amaotonovel Chapter 640: Confrontation
Chapter 640: Confrontation
Chapter 640: Confrontation
In the main hall, Wang Xi hurried back to report.
Everyone saw the eunuch, who was the confidant of the current emperor, bowing beside Emperor Qianwu and whispering something. Emperor Qianwu had an unclear expression and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Zhao Qi stared at the direction of Emperor Qianwu. Although it was a bit excessive, it was in line with common sense.
Zhao Dechuan was so nervous that his jaw was clenched, fearing that the opportunity that the Marquis' Mansion had finally obtained would be wasted again.
Not long after, everyone saw Wang Xi presenting the puppet to the emperor on a tray, but everyone was in a low position and far away, so they couldn't see clearly what it was.
Everyone in the group had different thoughts until Wang Xi retreated behind Emperor Qianwu, looking normal.
Emperor Qianwu looked at the doll in his hand. The birth date on it was extremely clear, and it was obviously his birthday.
Emperor Qianwu looked straight at Zhao Qi, anger in his dark pupils.
"Zhao Qi! Take a good look at this for me! What is this?"
After saying this, Emperor Qianwu threw the doll pierced with silver needles down the jade steps. Prime Minister Qin was the first to pick it up, with a look of surprise on his face.
"This is unreasonable! This is simply unreasonable!"
"This is truly your Majesty's horoscope!"
"Eunuch Wang Xi, was this puppet really found in the Qingyuan Marquis's mansion?"
Wang Xi stepped forward and said, "In reply to Lord Chen, this item was indeed found under the old banyan tree in the Qingyuan Marquis's mansion, and many people saw it with their own eyes."
As soon as Wang Xi said this, many conservative monarchists were dissatisfied and immediately denounced Zhao Qi and Zhao Dechuan.
"Your Majesty, please understand! This was definitely not done by us!" Zhao Qi and Zhao Dechuan immediately knelt in the hall and spoke in a deep voice.
Lu Lun immediately said, "Lord Zhao, I am not being disrespectful to you. It's just that first there was a witness who pointed it out, and then there was physical evidence! How can you convince others with just one rebuttal?"
Xiao Heyu raised the corners of his eyes slightly, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his pair of romantic peach blossom eyes.
"Old Marquis, you said that this thing was not made by you, but there is no guarantee that it was not done by your family. What's more, the evidence is now conclusive. What else do you have to say?" Xiao Heyu said softly.
Zhao Qi knelt in the middle of the hall, his back straight, "This old minister has no reason to do this!"
Seeing this, Xiao Tingshan knew that his time to perform meritorious service had come, and he immediately stepped forward.
"No, old lord, you do."
Many people's eyes fell on Xiao Tingshan. Xiao Tingshan looked pale and walked with a limp.
"You were once loyal to the former Fourth Prince, who killed his brothers and sisters and attempted to rebel. He was later beheaded by His Majesty at the Dongxuan Gate. His Majesty was magnanimous and spared your entire family, but you harbored hatred and colluded with the remnants of the Fourth Prince to take control of the army and rebel!"
Every word Xiao Tingshan spoke was sonorous. Although he was weak, he still served as Xiao Heyu's spear.
Because he knew very well that if Xiao Heyu fell, it would not affect him too much.
But if he betrays his loyalty now, he will hardly be reused even if he defects to other princes in the future.
It would be better for him to build his own reputation by stepping on Xiao Heyu, and let others believe that even if he does not have the ability to strategize, he is loyal to his old master. Even if he is treated coldly, even if his old master is weak, he will risk his life to protect him and never leave him!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heyu indeed looked at him again.
This Xiao Tingshan was still somewhat useful at critical moments, but I don't know why he made so many stupid moves before.
Zhao Qi said angrily: "You fart!"
Although the Zhao family had Zhao Dechuan as the study companion of the late Second Prince, they were definitely not on the same side as the late Fourth Prince. These people are avoiding the important issue and confusing the Second Prince with the Fourth Prince. It is really hateful!
"Old Marquis Zhao, are you desperate?" Lu Lun said in a deep voice.
Zhao Qi said to Emperor Qianwu: "Your Majesty, please understand! If I have even the slightest intention of being disloyal, I am willing to be struck by lightning and torn into pieces by five horses! Moreover, the Marquis' Mansion has been quiet for many years. Now that I have gained your Majesty's trust, why should I seek death?"
Zhao Qi's words did calm Emperor Qianwu down.
It must be said that he was indeed furious when he first saw the puppet, but after the ministers refuted him, he gradually calmed down.
"Bring up all the Zhao family members!" Emperor Qianwu had a gloomy expression.
Soon, Madam Zhao and her entourage were escorted to the main hall. Emperor Qianwu glanced at them and turned to look at Wang Xi.
"How did they react when you found the puppet?"
"Reporting to your majesty, the old lady's eyes are full of shock, the eldest lady was frightened, and the younger ones were pale, as if... they were unaware of the situation." Wang Xi glanced at the jade steps below and spoke carefully.
Emperor Qianwu looked at Zhao Qi and said, "Zhao Qi, if you want to refute that it was not you who did it, then, is there anyone who is suspicious?"
Zhao Qi paused and shook his head: "I don't have it, but I would like to borrow this to have a look."
Qin Xiang was about to hand the puppet to Zhao Qi.
Xiao Heyu sneered in his heart. What would happen if he took a look? Now the evidence was irrefutable and the Marquis' Mansion was totally unprepared. How could they refute it?
What's more, even if the emperor trusts them, at least the head coach who is going to Yancheng this time must be replaced!
My mother said that my uncle had instructed that Zhao Qi must not be allowed to go. Although I don’t know the reason, Zhao Qi is indeed not a good choice for the Lu family!
Li Wei got Xiao Heyu's look and said, "How is it? Old Marquis, do you see anything?"
Lu Lun was afraid that his credit would be taken away, so he said, "Your Majesty, the three armies are ready to go, and the border war cannot be delayed. I suggest that the commander who is going to Yancheng this time should think carefully!"
Many people echoed, "That's right. I think it will take some time to find out the truth, but the war on the border can't wait!"
Emperor Qianwu did not respond, but looked at Zhao Qi: "Zhao Qi, how is it?"
Zhao Qi held the puppet with his rough fingers and looked at it repeatedly, then said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have never seen this puppet before, but I have been framed and I will never admit my guilt!"
Zhao Qi's tough attitude made many people stand up.
"Old Marquis, you can't just deny your guilt and try to prove your innocence. There is no such thing in this world!"
Prime Minister Qin said, "Your Majesty, I think this matter really needs further investigation, but the war on the border is urgent and the commander's matter does need to be considered."
Some court officials even said, "Perhaps it is a spy from the enemy country who wants to use this to pin down the two generals of Daqian and make the border war more tense."
Xiao Yuncheng's people also stood up and said, "Not entirely. Maybe some people don't want Lord Zhao to be the commander-in-chief, so they use this vicious plan."
At this time, Zhao Qi said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I suggest that we start with the cloth used on this puppet and these hairs."
Xiao Heyu frowned and turned to look, while Xiao Tingshan asked directly for him.
"What fabric? What hair?"
Zhao Qi's voice was as loud as a bell, and he looked even stronger than before. "The fabric used for this doll is quite expensive. Although the pattern is ordinary, we can still find out some details."
"And the hair hidden on this doll. If the doll has your Majesty's birth date written on it, then this hair should also be your Majesty's for it to work."