Marriage of the Di Daughter

King Cheng looked at Ji Heng with an uncertain expression.

Ji Heng and the Jiang family have nothing to do with each other. On this point, at least King Cheng's spies didn't find any clues. But at this juncture, Ji Heng spoke for Jiang Li, and the relationship between them seemed particularly intriguing.

After a while, King Cheng laughed and said, "Duke Su will take pity on the fragrance and cherish the jade."

Ji Heng raised his eyebrows: "Of course."

He was not afraid of Cheng Wang, in fact, Cheng Wang did not dare to do anything to him, even if he felt uncomfortable in his heart, he would just say a few words, and it should not be too much. This Lord Su is ruthless and sinister, so don't let him hold grudges because of this, and play tricks behind his back to cause unnecessary trouble for himself.

"Since that's the case, the king can't do anything to Miss Jiang." He didn't dare to do anything to Ji Heng, but King Cheng still dared to threaten Jiang Li blatantly. What's the result, the second girl Jiang is confident now, and in the end, I hope she can laugh." After saying this sentence meaningfully, he glanced at Ji Heng, turned around and walked away in a huff.

Ji Heng didn't accept the smile on his face, he didn't know if it was to Jiang Li, or he said to himself: "It seems that he came prepared."

Jiang Li came back to her senses and saluted Ji Heng: "Thank you again, Lord Guo, for making the rescue today."

"I've never seen you so polite before." Ji Heng said ambiguously, causing Ye Shijie's eyes to linger on the two of them.

"In the past, it was forced by the situation." Jiang Li also smiled, "If there is an opportunity in the future, I will naturally thank you one by one."

"Well, your mouth is as sweet as ever." He blinked calmly and asked, "What are you going to do now, don't say I didn't tell you, King Cheng will definitely mess with the case of the Xue family. It is easy to know Feng Yutang's crime, but it is very difficult to get rid of Xue Huaiyuan's crime." He stared at Jiang Li, seemingly speaking unintentionally, "What you value most is not to get rid of Xue Huaiyuan's crime, is it?"

Jiang Li paused, it was true, it was not difficult to just convict Feng Yutang, Feng Yutang himself was a scoundrel full of stains. As far as Feng Yutang is concerned, this case is not enough for the emperor to personally supervise, even if Princess Yongning is involved, at most it will be a disadvantage in appointment. If we want to unravel the conspiracy of the Xue family case, we must point out that Princess Yongning deliberately framed Xue Huaiyuan and put him in prison. The dirty water has already been poured on the Xue family, and the "evidence" is also conclusive. Xue Huaiyuan's criminal evidence is really difficult.

However, she still has a chance. Today's interrogation is not so much a trial led by Zhou Dezhao, but a "court discussion" controlled by her. Emperor Hong Xiao wanted to use her knife to weaken King Cheng, so he took the initiative to give her this opportunity , she will make good use of it. As long as the final purpose is the same, what about being treated as a knife?

"He came prepared, and there are not a few of us who have prepared." Jiang Li smiled and said, "It's a great honor for the Duke to take care of my affairs."

Ji Heng said: "You don't have to talk sweet words to make me happy. I can't say a word in today's interrogation. But judging by your appearance, there is a way to deal with it. That's good." He said unhurriedly: "You My life is still in my hands, I don’t want people to disappear before I have time to collect debts. Although I don’t like business, I never do business that loses money.”

Jiang Li laughed with a "puchi".

Sometimes she felt that Ji Heng was moody, like a person who stayed in the dark abyss every day, which was unpredictable, but sometimes she felt that although Ji Heng's mouth was annoying, it was also quite interesting. The most important thing is that he is a smart person, so smart that he can see a corner of her secrets, but he never delves deeper into it.

This is probably his pride, but he also appears to be a gentleman.

Although Jiang Li also knew that the words "junzi" and "Jiheng" were originally irrelevant.

Ye Shijie watched Jiang Li and Ji Heng's familiar conversations, and listened silently without looking at them. Ji Heng didn't shy away from him. I don't know if it was because he didn't take him seriously or because he was Jiang Li's cousin. But Ye Shijie was very suspicious of the relationship between Ji Heng and Jiang Li.

