The shadow of the country

But she was with Mu Yan almost all the time, even if it was just quietly by his side.Their wedding date is next month, but the imperial concubine's secret order is "you must act within ten days." Abi knew that she would not be able to wait until the day when she would put on her wedding dress, but the moment of happiness was within reach. How can you be willing to let go easily?

In the early morning of this day, Abi proposed to go to the hunting ground he had mentioned.Mu Yan was slightly taken aback, remembering that he had indeed mentioned to Abi one or two interesting things that happened during the hunt before, so he agreed without much thought.Since he couldn't give her everything a wife deserved, he had to make some compensation elsewhere.

The hunt was a hasty decision, but there was still a team of people accompanying them, and Wen Cheng also accompanied them.Now is the most difficult time of the year to hunt, and the group of them still hunted a lot of roe deer, sand fox and hare.Abi stared at the person opposite from a short distance—they were so close, but they would end up so far away.She is a meticulous worker, and she has been calculating and seducing step by step since before she entered the Marquis's mansion, but she alone missed the kindness of Marquis Zhongning to her.I don't know when I started to fall in love with that person without knowing it.Why doesn't she want to snuggle up to him and enjoy the peace of the years?It's just that duty and emotion are like two big nets, binding her tightly, and she can't relax for a moment.Today, she finally had to make a choice.

It was already You Shi, the dusk was gradually sinking, and a group of people were preparing to return home.When Mu Yan turned around, he saw Abi's absent-minded expression.Pulling the rein, he turned the horse's head and walked over, said with a smile: "I hunted a lot of prey today, I think some sand fox furs are in good condition, it would be suitable for you to make a brocade fox fur."

Abi's eyes were extremely sour, but she still nodded and smiled at him, as clear and shallow as a breeze blowing through a willow.

Mu Yan stared at her for a moment, but for some reason, he felt that there was a bit of sadness in Abi's smile, and there was something elusive for him.He nodded and said, "It's fine if you like it. It's getting dark, so let's go back home earlier."

The road in front of Lord Ye's mansion is the only way to return from the hunting ground to Lord Hou's mansion.It was getting late, and Mu Yan and the entourage behind him were all rushing to the Hou Ye's mansion.But when passing Master Ye's mansion, Mu Yan still couldn't stand the rein and paused.Tonight's Ye Mansion is really a bit strange.The family rules of Ye Mansion are extremely strict, and he had heard of them before, but now the little boy guarding the gate of Ye Mansion has disappeared.

Mu Yan felt extremely strange, and walked a few steps towards the gate of the mansion.At this time, Wen Cheng next to him stopped him: "Why do I feel that there is something strange in Ye's mansion tonight..."

Mu Yan said, "I don't think it's right either. Just wait there for a while, and I'll be there in a while."

Wen Cheng hesitated for a moment, but stepped back and waited for him in the distance.Through the open door, one can be seen in the room writing at the desk, and by the shadow reflected on the window paper, one can vaguely identify that person is Master Ye.Mr. Ye has always been strict, why would he allow the door of the mansion to be left wide open and unguarded today?

Mu Yan was thinking about it, when suddenly an arrow flew past behind him, just passing by his side, and flew straight to the door of Ye's mansion, pierced through a thin layer of window paper, and shot straight at Master Ye.Immediately afterwards, Master Ye let out a shrill and unexpected scream.Mu Yan was startled, knowing that someone must have tricked Ye Fu's guards away tonight, intending to murder Lord Ye.He turned around suddenly, only to see a black shadow flying away quickly.The black shadow was already far away from him, and the lightness kung fu that was many times stronger than him made it impossible for him to track it down.

But in an instant, torches were lit in the depths of Ye Mansion, and dozens of guards rushed out shouting and riding horses, surrounding Mu Yan.The people accompanying Marquis Zhongning were all far away, but now they all rushed to talk to the guards of the Ye residence to release them in a theory.I don't know which side made the move first, and after a while the ear-piercing sound of weapons clashing resounded throughout the Ye Mansion.

The author has something to say: As Sun Baiyang said in Jin Zhi Desire, if a person always asks himself whether it is worth it before doing something.Then he doesn't have to do it anymore, because it is simply not worth it.If Mu Yan speaks out, let Mu Puppy also be artistic?

