The situation outside was unclear.
Linchuan sat there for a short while.
He couldn't help but want to go out and inquire. Lin Ruo never liked to restrain the people around him.
So he let him be.
Unexpectedly, Linchuan just went around the rockery and came back with a strange expression. "Young master."
"Hmm?" Lin Ruo followed his gesture and looked over.
He saw a servant leading a person over.
He hurriedly stood up and greeted, "Uncle Wei."
Wei Zheng nodded at him and handed the oiled paper bag in his hand to the servant with familiarity. "Tell them not to cut it too thin.
Also, don't make the ingredients too heavy … Forget it, just prepare the ingredients and bring them over.
I can make it myself. I'm afraid you guys will spoil the good stuff. Let them make a few more refreshing side dishes.
If there's fish, cook two. Forget about the meat. Oh right.
Linchuan, go and bring two jars of your master's best wine. It would be best if there's still Sanzhen Wine in Tianran Residence. "
"Uncle doesn't have Sanzhen Wine.
However, I still have half a jar left … Linchuan, go and get it. Also, bring two jars of Nu'er Hong.
I'll have a good drink with Uncle Wei. "Lin Ruo ordered.
Then he smiled at Wei Zheng and said, "Uncle's alcohol tolerance is not good.
After drinking a cup of the Three Treasures Wine, one would get drunk … After drinking it once, Uncle refused to touch it again.
It's a good wine, but it's a pity that he gets drunk too quickly. He can't appreciate the taste of the wine at all. All that's left is the headache after the hangover. "
As he spoke, he led Wei Zheng to sit down and poured some tea, saying, "I didn't leave anyone here to wait on me, and I didn't want to have a stove next to me, so I just drank this pot of tea from hot to cold … Oh, it's still warm right now. If Uncle Wei can bear with it, please bear with it. If you can't, they'll send the tea over soon. We still have the rules of hospitality."
Wei Zheng picked it up and took a sip. He shook his head and said, "If you want to make do, then you should really make do. You boiled such a good pot of tea and even let it cool down to drink … A good scholar has been made into a nouveau riche by you."
Lin Ruo said, "Uncle Wei, you're wrong. If a nouveau riche were to do the same thing, it would be called vulgar and uncultured. If a scholar were to do it, it would be called not caring about trifles … One of the worst things in the world is when people judge a person based on their status and not their actions."
He then laughed, "But this tea really isn't anything good. I bought fresh leaves at a cheap price and stir-fried it myself. Everyone in the manor drinks it like a big bowl of tea. I'm not the only one."
"Ah Ruo, you're speaking from your heart!" Wei Zheng shook his head and said, "Since it's not something rare, give me a few catties later. I'll take it back and try it out."
Lin Ruo responded and laughed, "Uncle Wei, you still dare to come here at this time. Don't tell me you've given up on yourself? You have to know that His Highness the Crown Prince is not a forgiving person. "
Wei Zheng shook his head and laughed bitterly. He sighed and said, "For half of my life, I've always thought myself to be strict. Every time I ask myself if I should do it, then ask if I can do it, and finally ask if I want to do it … But in the end, I still can't feel at ease. Instead, I've never been carefree in my life. Right now, I'm too lazy to think about these things. I suddenly wanted to see you, so I came. As for what happens in the future … who cares! "
A servant brought the tea over. Lin Ruo personally received it and offered it to Wei Zheng. He smiled and said, "Uncle Wei, now that you've seen me, how do you feel?"
"I was just about to ask you how you feel," Wei Zheng looked at him and said slowly, "The First Grade Xiang Kingdom was used by you as an example. The nobles and officials were frightened like birds startled by the twang of a bow. The civil and military officials of the court were played in the palm of your hand. The Emperor, the Crown Prince, the King Of Qin, and the officials who wanted to kill you, all became chess pieces in your hands … Are you happy? Are you proud? "
These words weren't pleasant to hear, but Wei Zheng asked very seriously. He didn't have the slightest hint of ridicule. He was simply asking him, was he happy? Was he proud?
