On the high seat, the Emperor looked at the letter in the hands of the palace servant and did not speak for a long time.
He Rufei's heart seemed to be tightly gripped by an invisible hand, gripping it so tightly that his heart ached. At this point, he was certain that the thief who broke into the He Family that night and stole the letter in the exquisite box was Xiao Jue. But … how did Xiao Jue know how to open the exquisite box? She could enter and leave the He Family as if no one was there. If there was no spy who tipped her off, could it be … He looked at He Yan and vaguely remembered that when he was sparring with this woman, she called him "Big Brother".
It contained a myriad of emotions, like a malicious spirit that came to collect debts.
Could it be that she really …
"The real General Feihong was once a classmate of this official at the Xianchang Pavilion," Xiao Jue said, "After the Battle of Hua Yuan, this official found that there was something suspicious about General Feihong's identity. After returning to the capital, this official went to the Xianchang Pavilion. Someone set fire to the Xianchang Pavilion's library and attempted to burn General Feihong's old handwritten notes." Xiao Jue said in a low voice, "Fortunately, the arson was unsuccessful. This official compared the handwritten notes of the Xianchang Pavilion with the military books that General Feihong once read. The handwriting is the same. But Young Master He's handwriting is not similar. "
"Just based on this point, how can you prove General Feihong's identity?" Xu Jingfu slowly opened his mouth and stared at Xiao Jue with an unfathomable gaze, "A person's handwriting will not always be the same. With the passage of time, it is not impossible for it to change."
He never thought that Xiao Jue would beat around the bush to talk about this matter. This matter sounded so ridiculous that it made people laugh.
He Rufei's cousin was the real General Feihong and He Rufei was just a fake who took over the family's home? How was this possible? No one even knew the name of He Rufei's cousin, let alone a woman. How could she have such great ability?
He thought that Xiao Huaijin was joking, but when he saw He Rufei's expression, he was shocked.
In an instant, many things that he didn't understand in the past suddenly became clear. He Rufei was quite famous among the generals, and did not rely on the support of a civil official like him. Even if he wanted to take part in the competition for the throne, he would not be in a hurry. Why was he in such a hurry to cooperate with him? Instead, it seemed like he wanted to use him to hide something.
Although Xu Jingfu had his suspicions, he ordered people to investigate and found nothing, so he temporarily dispelled his suspicions. Now it seemed that Xiao Jue was telling the truth. Although he didn't know how Xiao Jue knew about these secrets, if something really happened to He Rufei, it would be bad for him. Thinking of this, no matter how unwilling he was, Xu Jingfu could only speak up for He Rufei at this juncture.
"This is only one of the pieces of evidence." Xiao Jue calmly said, "Bring a witness."
Someone was brought to the square by the imperial guards. It was a woman. She was very timid, and when she saw so many people in the square, she was so scared that she fell to the ground.
"Madam Jiang," Xiao Jue said, "In front of the Emperor, tell him everything you know without missing a single word."
Xu Zhiheng's face was as white as paper, and he was on the verge of collapsing. He had been looking for Mother Jiang's whereabouts all this time. Before, he had already heard the news, but the people he sent out were all empty-handed. Later, because of Fuwang, he thought that He Rufei had found Mother Jiang. He Rufei wanted to use Mother Jiang to threaten him, but he never thought that Mother Jiang had been found by Xiao Jue.
When Mother Jiang saw the Emperor, she was so scared that she kowtowed again and again, tears almost falling out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty … this humble woman really doesn't know anything. This humble woman is serving Xu Family's yiniang. That day, yiniang said that she wanted to kill Young Mistress, it was Eldest Master's idea … this humble woman only dared to watch from afar. They pressed Young Mistress into the water and suffocated her to death. This humble woman heard yiniang call Young Mistress General He … Young Mistress' eyes were also blinded by them. This humble woman didn't do anything, this humble woman really doesn't know anything! "
"Heavens! What does this woman mean? The drowned Young Mistress Xu was the real General Feihong, and they killed her to silence her? "
"So, Eldest Master Xu also knows about this? But isn't Eldest Master Xu deeply in love with his deceased wife? "
"What kind of deeply in love is this? It's simply hair-raising!"
Lin Shuanghe muttered, "Brother He … is Young Mistress Xu?"
Yan He also couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming.
