Qing Ping Le · Double Songs

Rong Che came down from the tower and went back to the palace first, and changed his official uniform after lunch. The cool autumn wind picked up again, and Xiao Fu handed over his cloak to protect against the autumn wind when he went out of the room.

She asked, "Where is Liang Daoquan now?"

"Prisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice," Xiao Fu followed Rong Che's footsteps, "Master is going to the Ministry of Criminal Justice?"

"Go see Liang Daoquan first, and don't disturb the people in the Ministry of Punishment."

"My subordinate understands."

The Prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice was damp and dark, and the only few windows could only illuminate a square inch of the area. The darkness made the damp musty smell even stronger.The cell wall is a solid stone wall, and the cell door is locked with a wrist-thick iron chain. This is the place where serious criminals are locked up, and there is never any way out.

When Rong Che entered the prison for the first time, he couldn't get used to the darkness of the prison for a while, only to hear Xiaofu order the jailers in a low voice, telling them not to reveal the arrival of the master, and the jailer took everyone out after he promised.Her calm face was led by Xiaofu to the prison door, her pupils were like a sea in the dark, calm and indifferent as usual.

After Liang Daoquan heard the sound, he suddenly saw her appear, and immediately rushed over, clutching the cell door with his fingers, and said expectantly, "Princess, save the old man quickly."

Rong Che stood with his hands behind his back and just stared at him quietly. Yesterday he was the Hubu Shangshu who had a great reputation in the court, but now he has been reduced to a dirty prisoner.The brocade clothes were stained with stains, the gray hair was messy, the body was bent, and the face was full of panic.The earnest call for help was repeated one after another, Liang Daoquan secretly noticed the change of Rong Che's expression, his voice gradually lowered, he said half probing and half threatening, "Could it be that the princess wants to deceive the prince?"

There was a hint of sternness in Rong Che's indifferent eyes, she straightened her robes slowly, and said slowly, "Master Liang doesn't even want his own son?"

Liang Daoquan was stunned. Although his current situation was caused by his bastard, what he hated more was the traitor who abetted his son. He is over half a hundred years old, but he has a successful official career, so how can he shut up so easily? easy.

Liang Daoquan's face no longer had the earnest expression just now, replaced by a well-thought-out sarcasm, he stared at Rong Che through a prison door, "The prince will not abandon this old man so easily, the princess should think twice."

Rong Che smiled, "Aren't I the one sent by my father to rescue Mr. Liang?"

Liang Dao was scheming and sophisticated, straightforward, "Without this old man, it means that you will miss the entire household department, and the prince's income through the household department in private every year will be gone. Without these private banks, the prince's major affairs will be difficult."

Rong Che said indifferently, "So, I also ask Mr. Liang to recommend a virtuous person."

"You." Liang Daoquan stopped talking, "Are you not afraid that I will expose it to His Majesty?"

"Liang Daoquan." Rong Che's voice was a bit cold in vain, "The scriptures on the queen's royal case of impeachment piled up into mountains overnight, and you enriched your own pockets and sold your officials and nobles. Did your father order you to do everything? You cheated The military salary was sent to the frontier in the form of private money, do you really think that the father knows nothing? Mr. Liang must use the right means if he wants to win favors in front of the father."

A huge panic struck, and Liang Daoquan suddenly felt that the prison was pitch black. His index finger, which was gripping the door tightly, turned pale, his body trembled, and even the iron chains on the door made a hoarse sound, "The princess, save the old man!" , the old man will serve the princess as a cow and a horse."

Rong Che looked on coldly, and said as before, "Master Liang, you will live your whole family as soon as you die."

Liang Daoquan fell to his knees in tears, even though he was unwilling to do anything, but now it was not the empress who wanted to kill him, but Rong Che who was determined to kill him. "I have no grievances with the princess, why the princess won't let me go"

Rong Che's calm face showed no emotion, "You don't need to know."

Even at the end of the road, he still didn't give up and asked, "Does the princess really think that she can hide it from the sky and keep the prince from knowing?"

Rong Che said calmly, "How does Mr. Liang know that this is not what the father meant?"