A prince of a state, a daughter of the chief minister, Ji Heng and the Jiang family have never had any contact, so how can they be so close to Ji Heng?

Jiang Li said: "It's not early. If you want to gossip, you can choose another day. There is still business today. Let's go to the hall."

Ji Heng made a "please" gesture.

Jiang Li walked up to the hall with Ye Shijie.

No matter how many doubts there are in his mind, this is not the time to ask these questions. Ye Shijie just needs to hold back his thoughts and go into the hall first.

Many courtiers have already come to the palace, and they are all the courtiers who came to "court discussion" today. Many years ago, when the first emperor was alive, whenever there were many uncertain cases in the court, the matter was of great importance, and the ministers would be summoned to "court discussion". At that time, most of the "Ting Yi" were clans. A few years after the first emperor's reign, the imperial clan declined, and the "court discussions" became more open, and ordinary courtiers could also participate.

Today is an interrogation, so there is no need to be so troublesome, but Emperor Hong Xiao, who has read the scriptures, chose the "court discussion" and let Jiang Li take the lead. The meaning of this is thought-provoking. It was just a case of a county magistrate, so it couldn't be called "significant", and some smart people began to guess if there was something else hidden in it.

Ye Mingyu was relieved to see Jiang Li and Ye Shijie coming in together. He was afraid that King Cheng would make trouble for Jiang Li, and he was relieved to see that Jiang Li was safe and sound.

Jiang Yuanbai also saw Jiang Li, and nodded slightly to Jiang Li, he was too busy to take care of himself. This case was personally stirred up by his own daughter, and many colleagues looked at him meaningfully, and then at Jiang Li, quite meaningfully.

Standing at one end, King Cheng looked coldly at Jiang Li and his party. Looking at him, he was very cold and cruel, making people frightened. Even if Jiang Yuanbai and Ye Mingyu were here, he would not restrain himself at all.

There are also many acquaintances, such as Liu Xu's father Liu Yuanfeng, Master Liu, Ji Shuran's father Ji Yanlin, Jiang Li also saw Shen Yurong.

Shen Yurong came a bit late, but as soon as he entered the palace, many courtiers rushed up and greeted him warmly, which seemed to be trying to please him. Shen Yurong had a kind smile on his face. He was handsome and gentle. In this imperial court, he was like a clear stream, attracting attention.

Ye Mingyu also looked straight at him, and said, "Who is that kid? He's so young, I think Guan'er is not small, right? He's quite handsome, A Li, if you and him..." Ye Mingyu glanced at Ye Shijie's eyes, Then he swallowed the three words "together" alive.

Even so, Jiang Li could guess what Ye Mingyu was going to say next, and couldn't help but sneer in her heart.

With that face alone, Shen Yurong is indeed very capable of bluffing. We must know that when he was just a scholar, there were many rich ladies rushing to marry him. Now that he is an official, he is dressed luxuriously, and his temperament is more outstanding, and he is even more rare than before. No wonder Princess Yongning met and married into the Shen family even if she murdered her own wife. It's just that Shen Yurong like this is even more unfamiliar to Jiang Li, more disgusted, and even more despised.

Sensing that someone was looking at her, Shen Yurong followed her gaze and saw a petite girl standing beside the man with the scar not far away.

The young girl has a beautiful appearance and a slim figure, she is just fifteen or sixteen years old, like a newly blooming pear blossom on a tree, fresh and lovely. Although she is not considered beautiful, there is a spirit of beauty between her brows and eyes, which is calm and open. For a while, people can't take their eyes off her eyes, and feel that her eyes are familiar, as if they have seen her somewhere.

Shen Yurong looked at Jiang Li in a daze.

Ye Shijie frowned, he knew Shen Yurong as a member of Zhongshushe. On weekdays, I occasionally met him a few times in the court. Shen Yurong treated him kindly and had a very good temper. Everyone in the court was willing to make friends with him, but for some reason, Ye Shijie didn't like this little Lord Shen very much. I think he's being too mellow. How could it be possible to achieve the position of Zhongshu Sheren in a short period of time without any enemies?

