The curtain rises (1)

Now the palace has become a place of trouble, and no foreign officials are allowed to enter. Naturally, the princes, princesses, and concubines in the palace cannot summon foreign officials.

So Princess Huaiqing has something to tell me? Xu Qi'an immediately followed the head guard, mounted his beloved mare, and hurried to Huaiqing's residence.

Huaiqing Prefecture was located in the highest and most heavily guarded area of the imperial city.

This area contains the residences of the royal family and princes and princesses from Lin'an, making it a place of great importance second only to the imperial palace.

"I am, after all, the presiding officer in the Chuzhou case. Although I am not currently at the center of the storm, I am still one of the main people involved. Why would Huaiqing contact me at this time? It's definitely not because we haven't seen each other for a long time and he misses me terribly."

To be honest, this was Xu Qi'an's first time in Huaiqing Prefecture. On the other hand, he had been to the Second Princess's residence many times. If it weren't for the fact that there were too many spies around and it was against the rules, Xu Qi'an could have gotten a private room in Lin'an Prefecture.

The layout of Huaiqing Prefecture is the same as that of Lin'an Prefecture, but it is generally quiet and elegant, with a sense of tranquility in everything from the plants to the furnishings in the courtyard.

In the spacious and bright reception room, Xu Qi'an met Huaiqing, a woman as elegant as a snow lotus, whom he had not seen for a long time.

She wore a plain palace dress with a light yellow gauze over it, simple yet not plain. Her jet-black hair was half loose and half tied up in a bun, adorned with a jade hairpin and a gold hair ornament.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful yet three-dimensional; her eyebrows were long and straight, and her eyes were large, bright, and deep, like a clear pool in autumn.

Your Highness!

Xu Qi'an clasped his hands in greeting, intending to ask her with a smile if she liked the seal he had given her. However, he lost his teasing mood and took a seat at Huaiqing's prompting.

"Tell me the details of the Northern Frontier." Huaiqing's expression was indifferent, but his brows and eyes were slightly solemn and gloomy, and he seemed to have no interest in talking or laughing.

Xu Qi'an then recounted in detail what had happened in Chuzhou.

After listening, Huaiqing remained silent for a long time, her beautiful face showing no emotion, before softly saying, "Come with me for a walk in the courtyard."

The princess's residence had a large back garden. The two walked side by side without speaking, but the atmosphere was not awkward. There was a sense of peace and harmony, like old friends reuniting.

"Father is mistaken. Prince Huai is first and foremost a prince, and only secondly a military man. In life, the higher one's position, the more one should consider the place one sits. This is the foundation of one's character."

After a long silence, Huaiqing sighed and said, "Therefore, the Prince of Huai deserved to die, even though the Great Feng lost a top-tier warrior as a result."

And what about your father? Did he also deserve to die?

Xu Qi'an said softly, "Your Highness is very righteous."

Huaiqing shook her head, a look of melancholy appearing on her beautiful face. She said softly, "What does this have to do with righteousness? It's just that my blood hasn't cooled. I'm very disappointed in my father."

Just as Xu Qi'an was about to speak, he suddenly received a telepathic message from Huaiqing: "Father's seclusion in the palace is not out of cowardice, but rather a strategic move."

Princess Huaiqing's cultivation is quite profound; to transmit her voice, one must reach the Spirit Refining Realm. She has been keeping a low profile all along. Xu Qi'an was taken aback and transmitted a voice back to ask:

"Strategy?"

Huaiqing nodded slowly and explained telepathically, "Have you noticed who left, who came, and who was just watching the spectacle among the civil officials who were blocking the palace gates these past three days?"

Xu Qi'an was speechless.

Huaiqing glanced at him and continued to transmit his voice:

When news of the massacre of the city by the Prince of Huai reached the capital, no scholar, whether treacherous or virtuous, whether indignant or seeking fame, could remain unmoved. At this time, public sentiment was at its peak, the tide was at its fiercest. Therefore, the Emperor avoided the limelight and stayed in the palace.

"However, the first effort is powerful, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted. Only when the officials have calmed down, when some have achieved their goals and gained fame, and when other voices emerge in officialdom, will it be time for Father to truly engage in a power struggle with them. And that day will not be far off; I guarantee it will be within three days."