Liang Daoquan only felt a basin of cold water in his head, and his limbs were cold, "The lord will not ignore the safety of the old man. Besides, what's more, if your majesty knows about the correspondence between my hand and the lord, it will be of no benefit to anyone or anyone." The last few He bit the word extremely hard.

Rong Che looked around the cell, his indifferent eyes became more and more strange in the darkness, "This big prison is impenetrable and impenetrable, or does Mr. Liang think that there will be no one to visit you besides me?"

Liang Daoquan suddenly rushed towards the cell door, stretching out his hand to grab Rong Che who was outside the door, baring his eyes and yelling, "I want to meet His Majesty, I want to meet the Holy Spirit."

Rong Che was very close to those ferocious hands, and he didn't take it seriously, "I forgot to tell Master Liang that His Majesty has ordered me to personally preside over your case, and His Majesty does not want to see you."

"Rong Che." Liang Daoquan roared, "Do you really think that you are more valuable than the princess? You are just a dog next to the prince, a poor dog."

"Xiao Fu." Rong Che turned around and called out, completely ignoring the cursing behind him.

Xiaofu heard the master calling and appeared at the corner, and when he got closer, he saw a pen and ink in his hand, "Master."

"Master Liang, I would like to advise you one last thing: the poison of a tiger does not eat its children."

Liang Daoquan vented all his strength and fell heavily on the ground, "Rong Che, you must keep your promise and don't hurt my family."

After leaving the prison, his eyes couldn't stand the stimulation of the sun for a while, Rong Che squinted his eyes.The sun was already turning and the autumn wind was brisk. Once the wind passed, the moisture from her body in the cell was blown away. "Go to the punishment department"

The minister of the Ministry of Punishment, named Pei Xian and named Boheng, has been waiting for Rong Che's arrival since the moment the secret decree arrived. He waited for the whole morning and watched the sunset before his eyes. .As soon as the communication outside the door started, others had already greeted Rong Che and bowed down, "Welcome to the princess."

Rong Che raised his hand to help, "Master Pei, you don't need to be too polite."

Pei Xian greeted Rong Che to the seat of honor and sat down. Underneath were the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment and two servants, and the left servant presented the file.Rong Che flipped through the pages and heard Pei Xian say, "Your Majesty has a decree to try this case secretly, but now it involves a lot of things, I don't dare to act rashly and will ask the princess to make a decision."

Several documents of impeachment were transferred from the imperial court to the Ministry of Punishment. Pei Xian moved quickly, and in less than a day, he produced five volumes.Pei Xian was still waiting for her to order. She smiled and said, "This is also the first time this Palace has tried a case. I still want to hear what adults have to say about many things I don't understand."

Pei Xian peeked at Rong Che with his eyeballs, and secretly exchanged glances with the left and right.Zuo Shilang took a step forward, "I don't know if I should say something or not?"

"But it doesn't matter."

"Forgive me, your majesty, since your majesty requested a secret trial of this case, he must be afraid of getting involved too much and making people panic. If the princess can make this matter smaller, Longxin will be very happy."

This holy meaning is not bad at all, Rong Che smiled again, "What does Pei Shangshu mean?"

Princess Qingping's voice sounded gentle, but there was a chill intimidating, "I think it's better to wait for Dali Temple Minister Yu to discuss it together."

Pei Xian from the Ministry of Punishment was indeed a watertight person, Rong Che suppressed his smile and waited quietly for the arrival of the tide.At dusk, Yu Haichao hurriedly arrived from Dali Temple. In the cool weather, his brow was still covered with thin layer of sweat, and he bowed as soon as he entered the door, "I will see Princess Qingping."

"Excuse me, my lord."

Yu Haichao got up and did not forget to wipe his forehead with his cuff. He covered his face with his sleeve and gave Pei Xian a questioning look. Pei Xian pretended not to look at him with a serious face. He immediately understood the current situation like a mirror in his heart, and stood aside with his head bowed. , respectfully, without words.

For a long while, the hall was silent, even the sound of breathing was barely audible, Rong Che's indifferent pupils swept across the thoughtful people in the hall, and said coldly, "My lord, has His Majesty's secret decree come to Dali Temple? "

"It was delivered to the officials of Dali Temple personally by Eunuch An this morning."

