"Yes," Li Rong said calmly while still kneeling. "They were massacred in the outskirts of the city and their corpses were abandoned in the wilderness. I searched for them for a long time before I finally found their corpses. Imperial Father, now that all the witnesses are dead, I'm worried that the Qin Family will be placed in the Ministry of Justice. "
"So Your Highness means that now that all the witnesses are dead, it's impossible to refute their testimonies. With all the evidence and witnesses, the Qin Family's crimes can't be changed."
Xie Lanqing slowly said, "The Qin Family's crimes can't be changed, and Your Highness firmly believes that the Qin Family is innocent. Therefore, we must protect the Qin Family. Then Your Highness, may I ask why you believe that the Qin Family is innocent? Have you obtained any evidence yet? "
"In any case," Li Rong said calmly, "all the witnesses have been killed. Is there no problem with the case?"
"Who killed these people?" Xie Lanqing raised his voice as if he was reminding him of something. Li Rong turned around and looked at Xie Lanqing coldly. Xie Lanqing smiled and said, "Your Highness, I'm sorry to say something disrespectful, but all the witnesses are dead. There may be a problem with the case, but there may also be no problem with the case."
Xie Lanqing didn't finish his sentence, but Li Rong already understood what he meant. A young court official was puzzled and whispered, "How can there be no problem with the case?"
Immediately, another court official laughed. His voice was neither loud nor soft, and it sounded like a private discussion, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. "Official Zhang, you don't understand. If all the witnesses are dead, then there must be a problem. But what if there's actually no problem? What if there's someone who wants the case not to be judged?"
If the witnesses were dead, then everything would become a mystery. If Li Rong insisted, then the case would be postponed indefinitely without any evidence.
"Therefore, Your Highness, the witnesses are dead. They can't prove anything. Even if the witness is dead, the evidence is still there. Yang Lie's letter is real, and the gold they received as bribes was also found from the Qin Family. All of this evidence has been examined by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Supreme Court. Does Your Highness think that all three departments are deceiving you? "
Xie Lanqing sneered. "Your Highness, you've just gotten married. It's better if you don't get involved in the affairs of the imperial court. Go back and do something that a woman should do, such as embroidery, reading scriptures, and cultivating your character."
After Xie Lanqing finished speaking, all the officials in the imperial court whispered in agreement.
Li Rong knelt on the ground and pretended not to hear anything.
This was how the world treated women. Even if they were geniuses, if they made a mistake one day, their status would be the original sin.
When Li Rong was young, when he heard these words, he always felt indignant, and often wanted to prove something. But now that he heard these words, even though he felt it was unfair, he remained calm.
She only said, "Since the three divisions think there's no problem, why is it so difficult for me to get the files, gather the evidence, and interrogate the prisoners?"
"Your Highness, you must be joking," Xie Lanqing said calmly. "The Ministry of Justice is used to doing things according to the rules and regulations. They won't deliberately make things difficult for anyone."
"Lord Xie, you're indeed a senior official of two dynasties and the Minister of Justice," Li Rong said. She supported herself with one hand on her knee and slowly got up. Xie Lanqing frowned. Li Rong turned around and looked at Xie Lanqing. He said calmly, "You're good at deceiving people. You can't do things well, but you're good at talking."
"Your Highness, are you angry because I've hit the nail on the head?"
"Angry, of course I'm angry. How can I not be angry?!" Li Rong shouted. "You're the Minister of Justice, but when faced with a case full of doubts, you don't think about how to investigate the case or find the truth. You only want to play with power and treat people's lives like grass. How can I not be angry?!"
"I built the Inspectorate. You people," Li Rong raised his hand and pointed at the officials in the court. "You think about how to seize power and how to make me retreat. When I ask for the files, the Ministry of Justice is in a dilemma. You push me, I push you. After running for an afternoon, you still can't get an approval. If I don't force my way in, how can I get the files?"
"The Ministry of Justice's evidence is still being evaded. They won't let me see the evidence. How can I know whether it's true or not?"
"You keep talking about the process and rules. If everyone's process is like that, even the chief judge has to go for a month to get the evidence. I think your Ministry of Justice is unnecessary. Rebuild it!"
