Tang Dynasty: The seventh rank of official residence, and you will be given the Ten Thousand People

Shangyang Palace was eerily quiet, and all the ministers had serious expressions.

Hundreds of Jinwu guards were killed and dozens of rebels were rescued.

Everyone wanted to know whether Fan Xin's generals were responsible for this shocking crime.

If it was really them who did it, then even if Fan Xin was in power, he would probably have to pay a heavy price.

Although Wu Zetian looked calm on the surface, her heart was filled with anxiety.

The reason why she appointed the independent Ma Rulong as the presiding minister was to exclude Fan Xin.

Now it’s finally time for the truth to be revealed…

Princess Taiping also bit her lips tightly and said nothing, relying on her years of political acumen.

She felt that this shocking case was probably aimed at her and his wife.

Once the position is confirmed to be related to the Prime Minister and the General, Fan Xin will at least be deprived of his military power due to the seriousness of the laws of the Zhou Dynasty.

Thinking of this, she raised her head and looked at the Minister of Justice in the palace.

The latter felt her gaze, his eyes averted for a moment, and he quietly moved his head.

He is no longer the upright person he was yesterday.

Seeing this, Princess Taiping had a bad feeling in her heart.

As expected, Ma Rulong saluted the emperor and said.

"Your Majesty, since I became the presiding minister, I visited the patrol camp and Lijingmen Prison overnight."

"After interrogation of relevant witnesses and on-site deductions, it was finally believed that the murderer who killed Jin Wuwei and rescued the rebels... was none other than a general under the command of Duke Yan!"

As soon as these words came out, there was a roar in Shangyang Palace, and everyone was in a state of uproar.

Although I had expected it, it was still shocking to hear it from Ma Rulong's mouth.

Wu Zetian frowned slightly and said calmly.

"Why do you make this inference?"

"Return to Your Majesty."

Ma Rulong straightened his back, looked at Wu Zetian and said.

"Weichen made this inference because the Qianniu Guards who patrolled the night and the Jinwu Guards who guarded the Lijing Gate are both elites from the Beijing camp."

"The only ones who could kill them in such a short period of time and were present at the scene were Fan Xin's generals."

"As we all know, the generals under the command of Duke Yan are all powerful generals who have fought against the Tubo people on the battlefield."

"It would be easy for them to kill Jinwuwei within an hour."

Wu Zetian frowned slightly and said in confusion.

"I can't figure out why Fan Xin's general would do this. You must know that Fan Aiqing captured the traitor."

After hearing these words, Princess Taiping stood up with a smile on her face.

"The Queen Mother is right. Why would the Prince Consort go to such trouble to rescue the traitor?"

Facing everyone's doubts, Ma Rulong had already prepared an answer and said calmly.

"Back to Your Majesty, Mr. Di Ge once said that the murderer is often the most unlikely one."

"Cao Bingbing attacked and killed Jinwu Guards to rescue the rebels. There seemed to be no reason, but it was their best cover-up."

"You must know that the rebels have deep roots. If they get their support, they may not be able to wear yellow robes in the future."

Ma Rulong's heart-wrenching words were not without poison, although Fan Xin's name was not mentioned.

But every sentence compares him to Wang Mang, who relied on his troops to seize power and usurp the throne.

And those rebels who were rescued were obviously an important force in ascending to the throne and proclaiming themselves emperor.

Wu Zetian was silent, and Princess Taiping walked up to Ma Rulong and said coldly.

"Ma Rulong, it is untrue that you are the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and you actually confuse right and wrong in broad daylight and frame the prince-in-law. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

"Your Highness, I understand how you feel, but this is the court and everything must be done in accordance with the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Please be careful with your words!"

Ma Rulong said expressionlessly.

"Speak according to the laws of the Zhou Dynasty?" Princess Taiping laughed angrily: I believe what others say, but you are not qualified! "

"Your mother took advantage of the fact that she had a son who was a minister of the Ministry of Punishment. She openly charged huge sums of money to build a Buddha statue at home and released tens of thousands of venomous snakes into the mountain village."

"In just a few days, dozens of villagers were bitten to death. Why don't you follow the law in doing such an outrageous thing?"

Princess Taiping was so angry that she no longer cared about official rules, and continued to scold.

"Yesterday you said that the case was suspicious and that someone was framing me and my consort behind the scenes. Why did you change your story as soon as you arrived at the court today?"

As scandals about Princess Taiping came out, Ma Rulong's face became increasingly ugly.

One last shout.

"That's enough! When did the official tell you these things!"

"Don't I owe you twenty taels of medicine? I will pay you back in court!"

"As for the Lijingmen massacre, you can rest assured that your subordinates will handle it impartially and without mercy!"

At the end of the sentence, Ma Rulong became so angry that he knelt down directly in front of the emperor.

"Your Majesty, there is irrefutable evidence in this case. According to the Criminal Law of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Cao Bingbing and Cao Bingbing can be sentenced to death! I hope your Majesty will make a clear decision!"

"I second the proposal!"

The ministers who had enmity with Fan Xin fell to their knees and agreed with Ma Rulong.

Looking at the kneeling third of the ministers, Wu Zetian looked at Princess Taiping indifferently.

"Taiping, what else can you say?"

"After returning to my mother, I brought you an old thing belonging to the consort today!"

With that said, Princess Taiping slowly opened an umbrella with her name written on it in front of everyone!

Judging from the shape, it is clearly the Wanshui Umbrella given by the people of Wushui County when Fan Xin was the county magistrate.

"Wanmin Umbrella?"

Seeing this dilapidated Wanmin umbrella, Wu Zetian was startled for a moment. The past came to mind, and her eyes became much softer.

Yes, how could a man who spilled the blood of the people in order to rule the court be Wang Mang who sought power and usurped the throne?

Thinking of this, Wu Zetian said lightly.

"Put away the Wanmin Umbrella. I have never doubted Fan Aiqing's loyalty."

"This shocking case will be sent to Dali Temple first and will be tried tomorrow."

After saying that, he stood up and left, leaving behind Ma Rulong who looked unwilling.

After returning to the Guanfeng Hall, Wu Zetian came to the window with her hands behind her back and looked at the palaces in the distance.

"Geng Le, where are Cao Bingbing and Jiang Yunding detained?"

Manager Geng bowed.

"Your Majesty, the prisoners are currently in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Do you want them to plead guilty?"

Having lived in the palace for a long time, Manager Geng quickly guessed the emperor's thoughts.

Wu Zetian nodded.

"Yes, the impact of this case is too great. Killing Jin Wuwei and rescuing the rebels is tantamount to rebellion. The whole court is watching, and I have to give them an explanation.

"In order to save Fan Qing, I can only let Cao Bingbing and Jiang Yunding bear this heinous crime.

"Go and see these two guys with a secret order and tell them that they will take all the blame during the trial tomorrow."

"I will spare the lives of his family for the sake of their overall interests.

Manager Geng knelt on the ground, bowed his head, and said respectfully.

"This slave will go to the Ministry of Punishment Prison to meet Cao Bingbing and Jiang Yunding."

After saying that, he got up and left the Guanfeng Hall, sitting in a sedan chair and heading towards the Ministry of Punishments...