Wei Xuanzhang was pushed by his colleague beside him. "Teacher Wei, so the General He in your school back then was actually a woman? Didn't you notice? "
Wei Xuanzhang didn't speak, his mind filled with disbelief. He Rufei back then, he didn't like He Rufei very much. If it wasn't for Shi Bao's pleading, he wouldn't have allowed him to enter the school in the first place. That youth was diligent and eager to learn, but unfortunately, he didn't have any talent in academics. In terms of martial arts, he wasn't outstanding either. The Xianchang School nurtured the future talents of Da Wei. For such an ordinary person, it was fine to go to an ordinary school.
However, He Rufei later led the Fuyue Army to fight the Western Qiang people, which made him look at him in a new light. Those who could protect their country were all good men.
Now that he thought about it, He Rufei had already shown a different side of him when he was in the Xianchang School. For example, he wore a mask all day long and was always alone. The teachers had always thought that he felt inferior because of his ugly appearance, but now they all understood.
It turned out that the clumsy and hardworking youth was a girl. He was afraid of being discovered, so he had always been alone.
He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart. Wei Xuanzhang had always thought that women should stay at home to help their husbands and children and shouldn't show their faces in public. The women had long hair and short knowledge, but now, they couldn't say anything harsh. They only felt that the deceased General Feihong was respectable and pitiful.
Fifth Prince Guang Shui quietly pulled the guang shuo beside him. "Fourth Brother, why don't I understand what they're saying? What happened to General Feihong?"
Guang Shui suppressed the surprise in his heart and said, "Nothing." He looked at He Rufei kneeling in front of the Emperor and sighed in his heart.
He remembered He Rufei. He Rufei had become famous in the Fuyue Army. Later, it was discovered that he was the eldest son of the He Family and everyone in the court praised him. For a young master of a good family to go to war, it was something that required courage. Moreover, General Feihong's heroic appearance was legendary among his subordinates. He also admired him. But now, Xiao Jue had revealed the truth of this matter. The brave general who disregarded his own life and charged on the battlefield was actually a weak girl under the armor.
After winning the war, the merits weren't hers, the praise wasn't hers, and even her identity wasn't hers. In the end, she died under the conspiracy of her own family. Hearing this, people felt that the heavens were cruel.
The Emperor's gaze was heavy as he looked at the civil officials. "Xu Zhiheng, you also knew about this matter?"
"No … no … this official was wrongly accused!" Xu Zhiheng's legs went soft and he knelt on the ground. "It was this b * tch who slandered me! I didn't … I'm her master! Her master, He Wanru, was jealous of Furen and secretly harmed Furen, causing Furen to drown. When this official found out about this matter, I killed He Wanru to avenge Furen. However, this official never knew that Furen was General Feihong! This official really didn't know! "
His tears flowed down his face and he spoke with great sincerity. Anyone who saw him would feel that this person was innocent. He Yan coldly looked at Xu Zhiheng's hypocrisy. Suddenly, he felt that this spineless man in front of him was completely different from the green-clothed youth he met at the hunting grounds.
The Crown Prince couldn't help but say, "Military Governor Xiao, you can't just convict General He based on a few notes and a few words from a servant, right? This is Da Wei's General Feihong. Moreover, isn't the truth you're saying a bit too outrageous? How can a woman be so powerful? "
Guang Yan didn't have any dealings with He Rufei, but he knew that He Rufei seemed to have some relationship with Prime Minister Xu. At this moment, he spoke up for He Rufei, not for He Rufei or Prime Minister Xu, but to shut Xiao Jue's mouth. After all, Xiao Jue was his enemy and not his friend.
"Of course, it's impossible to convict Eldest Young Master He based on this alone. Moreover," his eyes were filled with mockery, "Eldest Young Master He's crimes aren't limited to this."
Guang Yan was stunned. Xu Jingfu knew that this was bad. He heard Xiao Jue say, "He Rufei colluded with the enemy and committed treason. In order to prevent his identity from being exposed, he secretly colluded with the Uto during the battle of Hua Yuan. He didn't hesitate to sacrifice the lives of Da Wei's soldiers in exchange for the Uto's mercy."
Ma Ningbu had been watching the show from the sidelines. He never thought that this fire would suddenly burn in front of him. He was so shocked that his expression changed slightly.
No one spoke.
The cold wind in the square whistled through the fluttering flags. It was as if the wronged souls of those who died on the battlefield had finally arrived at the table to plead their grievances.
