There were thunders outside the window, but everything was peaceful in the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Qiyu stood on the porch with his hands behind his hands, looking at the continuous stream of water on the eaves, and quietly listened to Shu Liang's description of the aftermath of the execution.
God seems to be deliberately trying to make things difficult for Ren Hong.
As he loaded Ren Li's body onto the cart, the heavy rain not only did not stop, but became even more intense. He just dragged the cart and trudged forward alone on the empty and muddy streets. .
Behind him, Zhu Yi, Zhang Xian, and Zhou Xuan silently held umbrellas and followed behind.
Along with them, there were also groups of officers and soldiers, who spontaneously formed a queue, walked through the dirty muddy water, and silently escorted the back of the cart, forming a spectacular procession under the heavy rain.
It was about four miles from Caishi Street to Ren's Mansion. Ren Hong walked very slowly. After all, he was just a teenager. He was seriously injured and had not recovered. In addition, he had been running all the way and had been soaked in the rain for so long. It's physical exhaustion.
The road was muddy. Every time he took a few steps, his feet would slip, he would lose his balance and fall heavily to the ground.
The originally plain white mourning clothes were first stained red by blood and water, and now they were stained by mud and water. The whole body was covered with blood and the face was covered with dust and mud.
At this moment, Ren Hong no longer had the demeanor of an aristocratic young man. He looked as embarrassed as a young man who had been ridiculed by the world.
However, this young man is lonely but determined!
Unknowingly, the team following Ren Hong gradually grew larger. In addition to the officers and soldiers, there were also traffickers, soldiers, officials, soldiers and civilians.
Originally, the people who were just watching at the entrance of the market followed sporadically. Later, this special team quickly attracted the attention of many forces in the capital and the people along the street.
There were officials sent by various government offices to inquire about the news, Shuntian Prefecture government officials who were responsible for maintaining order in the capital, officers and soldiers from the five-city army and horse department, ordinary people who came to join in the fun, and even a young censor wearing a green robe and Xiechi.
All of them first came to investigate out of curiosity, and then after a few well-wishers learned the inside story, they all had complicated expressions, and finally followed behind silently.
So, as time went by, even if the heavy rain continued, a huge flow of people slowly formed in the not-so-wide streets.
Finally, after turning the corner, there was less than a hundred steps away from Ren's Mansion. From a distance, one could already see the heavily guarded Jinyi guards outside Ren's Mansion.
With a sound of "Winter", Ren Hong fell heavily to the ground again. The muddy water splashed, but with a touch of shocking dark red, it fell on the muddy mourning clothes, which was particularly conspicuous.
"My lord, is this... is the rib displaced?"
Zhou Xuan has been in the Criminal Department for so long and has seen many prisoners, so he is naturally able to identify many injuries. Although he didn't know that Ren Hong was injured just now, his aboveboard behavior on the execution platform was enough His words were enough to make him fall in love with this young man.
After receiving an explanation from an enthusiastic person and knowing that Ren Hong came here with a seriously injured body, Zhou Xuan was even more in awe of Ren Hong.
Again, Confucianism emphasizes filial piety, and what Ren Hong is doing now can be said to be the purest form of filial piety!
Looking at Ren Hong, who was vomiting blood and lying on the ground, Zhu Yi sighed in his heart. He did not expect that this young man could do this. He shook his head gently and said.
"I don't know. When my father-in-law rushed to the Ren Mansion yesterday on the edict of the Holy Mother, he had been injured by the royal guards and fell into a coma. The doctor who treated him specifically told him not to get out of bed and move around within ten days, let alone someone like this.
So much trouble, alas..."
Mr. Zhou was still kind-hearted. Seeing this situation, he hesitated for a moment and summoned two officers and soldiers to help.
However, as soon as he made a move, he was stopped by Zhu Yi.
"Wait a minute, if you go up at this time, you won't be helping him, but you will make all his efforts go to waste!"
So, everyone stopped and looked at the young man lying on the ground, soaked by the heavy rain. Finally, in the expectant eyes of everyone, the young man once again stood up with difficulty, although he was shaky, his face was pale, and there was blood foam on the corner of his mouth.
, both hands have already blistered with blood, but they are still holding on to the thick hemp rope tightly.
He no longer had the strength to tie the hemp rope around his shoulders, so he could only wrap it around his waist and drag the cart forward step by step.
"thump"!
"thump"!
"thump"!
