Guessing the truth

On the way back to Jiang Mansion, Xue Shiying sat in the carriage with Jiang Weiren. She originally thought that he would question her about what he said to Yan Qing, but he pursed his lips and looked darkly all the way, let alone saying anything to her. He didn't even look at her.

The carriage drove through the streets at night, so quiet that the only sound was the wheels rolling over the floor tiles.

"Brother-in-law," she said in a low voice, "are you really determined to let me get married?"

Jiang Weiren replied lightly: "I indulged you too much in the past. You are already a hairpin girl. You should have discussed marriage a long time ago." But it was all because of you that you have caused such a big mess."

"I know that you are good to me because of the apology you feel for your sister." She smiled bitterly, "Maybe one day, I will do it. This apology has all been worn away, and by that time, I'm afraid you won't even want to look at me..."

The carriage stopped leisurely, and the coachman's voice came from outside, "Sir, we're here."

Jiang Weiren was about to get up . , but Xue Shiying pulled his sleeve. There was a suppressed glint in her eyes, but her eyes were firm, "Brother-in-law, I want to ask you one last thing."

"Say it." He looked at her.

Xue Shiying answered very calmly: "I want to go to Yuqing Temple in Taihua Peak to lead the practice."

She has been acting out of line these days. When she had an entanglement with Yan Qing today, she looked like she was crazy, but in fact she couldn't be calmer inside. This calmness is why I am desperate and why I am crazy.

What she asked for was not even that he would really fall in love with her. She just wanted to be by his side forever, but this was destined to be a luxury wish.

In this case, she would rather be so decisive than to be married to someone else.

Regarding Xue Shiying's visit to Yuqing Temple, Jiang Mansion said to the outside world that she temporarily went to the Taoist temple to recuperate from illness. It did not say that she was practicing on behalf of others, but it still couldn't stop the discussions outside.

Although Cao Dingzhen was shocked when he found out, he thought that since Jiang Weiren decided to let her go, there were some unspeakable reasons behind it, so he didn't ask anything.

The person who couldn't accept this result the most was Zhao Yuan. He helped Xue Shiying hide in the palace a few days ago, thinking that she was just unhappy for a while. Unexpectedly, after she returned to the Jiang family, news came that she was going to the Taoist temple.

He did not dare to ask Empress Dowager Cao, but also remembered that Yan Qing took Xue Shiying to see Mr. Jiang that day, so he could only go to see Yan Qing and ask her to persuade Mr. Jiang not to send Xue Shiying to Taihua Peak.

"A Yuan," Yan Qing sighed, "Why don't you understand? This is the intention of the Qinghe County Lord."

"Why would she want to go to the Taoist temple?" Zhao Yuan frowned and said, "She is just using her energy for a while. If she is really recovering from her illness, , Is it necessary to go to Taihua Peak? How can it be convenient there? She is confused, but Mr. Jiang can't let her go to the Taoist temple!"

"Whether she is angry for a moment or really wants to ! Since it is her own wish to enter Taoism, she can only wait for her to figure it out. If you are really worried about her, how can you ignore her own wishes? If you force her to stay, she will not be happy. "

Zhao Yuan lowered his head, feeling uncomfortable and unable to resolve it.

He had neither brothers, sisters nor playmates around him since he was a child. The late emperor taught him harshly, and even the palace officials and eunuchs around him could not get close to him. Except for his aunt Yan Qing and his biological mother Cao Fei, the closest people were not It's Zhang Daban.

Since Xue Shiying was named the county lord and often came to the palace, Queen Mother Cao probably felt that he was lonely in the past, so she let Xue Shiying accompany him. They watched polo and Cuju together in the ban, went horse riding in the hunting ground together, and watched the thousands of white cranes flying into the sky in the west...

He once thought that sister would always be by his side.

Later, the queen mother told her that her sister would not accompany him because she would always get married. He thought sadly that if she was with her beloved, even if he would become lonely again, at least it would be for her happiness. But now that she has gone to the Taoist temple, she may never come back.

