Chapter 332: Hu Ji is dead, no evidence
Zhang Han had a very good impression of Zhao Gao, much better than his impression of Gai Nie who came later.
In Zhang Han's eyes, Zhao Gao was a loyal, knowledgeable, and qualified confidant of the First Emperor, just like himself.
It stands to reason that people with the same personality should repel each other, just like two strong people cannot play together. But Zhang Han did not repel Zhao Gao. The safety of the First Emperor was more important than anything else.
After reporting to the First Emperor and confirming that Zhao Gao had the authority, Zhang Han handed over the authority without hesitation and obeyed Zhao Gao's orders - with a group of newly formed secret guards, he secretly searched for the belongings left behind by Concubine Hu and investigated the people who had contact with Concubine Hu.
While strolling in the garden, Concubine Hu accidentally fell into a well and drowned. Most of the eunuchs and maids in Concubine Hu's bedroom were executed for not taking good care of her.
The news spread without causing any impact in the court or the public. In addition to the eunuchs in the harem, the palace maids became more cautious when walking, and the concubines stayed at home and rarely went out, and were careful about what they said and did.
As the mistress of the harem, Queen Afang, who held real power rather than just a decoration, immediately found the First Emperor and asked him the reason as soon as she learned about this.
The First Emperor told the truth to the maid who had served him since childhood and was also the woman he loved all his life. He explained the cause of Concubine Hu's death clearly and also said that Concubine Hu had framed his brother.
Among the concubines in the harem, only Afang could be told everything by the First Emperor without hiding anything.
Inside the Zhangtai Palace, Afang wore a solemn black dress embroidered with a pattern of hundreds of birds carefully drawn by imperial craftsmen.
After listening to the First Emperor's retelling, Afang's first reaction was.
"Impossible! Uncle wouldn't do that!"
Her expression was determined.
Afang Xin would be worried that his uncle was so capable that he would dethrone the First Emperor and take the throne himself one day.
But Afang refused to believe that Ying Chengjiao was a lustful devil who raped the first emperor's concubines. Especially since the person who told this story was Hu Ji, the princess of the fallen Chu State who hated the first emperor.
Afang had no good feelings towards Hu Ji, and she stood on Ying Chengjiao's side both logically and emotionally.
"What a clumsy frame-up! I'll let the bitch die, but how dare you alienate my uncle from Your Majesty! Anyone involved will have their entire clan exterminated!"
The usually gentle Afang was also really angry, with murderous intent gathering between her brows.
Being able to be the empress of the Qin Empire and to subdue the concubines in the harem, Afang relied not only on the favor of the First Emperor, but also on her own prestige and means.
In the harem, Afang's status was almost equal to that of the First Emperor, and she was the true master of the harem. Afang would kill people without mercy for anything that involved the First Emperor.
The First Emperor nodded slowly with a gloomy face.
"I will let Zhao Gao do this. I want to see who has put his hand into my harem!"
Afang's eyes were filled with anger, and she kept repeating the name Zhao Gao, frowning and saying:
"Can Zhao Gao be trusted? He was once a prince of Zhao State, had close ties with the Queen Mother, and had one of his ears knocked off by his uncle. It's not appropriate to ask him to investigate this matter."
The First Emperor paced back and forth.
"I was deceived by Hu Ji's words, but it was Zhao Gao who reminded me that Cheng Jiao was a virgin. Although Cheng Jiao had been on guard against him, and he was dissatisfied with Cheng Jiao and had some small thoughts, he was generally trustworthy. He saved my life so many times that I can't count them all. Zhao Gao never mixed personal feelings with official matters."
Afang followed her husband just like she followed a young master when she was a maid in her childhood.
"What the pen says makes sense, but I still think it's inappropriate. Since this happened in the harem, I'll investigate it myself!"
"I have asked Zhang Han to secretly collect evidence and investigate. I do not fully trust Zhao Gao. Fang'er, you investigate it yourself... Well, that's fine. The sooner this matter is resolved, the better."
Afang's eyes were like cold stars, and her heart was filled with murderous intent.
None of those who could become queens in the Qin Empire were just vases.
Turning her head to look at the side hall of Zhangtai Palace, Afang sensed a faint yet vigorous breath of life over there, which was the life fire of a young child.
"Is Yin Man in there?"
There were so many princes and princesses in the harem, but the only one who dared to come to the Zhangtai Palace where the First Emperor worked was Ying Yinman, the fifth princess of the Qin Dynasty who didn't like needlework and knitting, but only loved to wield spears and sticks and was fearless.
Afang was a little confused. Why was this girl so honest today?
There was no sound at all.
"No, it's Hu Hai."
The First Emperor said calmly.
The First Emperor concealed his emotions very well, but it was useless in front of Afang, his beloved partner.
