Chapter 497

Since Emperor Wanli had personally asked, the Office of Transmission naturally could not be negligent. They immediately sent Ye Mengxiong's memorial to the Bureau of Rites.

Wanli received Ye Mengxiong's memorial and carefully read it. Ye Mengxiong wrote down in detail all of Ye Xiaotian's actions and his assessment of the impact it would have. He suggested to the Emperor that there was no harm in holding this matter high and letting it go lightly because Ye Xiaotian had an irreplaceable and important role for the court in managing the southwest.

However, Emperor Wanli had already regarded Ye Xiaotian as the greatest obstacle to him obtaining Xia Yingying. Now that he had a chance to punish him, how could he be willing to absolve him? Wanli naturally cared about managing the southwest, but he was conceited and believed that even without Ye Xiaotian, the southwest would still be his. He naturally did not want to let Ye Xiaotian off for this.

Wanli only smiled faintly after reading Ye Mengxiong's secret memorial. He ordered San Dezi, "After tomorrow morning court, leave the cabinet and the three departments of law behind."

After the morning court the next day, San Dezi had all the cabinet elders, as well as the officials of the Imperial Censorate, Supreme Court, and Ministry of Justice stay behind. Wanli's expression was as dark as water. He ordered, "San Dezi, read Inspector Ye's memorial to all the officials."

San Dezi unfolded Ye Mengxiong's memorial and began to read it in a clear voice. He had just finished reading the events of Ye Xiaotian's enmity with the Zhang family, the Yang family, the Zhan family, and the Cao family. He hadn't even read Ye Mengxiong's analysis and judgment when Emperor Wanli slammed his hand down on the table and shouted in a deep voice, "Audacious to the extreme! What does everyone think of Ye Xiaotian's punishment? "

Seeing the Emperor's anger, Chief Justice Wang Ji of the Supreme Court immediately answered, "This subject believes that even if the Zhang, Yang, Cao, and Zhan families provoked first, Ye Xiaotian's unauthorized use of private punishment is still disregarding the law and should be punished. According to the old custom, he should be demoted to serve as a warning to others! "

Emperor Wanli snorted and turned to the Minister of Justice, Ye Lubo, asking, "What does Subject Ye think?"

Ye Lubo saw the Emperor's expression and understood that the Emperor was not satisfied with Wang Ji's answer. He immediately replied, "This subject believes that he should be completely stripped of his hereditary official position and deposed as a citizen!"

Emperor Wanli was still not satisfied. He coldly glanced at Gu Qingcheng and asked, "Subject Gu, what does Subject Ye think?"

After the incident at the banquet, Gu Qingcheng became very cautious. She carefully replied, "I think that he should be stripped of his position as a Chieftain and exiled for three thousand miles. He should be demoted to a soldier guarding the border to atone for his crimes. This will preserve the dignity of the court and appease the Chieftains of Guizhou."

Emperor Wanli let out a soft sigh and glanced at Shen Shixing and the others, asking, "What do you think?"

Shen Shixing replied tactfully, "Matters of the law are the responsibility of the three law officials. This old official dares not interfere!"

Wan Li said solemnly, "Since that's the case, we'll follow the decision of the three law boards and immediately imprison Ye Xiaotian!"

With the clanking of shackles, Ye Xiaotian was brought into the prison. Xuanzi No.1 Supervisor was where he had lived since he was young. Now, he was back. It was just that before, he was outside the prison.

With a series of clanking sounds of shackles, Ye Xiaotian was brought into the Heavenly Prison, shackled and chained. The Mysterious No. 1 Prison was where he had lived since he was young, and now he was back. It was just that in the past, he was outside the prison, and now he was inside.

The prison door opened. Wang Aoyang and Liu Jingyin, who were escorting him into the cell, said awkwardly, "Boss Ye …"

Wang Aoyang and Liu Jingyin were Ye Xiaotian's brothers when he was the head of the prison. After many years, Wang Aoyang had become the head of Xuanzi No.1 Supervisor and Liu Jingyin had become the deputy head of the prison. Today, Ye Xiaotian had become a criminal official. How could the two allow themselves to be escorted by the prison guards?

Ye Xiaotian smiled at them and said, "It's fine!" He calmly walked into the cell.

This cell was cleaner than the others. Because it was close to the outside of the cell, it was also much drier. The cell was empty except for a straw mattress against the wall. It was obviously new.

Ye Xiaotian smiled knowingly and turned to Wang Aoyang and Liu Jingyin, cupping his hands. "Thank you, brothers!"

Wang Aoyang rubbed his hands and said embarrassedly, "Now that Leader is back, brother … brother can only do my best to make Leader's life more comfortable. I can't help much else. Brother is useless, please don't blame me, Leader."

Ye Xiaotian said, "How could I? I'm happy that you still treat me as a brother."

Liu Jingyin said, "Leader, rest first. I'll go to the alley to get some wine and pig head meat. I'll come back and drink with Leader." Ye Xiaotian smiled and nodded. Wang Aoyang and Liu Jingyin quietly locked the cell door.

Ye Xiaotian dragged the shackles over to the straw mattress and lay down on it. Resting his head on his arms, he slowly let out a turbid breath. When Zhu Xingshu's marriage proposal failed, Ye Xiaotian had predicted that his visit to the capital this time would not be friendly. Now, as expected …

Ye Xiaotian narrowed his eyes and silently looked at the ray of sunlight shining in through the skylight. Every time he sensed danger, he could always think of a way to prepare for a rainy day. But this time … he was powerless and could only resist to the end.