"You bunch of good-for-nothings who can't even protect the witnesses and only know how to make things difficult for people. I'm already giving you face by calling you Your Excellency. Do you really want me to tear your face off and step on it?"
Li Rong shouted. Xie Lanqing's face darkened. An official from the Ministry of Justice stood up and said loudly, "Your Highness, this is the main hall. It's not a place for you to make a scene. You …"
"Back down!" Li Rong shouted at the official. "Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like this?!"
"I know what you want to do."
Li Rong looked around. "But I also want to tell you today that the people of the Qin Family who might die unjustly aren't just a few officials or a few lives. They're also the high wall of the border and the backbone of Da Xia! What you're destroying today is Da Xia's country and Da Xia's future! I'm here today, and I definitely won't give in for this. "
"But the Qin Family is guilty." Xie Lanqing looked calm. "Your Highness can't produce evidence, so he's guilty."
"You and I both know whether he's guilty or not!" Li Rong shouted angrily. "Xie Lanqing, I won't mention these things in court. I just want to ask you one thing. Can you live up to your conscience? Even if you can't hear the cries of the people at the border, can't you see the blood that Second Miss Qin left in front of my princess's residence?! You bullied the Qin Family today only because the Qin Family is born in a humble family and has no power or influence. They're easy to bully! But have you thought about it? If the Qin Family leaves with such injustice today, who will be loyal to the border in the future? And in the future, in the court, as long as you're born in a humble family, will you be able to tolerate such humiliation? "
"Your Highness, you've gone too far." Right Prime Minister Su Minzhi frowned. "Judging a case and deciding a sentence depends on evidence. Your Highness has already made your stand. How can you talk about fairness when you're acting based on your emotions?"
Su Minzhi's words were right, and the old officials all agreed with him. However, they didn't notice that the younger officials were faintly wavering.
Li Rong naturally didn't say such an emotional statement for these old foxes to hear. It was just that in the court, there were not only politicians who had been immersed in politics for a long time, but also officials who were worried about the world. Not only were there century-old noble families, but there were also scholars from humble families who wandered around the lower ranks.
After Li Rong's reminder and seeing that she had achieved her goal, she looked back at Su Minzhi and said calmly, "Yes, Prime Minister Su is right. Everything depends on evidence. Now that all the witnesses have been killed, does this prove that there are doubts in this case?"
"There's a connection, but it can't be absolutely proven," Su Minzhi said calmly. Su Minzhi said calmly, "Your Highness, you've already investigated for so long. The Qin family's case should have been closed a long time ago, but you insisted on reversing the case. Now, you haven't found anything. You can't delay this case because of what you believe in. Your Highness, please return the Qin Family to the Ministry of Justice and return their power to His Majesty. They should be rewarded and punished according to the law. "
"Prime Minister Su, you're worried that this seat will use the excuse of investigating this case to delay the execution of the Qin Family. Why don't we both take a step back?" Li Rong stared at Su Minzhi. "This seat won't delay the execution of the Qin Family, but before the execution of the Qin Family, they need to be protected by this seat in the princess's residence. No one is allowed to bring them to trial. Furthermore, this seat's people can continue investigating this case. If they find any evidence that the Qin Family is innocent, this case can be overturned. "
Su Minzhi hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but Xie Lanqing said firmly, "No, Your Highness has already given Your Highness many chances, but Your Highness keeps causing trouble in the Ministry of Justice. Today, we shouldn't be discussing the Qin Family's case, but how should the Ministry of Justice be dealt with by Your Highness?"
"I'll take responsibility for trespassing in the Ministry of Justice!" Li Rong shouted. "Let me ask you this: do you dare to keep the Qin Family's people here? Do you dare to let me investigate the Qin Family's case?! Since the death of the witnesses can't prove that there's something wrong with the Qin Family's case, why are you afraid of me investigating it?! "
"This humble official isn't afraid of Your Highness investigating the case." Xie Lanqing refused to budge. "This humble official is afraid that Your Highness will cause trouble!"
"Then what do you want?"
Li Rong stared at Xie Lanqing. "I must investigate the Qin Family."
"Your Highness must also be punished."
Xie Lanqing replied to Li Rong and said coldly, "This humble official is the Minister of Justice. I can't tolerate anyone trampling on the laws of the land. Even if Your Highness is a princess, you should still abide by the laws of the land."