After Ye Shijie became an official himself, he knew how dark the officialdom was. A person like Shen Yurong who is like a fish in water in the officialdom is naturally not very clean. It's a little bit of fame to pretend to be glamorous even though it's not clean.

Ye Shijie blocked Jiang Li sideways, cupped his hands at Shen Yurong, and said, "Master Shen."

Shen Yurong came back to her senses and saluted Ye Shijie, but her eyes were fixed on Jiang Li.

He has seen Jiang Li, as early as the Mingyi Hall examination when Princess Yongning was injured, he had seen Jiang Li. I vaguely remember that Jiang Li played the piano well, comparable to Fang Fei. She is the eldest daughter of Jiang Yuanbai. He also knew a thing or two about Jiang Li's past. He was sent to the temple for murdering his stepmother. After returning, he was able to gain a firm foothold in the Capital Palace within a few months, which shows that he is not a brainless person.

When it comes to the relationship with Jiang Li, Zhou Yanbang, who Shen Ruyun is going to marry now, has been talking about it, but at first he was married to Jiang Li. Now that Jiang Li has intervened in Xue Huaiyuan's case again, Shen Yurong has a strange feeling that this Jiang Li has nothing to do with him, and there seems to be a rope in the dark, dragging them together When I arrived at one place, every piece of pile had the shadow of ginger pear.

He looked at Jiang Li, and Jiang Li looked at him. It was very bold for a woman to look directly at a strange man like this. But Shen Yurong could clearly feel that there was no trace of admiration in Jiang Li's eyes when she looked at him. Some just look at the stranger's indifference, as if there is something else hidden, but when he looks again, he can't see it again.

When Shen Yurong was still hesitating whether to say hello to Jiang Li, Jiang Li had already looked away, as if he was just an insignificant person, and it wasn't worth paying an extra look. Shen Yurong was stunned for a moment, then laughed at herself.

That's right, Jiang Li is not Fangfei, nor Princess Yongning. To her, she is an insignificant stranger, so this is the right reaction. But for some reason, Shen Yurong couldn't help but glance at Jiang Li, who was talking to Ye Shijie, and always felt... something was wrong.

But can't tell why.

While talking, the servant Su Gonggong came from the back of the hall with people, and Emperor Hong Xiao arrived.

The law of this dynasty is loose, even the rules of the previous dynasty are not as strict as the previous emperor's time. Some people say that this is because Emperor Hong Xiao is single and weak, and others have no fear of Emperor Hong Xiao, and they don't know how long the emperor can last in this position, so they are all confident.

In the past, Jiang Li also thought that although Emperor Hong Xiao was not as mediocre as he appeared on the surface, he was not a rare wise emperor. But ever since she knew Ji Heng's plan, Jiang Li knew that her judgment of Emperor Hong Xiao was probably completely wrong. Although Ji Heng is in control of the state affairs and playing tricks, he is most proud and arrogant. If he is asked to bow his head and be a useless person, he may not be able to do so. Among the three forces, he chose Emperor Hong Xiao, naturally because Emperor Hong Xiao deserved his support. If Ji Hengzhi was in the highest position, Emperor Hong Xiao would be his opponent in the future. If Emperor Hong Xiao could not be used, choosing such an opponent would be an insult to him.

If Ji Heng had other plans instead of aiming for the throne, then for him, Emperor Hong Xiao, whether it was the sword he used or the alliance standing on the same boat, would not be a thing in the pool.

This emperor has always been pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger, it may not be simple.

Emperor Hong Xiao sat down on the high seat, and the other courtiers sat down. The silence in the Golden Luan Hall seemed to be just a moment.

At the request of Zhou Dezhao, a hundred people in Tongxiang jointly convened a court meeting to re-examine the case of the Xue family.

Jiang Li's heart was agitated, and as the civil and military officials bowed down to thank Shengen, the fingers in their sleeves were already clenched into fists.

Success or failure depends on one action. Today's battle is the key to clearing away the Xue family's grievances and uncovering a corner of the truth. She will definitely go all out, even if King Cheng stops her, she will not die!

The palace is majestic and majestic. Among the civil and military officials standing in the hall, some are unfamiliar to Jiang Li, and some are familiar to Jiang Li. Some used to be a pillow, and now they are enemies, and some were once strangers, but now they are blood relatives.