The smile on Lin Ruo's face froze in the air and then disappeared. Lin Ruo sat down. His eyes revealed a faint tiredness. After a while, he opened his mouth. His voice was as light as a thin cloud, "Not happy, not proud."
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Wei Zheng, "My loved ones were imprisoned because of a groundless crime. They died for no reason, but there was no law or reason to seek justice for them. In this kind of world, what is there to be happy about? Let go of the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and knowledge that could make people intoxicated for a lifetime, and do this kind of assassination that even I hate. What is there to be proud of in this kind of life? "
The youth's eyes were clear and dark. There was a bit of anger, a bit of grievance, but there was no trace of happiness or pride. Wei Zheng's heart ached. He patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Since you don't like it, then why …"
"I don't want it." The youth looked at him. Because his eyes were too wide, there was a bit of moisture. For the first time, he said such childish words, "I don't want it!"
"A Ruo …"
"I don't want to, and I can't be the Lin Ruo of the past."
"For more than ten years, I've always thought that in the world I lived in, the world is big, and the reason is the most important." The youth turned his face and looked at the ferocious rockery outside the pavilion, "I thought that as long as I stood aloof from worldly affairs, as long as I was kind to others, the world would reciprocate my kindness. When other people made things difficult for me, I only treated it as a game, and laughed it off …"
"That night, I said to Xiao Shu, 'Don't be afraid, it's just a farce, no one will be in trouble.' I said to him, 'You don't have to do anything, just endure and wait for me to come find you.'"
Finally, he couldn't hold back the tears from the corners of his eyes. He had never said these words to anyone, and there was no one he could say it to. The people in the He Fu all coaxed him, and they didn't even dare to mention that name. He also smiled and coaxed the people in the He Fu, pretending to be carefree … But Xiao Shu … He had accompanied him for eleven years, and only left for seventeen days.
"Sometimes I even think, why are you so disobedient? Didn't I tell you to wait? Didn't I tell you to endure and wait? Why don't you just wait? If they want you to confess, just confess. You're so stupid, why do you think so much? Don't you still have me? Don't you still have me …
"When my heart hurts so much, I even hate him. But I can't … can't be so … unreasonable. "
Lin Ruo lowered his head, and when he raised it again after a while, there was no longer any weakness in his eyes. His tone was calm, "But this world, it's unreasonable. It was also at this time that I realized that this is not a reasonable world. There is a group of people who don't need to reason with you, and their words are reason.
"If they think you're useful, they sell you. If they think you're interesting, they catch you and play with you. If they think you're a disappointment, they lock you up. If they think you're a hindrance, they crush you with their fingers … That's all.
"It was only at this time that I realized that I was being bullied … I thought, why do people always want to bully you, why do you always get bullied? Later, I finally understood. "
"When others bully you, it's naturally because you're easy to bully." Lin Ruo's voice was very indifferent and very cold. "If you're easy to bully, then don't blame others for bullying you."
Therefore, those who kill you, kill them. Those who frame you, let them have a taste of being framed. Those who betray you, let them have no one by their side to betray them … That's all.
That's all.
*****
At this moment in Taiji Palace, Li Yuan sat high on the dragon throne. Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, one on the left and one on the right, stood several steps below. Below them were officials who were either standing or kneeling.
As for those kneeling and pleading, Li Yuan didn't let them get up first to listen to Dou Chengji's speech. Instead, he let them continue to kneel.
At this moment, there was only one person's voice in the main hall. "After many days of investigation, this official has already arrested all 252 people who participated in the robbery that day, as well as 424 people who participated in the hiding of the treasures, and brought them to justice. The ins and outs of this case have also been investigated clearly."