"Empress, I want my sister to be happy, I also want my empress to stop getting sick, I want my mother to worry less, and I want my husband to be less overworked," he pulled Yan Qing's sleeves and said in a low voice, "They said I am the emperor, but it turns out that the emperor also has so many things that he cannot do..."

After hearing what he said, Yan Qing felt melancholy in his heart, and when he wanted to reach out and touch his head, he suddenly realized that , she was about to raise her hand to reach it, so she took her hand back lonely.

She replied melancholy: "Mr. Jiang must have taught A Yuan that poem, 'Wine and song, life is like the morning dew, the past days are full of hardships...' Isn't life just like the morning dew, happy moments are in a hurry But the loss and regret will remain in the heart forever. This is something that is beyond human power, and even the king can't do anything about it."

Zhao Yuan nodded at her, "I think sister will figure it out one day and come back, yes. "Your Majesty?"

Yan Qing seemed to be stunned by the question. Looking at his expectant eyes, she wanted to nod and answer, but she knew in her heart that everything in this world is just like clouds that disperse easily, and reunions are rare. .

After Zhao Yuan left, Fuying came into the hall and said, "Madam, Eunuch Chen is here."

Yan Qing nodded and replied, "Let him come in."

Chen Min came in holding a stack of volumes and knelt down to salute. He said: "I'm here to see the Queen Mother!"

Yan Qing nodded and stood up, "I have done everything the Queen Mother ordered me to do." He presented all the volumes to the Kang table in front of Yan Qing, "These are the Beizhen "What Fu Si found."

Yan Qing pressed it with his hand, "So many..."

Chen Min explained to her: "Master Shen was involved in the rebellion of Prince Ning, who was the late emperor's uncle. Prince Ning's rebellion was revealed by Lord Jiang, who secretly reported it to the late Emperor. The late Emperor ordered Jin Yiwei to investigate secretly. Only when the rebellion was confirmed was Dali Temple involved.

"These case files are all copies kept by Beizhen Fusi. The slave went to experience Si Xun himself. According to people who were involved in the case, Lord Shen’s entire study room was emptied out by the Zhenfu Department, and all the correspondence was recorded, not only with Prince Ning’s Mansion, but also before he had any relationship with Prince Ning... "

Yan Qing picked up one and looked at it. It was exactly what Chen Min said, the letters between Shen Zong and Prince Ning's son-in-law.

When she closed the files, Chen Min clearly noticed the change in her expression. Yan Qing Trying his best to suppress the turmoil in his heart, he asked Chen Min again, "These Ai family members know about it, what about another thing? "

Prince Xianzhang's death was originally tried by the late emperor. The files kept by the Jinyiwei Experience Department were all written according to the results of the original closure of the case in Dali Temple. What the Queen Mother wanted to know, the servants did not find the files." "

Prince Xianzhang died suddenly after taking red pills. Shizong was already seriously ill, and he was even more unaware of his personnel after this blow.

Therefore, the case was investigated by Zhao Chun, who was still the King of England at the time. Zhao Chun dragged the case away. Soon After Shizong passed away, he hurriedly closed the case in Dali Temple. There must be something fishy, ​​but it would be difficult to find out.

Yan Qing was a little disappointed, but Chen Min continued: "But I ordered the people from the Zhenfu Division to do it secretly. When I went to check on the person who had handled the case, I found some clues. "

This year's Mengdong coincides with the triennial ceremony of thanksgiving.

On this day, the emperors of the Yu Dynasty would lead hundreds of officials to the Yuling Palace in the western suburbs to pay thanksgiving ceremony. Usually the queens and concubines would accompany them. , but Zhao Yuan has not yet appointed a concubine, so the two queen mothers went together. The

previous thank-you gifts had to be returned to Luan on the same day, but starting from Shizong, they were at the foot of Hushan Mountain next to Yuling Palace. The palace was built, and from then on, the emperor and empress would stay in the palace to express their gratitude.

Yan Qing once accompanied Zhao Chun to Yuling Palace, and also stayed at Hushan. The scenery of Hushan is good, because there are ashe-colored rocks on the mountain, like corals, so the name Hushan was given.