Emperor Hong Xiao was aloof, looked at Zhou Dezhao, and said, "Zhou Aiqing, let's start."

Zhou Dezhao stood up and said yes respectfully. He gave instructions to the people behind him, but after a while, Feng Yutang in prison clothes was brought up.

"Criminal Feng Yutang, during his tenure as county magistrate in Tongxiang, used his power for personal gain, bullied men and women, and committed all kinds of crimes. He once framed the former county magistrate Xue Huaiyuan and was imprisoned. His heart is punishable and has been included in the book." He looked at Feng Yutang, "Feng Yutang, Are you guilty?"

Compared with Feng Yutang who was Tongxiang county magistrate before, the current Feng Yutang is like a bereaved dog. Needless to say, he was unkempt, he sneered, and said, "Xiaomin is guilty. During his tenure as the county magistrate, he did use his power for personal gain, but the matter of framing Xue Huaiyuan is nonsense. At the beginning, Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned for embezzling disaster relief funds. The evidence is conclusive. The matter has nothing to do with Xiaomin. It can be said that there is no excuse for the crime, and Xiaomin does not admit to the trumped-up charges."

"Bold!" Zhou Dezhao yelled angrily, "How can you be eloquent and eloquent in the Jinluan Palace!"

Feng Yutang hurriedly knelt down and said he didn't dare.

Jiang Li looked at it coldly, knowing it in her heart. Feng Yutang knew that he could not escape death, and now it was his own fault that he killed him with one bite, so he could die more happily. If Princess Yongning was confessed, not only would he be sad to die, but all the concubines and concubines in his family would die cleanly.

Of course Feng Yutang is not a person with great love in his heart, he would rather give up his ego to help everyone, but in Feng Yutang's view, he is more afraid of the power of Princess Yongning than the emperor, so he would rather make such a move.

"Lord Zhou," Cheng Wang said leisurely, "all the files have records. The evidence of Feng Yutang's crime is irrefutable, and the evidence is conclusive. But Xue Huaiyuan's crimes have also been tried before. Xue Huaiyuan's corruption case, The money is all in the mansion, there is also the account book, there are witnesses to testify, and there are also witnesses and material evidence. You cannot confirm Xue Huaiyuan's innocence just because Feng Yutang is guilty. You must pay attention to evidence in everything. Please don't waste your time."

It can be said that it is very rude to say this in front of Hong Xiaodi. Although the court discusses matters, all courtiers can speak. But Cheng Wang's attitude was clearly to favor Feng Yutang.

The courtiers beside him didn't understand, they just thought that this King Cheng was probably watching the fun, or because he didn't like the Jiang family, and it happened to be the young lady of the Jiang family who raised the Xue family's case, so he was aggressive. To Emperor Hong Xiao's ears, these words had a special meaning.

In the paperwork presented by Ye Shijie, Yongning was involved in this case. If King Cheng hadn't done what he did today, Emperor Hong Xiao would still wonder if there would be some misunderstanding in it. But if King Cheng is like this, Emperor Hong Xiao can immediately conclude that this matter is related to Yongning, and it is by no means a fake. It was Cheng Wang's attitude, which made it clear that he knew the inside story of the matter.

But Emperor Hong Xiao didn't say anything, just sat in an unfathomable manner, watching the speeches of the courtiers below.

Before Zhou Dezhao had time to speak, King Cheng turned his finger on Jiang Li, looked at Jiang Li with a smile on his face, and said, "This case was brought up by Miss Jiang Er. Miss Jiang Er visited Tongxiang in person, and it seems that she knows about it. There are many inside stories that others do not know, and many evidences that others do not know. Since you want to exonerate Xue Huaiyuan, please come up with evidence."

"That's right." This time, it was actually Li Zhongnan, the Prime Minister on the right who spoke, and Li Zhongnan clasped his hands and said, "Second Miss Jiang is a woman who never yields to her husband. She has the ambition of being clear and bright, and she took the people of Tongxiang on a long journey to Chang'an Gate to complain. , I think there is a big grievance. A big grievance will never be so simple. Everyone present is like His Majesty, and you are willing to hear about it, so please come quickly."