"What is His Majesty's secret decree?"

"Your Majesty ordered the officials and Mr. Pei to cooperate with Princess Qingping to try this case." He was startled and hurriedly raised his head to look at Rong Che, met Rong Che's gaze and then hurriedly lowered his eyes.

"What about your joint trial?" Rong Che picked up the file on the table, and asked again, "Use this file that even a three-year-old child can see the flaws to deceive this palace? Or do you want me to present this file directly to the imperial court?"

"Princess forgive me." Zuo Shilang knelt down on the ground and said in a panic, "It's the official's dereliction of duty, it's the inferior official's dereliction of duty."

The right servant who had been silent all this time stood up and said, "Princess, please calm down. The officials and others didn't intend to deceive the princess. It's just that I was working with the princess for the first time, and I was afraid that I would be punished by the princess if I failed to hand in the file, so I was in a hurry. careless."

"Although this palace is presiding over the trial for the first time, it is to share your majesty's worries. You should not delay your majesty's important affairs with your selfishness." Rong Che's tone was a little slow, "get up. Sir Yu, you just came to this palace and I want to listen to you first." Views."

"Your Majesty Liang is a member of the third rank of the imperial court, and he is really ashamed of the emperor's kindness for this scandal." Yu Haichao considered every word, "I dare to guess that although Your Majesty is furious with Long Yan for such a mediocre thing, he is also worried that this matter will cause harm. It has attracted criticism from the people, so His Majesty will try the case in a secret way."

Yu Haichao winked at Pei Xian, and Pei Xian was like an old monk in meditation, so he had no choice but to continue, "I think the censor used this to impeach Mr. Liang for selfishness, corruption, corruption and perverting the law.

"Does the Ministry of Criminal Justice conduct an investigation?"

The right servant said, "The Ministry of Criminal Justice only found out that there were officials in the Ministry of Household Affairs who were involved in selling officials, and the other charges were found to be untrue?"

Rong Cheng's eyes froze, "Oh?"

"I would like to ask the Princess to give you a few more days, and the Criminal Department will do its best to investigate thoroughly."

The hall was silent again.Rong Che said in an unhurried tone, "One day is really not enough to find out the crimes committed by Liang Daoquan." She paused, "However, adultery and prostitution are capital crimes. I know you are the same as Mr. Liang." As officials, you have a good friendship, but you are officials ordered by the court to share the worries for His Majesty, and you are not only ashamed of being cultivated by the court, but will also affect the official career of your lords, you should think twice."

Princess Qingping seldom travels around the capital, and only returns to Beijing every year to stay with her for two months at the end of the year, so she has very little contact with these court officials.According to rumors, Princess Qingping is heroic, brave and good at fighting, and she seems to be somewhat different from the one in the hall.

Pei Xian stole a look at Rong Che, only to see her expression was indifferent, not angry and pretentious.He didn't expect that the princess who was stationed on the frontier was also well versed in the ways of the capital's officialdom, and they were defeated in a short period of time. He really underestimated her and underestimated her.This can't help but remind him of Princess Anle, Princess Anle has always been kind to others, and there is no one in the court who has a little friendship and courtesy with her.

A shout came from outside the door, "Princess, my lords are not well." A clerk from the Ministry of Punishment hurried in and knelt down on the ground, "Master Liang, Master Liang hanged himself in the cell."

"What?" Everyone exclaimed, but no one noticed the satisfaction flashing in the eyes of Rong Che who was sitting upright.

Pei Xian stepped forward and said anxiously, "Tell me the truth." This is the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, he is responsible for any mistakes, so he is not as calm as before.

"The humble official went to inspect the cell as usual, and saw Mr. Liang hanged in the cell in front of Mr. Liang's door. Others, other humble officials didn't know about it."

"Has anyone been to the prison today?"

"No, no one has been to the prison today." Pei Xian turned around, "Please ask the princess to decide."

"Go to the prison." Rong Che's voice came from the superior, the clearer it was, the better it sounded.

In the cell, Liang Daoquan hanged himself on the small window on the top of the wall with rags. His face was blue and his limbs were drooping, making the cold cell even more eerie.Several adults looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment, they just looked at Princess Qingping.