"He Rufei," Xiao Jue sneered, "You're such a coward."
"Military Governor Xiao, some things can't be said without clarifying the situation," Xu Jingfu said.
Xiao Jue was unmoved. He only ordered his subordinates to present the evidence to the Emperor.
"Eldest Young Master He's residence was robbed. It's said that antiques and cultural relics were stolen. It's just a small amount of money, but the He family panicked and searched the entire city for the thief." Xiao Jue said faintly, "Why? Because Eldest Young Master He himself knows that once the stolen items are made public, his reputation will be ruined."
He Rufei gritted his teeth and said, "You …"
"Three letters," the young man had already turned to the Emperor, "Two of them are from the Uto. The last one," he glanced at Xu Jingfu and smiled, "is from Prime Minister Xu."
Emperor Wenxuan suddenly looked up.
If the previous incident with He Rufei only gave him shock and disbelief, then Xiao Jue's last sentence made him feel a great sense of anger and betrayal.
Xu Jingfu … and Uto?
He was a mediocre Emperor. He liked to be a hands-off boss, but that didn't mean that he liked to be played by others. This trampled on the dignity of the Emperor's family. How could he tolerate this?
Xu Jingfu was stunned. He subconsciously knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I'm not disloyal. I don't know where Military Governor Xiao got these forged letters from to slander me like this. My loyalty to Your Majesty can be seen by heaven and earth! "
He didn't know where Xiao Jue got the letters from, nor did he know when He Rufei hid them. He didn't think too much about He Rufei. A rude and unreasonable general wasn't worth the effort. But it was his carelessness that pushed him into the fire pit. He Rufei actually kept a card up his sleeve. He didn't know where he got this letter from, but he didn't destroy it. And it was found out by Xiao Jue!
Emperor Wenxuan looked at the letter in his hand. The more he read, the darker his face became. In the end, there was no expression on his face.
He already knew in his heart whether the letter was real or not. For so many years, Xu Jingfu had been by his side, but he had always turned a blind eye. It was all because of Xu Jingfu's assistance when he first ascended the throne. He thought that he was a humane Emperor, different from the previous Emperors. But now, it seemed that the relationship between the Emperor and his subjects was not worth mentioning in the eyes of some people. He gave Xu Jingfu power and status, but he was still not satisfied.
When he heard the words "betray the country", the way he looked at Xu Jingfu was no longer friendly.
"Military Governor Xiao," Among the generals, Yan He suddenly asked loudly, "He Rufei really abandoned the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers in the battle of Hua Yuan for his own selfish desires?"
Xiao Jue didn't say anything. He just looked at him calmly.
Yan He's eyes instantly turned red.
Generals were different from scholars. They were on the battlefield and carried swords and spears. They were brothers and comrades who went through fire and water on the battlefield. Their emotions were different from others. When military generals fought, they wished they could protect as many people as possible. What they hated the most was meaningless sacrifice. Yet, there was actually such a bastard who would betray his own people and watch them die. All he wanted was his own cheap life.
Yan He took a deep breath and stood out. He knelt down in front of Emperor Wenxuan, "Your Majesty, please punish He Rufei severely! Take revenge for the innocent soldiers who died in the battle of Hua Yuan! "
The generals were shocked at first, then they fell silent. Finally, they put down their swords and spears and knelt down as well, "Your Majesty, please punish He Rufei severely and take revenge for the innocent soldiers who died in the battle of Hua Yuan!"
Their shouts shook the heavens. Ma Ningbu knew something was wrong. He looked at Emperor Wenxuan again and was also shocked.
Xiao Jue said coldly, "The Uto secretly colluded with the officials in the imperial court, causing the people in Hua Yuan to be plunged into misery and suffering. The soldiers died in vain. Now, they are pretending to ask for peace, but in reality, they are harboring evil intentions. Your Majesty," Xiao Jue bowed and saluted, "The Uto's ambitions are clear as day. Your Majesty, please retract your order for peace. As for opening a market in Da Wei, that is even more impossible. The most important thing now is to eliminate the officials in the Qing Dynasty who are in cahoots with the Uto. "
Xu Jingfu reprimanded, "Xiao Huaijin, you are slandering me!"
"The innocent will be innocent. Prime Minister Xu, there is no need to be agitated." Xiao Jue didn't give him a look and looked directly at Emperor Wenxuan, "Your Majesty, please retract your order."