☆, 41. At first glance (2)

41. At first glance (2)

Surrounded by crowds, Mu Yan suddenly realized that the person behind the scenes who was really trying to kill him might not be Mr. Ye.Instead, he was specially lured here, and then blamed on him for murdering important court officials... Thinking of this, his whole body shuddered.The neighing of dozens of horses was mixed with the shouts of the troops on both sides, and the bright red blood reflected on the window paper by the faint firelight on the opposite side could be vaguely seen.It's hard to tell whether it's fantasy or reality.

Suddenly, a mournful cry came from the Ye mansion, presumably it was Lord Ye's doorman attendant.After that, he cried heart-piercingly: "Master...Master was shot into the heart by a thief with a poisonous arrow. Now...he has no breath!"

When Mu Yan heard this sentence, his mind went blank, and the last trace of clarity was pulled out.Master Ye died for no reason, but his close ones had only this cry to vent.After this cry of despair, is it the separation of life and death, the separation of heaven and man forever? ...

Just when Mu Yan was in a daze, one of the guards of the Ye Mansion stepped forward to remove the quiver behind him and threw it on the ground.With a "crack", the few remaining arrows in the quiver fell to the ground.The guard picked up one of them, looked at it according to the dim light of the fire, and then said loudly: "The arrow that Marquis Zhong Ning is carrying is poisoned on the head!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone present was in an uproar.At this time, Lord Ye's attendant came out of the room with a pale complexion, with tears streaming down his face.He stared at Mu Yan and asked: "It is true that my master impeached you several times in the court, but they all followed the ancestor's etiquette. Why did the Marquis of Zhongning complain that he had to kill him with a poisoned arrow?! "

Mu Yan was dizzy in his head, knowing that now that the evidence was convincing, he couldn't argue with it no matter what.He was pulled off the horse, and someone twisted his shoulders from behind. He subconsciously tried to break free, but it was futile.

The scene was chaotic at the moment, and no one noticed Abi who was hiding alone in the distance.Abi slowly raised her head and looked at the two or three flickering lone stars in the sky, suddenly felt tears running down her face, and waves of pain in her chest.This is a bureau she facilitated, and she is the least qualified to argue for herself.But ever since she chose the most difficult path, she knew that she had lost Mu Yan forever.

The news that Marquis Zhong Ning murdered Lord Ye with a poisonous arrow was secretly reported to Yilan by a secret guard that night.Although Yilan was shocked, she firmly believed that this matter was definitely not caused by Mu Yan.He thought for a moment, and then ordered the secret guard to temporarily block the news and conduct a secret investigation, so that this matter must not be spread to the ears of the Empress Dowager.After all, the imperial palace is not a place to stay for a long time, the hidden guard immediately retreated after kneeling down to receive the order.

Not long after the hidden guard left, the Empress Dowager entered the palace gate.Yi Lan rushed to meet her and supported her, "Why is the emperor's grandmother free to come here today?"

The Empress Dowager ordered the people in the palace behind to retreat, and then gave Yi Lan a meaningful look, "Does the Emperor know what happened in the Ye Mansion tonight?"

Yi Lan's heart was shocked, she wondered if the Empress Dowager knew about this, so she deliberately lowered her tone and said, "I don't know what it is that deserves the emperor's mother's trip?"

The Empress Dowager sat down slowly, "Lord Ye was shot into the heart by a poisonous arrow from Marquis Zhongning and died on the spot. The imperial doctor sent by Ai's family just now reported that the remaining arrows in Marquis Zhongning's quiver were also quenched. The poison is exactly the same kind of poison that Mr. Ye was poisoned by."

Yi Lan's face changed slightly, she didn't know why the news about the Empress Dowager was so well informed.The secret guard just now was a confidant dispatched directly by himself, and he would never leak this matter.Just now the Empress Dowager also said that she sent an imperial doctor to Ye Mansion, so the Empress Dowager knew the news much earlier than him.In this way, someone reported the matter to the Empress Dowager immediately after the accident...

