Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 423 Breaking hands and feet

Outside the Yanjia Palace, Emperor Zhaoming and Lin Daiyu, wearing almost identical crane cloaks, turned silently one after the other and walked towards the Zhaoqing Palace at the back.

Only when they reached the gate of Zhaoqing Palace did Daiyu stop, lowered her brows, bowed, and then turned and left.

No questions asked.

Emperor Zhaoming said nothing, but just turned half of his body and stared at her back in a daze.

Tao Xingjian was beside him, as quiet as a quail.

"Look at her, she is sensible and patient, gentle yet strong. Isn't she cut from the same mold as Ru Hai?"

Emperor Zhaoming sighed softly.

Tao Xingjian put his hands in his sleeves, turned his head without turning around, and muttered, "I won't look."

Emperor Zhaoming raised his eyebrows: "What?!"

Tao Xingjian frowned and said, "There are so many things going on these days. I'm afraid that the old cases of Ru Hai and Xiao Jia will be brought up. I'm afraid to see the princess's sad look, so I dare not look at her."

Emperor Zhaoming fell silent, stood for a few breaths, and then stepped into Zhaoqing Palace.

The sound came faintly.

"Then send someone else who is appropriate to tell her the truth.

"Keep an eye on Zhaoqing.

"Also tell the Jia family that there are clear rules in the law, so tell them not to mess around. If anything happens... report it immediately."

Tao Xingjian nodded after hearing each sentence, and finally grinned quietly: "Okay!"

An hour later, Xiaohong was called to Zhaoqing Palace, and half a quarter of an hour later, she hurried back to Yanjia Palace.

The Queen Mother and others were waiting for news, and when they saw her come back, they hurriedly called everyone to the main hall to listen to her message.

"We didn't find much evidence of treason in the family of the Eight Lords, but it was clear that almost every family member had been involved in bribery and collusion with the inner court.

"Only the King of Xining harbored ulterior motives and attempted to interfere in the dethronement and enthronement of the emperor. He also deceived the various families and exerted heavy control over the army. Your Majesty was furious and charged him with treason and executed all nine clans.

"As for the Jia family of Rongguo Mansion, they were accused of being incompetent and forming cliques for personal gain. Your Majesty, considering the old ministers, showed them special mercy and only sentenced those who killed people to pay with their lives, and those who did not kill people to be exiled to Shengjing.

"Only Jia Jue could understand the greater good. He only took away his fame and honor, and ordered him to become a commoner, and led all his clansmen in the capital to move back to their ancestral home."

Xiaohong stole a glance at Daiyu and bit her lip gently: "The entire Jia family of Jinling will not be allowed to take the imperial examination within three years, and will not be allowed to enter the capital within five years."

Daiyu and Tanchun's shoulders relaxed.

Five years.

It was enough for Wang Xifeng to squeeze the remaining four clans in Jinling into her hands.

Seeing that the two did not respond, Xiao Hong's eyes showed a trace of grievance, but she still lowered her eyes and continued:

“In addition, His Majesty asked the Queen Mother to report that Prince Zhongshun was ordered to ask Prince Yu to go to the Dali Temple to assist in the investigation. However, Prince Zhongshun had concerns, so he arrested Prince Yu in the street without an order. This was disgraceful and was reprimanded by His Majesty.

"When Prince Yu heard the order from His Majesty, he started to make a scene and tried to disobey the order, and Prince Zhongshun had his arm broken..."

The Queen Mother was stunned: "You interrupted him in the street?"

"Yes." Xiao Hong continued calmly, "So when Prince Yu arrived at the Dali Temple and spoke rudely, the monk Zhitong had no choice but to break one of his legs, and only then did he stop."

Hongchang looked at her in confusion: "If he said something rude, it would be ok to just slap him on the mouth, but why break his limbs?"

Everyone looked at her in silence.