Emperor Wenxuan suddenly felt exhausted.
After being the Emperor for so many years, there were not many relaxing days. Most of the time, he was exhausted. However, there had never been a time like today, when he felt that he was really old. He was so old that even sitting on this throne felt too high and too cold.
"Imperial Father," the Fourth Prince Guang shuo, who had been silent all this time, finally stood up and said to Emperor Wenxuan, "Regardless of whether Military Governor Xiao's words are true or false, at this time, we must renegotiate our relationship with the Uto Kingdom. As for Eldest Young Master He and Official Xu … before the truth is revealed, we can't let them go. The General Feihong incident is no small matter. If what Military Governor Xiao said is true, everyone involved in this incident will not be able to escape responsibility. "
These words included Xu Jingfu.
Xu Jingfu felt a sweetness in his throat. He felt a lump of air in his chest that made him want to vomit blood. The Fourth Prince Guang shuo had always been well-behaved. Although he supported the Crown Prince's Guang Yan and was wary of Guang shuo, in Xu Jingfu's heart, Guang shuo definitely didn't have the guts to fight for the throne. If he did, he wouldn't have dragged it out until now. Guang shuo's temperament was similar to Emperor Wenxuan's, with a bit of the useless benevolence of Guang Yan. Therefore, he was destined to be inferior to Guang Yan.
At this moment, Guang shuo's words would be the last straw that broke the camel's back.
As expected, Emperor Wenxuan glanced at Guang shuo. At this juncture, he didn't hate Guang shuo for meddling in political affairs. Instead, he felt that Guang shuo's words seemed to provide a solution to the current situation, waking him up from the malice of being betrayed.
Xu Jingfu looked at Emperor Wenxuan's expression and knew that things weren't good. If Emperor Wenxuan spoke at this moment and accepted Guang shuo's words, then He Rufei wouldn't have a chance to make a comeback. He Rufei wouldn't have a chance to make a comeback. That letter would become the evidence that would nail him to death. He couldn't be taken away at this time, leaving only one Guang Yan outside. That idiot Guang Yan wouldn't be able to get him out. And Xiao Huaijin wouldn't let go of this opportunity. After today, he would have no chance to make a comeback!
"Your Majesty …" Xu Jingfu's tears flowed down his old face, "This old subject has been wronged. This old subject believes that Military Governor Xiao's words aren't true at all. They're all nonsense. It's said that General Feihong and General Fengyun don't get along. Now it seems that it's true. However, this old subject doesn't know how General He provoked Military Governor Xiao to make Military Governor Xiao do such a thing! "
Even at this time, he still didn't give up.
"Military Governor Xiao didn't lie!" A woman's voice suddenly rang out. It was sharp and ear-piercing.
He Yan was startled. He turned around and saw a woman stumbling over from the crowd. This woman's clothes were dirty, as if she had rolled around somewhere. He didn't know where she came from. Her hair was also disheveled, but her face was beautiful.
It was actually Madame He.
He Yan was stunned. He wanted to go forward, but he was afraid of being found out, so he could only stand there.
Xiao Jue was also surprised. He Rufei was shocked. Madame He didn't even look at the crowd. She rushed to the bottom of the Heavenly Star Stage and prostrated herself in front of Emperor Wen Xuan. She loudly said, "This old subject can testify. Your Majesty, this old subject can testify. He Rufei isn't General Feihong at all. He's a fake. He Rufei was born with my daughter, but his body was weak. The doctor said that He Rufei wouldn't live past three years old. My husband and eldest brother let my daughter, He Yan, dress up as a man and exchange identities with He Rufei. "
He Yan's hands were slightly trembling.
Madame He crawled forward two steps, "My daughter went to the battlefield when she was 16 years old. She was lucky enough to obtain military merits. When she returned to the capital, He Rufei's body had already recovered. When His Majesty appointed generals, He Yan and He Rufei had already returned to their respective places. This wasn't a big deal. "She took a deep breath and pointed at He Rufei who was not far away," But they were crazy! In order to prevent their identities from being exposed, they fed my daughter poison. First, they poisoned her eyes, then they drowned her in the pond. "
"Military Governor Xiao didn't lie to you, Your Majesty," Madame He shouted, "My daughter, He Yan, is the real General Feihong!"
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