In the dead of winter, Li Heng sat shivering in the sewage.
Chen Banjun and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review pretended not to see it, and their eyes were all on the Lady of Pingchang.
After the old servant reported the Lady of Pingchang, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review ordered that the Lady of Pingchang be brought over as well.
Lady Pingchang, surnamed Jiang, was nearly fifty years old. Her beauty still hinted at her youthful charm. She wore an unremarkable dark-colored dress, but those who knew their stuff could easily tell that it was made of fine silk and satin.
Understated luxury!
Jiang was the second wife of the Marquis of Pingchang. After marrying into the family, she did not have any children of her own, but devoted herself to raising the two children of the first wife.
This dedication was confirmed by the three children of the original wife, who expressed great respect and obedience to their stepmother.
Because she gained the approval of her stepchildren, everyone believed that Jiang was truly good to the children. In addition, Jiang was a humble person, so everyone had a very good impression of her.
When Marquis Pingchang was alive, he often praised Jiang's virtue and kindness.
Therefore, after the Marquis of Pingchang and his three children passed away one after another, no one suspected Jiang Shi. On the contrary, they felt that it was pitiful that she was the only widow left in the huge Marquis's mansion.
At first, some kind-hearted ladies couldn't bear to see her alone, so they either visited her to keep her company or invited her out for a walk to clear her head.
But Jiang refused them all with a sorrowful expression. Afterwards, they heard that Jiang was devoted to Buddhism at home, so they decided not to disturb her anymore.
Gradually, the Jiang family faded from everyone's sight, and the entrance to the Pingchang Marquis's mansion became so deserted that it was almost desolate.
But who would have thought that these people who clamored to worship Buddha would secretly collude with Prime Minister Li to do those shady things? And who could have imagined that this seemingly quiet house had been a place of nightly revelry for many court officials for years?
Furthermore, with the report from Jiang's old servant, people inevitably began to suspect that the deaths of the Marquis of Pingchang and his two sons might also be related to Jiang.
Ye Zhen also had the same suspicion.
"You are from Xiyue!"
Ye Zhen spoke with great certainty.
Jiang's eyes changed slightly, but her tone remained calm. "Although my father is only a sixth-rank official, he is a native of Dayuan and cannot be slandered by the princess."
Having been widowed for many years, she felt that life was meaningless, which led her to have crazy thoughts and numb herself to live each day.
Now that the matter has been exposed, and it was me who did it, I will admit it. Do with me as you see fit.
She described the countless lives lost in the Dark Chamber as her boring pastime.
She acted as if she were completely unfazed and had no fear of being punished.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review frowned.
This Jiang woman is not from the capital. Given her age, her parents are probably deceased. She has been married to a man in the capital for decades and is said to rarely return to her parents' home. It is likely that she has little affection for her family.
Her husband's family is all dead, so she really has no weaknesses.
Just as they were wondering how to get this person to talk, Ye Zhen took out a letter from his pocket. "It's quite a coincidence," he said, "I found a letter a few days ago."
This letter is from an elderly father who is secretly raising his son away from home, instructing him not to return to the capital.
I didn't pay much attention at first, and was even thinking about whether to send someone to guard the mail collection point and wait for the person who lost the mail.
However, some time ago, students praised the Prime Minister and even dug out his policies for the country and its people, as well as his writings from recent years. I was fortunate enough to see the Prime Minister's handwriting, which was exactly the same as the notes on this letter.
She smiled at Li Heng, a hint of mockery in her eyes.
The story about finding the letter was obviously made up, but Li Heng's use of the students to create momentum had now given her material to make up a story.
I wonder if Li Heng felt any regret.
She unfolded the letter and waved it in front of Madam Jiang. "Madam is acquainted with the Prime Minister, so I suppose you are familiar with his handwriting as well?"
After Jiang saw the handwriting on the letter, her hand under her sleeve tightened suddenly, and she tried her best to control her gaze so that she wouldn't look at Li Heng.
After hearing these words, Li Heng's face, already contorted by the cold, gradually contorted into a ferocious expression.
His letter to his son fell into Ye Zhen's hands, and the secret guards had sent a message a few days ago saying that the letter had been safely delivered.
This means that the letter was switched or altered.
Ye Zhen had already sensed his intentions and feared he would oppose him, so he brought Chengye to the capital.
But she changed the letter, and today she mentioned it in public. Isn't she afraid that the matter will reach Chengye's ears?
Or has her people already found Chengye?
Upon realizing this possibility, Li Heng's eyes widened in fury. "Ye Zhen, you are a widow, yet you are not content to remain a widow and dare to dream of participating in politics."
You've bewitched the Crown Prince to the point of being unable to live without you, and even caused him to be bedridden. Could it be that you're plotting to seize the throne of this Great Yuan Kingdom, which is why you can't tolerate me at all…
"Pooh!"
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Jingshuo spat at him, "Have some shame! Those officials you've bewitched are still dazed and confused."
Don't you know what you've done? You're trying to implicate the princess to clear your name. Don't you realize that you've been caught red-handed? Do you think you can clear your name?
Do you think the people of Dayuan are really stupid? We are just kind-hearted.
"You're already having a child with your daughter-in-law, so what's a little extramarital affair? Your nervousness suggests there might be some ulterior motive."
Those who felt ashamed for being deceived by Li Heng echoed Wang Jingshuo's words.
They were kind-hearted, which is why they were led by the nose by Li Heng. Who would want to admit that they were stupid?
Wang Jingshuo raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then looked at Ye Zhen and said, "Princess, please tell everyone what you know, so that we may not be deceived again."
Ye Zhen said, "To be honest, I have always suspected that the case of the children in the Charity Hall was instigated by Prime Minister Li. After learning that he had an illegitimate child, I investigated it."
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Li Xiang's child, whom he was raising outside the home, was named Li Chengye, and that his mother was…
Ye Zhen paused for a moment, then pointed to Jiang, "It turns out to be the wife of the Marquis of Pingchang."
"You're talking nonsense!"
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