Dou Chengji narrated the case unhurriedly. His voice was steady and powerful, his tone gentle. "According to the confessions of the several thieves, on the day that Pei daren met with misfortune, a man dressed in black found them. He said that Pei daren's wealth was comparable to that of a nation. Any one of the items on that ship would be enough for them to live in luxury for a lifetime. He also said that when the time came, they only needed to stay near the docks. Naturally, there would be people who would cut through the Pei family's big ship. The Pei family only left a dozen or so servants on the ship. When the ship started to sink, they would inevitably find people to help move things. When the time came, they could seize the opportunity to board the ship and secretly hide some small valuable items …
"In any case, the ship was going to sink in the end. Who knows what was lost and what sank? There was no need to bear the slightest risk. As long as they waited patiently for a few days or went out of the capital to sell those items, they would be able to get a large sum of money. When the time came, they would be able to buy a house, land, and women. They would be able to live a life of luxury. "
Someone nodded slightly. It had to be said that although this cyan-clothed man's plan was bold, it was quite feasible. Not to mention those hoodlums who stole chickens and dogs, even commoners would be tempted if they heard these words.
Dou Chengji's words were actually nothing new. Everyone present had already heard the general gist of it from other sources. It was just that they did not have such detailed information. However, everyone present listened very carefully. Some of them wholeheartedly wanted to hear the rest of the story, while others trembled with fear. They were afraid that something terrible would suddenly come out of his mouth.
Dou Chengji continued, but the content was not something they were familiar with. "The thief leader asked, 'What about you? What do you want? It doesn't make sense that you came to us just to help us make a fortune, right? 'The man in black replied,' Of course there is something I want on the ship. ' Then the man in black asked them to help him find a painting. He gestured to the size of the painting and said that the painting was not signed or framed. However, he refused to say what was on the painting. He only said that if someone found it, he would be rewarded with five thousand taels of silver. If the person found the wrong painting, he would also be rewarded with five hundred taels of silver. "
Hearing this, the people nodded again. Not to mention five thousand taels, even five hundred taels was not a small amount. Those ruffians had never seen anything good before, so they could not tell how much the small items they had secretly hidden were worth. Therefore, five hundred taels of silver was already a great temptation. If they saw it, they would definitely give it to him. The best part was that the man in black did not say what was on the painting. After they handed over the painting, he only said that it was wrong and bought it with five hundred taels of silver. Who would know what he was looking for in the end?
Therefore, this plan was really good. If there were no accidents, there was a high chance that he would find what he wanted. Even if he failed, he would not have any risks.
Therefore, such a good plan, of course, could not be fake.
"Later, when it was almost dusk, the ship was indeed damaged. The servants of the Pei Residence came to beg them to get on the ship and help. After they got on the ship, they took advantage of the fact that there were too many people and the servants could not see them. They found an empty cabin and set fire to it. Later, because there were too many good things on the ship and the situation was chaotic, they gradually lost control of themselves. In the end, everything on the ship was swept clean. No one noticed who had the painting. Of course, the man in black never came to find them again.
"The only time they met was when it was raining. The man in black was wearing a bamboo hat and did not take it off after he entered the house. He also disguised himself as a bearded man. No one saw his face clearly. However, he was unlucky. At that time, there was a pickpocket who served tea at the scene. Pickpockets have the sharpest eyes. He noticed that the man in black had been using his left hand, but it was a little awkward. It did not seem like he was born left-handed … The pickpocket was somewhat clever. He purposely put the tea beside the man in black's right hand. The man in black raised his right hand and put it down, switching to his left hand to hold the tea. The pickpocket used this opportunity to see that there was an old scar on the man's right wrist. "
Hearing this, some people nodded while some shook their heads. The man in black was not to be blamed. He had done well enough. It was a pity that he was too unlucky. If it was not for the fact that there was a clever pickpocket at the scene, no one would have been able to find him.
Sure enough, Dou Chengji continued, "Because the man in black was still not used to using his left hand, I guessed that his right hand was injured not long ago. I ordered people to search the entire city for a man who had injured his right hand within two years. Based on his voice and body shape, after several days of investigation, I finally locked onto a man named Zheng Da."
"Unfortunately, I was too late. Zheng Da had already disappeared without a trace. I sent people to search the entire city. In the end, they dug up his body in a vegetable field." Dou Chengji paused before continuing, "Zheng Da had already been dead for several days. His limbs were all broken and his eyes were gouged out. It was obvious that he had been tortured when he was alive. After he died, his body was also butchered. That kind of tragic situation, even I was a little scared when I saw it … "
Li Shimin had been listening quietly. It was not until he heard the last sentence that he could not help but raise his head to glance at Dou Chengji. If Zheng Da had not been killed by his subordinates, he would have thought that Dou Chengji was telling the truth. Perhaps, other than this last sentence, everything he said was true.
