The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 709: News from Princess Beijing

Princess Beijing's alarm was just a false alarm, but Niu Jizon was not so lucky.

In the torture chamber of the Imperial Guards, he was covered in blood and howled, "Stop... Stop beating me. I have said everything I need to say. I have not hidden anything, sir..."

Speaking of it, whether it is Prince Ning or Niu Jizong, they have been able to use some tricks to get money and squeeze the people's money over the years, but when it comes to such a big thing, they are cowards who are ambitious but incompetent and have no decision-making.

How could he have the courage to resist the many torture instruments used by the Jinyiwei?

After being whipped a dozen times, he became like a bamboo tube and confessed a series of things, including his conspiracy with Prince Ning to create the illusion of being hit by the secondary carriage by mistake in order to clear himself of suspicion.

However, Zhang Yunyi did not let him go. Instead, he smiled sinisterly and said, "Have you confessed everything? I'm afraid that may not be the case!"

"Really...I really confessed everything."

"Then tell me, what's the matter with the imperial edict from the Concubine Dowager?"

In fact, being able to confess Prince Ning has already resolved the biggest knot between Zhang Yun逸 and the emperor.

However, the emperor had already told him to dig as deep as he could.

And when he learned that Niu Jizong and Prince Ning had played such a trick of accidentally hitting the secondary car and almost got him involved, he naturally didn't mind using public power for personal gain.

In addition, whether Concubine Zhen and Princess Beijing were involved remains a mystery.

Although he couldn't blame Concubine Zhen openly, it was only logical for him to seize the existing evidence and dig deep into the matter.

"This..." Niu Jizong hesitated for a moment.

Zhang Yunyi gave a glance and the red-hot iron was already in front of him.

"I said...I said..."

"Swish...ah..." The branding iron burned the flesh, accompanied by Niu Jizong's screams.

Lu Bing raised his hand expressionlessly and said, "This is just a small warning. If you hesitate when Duke Wei asks you questions, I will change your tactics."

If you want to talk about professional matters, you need professional people!
This did not give Niu Jizong time to think.

But the burnt smell is not very pleasant.

Zhang Yunyi held his breath and said concisely: "Speak!"

……

As the beating and interrogation continued, the sky began to turn pale and Niu Jizong was already dying.

Zhang Yun逸 was diligent in exercising, and although he was interrogated all night, his mental state was still good.

Qiu Duo came from the military, and although he hadn't slept all night, he didn't look depressed. However, Lu Bing seemed to be inexplicably excited about this kind of thing and looked in good spirits.

However, after a night of interrogation, no further questions were gained.

Zhang Yunyi grabbed a pile of confessions with an uncertain expression, stood up and said, "If we continue to ask, I'm afraid we won't get anything out of it. It's almost time, let's go and report to the Emperor and the Retired Emperor!"

Qiu Duo suddenly stepped forward and said, "Madam Niu, this way? Do you want the Jinyiwei to first..."

"That's it."

Zhang Yunyi waved his hand, hesitated for a moment, and added: "First, submit what Niu Jizong told us to the emperor and the emperor. It won't be too late to retrial. In fact, she has contributed to our success."

Everything has its priorities, and thanks to the effectiveness of the eavesdropping strategy in the afternoon and the slap mark on Mrs. Niu's cheek, Zhang Yun逸 only detained Mrs. Niu temporarily and interrogated Niu Jizong first.

The most important thing is that as a modern man, Niu Jizong can still accept this cruel punishment.

He really couldn't bear to use it on a powerless woman.

What's more, although the palm print on Mrs. Niu's cheek is clearly visible, her beautiful face, fair skin, and plump figure have a unique charm.

It would be fine if Mrs. Niu was involved, but judging from the testimony given by Niu Jizong and what happened yesterday, she is indeed innocent.

Otherwise, Princess Beijing would not have escaped from the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.

As a modern man, if Zhang Yun逸 really had to watch the branding iron being applied to his body, he really would not be able to bear it.

However, Niu Jizong's testimony did solve his confusion.

Originally, I thought that Princess Beijing was surprised and hesitant when she heard Prince Beijing instigated someone to write a letter yesterday because she was instigated by Niu Jizon. Now it seems that it was only because of what happened in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

He went to the palace to hand over the testimony to Emperor Wanlong and briefly described the interrogation process. Zhang Yunyi stole a glance at the gloomy Emperor Wanlong, and then pleaded guilty: "I didn't expect that they would be punished for this reason... Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Last night, I was so nosy that I almost stripped Niu Jizong of his underwear.

