flstandardbreds Chapter 185: On the Three Sins of the King
Chapter 185: On the Three Sins of the King
Jiang Li first checked carefully and confirmed that her father had not been tortured, and then she felt relieved.
Jiang Minzhi looked at her blankly for a moment, as if he had not expected that she would come to visit him in prison.
Because he hadn't had any water for most of the day, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Ari, why are you here?"
She squatted in front of him, tears in her lively eyes, looking at him worriedly.
Jiang Minzhi felt as if in a dream.
It seemed...she hadn't been so close to him for a long time.
Since returning to Jiangdu City, she has been polite yet indifferent to me, treating me like an elder relative.
Time is limited, and there is no extra time for her to be sentimental.
Jiang Li suppressed her tears and asked, "Father, what happened? Why did His Majesty throw you into prison?"
Speaking of this matter, Jiang Minzhi sighed heavily.
He wanted to stand up from the ground, but he was too weak. Finally, with the help of Jiang Li, he managed to stand up.
“It was because of an article.”
"article?"
Jiang Li reached out and picked off a few pieces of grass from above her father's head, listening in confusion.
The dim candlelight flickered, illuminating Jiang Li's eyes and eyebrows.
Jiang Minzhi looked at her for a moment and couldn't help but think of his late wife. In fact... she looked a lot like her mother.
"That's right, an article titled "On the Three Sins of the King." Jiang Minzhi wanted to laugh, but couldn't.
After hearing this, Jiang Li already understood.
Someone imitated his father's handwriting and wrote an article accusing the emperor.
As for what the article is about, it doesn’t matter at all.
What is important is that neither the sword of a military official nor the pen of a civil official can be pointed at the almighty emperor, thus disrespecting his majesty.
No wonder Yang said he was repeating his old mistakes.
No wonder His Majesty would not even investigate and directly put the person in jail.
Because of what happened eight years ago, in the eyes of Emperor Hongyang, Jiang Minzhi was a repeat offender.
"The higher my father's position, the more people will want to bring me down. The whole court is full of people who say one thing and mean another, who pretend to obey but secretly disobey. It's really boring."
Jiang Minzhi's words were full of self-mockery and sarcasm. He began to doubt whether he was really suitable to be an official.
He shook his head in frustration, his tone so calm that no emotion could be heard.
"Your Majesty recalled me only to check and balance the court, not to truly let go of those words in the past. Those words are like a thorn, deeply buried in your Majesty's heart. Someone with ulterior motives can easily stir up your Majesty's anger and dispose of me at will."
"But father, your handwriting is all over Changzhou. Almost every student of the Western School has seen it and tried to imitate it."
Jiang Li said, "Even if the handwriting is the same as yours, it is not enough to be ironclad evidence. Why don't you explain it to His Majesty?"
Jiang Minzhi shook his head. "It's not my father's calligraphy, painting and poetry books, but the manuscripts."
"Manuscript!?" Jiang Li asked in surprise.
My father was a great writer in Changzhou, and his calligraphy and paintings were also purchased and collected by many people.
But when my father practiced calligraphy outside, he mostly used regular script or bold cursive script.
However, the manuscripts I scribbled casually at home were disorganized and unique.
"So, someone stole your manuscript?"
A person suddenly appeared in Jiang Li's mind. Could it be Zou?
"But my daughter remembers that your study has always been a forbidden area. No one is allowed to enter without permission, not even Zou."
"A few days ago, she went there once..."
Jiang Minzhi looked gloomy. "A few days ago, when my father was handling official business in the study, Zou brought me a bowl of soup."
He found it difficult to tell his daughter the rest.
Zou was particularly gentle and considerate that night.
Ever since the last time the two of them visited a colleague's house and had a quarrel when they came back, there has been a rift between the two of them.
While she sincerely apologized, she vowed that she would work harder to learn etiquette and rules in the future and would never embarrass him again.
As she spoke, she began to cry again, recalling the time they spent in Liangzhou.
Although it is hard work, it is better for the couple to be of one mind than to have a lot of wealth and wealth but a gap in their hearts.
Jiang Minzhi was moved by her words, and as he had not been close to her for many days, he enjoyed sexual pleasure with Zou on the couch in the study.
Afterwards, he fell into a deep sleep.
Now that I think about it, it is very likely that Zou stole his manuscript that night.
"Maybe not her."
Jiang Minzhi was always unwilling to believe that Zou would do anything to harm him.
Still foolishly making excuses for her in my heart.
"Or... maybe... she was threatened and forced."
For six years, she had been with him through thick and thin, enduring all the hardships. All of this was not false.
He may not really like her, but his gratitude towards her is real.
Jiang Li was so angry that she laughed out loud.
It turns out that people are easily blinded only when they want to deceive themselves.
"Father, now that you are behind bars, you are still defending her?"
"Ah Li, you don't understand. Life in Liangzhou was so difficult, but she stayed with me all the time. How can I believe that she would betray me?"
The candlelight was dim, casting his shadow on the wall, hunched and bent.
Jiang Li suddenly realized.
I don't know when my father has become this old...
Her fingertips curled up slightly. She couldn't bear to tell this stupid father...
This is not the only thing that woman has betrayed you.
If you want to blame someone, blame it on my grandmother’s doting and dominance, which is like a double-edged sword.
It made him talented, but also caused him to be frivolous and ignorant.
He dared to do that in public, let alone the emperor, and ended up with his entire family being exiled.
At the same time, it also made him weak and incompetent.
When encountering the slightest change, they are like seedlings blown down by the wind, unable to recover, and their temperament changes drastically.
Jiang Li pursed her lower lip. Now was not the time to reminisce about the past. It didn't matter who was right or wrong.
The important thing is to solve the Jiang family’s current predicament and never repeat the mistakes of eight years ago.
Now that she knows the whole story, she can find a breakthrough.
The key to the problem lies with Zou, just go find Zou!
When I came out of the dungeon, it was already completely dark.
Jiang Li stood on the steps, looking up at the dark and boundless sky.
Luo Zhi walked closer and looked in the direction the girl was staring.
The dark clouds have not yet dispersed. There are no stars or moon. What’s so good about the darkness?
"Girl?" she called softly.
Jiang Li lowered her eyes when she heard the voice and said, "Let's go back home."
The day will always come.
……
Han Yunning had just come out of the imperial study and was walking towards Xiyun Pavilion, surrounded by a group of maids.
As soon as I turned into the Imperial Garden, I saw Gao Zhong, the prince's attendant, holding a lantern and walking up to me.
"Good luck to Concubine Ning. The Crown Prince invites you upstairs to have a cup of tea."
Lanterns flickered above the pavilion.
The man's figure was vaguely visible under the light.
Han Yunning raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile, "You guys wait here."
"Yes, your majesty." The maids responded in unison.
A rain in the daytime made the night breeze blowing through the pavilion a little cooler.
Han Yunning sat down directly opposite Xiao Wenhao, took the tea he handed over, and asked, "Your Highness, what is the matter with you looking for me?"
Xiao Wenhao's fingertips gently slid across the delicate back of her hand, and he put his fingers close to his nose and sniffed intoxicatedly.
"I haven't seen you for a long time. Concubine Ning is still as lovable as a fragrant flower. I miss you day and night."
He deliberately emphasized the four words "thinking about you day and night", and the profound meaning is self-evident.
Han Yunning didn't buy his tricks. He still had a faint smile on his face and said sarcastically,
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is surrounded by beauties like clouds, and he enjoys the happiness of having many women every day. How can he still think about his concubines?"