Ci Jinzhi

Searching the Zhang family was a arduous task, but He Qingxiao did it personally and did not relax at all. Instead, he left the interrogation of Zhang Shoufu and others to his subordinates.

This is a bit strange in the eyes of many people, but nowadays everyone is in danger, fearing that the case of Zhang Shoufu will snowball into them, so they all keep quiet.

 Zhang Zhai didn't find what he was looking for, so He Qingxiao went to Zhang Yuchen's residence again.

Zhang Yuchen's study looked clean and tidy, but as soon as he walked in, He Qingxiao felt something was wrong.

 Somewhat too neat.

 In a frequently used study room, even for the most particular person, the pens and ink placed on the desk, the stacked papers, and the guqin played are all more or less random.

  Knocked on the wall, checked the shelf, and found a stack of unused letter papers in an inconspicuous drawer.

 Place together with these letters, there is also a small seal.

He Qingxiao turned the seal over to reveal the bottom, which was a deformed word "Jun". This matches the mark on the letters left by Zhou Tong.

 The search continued, but no correspondence was found in the study.

He Qingxiao stared at the black dust on her fingers, which she found between the corner of the wall and the bookcase.

He quickly came to a conclusion: Zhang Yuchen's study was not without secret letters, but it had been burned clean.

Think about Zhang Yuchen's midnight escape, and you will know that he was in a hurry to deal with the letters at that time. Normally, the study would be a mess. It seems that the study was cleaned up by Zhang Yuchen's wife Wang later.

After searching carefully and finding no useful clues, He Qingxiao returned to Beizhen Fusi with the letter paper and seal.

“Sir, there was a fierce conflict between Zhang Youming and Zhang Yuchen’s uncle and nephew. To prevent accidents, they were detained separately.”

 “What’s the cause?”

“Zhang Youming has been scolding Zhang Yuchen for being worse than a pig or a dog. Zhang Yuchen may have broken the pot, but he actually said that Zhang Youming’s son was killed by him..."

He Qingxiao was silent.

He guessed that there was something dirty between the uncle and nephew, but he didn't expect it to be so shocking.

He Qingxiao went to see Zhang Shoufu first.

Not long ago, Zhang Shoufu was still looking strong and healthy, but at this time, people have a profound understanding of what it means to be in his twilight years.

His hair was loose, his face had not been washed, and his eyes were dull and dull.

“Zhang Shoufu.” He Qingxiao said.

 Zhang Shoufu's eyes moved and he laughed miserably: "A prisoner like this old man should not be called this by the Governor of Hezhen."

He Qingxiao said calmly: "Zhang Shoufu is an old minister who has followed Jinshang since before the founding of the People's Republic of China. He doesn't want to impose severe punishment on you. I only want to ask one thing. You were the one behind the scenes to push for the Queen's accident, right?"

 Zhang Shoufu was startled, and after being silent for a while, he asked, "When did you have this suspicion today?"

 “When King Qing’s side is exposed.”

“Is it so early?” Zhang Shoufu murmured.

 “Zhang Shoufu.” He Qingxiao’s tone was calm, intended to remind.

 Zhang Shoufu came back to his senses, looked at the young man with particularly outstanding features for a long time, and said, "I can answer this question, but there is one condition."

"Please say."

 “I hope Zhang Yuchen will be executed with the punishment of Ling Chi.”

This inhumane thing is not worthy of dying with the Zhang clan.

He Qingxiao was not surprised by the conditions proposed by Zhang Shoufu, and said seriously: "He will make a proposal to this superior. As for how this superior will decide, no one can control it."

"You don't know how to trick an old man?" Zhang Shoufu asked, staring at him closely.

He Qingxiao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Does He need to deceive Zhang Shoufu?" Zhang Shoufu asked this more, just for peace of mind, and quickly nodded and admitted: "Yes."

His only son was killed early by his beloved nephew, and his grandson is also waiting for his death in this prison. All persistence and concealment are meaningless.

If that beast Zhang Yuchen could be cut into pieces by a thousand cuts, he would be able to walk more briskly on the road to hell.

When he went to the cell where Zhang Yuchen was imprisoned, Zhang Shoufu's eyes full of hatred still appeared in He Qingxiao's mind.

Hearing the movement, Zhang Yuchen glanced at the door with difficulty.

 After Zhang Yuchen entered the imperial edict, he experienced several common punishments in Beizhen Fusi. It was a worthwhile trip.

His cruelty was towards others, not himself. At this moment, when he saw the top leader of Beizhen Fusi walking in expressionlessly, he couldn't help but shudder.

"He just came from Zhang Shoufu. He admitted that it was you who planned what happened to the late queen." He Qingxiao got straight to the point.

 Zhang Yuchen lowered his eyelids and didn't react much.

Being in jail, facing death, and having to undergo torture at any time, isn’t it too normal to admit that?

He Qingxiao raised the seal in front of him: "Do you know this doctor Zhang?"

 Zhang Yuchen pursed his lips and remained silent.

"Mr. Zhang's study is very clean. I wonder who the letters stamped with this seal have been in contact with except Zhou Tong?"

Hearing He Qingxiao mention Zhou Tong, Zhang Yuchen understood that the other party had discovered the unique mark on the letter paper and now wanted him to reveal his accomplices.

“Mr. Zhang, you have to think about it, whether you have to endure a lot of hardship before telling the truth, or you should confess it happily. Especially think about whether others are worth the hardship for you.” He Qingxiao’s calm tone was full of warning.

For people like Zhang Yuchen, who thoroughly adhere to the principle that "people who do not serve themselves will be punished by heaven and earth", it is appropriate to use these words as a warning.

 Zhang Yuchen lowered his head and thought for a long time, looking frustrated: "I said..."

As he named each name, more and more information appeared on the paper, and the scribe who was responsible for recording became a little unsteady on his pen.

 “Is there anything else?” He Qingxiao asked after Zhang Yuchen stopped.

 Zhang Yuchen shook his head slowly.

“In that case—” He Qingxiao glanced at Yan Chao, “Please entertain Dr. Zhang for me.”

Yan Chao stood in front of Zhang Yuchen with a gloomy face, and soon screams sounded.

 After saying hello, some more names appeared on the paper.

Not long after Xin You received the summons and entered the palace, he heard a report from the chamberlain that He Qingxiao, the envoy of Jinlin Weibei Town, asked for an audience.

Emperor Xingyuan said hurriedly: "Ayou, please go to the garden first."

  I don’t really want Ayou to have more contact with that kid.

"Master He is asking for an audience at this time. It should be that the investigation of the Zhang family has concluded. I am the victim of this case and I want to hear about it." Xin You said frankly.

This request was very legitimate, and Emperor Xingyuan had no choice but to signal his servant to bring the person in.

He Qingxiao soon walked in: "I have seen your Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan looked at the people who were kneeling with a critical look, and said calmly: "Get back on your feet. What's the matter with the envoy He Zhen coming into the palace?"

Hearing the title of Emperor Xingyuan, He Qingxiao secretly guessed: The emperor is in a bad mood?

 In private situations, the emperor usually called him "Qingxiao".

Although He Qingxiao has a keen mind, he doesn't understand that this is an old father's instinctive defense when facing a young boy.

“Reporting to your majesty, Zhang Youming and Zhang Yuchen have confessed that they were the ones who revealed the traces of the late queen to Gu Changbo... This is a list of people who have close contact with Zhang Youming’s uncle and nephew. Your majesty please take a look.”

 (End of this chapter)