Chapter 44: The Cold and Arrogant Master is Actually a Great Enemy
The wife of the Prime Minister used to be a very good friend of the former imperial concubine. Later, one entered the palace and the other got married, and their contact gradually decreased.
The prime minister's wife was indeed in poor health. She had to stay in bed for several months a year to recuperate. For decades, she was unable to leave any children for Prime Minister Zhao.
Even so, Prime Minister Zhao still stayed with her and never abandoned her. Even after her mother's family declined, he still did not take a concubine and only stayed with her.
At first, the Prime Minister’s wife felt that she was the happiest woman in the world.
It was not until five years ago that a portrait that Prime Minister Zhao had secretly hidden in a secret compartment in his study was accidentally discovered.
The woman in the painting has bright eyes and white teeth, like a bright rose.
She recognized at a glance that the person in the painting was her former close friend, the late imperial concubine.
It turns out that the reason Prime Minister Zhao remained chaste for so many years was not because of her, but because he wanted the imperial concubine but failed to get her.
The lady was a calm person. After knowing the secret, she used her status to find out a lot of things.
Later it was discovered that Prime Minister Zhao was in collusion with the southern pirates.
Unfortunately, when she found out these things, she was discovered by Prime Minister Zhao.
Prime Minister Zhao was extremely cruel. Not only did he put her under house arrest in the Prime Minister's Mansion, he also forced her to drink bowls of medicine every day.
It was said to be to nourish her body, but Madam knew very well that it was all chronic poison, meant to make her die quietly.
If it wasn't for Shi Li's accidental discovery, and if Prime Minister Zhao wasn't in the palace when the imperial physician came, the lady probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to deliver the blood letter to the palace.
"I have to go see my brother. This is no small matter." Shi Li looked serious. He comforted the imperial physician with a few words, then stood up and was about to go out.
Just as I reached the gate of Yuli Palace, I met Yueying coming back.
"Yueying, there is something wrong with Prime Minister Zhao." When Shi Li saw her, he felt like he had found his backbone and directly handed her the letter written in blood.
Yueying was slightly stunned.
Shanyi had just found out that it was Prime Minister Zhao who ordered the pirates to steal the princess, but he didn't expect that the princess also got something out of it.
It seems that the princess is really the lucky star of the palace.
"Give me the blood letter and I will present it to His Majesty. Princess, there is no need to panic."
Although there was moonlight, Shi Li was still a little worried.
Prime Minister Zhao is a man of great cunning and foresight. After he returns home, he will definitely know that the imperial physician has seen his wife, and he will not let his guard down.
He has always been the leader of the old party. If something happens to him, the court officials of the same faction cannot remain indifferent.
Moreover, he had served in the court for decades and had instructed many young court officials, acting like a teacher to them.
Toppling Prime Minister Zhao is no easier than toppling the Qi family.
"It would be great if I could do something to help." Shi Li thought about this and sighed slightly.
In order to avoid any further complications, Xiao Jin attacked Prime Minister Zhao as soon as he saw the blood letter and directly sent troops to surround the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"I never thought that His Majesty would not tolerate such a humble minister."
When Prime Minister Zhao heard the news, he walked out of the mansion with a very calm attitude. There was no surprise on his face, and he was even full of disappointment.
It seemed as if he was really a loyal minister who was framed innocently.
Afterwards, Shanyi personally led people into the Prime Minister's Mansion, but only found the body of the Prime Minister's wife in the garden.
The most convincing witness was dealt with by Prime Minister Zhao.
As soon as Prime Minister Zhao was detained, dozens of court officials gathered together and jointly wrote a letter to Xiao Jin to ask for an explanation.
This shows how much they support Prime Minister Zhao.
No one deliberately avoided Shi Li about what happened in the previous dynasty, so even though she was in Yuli Palace, she knew exactly what the situation was outside.
Thinking that Xiao Jin and Shao Quan would have to face the attacks of a group of court officials, it became difficult for them to remain calm, and they walked around holding up their skirts.
When I passed by the dressing table, I was attracted by my blurry reflection in the mirror and suddenly thought of an idea.