Yi Lan stabilized her mind and said with a faint smile: "Grandmother overestimated him, how could he have the ability to murder the imperial court official? The title of a mere marquis is just a false name and has no real power. Besides, he murdered Mr. Ye What's the benefit to him? How can the emperor's grandmother believe that he did it now?"

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, and said: "The Ai family also knows not to believe rumors. Now it is not sure whether it is him, but the real culprit must not be spared. The Ai family has ordered the arrest of all the people who were present at the time, and all of them will be arrested. Dali Temple deliberation."

Yilan stood up at once, "I'm taking them all into Dali Temple? My son thinks it's wrong!"

The Empress Dowager patted his hand reassuringly, and said: "Grandmother has a sense of propriety. There are many people involved in this matter, and the Ai family has already ordered Dali Temple Secretary Zhao Lu not to inflict severe punishments. Check it out carefully, so that Ming Yun."

Yilan was stunned for a moment, she didn't expect that the emperor's grandmother, who always acted vigorously and strictly, could arrange this matter so meticulously.In this way, that person...will not suffer much in prison, and there is still a chance to be rehabilitated and explained...Yi Lan nodded, "Then deal with it according to the emperor's grandmother's order."

More than ten days have passed since the day Master Ye was killed.Perhaps because of Mu Yan's status and title, the cell he was placed in Dali Temple was much better than others, and the meals he sent were also exquisite.He has no appetite, and is often sent out without taking a bite.From the first day he entered Dali Temple to today, no one interrogated him or listened to his defense.He didn't even have a chance to detail what happened that day.There is no trial, let alone torture, but it is not necessarily a good thing.Because it means giving up, which means that there is no chance to reverse the situation.It also means that he will always be imprisoned for the crime he never committed.

Those who were escorted into Dali Temple with Mu Yan that day were also the entourage he led when he was hunting.No one had spoken to Mu Yan in the past ten days, so he naturally knew nothing about the situation outside.There is no skylight in the prison, only the torches on the walls are burning day and night.Even though the prison was illuminated brightly, it was still as terrifying as purgatory on earth.He couldn't even distinguish between day and night here, coupled with the complete loneliness for more than ten days, he had already experienced the power of despair.It turns out that loneliness is the real torture, if he stays like this again, he is afraid that he will really be driven crazy by the appalling despair.This kind of endlessness can easily overwhelm people, leaving them with no energy left to wait quietly for the light.

I don't know how long I can last.

The author has something to say:

☆, 42. Waves (1)

42, wave treacherous (1)

Another day, Dali Temple Prison.

Mu Yanben curled up in the corner of the cell, not sure if he was asleep or awake, when suddenly footsteps came from outside the iron door of the cell, followed by the iron door being slowly pushed open.A ray of fire suddenly penetrated into the dark cell, causing a slight pain in the eyes.Mu Yan just pretended it was another jailer delivering food, so he didn't look up.

After a while, the ray of light has not dissipated.Mu Yan opened his eyes slightly, only to see a pair of spotless black satin official boots standing in front of his eyes.This person... is not an ordinary jailer.He slightly raised his eyes to look at the man, who was wearing a round-neck official uniform with a jade belt around his waist.Judging from his clothes, he should be a third-rank official in the court.

Seeing that Mu Yan was silent for a long time, the man bent down and glanced at him casually to make sure that he was still awake.Then he looked back at the jailer guarding the door, and said, "Marquis Zhongning is honorable and noble, do you have good hospitality these days? Could it be that you have been imprisoned for more than ten days, and you are stupid for being imprisoned by Lord Hou?"

Hearing the words, the jailer hurriedly replied: "I don't dare to dare. For more than ten days, I have obeyed Mr. Zhao's orders."

Mu Yan supported the wall and stood up.The complete loneliness for dozens of days has already made him doubt whether he has lost the ability to talk to people.He turned his throat awkwardly, and said slowly: "You... who are you?"

The man didn't lie to him either: "My next official is Dali Temple Qing Zhao Lu."

Mu Yan's expression changed, and he couldn't tell whether it was excitement or disappointment, "Then why didn't you interrogate me these days? What are you here today... and what are you going to do?"