"Good." Li Rong nodded. "Sir Xie, then I'll do as you wish."
As Li Rong spoke, he opened his wide sleeves, turned around, and kowtowed to Li Ming. He said loudly, "Your Highness, this humble official is willing to be flogged 30 times and recite scriptures in the Northern Yan Pagoda for a month for trespassing."
After Li Rong finished speaking, Xie Lanqing revealed a satisfied expression. Li Rong continued, "However, the people in the Ministry of Justice didn't do a good job. They didn't protect the key witnesses and recorded their whereabouts. This indirectly led to the deaths of the witnesses. This is the first crime."
"They looked down on Imperial Father's authority. Imperial Father gave this humble official the position of Director of the Inspection Department. However, the Ministry of Justice refused to listen to the imperial edict and did their best to assist in the case. Instead, they used the rules as an excuse to make things difficult for this humble official. This is the second crime."
"Now that they know that all the witnesses are dead and the case is suspicious, they are lazy and negligent in their work. This is the third crime."
"Sir Xie is the Minister of Justice and is in charge of the Ministry of Justice. However, there are many problems in the Ministry of Justice. Sir Xie can't absolve himself from the blame. This humble official is willing to accept punishment. However, it is imperative that the Ministry of Justice be reorganized. Although these three crimes are focused on the Qin Clan case, they can be seen through and the way the Ministry of Justice usually handles cases. This is a matter that endangers the country. Imperial Father, please investigate this matter thoroughly and won't tolerate it! "
As Li Rong spoke, the expressions of the people in the Ministry of Justice gradually turned ugly. Li Rong kowtowed on the ground and said calmly, "As for the Qin Clan case, since this humble official has intervened, I won't let it go. Imperial Father, please give this humble official another 20 days …"
"You can't …"
Before they could finish speaking, Li Rong shouted, "If I can't find anything in 20 days, then it will be enough to prove that the Qin Clan case was not unjust. This humble official was the one who caused trouble. This humble official is willing to accept punishment and be expelled from Huajing. I will return to my fief and never return to the capital again!"
Return to her fief and never return to the capital again.
For a princess, this was the same as being completely expelled from the center of power. There was no turning back for her. It was equivalent to being demoted and exiled in disguise.
Everyone fell silent. Shangguan Xu frowned. He couldn't bear it and said, "Your Highness …"
"I beg for Imperial Father's permission!"
Li Rong knelt on the ground and shouted. Li Ming looked at his daughter who was kneeling on the ground with an unreadable expression. After a long time, he finally spoke. His voice was slightly hoarse, "Since Princess Ping L E is willing to bet on being expelled from Huajing, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. However, you have offended the Ministry of Justice. In order to prevent you from causing trouble again, you will be grounded in Northern Yan Pagoda during the investigation period. You will copy Buddhist scriptures and cultivate your mind. You will be exempted from punishment. After all, you are a girl. Isn't it the same as asking for your life? "
As Li Ming spoke, he raised his head and looked at Xie Lanqing. He said tiredly, "Lord Xie, what do you think?"
Xie Lanqing frowned. Li Ming reminded her, "Actually, Ping L E's words are not without reason. The Ministry of Justice has been a bit too old-fashioned in the past few years."
Li Ming's words were a disguised threat. If Xie Lanqing continued to speak, he would start to use this reason to punish the Ministry of Justice.
Xie Lanqing understood Li Ming's words. She said respectfully, "I am only an official. This matter should be discussed by everyone and decided by Your Majesty."
Li Ming nodded and looked at everyone, "What do you think?"
No one spoke. Li Rong knelt on the ground and kowtowed silently. After a long while, a smiling voice came from below. "Your Majesty, this humble subject thinks that this is the best."
These words attracted everyone's attention. Li Rong also secretly glanced at the person who spoke.
He saw that the person who spoke was standing at the back of the court. He was actually a low-ranking official. He was extremely young and seemed to have a natural smile on his face. This added a bit of a romantic air to his appearance. It was incompatible with his official robes and was very eye-catching in the court.
