Shangguan Yaohua waved his hand to shake it off. His face was still as cold as an iceberg. He said, "In front of His Imperial Majesty, how can you laugh and joke? Be a bit more serious. "On the other side, Prince Fu was still crying out for injustice." Your Majesty … "he called out," Old Chen was forced! All of this … it was Noble Consort Yun who wanted me to do it! Old Chen was bewitched by her and committed this kind of heinous crime! Asking Your Majesty to spare my life! "While he was kowtowing loudly.
Shen Shiyun swept her gaze over him and understood the situation clearly. She had the heart but lacked the strength. "Prince Fu," she angrily said, "You dare to betray Bengong? Do you not want to live anymore? "
Prince Fu cast a glance toward her, there was a hint of pleading in his eyes. "Noble Consort Yun," he said, "Please don't blame me. If you want to blame someone … if you want to blame someone, blame me, this blind dog, for having eight lifetimes of bad luck to acknowledge this bastard as my son. No wonder everyone says he is a heartless little white-eyed wolf! Just now … I acted on my own initiative and intercepted a messenger pigeon. Turns out it was a letter from Manor Master Xia. He said he was unwilling to help you oppose His Majesty, so he canceled the previous deal. He also said that Alliance Head Li would personally go to the border to quell the rebellion and would definitely reverse the situation. When this little bastard heard it, he felt that Niangniang's momentum was gone, so he immediately went to the enemy camp … no, no, no, he switched camps. Suddenly he knocked on my back with a stick. The people who threatened me had to listen to his orders. On the one hand, he specifically picked soft persimmons to pinch. He led the army to suppress several of the weaker parties … no, no, in his eyes, the weaker parties. After they surrendered, he used threats and promises to persuade Prince Ying and the others to surrender on their own … I was wrong, I shouldn't have trusted him … "
His speech was incoherent, but Shen Shiyun heard it clearly. "That's enough, Prince Fu," she coldly said, "Betrayal is betrayal, no matter what the reason is, there is no need to quibble. But you, Prince Cheng, in the past when you were with Bengong, you did not lack in ideas. You were my indispensable military adviser. How come as soon as you threw your lot in with His Majesty, you suddenly turned hostile? "
At this time, no matter how much she said, it was not difficult to see that she was a jealous woman. Everyone had conspired together to rebel, and now they had all fallen into the hands of a criminal. Only this brat of the most sinister path could be considered to have made a meritorious contribution. None of the people present were convinced, but since they had come here to plead for mercy, they did not dare to say anything more to provoke him. Only Shen Shiyun did not evade the taboo topic. In his words, he intentionally raised the status of the Shangguan Yaohua in the past to an extremely high position, and instigated discord.
Oftentimes, regardless of whether it was true or false, it was the easiest way to confuse an emperor. In history, there were many loyal ministers and generals who deserved their reputation, but all of them had been misrepresented by evil people behind their backs, and their monarchs had listened to their slanderous words and ended up in a bad state. Although Shen Shiyun's words could not immediately order Shunzhi to deal with the Shangguan Yaohua, even if there were suspicions in his heart, it could be considered effective.
Shunzhi did not say anything, but his gaze fell on the Shangguan Yaohua's face, as if he was waiting for him to open his mouth to explain. The Shangguan Yaohua did not disappoint; he took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, it is true that previously this guilty minister participated in the conspiracy of the Noble Consort Yun and the others, but I was possessed for a moment, I cannot blame anybody else. Now that I think about it, my regret is limitless; therefore, I immediately subdued the remnants of the rebellion and brought them here to surrender, hoping to atone for my crime and render meritorious service, and to express my loyalty to Your Majesty. I only hope that ten thousand years of His Majesty's boundless benevolence will give us, the guilty ministers, another opportunity to turn over a new leaf. The rest of this guilty minister's life will be dedicated to the Great Qing, to make up for this unscrupulous and unscrupulous crime. If Your Majesty's anger is difficult to quell, this guilty minister and the others will not be able to wipe out our crimes even if we die. "
His speech was extremely smooth and appropriate, unlike the Prince Fu who was anxious to stay out of this matter, who as soon as he entered the Palace Hall pushed all the blame onto Shen Shiyun, as if he was originally a very loyal minister who was deceived into committing this kind of serious crime. To put it simply, it was not his fault, the Emperor only needed to punish the main culprit, don't wrongly accuse him, this good old man. The Emperor was thinking: If you could do it properly, why did you have to participate? Others did not even put a knife to your neck to force you to rebel, isn't it because you have the same greed in your heart? If you made a mistake and did not admit it, it would be difficult to guarantee that next time you won't make the same mistake again; therefore, naturally there would be a knot in your heart. Just like the Shangguan Yaohua, he admitted that his crime was entirely because he was possessed, and said that the current action was to atone for his crime by meritorious service, plus the other party really did render meritorious service by rescuing the Emperor. Step by step, even if the Emperor wanted to punish him, he would not be able to do it. Not only that, in order to set an example for everybody, he should also be commended, so that it would be considered reasonable.