Zhao Lu didn't answer him directly, but smiled slightly, and asked instead: "Marquis Zhongning has been imprisoned here for more than ten days, completely isolated from the outside world. Don't you want to know the current situation outside? There is nothing you want to ask the next official?"

Mu Yan was taken aback for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty...how is your majesty doing now? Also, those followers of my mansion who were brought in with me, how are they...how are they now?"

Zhao Lu saw that he was still thinking about those people when things came to an end, and smiled sarcastically: "'People do not do it for themselves, heaven and earth will perish' - I wonder if you have heard this saying? How did you come here for so many years?" He took two steps, shook his head and sighed: "Forget it—that's why I came here today." After finishing speaking, he took out a small stack of confessions from his pocket and handed it over.

Mu Yan hesitated, but reached out to take it.It was found that this was the confession of those followers in his house.He flipped through the past, and some of these people admitted that they were ordered by him to bribe the gatekeeper boy of the Ye Mansion, and some even admitted that they secretly prepared poison to poison the arrows under his orders... Zhang Zhang confessed to identify him crimes are different.But this alone is enough to put him to death, making him speechless, and forever.

He hadn't read half of these confessions yet, his hands were shaking badly, and his breathing was a little disordered.No one in the cell spoke, and the sound of the iron chains clinking on his hands was particularly loud.He closed his eyes and said in a trembling voice: "They have been in my house these days, I know them well. I have never ordered them to do these things. They will never point out that I have done it...they...now all Where?"

Zhao Lu snorted coldly, and said with a smile: "Oh, there has never been anything that 'will never' happen in this world. As for whether you have ordered them to do those things, the emperor and the empress dowager have their own sacred judgment. These people , and now they have all committed suicide in fear of crime. But they are all humble and crude people, why should Hou take it to heart?"

There was a rumble in Mu Yan's mind, and he shook his head and muttered: "Impossible... What is wrong with them? How could they commit suicide... You must have done something in it!" Suddenly, he seemed to remember Like something, he grabbed Zhao Lu's skirt, and his face turned pale in an instant: "Where's Wen Cheng?! Is he still alive?..."

Zhao Lu frowned, pulled away his hand on his official robe, and looked back at the jailer at the door questioningly.

The jailer understood, and hurriedly replied: "There is a fool, who seems to be called Wen Cheng after asking his name, and he refuses to be identified by the signature. Mr. Zhao has ordered that if he does not record a statement, he will not be executed, so ..."

"Enough!" Zhao Lu waved his hand impatiently.After thinking about it, he suddenly snorted coldly, "A few more people will be passed on and interrogated in turn. No matter how hard his mouth is, I must find a way to pry it open for the officer, and we must get his confession out."

Mu Yan's eyes became hot, and a soreness welled up in his nose in an instant.In this way, they must have used a severe punishment on Wen Cheng.It turned out that it was not he who suffered the most in the past ten days, but those who followed him faithfully.He firmly believed that they were by no means greedy for life and afraid of death, and they must have been tortured and signed the confession helplessly.Mu Yan fought back the tears in his eyes, but he still couldn't control the pain in his chest.I don't know where the strength came from, but he tore up a pile of confessions and threw them in Zhao Lu's face.Pieces of paper fell all over the ground like flying snowflakes.A hint of coldness suddenly flashed in his dim eyes, "Human life is so trivial to you? You forced them to death, how can you feel at ease when you dream back at midnight, and you are not afraid that they will seek your life? The law of heaven is clear, and the law of the country How could you allow you to behave like this?!"

Zhao Lu was finally enraged by his words, and slapped him severely, knocking him to the ground.He took another step forward and squeezed his chin to force him to look at him, "What I have done can't be judged by an emperor's spoiled pet! Also, do you think that the only statement you tore up is the one you just tore up?" Is it? Those people, even if they come to ask for their lives, they will not be able to take my life. It is not me who killed them, but you!"

Mu Yan was horrified when he heard this.The half of the cheek that was beaten was numb at first, and then there was a burst of burning pain.When I heard the words "the emperor's pampering", my mind suddenly went blank.He froze in place, he wanted to say that the emperor never regarded him as a prostitute.He opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't say a word.I only saw Zhao Lu's mouth opening and closing, but I couldn't hear what he was saying, and I didn't know where I was.

