Ci Jinzhi

 Zhang Shoufu doesn’t care about being embarrassed?

 Of course I care.

But now a disaster is approaching. If his disgrace can save the family, then so be it.

　　"Xiao Sun and Xin Daizhao had a conflict. My nephew Yuchen offended Xin Daizhao impulsively. I hope Xin Daizhao will forgive me."

Xin You listened to Zhang Shoufu's explanation and found it funny.

Are you trying to blame yesterday's assassination on her personal grudge with Zhang Xu?

I have to say that Zhang Shoufu knows the trade-offs.

If this matter is characterized as a personal grudge between the younger generations, and if others plead for mercy, Zhang Yuchen, as the direct planner of the assassination, will not escape death, and the rest of the Zhang family will probably be saved.

Even with luck, Zhang Shoufu might be able to save his life.

From finding out the truth about Queen Xin’s accident, Xin You understood that the forces plotting against her mother were not just the Zhang family, but multiple large families in the south who had the same interests. Zhang Shoufu killed him because of a personal grudge. His allies reciprocated the favor and will definitely work hard to rescue him.

This is not to say that these people value friendship, but that once Zhang Shoufu fails to see what he hopes to offer, he may be involved.

Xin You looked at Zhang Shoufu with a calm face and said in a cold tone: "If Zhang Shoufu has anything to say, why not tell Jin Shang."

The movement outside the palace gate was quickly reported to Emperor Xingyuan.

Emperor Xingyuan didn't care and rushed over before the morning court time.

　　Hundreds of officials and nobles lined up according to their official ranks and filed in, shouting long live the mountain.

Emperor Xingyuan endured the ceremony until the end and looked at Zhang Shoufu, who was carrying a thorn stick on his back: "What does this mean, Qing Zhang?"

 Zhang Chief Assistant knelt down, his voice hoarse: "I am guilty, please punish me!"

At this time, Emperor Xingyuan would have asked Zhang Shoufu what happened. This is what everyone including Zhang Shoufu thinks.

And Zhang Shoufu waited for Emperor Xingyuan to ask and then tell him about the assassination of Xinyou yesterday, leaving Emperor Xingyuan with the impression of a personal grudge between his juniors. You must know that preconceived impressions are not easy to change.

 But Xin You appeared in court, and Emperor Xingyuan did not follow the usual rules. He felt that after asking Zhang Shoufu, who went to court carrying a thorn stick on his back, it was time to ask his daughter who suddenly came to court, so that Ayou wouldn't feel left out.

“Why did Xin Daizhao go to court?”

Xin You knelt down and choked up in Zhang Shoufu's eyes that suddenly changed: "Yesterday, I was assassinated, and I almost couldn't see His Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan suddenly stood up from the throne: "Assassination? What's going on?"

Xin You lowered her eyes to cover the water in her eyes: "Yesterday, after leaving the office, I went to Qingsong Bookstore first. On the way home from the bookstore, a man holding an ink umbrella suddenly took out a dagger and stabbed me. Fortunately, I was walking in front. An old man fell down and the chicken he was holding flew towards the man, giving me a chance to escape..."

Even though Xin You was right in front of him, Emperor Xingyuan was still nervous when he heard: "What next?"

"When I was escaping, I encountered a group of Jinlin Guards, and those Jinlin Guards chased me. At night, I received a message from Lord He, saying that the assassin had been caught—" Xin You looked at the head of the chapter. Fu, "The assassin lives in the area where the Zhangshoufu tribe lives, and people like the assassin searched that residence and found six people, all of whom had outstanding skills!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar immediately. Zhang Shoufu yelled: "Your Majesty, I blame you for not restraining the clan members. A few days ago, my grandson Zhangxu had a conflict with Xin Daizhao. Zhang Yuchen, my nephew, had always treated my grandson as his own son. He was beaten until his nose was bruised and his face was swollen. After finishing school, I impulsively went to seek trouble for Xin Daizhao—"

"Bullshit!" Emperor Xingyuan yelled angrily, pointing at Zhang Shoufu and scolding, "Send a killer just to find trouble? Do you have six such killers in your family? Do you think I am a fool? Where is He Qingxiao? Is He Qingxiao here?"

A clear voice sounded: "Your Majesty, Jinlin, the envoy of Weibei Town, He Qingxiao, has met your Majesty."

 “I want to know what’s going on!”

"Yes." He Qingxiao spoke calmly and in a business-like tone, "I have been ordered by His Majesty to investigate the case of Xin Daizhao who was almost killed on his way back to Beijing. Because the person involved in the case has an extraordinary identity and extensive involvement, I am worried that Xin Daizhao will be in danger again. We have been sending people to protect us secretly..."

Emperor Xingyuan couldn't help but nod.

 It’s better to be considerate of Qingxiao.

"Yesterday afternoon, someone assassinated Xin Daizhao in the street. The Jinlin Guards I arranged to protect Xin Daizhao ran away in fright. I chased him personally until he reached the residence of the Zhangshoufu tribe..." He Qingxiao paused and raised his voice slightly, " A secret passage was dug in the assassin's residence, leading directly to the house next door. A total of twelve people were arrested in the two houses, six of whom were well-trained, and the other six were ordinary Zhang clan members..."

The more Emperor Xingyuan listened, the darker his face became.

“After interrogation overnight, the six well-trained persons spoke very tightly, and the other six have successively confessed.”

"What did they say?" Emperor Xingyuan asked immediately.

 Originally, Jin Linwei handled the case and reported the results secretly to the emperor. This was the first time that he came to the court.

 Hundred officials and nobles all had the same thought: Is this something they can listen to?

"According to the confession, the name of the person who assassinated Xin Daizhao yesterday was Sitian. People like Sitian usually practice martial arts in the courtyard and rarely go out. Ordinary tribesmen are responsible for their food, clothing and life and provide cover. I focused on interrogating Si Tian. Tian, ​​he admitted that the assassination of Xin Daizhao was ordered by Zhang Yuchen, and also confessed to several tasks he had done under Zhang Yuchen’s orders over the years.”

 He Qingxiao presented the confession.

Emperor Xingyuan read it and looked at Zhang Shoufu coldly: "Zhang Youming, what else do you have to say?"

"I am old and weak, my dog ​​died young, and many things in the clan have been left to my nephew Zhang Yuchen. Over the years, there have been many things inside and outside the clan, and sometimes it is difficult to restrain them with reason, so Zhang Yuchen has acted a little more indulgently... This is all because of my servant. Being incompetent and failing to restrain the tribesmen is punishable by death!"

"Death penalty?" Emperor Xingyuan raised the corner of his mouth, but he looked calm because he was too angry. "Zhang Youming, what is the purpose of your uncle and nephew deliberately cultivating killers?"

"Your Majesty clearly knows that those are the servants that Zhang Yuchen trained for convenience, but he gradually lost his sense of control. I blame you for not expecting that he would be so impulsive. I know that I am guilty of capital punishment. I only ask that your majesty, for the sake of having been with you for many years, please The people of my clan should be open-minded..."

Hundred officials and nobles listened to Zhang Shoufu's tearful plea. Those from poor families didn't realize it was anything, but those with deep family roots felt the same.

 At their status and in such a family, there will always be some shady things to deal with. Come to think of it, which house doesn't have some servants who specialize in doing this?

Thinking like this, some people were eager to plead for Zhang Shoufu. It's just a first shot, let's wait and see.

Emperor Xingyuan did not feel this way, and he showed no mercy when faced with Zhang Shoufu's plea.

No matter what the reason is, this old guy and his family want to kill his daughter. He will only be soft-hearted if he has a brain problem.

 (End of this chapter)