Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

"Take him to the conference hall and wait!" Zhao Zeyong ordered.

"Yes."

After the guards retreated, Zhao Zean asked curiously, "Brother, why did you arrest Mr. Zhuo?"

"Second Brother and the others caught it." Zhao Zeyong picked up a chopsticks dish for his younger brother and said, "Hurry up and eat, and ask the doctor to change the medicine after eating. I have to go to the meeting hall later."

"Oh, okay." After all, Zhao Ze'an was young, so he left the outsiders behind in a few moments, and turned to his brother to ask for extra cakes.

Zhao Zeyong didn't agree until he took Rong Youtang to the meeting hall after dinner, and then he let go and said: "If your Ninth Highness cooperates to change the medicine and take a nap on time, prepare a small plate of snacks for him in the afternoon, at most five yuan .” After speaking, he was about to leave.

"Is sweet-scented osmanthus cake and mille-feuille cake okay?" Zhao Ze'an fought hard.

"Baitang Cake." Zhao Zeyong made the decision without looking back.

Zhao Ze'an hesitated to speak, but finally shut up wisely and accepted, sighing in frustration.After thinking about it, he shouted from behind: "Brother Rong, let's play chess together?"

Rong Youtang turned around and joked with a smile: "You have to change your medicine later, you have to take a nap after changing the medicine, and you should be busy eating snacks when you wake up - there is no time to play chess during the day, I will come back tomorrow."

"Hey, okay." Zhao Ze'an waved his hand weakly.

-

"No wonder the Second Highness is so anxious. Before, I thought it was really for the Eldest Princess." Rong Youtang said softly.

"Zhuo Zhiyang belongs to Han Taifu's party, and has been at odds with Pingnanhou's party for a long time. The two families have to find an excuse to fight, let alone this time they have caught the handle?" Zhao Zeyong said slowly.

Rong Youtang recalled another incident: "The last time Mr. Zhuo was on an errand at night, he had a heart-to-heart meeting with His Highness the Seventh Highness. His Highness begged you not to send Young Master Zhuo to His Highness, presumably because he was worried that His Highness would be forced to impose strict pressure on you. punish."

They walked towards the chamber.

"The old seven was confused, and it was rare for him to use his brain that time." Zhao Zeyong shook his head helplessly, and said coldly: "Brother has a reputation for being virtuous and stable, and he is under the watchful eyes of everyone, so it is impossible to protect his son; Question: If the second brother is serious, wouldn’t he tell the government and the public clearly the heart of cutting off the elder brother’s wings? What’s more, the matter that was mainly caused by the seventh brother, he couldn’t clean it up with his own brother. He can only let it go.”

"It's really a hot potato this time." Rong Youtang was a little worried: "You are caught in the middle again. They dare not go back to the palace directly, but use the Prince Qing's mansion to make trouble - why don't we pretend to be stupid for a while and find Is there a reason to leave this matter behind?"

"It's late." Zhao Zeyong said in a low voice: "Since ancient times, it's easier to invite gods than to send them away. From the moment the door is opened to let them in, we've already waded into muddy water."

"There is no way. His Royal Highness King Rui has a serious illness, and if he opens the door slowly, he will be drowned by saliva." Rong Youtang pointed out in a low voice.

Zhao Zeyong suddenly raised his hand to ruffle the opponent's hair, and smiled appreciatively, "Did you see it?"

"So you also know?" Rong Youtang asked cautiously.He felt a little strange when he saw King Rui before: heart disease recurrence?But the patient's spirit is quite good, and his personal attendant did not see any sudden panic, unlike the dangerous situation of "unable to support".But the fear and anxiety of the second prince and the eldest princess showed their true emotions.

If the two are contradictory, one must be false!

"He and I are brothers, how can we not see it?" Zhao Zeyong said calmly, "He has a very good character and talent. It's a pity that good fortune did not give him a healthy body, but gave him a healthy body." An uneasy sister."

Rong Youtang made a bold guess: "If the second prince and the three brothers and sisters of the Zhou family were not present, King Rui would have resolved it in private. For those of him, Mr. Zhuo and Mr. Zhang, let's keep the reputation of the girl's family first. If you recognize the murderer, you will have a chance to seek justice in the future." .”