Looking at the crimson fingerprints on his face, Zhao Lu smiled contemptuously.He took out a painting and calligraphy from his sleeve and shook it in front of his eyes.Mu Yan immediately recognized that this painting was exactly the one he and Yi Lan had painted together - in the painting, the two stood hugging each other, looking at each other and smiling.There is also an inscription next to the painting, "Better than ducks and not envious of immortals".He originally wanted to keep this painting as a reminder for himself after leaving the palace, but now it has become a proof of his crime.

The author has something to say: Zhao Lu should be the first person in the world to slap Mu Yan????﹏?

☆, 42. Waves (2)

42, wave treacherous (2)

Zhao Lu held the painting in his hand, and a smile slowly appeared on his face: "Tell me, if this painting is in the hands of the Empress Dowager or those censors, what will happen to the emperor's reputation? Those censors don't think about it. They are merciful. Their only purpose is to persuade the emperor to be a wise king, and he must not lose his virtue. Do you know the current situation in the court? The courtiers outside who are friendly with Mr. Ye are desperately writing letters, just to ask the emperor to punish you severely There are 240 copies of the book. These people have already submitted your confession. As for how long can the emperor give you the excuse of "the case is under trial"? Tsk tsk, Zhong Ninghou, are you sincere to the emperor? Because of you, in the annals of future generations, it is recorded that the emperor broke the law for the sake of saving a mere pamper, completely disregarding the deadly advice of his loyal ministers—oh, what kind of reputation is that?"

These few words of Zhao Lu directly hit the pain in his heart, causing tears to burst out of his eyes.It turns out that Yilan is still trying her best to save him, fighting against hundreds of courtiers and rules of etiquette with her own strength.He couldn't help him with anything, but instead it became the obstacle for him to become a wise king through the ages...

Everything is his fault, because he is too self-righteous and thinks he can turn things around.From handing over the blank handbook, to bringing Abi back to the mansion to calm public opinion, to being imprisoned today and asking him to rescue him...all of these are his fault.Then maybe the only thing he should do now is to leave.Suddenly, I felt like I was walking among thorn bushes. Every time I took a step, I was scratched all over by the thorns on both sides, but I could only move forward and could not go back.If he left, it would make Yi Lan less embarrassing, he would die without regret.

Zhao Lu seemed very satisfied with his reaction, and said with a smile: "But please don't worry, Lord Hou. After all, the crime of murdering an important court official is no more serious than treason. .At most, it’s a beheading for public display. It’s not painful at all.”

Mu Yan slowly closed his eyes, smiled sadly and burst into tears as he said, "I know what to do. You let Wen Cheng go, and my confession will satisfy you."

Zhao Lu clapped his hands and said with a smile: "It is said that 'one who understands the current affairs is a brilliant man' - from this point of view, Lord Hou is really a smart man. I will wait for good news from Lord Hou when the time comes. Let the one named Wen Cheng go." He turned and went out, and then told the prison guard at the door: "Send a few more people to watch the night, and treat Zhongning Hou well." Then he left the cell.

Haishi, Weiyang Palace.

Yi Lan is reviewing the papers before the case, and the dinner has been on hand for a long time, but she can't find time to use it.Right now, he was facing nearly [-] papers requesting the punishment of Marquis Zhong Ning. He held the ink pen and read it for nearly half an hour but couldn't approve a single word.If he agrees, Mu Yan will be punished according to the national law, and he will be punished with death; but if he does not approve, it will be impossible to justify it on the minister's side.How long can the reason of "the case is under trial at Dali Temple" used a few days ago be supported?Even if that person made his own claim, this love had already penetrated into his blood and took root in his heart. How could he just watch him die?

It was almost three o'clock now, and there were rustling sounds outside the palace gate, and then Eunuch An entered the palace gate, knelt down and said, "This old servant sees the emperor. Your Majesty Wanan."

Yilan kept moving her hands: "Well, get up. How did you find out about that matter?"

Eunuch An bowed and said: "The old servant has personally checked it according to the emperor's order, and it really is as the emperor expected. The entourage brought by the Marquis of Zhongning that day, although those people at Dali Temple committed suicide in fear of crime, but before they died They have all been tortured. The confessions presented by the Dali Temple may have been tortured under severe torture."

