The prince is more stable

Chapter 87 Who is here?
The father and son were not so reserved in their conversation and spoke directly.

Zhao Hao is also the person Zhao Xiaoqian trusts most in this world. There is no need to engage in so many conspiracy theories. If even biological father and son cannot trust each other, life would be too sad.

However, there are some things that Zhao Hao obviously does not want to say more about.

For example, Zhao Xiaoqian had never heard him mention his emotional entanglement with Feng.

But judging from the fact that he took in more than a dozen concubines after his divorce, a divorced middle-aged man is really happy.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian specifically mentioned his mother Feng, but Zhao Hao still remained silent and easily avoided the topic.

Well, Zhao Xiaoqian was not interested in interfering in his parents' emotional entanglement. As a son, for the sake of the so-called family integrity, he had to match two people who did not love each other but hated each other together, which was more disgusting than moral kidnapping.

Let’s find a way to get my mother out first. At worst, I can buy her another mansion in Bianjing City and hire a government maid to take care of her.

As for marrying into the Di family, Zhao Xiaoqian was a little reluctant. It was not that he disliked Di Ying, but he was only eighteen years old and there was no need to shape his life too early.

He prefers a quick love, confirming a relationship at dusk, breaking up after dawn due to incompatibility of personalities, paying a small amount of alimony, and then leaving in a leisurely manner.

…………

royal palace.

Zheng Chunhe stood in front of Zhao Xu with his body bent, and reported in a low voice with a unique feminine voice.

Zhao Xu was originally reviewing memorials, but his hand holding the pen suddenly stopped and his brows gradually frowned.

"Zhao Xiaoqian, in the name of the Imperial City Administration, questioned Right Censor Cao Anzhen and his daughter?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. To be precise, they first questioned Cao Anzhen's daughter Cao Ning, and then questioned Cao Anzhen. Cao Anzhen was implicated by his daughter."

"Why?"

"His daughter Cao Ning worked as the treasurer at Yaohua Palace. It was said that she bullied Zhao Xiaoqian's mother, Feng. The daughter of the Di family could not stand it and fought with Cao Ning."

"After the Di family girl left Yaohua Palace, she informed Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian was furious and led the royal guards into Yaohua Palace and severely punished Cao Ning."

Zhao Xu snorted coldly, "What a guts! What does Cao Ning rely on? A mere treasurer can be so domineering!"

Zheng Chunhe continued softly, "Cao Ning didn't entirely rely on her father Cao Anzhen's influence. Your Majesty may have forgotten that Cao Ning served the Grand Empress Dowager for several years. Since the fourth year of Yuanyou, Cao Ning has been a maidservant beside the Grand Empress Dowager, helping her wash, dress, and put on makeup day and night."

"The Empress Dowager deeply hated the Prince of Chu's wife, Feng. Cao Ning grew up around her and, influenced by her, developed a certain dislike for Feng, which is why he deceived her."

Zhao Xu's brows furrowed even deeper because Zheng Chunhe mentioned the "Grand Empress Dowager".

Although it may sound unfilial to say it, Zhao Xu has silently drawn countless small circles in his heart over the years, sincerely wishing that the Empress Dowager will be included in the ranks of immortals as soon as possible.

Ten years after he ascended the throne, the government was controlled by the Empress Dowager. Even when he came of age, she never mentioned returning power to the emperor. In fact, Zhao Xu had long harbored a deep hatred for his grandmother.

When Zhao Xu heard that Cao Ning had once been close to the Empress Dowager, he felt even more disgusted.

"Zhao Xiaoqian avenged his mother and is a model of filial piety. Even if he killed Cao Ning, it would not be excessive. Cao Ning bullied his mother for no reason and deserved to be beaten and killed. Zhao Xiaoqian did nothing wrong." Zhao Xu said calmly.

Zheng Chunhe was stunned and immediately wrote down Zhao Xu's words.

This is equivalent to characterizing the whole thing.

Zheng Chunhe then asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, Zhao Xiaoqian has ordered the arrest of Cao Anzhen and Cao Ning, father and daughter, and they are being held in the Ice Well for strict interrogation. This seems... to be against the rules, and I'm afraid there will be criticism within the court."

Zhao Xu sneered several times.

Of course, Zhao Xu was also familiar with Cao Anzhen.

To put it bluntly, the official "Right Censor" is a censor who specializes in offending people.

The person sitting in this position must be a troll, criticizing the emperor, criticizing the ministers, criticizing the collapse of rituals and music, and criticizing the change of people's hearts.

In the past ten years since Zhao Xu ascended the throne, he has been criticized by Cao Anzhen many times, especially during the recent period of transition from the old to the new. Cao Anzhen has frequently submitted memorials, asking the emperor to accept good advice, set the record straight, and not let the treacherous people of the New Party deceive the emperor's heart.

There is no doubt that Cao Anzhen is a die-hard old party member.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian's motive for questioning Cao Anzhen may have nothing to do with state affairs, but Zhao Xu was happy to see this result.

He had wanted to deal with this old man for a long time.

All we can say is that Zhao Xiaoqian hit upon it by accident, and suddenly, hey, it became politically correct.

The corners of Zhao Xu's mouth curled up, and he couldn't suppress it.

It doesn't matter if things are not done according to the rules, we can make it so. In short, the old bastard Cao Anzhen must not be released.