After saying that, she let out a "heh," a sound that seemed both mocking and disdainful, "Right now, rumors are flying all over the capital, the people are filled with shock and anger, and everyone from all walks of life is talking about it. At first glance, it seems like an overwhelming trend. However, Father Emperor's real opponents are only in the court, not those commoners and laborers."

Xu Qi'an frowned and said in a deep voice, "But the Prince of Huai has ultimately massacred the city. He must give an explanation to everyone and to the people of the world."

Huaiqing sighed pessimistically, "Let's see how Chief Minister Wang and Duke Wei make their moves."

In the somber atmosphere, Xu Qi'an changed the subject. "Your Highness once studied at the Cloud Deer Academy. Have you ever heard of a book called ' The Great Zhou Anecdotes'?"

Huaiqing thought carefully, then shook his head and said, "I've never heard of it."

On this day, the indignant civil officials still failed to break into the palace, nor did they see Emperor Yuanjing. After dusk, they dispersed.

But the civil officials did not give up. They agreed to come back the next day, and if Emperor Yuanjing did not give them an explanation, they would paralyze the entire court.

On this very day, dissenting voices indeed emerged in official circles.

Some people worriedly raised a question, "The massacre of the city by the Prince of Zhenbei is known to everyone. Where is the imperial court's authority? The people of the world must be extremely disappointed in the imperial family and the court."

The Prince of Zhenbei is His Majesty's younger brother, a prince of the first rank, not an ordinary prince.

At the same time, he was also the God of Great Feng and the guardian of the northern border in the hearts of the people.

Such a person, for his own selfish gain, massacred an entire city!

The aftermath of this incident was that the people lost trust in the imperial court, the royal family lost face, and the people lost all support.

Can the simple statement "The Prince of Zhenbei has been executed" truly heal the wounds in the hearts of the people?

This is completely different from executing corrupt officials.

For the past two decades, the image of the Prince of Zhenbei has been that of a towering and majestic figure, a god of war, a guardian of the northern border, and a prince of his generation.

How can corrupt officials compare? Killing corrupt officials only demonstrates the majesty of the court and the imperial family.

But if the royal family committed such a brutal act, would the people applaud it as if a corrupt official had been executed? No, their faith would crumble, and they would lose trust in the royal family and the court.

So this is what the Prince of Zhenbei, whom we sing praises and admire, was like.

It could even trigger a more extreme reaction.

On the same day, the Crown Prince was assassinated in his palace after dusk.

That night, the palace gates were locked, and the imperial guards searched the entire palace for the assassin, but to no avail.

The following day, the four gates of the capital were closed. Grand Secretary Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan mobilized the five guards, constables from the prefectural government, and Nightwatchers to search the entire city for the assassin.

Going from house to house.

The entire capital was in chaos.

"What does the Crown Prince have to do with this? How could he have been assassinated for no reason? Was it a coincidence, or part of a power struggle? If it's the latter, that's too tragic."

Upon hearing of this early in the morning, Xu Qi'an immediately went to see Wei Yuan, but Wei Yuan did not see him.

Left with no other choice, they went to the post station to discuss the matter with Zheng Xinghuai.

"Lord Zheng is out and not at the post station."

Li Han, carrying a horn bow, greeted Xu Qi'an as he entered the house and said in a deep voice:

"Recently, there have been some different voices in official circles, saying that the case of the Prince of Zhenbei massacring the city is very thorny, as it concerns the prestige of the court and the hearts of the people in various places, and needs to be treated with caution."

"Lord Zheng is very angry. He went out this morning, apparently to give a lecture at the Imperial Academy."

"Those are all the old emperor's trolls," Xu Qi'an sighed, somewhat admiring Emperor Yuanjing. He had played the game of power for so many years; although an incompetent emperor, he wasn't exactly muddle-headed.

He and Li Han rode together to the Imperial Academy.

From afar, one could see Provincial Governor Zheng standing outside the Imperial Academy, his expression filled with emotion and passion.

The sage said, "The people are the most important, the ruler is the least important."

"The Prince of Zhenbei, despite his status as a prince, slaughtered the people, treating them like livestock and lambs. He is truly the common enemy of us scholars."

"We scholars should strive for the well-being of the common people, establish virtue, perform meritorious deeds, Establishing Words. Therefore, I have returned to the capital, vowing to seek justice for the 380,000 people of Chuzhou City."