Li Rong looked at him for a moment and recognized him. Then, he heard the Minister of Rites, Gu Zidao, shout, "Cui Yulang, are you crazy?"
The young official held the ceremonial tablet and smiled, "Lord Gu, I am speaking from the bottom of my heart. Look, Her Highness has already punished those who should be punished. The execution of the Qin Family was not delayed. As a princess, why can't Her Highness use her future to protect a general's family? If the Qin Family is guilty, Her Highness will not delay anything. If the Qin Family is innocent, then Her Highness will have accumulated great merit. Isn't this beneficial and harmless thing excellent? "
As Cui Yulang spoke, he smiled and knelt down. He kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think Her Highness is right. Please have mercy and accept Her Highness's words."
After Cui Yulang spoke, a young official came out and knelt down with his eyes closed, "Please have mercy and accept Her Highness's words, Your Majesty."
Then, in twos and threes, several other officials came out. Although there were not many of them, they seemed to have a silent power when they knelt in the main hall.
Li Ming looked at these people. After a long time, he looked at Li Chuan, who had been standing next to him, and asked, "Crown Prince, what do you think?"
"Son …" Li Chuan seemed to be in a difficult position. After a long time, he finally said, "Son will listen to Imperial Father."
"In that case, we will do as Her Highness says."
Li Ming said calmly, "Starting today, Princess Ping L E will be confined to the Northern Yan Pagoda. She will copy 100 Buddhist scriptures and pray for the Empress Dowager to show her filial piety. After the court, she will go directly to the Empress Dowager. If she needs anything, she will have the servants get it. The execution date of the Qin Family will not be changed. She will be temporarily supervised by Her Highness. The Ministry of Justice will reorganize and streamline the process. After streamlining the entire process, send me a report. "
"Yes." Xie Lanqing bowed respectfully.
After dealing with these matters, Li Ming asked about some other political matters. Finally, he announced that the court was dismissed.
After the court was dismissed, Li Rong looked at Cui Yulang, who was walking out of the crowd, talking and laughing with the people next to her. She hesitated for a moment and did not go forward. Instead, she turned her head and looked at Li Chuan, who was walking towards her.
Li Chuan's expression did not look too good. Li Rong glanced at Shangguan Xu behind him. She knew that it was Shangguan Xu who asked Li Chuan to find her.
Li Chuan still had to feign civility with the aristocratic family. Li Rong was now standing in front of the aristocratic family. Li Chuan had to show too much in front of the aristocratic family.
Therefore, when Li Chuan walked in front of her, Li Rong's face turned cold. He said directly, "You don't have to say anything to me. People who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Forget it."
"Sister," Li Chuan frowned, "You are too much."
The words of the siblings attracted the attention of the officials who had not yet left. Li Rong sneered, "Am I too much, or are they too much? Those who should be punished have been punished. I will leave now. Crown Prince, do as you please. "
After Li Rong finished speaking, he directly left. Li Chuan frowned. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he could not say anything.
As soon as Li Rong walked out of the door, many officials surrounded him. They said with bitter faces, "Your Highness, there is a limit to the princess's willfulness. What is she trying to do?"
"Everyone, I will try my best to persuade her, but she is my elder sister after all …" Li Chuan said with a troubled expression, "I have spoiled her too much in the past. When the time is right, I will talk to her properly. After all, "Li Chuan lowered his voice," she is also the princess of the Shangguan family. "
Hearing these words, the officials calmed down a little and sighed, "I hope that Your Highness can change his mind. If things really go to the point of being expelled from Huajing … "
As he spoke, the official who spoke shook his head and left with a sigh.
Li Rong did not need to listen to the conversation between these officials and Li Chuan. He could guess most of it.
She was the best candidate for the Construction Supervision Department. It was not because of her ability, but because she was the princess of the Shangguan family, the Crown Prince's sister.
This was her amulet. If it was someone else who did what she did today, how could the aristocratic family forgive her so easily?
However, he believed that she would stop in the end for the Crown Prince's sake. He believed that she would not dare to do anything for the sake of the Shangguan family.
This was the reason why Li Ming was willing to use her, but it was also the reason why Li Ming was not willing to help her completely. He was always observing her from behind and testing her.
Li Rong thought about everything in the court and walked towards the Northern Yan Tower.