The moment the First Emperor opened his mouth, Afang noticed that her husband seemed to feel a little guilty. Without thinking too much, she quickly understood the source of the guilt.
The First Emperor announced that Hu Ji had died by falling into a well. This could have deceived the world, but not him. The death of Hu Ji was closely related to the First Emperor himself.
The First Emperor did not feel guilty about Hu Ji's death, but it was normal for him to feel a little guilty for forcing his own son Ying Hu Hai to death and making him the only son in the harem without a mother.
"I have no children, and the Afang Palace has never been alive. Can I let Hu Hai accompany me?"
No one dared to say anything about an eighteenth prince who had lost his biological mother. But in the Xianyang Palace, the princes and princesses who were mostly older than him and of the same status as him would inevitably say something unpleasant.
But if Ying Hu Hai was in Afang Palace, the princes and princesses who were raised by Afang since childhood would be intimidated by Afang's power and would not gossip about him.
King Zhuangxiang of Qin's mother, Xia Ji, had no power, so she was sent to the State of Zhao as a hostage. She was able to return to Qin from Zhao because she recognized Lady Huayang, who had no heir, as her mother.
In most of the later feudal dynasties, the mother was honored by her son, and the harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, which completely eliminated the power of the harem. But in the Qin Dynasty, where the power of the harem was not castrated, the son was honored by the mother.
The First Emperor knew that this was Afang's statement. Afang had taken care of all the princes and princesses in the harem. If it wasn't for him, why would Afang need to keep Ying Huhai, whom she had already publicly given up, by her side ?
After hesitating for a moment, he said:
"No need, I will just build him a palace."
"Your Majesty, do you not trust Afang? Do you think Afang will harm you because of her mother?"
"How could I..."
"Then let Afang take care of it."
The queen walked up to her husband and smoothed out the horizontal lines on the Emperor's forehead with her bare hands.
"Your Majesty is a man who wants to do great things. Don't waste your energy on useless things. This is all Afang can do for Your Majesty. I am very happy to share Your Majesty's worries."
"…I'm sorry for wronging Fang'er."
In the side hall of Zhangtai Palace, the Eighteenth Prince Ying Hu Hai, who was teasing the insects that the First Emperor had ordered to be found with a pottery jar that the First Emperor had personally found for him, was unaware of this.
These few short hours changed his life's destiny.
Under the butterfly effect of Ying Chengjiao, in this life, he should not even have his name recorded in history because his biological mother hated the First Emperor.
But now, he not only has the favor of the First Emperor, but also the blessing of Empress Afang. Ying Hu Hai has the possibility of being recorded in history books again.
Three days passed.
Zhao Gao, who controls all power in the harem, Zhang Han, the leader of the Shadow Guard who secretly receives orders, and Queen Afang, the mistress of the harem.
With the investigation of these three people, the truth behind Concubine Hu's death should have been revealed long ago, and the mastermind behind the scenes should not have been able to hide.
However, what was surprising was that the three forces did not find out anything. They could not find the person that Hu Ji would rather die to protect, as if that person did not exist.
It is understandable that Concubine Chu could hide some information under the influence of three forces. After all, Concubine Chu has the royal family of Chu and she is also the sister of Ying Chengjiao.
But how could Hu Ji, a concubine who was not in power and favor, hide it? There were almost no secrets in the life of this princess of a fallen country. When she met someone and when she did something were all investigated clearly.
A few days ago, he cursed Zhao Gao, who was ordered by the First Emperor to be Ying Hu Hai's teacher, and drove Zhao Gao out.
Half a month ago, she wanted to go to the Chu Palace to visit her sisters, but was stopped by Queen Afang, who cursed her in the bedroom.
…
Zhao Gao bowed respectfully and reported.
The First Emperor listened to what Zhao Gao reported and compared it with what Zhang Han reported secretly and what the Empress investigated secretly, and found that there was almost no discrepancy.
Zhao Gao recounted all the events from the perspective of a complete bystander, without adding any personal feelings or thoughts, just like a machine.
"You met Concubine Hu."
The First Emperor sat behind the desk and waited for Zhao Gao to finish his report before speaking calmly.
Most of the people that Concubine Hu met were palace maids and eunuchs who need not be mentioned at all. The only person who could be considered an exception during these days was Zhao Gao.
"yes."
Zhao Gao said frankly.
"You have tried to kill Cheng Jiao several times, Zhao Gao. Are you trying to sow discord this time?"
"I do want Lord Chang'an to die, but it's not out of personal grudge, but more because he is doing harm to Your Majesty."
Zhao Gao admitted it straightforwardly without denying it.
"Chang'an Jun kept Li Mu as his retainer, incited the people with the wax sacrifice, launched a mutiny and slaughtered Meng Xibai, and even dared to threaten your majesty's safety. If you don't get rid of this person, your majesty will eventually suffer the consequences!"