Yilan was startled, and stood up from her seat: "What?! Then... did he suffer in prison?"

Eunuch An naturally knew who this "he" was referring to, and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Marquis Zhongning is still a Marquis after all, and he was treated courteously in Dali Temple. The people in Dali Temple just locked him up, never torture him."

Yi Lan sat back on the dragon seat, nodded slowly and said: "Then... that's good..."

Eunuch An looked at this master whom he had served from childhood to adulthood, and he couldn't help sighing silently. He had personally watched him step by step from an unknown prince to today's throne.It's just that in the past twenty years, other than this Marquis of Zhong Ning, who has ever been involved in his master's feelings like this?

After being in a daze for a while, Yi Lan said again: "I remember, the current Minister of Dali Temple is Zhao Lu who was a Jinshi in Yixi's 23rd year, right?"

Eunuch An nodded, "It is indeed him."

Yi Lan suddenly sneered, and said: "Under heavy punishment, there must be unjust cases. This Zhao Lu is quite courageous. Not only did he use the punishment, but he also made it clear that he wanted to kill people after getting the confession. Dare to disobey. Don't make a fuss, tell a few people to prepare smaller shoulders, and I will personally go to Dali Temple to interrogate him!"

Eunuch An couldn't help being taken aback, "Your Majesty, it's already the third watch, and it's cold outside. You'd better rest early. Is there anything that can't be retried tomorrow?"

Yilan stood up, Eunuch An rushed forward to help, he shook his head and said: "There is no need to persuade. Right now, prepare the sedan chair and go to Dali Temple."

Even though Eunuch An was worried, he knew he couldn't persuade the emperor, so he had to follow the order to prepare the sedan chair.

Now, the imperial sedan chair has been traveling in the direction of Dali Temple for nearly a stick of incense, and Eunuch An follows the sedan chair step by step.Yi Lan was resting in the sedan chair with her eyes closed, but she felt that the sedan chair stopped suddenly.He opened his eyes and raised the curtain, and asked, "Why did the sedan chair stop?"

Eunuch An showed embarrassment, "Go back to the emperor. In front..."

Yilan felt strange, and poked her head out of the sedan chair.I saw a little eunuch staggering over with a palace lantern in front of him, kneeling pale and proclaiming: "Your Majesty! There is news from Dali Temple that...it is said that Mr. Zhao, Minister of Dali Temple, is in front of a stick of incense. Accidentally slipped and drowned and died!"

Yi Lan was secretly startled, after a moment of stunned, she put down the car curtain, and said in a deep voice: "Send someone to investigate this matter immediately. Go back to Weiyang Palace."

Eunuch An bowed his head in response, and then ordered the sedan chair to be picked up.Seeing the emperor's face covered with frost, the little eunuchs carrying the sedan chair kept silent.Carry the imperial sedan chair carefully, not daring to make any mistakes.

In the swaying sedan chair, Yilan vaguely felt that something was wrong with this matter.If it hadn't been deliberately arranged by someone, how could it be possible that Lord Ye would have been reported to the Empress Dowager just after the accident happened that night?Although Mr. Ye has been an official for more than [-] years, he has never formed private cliques in the court.Then who is behind the scenes to make the ministers complain for Mr. Ye, so that the six ministries and nine ministers jointly signed a letter requesting the severe punishment of Zhong Ninghou?Also, why did Zhao Lu, who was in charge of hearing the case, suddenly drowned and died just as I was about to drive to Dali Temple to investigate in person?Is everything really so coincidental, or is someone manipulating the situation behind it?

If the latter, it would be really difficult.This person can not only buy people around him to be eyeliner, but also make all the officials write a letter to work for him.At any time, he can assassinate a third-rank minister (Dali Temple Qingzheng third-rank) without any effort.From this point of view, this person should not be underestimated regardless of his financial resources, power, or strategy.So who is this person?What is his purpose in doing this?

The author has something to say:

☆, 43. Liu Dan

43. Flow Dan

The next day, in the early morning, there were dense clouds outside the hall, and it started to rain in a short while.

