Chapter 128 Discovery
The word "slow" made King Cheng's heart sink.

Although he was not afraid of Emperor Hong Xiao in his heart, he could not refute Emperor Hong Xiao's opinion in front of the civil and military officials. And it was obvious that Emperor Hong Xiao was now leaning towards Jiang Li. Although he knew that Emperor Hong Xiao wanted to implicate Princess Yongning in the Xue family case, at the moment, Jiang Li's statement was indeed convincing.

It was reasonable to exonerate Xue Huaiyuan, but "reason" was not enough and "emotion" had to be used. Jiang Li used such an irresistible method to clear Xue Huaiyuan's grievances step by step.

The ministers who understood what was going on looked at Jiang Li with strange eyes. Such a court discussion was truly breathtaking.

Jiang Yuanbai also stared at his daughter as if he didn't know her. He knew Jiang Li was smart, and among the younger generations of the Jiang family, Jiang Li might be the smartest one. But such court tactics were too much. Jiang Yuanbai even suspected that there might be a master behind Jiang Li's actions today. Otherwise, it should be impossible for a girl from a boudoir to have such political tactics.

Others would not think that this was Jiang Li's idea, but would only put the blame on Jiang Yuanbai. They thought that it was Jiang Yuanbai who asked Jiang Li to say this in the palace, and they knew more about Jiang Yuanbai's plan, thinking that Jiang Yuanbai was truly cunning.

"Go on." Emperor Hong Xiao said to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li leaned forward and said in a clear voice, "I have finished what I want to say. Xue Huaiyuan, the county magistrate of Tongxiang, is guilty. He has been in office for decades. Apart from embezzling disaster relief money, he has been indifferent to all desires, washed his hands of his duties, and has a heart as pure as water and a clean and upright character. There are few corrupt officials in the world. He must be planning something deeper. He has been an official for many years and has changed the face of Tongxiang. There is a conspiracy. There is not much property in his family, and its whereabouts are unknown. I think Xue Huaiyuan's crime is unforgivable. I beg Your Majesty to punish Xue Huaiyuan with a thousand cuts!"

Right Prime Minister Li Zhongnan closed his eyes, knowing that after Jiang Li's words, Xue Huaiyuan's guilt was completely cleared.

Jiang Li's way of saying the opposite of what she means is so brilliant that it is indisputable.

There was a long silence in the hall.

After a long time, the voice of Emperor Hong Xiao sounded, "So, Xue Huaiyuan is not guilty, but has made contributions. The five meritorious officials have been punished more severely, and there may be injustice. In the case of Feng Yutang, Feng Yutang is guilty without a doubt, and Xue Huaiyuan is corrupt, so there are many doubts. Zhou Dezhao, I want you to thoroughly investigate this case again!"

When the last word fell, Jiang Li's heart seemed to be poured with hot water and gradually boiled.

However, she just bowed down and said again: "I beg you to bring Tongxiang County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan to the palace. Xue Huaiyuan is also a witness. Your Majesty may as well take a look at what County Magistrate Xue looks like now."

"Take Xue Huaiyuan with you." Emperor Hong Xiao said.

Zhou Dezhao hurriedly asked his lover to bring Xue Huaiyuan up, and couldn't help but look at Jiang Li again. Today's matter, it was clear that King Cheng and the Right Prime Minister had the upper hand at the beginning, but now, they were led by Jiang Li the whole time. Regardless of whether this method was thought up by Jiang Li or Jiang Yuanbo, the Jiang family should not be underestimated. I thought that the power of the Jiang family in the court was gradually weakening, especially during the period when the Right Prime Minister was becoming more and more powerful. At the moment, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Not to mention the power, Jiang Yuanbo is not inferior to the Right Prime Minister in terms of scheming.

If this continues, it's unclear who will lose in the end. Forget it, those of them who are just watching the fun will probably have to re-plan their future team.

Xue Huaiyuan was brought up quickly.

He was changed into clean clothes, washed his face, and held a rattle tightly in his hand. The imperial guards protected Emperor Hong Xiao to prevent Xue Huaiyuan from suddenly hurting people. But Xue Huaiyuan was frightened when he saw so many people. He huddled up and ran to Jiang Li helplessly.