After the ceremony of thanksgiving, a banquet will be held in the Zhai Hall, and Yan Qing and the Queen Mother Cao will naturally attend. At the banquet, Zhao Yuan will give wine to the officials. Jiang Weiren, as the head of the officials, will come forward to pay tribute to the emperor.

After the banquet was over, Yan Qing and Empress Dowager Cao rushed to their dormitories to rest. Seeing the two empress dowagers leaving, the accompanying clan members encouraged Zhao Yuan to hold another banquet in Yulang Pavilion and summoned the priests to sing and dance to entertain them.

The banquet is a private banquet in the palace. Most of them are the emperor and the royal family members drinking and having fun together. The rules in the palace are very strict. Zhao Yuan finally came out, so he was naturally happy to agree. Unexpectedly, halfway through, Boyang Hou and several others I have to ask Zhao Yuan to invite the chief assistant.

Although Boyang Hou was not old, he was senior. Zhao Yuan also drank some wine and was in high spirits, so he asked the palace servants to invite the chief assistant.

How could he know what Marquis Boyang was planning, but Zhang Fang had an idea and asked someone to tell the Queen Mother Shengyi the news. Although Marquis Boyang was only a marquis, he was His Majesty's elder, and no one could control him.

Yan Qing frowned when she heard this, "Then Marquis Boyang is a drunkard. If he gets drunk and causes trouble, the Ai family will wonder how it will end."

In fact, she was more worried about Zhao Yuan being drunk, so after thinking about it, she let him Fuying passed the chariot and went to see it in person.

Little did she know that the target of Boyang Hou and others was actually Jiang Weiren. They had heard that the First Assistant had an unpredictable drinking capacity and could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Who would dare to drink from the First Assistant in normal times, but now they were using His Majesty's signature to see if the rumors were true.

But when Yan Qing arrived at Yulang Pavilion, the banquet in Yulang Pavilion had already dispersed. Only Zhao Yuan and Jiang Weiren were still there. She looked at Zhang Fang, which meant that she clearly had nothing to do, but she was allowed to go through this trip.

She had really wronged Zhang Fang. If she had come a step earlier, she would have seen Boyang Hou look like when he was drunk.

Zhang Fang had no choice but to repay the truth, "Boyang Hou insisted on drinking with Mr. Jiang. Your Majesty is also a little drunk. Boyang Hou's identity is there, and the slaves dare not make mistakes, thanks to Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Weiren also said There was nothing he could do. Several of his clan members were His Majesty's elders and could not move. They were all trying to drag him to fight for wine. He asked the palace people to change the cups directly into sea bowls. After a few times, everyone was completely drunk and fell down. The palace people then helped everyone down one after another.

Yan Qing's face turned green after hearing this. Seeing Zhao Yuan's dizzy look, he could only hold back his anger and asked Zhang Fang to send him to the bedroom. When he turned around, he saw Jiang Weiren looking at her leisurely.

But she didn't want to look at him anymore, and only ordered the palace servants, "Bring me the sobering soup."

Jiang Weiren said, "No, I'm not drunk." Yan

Qing snorted coldly and said sarcastically: "That's right, Mr. Chief Assistant. It's a huge amount, it knocked down a group of people, how awesome it is!"

Hearing what she said, a smile appeared in his eyes, and he drank some more wine. Looking at it like this, his eyebrows became softer.

Yan Qing looked at the palace people beside him and said calmly: "Let's all go down."

Seeing that there were only two of them left in the palace, Jiang Weiren said with a smile: "It seems that the Queen Mother has something to say to her ministers."

" Jiang Weiren, you actually competed with those clan members for drinking in front of A Yuan. What kind of imperial master are you?"

Jiang Weiren nodded, "It's my fault, it's not my fault."

Yan Qing saw his smile. She looked even more angry, her chest heaved, and after thinking for a while she said: "Forget it, I have nothing to say to you. I will return to Beijing tomorrow, so you should rest early."

With that, she was about to go to the palace. Jiang Weiren finally got the opportunity to be alone with her. How could he let her leave like this? He reached out and took her arm. She stepped back and pressed against his chest.

"Nonsense, you obviously have something to tell me." He whispered in her ear.