Shunzhi nodded his head; obviously he was very pleased to hear it. He said, "Knowing one's mistake and being able to correct it is the greatest virtue. Even if your position in the past was somewhat deviated, at least once you recognize it, you can resolutely withdraw. You also have to bear the pressure of venting your anger on your accomplices, and wholeheartedly serve Zhen loyally. To be able to do this, it can be considered not easy. At least it is better than clearly making a mistake, but still not repenting, still full of sophistry, falsely accusing others. Prince Cheng, Zhen still has some impression of you. It was a year ago, Prince Fu regarded you as a talented person, and solemnly introduced you to Zhen. Who would have thought that you would be bewitched by greed … all right, you are still young, there are so many mature and prudent people who have not been able to pass this hurdle. This time you saved the Emperor in the face of danger, it is enough to offset your previous merits and demerits. Zhen will look at your future performance. "
Shangguan Yaohua was greatly delighted, he said, "Many thanks for Your Majesty's forgiveness! Chen will pledge loyalty to Zhen to the death! "
Shen Shiyun laughed coldly and said, "You say it so nicely, what pledge loyalty to Zhen to the death, it is really moving. I'm afraid that when things come to a head, I don't know which side His Highness Prince Cheng will turn to when the wind blows. Your Majesty, do you want Chenqie to find someone to tell you about the past deeds of this loyal and devoted subject of yours? "Shunzhi said," Enough, Zhen doesn't want to hear it. Zhen once said that if you stopped in time, Zhen would still be lenient, unfortunately … you have fallen too deep … "
Shen Shiyun said in a shrill voice, "I don't need your hypocritical sympathy! That's right, right now you are the winner, so you can hold your head high. But do you think you can humiliate me from a high position? That's right, at the final juncture, I lost this round, but you and I should be very clear that if it weren't for a traitor among my subordinates, I would have won for sure! Humph, even the imperial Imperial Bodyguards were temporarily at a loss, why was Prince Cheng able to persuade them to surrender so easily? Your Majesty, don't you think it is suspicious? At worst, Zhen Gong will die, what is there to regret? But Shangguan Yaohua, you despicable and shameless villain, Zhen Gong will remember you. Even if I go to the netherworld, Zhen Gong will curse you day and night that you will not have a good death, that you will never have a peaceful day! "
Shangguan Yaohua coldly said, "Noble Consort Yun, you are a noble Consort, don't curse me like a shrew. Since you are destined to fail, does that not prove that Your Majesty is the one who will truly receive the Mandate of Heaven? Ask yourself honestly, is the blame entirely on me? If your plan was really thorough and watertight, how could you fail because of my betrayal? Could it be that when you were calculating the variables, you didn't know how to include your subordinates? If that's the case, it can only prove that you are lacking, you can't blame me. "
Shunzhi turned a blind eye to the dispute between the two sides and ordered the Imperial Bodyguards, "Inform the Imperial Clan Court to release Tang Shaoshi without charge. After that, have him immediately come to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to see me. Zhen has some matters to discuss with him. " After the Imperial Bodyguard left with the order, Shunzhi said, "Niu Lu, Zhen Gong will also give you a chance to atone for your crimes. When the late Emperor was on the throne, you were one of his capable officials. Last year, when you were compiling the Taizong True Records, you were also the chief official. Investigate for Zhen whether the contents of this posthumous edict are true. "Immediately, someone came forward to untie Qi Chong Ge.
