Chapter 94: Trial by the Emperor

  Yuan Longqiao was carried into the palace, and Emperor Zhaojian saw his son covered in wounds, feeling both pain and anger. His gaze towards Zhang Deshun and Zhenfei turned even colder.

  "Quickly summon Imperial Physician, and also have Qingming brought into the palace."

  Yuan Longlin stepped forward, "Imperial Father, let Third Brother go to the palace of the child first and rest. In this way, the imperial physician and Qingming can also treat him."

  "The child also went together to take a look." Yuan Longqi also bowed down to ask for orders.

  Zhaonian Emperor thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Go ahead, take good care of your third brother."

  "Yes."

  "Yes."

  With a flicker of his eyes, Emperor Zhaojian gazed at Zhenfei and Zhang Deshun kneeling on the ground, coldly saying: "You have quite a big nerve, daring to use aphrodisiacs on me, forging an imperial edict to frame my son! Are you thinking of rebelling?"

  "Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Zhenfei crawled forward a few steps on her knees, crying in extreme grievance. "All of this was done by Zhang Deshun, he threatened me with Your Majesty's life. I had no choice but to obey him!"

  "Nonsense! You're talking nonsense!" Zhang De's face turned pale with rage, and he knocked his head on the ground, "Your Majesty, Zhen Fei is lying, it was clearly she who conveyed the imperial decree to me, I thought I was following Your Majesty's orders all along!"

  "It was you who forced me, how can you be so perverse and turn right and wrong upside down!"

  "Zhen Fei Niang Niang, this is outrageous! Your Majesty, I have followed you for so many years, and I have always been loyal to you!"

  "Enough!" Emperor Zhao's face darkened with anger, his voice stern. "Do you think I'm really senile?! You dare to use such clumsy excuses to deceive me? How preposterous! What do you intend to achieve by framing the Third Prince?" His heart stirred slightly as he suddenly realized something, his eyes narrowing and his mind sinking to the bottom. "Who is behind this plot?" He slammed his hand on the imperial desk. "Tell me the truth!"

  The imperial concubine cried until her tears fell like rain, and the weak and delicate way she shook her head was extremely charming. She lifted her head with a sob, her tearful eyes gazing at Emperor Zhaojian with emotion, saying pitifully: "Your Majesty, I am really innocent, my heart is clear to heaven and earth! I was coerced by Zhang Deshun, everything I did was unavoidable. I don't know who is behind instructing Zhang Deshun, but I accidentally met him secretly meeting with the Fourth Prince, avoiding the crowd, I don't know if it's related to this matter."

  His eyebrows twitched and Zhang Deshun was stunned as if struck by lightning. As the excitement subsided, he closed his eyes weakly, not making a sound.

  "I report to Your Majesty," Xia Feng stepped forward, "I was sent by my father to the Ministry of Justice's great prison to escort Yun Gongzi when I saw the Fourth Prince attempting to kill Yun Gongzi, and a huge fire raging in the cell where the Third Prince was being held."

  Zhao Qian's expression didn't change, as if everything was not unexpected. However, the hand resting on the armrest of the throne tightened its grip. "Zhang Deshun, is it you who was instructed by Xiao Si from behind? Hmm?"

  His forehead against the ground, Zhang Deshun had already made up his mind, but his body still involuntarily trembled slightly.

  Zhao'e Palace was the residence of Yuan Longyan in the palace city. Among the seven sons of Emperor Zhao of Song, only two unmarried sons did not have their own mansions and still lived in the palace.

  Qing Ming had not yet arrived, and the imperial physician helped Yuan Longqiao check his injuries and clean his wounds.

  Yuan Longqiao lay on the couch, feeling much more comfortable after changing into a refreshing set of clothes. Yuan Longlin bustled around inside and out, while Yuan Longqi stayed by his bedside without leaving for a moment.

  Yuan Longqiao looked at him and said knowingly: "Fifth brother, is there something you want to say?"