——It's really not easy for His Royal Highness King Qing, most of his brothers are not easy-going.

Rong Youtang was extremely sympathetic.

A while later, the two rushed to the meeting room, and just as they climbed the steps, they heard the chaotic movement inside: "...you are so daring! You dare to bully even the princess!" This was the second prince's angrily reprimanded.

What kind of brother is this?One sentence involves the three princesses and sisters of her family!Rong Youtang was speechless.

"Your Highness, please calm down. Although the dog does not live up to expectations, it is not a villain. Although it is a crime to offend the eldest princess, there must be a reason for it—" Zhuo Zhiyang's unfamiliar voice endured humiliation.

Rong Youtang and King Qing went in to have a look:

The second prince sits at the top left, the Zhou family brothers sit in the guest seats, Zhuo Zhiyang stands and defends, and there are two tall screens erected on the left, presumably the eldest princess is behind——

Sure enough, she was behind!

"Presumptuous!" Zhao Yilin's rebuttal sounded from behind the screen, brazenly interrupting Zhuo Zhiyang's statement, she said angrily: "What do you mean there is a reason? Zhuo, you raise such a dirty son! Even this princess, also... Even dare to despise, the crime deserves a thousand cuts and a slow death!"

Children are debts, and some parents may put their lives on it when repaying the debt.

Rong Youtang followed King Qing into the meeting hall, and King Qing took the seat on the upper right.

"The humble Zhuo Zhiyang kowtows to His Highness Prince Qing, Your Highness Wan An." Zhuo Zhiyang's eyes lit up when he saw King Qing, and he bowed solemnly. After many years of ups and downs in his official career, he knew before he came: Oh, can Ke'er survive? It's all up to this one!

"Come on, Master Zhuo, sit down and talk. Come, serve tea." Zhao Zeyong slightly raised his hand, and said seriously: "This king has just returned from the palace, and I don't know the ins and outs of this matter. Prince Qing's mansion is not the court of the Ministry of Punishment. , if you have something to say, please restrain yourself."

"The lowly job has no way to teach a child, and he is only worthy of standing up and answering. Your Highness, please preside over it. The lowly job must 'know everything, and talk endlessly'!" Zhuo Zhiyang had gray hair, was over fifty years old, his face was wrinkled, and he bowed his head humbly.

He can't do this!His Highness didn't know about it, and he didn't get His Majesty's instruction, so what is "presiding on behalf of"?Rong Youtang disapproved very much, he looked down at King Qing, and the other party glanced down lightly, Rong Youtang understood, and politely persuaded him: "Master Zhuo, you are a dignified court official, but you refuse to sit down when you arrive at Prince Qing's mansion. , Refusing to drink tea, if it spreads, outsiders will misunderstand that our Highness is not treating guests well."

"...Don't dare, dare not." Zhuo Zhiyang had to sit down with a wry smile. He was so anxious that his butt touched the chair slightly, leaned over and asked worriedly: "Your Highness, what about that bastard? Can, can you still—"

Zhao Zeyong directly ordered: "Bring them all up. Master Zhuo, I have just stated clearly: Prince Qing's Mansion is not the court of the Ministry of Punishment. So you can rest assured that Young Master Ling is still the same as when he first came."

The implication is: I did not lynch, he was wounded before he came.

"Hey, hey." Zhuo Zhiyang was grateful: "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!" He turned his head frequently to look at the door, and after a while, the guards of the palace escorted a group of people who were tied up, gagged, and bruised and swollen, among them was his son-in-law. eldest son.

"Ke'er!" Zhuo Zhiyang hurriedly went up to meet him, took his son to look carefully, and found that he was only a little bit relieved after he had suffered a flesh injury.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh." Zhuo Ke shook his head and struggled desperately, signaling to save him quickly.

"Hmph!" The second prince put the teacup on the table heavily.

Zhao Yilin who was behind the screen couldn't hold back anymore, and shouted angrily: "Third brother, it's him! It's him! Cut him alive for me!"

It's over, this time I really kicked the iron plate, still with sharp barbs, and even the belt bone was torn off a large piece by mistake.