Jiang Li patted Xue Huaiyuan's shoulder in a soothing manner. Xue Huaiyuan's hair and beard were all white, and he was about the same age as Jiang Yuanbo, but he looked like an old man. Therefore, Jiang Li's behavior did not seem out of the ordinary. However, her patience was very glaring in Jiang Yuanbo's eyes.

I always feel that Jiang Li has never had such a gentle look when facing her biological father.

Xue Huaiyuan was obviously very dependent on Jiang Li. When Jiang Li was around, he stopped making noises and calmed down, playing with the rattle in his hand.

Jiang Li said to Emperor Hong Xiao: "Your Majesty, this is Xue Huaiyuan, the county magistrate of Tongxiang. He was imprisoned in a dungeon by Feng Yutang and tortured in every way. Now he is unconscious and looks like a child. It's a pity that such an upright and loyal minister has ended up like this. If this matter gets out, how many upright and loyal ministers in the world will be disheartened, and how many people will still be loyal to Your Majesty?"

"How dare you!" Li Zhongnan was furious: "Jiang Li, you dare to question His Majesty!"

"Lord Li," Jiang Yuanbai said unhappily, "His Majesty hasn't said anything yet, what are you talking about?"

Jiang Li's words were extremely disrespectful. King Cheng sneered, "It seems that Lord Jiang has his own way of teaching his daughter. Miss Jiang's words are a bit out of line for a girl."

Jiang Yuanbai dared to confront Li Zhongnan openly, but he couldn't afford to lose face for King Cheng at this time. When he was hesitating about what to say, Su Guogong, who had been silent all this time, spoke.

Ji Heng shook her fan and chuckled, "Unfortunately, what Miss Jiang said coincides with mine."

With just one sentence, the court officials were stunned. Since Ji Heng had spoken, was he still helping Jiang Li?

Although Duke Su had always loved beauty, he was not a person who sympathized with women, and saving the girl from danger was even more impossible. But at this moment, Duke Su actually confronted King Cheng and said such a meaningful sentence.

Ji Heng was unaware that everyone present had thought about her words thousands of times, and she said nonchalantly, "Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is unpleasant to the ear. Although what Miss Jiang said was out of line, it still makes sense. Otherwise, if we abandon all loyal officials and appoint treacherous officials, I'm afraid the country will be in ruins."

The young man was handsome and looked like a demon. He said this kind of threatening words with a smile, and it worked immediately. At least Emperor Hong Xiao listened to it. Emperor Hong Xiao said: "Duke Su is right. I am not someone who cannot listen to the truth, my dear Jiang," he said to Jiang Yuanbai: "Your daughter is well raised."

Jiang Yuanbai thanked him quickly, but he was puzzled. Their Jiang family had no contact with Duke Suguo, and Jiang Li and Ji Heng had no relationship. Why would this moody Duke Suguo suddenly speak up for Jiang Li?
Could it be... He looked at Jiang Li's clean face. Jiang Li was no longer the spoiled and willful girl who was sent to Mount Qingcheng. She had grown up and her appearance had the graceful demeanor of a young girl. She was as beautiful and charming as the snow-white pear blossoms in spring, clean and fresh, and lovable.

No, no, no, Jiang Yuanbai immediately dismissed this ridiculous idea in his mind. Duke Su was born extremely beautiful, and he had seen all kinds of beauties. Jiang Li was at most a little beauty, and I'm afraid she wouldn't be in Ji Heng's eyes. Besides, Ji Heng was sinister and cruel, and was not a good match. Although he and Jiang Li were not very close, they were his own flesh and blood after all, and he didn't want Jiang Li to have a miserable ending, to be plotted against, and finally to implicate the Jiang family.

While I was thinking about all sorts of things, someone among the court officials suddenly said, "Xue Lingyun, isn't this Xue Lingyun?"

Xue Lingyun? Everyone was surprised.

Emperor Hong Xiao asked: "What Xue Lingyun?"