  After a moment of hesitation, Yuan Longqi nodded and waved his hand to dismiss the palace maid, eunuch, and imperial physician. He sat down at the edge of the bed, his voice heavy with emotion: "On the day I welcomed Min Hui, my third brother told me about the unexpected event that occurred in my mansion, and it has been weighing on my mind ever since. These past few days, I have been investigating in the mansion, and finally found out who was behind the poisoning...

  "Who told you to search the Ling Wang Fu and use torture on Xiao San?" The Emperor's face grew increasingly unsightly, the aphrodisiac had severely damaged his body, and he was only able to continue with the trial due to a surge of anger.

  The prison officer raised his head in a flurry, saying innocently: "Zhang Gonggong personally came to the Ministry of Punishment with an edict, and I was just following orders! Moreover, the jade seal was indeed found in the Ling Wangfu, and I used torture on the three princes according to the law."

  "Your Majesty, as I know it, before the search of the Ministry of Punishment, the Imperial Guard also sent people to search." Yun Wuji's timely interjection.

  "How many people did the Imperial Guard send to search?"

  "Vice General Chiang is loyal."

  "Xuān Jiǎng Zhēn."

  "It is. Proclaim Jiang Zhen entering the palace."

  "Announce Jiang Zhen entering the palace! Announce Jiang Zhen entering the palace!!" The eunuchs outside shouted in relay.

  In an instant, Jiang Zhen stepped forward and bowed his head: "Your subject Jiang Zhen pays homage to Your Majesty."

  "Jiang Zhen, have you ever led a search of the Ling Wang Fu?"

  "Your Majesty, I indeed received an imperial edict to search for the lost jade seal at the residence of Duke Ling."

  "Found it?"

  "Nothing was gained."

  Zhaodian Emperor nodded, "Who passed on the imperial decree?"

  "Zhang Deshun - Zhang Gonggong."

  Zhang Deshun knelt on the ground, his whole body numb, but he felt the cold gaze of Emperor Zhaojian and couldn't help but shudder in his heart.

  Emperor Zhaoqing sneered: "The Imperial Guards, what a fine Imperial Guard! You are responsible for protecting my safety, but instead you have become the accomplices who want my life. What use do I have for you?"

  "I deserve death." Jiang Zhen knocked his head on the ground again, with a humble yet unyielding attitude.

  Zhao Gan Emperor looked at him for a while, his tone softened a lot, "You can withdraw first."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Only after watching Jiang Zhen exit the grand hall did Zhao Qian Emperor's gaze turn back to Yu Si. "Do you have anything else to say?"

  The prison officer swallowed his saliva and argued strongly: "Since the Imperial Forest Guard couldn't find the jade seal, it's clear they didn't do their best."

  "You're really trying your best." Emperor Zhaojian's anger turned to laughter. "My good son was tortured by you until he became a cripple, you truly have a wonderful method."

  "Your Majesty, this...this is all due to the instructions of Prime Minister and Lord Zheng."

  "Si Tu Bi?" Zhao Gan Emperor's face was covered with frost, how many more people were involved in this, the more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He suddenly slammed his hand on the imperial desk and shouted: "Go! Go! Bring Yuan Longchun, Si Tu Bi, and Zheng Yungao to me immediately. Cough...!"

  "Your Majesty, take care." Xia Jingting couldn't hide his worry.

  Emperor Zhaoqing nodded, waved his hand at Xia Jingting, and sternly said to Zhang Deshun: "The facts are clear, what else can you say? Come, take away Zhang Deshun for forging an imperial edict and framing the emperor's son. He will be punished with decapitation!"

  With a snort, Zhang Deshun's eyes rolled up and he fainted on the spot. Eunuchs came over to grab his feet and dragged him out like a dead dog.

  "As for Zhen Fei," Zhao Jian Emperor's eyes revealed a cold glint, "she has failed to repay My kindness, and is hereby granted a white silk rope to hang herself."

  "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am innocent, I am truly innocent!"

  "Take him away!" Emperor Zhaojian shouted coldly, and immediately eunuchs came forward to drag him away.

  Let's take a look at something else first.