Gaozong had been weak since he was a child and had always disliked getting up early. Unless it was a great dynasty that he could not avoid, otherwise he would have to sleep until three o'clock in the morning. Today was not a dynasty, so Gaozong naturally had no desire to get up early. Even at this time,
The sun had already risen to its peak, but Gaozong was still lying on his back on the large wooden couch, sleeping comfortably. Empress Wu had gotten up earlier, and was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, letting several palace maids do it.
She was waiting for her to dress up. Although her face was calm as usual, the depths of her eyes were full of worry.
"Your Majesty, there is news."
While all the palace maids were busy, Sun Quanfu, who was sweating profusely, turned around from the screen at the door of the palace, walked quickly behind Empress Wu, and reported in a low voice, his tone full of anxiety.
.
"Everyone, stand down!"
Empress Wu did not look back, but her body trembled obviously. After a moment of silence, she did not rush to ask about the news that Sun Quanfu had brought, but gave an order in a calm voice.
"Yes, slave, I obey."
As soon as Empress Wu spoke, the busy palace maids did not dare to show any signs of neglect and hurriedly responded, bowing and exiting the room.
"Mother, the thing is like this, last night..."
Sun Quanfu knew that the matter was of great importance and did not dare to delay at all. After all the palace maids had retreated, he hurriedly rushed to Empress Wu's side, almost in Empress Wu's ear, telling the story of the failure of the assassination last night and the trial of Li Xian early this morning.
News of the case was reported one by one.
"oh?"
After listening to Sun Quanfu's report, Empress Wu was not in a hurry to make a decision. Instead, she said softly, turned around and looked at Gaozong, who was sleeping soundly. Then he pondered for a moment, stood up gracefully, and wrinkled slightly.
He frowned, glanced at Sun Quanfu, and immediately moved to the outer hall, regardless of how indecent his disheveled appearance was at this moment.
"Your Majesty, the person who came here is not a good person. I think the case can no longer be tried like this."
Sun Quanfu followed Empress Wu silently and came to the empty outer hall. After waiting for a long time, seeing that Empress Wu still didn't say a word, Sun Quanfu became a little nervous and reminded him in a low voice.
"Um."
Empress Wu has a wealth of experience in fighting in the court. How could she not know that the current situation is dangerous, and why does Sun Quanfu need to remind her? However, it is not easy to make up her mind. After all, the three kings have already joined forces at this time, even if they are stronger than Empress Wu.
, and was deeply afraid of it. From Empress Wu's point of view, it would be very difficult to escape unscathed this time. What needs to be considered is how to stop the loss. It is not that simple to stop the loss accidentally. Empress Wu does not believe that the three
Wang Hui pointed out that if he really failed, the business in the first half of his life would be completely in vain. Under this situation, Empress Wu felt powerless for the first time, and in a irritable mood,
Since he was too lazy to talk to Sun Quanfu, he said noncommittally and paced back and forth in the main hall.
"Your Majesty, how about I go and convey the order first, suspend the trial, and discuss the follow-up later?"
Seeing that Empress Wu had not made a decision for a long time, Sun Quanfu knew that the matter might not be rectified, so he gritted his teeth and spoke again.
"Forget it, just go and have a go and say that this is my decree. This case is important and the real evidence must be found before the trial!" Empress Wu pondered for a long time, but she still couldn't find a way to get the best of both worlds. She had no choice but to
Agree to Sun Quanfu's proposal.
"Yes, slave, go right now!"
Sun Quanfu did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly agreed to the promise, hurriedly left the hall, led several young eunuchs and rode towards Dali Temple...
In the Dechang Hall of the East Palace, Prince Li Hong, who was dressed in formal court uniform, was pacing back and forth on the front porch with an anxious look on his face. He looked thoughtful. His Highness, Yan Liben, Le Yanwei and dozens of other princes were standing on his left and right.
The courtiers all looked anxious and looked outside the palace from time to time, as if they were expecting something.
"Your Highness, the snake has been dispatched and is heading towards Dali Temple!"
Just when everyone was anxiously waiting, they saw Wang Dequan running into the hall, not even paying attention to saluting, and hurriedly speaking to report.
"Oh?" Li Hong was stunned when he heard this. He rolled his eyes, but he did not make an immediate decision. He seemed to be still hesitating.
"Your Highness, without further ado, let's get started!"
When Yan Liben saw the hesitation on Li Hong's face, he immediately became anxious and hurriedly stood up and urged him.
"Okay, then let's get started, pass on the orders of the orphan, and show off to Dali Temple!"
The matter was too important to allow Li Hong to be careless. However, under the temptation of success in the First World War, Li Hong did not hesitate for too long. He gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and led a group of courtiers to go straight out.
After arriving at the East Palace, each took a car and rushed to the Yamen of Dali Temple...
In the court hall of Dali Temple, Old God Li Xian was lying on the ground with his eyes closed, not paying attention to the two deputies at his head, nor the comments of the people watching outside the hall, nor did he pay attention to He Lanmin who was kneeling in the hall.
