His granddaughter, whom he had not seen for more than ten years, suddenly came to visit. Jiang Zimo burst into tears. The whole family, the old and the young, hung their heads in tears across the wooden pillars.

"Back then, when I accepted Hu'er and returned to my family, I originally wanted to find a good family for her in this life." Jiang Zimo lamented, "I just didn't expect that she was destined to have a destiny, so I let her go up the mountain. But this time, I let her go.

It’s a farewell. Boy, good boy, let grandpa see you.”

Jiang Zimo stretched out his hand and wiped away the tears from the corners of Jiang Guo's eyes. His eyes were cloudy, and upon further inspection, he felt that Jiang Guo and Burbot almost looked like they were carved out of the same mosaic.

In the early years, Burbot replaced the daughter of the Jiang family in the palace draft. That was because the eldest lady in the backyard of the Jiang family had a fiery temperament and could not get rid of the sand in her eyes. She would hit or scold Burbot who was born in a tea house. And Jiang Zimo was famously afraid of her.

My wife is also helpless.

Jiang Zimo had seen all the grievances that Burbot had suffered in the Jiang family. Jiang Zimo had seen all this. Now that Burbot had lost his daughter and was left alone, he wanted to make amends, but now he could not protect himself, and the stagnation in his chest made him more and more uncomfortable.

"Grandpa, I have good food and shelter in the valley, but grandpa is worrying too much." Jiang Guo comforted her with observation, "It's because grandpa was imprisoned and was wronged that I feel uncomfortable."

"It's okay, they can't cure me." Jiang Zimo smiled and patted her hand, "My Jiang family is the only one in Yanzhou. Without me, they can't take it down. They can only find another way to solve it."

Jiang Guo held Jiang Zimo's hand tightly and said worriedly: "Wei Ting went to Yanzhou to try the case in person, and everyone in Jiuzhou knows about it. I'm afraid it will be detrimental to my grandfather."

Jiang Zimo covered his lips and coughed twice: "They don't dare. As long as I don't admit it, even if His Majesty comes in person, he may not remove me from my post."

"Really?"

With a gentle voice, Liu Taijing leaned against the wooden pillar and looked at Jiang Zimo with a smile.

Jiang Zimo looked at Liu Taijing and asked doubtfully: "Who is this?"

"His name is Liu Taijing, and he is my junior brother by seniority." Jiang Guo raised his sleeves and wiped away his tears.

"Liu Taijing?" Jiang Zimo's forehead gradually wrinkled. He stared at Liu Taijing for a long time, "Little brother, have we met before?"

"Mr. Jiang is such a noble person who forgets things." Liu Taijing approached leisurely with his hands behind his back, "I met Mr. Jiang once on the fireworks boat."

The three words "Fireworks Boat" were like thunder, and the surname Liu was the surname of the royal family. As he thought about it carefully, Jiang Zimo's pupils gradually shrank.

He was silent for a moment and said, "Guo'er, you go ahead. I have something to talk with this little brother."

Jiang Guo rubbed his eyes and thought in surprise, what could his grandfather and Liu Taijing have to say?

But when she saw Jiang Zimo's brows furrowed and his words seemed to be deliberately sending her away, she left suspiciously.

There was silence in the prison. For a long time, Jiang Zimo said hesitantly: "Back then, on the fireworks boat, except for the noble Tian Heng, all of them were high-ranking officials from a certain territory. I think you are only about twenty years old. What is your identity on that boat?"

of?"

Liu Taijing heard the temptation in Lao Zhoumu's words, but he did not hide, but answered generously:

"Emperor Jingcheng had two sons, King Liu Xiuyong of Jin and King Liu Xiuliang of Qin. But back then, on the fireworks boat, in front of the flowers and under the moon, leaning against the railings and bottles, there were only two people named Liu on the boat."

Hearing this, Jiang Zimo suddenly held a breath in his chest, and then he suddenly knelt down on his knees tremblingly, performed a great ceremony, and bowed respectfully and said: "Old minister Jiang Zimo, I would like to pay my respects to His Highness the King of Qi!"

Liu Taijing recalled this call from his childhood, with deep heaviness in his eyes, but his words seemed extremely plain: "The smell in this prison is mixed. I'm afraid Mr. Jiang will be dizzy if you stay for a long time. King Qi has been buried long ago."