In Weiyang Palace, Yilan holds a vermilion pen in her hand, looking at the criminal confession presented by Dali Temple a few days ago, fascinated.At this time, Eunuch An crept in and reminded: "Your Majesty, it's time to eat. Do you want to pass the meal in now?"

Yi Lan said lightly: "Yes. Let's let it pass in."

Eunuch An responded and was about to retreat.Yi Lan suddenly stopped her: "Wait. Go and invite the Empress Dowager here, and say that I have something to discuss with the Empress Dowager."

In just a cup of tea, the Empress Dowager has already been invited over.As soon as she entered the palace, Yi Lan stepped forward to support her, "I pay my respects to the emperor's grandmother. Please trouble the emperor's grandmother to run this trip on a rainy day."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "It's okay. Does the Emperor have something important to discuss with Ai's family?"

Yi Lan nodded slightly, then looked at Eunuch An.Eunuch An immediately understood, and drove all the palace officials out of Weiyang Palace. He also closed the palace door and retreated outside to wait.

Yi Lan helped the Empress Dowager to the seat, pondered for a while, and said: "Last night, after my minister approved the memorial, I wanted to go to Dali Temple in person. But, does the emperor know what happened at Dali Temple last night?" thing?"

The Empress Dowager looked calm and asked, "What's the big deal? The Ai family hasn't heard about it yet."

"Last night Dali Temple Minister Zhao Lu stumbled and drowned and died - the incident happened at the time when I decided to drive to Dali Temple. I suspect that someone has planted a spy next to me."

The Empress Dowager's expression gradually tightened: "You mean, Zhao Lu's death was not an accident?"

Yi Lan nodded slowly and sighed.Then he told the Empress Dowager carefully about the doubts he had last night.

After he finished speaking, the Empress Dowager only looked up at the roof as if she was thinking about something.After a long time, he opened his mouth and said: "From the perspective of Ai's family, it's not that you worry too much about this matter. Ai's family has also paid attention to what you said. Everything is so coincidental that it really seems to be instigated by people. This person has been in the court. It seems that there is no way to get rid of the power that you installed yourself. It’s just that Zhao Lu is dead, and those who witnessed the accident in the Ye Mansion were all silenced, so there is no way to start this case. How does the emperor plan to try it?”

"Since the matter started with Marquis Zhong Ning, I wonder if we can start the trial with him as well?"

The Empress Dowager nodded, "This plan can be implemented. Then call Zhongninghou to the palace now, and the Ai family and the emperor will come to interrogate in person. It is just to prevent someone from obstructing it."

Mu Yan was escorted out of Dali Temple by two jailers.He originally asked where he was going to take him, but the two prison guards didn't seem to hear it, and just escorted him along the way without expression.Seeing this, he lowered his head and didn't ask any more questions.

After walking forward for a while, a mist of tears slowly appeared in Mu Yan's eyes.But in his heart he was a little rejoiced, fortunately it was a rainy day, and others couldn't tell whether it was rain or tears on his face.He has recognized that this road leads to Weiyang Palace.In fact, he is very familiar with this road, remembering that he often went to Weiyang Palace to look for him, even if he just glanced at his handsome figure from a distance, he felt satisfied in his heart.Now that he was walking on this road again, only the sound of handshakes and fetters colliding with each other reminded him of his current status as a guilty minister.

"Things are things and people are not doing everything, and tears flow first when you want to speak."——Is it about his current situation?

Bypassing the dragon-patterned screen wall in front of Weiyang Palace, he was pushed and shoved into the palace gate.Yuanyuan saw Yilan and the Empress Dowager sitting on the dragon throne in front of the hall, but they were too far away to see their expressions clearly, only that person's heroic figure remained the same as before.Mu Yan knelt down on the ground, and kowtowed deeply: "For criminals, see the emperor's long life, and the empress dowager's thousand years."

The Empress Dowager opened her eyes to look at him, but she didn't let him lie down, and said: "Marquis Zhongning, today the Ai family and the emperor will personally try your case. Next, if the Ai family and the emperor ask you, you must answer truthfully. Otherwise, it is the crime of deceiving the emperor. Do you understand?"