"Yueying Yueying." Shi Li called her over and touched her cheek with one hand, "Do I look like the former imperial concubine?"
When Xiao Jin was just a prince, Yueying had always been following the former noble concubine, so she was naturally familiar with the former noble concubine's appearance.
"The princess' eyes are almost exactly the same as the queen's, but her nose and lips are more like the late emperor." Yueying told the truth.
"Only the eyes..." Shi Li felt a little disappointed. She covered her mouth and nose with her hands and looked in the mirror again.
"It seems that the eyes are not bad..."
Shi Li made up her mind and went directly to the Imperial Library to meet Xiao Jin.
"Royal brother, please let me go to the prison to meet Prime Minister Zhao." Shi Li went straight to the point and told Xiao Jin about her plan.
Xiao Jin, who was exhausted by the attacks of a group of court officials, refused without thinking, "No!"
He hated Prime Minister Zhao so much for stealing An An and indirectly killing the imperial concubine. There was no way he would let Shi Li see him again at this time.
"But we have to give an explanation to the people of the world." Shi Li tilted her head and said in a soft voice, "Don't worry, brother. I'm just going to take a look... just a look."
Xiao Jin was unable to resist Shi Li's constant nagging, and finally nodded reluctantly, letting Yueying and Shanyi accompany her to the Heavenly Prison.
Shi Li immediately waved her hand and said, "Yueying can go with me, Shanyi doesn't need to go."
Although the situation is tense now, Shi Li has not forgotten what Yueying complained to her about, that Shanyi was unlucky enough to be transferred out of Shengdu by Shao Quan just because Xiao Jin wanted to match people up.
She is about to get married, so she has to learn how to avoid suspicion.
"Okay, you have the final say, but you must be careful." Xiao Jin didn't think too much about it.
After getting approval, Shi Li was not in a hurry to go to the Heavenly Prison.
First, she had to wait until after dark before setting off.
Secondly, she had to make some special preparations.
Today is the fourth day that Prime Minister Zhao has been detained, and the court officials have been quarreling with Xiao Jin for four days.
Xiao Jin was unable to convince the crowd with just the confession of the pirates and a piece of blood written on it.
Finally, as it was getting dark, the courtiers kneeling in front of the palace gate gradually dispersed, preparing to "fight" again tomorrow.
When leaving, he also met Shao Quan and Shao Jing, who had received Xiao Jin's oral order to enter the palace to discuss matters.
Because the two of them were reformists who stood on Xiao Jin's side from beginning to end, the court officials did not give them a good look, and some even snorted.
This kind of isolation and neglect has existed since the two brothers entered officialdom.
They were out-and-out party to the new emperor, and naturally they were at odds with the old officials in the court.
Over the years, Shao Quan had been able to turn a deaf ear to everything, but Shao Jing refused to suffer any loss.
"Lord Liu has been standing for a whole day, so he must be thirsty. Remember to bring a water bag with you tomorrow to give me advice." Shao Jing said with a smile.
Lord Liu, who was teased by him, almost flew into a rage, but fortunately the people around him held him back.
"Hmph, you little brat!" Lord Liu had an expression that said, "I'm not going to bother with you."
Both parties left, and Shao Jing even rolled his eyes at the other person's back.
Shao Quan expressed helplessness beside him.
Afterwards, the two of them came to the Imperial Library and heard Xiao Jin say, "An An is going to the Heavenly Prison to see Prime Minister Zhao."
Hearing this, Shao Quan moved slightly, "Your Majesty..."
"I know what you are going to say. Please help me go see An An, humph." If Xiao Jin didn't want Shao Quan to know, he could have kept silent.
Now that I have said that, I naturally want Shao Quan to go over and take a look.
He was worried that Prime Minister Zhao was scheming and would say unpleasant things that would hurt his lovely sister.
Shao Quan turned around and left without hesitation.
"This is the first time I see Wen Yu walk so fast." Shao Jing stood there, watching his brother's back, shaking his head with emotion.
"Hmph, you have evil intentions." Xiao Jin was not happy at all.