She pushed him away and was about to scold him for being presumptuous, but then she remembered the night in front of Yaohua Palace and knew that this man was usually very serious, but when he really acted like a rogue, he was the biggest rogue.

To avoid making the same mistake again, she immediately stood farther away from him. He frowned slightly when he saw it. Before he could speak, he heard her suddenly whisper: "Jiang Weiren, let me ask you, why did you attach yourself to Cai Yong in the first place?"

Jiang Weiren was stunned and stared at her as if he didn't hear clearly.

"Are you...in order to avenge Yan Lan?"

Those two words seemed like a seal, and those suppressed memories resurfaced again, like old scars being torn off, with a faint feeling. pain.

"I read the letter you once wrote to Shen Zhu," Yan Qing continued when he didn't answer, "You pretended to be flattering and gained Cai Yong's trust, and then you worked with Shen Zhu overtly and covertly, looking for opportunities to bring down Cai's party. , right?"

The reason why she was suspicious of the past was because of Xue Shiying's words that night. She said to Yan Qing: "My sister can sacrifice herself for her brother-in-law's future, but how did she know that he wanted this future for his own sake? You."

Yan Qing didn't understand why Jiang Weiren wanted a future for himself.

So, she asked Chen Min to investigate the original incident, and then she found out the truth behind the infamy he suffered back then.

Jiang Weiren smiled, "Back then, all the ministers in the dynasty were attached to Cai Yong. Like them, I only wanted glory and wealth."

"What about the death of Prince Xianzhang?" She stared at him and asked.

Jiang Weiren's expression suddenly changed, and he asked in shock, "What do you know?"

When she knew the truth, she was even more shocked than he was at the moment. She didn't expect that he was so bold, and that he almost risked his life.

"The Taoist priest from Fuluan next to Prince Xianzhang is named Cheng Qiyu. He is from Jiangling. He was introduced to the Prince by Zhao Shu, but in fact, it was you who introduced him to Zhao Shu."

Yan Qing looked at him and said slowly , "Then Cheng Qiyu offered red pills to Prince Xianzhang, which caused the prince's death. Although he committed suicide by taking poison, a simple investigation can find it on you. Why did you do that?"

What he did at the beginning was the same. So he set himself on fire. If Sejong hadn't been unconscious due to the heavy shock of the prince's death, he could have been traced by just ordering the Jin Yiwei to investigate.

"The crime of murdering the prince was originally a crime of the Yi people, but at that time I had no relatives, and my only wife had passed away, so I was alone, so there was nothing to fear.

"Look, I am not betting right, because I helped the late emperor win the throne. , he rewarded me very much, let me join the cabinet, was promoted to chief minister, and am now in charge of state affairs. " He said lightly, as if the thrilling experience he had experienced was not worth mentioning.

Yan Qing stared at him, but his eyes gradually became moist, and he said in a low voice: "It's just luck. Shizong fainted on the spot after hearing the bad news, and you had the chance to destroy it. exhibit. The late emperor put pressure on Dali Temple again, but you didn't expect that Shizong died soon after, and the late emperor ascended the throne, and you escaped the disaster. "

But that was just a coincidence. He was good at making decisions. How could he not know that if he did that, there would be almost no chance of him escaping unscathed. Rather than fighting to the death, he was more determined to die.

"You know I Yes, I have always liked to take the wrong path and seek wealth through danger. This has always been the case. "Jiang Weiren avoided her eyes and replied.

"If it was for wealth, why did you kill Prince Xianzhang at that time. If I remember correctly, the prince's favorite concubine was Gu Yuqing from Qingbo Tower back then. She was devoted to you, and therefore Prince Xianzhang thought highly of you. When the prince ascends the throne, you will still have wealth and honor to enjoy.

Yan Qing lowered his gaze and whispered, "Shizong was seriously ill at that time. If he died suddenly, the crown prince would ascend the throne. " Everyone knows that the prince has always hated the late emperor deeply. If he ascends the throne, there will be no way to survive in the British palace. "

She was so choked that she could hardly speak with her hands, and her voice became hoarse. She looked up at him and said, "You have no reason to kill the prince, so you didn't do all that for yourself, right?"