flstandardbreds Chapter 1010 Imperial Decree: Prince Yi to Collect the Corpses
Chapter 1010 Imperial Decree: Prince Yi to Collect the Corpses
Emperor Hongde seemed to be thinking and muttering to himself, or perhaps analyzing something for himself...
Every word Emperor Hongde uttered was clearly heard by all the civil and military officials in the Golden Hall, and the name of the person to be silenced was practically on the tip of their tongue!
Actually, it's not quite right to say that the name of the person who silenced them is obvious... it's more accurate to say that everyone already knows who the person who silenced them is!
However, after listening to the accounts of Zheng Tong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and Tan Wen, the Commander of the Northern Garrison, I now know the specific methods used to silence the witnesses!
I wonder... whether the person who tries to silence the witness can completely eliminate the witness and also absolve themselves of any responsibility!
Regarding this matter, at this moment, none of the civil and military officials standing in the Golden Hall dared to express their opinions, and they all returned to a state of silence, keeping their eyes down and their noses closed.
Fortunately, after muttering to himself for a while, Emperor Hongde on the dragon throne did not ask the civil and military officials below about the matter. He just suddenly stopped talking!
The Emperor suddenly fell silent... He just sat there with his eyes downcast and his face grim. No one knew what the Emperor was thinking at that moment.
Emperor Hongde's silence left the civil and military officials standing below somewhat puzzled!
Zhang Jinyan, a former vice minister, died in the imperial prison.
In the Shuntian Prefecture prison, the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan's wife, two concubines, two legitimate daughters, and two illegitimate sons died.
Whether these people died from poisoning or not... although there is no conclusion yet, in the hearts of everyone here, the conclusion has already been reached!
As for what kind of poison was used... does that even matter?
Those who needed to be silenced have already been silenced;
The tool sent to silence witnesses... he's probably been silenced too...
The person who silenced them is 100% Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi!
Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, is the Emperor's own nephew!
Is that why the Emperor stopped speaking?
Should we investigate further? We probably won't find anything.
If we don't investigate further... how should this matter be resolved?
Even if there is evidence proving that Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, was the one who killed to silence witnesses, what can the Emperor do?
Can I kill him?
Even if what Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, did involved treason, he should be killed, or even torn to pieces!
But... is it okay to kill him?
Is the Emperor willing to bear the guilt of killing his brother's only son?
Among the officials below were those of Prince Yi's faction, who were now both worried and pleased...
The worrying thing is that Prince Yi's treasonous act was exposed beforehand;
The Emperor was pleased that he dared not easily take action against Prince Yi, even though Prince Yi had committed a heinous crime!
It was clearly the emperor leading civil and military officials in the morning court session, yet such a long period of silence was rare!
After a long while, Emperor Hongde slowly raised his head and instructed Yu Feng beside him, "Go to the Imperial Hospital and convey my imperial edict, ordering Zheng Bingze of the Imperial Hospital to quickly select several imperial physicians skilled in identifying poisons to go to the Imperial Prison and the Shuntian Prefecture Prison to conduct another autopsy on the family of the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan who died suddenly. You must find out the cause of death without any mistakes!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys the decree!"
Yu Feng bowed respectfully, flicked his whisk, and strode away.
Emperor Hongde then looked at Zhu Xun, the official in charge of recording imperial edicts, who was sitting behind a desk on one side of the hall with a pen in his hand. "Minister Zhu, record my decrees!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Xun immediately focused his attention and listened to the imperial edict.
"By imperial decree: Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, who is currently under house arrest, shall be temporarily released for one day the day after tomorrow to collect the bodies of the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan and his family!"
All expenses have been covered by the Prince Yi's Mansion!
As soon as Emperor Hongde finished speaking, the Golden Hall fell silent once again!
The officials first listened as Emperor Hongde ordered the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy to conduct autopsies on the family of the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan, who had died suddenly. They thought to themselves... This was understandable, after all, the deaths of the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan and his family were suspicious, clearly murder to cover it up.
As for what kind of poison was used on Zhang Jinyan's family... since the coroner couldn't find out, they sent an imperial physician.
Finding a result is at least an explanation for this matter!
But... to send the Prince Yi, who is under house arrest, to collect the bodies of the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan and his family, who died suddenly in prison... This... uh... what is Your Majesty trying to do?
To say that the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan's family has a relationship with Prince Yi Xiao Jingyi... well, they do have a relationship, and a rather deep one at that!
Zhang Jinyan's eldest daughter, Zhang Miaoying, was the former queen consort of Prince Yi;
As for Zhang Jinyan himself, he was not only the former father-in-law of Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, but also a close friend of Prince Yi in the past;
As for Prince Yi's sister-in-law, Zhang Miaotong... well... to be a little gossipy... they do have some connection.
However... however, ever since His Highness Prince Yi sent a letter of divorce to the gate of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, Prince Yi's mansion and the Second Assistant Minister's mansion have had no further connection!
Now, Prince Yi has killed to silence witnesses, and the entire family of former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan has died suddenly in prison...
Although the Emperor did not name the person who committed the murder to silence them, he issued an edict... ordering the person who clearly committed the murder to collect the bodies of Zhang Jinyan's family, whom he had silenced!
Oh, by the way, the cost of collecting the body still has to be paid by the Prince Yi's Mansion!
Inside the golden hall, many officials, regardless of their motives, were also pondering...
The Emperor has ordered Prince Yi to collect the bodies of Zhang Jinyan's family. How should he do it?
Should they collect the bodies of their own queen, their parents-in-law, and their sister-in-law?
Or are you going to collect the bodies of a few death row inmates who died suddenly?
Also, what scale should be used?
Should we use a coffin?
Or a rolled-up straw mat?
To erect a monument or not?
Let's find a secluded corner and dig a hole...