The Northern Yan Pagoda was a place that Li Ming had specially built for his mother when he was young to observe the stars. Later on, the Emperor and Empress rarely went there, and as time passed, it was abandoned. Later on, because it was remote and quiet, it became a forbidden place in the palace.
Li Rong instructed Jing Mei to bring the things she wanted and chattered to the front of the tower. The Northern Yan Tower was the tallest building in the palace. It was tall and had a long body with copper bells hanging from the eaves. Li Rong looked up for a moment and then led the people in.
She followed the stairs and climbed all the way to the top. When she reached the top floor, she arrived at her daily residence. An attendant opened the door for her. As soon as she entered, she saw Li Ming sitting inside and drinking tea with his head lowered.
Li Rong paused for a moment and then showed a surprised expression. He could not help but say, "Imperial Father?"
Li Ming was sitting at the table and making tea. He said calmly, "Come in."
Li Rong did not say anything. She lifted her skirt and entered. She respectfully knelt beside Li Ming. Li Ming personally poured tea for her and slowly said, "Zhen has not been to the Northern Yan Tower for many years."
Li Rong did not dare to answer. Li Ming's voice carried a bit of nostalgia, "When this tower was built, your mother was pregnant with you. Zhen was very happy to be a father. At that time, your mother and I had a very good relationship. That year on her birthday, zhen did not know what she liked. I always saw her looking at the sky, so zhen thought that she liked to look at the stars. Therefore, in the first year of my ascension, zhen mustered a lot of people and built this Northern Yan Tower. "
The water on the small fire was boiling, making a faint sound of boiling water. It seemed that the water had just risen. Li Ming turned his head and looked at the open window in the distance.
The windows in this room were opened very wide. When the windows were opened, the sky outside was like a painting. Li Ming slowly said, "Sometimes, zhen also wishes that I can always be like that time, not thinking about anything, not understanding anything. Maybe then I can live very well. At least, zhen and my wife should be very loving. And you, Chuan'er, "Li Ming turned his head and looked at Li Rong. He looked at her for a long time and slowly said," Our relationship should be very good. Zhen will be a good father. "
"Imperial Father has always been very good."
Li Rong comforted. Li Ming waved his hand and said with a smile, "Zhen knows what kind of person zhen is. You don't need to say it."
Li Ming said. He paused for a moment. After a long time, he said, "You are a smart child, smarter than Chuan'er."
"Imperial Father, Chuan'er is only still young."
"You are also young," Li Ming chuckled, "but you see much more clearly than him. If only you were a man."
Li Rong didn't say anything.
In reality, she wasn't that much smarter than Li Ming. If she was, it was because she had lived through this life and knew the ending of this life in advance.
In the last life, she was the same as Li Chuan. They chose a path that seemed to be easier to walk and completely relied on others. Then, as they grew older, Li Chuan became the next Li Ming, and the cycle repeated.
"Zhen always thought that you were just a little smart, no different from your mother. You helped zhen deal with the Yang Family, but it was only for your own marriage. The establishment of the Inspection Department was also because of Pei Wenxuan's instigation. You wanted to have more power, but today zhen suddenly felt that you were actually better than zhen imagined. Rong 'er, "Li Ming sighed," There are many things that I have no choice but to do. I don't ask you to not blame me, but if one day, when I return to heaven after a hundred years, you can know that in my heart, I also hope that you and Chuan' er can live well. "
Li Rong quietly looked at Li Chuan. In reality, Li Chuan wasn't even forty years old, but he looked like an old man over fifty years old.
He didn't have much time left.
Li Rong clearly knew that in her last life, Li Ming would die in the winter two years from now.
In the past, she felt that her feelings for Li Ming had already faded. But now, seeing this person apologize to her, she knew that in reality, in this person's heart, he had far more power than she did, but she still felt an indescribable bitterness.
"Fuhuang, why are you saying this to me now?"
Li Rong smiled bitterly: "You didn't say it before."
"I didn't say it before because I was afraid that one day you would feel sad." Li Ming's expression was calm, "In the past, zhen didn't know what you would do in the end. What if in the end, you and Chuan'er sent zhen away? What's the point of saying these words in your hearts and feeling sad for the rest of your lives? "
"Today is different," Li Ming smiled. He looked at Li Rong, "zhen is very happy."