The courtier cupped his hands and said, "When the late emperor was still alive, Xue Lingyun built a canal for Yanjing. The late emperor saw that he was quite talented and promoted him to the position of Minister of Works. However, Xue Lingyun only served as the Minister of Works for one year before resigning. When I saw Xue Huaiyuan today, I realized that this Xue Huaiyuan looks exactly like Xue Lingyun, except that he is much older. I dare to guess that Xue Huaiyuan is Xue Lingyun."

Xue Lingyun? This name is unfamiliar to everyone in the palace. But everyone knows about the water conservancy of the Grand Canal in Beijing. People who can lead such a project are naturally talented. Why would he give up the position of Minister of Works and become a small county magistrate?

Jiang Li suddenly understood. No wonder the servants who had followed her father for many years said that her father had the talent to help the world, but he chose to live in the small world of Tongxiang. If he had not hated the officialdom, he would have risen to prominence long ago. She always felt strange that her father had such great ability and could see the situation in the court clearly, big and small, but why he only became a county magistrate.

It turned out that it was not an opportunity, but that my father had already become a high-ranking official, but he felt that his temperament was not suitable for such an officialdom. The officials in the Northern Yan court were fighting against each other or colluding with each other. For my father, it would be better to be a small county magistrate and benefit the people.

So he even changed his name, from "Xue Lingyun" who had lofty ambitions, to "Xue Huaiyuan" who looked at the moon and thought of the distant future.

When Jiang Li and Xue Zhao were born, Xue Huaiyuan was no longer the Minister of Works and had changed his name. Therefore, Jiang Li did not know about this past. It was only when this old minister who was an old acquaintance of Xue Huaiyuan told her the truth that she knew it.

This old official must have had a good relationship with Xue Huaiyuan in the past. When he saw his old friend, he told him the reason why Xue Huaiyuan resigned. It was really frustrating to have ambitions but not be able to realize them. Everyone felt deeply moved and regretful when they heard this.

Emperor Hong Xiao said: "Such a talented person was falsely accused and imprisoned as a criminal, and now he is in such a miserable state. This is my fault, and it is also the loss of Northern Yan."

All the ministers knelt down.

Jiang Li's heart moved. Xue Huaiyuan's past was discovered, which just helped her now. Without thinking, she said, "Your Majesty, Xue Huaiyuan ended up like this because of Feng Yutang, who used public power to take revenge on private interests. I request that Feng Yutang be severely punished!"

"Of course he will be severely punished!" Emperor Hong Xiao snorted coldly: "I didn't know that there are such arrogant people under the emperor's feet, framing loyal people!"

"Lord Feng is quite bold," Jiang Li said, "Not only did he frame loyal officials, he also mined privately in Dongshan, Tongxiang. The imperial court banned it many years ago. Mining privately is tantamount to treason and should be executed!"

Feng Yutang was already sweating profusely and almost fainted.

"But Lord Feng is very strange. He has amassed countless wealth in Tongxiang, but he still wants more gold. It is clear that he is asking for too much and is so bold. I found a letter in Feng's house. The letter directly asked Feng Yutang to torture Xue Huaiyuan. But the owner of the letter is very strange..." Jiang Li smiled slightly: "The seal on the letter is the seal of Princess Yongning of this dynasty!"

After singing for such a long time, she finally reached the climax!

"How dare you!" King Cheng's face turned pale. "You slandered a princess of a country. Do you know what kind of crime this is? This can cost you your head!"

"Your Highness, King Cheng, don't worry." Jiang Li was not afraid at all, and replied coldly: "I am just stating the facts, and I am not convicting the princess. This letter can naturally be fake. In fact, I also think it is a trap."

Emperor Hong Xiao stared at Jiang Li. The memorial submitted by Ye Shijie was about Princess Yongning. It was within his expectation that Jiang Li would bring it up at this moment. But since Jiang Li had brought it up, why did she deny it herself?

"Princess Yongning has no relationship with the Xue family, nor any connection with them. How could she instruct Feng Yutang to frame the Xue family and put Xue Huaiyuan in jail? I have inquired about it. Xue Huaiyuan has only one son and one daughter in the Xue family. His son Xue Zhao was killed by bandits in Beijing last year. His daughter Xue Fangfei was the deceased wife of the current Zhongshu Shelangshen, and she also died of illness in the Shen family half a year ago. Both Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei have no connection with the Shen family. Therefore, in my opinion, it should not be true!"

