Reborn Princess

Inside the imperial study, Zhou Jingmo knelt on the ground with his head down, enduring Zhou Hengyan's wrath. Zhou Hengyan was so angry looking at Zhou Jingmo kneeling on the ground that he almost threw the memorial in his hand away again.

"You just got married after being released from house arrest, and these officials are already reporting you. Where do you think the royal family is?"

Zhou Jingmo clenched his fists and gritted his teeth to swallow his anger, "It's all my fault. I am willing to accept the punishment."

Just as Zhou Jingmo finished speaking, Chang Cisheng suddenly came in with hurried steps and a somewhat anxious voice, "Your Majesty, the courier from Western Xinjiang to the capital wants to see you and says he has urgent news."

Zhou Hengyan glanced at Chang Cisheng and said, "Let him in."

After Chang Cisheng left, Zhou Hengyan looked at Zhou Jingmo and said, "Go get twenty military sticks and cut off your private relationship with me. If I know that you still have contact with those officials, you will no longer be a prince."

After Zhou Jingmo went out, he passed by Chang Cisheng. Chang Cisheng gave him a look, and Zhou Jingmo nodded and left.

In the imperial study, the messenger knelt on the ground and reported anxiously: "Your Majesty, Xijiang has been invaded by Xiqi, and General Yang is fighting fiercely with the enemy at the border."

Zhou Hengyan frowned, "Five years ago, Da Qi and Xi Qi signed a contract to not fight each other. Now he is breaking the agreement, so Da Qi is definitely not afraid of this war."

"Summon Prince Ding'an to the palace." After Zhou Hengyan finished speaking, Chang Cisheng immediately found someone to do it.

After Zhou Jingmo was tortured in the palace, he limped out of the palace supported by the eunuchs. His followers who were waiting outside saw him and immediately went to greet him.

"My Lord, are you okay?"

Zhou Jingmo sneered, "It's not the first time I've been beaten. He even punished me in such a simple and rough way. He thought I couldn't make any waves. I want to let him see if I can make any waves."

When Zhou Jingmo was about to get into the carriage, his attendant reminded him, "Your Majesty, the princess is inside."

Zhou Jingmo raised his eyebrows and got on the carriage randomly.

......

After Zhou Cechen arrived at the imperial study, Zhou Hengyan mentioned the invasion of Xiqi to him. Zhou Cechen said, "This matter is of great importance. General Yang alone may not be able to defeat the Xiqi army. Xiqi is a country of horses. Its cavalry is invincible. And the people of Xiqi are all brave and good at fighting. I'm afraid it will be a tough battle."

Zhou Hengyan pondered for a long time and said, "I will send troops to support us."

"But the southeast, northwest, and northeast all need garrisons, and the capital cannot be left unguarded. I really don't know who can take on this important task. It would be great if you could still follow Wu, and I wouldn't have to worry about it."

Zhou Cechen said: "There is someone in the capital, and the eldest son of the Shen family is the best candidate."

"General Lu Zelin surrendered to Da Qi in the last battle. He knows more about the terrain and military layout of the Western Frontier, and he is also a good swordsman."

Zhou Hengyan looked at Zhou Cechen, who still looked calm, and smiled and shook his head, "You always have a good idea in your heart."

"Then we should do as you say immediately. The border is in danger. Generals Shen Yizhou and Lu Zelin are ordered to lead troops to support us in two days. There is no time to lose."

After Zhou Cechen came out of the imperial study, he looked up at the sky. The sun was about to set, and the purple-red sunset glow floated in the sky, beautiful and mysterious. He stopped on the steps for a moment, a barely perceptible ripple passed through his eyes, and then he slowly walked down the stairs.

The layout of Yanjing is to use the Imperial Street as the central axis of the entire imperial city to separate the east and west sides of the capital. The carriage of Prince Xuan's Mansion was driven forward on the Imperial Street by the driver. Zhou Jingmo closed his eyes and leaned on the carriage and said lightly: "Chang Cisheng succeeded, Xiqi has begun to act."

Zhao Ruyun didn't say anything, she just sat quietly in the carriage.

In just a few days, the army gathered and prepared to rush to Western Xinjiang. Shen Yizhou nodded to Zhou Cechen while sitting on his horse, then turned around and rode away.

Shen Lilan looked at the army going away, feeling a little uneasy.

Western Xinjiang is different from other places. It is a mixed bag, and even the generals have different ideas. In order to defend Da Qi, Shen Yizhou's journey will be full of difficulties and obstacles.

Zhou Cechen held Shen Lilan's hand and said, "Don't worry, he will be safe."

After Shen Yizhou led his troops out of the capital, the entire Yanjing returned to its former prosperity.

Soldiers toiled in Yuguan, while dignitaries sang and danced in Yulou. Yang Zhen looked into the distance from the top of Yulouchun and drank a sip of tea from the porcelain enamel cup. He did not feel relaxed, but a little sad between his eyebrows.

At the morning court on the second day, Zhou Cechen submitted a document to Zhou Hengyan, and Zhou Hengyan's face changed drastically after reading it.

Yang Zhen looked at Zhou Hengyan's face and suddenly felt uneasy.

Just as Yang Zhen had expected, the document listed all the crimes of his Yang family.

During the Yang-Qin factional struggle, Yang Zhen bribed people and colluded with Xiqi. He embezzled money from the flood in Jiangnan and privately handled many false and wrongful cases. In order to place his own people in various places in Daqi, he suppressed countless officials and even caused the extermination of more than a dozen merchants and nobles.

After Zhou Hengyan read out these charges, the entire court was in an uproar, but in the midst of the uproar some officials were so scared that they lowered their heads and dared not say a word.

After hearing these charges, Yang Zhen knelt down in front of Zhou Hengyan and shouted in an old but powerful voice: "This old minister is innocent. I don't know where the evidence is. Or is it that Prince Ding'an has no evidence but is spreading rumors in the court? This is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"I have devoted my life to the entire Great Qi, building dams, constructing civil engineering, punishing lawless people. I have done so much for the Great Qi, but he still framed me!" Yang Zhen pointed at Zhou Cechen and said loudly, "Being framed by Prince Ding'an is truly a disgrace to the Great Qi."

"No matter what, I am not omnipotent. How can I do all these things by myself? Your Majesty knows that I have never acted for myself, but for the people of Daqi!"

Who didn't hear what Yang Zhen said? It was a ripple effect. It was simply that he couldn't accomplish these things alone. No matter which crime he committed, there were people helping. Who were they?

Some officials knelt down and pleaded for Yang Zhen: "Prime Minister Yang has been an official for decades and has made great contributions to the Great Qi. Your Majesty is wise enough to see this."

"Please give me a clear warning, Your Majesty!"

"Don't let the people's hearts get chilled!"

......

Those who should kneel knelt one after another, and it became clear which officials were guilty and wanted to save their lives.

The atmosphere had become so tense that it was naturally impossible to fight Yang Zhen without providing more evidence.

Zhou Cechen asked for permission to bring in witnesses, and Zhou Hengyan gave an order and all the witnesses were brought in.

These people include Suyun, Jiang Fuli, Hua Lian and... Fu Zhen.

Yang Zhen looked at these people and suddenly felt a chill on his back. How could this be? He had killed countless people over the years to keep the secret, so why were there still so many people alive?

This case was not as simple as going to court, because the witnesses and the guilt were brought to the hall by Zhou Cechen.