"The guilty minister understands. Thank you, Your Majesty, and the Empress Dowager Long En."

"Well, Aijia asks you, what did Zhao Lu say to you during the days when you were imprisoned in Dali Temple?"

Mu Yan lowered his eyes and said in a low voice: "Back to the Empress Dowager, Mr. Zhao...has never said anything to the guilty minister."

Yi Lan saw that his head was bowed, his hair was stuck to his face by the rain, which made his complexion pale.He took a light breath and said: "You can tell what grievances you have here, don't lie, I and the empress dowager will have a fair trial."

Mu Yan closed his eyes and kowtowed deeply again.He didn't know how far the lie that he used his life to complete was far from the truth, but he still insisted: "The criminal dare not lie. Lord Ye used to criticize the criminal's words and deeds, and the criminal would hold grudges in his heart. That day, after hunting He shot and killed Master Ye. Master Ye’s death caused the turmoil in the court, and the criminals will die.”

Yi Lan was stunned immediately, for some reason he interrogated him personally, but he still refused to tell the whole story, and just bowed his head and pleaded guilty.Could it be that he no longer trusts himself? ...Yi Lan slowly clenched her left hand under the table. If the Empress Dowager wasn't here, she would almost go up to him, stare into his eyes and ask him again why he refused to confess the truth?

At this moment, there was silence in the hall. After thinking for a moment, the Empress Dowager said lightly: "The Ai family just sent people to Dali Temple to investigate. On the day when the accident happened in the Ye Mansion, one of the followers you brought did not commit suicide in fear of crime. Do you know ?”

Mu Yan suddenly raised his head, facing the empress dowager's cold eyes.He hastily said: "All the crimes belong to the guilty minister alone, and have nothing to do with him! I beg the Empress Dowager to spare his life!"

When Yi Lan heard this, she couldn't help feeling a sudden pain in her heart.How did it come to this time that he was thinking of her?The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, and said with a smile: "You are not yet married, but you are deeply in love. Someone, bring her to the palace!"

Mu Yan was taken aback for a moment. Could it be that the Empress Dowager wasn't talking about Wen Cheng?He tried his best to turn his head to look at the person who came, and couldn't help saying in surprise: "Abi?!"

The two people holding Abi let go of her, and she walked to Mu Yan's side, and gently wiped the rainwater off his face under Mu Yan's surprised gaze.She was originally ordered by the noble concubine to come to identify the crimes committed by Zhong Ninghou.It's just that when she was outside the palace just now, when she heard him begging the Empress Dowager to spare her life in panic, she felt a sudden pain in her heart.It was she who caused him to be convicted. From being rich in the past to being mercilessly thrown on the ground in a prison uniform today, doesn't he remember her?

Mu Yan raised his eyes to look at Abi. She was wearing a pure white gauze dress, with makeup on her face, and her hair was neatly combed.It doesn't look like she came out of prison like this.He stood up and wanted to ask clearly, but the voice of the Empress Dowager came from above his head: "Aijia remembers your name is Abi? Aijia asked you, did you see the Marquis of Zhongning throwing poisonous arrows with your own eyes on the day you went hunting? Shoot at Lord Ye?"

Abi got up and stood up, then smiled sadly.She turned her head and stared at Mu Yan, as if she wanted to have a panoramic view of his face.Then strode decisively towards Yi Lan and the Empress Dowager.Mu Yan's whole body shuddered, she couldn't figure out what she wanted to do, but it vaguely felt like a farewell.Before she stepped onto the golden steps, she exclaimed in shock: "Abi! What are you doing?!"

On the golden steps, the sword guards beside the Empress Dowager hurriedly stood in front of Abi, pulled the sword out of the scabbard, pointed the tip at her, and shouted: "Presumptuous! Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager!" How rude in front of the empress dowager!"

Abi paused and turned her head slowly.But in an instant, she had tears streaming down her face.She had done so much to him, and now it was finally time to apologize to him.She finally smiled at Mu Yan, and then took a sudden step forward to hold the blade, and stabbed the sword hard into her heart.The guard was shocked when he saw this, and hurriedly grabbed his sword back.It's just that Abi has already embraced the mentality of mortal death, and a series of actions...