Of course, the emperor could not express his likes and dislikes directly, and he had to keep his emotions hidden. Zhao Xu did not comment on Zhao Xiaoqian's illegal actions or Cao Anzhen's innocent imprisonment.

Zheng Chunhe stood in front of him, still quietly waiting for Zhao Xu's instructions.

Zhao Xu lowered his head and continued to review the memorials. He didn't say a word, and Zheng Chunhe kept his waist bent.

Eunuchs might not have much power, but they certainly had strong backs. After a long while, Zhao Xu's fingers ached from writing. He finally put down his brush and looked up at Zheng Chunhe.

"I remember... Cao Anzhen was appointed as the Right Censor in the fifth year of Yuanyou, right?" Zhao Xu suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty has a good memory. Cao Anzhen was appointed Right Censor in the fifth year of Yuanyou."

Zhao Xu hummed, then sighed as if suddenly overwhelmed with emotion: "It's been more than five years. It hasn't been easy."

Then, Zhao Xu stopped talking and continued to review memorials with his head down.

Zheng Chunhe stood there and waited for a while, and gradually he could taste the flavor.

In the fifth year of Yuanyou, Cao Anzhen was appointed as the Right Censor, which means that he was from the old party. The current trend in the court was to promote the new party and exclude the old party.

Therefore, the government has given the answer silently.

The father and daughter of the Cao family were in trouble, but the government had no intention of intervening, and everything went according to Zhao Xiaoqian's pace.

"I understand. I'll take my leave." Zheng Chunhe bowed respectfully and slowly left the Funing Palace.

Zhao Xu suddenly stopped him and said, "Wait, now that this matter is settled, Zhao Xiaoqian will be fined half a year's salary."

Zheng Chunhe was stunned again, then bowed to accept the order.

On the one hand, the government tacitly agreed to torture the Cao father and daughter to death, and on the other hand, it lightly fined Zhao Xiaoqian half a year's salary. It seems that the government was truly fair and impartial in its handling of affairs.

…………

The Cao family father and daughter were in big trouble.

I don’t know if it’s bad luck or retribution.

Both father and daughter are disliked by Zhao Xu.

Cao Ning, who had served the Empress Dowager, had a resume that touched upon Zhao Xu's past humiliating memories.

When Zhao Xu was being scolded like a grandson in front of the Empress Dowager, Cao Ning might have been standing behind her and secretly laughing at him.

Cao Anzhen was a court troll and a die-hard member of the old party. He was tall, short, fat and thin, and looked exactly like what Zhao Xu hated.

What else is there to say?

Even if Bao Zheng were reborn, he would not be able to overturn the verdict.

Inside the Zuo Chengtian Gate is the Imperial City Division.

Originally, the prisoner should have been interrogated in Bingjingwu Prison, but Zhao Xiaoqian refused to go no matter what.

He did not forget that when Su Che came out of Bingjing Prison, he was scratching his body full of lice. Such a dignified great writer was now like a monkey that had just jumped out of the Five Finger Mountain.

In such a harsh environment, Zhao Xiaoqian would never step into Bingjingwu's prison.

So his subordinates passed on Zhao Xiaoqian's order and brought the criminals, Cao's father and daughter, to the main hall of the Imperial City for trial.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian would not do the specific work of interrogation himself, and he handed it over to Wei Jie.

Zhao Xiaoqian, on the other hand, sat in the inner hall of the Imperial City Division, crossed his legs and ate snacks, waiting for Wei Jie to come and report the results of the interrogation.

It doesn't matter whether they plead guilty or not. The fate of the Cao family father and daughter has been determined. Now we are just going through the motions to prove to outsiders that our Dahuangchengsi is a formal government office and everything we do is based on reason and evidence.

In one day, Wei Jie collected a lot of evidence about the crimes of Cao's father and daughter.

There are both true and false evidence, and there are quite a few true ones. At least it is true that Cao Anzhen has embezzled and accepted bribes over the years, and the amount is not small.

The Right Censor, who established an image of integrity and fairness in the court, was actually not so clean in private.

After a long time, Wei Jie walked quickly into the inner hall.

"Your Highness, the father and daughter of the Cao family have refused to plead guilty. Bing Jingwu also refused to plead guilty even under torture. Instead, they were very stubborn and kept saying that the Imperial City Bureau framed loyal officials and cursed Your Highness... They are seeking personal revenge and the father and daughter are going to file a complaint with the emperor." Wei Jie said with a wry smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian was quite surprised: "So courageous? I underestimated them."

"Prince, would you mind taking a look in person?" Wei Jie asked cautiously.

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered. He found that he didn't need to hide his true self at this moment. He was a complete villain who specialized in killing loyal people.

There is no harm in conducting the interrogation personally. Zhao Xiaoqian is in a hurry now. He needs to make it an ironclad case against Cao's father and daughter before the court officials create public opinion.

So Zhao Xiaoqian and Wei Jie came to the main hall of the Imperial City together.

After entering the main hall, Zhao Xiaoqian was not polite. He sat in the presiding judge's seat with his horse and sword. Looking at the wounded and dying father and daughter of the Cao family in front of him, Zhao Xiaoqian snorted coldly, then slammed the table.

"Who is here to sue me?"

(End of this chapter)