"Fuhuang can be honest with erchen," Li Rong smiled, "erchen is also very happy."
"It's good that you don't have any grudges in your heart." Li Ming sighed, "In today's court, zhen can't be too biased towards you. If the aristocratic families feel that zhen is determined to deal with them, I'm afraid that they will make too radical a scheme."
"I understand," Li Rong slowly said, "The aristocratic families are complicated. It's not a problem that can be solved overnight. It has to be done step by step. Also, erchen was indeed reckless and should be punished. "
"Why aren't you a boy?" Li Ming was somewhat regretful. Li Rong couldn't help but smile, "Fuhuang, in fact, Chuan'er is very good. You'll understand if you get to know him better."
"He's very good," Li Ming's voice was somewhat indifferent, "He's just too similar to zhen. If this continues, zhen is afraid that he'll be the next zhen, or even worse. "
Li Ming smiled, then thought of something and waved his hand, "But he's still young. We'll see. After all, he's the crown prince. If he doesn't make a big mistake, zhen won't do anything. "
"Erchen knows," Li Rong knew that Li Ming was afraid that she would be oversensitive, so he said, "Fuhuang only hopes that Chuan'er can do better."
Li Ming responded. He didn't say anything else. After a while, he slowly said, "You saw what happened in the Imperial Court. You should also know why zhen argued with your mother. In the future, "Li Ming hesitated for a moment, then finally said," We father and daughter are of one heart. Don't bear grudges. "
"Fuhuang, rest assured," Li Rong calmly said, "Erchen has Da Xia in my heart."
Li Ming smiled and patted her shoulder. Then he thought of something, "Pei Wenxuan left the capital?"
"Yes," Li Rong calmly said, "Fuhuang, rest assured, he'll come back."
As she spoke, she looked up and hinted, "Bring back what fuhuang wants."
"Good." Li Ming clapped his hands and laughed. He drank a mouthful of tea and happily said, "Carefree."
"Alright," Li Ming stood up and looked around, "Rest well here. If there's anything you need, send someone to tell me. Zhen will stay with you and wait for Pei Wenxuan to come back."
Li Rong stood up and respectfully bowed, "Farewell, fuhuang."
Li Ming nodded and happily walked out.
After Li Ming walked out, Li Rong sat down and took a sip of tea.
She didn't believe Li Ming's words.
She knew Li Ming too well. Whether it was her or Li Chuan, he had feelings for them. But in the face of power, feelings weren't worth mentioning. He comforted her today because on one hand, he was happy that she was willing to rely on him. On the other hand, he was finally sure that she was useful, so he deliberately cultivated feelings for her.
Li Ming held the cup. His heart felt cold and sour.
She didn't know why, but she suddenly missed Pei Wenxuan very much. She felt as if Pei Wenxuan was sitting across from her. There was a slight smile on his handsome face as he asked her, "Your Highness, what are you worried about?"
She couldn't help but smile when she thought about Pei Wenxuan's tone.
She had just finished pouring tea when the door creaked open.
Li Rong looked up and saw Shanghai Yue standing at the door in her palace robes.
Li Rong was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Fuhuang."
Shanghai Yue looked a little tired. She stood at the door and looked at Li Rong without moving.
Li Rong thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Fuhuang, won't you come in and sit?"
"Rongrong," Shanghai Yue said in a low and hoarse voice, "Do you admit your mistake?"
"What did I do wrong?"
Li Rong's voice was calm, "Did I block your path, or did I seize your power?"
Shanghai Yue didn't say anything. Li Rong saw that she didn't speak for a long time, so he reminded her, "Fuhuang, won't you come in and sit?"
"No." Shanghai Yue's voice was choked with sobs, "I'm here to pass on a message to your uncle."
"Pei Wenxuan is dead."
Li Rong froze. The birds chirped as they flew past the window. She slowly raised her head in disbelief and looked at the woman at the door.
Shanghai Yue pretended to be calm, as if she was no different from her usual self.
"Every act that goes against the Torrent has a price to pay," Li Yundong said.
"Rong 'er, in the future," Shanghai Yue said with difficulty, "don't be willful."
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