Jiang Yuanbai frowned, no matter how brave and smart Jiang Li was, she was only a fifteen-year-old girl after all. The imperial court is no better than your own backyard, so you don't have to be scruples about what you say. If you say something wrong, it will arouse the suspicion of the emperor and may offend many people. Cheng Wang and the right minister are clearly because Jiang Li is young and ignorant, and wants to attract Jiang Li to talk and fall into their trap. Jiang Yuanbai was about to speak for Jiang Li, but at this moment, Jiang Li spoke instead. But what she said made everyone in the hall stunned.

She said: "Your Majesty, the ministers and daughters traveled long distances and brought the people of Tongxiang to Chang'an Gate to complain about their grievances. They wanted to sue the evil official Feng Yutang. Also... Your Majesty, please convict the former Tongxiang Xue Huaiyuan!"

"Conviction?" Emperor Hong Xiao paused and asked, "What is convict?"

"As we all know, Tongxiang County Prime Minister Xue Huaiyuan embezzled disaster relief money. The evidence is conclusive. He is a moth of the court. His Majesty still advocates cleanliness, but a small Tongxiang County Prime Minister can be so bold. It is disrespectful to the royal family. Just being imprisoned and beheaded is nothing to worry about." In my daughter's opinion, I should be punished with a thousand cuts!"

Ye Shijie was taken aback, the kneeling Feng Yutang forgot to lower his head, and looked straight at Jiang Li. Everyone knew that Jiang Li kept running around for Xue Huaiyuan, she stood by Xue Huaiyuan's side, but now she said that Xue Huaiyuan's killing the capital was not enough, and he had to cut him into pieces. Is she crazy? Or was she not on Xue Huaiyuan's side from the beginning? !

Ye Mingyu was also shocked, he never expected Jiang Li to say this. Jiang Li watched Xue Huaiyuan take care of him along the way, and she was much closer than Jiang Yuanbai, her biological father. To say such a thing at this moment? Ye Mingyu almost suspected that the Jiangli in front of him was not his niece, but someone disguised.

King Cheng and Emperor Hong Xiao were also very confused. The former is incomprehension, the latter is suspicion.

Only Shen Yurong and Ji Heng had completely different expressions from Baiguan's.

Shen Yurong looked strange, looking at Jiang Li thoughtfully, as if she was meeting Jiang Li for the first time. Ji Heng didn't worry about Jiang Li at all, and he wasn't even surprised, just like Jiang Li's reaction was in his expectation, but there was a little interest in his eyes.

"Continue." Hong Xiaodi said.

Jiang Li bent down to salute, and continued to speak slightly: "Xue Huaiyuan, the prime minister of Tongxiang County, has a small official position, but he represents the officials of the Beiyan court. From small to large, the impact is not trivial. Xue Huaiyuan has been an official for decades. Last year alone, he was found out to be corrupted by ink. Thinking about the past ten years, he has also embezzled banks. Where did these coins go and why they disappeared? There is no record in the files. He is suspected of collaborating with the enemy and treason. He must be killed without investigation."

"Investigate." Emperor Hong Xiao moved his fingers, "But the evidence is all in the file, that's all."

Jiang Li leaned down again: "It's because of this that my servant brought the people of Tongxiang to Beijing. Please call for witnesses."

"Heir's certificate." Emperor Hong Xiao waved his hand.

Zhou Dezhao hurriedly ordered his servants to bring witnesses to come up.

Soon, witnesses were brought up. The testimonies they brought were all Tongxiang people, including Dai Yun, Ping An, Mo Wenxuan, Butcher Zhang, Aunt Chunfang and so on. It was also the first time for these Tongxiang people to enter Beijing, enter the palace for the first time, and meet the emperor for the first time. Facing all the civil and military officials, his face was already pale with fright, and he knelt on the ground and almost couldn't get up.

Jiang Li said: "Please tell me about the witness, about the corruption of ink by Xue Huaiyuan, the county magistrate."