The court officials did not know Xue Zhao's name, but when the three words "Xue Fangfei" came out, everyone's eyes were cast on Shen Yurong at the same time.

Back then, Xue Fangfei cheated on Shen Yurong, and people in Yanjing either laughed at Shen Yurong, or sympathized with her, or scolded her as an adulterer. In short, everyone knew about it. Half a year later, the peerless beauty Xue Fangfei passed away, and even if she was used as a topic of conversation after dinner, it was still insignificant.

I had finally forgotten this name, but it was suddenly mentioned again at this time. It was about Xue Huaiyuan, a case that everyone was paying attention to.

Shen Yurong's face was still calm and composed. He was always well behaved, but there was some inexplicable deep meaning in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Li. Ji Heng looked at Jiang Li, and the smile on his lips gradually deepened. Among all the civil and military officials, he was the only one who watched the court discussion with a relaxed demeanor. Some people were facing a great enemy, some were gloating over the misfortune, but only he, with a careless attitude that seemed to know everything, helped to push the matter forward and followed her wishes.

King Cheng looked at Shen Yurong, a trace of annoyance flashing through his mind.

Jiang Li looked sincere, as if she really believed in Princess Yongning's innocence, and couldn't wait to explain for Princess Yongning. But in her heart, she laughed silently.

This move of retreating in order to advance, on the surface, was to take the initiative to clear Yongning's grievances, but it exposed Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei to the public. In the case of Xue Huaiyuan, there was only Xue Huaiyuan, and nothing could be found out. The most critical thing was Xue Fangfei.

Princess Yongning's ambition was to marry Shen Yurong, and she would one day enter the Shen family and become Mrs. Shen. But once the rumor that Princess Yongning had instructed Feng Yutang to frame Xue Huaiyuan came out, it became difficult for Princess Yongning to marry Shen Yurong. Because once she did that, she would have a perfect reason to frame Xue Huaiyuan. People would say, look, she wanted to marry Shen Yurong, so she murdered Xue Huaiyuan, and even the deaths of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao would be suspected.

Three people make a tiger, and gossip can melt gold. If Princess Yongning wants to clear herself of this crime, she must cut off ties with the Shen family and never have anything to do with Shen Yurong.

But the question is, can Princess Yongning do it?
Jiang Li believed that Princess Yongning would not be able to do it, otherwise she would not have been willing to kill herself to get Shen Yurong. Yongning was so cruel and domineering that she would do what she decided to do. She would not care, even if she was suspected of this crime, she would still marry Shen Yurong.

But can Shen Yurong turn a blind eye to all this?
After all, they were sleeping together. Although she had not been able to see his evil ambitions in her previous life, she still understood his temperament after being married for many years. Shen Yurong was cautious by nature and considered everything carefully. She would definitely not let Yongning do this at this juncture.

But Yongning was already getting married, and he couldn't afford to completely avoid the limelight for three to five years. Therefore, there would definitely be a rift between Yongning and Shen Yurong because of this incident, causing twists and turns.

That was her chance.

Jiang Li's eyes swept across the faces of everyone in the hall: King Cheng's exasperation, Li Zhongnan's annoyance, Jiang Yuanbo's astonishment, Ji Yanlin's confusion, Ye Shijie's surprise, Shen Yurong's pretense of calm, Emperor Hong Xiao's meaningful expression, and Ji Heng's smile.

His smile carried a bit of the ease of watching a fire from the other side of the river, as well as a tacit understanding of knowing each other's secret. His eyes were sparkling and moving, as if he had discovered something interesting, and there seemed to be a bit of appreciation in them.

He knows, he knows everything.

Jiang Li lowered her head. She had tried her best in today's battle. In short, she had done everything she wanted to do.

She rehabilitated Xue Huaiyuan and made Feng Yutang pay for his blood debt with blood. Most importantly, she planted a seed between Yongning and Shen Yurong. This seed will eventually sprout and form an irreconcilable rift between the two of them. Jiang Li will use this rift to create a gap and start the road to revenge.