Rong Che looked around the cell, saw a piece of paper with wet handwriting beside the bed, raised his hand and asked, "Who sent it in?" She asked a few adults and surrounded him, and Yu Haichao picked up the paper as an excuse It was even more shocking to see the three words "declaration of crimes" written on it.Seeing that his complexion was not good, Pei Xian fixed his eyes on him with doubts in his heart.

"Who is guarding today? Call in for questioning."

Xiaoli ran out in a flash, and came back not long after and shouted again, "My lord, I'm dead."

"Clarify, who died again."

"Bachelor Liu, the person watching the cell today."

Pei Xian was shocked again and thought about it, "Go and bury him properly." He casually took out a few taels of silver and told Xiao Li to go quickly.After he finished his funeral instructions, Yu Haichao had quickly read Liang Daoquan's handwriting before his death, and his heart was relieved, and he secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

"Princess, Mr. Liang committed suicide in fear of crime. This is the apologia." Yu Haichao presented it with both hands.

The small window on the top of the wall was covered with cold and silvery frost, and Liang Daoquan's body was still hanging there, motionless.They stood far away in the small cell, wishing they could cut a hole in the wall, the farther the better.The moonlight drew a clear boundary on the ground, as if Yin and Yang were separated, and no living person wanted to be contaminated with bad luck, especially the few adults with a bright future.

"Master Pei, would you like to read this handwriting?"

The servant on the right arrived hurriedly, "My lord, the cell is dark, the lower official has ordered someone to clean the inner hall, please move, my lord."

Rong Che glanced at the right servant very indifferently, the right servant shivered all over and hurriedly lowered his head, Rong Che stepped out of the cell first without saying a word.The inner hall was brightly lit, and the candles swayed in the breeze. After Rong Che sat down, Pei Xian carefully read Liang Daoquan's handwritten letter before his death.

He confessed in black and white to the traitor, and he was ashamed of adultery with his daughter-in-law. He was sincerely ashamed of the emperor's kindness, even if he died, he was only willing to ask His Majesty to show mercy in the end and let the whole family go.The more Pei Xian read his heart, the more desolate he became. After all, the officials of the same dynasty had known each other for many years, and it was inevitable that the rabbit would die and the fox would be sad.

Rong Che asked, "How does Master Pei view this matter?"

"Your Majesty believes that Master Liang's handwritten letter should be presented to the emperor for His Majesty's decision."

"Then I will enter the palace to face the saint at this moment."

Rong Che got up and wanted to leave, but Pei Xian hesitantly knelt down on the ground again and again, and said, "I implore the princess to fulfill Master Liang's last wish in front of the Holy One for the sake of the fact that Master Liang's bones are not yet cold."

Rong Che's eyes were light and silent for a moment, and he said, "Master Pei, I am not a hard-hearted person."

"The next official thanked the princess for his kindness on behalf of Mr. Liang."

After Rong Che left the Ministry of Punishment, he rushed into the palace at full speed. The palace had already been locked, and Rong Che waited outside the palace for a long time before being led to the palace by Eunuch An.Rong Che knelt down and handed over the confession, the empress only glanced at it briefly, and said, "Since he's dead, the case is over."

"Yes."

Seeing that she was still kneeling, the queen asked, "Is there something else for Qingping?"

"Lord Liang hopes that His Majesty will spare the whole family."

The queen said, "Except for his son who can't stay, the others will fulfill his wish."

"Qingping knows." Rong Che prostrated himself again, "Qingping resigns."

When Rong Che stepped out of the palace gate, she felt a little tired. At the beginning, the queen's anger was just out of consideration for the royal family's face. As for the case involving one or two queens, she didn't care very much. She knew this in her heart.Eunuch An personally issued the secret decree to the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Dali Temple, which must have the words "very involved and deal with it carefully", otherwise, how could the left servant of the Ministry of Criminal Justice show his intention to make big things smaller in front of her?

The stars are dazzling above the head, and the sky in the autumn night is slightly bright blue, which is no worse than the scenery in the frontier.The palace behind her was gradually blurred in the night shadows. At this moment, her cousin should have gone to the next city, or she was waiting somewhere for the night to come.