The Fallen Kong Family
Inside the prison.
Gao Bingze had been locked up for less than four hours.
Several officers dragged him out of the cell and chained him to a wooden stake.
His eyes were still closed, and a bucket of cold water was splashed on him.
He was wide awake!
Gao Bingze struggled, shouting, "I want to see Lord Liang."
"See Lord Liang?" The officer smiled, holding a red-hot iron block in his hand, "Vice-chancellor Gao, you secretly switched the list of Crown Princess. You've committed a serious crime. Her Ladyship has ordered you to be beaten to death."
"What?"
Concubine Xiao did not mention anything about him sleeping with Ji Muqing. Instead, she charged him with the crime of switching the list of Crown Princess.
Didn't she already fine everyone in the Han Academy half a year's salary and no longer pursue the matter?
He did not expect that Concubine Xiao was waiting for him to settle the score.
"I want to see His Majesty. I'm innocent."
"You can only see the King of Hell."
Ah!
The officer used the red-hot iron block to brand his body, emitting thick white smoke.
Gao Bingze sweated profusely from the pain. He was a scholar, how could he withstand this kind of torture? He almost fainted.
The other two officers were already swinging the wooden planks on his body.
The pain was heart-wrenching.
He could not accept this!
He shouted, "Why?"
The sound of the wooden planks was accompanied by Gao Bingze's miserable cries.
Even now, he did not know what he had done wrong. Who did he offend? Who was the one who framed him?
Minister Liang, who had been hiding outside the torture room, had an emotionless expression on his face.
He waited until Gao Bingze's voice gradually weakened before he walked out and had the two bailiffs holding the boards stop.
Gao Bingze's entire body was hanging by the iron chain. His body was streaked with bloody scars, his flesh split open.
His head hung down, his hair a mess.
He vaguely saw a pair of shoes fall in front of him. He used all his strength to prop his head up, looking at Minister Liang.
He opened and closed his mouth. After a while, he asked, "Why?"
Minister Liang was expressionless as he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and showed it to Gao Bingze, "As long as you sign this, this official will guarantee the safety of your entire family."
It turned out that this was a confession!
He wanted Gao Bingze to admit to changing the name list of the Crown Princess.
Unexpectedly, Gao Bingze smiled bitterly. Blood flowed out of his mouth as he breathed weakly.
He asked again, "Why?"
"Bingze, you've been in the Han Academy for a year. During this year, you've indeed helped me a lot. This time, you must die. Only with your death can you shut your mouth forever. I've let you down. If you have any grievances after my death, feel free to find me."
Minister Liang's tone was flat. After he finished speaking, he held Gao Bingze's hand, dipped his thumb in blood, and printed it on the list of crimes.
He then passed it to an official beside him, "Present it to the Emperor. Tell him that Vice Master Gao knows that he has committed a heinous crime and has committed suicide."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The official replied.
Gao Bingze did not have the strength to struggle, nor did he have the strength to speak. He could only watch helplessly as everything happened.
Before Minister Liang left, he said, "Don't worry, this official will order people to take good care of your entire family. They will not have to worry about food and water for the rest of their lives. You can go in peace."
The sounds of beatings came from the prison cell again.
Again and again!
Until —
Gao Bingze was beaten to death before it stopped.
The whirlwind in the palace seemed to have calmed down.
As if it had never happened …
On the same day, there was news from Chuxiu Palace that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was ill and could not be seen. It was also said that the illness was contagious.
The rumors became more and more exaggerated as time went on.
In the end, it was all Concubine Xiao's tricks. She was able to prevent Ji Muqing from participating in the Crown Princess selection.
Of course, this matter also gave the Emperor a headache. The Crown Prince's wife, who had been selected internally, suddenly fell ill, and all the arrangements were disrupted.
Who would be the Crown Princess?
In this emergency, the Emperor naturally summoned Minister Liang.
Qi Zhen Emperor sat behind his desk, distressed. "The selection is tomorrow, how could something like this happen? What kind of illness does she have?"
Minister Liang cupped his hands. "Miss Ji's face is red and swollen, and her feet are also swollen. The imperial physician said that it was an infection that could be contagious. She needs to be nursed slowly, so she was sent out of the palace to the General's Mansion."
The Qizhen Emperor sighed.
He propped his head up for a while before asking, "Then, in Minister Liang's opinion, what should we do about the Crown Princess?"
"Miss Ji's illness isn't incurable. If the selection of the Crown Prince can be pushed back a little …"
Before he could finish, Qi Zhen Emperor interrupted him.
"No! The matter has already been decided, the date of the selection cannot be changed! " His attitude was firm. He placed his hand on the desk and asked Minister Liang sternly, "In your opinion, who else is suitable for the Crown Princess?"
Minister Liang already knew that the Emperor would ask such a question. He pretended to be distressed for a while before replying, "Among the many talents, there are many descendants of famous families. It is possible to pick one, but in terms of family background, it cannot compare to the Miss Ji. This official has a recommendation, but I am worried …"
"Speak!"
"Princess Huiwen!" Minister Liang said.
Qi Zhen Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Huiwen? Why her? "
"In my humble opinion, Princess Huiwen is a descendant of the late Empress. When the Empress was still alive, the Kong Family had several civil and military officials who had some status in the imperial court. However, after the Empress passed away, the Kong Family seemed to have declined on the surface. Kong Qu, who was originally the vanguard of the Frontline Army, took the initiative to leave the capital and went to Yi City, which was located in the northwest. More importantly, Yi City is the stronghold of the Huyi Country. When attacking the country, one must first attack the city, and Yi City is the key. There is also Kong Shengyi, who was the cousin of the late Empress. Although he resigned and returned to his hometown a long time ago, he still has a group of elite troops in Hanzhou. If Princess Huiwen becomes the Crown Prince's concubine, the stronghold of Yizhou and the troops in Hanzhou will naturally be in her pocket. Apart from Miss Ji, compared to the other excellent candidates, Princess Huiwen is the best candidate!"
”
Every word was sincere!
In fact, Minister Liang's words were not without reason!
Yes, the Kong family had declined, and all the previous generals and officials had left the capital. It looked like they were separated from the center of power, but this also meant that they had planted mines in all directions!
Once something happened in the capital, the Kong family that was scattered around the capital would have an advantageous terrain.
But because the Kong family was too low-key, if Minister Liang had not mentioned it today, Qi Zhen Emperor would not have felt how frightening this hidden power was.
His heart was like a bubbling hot spring, throbbing with every beat.
After pondering for a moment, he nodded lightly and waved his hand. "You can leave first. We will think about it."
Minister Liang took a look at Qi Zhen Emperor's expression before bowing and leaving.
As soon as he left Fuyang Hall, Minister Liang sent a messenger to Zhangzhi Hall.
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