All these things, one by one, would be a death sentence for an ordinary person, and he should have died a thousand eight hundred times long ago. There was nothing wrong with Zhao Gao's thoughts and words.
After hearing what Zhao Gao said, the First Emperor recalled that Zhao Gao had been very respectful to Ying Chengjiao before he went to Chang'an Junfu to meet Li Mu, and he also hinted to Li Si not to go against his brother.
He nodded secretly and believed Zhao Gao.
"But this incident has nothing to do with Gao. Your Majesty, what virtue and ability did Gao have to ask Concubine Hu to die for killing Chang'an Jun and for Gao? And that day Gao saw Concubine Hu with palace maids and eunuchs present. Your Majesty can summon her and ask about it.
"I know that Chang'an Jun is a virgin, how could I say such a thing? I want Chang'an Jun to die because I am concerned about Your Majesty. How could I want Chang'an Jun to die for Your Majesty's reputation?"
The First Emperor did not comment on his face, but in his heart he had almost believed what Zhao Gao said.
Everything must be logical and reasonable.
No matter how you look at it, Hu Ji's death had nothing to do with Zhao Gao.
The logic doesn't make sense.
That doesn't make sense.
The First Emperor picked up the priceless glass bead on the table. The bead was crystal clear, pure red in color without any impurities, the size of an ordinary person's fist, and his eyes flashed with surprise.
The Qin State loves water, likes the color black, and its totem is the black bird.
The Chu State loved fire and the color red, and their totem was the phoenix.
"Your Majesty, I have a guess, but I don't know whether I should tell you or not..."
Zhao Gao hesitated to speak.
"explain."
The expressionless face of the First Emperor was reflected red by the red glass beads.
The First Emperor had never seen natural glass beads of this kind.
It is so round and pure in color, it must be man-made, and only his younger brother Ying Chengjiao could have made it.
Zhao Gao gritted his teeth and had a desperate expression on his face.
"Gao thinks that what Concubine Hu said might be true!"
The First Emperor did not respond, but did not interrupt either. He looked at the priceless glass beads in his hand and waited for Zhao Gao to continue.
Zhao Gao, Zhang Han, and Afang's three forces failed to find out the person behind Hu Ji, so this person may not exist at all.
The investigation ruled out all possibilities. The only possibility that was subjectively ruled out at the beginning but not ruled out by the investigation was that Hu Ji was telling the truth.
After eliminating all possibilities, whatever remains, no matter how unreasonable, is the truth.
But there is still one possibility left, that is, Ying Chengjiao was a virgin, and Hu Ji could not have given birth to Ying Chengjiao's child.
Zhao Gao waited for a moment, and said with a fearless look on his face:
"It is true that Chang'an Jun's Yellow Emperor was completed without any loss of body, but it is also true that he lingered in the tower!"
Not losing one's virginity can only affect Ying Chengjiao's sowing, but will not affect his coming in and out.
The First Emperor's arm trembled.
"Hu Fei didn't know that Chang'an Jun was studying Huangdi, so she mistakenly thought..."
Bang!
The priceless red glass bead smashed onto Zhao Gao's head, breaking his flesh and bleeding, and knocking back all the remaining words from Zhao Gao!
"How dare you frame Cheng Jiao!"
The First Emperor was filled with anger!
"Get out! Take ten lashes from your stick!"
"only."
Zhao Gao let the blood flow from his head, responded, and left Zhangtai Palace.
Soon, the sound of beatings came from outside and reached the ears of the First Emperor.
The big red glass bead rolled on the ground for a while and then could not roll any more. Stained with blood, it flashed with an eerie light under the bright light.
The First Emperor looked at the glass beads and felt extremely annoyed.
He knew that all this must be fake, and his brother could not do such a thing.
If his brother was really such a pervert who didn't even let his women go, he should have searched the six palaces long ago, and would not have asked for the towers to be abolished.
If Hu Ji was still alive, the First Emperor would have countless ways to get the truth from her.
Hu Ji believed that Ying Hu Hai was the son of Ying Chengjiao, which proved that the two must have had an affair for a long time.
The First Emperor had no problem with being abused, and he favored Hu Ji only a few times. If Hu Ji mistakenly believed that Ying Hu Hai was Ying Chengjiao's, it would only be logical that the two of them often clashed.
It is easy to verify whether two people have been having an affair for a long time. Some details cannot be made up, such as where the mole on Ying Chengjiao's body is.
If Hu Ji says she has never noticed such a thing, then ask Ying Chengjiao how long it lasts and what positions he likes.
But now , Hu Ji is dead and there is no evidence.
At this moment, the anxious First Emperor really wanted to call back Hu Ji's soul and ask her about it clearly so that he could have peace of mind.
