Chapter 124 The Emperor's Personal Guarantee
Jiang Yongkang was so embarrassed that his face froze and he looked a little embarrassed.
However, Xiao Yanci would not give him face and his words became even sharper.
"After I took over the stronghold, I immediately sent people to search the entire village. There are indeed many women in the village, but they were all abducted from the mountains in the past few years. They haven't come down the mountain to rob in the past two years. The so-called Pingle County Lady was abducted by bandits is pure nonsense."
"None of you saw this happen with your own eyes, so how can you speak so confidently? You're two-faced, easily able to sling and turn, but you've trampled on the reputation of a young woman. With your lack of moral integrity, how is your reputation any different from that gossipy woman in the market?"
Jiang Yongkang was scolded so badly that he was humiliated. Xiao Yanqing also felt as if he was being implied.
The three words "gossip" triggered some memories in him.
Emperor Defeng had also reprimanded him in this way before.
A hint of darkness flashed in Fang Chengchuan's eyes.
Prince Jin and Lu Zhiran have had connections for a long time, so it is reasonable for him to cover for Lu Zhiran.
But the rumor had already started, how could he suppress it so easily with just a few words?
This forced maintenance only makes the matter more obvious.
Lu Guanxuan was so moved that he almost cried, and he felt like he had found his backbone.
"Yes, yes, a girl's reputation is the most precious. How can I allow you to slander her like this?"
Emperor Defeng slowly looked around at the crowd and finally spoke slowly, "There are so many of you, and yet you all just follow the crowd and believe what others say. If my Great Qi has such 'pillars' like you, I wonder how many unjust, false and wrongful cases there would be in the world!"
The emperor's majesty was overwhelming, and all the ministers knelt down and apologized.
Emperor Defeng's anger was aroused and he could no longer suppress it.
He pointed at the ministers in the hall and said, "The slander against the Princess of Pingle for hoarding goods is still fresh in our memory, and now someone dares to play tricks behind her back. This is outrageous!"
"Today, I will personally testify that Princess Pingle has been staying in Changle Palace all this time, keeping the Ninth Princess company! Just yesterday, I saw her with my own eyes. The rumors of her being kidnapped by bandits and having her reputation ruined are pure rumors!"
He went to Changle Palace for dinner yesterday and saw Lu Zhiran there.
After some questioning, I finally knew the whole story and saw what it meant when three people make a tiger.
When these words were spoken, all the ministers were shocked, and even Lu Guanxuan was confused.
Jiang Yongkang's back was quickly wet with cold sweat, and Fang Chengchuan was so shocked that his pupils shrank sharply, full of disbelief.
How is this possible?
"Come here, tell the Princess of Pingle County!"
Lu Zhiran came in gracefully, and as soon as she appeared, the expressions of everyone in the hall suddenly became interesting.
"Your Majesty, your servant, greets you."
"Pingle, tell us where you have been these days."
Lu Zhiran maintained a saluting posture and spoke in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Your Majesty, three days ago, I wanted to inspect the manor, but was invited by the Ninth Princess. I changed my plan and entered the palace to be her companion. We had a very pleasant conversation, and the Princess repeatedly asked me to stay, so I was honored to stay for a few days."
"The palace is isolated from the outside world, and news is cut off. I was unaware that such a drastic change had occurred outside in just three days. I suspect that all of this was deliberately orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, with the sole purpose of discrediting my reputation. Your Majesty, please help me!"
Emperor Defeng said gravely, "You are a meritorious official of the Great Qi, yet you are repeatedly slandered and defamed. If I do nothing, wouldn't that chill the hearts of meritorious officials? I will definitely send people to thoroughly investigate this matter and give you justice!"
Lu Zhiran kowtowed and knelt, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
"You should step back first."
Lu Zhiran retreated as instructed, her eyes inadvertently glancing in the direction of Fang Chengchuan, a meaningful smile curling up at the corner of her lips.
Fang Chengchuan felt a chill on his back.
Emperor Defeng swept his cold gaze over everyone, "Did you all hear clearly?"
No one said anything.
"Jiang Yongkang, why are you silent? Weren't you talking so cheerfully just now?"
Jiang Yongkang kowtowed tremblingly, "I believed the rumors and misunderstood Princess Pingle. I deserve death! Please, Your Majesty, punish me!"
"You deserve to be punished! As an official appointed by the imperial court, you have no moral integrity, you spread rumors, and you speak maliciously. Your virtue is unworthy of your position. You will be demoted one rank and fined for six months. This is a minor punishment and a major warning. If you dare to do it again, you will be stripped of your official position!"
Jiang Yongkang's body was shaking like a sieve, and his voice was trembling, "I accept your order and thank you."
This beating made everyone feel terrified and they once again realized how important Lu Zhiran was in the emperor's heart.
Fang Chengchuan's palms were wet with cold sweat.
Was it Lu Zhiran's omniscience that cleverly evaded their scheme? Or was it Emperor Defeng's will to protect her, deliberately staging this spectacle in front of the court officials?
No matter which one it was, they lost this game.
With the emperor personally guaranteeing Lu Zhiran's reputation, they had no choice but to stop and not make any more fuss about this matter.
He underestimated Lu Zhiran and his importance in the emperor's heart!
But fortunately, I was not exposed.
If this plan fails, we can make another one.
Unexpectedly, as soon as this thought came to mind, Xiao Yanci spoke again.
"Father, I have something I haven't reported yet. Three days ago, bandits appeared at the foot of Helian Mountain, attempting to hijack passersby. I happened to be near the shelter and captured several of them alive."
"I originally thought they were bandits from He Lianshan, but after I broke into the stronghold, I confronted them and discovered they were lying. They weren't real bandits. This was very suspicious, but I'm not a professional interrogator, so I couldn't pry them open."
Fang Chengchuan's heart skipped a beat.
Only a small half of the people he sent out came back. They all said that the rest had been killed by the real bandits. Even if they had not been killed, they would have committed suicide. It was impossible for them to still be alive!
He comforted himself in this way, but his heart was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Emperor Defeng's face instantly turned as cold as ice, and he slammed his big hand on the table.
"Interrogate them strictly! If they still have breath left, we must pry their mouths open! I want to see who is so audacious as to commit such atrocities under the feet of the Emperor!"
The Minister of Justice, Qin Zhongju, immediately volunteered, "Your Majesty, I will take charge of this case. Once I enter the Ministry of Justice, I will be able to pry open the mouth of even the most stubborn person."
Xiao Yanci said, "I have just transferred all the people we captured to the Dali Temple jail, so I won't bother you, Lord Qin."
Qin Zhongju's face stiffened slightly, and Xiao Yanqing's eyes were instantly filled with gloom.
Song Shanhui, the Minister of Justice of the Supreme Court, had always been at odds with Qin Zhongju, and he immediately stepped forward to declare, "I will conduct a rigorous interrogation of the key criminals overnight to uncover the mastermind behind this, and live up to Prince Jin's trust."
Even though Qin Zhongju wanted to grab the job, he couldn't get a word in now.
Emperor Defeng recalled the Fang family case last time, which Fu Zicheng handled efficiently and effectively. He had been promoted to the position of Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, so it would be safest to hand this case over to the Dali Temple.
Emperor Defeng made the final decision, "Okay, this case will be handed over to the Dali Temple for full responsibility. It must be handled thoroughly without any mistakes."
Song Shanhui said loudly: "I obey your order!"
Qin Zhongju's face stiffened and he turned to look at Xiao Yanqing, who glared at him angrily.
Fang Chengchuan lowered his head, hiding the panic in his eyes.
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