Zhuo Zhiyang gritted his teeth, ruthlessly, and suddenly slapped his son to the ground, reprimanded him: "Ignorance and evil! Do you know what catastrophe you have caused? You were asked to go to Hongfa Temple to pray for your family. How could you accidentally offend the elder?" Princess? Niezi, why did the Zhuo family have such a naughty son like you?!" He beat and scolded, it was real, his slaps were "slapped" crisp, tears flowed, he punched and kicked, and scolded: "Slap me! Forget it, killing you to make amends to the eldest princess is better than bringing the whole family down with you alive, forgetting about killing you! "

As a result, the second prince would not be able to make trouble, but the eldest princess still hated it extremely, and said sarcastically: "Zhuo Zhiyang, who are you acting for? If this princess doesn't like this, how many slaps can kill someone? If you can chop it with a knife, then it will be done!"

Zhuo Zhiyang's raised palm stiffened, and he frowned in embarrassment.

"Lord Zhuo, calm down, and teach the son when he goes home." Zhao Zeyong finally spoke, and suggested: "If both parties are willing to speak privately, then tell the truth quickly, and the two parties will discuss it after consideration; if they do not want to privately If not, we can only make a fuss about Bo Gongtang."

"It's private! Execute that bastard and it's over! If it's against Bo Court, your Zhuo family will be ruined." Zhao Yilin said immediately, and it would be the worst thing for her to make a big fuss.

The second prince was obviously not reconciled, he hesitated to speak.

In fact, everyone knows that this kind of thing can only be done privately, even if it is brought to Emperor Chengtian.The more the emperor loves his daughter, the more he will deal with it in a low-key manner-it's just very likely to turn around and find a crime.

Zhao Zeyong nodded, and asked Zhuo Zhiyang: "Where is Master Zhuo? If it's private, as the eldest princess' brother, this king is still qualified to come forward."

"Uh! Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Zhuo Ke was frightened out of his wits. With his hands tied behind his back, he rolled desperately and moved to his father, crying for help with his forehead pressed against the top of his boot, looking very miserable.

"I—" Zhuo Zhiyang squatted down, his heart was twisted like a knife. He doted on his eldest son the most, otherwise he would never have come to plead for mercy. It is wise to abandon a son directly to protect the family.He hugged his son with one arm, knelt down on both knees, weeping, and begged: "His Royal Highness, the eldest princess has golden branches and jade leaves, although she is honorable, but at that time it was in a temple full of incense, and there were people on both sides to serve her. But it is impossible to take the princess in public... We are willing to do it privately to protect the princess's reputation. But please do a thorough investigation and find out the truth!" After finishing speaking, he pressed his eldest son's head and kowtowed "bang bang bang".

From the beginning to the end, Zhuo Zhiyang didn't pay much attention to the second prince, he was very sure that the other party would like to take this opportunity to get rid of Zhuo's family.

Rong Youtang was distracted to look at the brothers of the Zhou family: Zhou Mingjie kept his eyes fixed, humble and respectful; Zhou Minghong couldn't hide his agitation and aggrieved, with his head downcast.

Rong Youtang was very emotional: The second prince really used his cousin so thoroughly!Call Zhou Minghong Shangchang Princess, let Zhou Xiaotong get close to King Rui, so as to win over the influence of King Rui's uncle and Minister of the Ministry of War.

"Then start." Zhao Zeyong ordered: "Liu Shi, tell me first, be sure to tell the truth."

Nanny Liu, the eldest princess's nanny, came out from behind the screen with a bitter face, knelt down tremblingly, and glanced at the second prince quietly, who immediately narrowed his eyes, and Nanny Liu quickly withdrew her gaze, kowtowed upright, and tremblingly said: "Return to the words of His Royal Highness King Qing: I dare not hide anything. Today I wanted to go to the Emperor Temple to pray for blessings, but the journey was far away. I was afraid that His Royal Highness King Rui would be tired, so I went to Hongfa Temple. I burned incense and prayed for a long time. During the fasting meal, His Royal Highness King Rui was resting in the meditation room. The monk said that there is a small plum mountain in the north courtyard, and the scenery is not bad, so, so...the Second Highness proposed to go shopping. I went to Xiaomeishan. But as soon as I sat down in the pavilion, the old slave and others were called to prepare hot tea and snacks, and walked away for a while. When I turned around, I heard that something happened when the princess and the prince were enjoying the flowers on Tuesday. The son was injured, the princess... went down the mountain alone to find someone, but got lost—"

"That's all I heard." Zhao Zeyong interrupted, turned his head and asked the second prince directly: "Second brother, were you there at that time?"