Was his action effective?

Of course it's useful. Some newly emerging Confucian scholars (academic Confucian scholars) like to preach in places like the Imperial Academy before they have become famous.

To disseminate one's academic ideas.

If one can gain the recognition of students and make a name for oneself, then establishing one's own school of thought will be a piece of cake.

Zheng Xinghuai was not spreading ideas; he was criticizing the Prince of Zhenbei and calling on students to join the criticism movement.

The effect is quite good. Scholars, especially young students, are full of ambition and passion, and are much more genuine than seasoned officials.

Throughout history, those who cause trouble and hold demonstrations have mostly been young people.

"Didn't anyone stop it?" Xu Qi'an asked.

Li Han shook his head.

This doesn't make sense, Xu Qi'an frowned.

He waited patiently by the roadside until Zheng Xinghuai finished venting his anger and returned with Shentu Baili and other guards. Only then did Xu Qi'an go to greet him.

"This is not the place to talk. Xu Yinluo, come back to the post station with me." Zheng Xinghuai's face was stern and serious, and he nodded slightly.

Back at the post station, Zheng Xinghuai led Xu Qi'an into the study. After Li Han served tea, this scholar, whose life had been full of ups and downs, looked at Xu Qi'an and said:

Is this the rumor circulating in official circles today?

"That's only one aspect. While he spread the rumors, there's some truth to them, so we must be wary," Xu Qi'an sighed.

"My main concern is the assassination of the Crown Prince."

Zheng Xinghuai pondered for a moment and said, "In this case, who has been the most proactive?"

Xu Qi'an was taken aback. "Duke Wei and Chief Minister Wang."

Zheng Xinghuai sat up straight and nodded, saying, "This matter was most likely planned by Duke Wei and Chief Minister Wang, but as for their purpose, I have no idea."

Huh? Duke Wei and Chief Minister Wang are planning to assassinate the Crown Prince?

The reason was something Xu Qi'an could never have imagined. What was the connection between the Crown Prince and this case?

After discussing for a long time, Zheng Xinghuai glanced at the drain in the room and said in a deep voice, "I still have to visit old friends in the capital and travel around, so I won't keep Xu Yinluo."

Xu Qi'an stood up and walked to the threshold when Zheng Xinghuai's voice came from behind him. "Xu Yinluo."

He looked back.

The scholar, whose back was gradually becoming hunched, tidied his graying hair at the temples and bowed, saying:

"A man's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I really like Xu Yinluo's half of the poem. On that day, I promised on the city wall that I would seek justice for the 300,000 people who died unjustly. Since I made the promise, I have no regrets."

"After this matter, I, Zheng, will resign and return to my hometown. I fear we will never meet again in this lifetime. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to you in advance."

Xu Qi'an turned around, his expression serious, and returned the greeting meticulously.

He opened the door, stepped out of the threshold, and took a few steps. From the room behind him came the sound of Zheng Xinghuai reciting:

"Young and chivalrous, he befriended heroes from five capitals. Their hearts were as one, their hair stood on end. In a single conversation, they would share life and death, and their promises were worth a thousand pieces of gold."

The world is full of troubles and noise. If one can retire gracefully after achieving success, leaving behind only a leisurely and carefree pastoral life, that would not be bad. Xu Qi'an smiled.

The Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yuanjing sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes half-closed, and said calmly, "Has the assassin been captured?"

The old eunuch shook his head and said respectfully, "No news has come."

If you can't catch it, then there's no need to catch it.

Emperor Yuan Jing opened his eyes, his smile was cold and stern, but his tone was emotional. "Only Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen in this court are interesting, and the others are not so good."

The old eunuch lowered his head, offering no comment and daring not to comment.

Emperor Yuanjing continued, "Send someone out of the palace to deliver a message to those on the list. There's no need to make a scene, but there's no need to be overly cautious either."

He paused, then continued, "Inform the cabinet that I will summon all officials to the Imperial Study tomorrow to discuss the Chuzhou case."

The old eunuch took a deep breath and said, "Yes!"

P. S.: You can support the little mare in the "Discover" section of the app, in the activity center. She/She is the first one listed. This is the most glorious moment of the little mare's life.