In the sea of ​​fire, there is no third prince in the world."

Jiang Zimo said anxiously: "Your Highness said this because he blamed the old minister for his dereliction of duty. The old minister is guilty!"

Liu Taijing took a few steps to the left and right, and asked with a smile on his face: "What is your crime, sir? It was a natural disaster, a disaster that no one could have predicted."

"There was a fire on the flower boat. I tried my best to investigate thoroughly! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any clues, let alone catch the person who set the fire. I deserve death!" Jiang Zimo raised his arms and raised his head, "Now His Highness is fine. It can be said that nothing has happened to him.

The sky has eyes! I, the Holy Spirit of the Kingdom of Zheng, protect the royal family, old ministers, old ministers..."

Jiang Zimo's throat slid, and there was a faint cry.

"A flower boat, the feudal officials from seven states, the favored concubine of the harem, the King of Qi, and the four princesses were all burned up by the fire." Liu Taijing's eyes showed sadness, but his lips and teeth were smiling, "The Holy Spirit

If we were to be protected, it would rain heavily to save everyone. But now I am left alone, a lonely ghost, with a home and no way to return, a pain to bear on my own, and an injustice that cannot be redressed."

Liu Taijing's last words were spoken as hard as a stone, which made Jiang Zimo lower his head suddenly and tremble all over.

Jiang Zimo repeated again and again: "Old minister deserves death, old minister deserves death!"

"Mr. Jiang, when the fire burned the seven prefectures to death, only you, Dingze Zhensong, who was highly praised by the late emperor, survived." Liu Taijing tilted his head slightly and whispered softly, "Is it strange for you to say this?

Is it strange? You just said that all the creatures of the past generations have protected the royal family. On the night of the fire, you claimed that you were busy with official duties and left in the air. You were so lucky to escape the disaster. Is it the intention of heaven to give you a crown of imperial beads and make you the lord of the Zheng Kingdom?

"

Jiang Zimo kowtowed violently and shouted hastily: "I don't dare, I don't dare! Your Highness, Your Highness, don't try to hurt me!"

The blood overflowed down his red and purple forehead, splashed in the dust, on the straw, and dripped down his cheeks. The look of panic was beyond words.

"Then I would like to ask, Sir, if you were not involved in the arson." Liu Taijing crossed his arms, "Why did the fire start so suddenly when you got off the boat?"

Jiang Zimo raised his head, with blood lying between the bridge of his nose. He opened his cloudy eyes and explained with fear: "At that time, the servants came to report that Daizhou Mu Feng Chengyue arrived in Yanzhou, so I went there with the local officials.

However, just halfway there, he heard that the flower boat was on fire and that the lives of the imperial concubine and the state pastors were at stake, so the veteran returned immediately.

By the time we reached the lake, the fire was already so fierce that it was difficult to contain it. Your Highness, I, Jiang Zimo, must be blamed for such mistakes in Yanzhou. It is my fault, and I deserve death!"

Liu Taijing raised the lantern and brought it close to his cheek: "You are the only one who said these things. You are just saying it out of thin air. Do you have any evidence?"

"All the servants, entourage, and accompanying officials can all testify." The firelight illuminated Jiang Zimo's solemn profile, "Your Highness, if I tell a lie, I will be struck by lightning and die!"

"I have checked those people, and it is indeed true." Liu Taijing stared at him, "But you are the leader in Yanzhou. It is really difficult for me to believe what these people say, Mr. Jiang."

"Your Highness's disbelief is understandable, but I can't say anything false!" Jiang Zimo struggled to get up, bowed to the sky and said, "Thanks to the emperor's great kindness, I have lived in Fangzhou as a pastor for a long time. I am diligent and honest throughout my life!

The only way to prove your innocence now is to die!"

After he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned back and hit the wall hard!

hiss!

Hearing the sound of the iron rope swaying, Liu Taijing grabbed Jiang Zimo's hand and held him back forcefully.

Liu Taijing put away his smile and said expressionlessly: "My humble minister died in prison for no reason. How can I, the little exam worker Zuo Cheng, defend myself? Okay, Sir, I am here today because I have a reason."

Words of advice.”

The chain was pulled, and Jiang Zimo's behavior was restricted. He breathed heavily and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, please speak."