Like Dou Chengji, his men found Zheng Da through these clues, and they were the first to find Zheng Da. Similarly, they were also the first to confirm that Zheng Da wasn't the green-clothed man … They knew that Zheng Da was Li Yuanji's man, so they naturally couldn't let him live under these circumstances. Thus, they killed him with a single strike … It was a clean and efficient strike, and there were no broken limbs or gouged eyes.
After that, Zheng Da's corpse was indeed found. However, the person who found him was not Dou Chengji. Instead, it was the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince's men found Zheng Da's corpse, they did not bury it in the vegetable garden.
Therefore, the person who made up this story was not only Dou Chengji, but also … the Crown Prince?
What was that painting? Why did it have anything to do with the Crown Prince? Why did the Crown Prince cooperate with Dou Chengji to expose this matter? Based on his position, shouldn't he hide the matter of the robbery as deeply as possible?
Furthermore, why did Dou Chengji bring this up at this time? Did he think that by solving the case of the shipwreck, he could avoid the fate of being pushed out to appease public anger? But, unless these officials who asked for the order took the initiative to cease fire, how could that be possible?
The youth's faint smile suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. The mystery in his heart grew bigger and bigger. Could this matter have something to do with him? Those things, why did he make him wait until last night to present them to the Emperor? What exactly did he want to do? Was everything that was happening now still within his control?
Also, the matter of the ship sinking, would it implicate him? Could it be that Dou Chengji could not solve Pei Ji's murder case, so he simply pushed the matter of the shipwreck onto him so that he could use another crime to arrest him?
If that was the case, what should he do?
Yes, Zheng Da.
Li Shiming's eyes lit up slightly. Even if Zheng Da's body had been tampered with by them, being tortured before death and destroying the body after death were different. If these people really wanted to frame that person, then don't blame him for piercing through the sky!
While Li Shiming was thinking, Dou Chengji's voice continued, "When I saw the wounds on his body, I guessed that he might have hidden something, and it is very likely that these things have not been found. Otherwise, the other party would not have slashed him a few times to vent their anger after his death. I followed Zheng Da's clues and searched many places, but unfortunately, I found nothing. Until the day before yesterday, a woman was looking around at Zheng Da's gate and was caught on the spot by the bailiffs guarding Zheng Da's gate. After I interrogated her, I found out that Zheng Da had a lover and a son in a small village outside the city.
"He hid the mother and son very well, almost no one knew. However, he recently went to the village once, and when he spoke to the woman, his words were ominous. The more the woman thought about it, the more uneasy she became. Seeing that there was no news from him for a few days, she could not help but send someone to inquire about it.
"After I found out, I immediately brought people to the mountain village. Unexpectedly, the news was leaked. When I arrived, the mother and son had just died, and the house was also set on fire.
"I immediately brought people to put out the fire and risked my life to rush into the sea of fire. Finally, in the crack of the wall next to the woman's body, I found … this painting."
Dou Chengji's voice was very calm because he was very confident. Most of the things he said were true, and each of them could be checked. For example, he did find Zheng Da, and Zheng Da did have a woman and a child in the mountain village, and he did rush into the fire to get the painting …
Perhaps there were some untruths in it. For example, Zheng Da's body was given to him by the Crown Prince, and the painting was not really found in the crack of the wall … but he did not have a guilty conscience. The story he said might have some fabricated elements, but he firmly believed that he was exposing a fact, a fact that was absolutely true. Because only this way was the most reasonable explanation, and only then could he link all the clues together.
Dou Chengji slowly pulled out the painting scroll from his sleeve. Although the painting scroll was not unfolded, the scorch marks and bloodstains on it were visible to the eyes.
Everyone's eyes, including Li Yuan's, were focused on the painting. The process that Dou Chengji had just described was too detailed, so detailed that they all felt the danger and twists in it. They all felt that Dou Chengji was really too lucky to be able to find this painting, and it was too rare.
So this painting … what was it about?
