In the early morning, a shrill scream shattered the tranquility of the entire imperial city. The blood - covered daughter of the Qu family was dressed in rags, with faint twigs still on her clothes, as if she had been hiding in a forest. Her face was dazed and her expression was on the verge of collapse. She banged on the grievance - appealing drum that had been silent for a long time.
Zhou Chengyu, who happened to pass by, saw that according to the old rule, she was about to be beaten ten boards. Suddenly, he spoke up to stop it. After listening to her recount her grievances, he thought she was pitiful and suspected there was a hidden story behind it. So he took her to the palace for the emperor to decide.
Shen Mingzhu was wearing court clothes. When she arrived, she saw Zhou Chengyu in front, holding a jade tablet in his hand. He lowered his eyes and reported to the emperor what he had seen on his way.
She paused slightly, took off her cloak and draped it over Qu Yunli. Then she subconsciously glanced outside.
Xie Lang had no official position, so he was just waiting for her outside. So before entering the door, she subconsciously bit her lips. Suddenly, she had an impulse, which was finally suppressed.
"Xie Lang." Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. At this moment, she seemed a bit flustered. Finally, she stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "I'll tell you a secret later."
Saying this, without waiting for Xie Lang's reply, she turned around. The expression on her face gradually returned to coldness and haughtiness. Her eyes were fixed intently on everything in front of her.
Although Zhou Chengyu was speaking, his peripheral vision was always on the door. When he saw that red figure appear, he withdrew his gaze and continued to lower his head.
Just after Shen Mingzhu took off her cloak, he subconsciously wanted to take off his own, but the next moment he noticed that the person in front of him was so decisive that she didn't give him any chance at all and walked straight forward.
He was actually stunned. Looking at her coiffure for a married woman, the words he had rehearsed thousands of times in his mind were all jumbled at this moment. Finally, he closed his eyes slightly, clenched his fist tightly and continued to speak calmly.
When Shen Mingzhu walked to the front, Zhou Chengyu just finished speaking.
Shen Mingyuan seemed to have just seen her. He suddenly whispered something to the eunuch beside him and then said, "Sister, why have you come today?"
Shen Mingzhu turned to look at Chuntao, signaling her to present the account books and other things in her hand. Then she said in a loud voice, "I've come today to reopen that old case."
"The former crown prince died a tragic death on his southern inspection tour. Father - emperor and I searched for three years but couldn't find any clues. Who would have thought that elder brother died at the hands of the noble families?"
Saying this, Shen Mingzhu stopped talking and waited for Shen Mingyuan to finish reading this evidence.
Shen Mingyuan had mostly read these things once, but some were newly found by Shen Mingzhu. So he took another look.
"Qu Yunli?"
He suddenly spoke up. Looking at Qu Yunli, he casually asked, "This... this family, the surname Zhao, is it the same Zhao as your husband's?"
Qu Yunli, who was escorted by the guards, took a look at the pamphlet. Seeing some very familiar names on it, she laughed wildly and nodded, "Yes! It is! They deserve to die!"
Watching the out - of - control Qu Yunli being taken away, there was an uproar in the court.
At this time, Shen Mingyuan spoke up again, "And the Zhou family? Where is Prime Minister Zhou?"
Zhou Chengyu stepped forward hurriedly. His eyes were full of disbelief. He said to Shen Mingyuan, "Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly! Clear the name of the Zhou family!"
"Okay, then start the investigation from your Zhou family."
After saying that, Shen Mingyuan handed the pamphlet to the chief eunuch and asked him to read it out.
This was the plan that Shen Mingzhu and Zhou Chengyu had discussed. They would use the Zhou family as a breakthrough. After getting those who were not involved in this matter out of it, the Zhou family would be safe.
The whole court was so quiet that it was terrifying. No one dared to speak.
These things were really too coincidental. Even... even the emperor's performance seemed to be aware of something and cooperated.
These people in front were not worried about the ministers seeing their calmness. Those who understood already knew at this moment that this purge was to settle old and new scores together. Those who didn't understand were already being pulled by the sleeves by the people who did.
Shen Mingzhu subconsciously scanned around and saw that those who were involved in this matter were already pale - faced and slumped on the ground.
"Since this is the case, I'll leave this matter to Sister and Lord Xie."
Shen Mingyuan said and then said to the court officials, "Retreat."
No one dared to object.
This purge had been brewing for a long time. Everyone was shocked to find that the most important families on the pamphlet had even disappeared here for various reasons long ago.
Shen Mingzhu and Shen Mingyuan glanced at each other from afar. Then she saw the little palace maid beside her suddenly put a cloak on her.
She nodded slightly. There was a faint smile on her face that was hardly noticeable. Her heart was calmer than ever. Finally, she passed by Zhou Chengyu, who was still standing there in a daze.
When she went out, all she saw was a pale expanse.
Shen Mingzhu subconsciously looked at the place where Xie Lang had been standing just now. Seeing that he wasn't there, she subconsciously frowned and quickened her steps.
The next moment, she suddenly heard footsteps. Turning her head, she saw Xie Lang standing there with a cloak in his hand. When he saw her, he just slightly raised his eyebrows and said, "I just saw Qu Yunli being led out with your cloak on. So I went to find one for you and planned to send it in."
Shen Mingzhu took a look. She always felt that this cloak was a bit familiar. Then she suddenly remembered that this might be an old thing from when she was still unmarried.
Really...
She couldn't describe her feelings at this moment. She just stared blankly as Xie Lang walked over. He glanced at the cloak on her body, sighed and said, "Forget it. You can just wear this one."
Saying this, he handed the cloak in his hand to the maid beside him and smiled, "Let's go home."
Go home.
Shen Mingzhu let him hold her hand. Gradually, there were some glistening tears in her eyes.
All she saw was snow, falling in big flakes. Whether it was a coincidence or not, the first snow of this year happened to fall at this moment, sweeping away the grievances that had been buried for who knew how long.
Shen Mingzhu subconsciously reached out her hand and caught a snowflake. Finally, she watched it melt in her palm as soon as it fell.
The next moment, a big hand grabbed her hand and gently wrapped it up, saying, "It's too cold. If you want to play, go home and play in the yard."
Suddenly, Shen Mingzhu let out a silent smile in her heart. The tears in her eyes gradually dissipated and turned into a faint smile.
Finally, when she stepped out of the palace gate, Shen Mingzhu looked back. She saw that the path she had come on was already covered with snow. The palace servants were wrapped in their clothes and walking in a hurry. Turning her head, the streets outside the palace were so lively that it seemed like a different world from inside.
Go home.
As soon as Xie Lang stepped into the door, Shen Mingzhu saw him find a hot - water bottle from somewhere and stuff it into her arms. He sighed and said, "Take good care of your body these days. In a few days, you'll be busy again and will inevitably have to travel around."
"This weather is really..."
There was already a big smile in Shen Mingzhu's eyes. The corners of her lips were raised. Just looking at him, she couldn't help but smile. Her heart was full of gentle smiles.
"By the way." Xie Lang came to his senses after he was done. Looking at Shen Mingzhu, he said, "You just said you were going to tell me something?"
Shen Mingzhu bit her lips, reached out and tucked the stray hair on his forehead behind his ear. She smiled and said, "Guess? I've changed my mind. I'll tell you when you guess right."
"Shen Mingzhu!"