This is just the beginning, she thought.

……

The court discussion on the Xue family case ended just like that.

This court discussion started with Zhou Dezhao's trial, and King Cheng ridiculed him first, but he was unconsciously led by Jiang Li. Until the end, everything was under Jiang Li's control.

But there seems to be nothing to argue with this result.

The people of Yanjing were also concerned about the outcome of this court discussion. Jiang Li led the people of Tongxiang to beat the drum in front of Chang'an Gate to protest their grievances. This had already been known to the people of Yanjing. Inadvertently, they also learned the ins and outs of this case. Everyone was worried about the Xue family case.

Therefore, after the result of the court discussion came out, it spread throughout almost the entire Yanjing city in just one hour.

Xue Huaiyuan was indeed wronged. He was a good official, but he was treated so badly. Everyone also knew that Xue Huaiyuan was once called Xue Lingyun and was the Minister of Works. He was in charge of repairing the canal in Yanjing City.

The canal project has benefited so many people that when the people of Yanjing heard about it, they were almost as upset as the people of Tongxiang about Xue Huaiyuan's fate. When Feng Yutang was sentenced to death by hanging, the people spontaneously wanted to go and see the wicked man die with their own eyes.

At the same time, there was a rumor that Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned because Princess Yongning of the current dynasty instructed Feng Yutang to do it. This rumor had no basis, and Princess Yongning had no contact with the Xue family, so when it was said, there was no solid basis. But more and more people said it, and gradually everyone in Yanjing City knew about it.

It is said that King Cheng sent people to investigate the source of the rumor, but the person who spread the rumor disappeared in a short time. Yanjing is not Tongxiang, and King Cheng cannot make the people of Yanjing "watch the streets" like Feng Yutang did. At most, he only punished a few people who openly talked about Yongning, but he could not deal with those who talked about it privately.

There is no doubt that the person who spread the rumor was naturally Jiang Li.

Jiang Li went to watch Feng Yutang's execution today.

She actually didn't want to watch these bloody scenes, but every time she thought of how Feng Yutang was Yongning's lackey and tortured Xue Huaiyuan in prison, causing Xue Huaiyuan to become what he is now, she couldn't let it go. Therefore, even though it was bloody, she still wanted to watch Feng Yutang's execution today.

After Feng Yutang, it was Yongning and Shen Yurong.

The Caishikou was full of people who came to watch the excitement. The people of Tongxiang had not yet returned, and everyone had arrived. They threw stones and vegetable leaves at Feng Yutang's face to express their inner anger. Jiang Li stood far away in the crowd, wearing a bamboo hat, so that no one could see her.

Jiang Yuanbai now has twice as many guards assigned to her. Jiang Li's behavior in the court meeting has severely offended King Cheng. King Cheng will definitely seek an opportunity to retaliate. In order to be on the safe side, Jiang Yuanbai has not allowed Jiang Li to go out these days. Today, Jiang Li sneaked out.

Jiang Yuanbai had asked her after the court discussion that day why Princess Yongning was involved in the case. What Jiang Yuanbai had said in the morning was not Princess Yongning but Right Prime Minister Li Zhongnan. It was not until the court discussion began that Jiang Yuanbai heard the name of Princess Yongning, and he was shocked. If he had known that this case was related to Princess Yongning, Jiang Yuanbai would never have allowed Jiang Li to act like this.

Jiang Li only said: "Father, this case is indeed related to the Right Prime Minister Li Zhongnan, but compared to Li Zhongnan, Princess Yongning's letter is more accurate. You also saw what happened in the court meeting. Li Zhongnan helped King Cheng and was King Cheng's man. In the end, it's the same thing whether it's Princess Yongning or Li Zhongnan."

"But in the end, Princess Yongning was not charged with any crime!" Jiang Yuanbai said.

"Really?" Jiang Li only answered at the time, "But father, let's wait and see. This charge will be confirmed one day. Now we just know the result in advance. As for the future, we will just wait and see."