The second prince cleared his throat, and said with some embarrassment: "The scenery of Xiaomei Mountain is very beautiful, we will visit separately."

lie!You must have designed it on purpose to match the eldest princess and Zhou Minghong.Rong Youtang thought contemptuously.

Zhao Zeyong nodded in admiration, and then asked Zhou Minghong: "This king asks you: Who were you following at that time?"

Zhou Mingjie quietly elbowed his brother, Zhou Minghong held back his anger, stood up and replied:

"The Second Highness ordered Caomin to accompany the eldest princess to enjoy the flowers, accompanied by two guards and two servants, who were aboveboard. It's just that the eldest princess... accidentally pushed the grassman down the steep slope, so the guards and servants came to rescue her, only to find out after being in a hurry. The eldest princess is missing."

"Hmph!" Zhao Yilin, who was behind the screen, was upset and threw the lid of the small clock into pieces.Zhou Minghong didn't offend her today, and he flattered her with all his heart, but she just didn't like, just hated the little lazy toad who wanted to eat swan meat!Therefore, what Zhou Minghong did was wrong, even panting was wrong.

Zhao Zeyong thought for a while, and whispered a few words to Liu Mama, she hurried back behind the screen, and after a long while of coaxing, Liu Mama's voice sounded: "After leaving Xiaomei Mountain, the princess wants to go back to the meditation room. But he didn't go the same way, he went around a few times, and met the evil... Mr. Zhuo, the other party was arrogant and rude, his words were vulgar and presumptuous, disrespectful—"

The eyeballs of Zhuo Ke, who was still gagged, were all red, and he yelled "Ugh" in protest, and was beaten by his father several times before he regained his composure.

"The princess is alone," Liu Mama continued to state on her behalf: "I had to retreat, but the other party was relentless and lawless, ordered his servants to chase and intercept her, and tried to capture the princess! Fortunately, I ran into someone from His Royal Highness Prince Qing's house, and was able to escape safely." .”

Zhao Zeyong looked sideways at Rong Youtang, the latter understood, and together with Wei Jie who came under his command, told him what he knew.

"Your Highness!" Zhuo Zhiyang broke into a cold sweat when he heard it. Although he didn't know the reason for the conflict, his son knew it well: he is lustful and can't control his lower body.Otherwise, he would not leave the Emperor's Temple alone, but go to the Hongfa Temple where the common people, small officials, merchants and merchants gather. The concubines in his room are all taken in by him when they are wandering outside.Therefore, a few words of teasing, or a few touches with hands, is...very possible.

But it must be impossible to defile the princess in the Buddhist temple!

"Your Highness, you—" Zhuo Zhiyang was worried.

"Zhuo Ke." Zhao Zeyong said solemnly: "I will give you a chance to speak, but you have to tell the truth, otherwise you will be sent directly to the Ministry of Punishment."

"No! No!" Zhuo Ke nodded desperately.

Zhao Zeyong gave the guard a look, and the latter immediately took the cloth ball from Zhuo Ke's mouth.

"His Royal Highness, I have been wronged!" Zhuo Ke opened his mouth and cried, and walked forward on his knees: "I have been wronged, my good intentions are so unrewarded—"

"Silent!" The guards of the royal residence snatched him back into the distance. Zhuo Zhiyang quickly stabilized his son, raised his hand and beat him again: "Where do you want to be here? Why don't you explain the situation quickly?"