However, he knew the importance of the matter and did not dare to explain that he had instigated Prince Ning to do this trick of accidentally hitting the wrong car because he coveted Princess Beijing.

Instead, the reason was attributed to the emperor's implementation of the Three Law Courts reform and Zhou Xianzu's inadvertent disclosure of the emperor's ambition to make the whole world his land. This made everyone in the court feel insecure and complain, which gave Prince Ning an opportunity to take advantage of.

As for his ill intentions towards Princess Beijing in the mansion, he was just taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

"It's none of your business!" Emperor Wanlong said angrily, "It's all Zhou Xianzu's fault for speaking without restraint!"

He took a deep breath, raised his hand to help Zhang Yunyi up, and said warmly: "I am also devoted to the country, and the emperor may not say much. On the contrary, with this testimony, I think it is difficult for the emperor to protect Prince Ning."

He pulled Zhang Yun逸 aside and praised him a few more times, implying that you, my dear, are my most loyal and faithful subject.

As he was speaking, he suddenly heard someone outside report: "The Emperor wants your Majesty to come over."

Summoning the emperor at this time was probably to decide how to deal with Prince Ning.

Emperor Wanlong looked at Zhang Yunyi and said, "Your Excellency has worked hard all night. Just take a rest in the Imperial Study. I will talk to you in detail when I come back."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I still..."

Zhang Yunyi's family knows their own business and doesn't want to get involved in unnecessary trouble.

However, the emperor did not allow any doubt and said, "Come here, bring two blankets for Duke Wei to rest!"

Zhang Yunyi was about to find another excuse to shirk his responsibility, but he heard Emperor Wanlong add, "You all should wait here carefully and wait for Duke Wei's orders at any time!"

It seems that the emperor is not without grudges about my reputation!

However, after hearing this, Zhang Yun逸 became calm.

He simply asked the eunuch to move a chair, covered him with a blanket, and took a nap leaning back in the chair.

After all, he was in the palace and it was impossible for him to sleep soundly. He heard some noise in a daze and got up quickly, only to see Emperor Wanlong walking in with a gloomy face.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Yunyi quickly stood up and saluted, and asked cryptically, "Does the emperor have any instructions?"

Hearing his question, Emperor Wanlong's expression softened slightly, and he dismissed his attendants and said, "Father is not partial this time. He has already asked Lu Bing to arrest him. He promised me that after confirming Niu Jizong's confession, he would remove Prince Ning from the royal family and demote him to a commoner. But..."

Removing him from the royal family is equivalent to erasing Prince Ning's line of succession. Even if something goes wrong with the emperor and the prince in the future, the heir will be chosen from the royal family.

This was already the best outcome for Zhang Yunyi, but he couldn't help feeling a little worried.

Fortunately, the emperor did not keep the secret, and continued: "But, my father said that since this concerns the state, the crime of assassination should not be made public. Just say that it was intended to harm you..."

"minister?"

"Yes! After all, you are the reincarnation of the late Emperor Xingxian, so it is reasonable for your father to punish you severely..."

Zhang Yunyi didn't care much about Prince Ning's crime, and asked, "What about Concubine Zhen?"

Although Niu Jizong's confession did not mention Concubine Zhen's involvement, he only conspired with Prince Ning, but he could not guarantee that Concubine Zhen was not involved.

"My father said that he would give me an explanation after he had tried Prince Ning."

Zhang Yun逸 listened carefully and understood that the emperor only said to interrogate Prince Ning. Apparently, as long as Niu Jizong's confession was confirmed, it would be enough.

This was already the best result. He didn't understand why the emperor still looked unhappy.

So he asked tentatively: "What about your majesty?"

“After reading Niu Jizong’s confession, the emperor said that everyone in the court was in danger and that it was not appropriate to shake the foundation of the country at this time. Not only did he not allow me to implicate others, but he only punished Prince Ning and Niu Jizong, and he also cancelled the reform of the three judicial departments to appease the people.

This is also one of the reasons why the emperor did not charge Prince Ning and Niu Jizong with assassination. Once the court knew that the two assassinated because of reform, I am afraid everyone would be in danger..."

At this point, he shook his head and said, "Originally, I was thinking of taking this opportunity to seize the military power of the nobles, but now I have missed the opportunity!"

After hearing this answer, Zhang Yun逸 didn't care. Anyway, the blame would not fall on his head.

He was about to offer some advice when he heard a report from outside: "Your Majesty, the guards in charge of Princess Beijing have something to report to Duke Wei."

……

(End of this chapter)