"The trial will be held in the lobby tomorrow." Liu Taijing warned lightly, "Master, please bow your head and plead guilty."

Jiang Zimo was shocked when he heard this: "Your Highness, veteran——"

Liu Taijing raised his hand and pulled Jiang Zimo against the wooden pillar. Their faces were very close at hand.

Liu Taijing's eyes were cold: "If you want to live, just admit it."

Jiang Zimo was surprised and confused: "What do you mean, Your Highness?"

Liu Taijing loosened the chain, slowly took out the handkerchief and wiped the blood stains on Jiang Zimo's forehead. He chuckled and said, "No, I'll save your ears."

Jiang Zimo didn't understand the meaning of his words, and while he was thinking carefully with his eyebrows furrowed, Liu Taijing had already stood up and was about to leave.

Jiang Zimo slumped on the ground in a daze, but for a moment, he seemed to remember something, and hurriedly knelt down in the straw pile and dug out a crumpled paper ball.

He threw the paper ball behind Liu Taijing, stretched out his neck and shouted loudly: "Your Highness! Your Highness, please stay. This is a secret letter from Tingwei Liu Qiusheng to me, please read it."

Liu Taijing picked up the ball of paper, spread out a corner, and his expression suddenly turned cold.

The letter stated that Jiang Zimo should bow his head and plead guilty, and Pang Boyi promised not to implicate the entire Jiang family. If he refused, he would implicate the nine clans!

This is the simplest way. If Jiang Zimo is captured, Yanzhou will be captured by Pang Boyi.

But Liu Taijing had doubts. After he took over the official position, he followed the imperial army west of the city to Manhong Pass to transport weapons.

But Manhong Pass is in the north and Yanzhou is in the southeast. What is the purpose of the army detouring through Yanzhou?

This news made Liu Taijing's heart sink. He glanced at Jiang Zimo, then turned around and left the prison without saying a word.

When they arrived at the prison cell, Jiang Guo and Yuan Ji were sitting and drinking tea with the jailer. When the jailer saw Liu Taijing coming back, he said, "You guys are so busy looking at people, are you trying to overturn the verdict for tomorrow's trial?"

"Senior brother, as a jailer, don't you also hope that Mr. Jiang can be released from prison as soon as possible?" Liu Taijing smiled.

"I entered the world early and stayed in Yanzhou for thirty years." The jailer drank hot tea in one gulp. "For thirty years, there were floods every year. If it weren't for Mr. Jiang, the fields in Yanzhou would have been flooded.

. He is a good official and the people love him."

The bitterness in the words makes people sigh.

After listening to the words, Jiang Guo was no longer in the mood to drink tea. She looked at Liu Taijing and asked, "Xiao Liu, you have a lot of ideas. Please help me think of a solution."

"This matter is so big that there is really nothing we can do about it." Liu Taijing smiled bitterly, "But the boss also said that the Jiang family in Yanzhou is the only one, but now the Jiang family has no great talents except the boss. If the boss is convicted, then

Even if we are trying to convict the people of the fourteen counties in Yanzhou, it will be difficult to deal with it if it breaks out."

"Yes, the people of Yanzhou are eagerly looking forward to this case." The jailer said, "If Tingwei dares to convict the old man, they will definitely not be able to leave Yanzhou."

Yuan Ji stood up and said: "The situation is forcing Wei Ting to be impatient. Even if the messenger confesses, Wei Ting may not dare to convict the person of murder. Senior sister, let's see how the trial goes tomorrow."

Jiang Guo was more anxious than anyone else, but seeing that Yuan Ji and Liu Taijing both looked confident, she suddenly became a little angry.

She raised her eyebrows and glanced at the two of them: "You two are in tandem. One has met the messenger, and the other has been chatting with my grandpa for so long. Are you planning something secret?"

Liu Taijing did not answer and just smiled, while Yuanji remained silent.

Jiang Guo said jokingly: "Oh, you are still showing off with me?"

The jailer hurriedly stood up to cover the two of them. After all, he was the one who led them in. Although they were far apart, he could vaguely hear a few words. He flattered and comforted them and fooled the two of them.

And Jiang Guo's words were like a pebble thrown into the lake, causing both Liu Taijing and Yuanji, who were silent, to look at each other.

They are all guessing what the other person said in prison.
Chapter completed!