Qi Chong Ge received the posthumous edict in fear and trepidation. He quickly scanned it from top to bottom and said, "Replying Your Majesty, this posthumous edict must be fake. I'm afraid that someone deliberately forged it …" His gaze drifted towards Shen Shiyun, as if he was still hesitating whether to expose her.
Shunzhi impatiently waved his hand and said, "Zhen Gong knows that the posthumous edict is naturally fake. Now, Zhen Gong only wants to find out how much the secretive words in it have to do with Zhen Gong's past. First, find out who wrote it, and then follow the vine to the melon. Ask him whether the information was fabricated, or … if there is real evidence, ask him to take it out. "
Cold sweat immediately seeped out of Qi Chong Ge's back. In the bitter cold of the winter, his heart felt as if it was placed on a raging fire. How could a lowly official like him know about this kind of taboo in the imperial family? He was afraid that if he failed, he would die. If he succeeded, he would be silenced. This was not atoning for his crimes, but a ready-made scapegoat. His heart was cold.
Shangguan Yaohua said, "Your Majesty, is it possible for this humble official to take a look at the posthumous edict?" Shunzhi nodded his head in silent agreement. Shen Shiyun's heart thumped loudly, but on the surface, she still pretended to be fearless. She said, "Your Majesty, you really trust the traitor. Whatever Prince Cheng says, you are prepared to believe? "
Shunzhi said, "No matter what he says, we can always use it as a reference. As for whether it is true or false, Zhen also has my own judgment. Why are you so nervous? "Shen Shiyun bit her lip and looked at Prince Fu on the ground. She saw that his face was much paler than hers. She snorted softly and muttered to herself, "Useless!"
Shangguan Yaohua hurriedly took a look at the posthumous edict. He said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble official can confirm that this posthumous edict was written by Prince Fu himself." Shunzhi grunted, thinking that Prince Fu had been by Xian Di's side for many years, he could certainly fulfill the previous conditions.
Prince Fu screamed again, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please forgive me! It was all forced by Noble Consort Yun and Prince Regent. Noble Consort Yun said that with this posthumous edict, she could use Xian Di's name to force Your Majesty to abdicate … The general idea was dictated by Noble Consort Yun, and Prince Regent drafted it. This old official was only responsible for deliberating over the words and sentences. Even when I was writing, I was still hesitant … "
Shangguan Yaohua said, "When Yifu was writing, he was hesitant. He was unwilling to betray Your Majesty, but he was also worried that he would not be able to explain himself to Noble Consort Yun and suffer their secret revenge. He was indeed in a dilemma. This point, this humble official saw with my own eyes, I can testify. "
Prince Fu's eyes filled with tears. He looked at Shangguan Yaohua, who was standing upright and unafraid on the side, and thought, "Finally you, this fellow, still have some conscience." Shen Shiyun and Dorgon thought, "Prince Fu, this old fellow, is also not a good thing. He sold us out with just a few words? "Qi Chong Ge said in his heart," Many thanks to Prince Cheng, you are simply my savior. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you. "
Shunzhi said, "In that case, Zhen will ask you, is the content of this posthumous edict true?" Prince Fu hastily said, "It is all Noble Consort Yun's nonsense, it is all lies! It is all lies! "
Shunzhi sighed and said, "You know it is all lies, yet you still dare to speak irresponsibly! Imperial Prince Fu, you're an old man, don't tell me you don't understand this? Whoever writes it will be considered as conclusive evidence. Once it is verified, he will have to take responsibility for his words. Today, not only you have fabricated Xian Di's posthumous edict, the content has also been distorted to such an outrageous degree. Zhen can completely punish you for the crime of 'creating rumors and creating chaos in the palace'! "
Prince Fu repeatedly kowtowed and said, "From now on, this old official will not dare to do it again, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Shangguan Yaohua said, "Your Majesty, after Yifu finished writing the posthumous edict, he was sweating profusely and gasping for breath incessantly. It was as if he was seriously ill. He also said that as long as this time he would be safe and sound, from now on if his two hands touched the brush again, he would chop it off himself. I ask Your Majesty to consider that he is remorseful, and that he was forced by others, please forgive him this time. "
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