Tianliangyuan

Chapter 303 Imprisonment

For three consecutive days, the entire capital city could clearly feel that something was wrong.

Even ordinary people noticed that there were more soldiers patrolling the city, and they were patrolling more frequently.

In these three days, the prisons of the Ministry of Justice, the Jingzhao Prefecture, and the Dali Temple were almost full.

Finally, three days later, Prince Qing entered the capital with Cui Chong.

Because Cui Chong later used some tactics and took a tough stance, Prince Qing had no choice but to speed up his journey.

Even if he tried to feign illness halfway through, Cui Chong saw through his act.

Prince Qing knew that if he went to the capital like this, he would definitely not end up well.

Fortunately, he was prepared, but he didn't know how well the capital was prepared.

In the Taiji Hall, apart from Xie Zheng and Cui Shu outside the hall gate, only Emperor Yong'an and Prince Qing were facing each other inside the hall.

"I have always been kind to you. Back then, you did such a foolish thing, and even almost harmed Marquis Anxin, yet I did not punish you severely. I did not expect that you would still be dissatisfied. Tell me, what are you trying to do by opening iron mines, forging weapons, colluding with merchants, and secretly transporting grain?"

Emperor Yong'an was furious.

His feelings toward his younger brother were somewhat complicated.

When they were vying for the throne, this younger brother did not participate because he was not qualified.

Later, Emperor Yong'an actually secured his throne by relying on the spies of his younger brother's mother.

Therefore, Emperor Yong'an has been quite lenient with him over the past ten years.

Unfortunately, Prince Qing was never satisfied.

"Haha! You actually say you've treated me well? Then why didn't you let me stay in the capital and insisted on kicking me out? Do you know what kind of place that is? So what if I have a fiefdom? That desolate and treacherous place, do you really think it's a good place?"

"How dare you! That was a gift from the Emperor himself! How dare you be so rebellious?"

"So what if it was bestowed by Father? Can't you change it? You are the Emperor! If you truly care about me, your younger brother, why can't you just transfer me to Jiangnan? Even transferring me to Jizhou would be better than such a place. To put it bluntly, it's just because I'm your half-brother that you can't stand to see me doing well!"

"You are utterly stubborn!"

"Hmph, what's the use of saying all this now? The victor is king, the loser is villain. I lost, and that's that. So what if I forged weapons? So what if I amassed a fortune? If you're so capable, just issue an imperial edict to execute me!"

Prince Qing is now fearless, he's given up and doesn't care what happens!

Emperor Yong'an was furious, but he did not issue an order to execute him directly. Instead, he ordered that he be temporarily imprisoned in the Prince Qing's mansion.

There is also a Prince Qing's Mansion in the capital, which was bestowed by the late emperor more than 20 years ago.

Later, when Prince Qing went to his fiefdom, this Prince Qing Mansion was always kept for him.

Prince Qing cannot be killed for the time being, but Emperor Yong'an has no scruples about killing the others.

For the next few days, people were pushed to the execution ground.

Dozens of them are executed every day!

Xu Zhaozhao didn't go in person, but she could imagine how bloody and cruel the scene must have been.

I'm afraid that if you turn over a shovel of soil there, it will all be red.

This time, Xu Zhaozhao truly witnessed the wrath of an emperor.

A single sentence can cost an entire family their lives!

As expected, in this era, imperial power still reigns supreme.

Xu Zhaozhao was extremely grateful that she had expressed her loyalty to His Majesty beforehand; otherwise, she would have been quite flustered.

Prince Qing was temporarily placed under house arrest, but the specific punishment decree has not yet been issued.

The matter caused a great uproar in the imperial court.

When Xie Zheng returned, he changed into casual clothes before going to Yuehua Tower.

"You're back early today."

"There's nothing urgent today, and His Majesty, mindful of how hard we've been working lately, has granted us a few extra days of rest."

"Really? How many days will you have free time?"

Xie Zheng chuckled, stepped forward and embraced her, resting his chin on the top of her head. As if something was in the way, he pulled out the hairpin.

This pull had a serious effect; a strand of Xu Zhaozhao's hair came loose.

"Oh dear, what are you doing? How annoying! Get off me, I need to redo my hair."

"What's the rush? We'll comb it later."

In his haste, Xie Zheng simply carried the person inside and into the inner room.

Seeing this, Dingxiang and Shaoyao blushed and quickly retreated, then sent someone to boil water.

In broad daylight, Xu Zhaozhao naturally didn't want him to cause trouble.

But once the curtain was drawn, the light on the bed dimmed, and no matter how much Xie Zheng wanted to tease her, Xu Zhaozhao could only let him do as he pleased in no time.

Fortunately, there were no visitors in the Brocade Courtyard today; otherwise, it would have been a real laughing stock.

"It's all your fault!"

"Yes, yes, it's all my fault."

After the commotion, Xu Zhaozhao got up, rubbing her lower back.

The two of them had lunch at Yuehua Tower and didn't go out.

After that, Xie Zheng simply carried the person upstairs. Xu Zhaozhao had prepared a greenhouse on the second floor, which was filled with many flowers.

The flowers that should have bloomed in spring and autumn are now in full bloom.

"Where did you learn your flower-growing skills? I really admire you for seeing such vibrant peonies and crabapples at this time of year."

"Hmph! How about that? Winter is so lonely, but seeing these colorful flowers makes you feel so much better, doesn't it?"

"That's true."

Xu Zhaozhao sits here for a while almost every day, sometimes reading books, sometimes looking at account books, and sometimes just simply spacing out.

When Xie Zheng had some free time, Xu Zhaozhao suggested that she wanted to go to Lantian County.

"Sure, the county magistrate's mansion is probably not finished yet, but Yunqi Mountain Villa is almost done. Let's go there for a few days, and when we get there, I'll take good care of your health."

Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow: "My wife, are you dissatisfied with my performance?"

Xu Zhaozhao glared at him: "You're talking nonsense again! You have a hidden illness, and after so many years of fighting abroad, you've been exposed to cold and dampness. You need to take good care of yourself so you won't suffer when you're old."

Xie Zheng simply chuckled and did not respond.

That evening, Xie Zheng told the old lady about his trip to Lantian County.

The old lady also knew that Xu Zhaozhao had a fiefdom there. Now that the two were married, it was indeed appropriate for her to go there, at least to let the stewards there recognize their master.

The couple went out early the next morning.

Xie Zheng didn't like riding in a carriage, so he rode a horse to protect the side of the carriage. They didn't prepare any ceremonial guards for this trip, but simply brought more guards.

The Yunqi Mountain Villa is already showing initial signs of improvement.

Li Sheng and Yan Shu have managed the place quite well; at least in winter, everyone in the village is wearing cotton-padded clothes, and there are no problems with food reserves.

"Your Highness, I have purchased the vacant land in the town ahead as you instructed. However, it is barren and unsuitable for cultivation. What are Your Highness's plans?"