Zhuo Ke mourned, and said aggrievedly: "I went to visit friends in the suburbs. When I returned to the city, I passed by Hongfa Temple. I stopped by to have a vegetarian meal. I met her on the way and met the eldest princess. She didn't reveal her identity at the time. I didn't show any disrespect. It was her who took the initiative. Asked 'how to get to the meditation room', I kindly led the way, but she suddenly turned her face, opened her mouth to curse, raised her hand to hit people, and even kicked my lower body-"

With a "bang", the screen shook violently and nearly fell down. The nuns tried their best to comfort her. When Zhao Yilin heard Wei Jie coming in, she had deliberately restrained herself, but now she couldn't bear it and shouted: "Nonsense! If you didn't speak nonsense!" , frivolous and rude, this princess doesn’t even bother to look at you, I don’t have to dirty my eyes, what’s the point of beating and scolding a few times? You deserve death!”

"The eldest princess must be reasonable! There are so many people watching, I didn't touch you at all, and you turned on someone and kicked me to the ground on the spot. Could it be that I wronged you?" Zhuo Ke was so angry that he was so angry. .That's right, I'm used to working hard on beautiful girls, and the eldest princess is like a rose with thorns, so I'm itching to praise her—how could it be wrong to praise her?

Zhao Yilin was furious: "Who do you take this princess for? If you dare to speak glib, you will die!"

"You ordered the servants to capture the eldest princess?" Zhao Zeyong asked, he already knew the truth.

"No! No!" Zhuo Ke resolutely shook his head in denial, and said in embarrassment: "I was kicked and hurt my lower body, and I lay on the ground for a long time before I recovered. It was only when they were all arrested that they realized that she was the eldest princess."

Zhao Yilin was about to go mad when she heard the voice: "Third Brother, listen, he's clearly trying to quibble! If I hadn't met your servant and Wei, Lord Wei, I would have died by now!"

Rong Xiaosi couldn't laugh or cry: Sure enough, women like heroes with high martial arts skills!No matter how hard I try to save her, I can only be "King Qing's money-greedy and hateful servant".

The second prince couldn't help interjecting: "Third son, it's obvious that Zhuo Ke is bullying others with his power and is domineering. You can't wrong our sister."

Zhao Yilin was sobbing behind the screen, and suddenly felt that her second brother was really good.

Zhuo Zhiyang kowtowed and said: "Your Highness, I beg you to uphold justice! The family is obscene and arrogant. It is a humble job and has no way to manage the family. I would like to leave it to the princess to deal with it at will. But the dog just has eyes and does not know Taishan, and his words offended the eldest princess carelessly. It is a crime." Not to die!"

"Master Zhuo, please go down and sit down for a while, and discuss this matter later." Zhao Zeyong ordered.

The Zhuo family had no choice but to leave with their personal guards, and they also needed to discuss countermeasures urgently.

After a while, the outsiders all retreated.

Zhao Yilin couldn't wait to come out from behind the screen, subconsciously glanced first: which one is Wei Jie?They are all guards. Could it be that Wei Jie is the third brother's personal guard?

The family status is a bit low, but the people are very nice.The eldest princess thought regretfully.

"Third brother, what are you going to do with him?" Zhao Yilin asked.

"Didn't you keep yelling that the other party should be 'executed by thousands of cuts'?" Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows and asked back.

Zhao Yilin tugged at the ends of her hair, tilted her head, curled her lips: "Will you agree?"

"It's not that I don't agree, it's that I don't have that right." Zhao Zeyong said seriously: "Ling Chi is a felony among capital crimes, and the court's verdict still needs to be strictly verified. In your situation, even if it is handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, it is impossible to behead Zhuo Ke, at most he will be punished with a cane, he will never be hired as an official, and his father will be reprimanded."

The second prince anxiously said: "Could it be that he should be spared lightly? Isn't Yi Lin being wronged in vain?"

"Then what's the second elder brother's opinion?" Zhao Zeyong asked in a leisurely manner, and reminded him bluntly: "The princess is assigned four nuns and several palace maids as usual, and there are guards to protect her when she travels—how could Yilin place an order? An extremely serious negligence. If there is a big trouble, I don't know how many people will be involved, and it is even more difficult for Yilin to keep her reputation."

Blame me?

The second prince stood up suddenly, with a very ugly expression on his face, and said stiffly: "You can figure it out, I have something to do, go back to the palace first." After speaking, he walked away, thinking: My Highness has had enough today !