The power he possessed was completely useless in the capital. His power was also not in the capital. In the vast city of Beijing, the number of important officials he knew was pitifully few. There was only Assistant Minister Lin. If it was something else, he might have agreed, but to help deal with the Emperor …

Ye Xiaotian smiled bitterly.

In reality, it wasn't that Ye Xiaotian was at his wit's end. If he really wanted to 'struggle before death', he still had a way. The most effective way to deal with the Emperor was to use public opinion to create momentum. This method was completely useless against bandits and bullies, but it was very effective against the Emperor. He had used this method to throw Imperial Uncle Li out of Nanjing.

But that way, Yingying would have to show her face in public and take on the overall situation. The Xia family would also be dragged down by him. This time, his opponent was not the Imperial Uncle, but the Emperor himself. Ye Xiaotian did not have a hundred percent confidence.

The Xia family was prosperous, but most of them were men. Yingying, who was like a seedling in a thousand fields, had been doted on since she was young. She was too well protected by the Xia family and was completely like a delicate flower that had not experienced any wind or rain. Ye Xiaotian did not have the heart to let her rush to the heart of the struggle. He also did not believe that Yingying had the ability to hold up an umbrella to shelter him from the wind and rain.

"Forget it, I originally had nothing, but from a prison guard, I became a Warden, obtained a title, became a Prefect Official, and became a hereditary local official. I have tasted all kinds of glory and wealth. Even if I lose it now, what's the big deal? What's more, I still have the identity of the Venerable, which is something that even the Emperor can't remove! Hehe! "

…

"Madam, the carriage is ready!" A servant of the Xia family reported to Madam Xia. Madam Xia, who was pacing anxiously in the hall, heard the voice and stopped. She asked the steward of the Xia family, "Is the Young Lady ready?"

The steward replied, "I have already sent someone to urge her. I will go and have a look."

Madam Xia said, "There is no need, I will go and have a look." Madam Xia hurried to the residence of Xia Yingying. A maid was coming out of the room. When she saw Madam Xia, she quickly stopped and bowed. Madam Xia said, "Has the Young Lady packed her luggage?"

The maid replied, "I was about to report to Madam, but the Young Lady is determined to not leave the capital. I tried to persuade her …"

"What?"

Madam Xia was very anxious when she heard this. She immediately walked into Xia Yingying's bedroom and saw a few maids trying to persuade her. Xia Yingying was dressed in the Yan Residence's uniform. She sat there angrily without saying a word.

Madam Xia's face darkened, "Yingying, why are you not ready? If you delay any longer, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave the capital!"

When Xia Yingying saw her mother, she stood up and said, "Mother, little brother Tian is in prison. It is hard to predict whether he will be lucky or not. How can I just leave?"

Madam Xia stomped her foot and said, "Silly! This all started because of you. If you stay in the capital, there is nothing you can do. It will only make things more unpredictable. If you leave the capital earlier, he might be able to get out of danger. "

Xia Yingying said, "Maybe? Maybe once I leave, the Emperor will kill little brother Tian in a fit of anger. "

Madam Xia said angrily, "Then what's the use of staying in the capital?"

Xia Yingying said firmly, "At least I can live and die with him!"

Madam Xia said, "Nonsense! This is simply nonsense! "

Xia Yingying said in a serious tone, "Mother, I am not fooling around! I am serious! Ever since I was young, my family has always spoiled and spoiled me. I've never suffered, never suffered, and I've never done anything wrong …

I am not as wise as Sister Miaowen, nor am I as skilled in martial arts as Sister Ning 'er. I am useless, and I have always been useless. So, I am very happy that little brother Tian likes me! Now that little brother Tian is in danger, I cannot just leave. I am useless, but for him, I can do it without hesitation! "

Madam Xia said anxiously, "Yingying …"

Xia Yingying said, "Mother, I have never made a decision before. This is the first time, please don't stop me!"

Madam Xia said, "What are you going to do?"

Xia Yingying said sternly, "I want to use my method to save little brother Tian!"

Madam Xia stomped her foot, "You little girl, what good method can you have?"

Xia Yingying did not answer, but walked out of Madam Xia's sight with her head held high. Madam Xia hurriedly chased after Yingying all the way to the main gate. She saw Xia Yingying board the carriage that was preparing to leave. She gave the driver an order and the carriage sped away.

The guards who were waiting outside with their horses to protect the Eldest Miss looked at each other in shock, not knowing what to do. Madam Xia asked anxiously, "Where is the Young Miss going?"

The leader of the guards replied, "The Young Miss is not willing to return to Guiyang. This lowly one heard the Young Miss instructing the driver to go to the posthouse. Should this lowly one follow?"

In the posthouse, Third Lady was ordering people to pack up and prepare to return to the grasslands. She was the actual ruler of the grasslands and could not stay away for too long. Now that the meeting with the Emperor was over, she had asked the Emperor for permission to return to the grasslands.

While Third Lady's people were busy, Xia Yingying rushed over in a hurry. Third Lady was very happy to see her. She stepped forward and took Xia Yingying's hand, saying happily, "Little sister, are you here to send me back to the grasslands?"

Xia Yingying said solemnly, "Third sister, I want you to stay in the capital for a few more days."

"Why?" Third Lady laughed, "You don't want me to leave? Then you can come with me to the grasslands as a guest. The scenery of the grasslands is very different from your Guiyang landscape. "

Xia Yingying said solemnly, "Third sister, Yingying wants to ask you a favor!"

Third Lady said straightforwardly, "You don't have to be so polite with me. Tell me, as long as I can do it, I will definitely promise you!"

Xia Yingying said word by word, very seriously, "I want you to be a matchmaker for Yingying!"