Only less than a hundred steps away, the young man fell heavily to the ground again and again. Each time, he seemed exhausted and was about to fall into the heavy rain forever. However, each time, with his strong will, he stood up again, bit by bit.
Approaching the huge mansion.
Finally, the door of Ren's Mansion was in sight, and the guards in brocade clothes with embroidered spring knives hanging on both sides guarded the door with indifferent eyes.
Ren Hong parked the trolley in front of the house, loosened the hemp rope in his hand, and moved unsteadily up the steps. He couldn't stand still, and with a "winter" sound, his forehead hit the bluestone steps heavily.
Bloodstains everywhere.
This time, it seemed that he no longer had the strength to stand up. He held up his upper body with both arms and dragged his body little by little to the door of Ren's mansion. The muddy water mixed with blood, leaving a shocking trace in front of the door of Ren's mansion.
Leaning against the door of Ren's mansion, Ren Hong coughed out another mouthful of blood, which fell on his clothes and bloomed into blood flowers. He gasped for air. After taking a short rest, he used all his strength to push with both hands.
After opening the door of Ren's mansion, his vision went dark, his body went limp, and he fell to the ground...
The heavy rain continued, and there was a lot of chaos in the Ren Mansion. A group of servants hurriedly carried Ren Hong in, and even the old lady of the Ren family was frightened out.
However, when she came to the gate, before she could care about her great-grandson's body, she saw a scene that shocked her.
In front of Ren Mansion, there were countless soldiers and civilians, officials and ministers, holding umbrellas, wearing raincoats, carrying bamboo hats, or simply being soaked in the rain.
Everyone stood quietly outside the door of the mansion, without saying a word, with their faces solemn and solemn. A solemn and sad atmosphere filled the entire door.
When the old lady of the Ren family saw Zhu Yi standing at the front, dressed in a unicorn suit, everything suddenly became clear to her.
She hardened her heart and did not look back to see her great-grandson who was still alive or dead. Instead, she took a deep breath, leaned on crutches, and walked out of the house tremblingly. She bowed deeply to everyone and said
.
"I am the Zhou family, acting on behalf of Quanzi and Hong'er. I would like to thank you all for escorting me all the way!"
The rain was pounding with no intention of stopping.
Facing the grand gift from the old lady of the Ren family, Zhu Yi sighed softly and said.
"The Ren family has such pure and filial descendants, which truly touches the heavens and the earth. Madam, I can rest assured that my father-in-law will report this matter to His Majesty to show his virtue!"
…………
With a calm voice, he fully described what Ren Hong had done, and Shu Liang said again.
"After Duke Cheng Guo left the Ren Mansion, he immediately sent people to make a book of all people and asked all the people, soldiers and civilians present to leave their names. In order to go to heaven to hear it, he also sent a memorial to the palace, asking for clemency for the Ren family."
"Now the memorial has arrived at the cabinet, and many people in the Book of People have written down their names and pressed their fingerprints. In addition, he also handed over a sign and wanted to enter the palace to see the Holy Mother. At about this moment, he has already received the call, and he is in Cining
In the palace..."
Of course, Shu Liang knew the inside story of this big drama in Caishikou. However, as the Chengguo Palace became prosperous again, it was no longer as deserted as before, and it was not convenient for Shu Liang to go in and out. In addition, Zhu Yi
After all, their identities are different now, so Zhu Yi often makes arbitrary decisions when the opportunity arises and only informs Shu Liang afterwards.
Therefore, what Ren Hong did and the reactions of all parties were indeed planned by Zhu Yi.
Even though he didn't say it now, Shu Liang couldn't help but feel in his heart that the Duke Cheng Guo was no longer the impetuous and reckless young man who ran into obstacles everywhere in the capital.
Now, regardless of his status, ability, and strategy, he is qualified to be the one who holds the throne without violating the emperor's will. He can decide for himself what method he wants to use to achieve his goals.
But obviously, the emperor was not dissatisfied with this situation.
After pondering for a moment, Shu Liang hesitated, and finally said.
"In addition, when he first entered the palace, the Duke of Guo took the time to let Qingfeng pass a message, saying that Ren Hong's actions today show that he is a useful talent, and he would like to ask the Emperor to extend his kindness."
When he said these words, he was not just showing off, but Zhu Yi was really interceding.
After hearing the cause and effect, and hearing the words Zhu Yi handed over, Zhu Qiyu had a smile on his face, nodded slightly, and said.