"Hey—" Zhao Yilin stomped her feet in disbelief.

Rong Youtang was already stunned: he was facing the door, and a long time ago, he clearly saw the black brocade dragon robe flash past in front of the carved and hollow ventilation window!

His Majesty?

Rong Youtang immediately informed King Qing quietly, and the latter observed for a moment, bowing his head to drink tea to show his understanding.

After a while, Zhao Zeyong called Zhuo's father and son up again. The two sides negotiated for a long time, and finally decided: "Fifty rods, repatriation to the original place, and no return to Beijing. This king will also greet the officials and never hire Zhuo Ke."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness! When you go back to your humble position, you will be executed for the slave who insulted and tore up the eldest princess." Zhuo Zhiyang was so grateful that he kowtowed his son who was like a bolt from the blue, and respectfully invited Zhao Yilin's cronies who were in charge of supervising the execution to return home.

"It's really cheap for him!" Zhao Yilin complained.

At this time, the door light flickered

"Otherwise, what else do you want?" Emperor Chengtian asked expressionlessly.

"Father?!" Zhao Yilin exclaimed, and then jumped in surprise, grabbed her father's arm, and shook it coquettishly: "Father, my daughter will almost never see you."

"Kowtow to my father."

"Kowtow to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty."

In the blink of an eye, a room full of people kneeled.

"Pingshen." Emperor Chengtian waved his eldest daughter away and let out a long breath.

"Father, please take your seat." Zhao Zeyong gave a serious look, although he called himself "Father", he strictly abided by the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers.

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian took his seat, pinched his eyebrows tiredly, and asked, "How is your fourth brother?"

"The imperial doctor is taking care of it, and there is no serious problem for the time being."

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian squinted at his son who stood up straight, had a straighter temper, and didn't know how to get close to his father when he was young. That's the only way."

"Royal father~" Zhao Yilin coquettishly resigned.

Zhao Zeyong said with a wooden face: "You are too famous."

"What's the matter? You are the only one who didn't reward you for the triumph of suppressing the bandits, are you angry?" Emperor Chengtian asked feigned anger.

Zhao Zeyong didn't change his face: "I have never cared about it. As a prince, I should share my father's worries and serve the court."

"It's good to know." Emperor Chengtian sat majestically, and when he changed his voice, he was dissatisfied and criticized: "You have such a temper, and you have not been able to get over it in the northwest for more than ten years! I am so disappointed."

With a thought in his mind, Rong Youtang pricked up his ears nervously.

"My son is stupid, please show me clearly." Zhao Zeyong bowed slightly.

Emperor Chengtian snorted angrily: "It seems that even if I let you go to the Northwest to practice for another ten years, it will be useless, that's all. The third son Zeyong obeys the order!"

"My son is here." Zhao Zeyong knelt down straight.

"After thinking about it: You have led soldiers, ruled the army, won some victories, and you have a rigid, inflexible, tough and straightforward temper. It is most suitable for you to supervise the construction of the northern suburb camp. Third, I order you to show courage Come and have the courage to serve as the commander of the camp in the northern suburbs, and use the standards of the Northwest to select and train recruits!"

Zhao Zeyong seemed too surprised, at a loss, and was stunned.

"Do you dare to resist the order?" Emperor Chengtian shouted.

"Don't dare." Zhao Zeyong sighed, and said in a low voice: "I obey the order."

Great, Your Highness can stay in Beijing!Rong Youtang was overjoyed, but he had just started to get excited, and Emperor Chengtian looked at Zhou Minghong again and asked, "Are you the little nephew that the queen mentioned?"

Zhou Minghong bit the bullet and said yes.

Emperor Chengtian nodded in satisfaction: "He looks like a good-looking talent. I heard that he is studying in the Imperial College?"

Zhou Minghong said yes again.

"Father?" Zhao Yilin opened her mouth slightly, dazed.

"That's right." Emperor Chengtian nodded again, and asked with a majestic smile: "Since you are interested in sacrificing the princess, why haven't you made a request for marriage for so long? Hmm?"

Zhao Yilin's heart was broken, her face was pale, she knelt down, hugged Emperor Chengtian's leg, and screamed: "Father——"