The painting was handed to the chamberlain. After the chamberlain asked Li Yuan, he slowly unfolded the bloodstained painting on the dragon table.
Other than Li Yuan, no one could see what was on the painting. They could only see Li Yuan's expression.
At first, he was stunned. The painting had only been unfolded a little when Li Yuan showed an extremely stunned expression. Clearly, this painting was completely out of his expectations.
The people looking at him also felt extremely surprised. Could it be that this painting originally belonged to the Emperor? Otherwise, how could it be that the Emperor had already recognized it as soon as it was unfolded?
Zhao Huaide quietly raised his eyes to look at Li Yuan's expression. He was very dissatisfied that the current focus had been shifted from Pei Ji's case to other places, but there was nothing he could do. Just as he was thinking about how to bring up this matter again in a moment, he suddenly saw Li Yuan raise his head to look at him. His gaze was full of scrutiny and even contained a sense of viciousness. He was immediately startled and quickly lowered his head. It was a while before he dared to raise his head again.
The same scene did not only happen to him. Li Yuan's expression became worse and worse. His right hand, which was placed on the armrest, trembled slightly. He pursed his lips. The anger in his eyes became more and more intense. However, for some reason, he still did not vent it. In the end, he closed his eyes and did not look at the dazzling scene on the painting. In a calm voice, he said, "Go call the King Of Qi over."
The chamberlain left in a hurry. Li Yuan's gaze fell on Dou Chengji. Dou Chengji understood what he wanted to ask. He kowtowed and said, "I have sent people to investigate the scene that day … actually, because of Sir Pei's case, I have asked many people about the scene that day, many times."
Dou Chengji's heart became more and more calm because from now on, every word he said was true. "Prince Lin arrived at the inn an hour before Sir Pei and watched the rain for a while …"
When the three words' Prince Lin 'left his mouth, many people were shocked in their hearts … how did it have anything to do with him again?
Some people thought deeper. Why did Dou Chengji call him Prince Lin, and not directly call him Lin Ruo like before?
"Prince Lin asked the inn if they had Go. The inn said they did not." Dou Chengji was still very detailed, so detailed that it was almost cumbersome. "Prince Lin's attendant, Lin Chuan, prepared to go out to buy it. Prince Lin said forget it and asked the inn to bring some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. The inn asked if he wanted to write or draw. Prince Lin thought for a moment and said, 'Draw.' Therefore, the inn sent over a large sheet of rice paper for drawing. "
Prince Lin was stunned when he saw the paper. The inn explained that when some scholars went to the docks to send people off, they would also suddenly want to write a poem or draw something. Therefore, these things were prepared in the inn. Then, Prince Lin began to draw.
"Prince Lin drew very carefully in the beginning. After drawing for almost an hour, he was a little impatient. He drew faster and faster. In the end, he did not even write a poem and put down the brush. Seeing that he had finished drawing, Lin Chuan brought him some tea to moisten his mouth. Prince Lin took a sip and casually placed the teacup on the table. At that time, the table was covered with the painting, and the teacup was placed on the painting … it was in the pavilion. "
Everyone was even more confused. If the painting that Dou Chengji was talking about was the one on the dragon table, then this painting … was actually drawn by Lin Ruo in the teahouse out of boredom?
How was this possible?
Such a painting, was it worth it for someone to spend so much effort to steal it? To hide it?
However, if this painting was really the one that Lin Ruo had drawn, it would explain why His Majesty had a startled expression at the beginning. Naturally, he could recognize Lin Ruo's painting just by looking at a single line.
The question was, what did Lin Ruo … draw? "
Prince Lin began to look at the rain again. After a while, Lord Pei came. At first, they did not pay attention to each other. Prince Lin did not even look at Lord Pei. After Lord Pei looked at Prince Lin, he prepared to walk past him. However, after seeing the painting, he stopped to talk. Lord Pei said … "
Dou Chengji had a good memory. He repeated the conversation between the two of them without missing a single word. He even imitated their tones and expressions very well.
This included the sentence "a person of virtue and prestige, hundreds will respond to his call", and the sentence "the anger of a commoner will bleed five steps".