At first glance, he looked like he was resting. However, when Lin Chengbin led a group of royal guards into the lobby, Li Xian's tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, with undisguised murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"Your Highness, the general has fulfilled his mission and has brought the account book to your Highness, please take a look at it!"
Lin Chengbin strode to the hall, holding a thick account book in his hand, bowed to Li Xianyi, and loudly reported the report.
"Hand it over!"
Li Xianhan gave instructions in a loud voice, and Lin Chengbin did not dare to show any slightest hesitation. He hurriedly stepped forward and handed the account book in his hand to Li Xian.
"On the second day of the first lunar month in the third year of Xianqing, Hou Shanye of Dali Temple presented a bottle of golden Buddha, worth three hundred guan; on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the third year of Xianqing, Hou Shanye presented ten pieces of silk, two ivory carvings, and two gold bracelets;
In four years, Hou Shanye sent three hundred guan in money..." Li Xian took the account book from Lin Chengbin's hand and quickly flipped through it. Without counting, he found the column about the gifts sent by Hou Shanye, and his expression instantly changed.
With a stern look, he glanced at Hou Shanye coldly, and followed the script in a calm tone. Finally, he closed the account book, looked at Hou Shanye with an extremely cold look, and asked with a murderous tone: "Master Hou, do you have any explanation for this?
Um?"
"Your Highness, this is a false accusation. This official has never offered bribes. These are all just one-sided remarks by Wu Min, and there are countless things he can do!"
Hou Shanye has been hanging out in the Dali Temple yamen since he entered the official career. It can be said that he has been trying cases for half his life. How could he not know how lethal this account book is? Now, how could he give in easily and deny it without hesitation?
road.
"Oh? Really? Wu Minzhi, Mr. Hou said that you are making a false accusation. Do you have anything to say?"
Li Xian was not in a hurry to refute Hou Shanye's excuse, but said softly, looked at Wu Minzhi who was looking very proud, and asked in an indifferent voice.
"Your Highness clearly knows that someone is already waiting for death, so what's the benefit of falsely accusing Mr. Hou? Furthermore, if this account book is true or false, find a fake to identify it, and you will know the authenticity. Hey, why bother?
It's a waste of words." He Lan Minzhi made a nonchalant face and responded with a smile.
"Well, come here, let the widow of Luoyang Mansion come to court!"
Li Xian ignored He Lan Minzhi's arrogance. He was stunned and shouted loudly.
"Your Highness, please wait."
As soon as Li Xian finished speaking, Liu Yizhi could no longer sit still and hurriedly interrupted.
"What? Mr. Liu has any objection to this king's order?" Li Xian glanced at Liu Yi and reprimanded him unceremoniously.
"How dare you, how dare you, I just feel that this matter is important, and when it comes to the trial, it must be settled by the Holy Order. I think it's better to suspend the trial and wait until your Majesty is informed before making a decision?" 1
Seeing Li Xian's gloomy expression, Liu Yizhi couldn't help but tremble in his heart, but he refused to give up the last hope of saving Empress Wu's party, so he explained with a smile.
"Since I have been ordered to investigate the case, I should have the right to make a decision. Could it be that Mr. Liu wants to overstep his authority?"
Li Xian didn't give Liu Yizhi any dignity, and scolded him in a cold voice.
"I dare not, but the court has its own laws. Matters involving the presiding judge should be judged by the Holy Order. Please think twice, Your Highness!" By now, Liu Yizhi was gone.
To retreat, even though his feet were shaking due to the murderous aura in Li Xian, he still gave Li Xian a strong word in his mouth.
"Lord Liu, are you trying to deceive me into not understanding the Laws of the Tang Dynasty? Hey, what a court law. Dare I ask Lord Liu, is it Gu, Lord Liu, or Lord Hou who is presiding over this case?
Trial, eh?" Li Xian has not spent these years in vain. In order to deal with the extremely ruthless Empress Wu, he has studied the law a lot. Not only has he memorized the "Laws of the Tang Dynasty" by heart, he has at least learned it by heart.
, when he heard that Liu Yizhi was talking about the court's laws, just like playing tricks on the class door, he immediately became angry, so he sneered and asked without any accommodating intention.
"This, this, this..."
Although Liu Yizhi himself was familiar with "Datang Code", his familiarity was far inferior to that of Li Xian. When he heard what Li Xian said, he was completely panicked and stammered.
Unable to answer.
"Get out of the way, everyone, get out of the way. The Queen has spoken, and you are still not going to back down!"
Just when Liu Yizhi was dumbfounded and didn't know how to respond to Li Xian's question, there was a sudden chaos at the entrance of the hall, and a high-pitched voice screamed non-stop.
"Your Highness, your Majesty has a decree. Do you think you should accept it first and then review it?"
Liu Yizhi was panicking when he suddenly heard a very familiar voice at the entrance of the hall. He immediately felt at ease and hurriedly gave some advice.
It came so fast, I had to go there, the prince's boy made something to eat, and he didn't come yet! Li Xian's ear was very good, and he could tell that the person who came was Sun Quanfu, and he couldn't help but say