These people proved that they were people who had been favored by Xue Huaiyuan, and they came to Beijing this time to rehabilitate their county magistrate, how could they say Xue Huaiyuan was wrong. Then they told about Xue Huaiyuan's past events one by one. Xue Huaiyuan loves the people like a child, kind-hearted, clear and fair, and considerate of his servants. When he took office in Tongxiang, he built water conservancy and taught farmers to irrigate. He knew everything and could do anything. In just a few decades, Tongxiang has developed from a place where no one can afford to wear shoes to a place where people can live and work in peace and contentment.

These did not seem to be criticizing Xue Huaiyuan's criminal evidence, but rather seemed to be praising him. Both Li Zhongnan and Cheng Wang frowned, realizing that things were going in a direction they didn't want to develop.

Based on the evidence alone, it is impossible for Jiang Li to completely exonerate Xue Huaiyuan. At the court meeting, the final decision was made by the emperor himself. But in such a court discussion, the balance of public opinion has clearly turned to Xue Huaiyuan's side, and these civil and military officials gradually began to sympathize with Xue Huaiyuan.

Jiang Li was unmoved, and did not follow the words of the people to cry for Xue Huaiyuan's grievances, but shook her head and said: "How can corrupt people do their best to do practical things for the people? These people are full of lies, so don't pay attention."

One by one, the personal identification cards were taken down, and the new Tongxiang people came again, but no one said that Xue Huaiyuan was not.

Seeing that the momentum was not good, King Cheng sneered: "This Tongxiang county magistrate is used to cheating, and he can embezzle so much money. It must not be underestimated. It is because of the conclusive evidence that some people will speak for him."

"His Royal Highness Cheng Wang said it is very true." Jiang Li said: "It's just that this county magistrate has been corrupt for disaster relief money, and it should be more than once. Feng Yutang has been in office for half a year, and he has already embezzled a lot. Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned half a year ago, and his family property is gone. My daughter asked Doctor Yushi to announce it. The property of the Xue family and the property of the Feng family were confiscated. Let everyone see how ugly this Xue Huaiyuan is compared to Feng Yutang!"

When Feng Yutang heard it, he immediately trembled like chaff.

Who is Xue Huaiyuan, that Tanmo is a fabrication. Xue Huaiyuan's own family property is not much in total. He has been in office for half a year, but he has already achieved the ultimate in collecting people's fat and people's anointing. Such a comparison can naturally see the strangeness!

Sure enough, Doctor Yu Shi came to announce the properties of the two families, but the result was beyond everyone's expectations. Xue Huaiyuan's family property has almost nothing except greedy money, which is not much better than a family with bare walls. It is the only salary, which is often lost because of helping the people. Feng Yutang was different, in just half a year, it was dozens of times more than what Xue Huaiyuan had in the past ten years.

Everyone was silent.

Jiang Li said: "My lords, don't you think it's strange that a criminal official like Xue Huaiyuan has behaved more honestly than many officials in Yanjing City in the past ten years. If other corrupt officials can be like Xue Huaiyuan, we Beiyan , and there is no need to worry about prosperity.”

"Smart words," Li Zhongnan snorted coldly, "Then he is always greedy!"

Jiang Li smiled: "Certificate of succession."

This time, the witnesses passed were Xue Huaiyuan's former subordinates, Peng Xiao, He Jun, Gu Da Gu Er and others. They have long been passionate, just to rehabilitate Xue Huaiyuan in their lifetime, and finally waited for the opportunity now. Before Jiang Li could speak, she immediately knelt down and told Xue Huaiyuan's hardships in the past ten years in detail.

No one knows Xue Huaiyuan better than them. Because they have been together for decades, their words are especially empathetic. When it comes to Xue Huaiyuan being framed and imprisoned, and these officials were thrown into the mine by Feng Yutang's people to be cruel During the torture, the seven-foot man couldn't help crying.

It's all blood and tears.

Emperor Hong Xiao seemed to be moved, but King Cheng yelled that it was not good, and said decisively: "No matter what, Xue Huaiyuan's corruption of ink is a fact, and as Miss Jiang said, let Xue Huaiyuan be punished by a thousand swords." I can't let Jiangli talk anymore.

"Slow." Emperor Hong Xiao said.

In this chapter, Ari’s right words have a prototype in history, which is the defense method used by Qin Prime Minister Li Si to rescue Zheng Guo in the Zheng Guo case.

Those who are interested can take a look~