Li Yuan's expression could no longer be described as ugly. His hands trembled violently. It was obvious that he was extremely angry. If at this time, he suddenly exploded and killed someone or directly vomited blood and fainted, no one would be surprised.
Everyone was trembling with fear. They were afraid that this anger would be vented on them. However, they still did not understand why Li Yuan was so angry.
However, Dou Chengji was still talking. "After Prince Lin finished his last sentence, he took the umbrella and walked into the rain. Lin Chuan also followed him and did not care about the painting. Then, Lord Pei had people take it away. "
Li Yuan's gaze moved from the faces of the kneeling people back to the painting. The faces were so clear and distinct. In the main hall, facing him, they were filled with righteous indignation. They kowtowed until their foreheads were bleeding. They repeatedly said that he was harboring a criminal. They repeatedly said that he had disrupted the law of the country. They claimed that if he did not kill the child, they would not give up. In the painting, facing the two people, they bowed and bent their knees. Their faces were full of smiles. The only thing missing was the word 'flattery' written on their faces.
So this was his subject? Were they still his officials?
No wonder that child said that hundreds would respond to his call. Wasn't that true? Even in death, hundreds would respond to his call!
Pei Ji, Pei Ji!
In vain, I thought he had always been loyal and devoted … Ha, loyal and devoted?
Loyal and devoted? When he was still the Duke of Tang, would he get him drunk and order the people of Jinyang Palace to serve him, causing him to commit a capital crime and have no choice but to rebel? Loyal and devoted? Would he tell him that he had taken good care of the child while ordering his subordinates to torture him to death? Loyal and devoted … Loyal and devoted? Then what was the thing in this chest?
This was only a small part of what the King Of Qin had collected!
Pei Ji! Even death could not wipe out his crimes!
Even death could not wipe out his crimes!
Li Yuan closed his eyes again and took a deep breath. His gaze fell on the two people in the center of the painting. A moment later, he opened his mouth again. Unexpectedly, his tone sounded very calm. "What is Zheng Da's background?"
Dou Chengji replied, "Zheng Da is a ruffian in the southern part of the city. His neighbors said that he didn't have any major evil deeds, just that his conduct was a bit sinister. What was even stranger was that he had nothing to do all day. He only relied on pawning to pass his days, but his days were very relaxed. He often visited hotels and brothels … Logically speaking, his ancestors didn't leave him any family property, so he shouldn't be able to pawn anything.
"Following this clue, I found that he pawned things at a pawnshop called 'Sincerity Pawnshop' every half a month or a month. Each time, he pawned things for ten or twenty taels of silver. The most recent time, he bought a porcelain plate with five copper coins and pawned it for twenty taels of silver … "
A porcelain plate worth five copper coins was pawned for twenty taels of silver!
Li Yuan coldly interrupted, "What is' Sincerity Pawnshop '?"
Dou Chengji hesitated for a moment before saying, "'Sincerity Pawnshop' changed hands once two years ago. The new owner … is the father of His Highness The Prince Of Qi's concubine."
The King Of Qi, Li Yuanji.
It was really an answer that was not surprising at all.
Other than Li Yuanji, who else would be so determined to obtain this painting?
Li Yuanji, Pei Ji … He had always been very puzzled. Pei Ji had never seen Lin Ruo before. Why did he wholeheartedly want to take his life? Now he finally understood. From the first time they met, Li Yuanji did not find Lin Ruo pleasing to the eye. Time and time again, Li Yuanji caused trouble for him. He even personally framed Lin Ruo in front of him …
The one who wanted to kill Lin Ruo was never Pei Ji, it was Li Yuanji!
And Pei Ji, in order to help Li Yuanji do things, treated him like a fool and fooled him.
"Ha …"
A chuckle sounded in the main hall. After everyone looked at each other, they realized that the one who let out this chuckle was actually Li Yuan.
Li Yuan grabbed the painting and slowly stood up. He said, "Zhen asks all of you, you all want to kill Lin Ruo. Is it because of personal anger, or because of national law?"
The exact same words as Lin Boyuan's appeared in Li Yuan's mouth this time.
