Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 433 Breaking Hands and Feet

This sentence made Tao Xingjian sweat. The chief eunuch of the Palace Department wiped his forehead lightly before smiling and bowing:

"Look at what the Empress Dowager said! Today, the criminals outside are arresting people for interrogation, and many of these things are hurtful.

"But even so, His Majesty still has to inform you of important matters, especially those involving close people in the palace, right?"

Involving closeness?

The Queen Mother and Aunt Meng couldn't help but glance at Tanchun and Daiyu.

"Say it."

Tao Xingjian thought for a moment and said, "Based on the testimony of Xiao Wang and Miss Yuanyang yesterday, as well as the confession of Jia Hua, who is now in custody at the Dali Temple, many things were instigated by Prince Yu.

"Your Majesty hesitated again and again, and this morning he issued an order to Prince Zhongshun, asking him to invite Prince Yu to the Dali Temple for a talk. He originally wanted to drink tea and play chess with Master Zhitong, and then make things clear.

"Who knew that Prince Zhongshun had the wrong idea and lied about going to the palace, tricking Prince Yu out of the palace, saying that he was going to a temple to see plum blossoms.

"As a result, when Prince Yu realized that the road was wrong, the two of them started to quarrel on the street. Prince Zhongshun directly ordered someone to break one of Prince Yu's arms..."

Everyone screamed and covered their lips.

Only the Queen Mother frowned slightly and said, "Zhongshun is not afraid of being scolded by the censor for being disrespectful to his elders and being heartless!"

Tao Xingjian smiled bitterly: "How could Prince Zhongshun be scolded? He was riding on a tall horse, watching people break Prince Yu's arm while loudly reading out the emperor's oral order!

"Few people passing by cursed him, but many were talking about him, saying that His Majesty was taking advantage of the absence of the Supreme Lord to act recklessly..."

Daiyu listened and couldn't help but snorted coldly.

The Queen Mother looked at her and sneered, "You have always disliked Zhongshun. Is it because of the little nun in your house?"

"Our Master Miao only said those little words about Prince Zhongshun to me once from beginning to end!

"However, since I entered the palace, I have heard a lot about the troubles caused by this prince's willful behavior!

"Now, at such a critical moment, I am doing such a small errand for the emperor. Not to mention being rude and disrespectful, I don't even have the slightest sense of responsibility!

"That's because the Lord is not in the capital. If he were, you would probably call him over and give him a good scolding!"

Daiyu pouted and even rolled her eyes.

The Queen Mother felt relieved and looked at Tao Xingjian with a smile: "What happened next?"

Tao Xingjian bowed and smiled, and continued, "Later, I sent Prince Yu to the Dali Temple.

“It’s just that Prince Yu has been cursing non-stop, not only Prince Zhongshun, Master Zhitong, but even His Majesty has been cursed by him.

“Master Zhitong had no choice but to break Prince Yu’s leg again, and only then did he stop scolding.

"Now he still refuses to speak, and just lies quietly with his eyes closed in prison."

The Queen Mother said, "Have you asked the imperial physician to examine your injury?"

"I've checked and bandaged it. Prince Yu didn't struggle and drank the medicine very happily." Tao Xingjian said respectfully.

Aunt Meng was a little confused. Seeing that the Queen Mother and Tao Xingjian looked relaxed, she couldn't help but ask:

"Since he kept yelling and cursing, he should have been hit on the mouth. Why did you break one of his legs?"

Without waiting for anyone else to speak, Hong Chang interrupted her seriously, "Perhaps you want to leave some space for Prince Yu to ask questions?"

Daiyu and Tanchun couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but smile, and raised her finger to point at Hongchang: "... mischievous ghost!"

Tao Xingjian also laughed softly. After a while, when everyone was quiet again, he restrained his expression and bowed his head and said:

"The other nine residences, including the Rongguogong Mansion, Zhenguogong Mansion, Baolinghou Mansion, and the Nine Provinces Inspector Wang's House, have all been seized and sealed, and all the males awaiting punishment have been taken to the Dali Temple.

"The remaining slaves and female relatives will be temporarily detained at home until the trial is complete."

The Queen Mother listened and nodded slowly: "It should be so."

He glanced at Daiyu and Tanchun, who were both pulling their handkerchiefs tightly, and sighed, then asked in person, "How is Rongguo Mansion?"

Tao Xingjian bowed slightly to Daiyu and Tanchun, "Your Majesty, please be merciful and make sure that Jia Jue has not been involved in any crime. You can allow him to stay in the palace temporarily to look after the women.

"There is also a 13-year-old male minor named Jia Cong, as well as three Jinling clansmen including Jia Lang and their families, who are not involved in the cases. They are being kept under custody with the female relatives for the time being. Their fate will be decided after the cases are closed.

"The one who went to investigate was the Duke of Zhongqin. He just reported to Your Majesty that the women and servants of the Jia family were all respectful and obedient, except for an arrogant woman who charged the imperial guards and was killed."

Daiyu and Tanchun both breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Tao Xingjian paused for a moment, lowered his voice again, and said softly:

"Jia Zheng, the former deputy minister of the Ministry of Works, beat up a maid because she had betrayed her master, but the maid died, leaving two lives...

"Jia Zheng was heartbroken and fearful of being punished, so he hit himself against the wall..."

Hearing the last sentence, Tanchun burst into tears, then pressed her hands tightly against her mouth, tears falling like rain, but she did not utter another word!

Daiyu was stunned when she heard this, but she lowered her voice and murmured, "Caixia, was, beaten to death...?!"

Everyone was not hearing clearly and thought Daiyu was thinking of Jia Zheng. Only Zijuan, upon hearing that she actually remembered Caixia, burst into tears.

Tao Xingjian also sighed softly and said softly: "Princess, county lady, please accept my condolences."

The Empress Dowager saw that Tanchun was almost fainting from holding back her anxiety, sighed, and ordered Aunt Jiang to help her back to her room to rest for a while.

Seeing the opportunity, Tao Xingjian stepped forward and pretended to support Daiyu.

The Queen Mother knew at a glance that he had something to hide from Tanchun, and she glanced at Aunt Meng.

Aunt Meng understood and stepped forward to help Daiyu. Tao Xingjian followed behind, and the three of them went to the east side hall together.

Things were talked out one by one.

Lin Daiyu lowered her head and said nothing.

Tao Xingjian looked at her distressedly. After a long while, he coughed and said, "Lin Xiaohong is really rare. She is loyal and righteous, thoughtful and meticulous, and she follows the rules and is polite and obedient..."

Aunt Meng looked at him.

Tao Xingjian blinked uncomfortably, but continued without pausing: "The princess had a keen eye in the past, and after these years of training, I heard that she has a strong aura, and is not much different from the female officials in the palace."

Lin Daiyu was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses and continued, "If her parents' affairs in Rong Mansion are clarified, it would be better to let her come back as soon as possible.

"Now the Queen Mother cannot live without Zijuan, and Xueyan has to help take care of the two children. If she leaves, I will only have the stupid Qingwen by my side, which is really not enough."

Seeing that she had regained her alertness, Tao Xingjian was relieved and smiled:

"Mr. Zhongqin also told Xiaohong the same thing, but the girl was afraid of breaking the rules and insisted on waiting for the order from her superiors.

"I will go back and report to His Majesty, and let the Lin family do what they should do!"