Women Wearing Men: The Growth Path of the Bastards of the Aristocratic Family

"...All the subordinate officials in the East Palace have been interrogated, and many have been tortured, but they still haven't found out anything. They only said that they and the prince were both wronged and had nothing to do with the tiger in the hunting ground hurting people."

In the emperor's palace, after several days of recuperation, Emperor Jingfeng's face turned increasingly pale. He forced himself to stand up and listen to Feiyu Wei's report.

After listening to Feiyuwei's story, Emperor Jingfeng's eyes were dim and he didn't know what he was thinking. After a while, he said again: "...Where is that beast? Did you find out anything?"

Feiyu Wei said: "We haven't found out the news about the person behind the tiger yet, but I have invited someone who specializes in training wild beasts to take a look. He said that the tiger that injured people in the hunting ground that day had bright fur and a strong body. It didn't look like the one in the forest. A solitary beast should have been raised by someone."

This shows that the tiger's injury was not an accident, but was planned by people from beginning to end. However, it is not yet certain who is behind it.

Emperor Jingfeng waved his hand without saying a word, signaling the Feiyu Guards to retreat, and then fell silent.Cheng Yan beside him lowered his eyebrows and quietly stirred the hot medicinal soup in the bowl for him, saying nothing for a while.

After a long time, Emperor Jingfeng suddenly said: "Cheng Yan, do you think the prince would want to murder me?"

Cheng Yan paused for a moment, then continued to carefully cool the medicinal soup, placed it on the small table in front of Emperor Jingfeng, and said calmly: "I don't dare to speak nonsense."

Emperor Jingfeng's eyes were blazing, and he consciously saw through his mind, and smiled: "You and Gu Yunji are good friends. Are you afraid that if something happens to the prince, Gu Yunji, as an official of the East Palace, will be implicated? Don't worry, Gu Yunji has made a contribution to saving the prince. It's the court. I know his loyalty."

"I am not going to implicate innocent people because of this matter. The reason why I ask you is to hear your opinion. If you just say it doesn't matter, I will pardon your innocence."

Cheng Yan lowered his gaze and said: "... After sorting out the cause and effect of the whole incident, His Royal Highness is indeed suspicious. All the signs point to him, but there is no conclusive evidence to prove that he did it. .”

"If this matter is transferred to the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and the three judicial departments are ordered to conduct a joint trial, and the procedures are carried out in a compliant and reasonable manner, it is very likely that the prince and all the officials of the East Palace will be acquitted in the end due to insufficient evidence chain."

Emperor Jingfeng's eyes flashed and he said in a deep voice, "Do you think the prince is innocent?"

Cheng Yan didn't reply. He just pushed the medicine bowl on the small table in front of Emperor Jingfeng: "Your Majesty, it's time to drink the medicine. If you don't drink it, it will get cold."

Emperor Jingfeng glanced at him twice, but still didn't say anything. He picked up the medicine bowl and took a sip.

Seeing that Emperor Jingfeng's attention was diverted, Cheng Yan said calmly: "Whether His Highness the Crown Prince is innocent or not, it is useless for me to say, it must be judged by the adults of the Ministry of Punishments. I just feel that... the Crown Prince did not do this. reason."

Emperor Jingfeng instantly raised his eyes and looked at him: "Why?"

Cheng Yan said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent and the future heir to the country of Daxia. In the past ten years since he was established as Crown Prince, he has been disciplined, diligent, motivated and studious. He has a harmonious relationship with Your Majesty and has been praised by everyone in the government and the public... I feel that he has not taken the risk of murder. Your necessity.”

After all, it was well known that Emperor Jingfeng was in poor health, and Li Jinze's position as prince was unshakable. Whether he ascended to the throne a few years earlier or a few years later made no difference to him.Emperor Jingfeng naturally understood this truth, but he still couldn't let go of the doubts in his heart: "... But people can change. The prince is about to be eighteen. He is no longer an ignorant and innocent age. Sometimes I can't guess him. What are you thinking about?"

"Some time ago, he supervised the country for more than two months. He took charge of all major affairs of the government and managed the government in an orderly manner. I never knew he had such ability... What if he gets a taste of power from it? , so you can’t bear to let go?”

Power is really the most tempting thing in the world, and Emperor Jingfeng knew this very well.

In the past, when he was still in Prince Zhao's Mansion, he only wanted to be the prince of his clan peacefully, without the slightest thought of overstepping his bounds.However, since the late emperor died without a son, he was embraced by the ministers like a pie in the sky and became the most powerful person in the Ninth Five-Year Plan.

From then on, he quickly learned the common problems of all kings without any teacher - being suspicious, wanting to hold power firmly in his hands, and not allowing others to interfere in the slightest.

What if Li Jinze is like him?Under the gaze of the king's father, the prince who has been trembling for many years is walking on thin ice, fearing that he will make a mistake.Once he temporarily occupied the position of supervising the country and had a glimpse of the peak of power, it was like eating the marrow and knowing the taste, and he could never let go.

What's more... Emperor Jingfeng thought that he was not very kind to Li Jinze, and even owed him a lot. He favored his second son Li Jinche. Over time, Li Jinze inevitably felt resentment in his heart, so he wanted to murder him and steal the throne as soon as possible. , which makes sense.

Emperor Jingfeng used himself to save others and helped Li Jinze perfect the motive and logic of murdering his father. The more he thought about it, the more fearful and panicked he became. There seemed to be a mass of depression in his heart that could not be dissipated for a long time.

Cheng Yan glanced at Emperor Jingfeng's expression and easily guessed what the latter was thinking.A very slight sarcasm flashed in his eyes, so light that it was almost impossible to catch it. The next moment, he returned to his respectful look, making people wonder if it was an illusion.

Cheng Yan's gentle voice gradually brought Emperor Jingfeng back from his thoughts: "...I don't know whether His Highness the Crown Prince is reluctant to let go of his power. I only know that everyone in the court knows that the Crown Prince is generous and very patient, unlike He is an impatient person.”

The prince is not the King of Wu. He wants to get whatever he sees immediately. Even if he wants to be in the throne, as long as he keeps his mentality and waits, it will be his one day.

After hearing this, Emperor Jingfeng felt that this was indeed the truth. He was suddenly startled and suddenly raised his head to look at Cheng Yan - Cheng Yan was hinting to him that his body was weak and his days were numbered, and Li Jinze would soon be the king. Is it?

Emperor Jingfeng looked at Cheng Yan in surprise and uncertainty, but saw that the other party's expression was calm and there was nothing strange about him.He also wondered if he was overthinking it. How could Cheng Yan, who had served him loyally for so many years, make innuendoes at him on such a matter?

However, the inexplicable panic in his heart could not be suppressed no matter what. Emperor Jingfeng calmed down and ordered: "...Cheng Yan, go and get me two pills refined by Warlock Lan."

Cheng Yan nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I wanted to report to you earlier that since you were ill and bedridden, all the princes in the court have been verbally criticizing the Lan Warlock, thinking that his elixirs harmed you, and clamoring to have him imprisoned and executed in Lingchi. Warlock Lan felt that he really couldn't stay any longer, so he resigned and left the palace a few days ago."

"However, before Warlock Lan left, he recommended his junior brother, saying that his moral conduct is not inferior to his. From now on, his junior brother will serve His Majesty."

Under Cheng Yan's introduction, a young man with a handsome face and fair skin walked out and bowed deeply to Emperor Jingfeng: "I am a poor man, Bai Shiji, and I would like to see your Majesty." (End of this chapter)