Zhao Huaide had a bad feeling in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Li Yuan's hand tremble. A painting hung from his hand. Li Yuan opened his mouth again and shouted, "You all want to kill Lin Ruo. Is it because of personal anger, or because of national law?!"
The various characters in the painting rushed into everyone's eyes without warning. The hearts of the kneeling people thumped loudly, their palms began to sweat.
No one doubted the authenticity of this painting, including Li Yuan and the people in the painting themselves. They could only blame themselves for this posture. It just so happened that it was seen by someone and drawn.
After all, this painting was drawn by that young man in extreme boredom. After he finished drawing it, he casually threw it away … so how could it be fake?
If the painting was fake, why did Pei Ji hide it? If the painting was fake, why did the King Of Qi steal it? If the painting was fake, how could Zheng Da die? If the painting was fake, how could Zheng Da's women and children be killed to silence them?
They could only blame the King Of Qi's bad luck and his carelessness in using people. First, there was a robbery when he stole the painting. Then, Zheng Da stole the painting and hid it. In the end, it caused the painting to fall into the hands of Dou Chengji.
Zhao Huaide composed himself and forced himself to say, "It's just a …"
His voice had yet to fall when a loud crash was heard, the chest on the dragon table was swept to the ground by Li Yuan, the things inside scattered all over the floor. Li Yuan's cold and dense voice sounded, enunciating each word, "You lot wish to kill Lin Ruo, is it because of your personal anger, or is it because of the law of the land?!"
A palm heavily slammed on the dragon table.
"Puff, puff." This was the sound of the injured and tired minister fainting after seeing his own handwriting on the scattered letters.
Many people began to tremble. Like ostriches, they pressed their foreheads deeply against the ice-cold marble floor, not daring to make any sound.
The thing they were most afraid of had finally happened. The most frightening thing had appeared in the end. It had appeared when they least expected it.
How could this thing be in the Emperor's hands? Didn't they say that the things the government soldiers found had already been smuggled back? These things, shouldn't they be in the hands of those three masters? Those three masters, shouldn't they be using this in exchange for their loyalty?
The air was so heavy that it made it hard for people to breathe. Li Yuan stood somewhat unsteadily on the dragon table. He didn't speak. The Crown Prince and the King Of Qin didn't speak. The neutral officials who had been standing with their heads lowered and hadn't spoken a word didn't speak. The people kneeling on the floor asking for orders didn't dare to speak even more.
The chamberlain entered the hall trembling with fear and knelt on the floor. He had gone to find the King Of Qi. However, he was the only one who came back.
The King Of Qi's official residence was right next to the Eastern Palace. It was closer than the Eastern Palace. However, after so long, he still couldn't find anyone.
"Qi … His Highness The Prince Of Qi, isn't, isn't in the residence."
Li Yuan sneered. The King Of Qi isn't in the residence … The King Of Qi who is still under house arrest isn't in the residence.
That's right. On the day Pei Ji left, the King Of Qi wasn't in the residence either. He sent Pei Ji off in front of so many officials. He wasn't worried at all that someone would "betray" him … However, none of these people sent him a memorial to tell him about this.
King Qi, the son that he loved the most, the son that he loved the most, the son that was a little rash but filial and sincere, the son that would occasionally act spoiled to him … In a place that he didn't know about, he had actually done so many things and had such great ability!
It was really … a surprise.
"Seal the entire city. Search."
*****
"By now, the commotion should be almost over, right?" Li Yuanji was already drunk. He stood up unsteadily. "I should go back and watch the commotion."
Chen Jia supported him and said, "Your Highness, please sit down first. I will let them reach the shore."
"Hmm," Li Yuanji replied vaguely, "Tell them to hurry up. Those people are making a ruckus, and that Lin brat is not willing to give in. Old Master must be angry and anxious … I have to take this opportunity to comfort him. Who knows, maybe he can even get rid of this damn confinement! What's the point of sneaking out to play all day long? How long has it been since I rode a horse and hunted?
"The old man is really something. For the sake of an unknown Lin Ruo, he actually grounded me. I really don't know who his son is. In a few days, it will be my birthday. I still want to have a good time … "
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