Aunt Meng answered seriously, "I think it's because he wants to ask more questions. His mouth was broken, so although he can't curse, he can't answer either, right?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Aunt Meng.

Hong Chang nodded in admiration: "Aunt is still experienced!"

Xiaohong:......

The Queen Mother was a little dazed. After thinking for a while, she asked, "Since Zhitong has entered the palace, I guess Prince Yu must have said something?"

"The eunuch didn't say that." Xiao Hong lowered her eyes, "but when I came back, I heard another group of guards go out."

That is to say, although some things were taken out of Prince Yu's mouth, there was still more.

The Queen Mother sighed, "After all the twists and turns, it has finally come to him. When His Majesty hears about this, he will be sad again."

Daiyu shook her head subconsciously but said nothing.

Aunt Meng glanced at her and suddenly remembered, "Have you forgotten what we heard on the ship? Prince Yu has a long-term plan!"

The Queen Mother suddenly woke up, becoming more and more unhappy, and frowned. After a while, she cursed three words through her teeth: "Old fool!"

Everyone else thought the Queen Mother was scolding Prince Yu, and Hong Chang even spoke to comfort the Queen Mother: "Prince Yu has been relied on by the Grand Master for many years. Now that he has great power and is old, it is normal for him to be confused.

"Now, because of this, I have been taught a lesson by the juniors and the ministers, and have suffered a great loss. With your Majesty's guidance, I will naturally come to my senses, repent and admit my sins."

Only Daiyu's mouth corners slightly raised, and her eyes wandered for a moment.

The Queen Mother snorted twice and did not comment.

"Is there anything else?" Daiyu asked Xiaohong, and changed the topic calmly.

Xiao Hong lowered her head and said, "That's all. Supervisor Tao said that the Kunning Palace invited Your Majesty to have dinner. Your Majesty also wants to go back to check on the situation. After dinner, come back to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and then rest."

Aunt Meng was stunned: "Your Majesty, don't you plan to return to Daming Palace?"

The Queen Mother also frowned.

Daiyu sighed and whispered, "Before the Lord returns, I'm sure your Majesty will not be at ease with the Empress Dowager living alone in Taiji Palace."

"How can we be just one person? Aren't we human beings?" Hongchang curled his lips in dissatisfaction.

Daiyu smiled and said, "In the eyes of His Majesty, aren't we just useless people who hold him back? Yimin is still somewhat useful. The two of us are just freeloaders!"

Hongchang hugged her and laughed so hard that he bent over.

The Queen Mother glared at her and pointed her finger at her: "You are so stupid!"

The atmosphere became relaxed.

The Queen Mother asked Tanchun and Hongchang to play chess, while she and Daiyu watched.

After a moment, Daiyu yawned, said goodbye and went back to her room.

Xiaohong came over quietly and held Daiyu's arm.

The Queen Mother looked at the two of them, nodded with a smile, and pointed at Hongchang: "If you don't take care of this place anymore, Yimin will become powerful."

Zijuan also smiled gently, lowered her head and continued to make tea for the empress dowager.

The master and servant went straight back to the inner room of the east wing hall. Qingwen understood the situation and closed the door and stood guard outside.

Daiyu did not wait for Xiaohong to speak, and whispered: "What a coincidence, I heard the news from Wei Fuzun last time, and Yun'er is now following him to support the curtain.

"The Lord of the Palace has also donated a student position to Yun Ge'er to urge him to study. It just so happens that Yun Ge'er has a weak foundation, so it will take at least three to five years.

"When this storm has passed, if you can pass the exam, your life will be smoother."

Xiaohong's ears turned red, she smiled with curved lips and whispered, "Second Master Yun is all thanks to the princess."

After a pause, he quickly said something more important:

"Just now, Supervisor Tao told me that as soon as the gates of Rongguo Mansion were sealed in the morning, within half an hour, someone went to the Dali Temple to report all the wrongdoings of the Second Master."

Daiyu was stunned: "Who is it?"