Jiang Yuanbai still didn't believe it, but there was no room for maneuver at this point. Moreover, Jiang Yuanbai could see clearly that the attitude of Emperor Hong Xiao in the court meeting that day was clearly biased towards Jiang Li. Perhaps he hoped to use the Xue family case to suppress King Cheng. Jiang Yuanbai couldn't pretend not to know about Emperor Hong Xiao's attitude. Therefore, he could only let the matter go.

But in his heart, he was displeased with Jiang Li's self-assertion.

Jiang Li ignored it. Although Tong'er and Bai Xue were usually brave, they still covered Yan Jing when they saw the execution scene. But Jiang Li stared at Feng Yutang without blinking until he died.

Feng Yutang's followers have been wiped out, and Emperor Hong Xiao also reappointed a new county magistrate for Tongxiang, Xiangyang. Although Jiang Li, the new county magistrate, was not well known, at least with the experience of Feng Yutang, he did not dare to do anything out of line.

Xue Huaiyuan and Jiang Li stayed in Yanjing City. Jiang Li was worried about letting Xue Huaiyuan go back to Beijing alone. Besides, Emperor Hong Xiao had promised to recruit doctors from all over the world to treat Xue Huaiyuan. Jiang Li also planned to let Xue Huaiyuan stay in Yanjing and visit famous doctors to see if he could restore his sanity one day.

But Jiang Yuanbo didn't agree to let him stay in the Jiang family. Besides, Jiang Li was afraid that Ji Shuran would take Xue Huaiyuan to deal with her. After thinking about it, she had to entrust Xue Huaiyuan to Ye Mingyu.

Ye Mingyu has no plans to return to Xiangyang for the time being. Ye Shijie is now an official in Yanjing City. Ye Mingyu suddenly has an idea to start the Ye family's business in Yanjing City again. Now that Ye Shijie and Jiang Li have these two relationships, I think the Ye family's business will be better than before. Ye Mingyu wants to stay and live with Ye Shijie, so naturally Xue Huaiyuan will be entrusted to Ye Mingyu. First, Ye Mingyu is good at martial arts, and his men are all people from the underworld, so they can more or less keep Xue Huaiyuan safe. Second, Xue Huaiyuan has been spending a lot of time with Ye Mingyu these days. Apart from Jiang Li, Ye Mingyu is the closest person to him.

Ye Shijie had no objection, but Ye Mingyu complained bitterly. It was not an easy thing for a good man in the martial arts world to become Xue Huaiyuan's bodyguard and maid. But Jiang Li asked him seriously, and Ye Mingyu softened his heart and agreed.

After the execution, Jiang Li and Tong'er Baixue walked towards the carriage. Thinking in her heart, the matter in Tongxiang has come to an end for the time being. Next, she has completely offended King Cheng and Princess Yongning. King Cheng may not take action so quickly, but Yongning will definitely come to her in the shortest time.

Soon, she will have to face Yongning and Shen Yurong, the culprits who caused the injustice in the Xue family.

The carriage stopped at the corner of the street. Jiang Li came to the carriage and got on with the help of Tong'er. Tong'er and Bai Xue were about to get on, but suddenly they heard Jiang Li's voice coming from inside: "Wait."

Tong'er and Bai Xue were confused.

Jiang Li raised her eyes and looked at the people in the carriage.

The young man in red did not feel guilty about usurping someone else's position. Instead, he was dignified and elegant, holding a folding fan in his hand, and said with a smile, "Second Miss."

Jiang Li paused, then sat down opposite him: "Duke."

Ji Heng actually entered his carriage so blatantly. It was conceivable that the coachman had already been replaced by him.

"My Lord, why did you come to see me?" Jiang Li asked.

He said, "If you don't come to me, I will have to come to you."

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "At the court meeting, thanks to the Duke for speaking for me. Jiang Li is very grateful."

"No need to thank me, it's King Cheng who is too stupid, I can't stand it." In his beautiful eyes, the shadow of Jiang Li can be clearly reflected, swaying in it, vivid and colorful. Ji Heng said: "But you are beyond my expectation. After going around in circles for so long, you finally dug up Xue Fangfei's matter."

(End of this chapter)