"Zhu Yi did a good job this time. Not only did he get the things left by Ren Li, but he also made friends with the Ren family. Although the Ren family is now in decline, it is a good relationship after all. He is willing to intercede with the Ren family.
It shows that his kindness has not been lost, which is a good thing."
"When people walk in the darkness for a long time, they sometimes forget what light looks like. It's great that Zhu Yi can do this!"
"How is that boy?"
Shu Liang lowered his head and chewed carefully what the emperor had just said. A flash of enlightenment flashed through his heart. However, he did not delay his mind because of this. Hearing the emperor's question, he immediately answered.
"The person who diagnosed the disease was Dr. Xia. He was mentally exhausted and physically exhausted. The ribs he had just connected were broken again. According to Dr. Xia, even veterans who have fought on the battlefield may not be able to withstand this kind of severe pain.
You can live in it.”
"However, Ren Hong's body was already like this at least when he walked out of Caishi Street. He endured this kind of pain and was able to return to Ren's house. It can be seen that he is indeed a brave person."
Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu was also a little surprised. He turned around and looked at Shu Liang and said.
"So, you think this guy is useful?"
"From your perspective, Eunuch Shu, it's not easy for you to praise me so much!"
The emperor's tone was relaxed, but Shu Liang did not dare to neglect and said quickly.
"Your Majesty has killed this slave. I just think that this is indeed a good boy. In addition to being brave and wise, he is also virtuous, has a righteous heart, and can distinguish right from wrong. It is a pity that he is buried like this."
This review is even more uncommon!
Shu Liang paused for a moment, felt the emperor's inquiring gaze, lowered his head and continued.
"I don't dare to deceive the emperor. After getting the things yesterday, Duke Cheng left the Ren Mansion, but Doctor Xia stayed behind and continued to treat Ren Hong's injuries."
"Because it was necessary to ensure that Ren Hong was conscious and able to get out of bed and walk the next day, Dr. Xia and two medicine boys stayed outside Ren's house all night."
Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu squinted his eyes and could probably guess what Shu Liang was going to say.
If this was really the case, then he would indeed have to reevaluate this young man from the Ren family.
"After Ren Hong woke up at night, although the two medicine boys were standing outside, they still roughly heard the conversation between him and the old lady of the Ren family."
"What the boy said to General Asu on the execution ground today is what he said to the old lady of the Ren family. At that time, the old lady asked him to take the Holy Mother's decree just in case."
"However, Ren Hong said that the Ren family has committed serious sins. They should do their best to repay their blood debts and pray for the forgiveness of those who have suffered. They must not distinguish between right and wrong and only try to protect themselves."
"So I thought that at the execution ground, General Asu must have felt the child's sincere guilt, so he chose to forgive..."
Although he had expected it, after listening to Shu Liang's narration, Zhu Qiyu was still quite emotional.
In fact, what he just said with a kind heart was to praise Zhu Yi, but it was not just to himself.
After being in the court for a long time, when encountering anything, I tend to make calculations and speculations first. It is difficult to believe in the loyalty, kindness, integrity, and courage that originate from the heart.
However, although such pure people are rare in the world, they do exist after all!
"So, this is indeed a good boy."
With a slight sigh, Zhu Qiyu sighed indifferently, but didn't say anything more.
Not long after, Wynn walked quietly from the door and reported.
"Your Majesty, there is news from Cining Palace."
"What words?"
"The Holy Mother sent someone to send a message to the emperor, saying that the way to govern a country lies in virtue and benevolence. Filial piety is the most important thing in the world. The emperor has been on the throne for a long time. Although the country is governed well, education cannot be ignored. If the people are virtuous,
Those who stand out and show clear filial piety should also be rewarded to show their virtue."
Although Wynn didn't know the conversation that just happened, he still got the news to some extent since there was such a big commotion in Caishikou.
At this moment, Empress Dowager Sun sent these words, which seemed to be just advice on how to govern the country. However, in fact, they were nothing more than a hint that the emperor should forgive the Ren family in the ceremony of appointment.
Therefore, when he said this, Wynn was a little cautious, not knowing what the emperor's plan was.
However, what surprised him was that when the emperor heard this, his mood did not fluctuate, he just said.
"I understand."
Other than that, there was no other expression. Seeing this situation, Hua En did not dare to ask any more questions and quietly retreated. At the same time, Shu Liang also retreated with a wink.
However, vaguely, they seemed to hear a sigh when they left.