and make her a Noble Consort."
Lady Ji lowered her head shyly, her eyes filled with affection.
In that instant, Xie Jing felt as if the sky was about to collapse.
He stared at Ji Shi, whose face was covered in red rashes, with disgust. What kind of evil magic had this woman used to bewitch his father like this?
Such a face.
A face that made him want to vomit.
Prince Li snapped out of his shock and said hoarsely, "Say it again!"
"My mind is made up, you need not try to persuade me any further."
Prince Li was the Imperial Clan Head and the late Emperor's younger brother.
"You disappeared for three days because you were with her?"
The Emperor nodded gently and turned to look at Lady Ji: "I am very happy to be with Ruo'er."
"You tyrant!"
Prince Li drew a black whip and lashed it at the emperor with a sharp crack.
The three large golden characters "Strike the King Whip" are clearly visible on the top of the whip.
It was personally bestowed by the founding emperor and passed down through each successive clan leader.
A note from the author:
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