A traitor

On the second day, because the old emperor was seriously ill and canceled the early court, Qin Xiangye had a rare good sleep.

As soon as he came out of the backyard, he saw the housekeeper approaching impatiently, and said to him: "Master, it's not good, Mr. Su has been arrested."

Qin Jian was startled, and realized who he was talking about, Mr. Su, and immediately asked with a downcast face, "What's going on?"

The butler continued: "I heard that Lord Zhao sent some things to Shangshu's mansion last night, but was discovered by the patrolling army of the young prince. The patrolling army saw that the arrested person was a servant of Lord Zhao's mansion, so they ordered someone to inform Cai. Mr. Jun Cai, now Mr. Su has been taken as an accomplice and imprisoned by the Criminal Ministry."

Qin Jian said strangely: "The patrol army always only patrols the west city, while Su Qinglang lives in the east city. Even if Zhao E wanted to send him something, how could he invite the patrol army?"

The steward replied: "I heard from the servant who reported that the servants of Mr. Zhao's mansion were arrested in the west city."

Qin Jian was even more surprised: "Since he was arrested in Xicheng, how can he prove that those things were sent to the Minister of Rites?"

The butler gave a hiccup, his expression seemed a bit embarrassed: "It is said that one of Mr. Zhao's subordinates... couldn't stand the interrogation, so he confessed Mr. Su."

Qin Jian has nothing to say now. Originally, it was Zhao E who was greedy for money and made a big hole. The person who was bitten by Xu Jingyu was Zhao E. The person who sent something secretly was discovered by the patrol army, and the person who directly committed the crime was also Zhao E, now that something happened to him, the people under him were not up to the task, and it was Zhao E who dragged his companion into the water.

For a person like this who was supposed to be an abandoned son, he can kindly offer advice and let Su Qinglang save his life. It's good, but now, Zhao E is stuck in the mud and can't get out, and he even broke his hand. A member of the General.

Not to mention, those things were originally intended to be sent to his house, Su Qinglang planned ahead and worried about the risks, but now that something happened, he was actually taking it on his behalf.

He gritted his teeth in anger, and after a long time, he said angrily: "This idiot..."

The housekeeper was a little worried, and said: "Master, Mr. Su's mansion has been surrounded by officers and soldiers, what should we do next?"

Thinking of Su Qinglang's many years in the court, and how many bad things he has done together with him, and the two of them working together, it is hard to guarantee that Su Qinglang will not have something against him in his hands.

If Cai Jun's people discover those clues, even if they can't shake his foundation, they can seize the opportunity to seriously injure him a little bit, and think of Su Qinglang's mansion, those things hidden in the backyard.

Once the court finds out, Qin Jian is afraid that his right-hand man will die, and Qin Jian will suffer even more.

He was angry for a moment, then calmed down again, and asked, "Where did Huan'er go?"

The butler was taken aback, his reaction was a bit unnatural, and he said hesitantly: "The young master has already rushed to the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice."

Qin Jian fell silent, his face was not very good-looking, and he said, "When he comes back, let him meet me in the study."

Afterwards, he turned around, stopped asking about Su Qinglang's affairs, and only walked towards his study.

The housekeeper was still a little worried, so he asked: "Master Xiang, then Mr. Su..."

Qin Jian stopped, and after a while, he said: "Let people pay attention first, if it really doesn't work, you can only choose one of the two."

Hearing this, the housekeeper immediately understood, and said yes to Qin Jian.

Now that Zhao E and Su Qinglang were arrested at the same time, the point of contradiction is that the servants of Zhao E's mansion testified that the things they sent were for Su Qinglang.

Therefore, if he wanted to save Su Qinglang, he could only turn the testimony of Zhao E's subordinates into untrustworthy perjury.

Zhao E had been targeted by Xu Jingyu before, and the court wanted to investigate him, but there was no evidence. Now that the people under his command were caught, a large amount of money was found. There are all witnesses and material evidence, and it is no longer necessary to exonerate him. too likely.

Therefore, Qin Jian's so-called choice between the two was just unilaterally sacrificing Zhao E to save Su Qinglang.

At that time, in front of the emperor, he said that Zhao E held a grudge against Su Qinglang and knew that the court was investigating him.

So when transferring the stolen money, he ordered his subordinates to plant half of the crime on Su Qinglang once they were caught.In this way, not only can Su Qinglang be cleared of suspicion, but also draw a clear line with Zhao E.

The housekeeper took the order and waited in the mansion for a long time before Qin Huan came back, but Young Master Qin's complexion was not very good.

Hearing his father's orders and thinking about Su Qinglang's current situation, Young Master Qin went to the study without hesitation.

Sitting in front of the desk, Qin Jian saw that Qin Huan's expression was also grim, and asked gloomily, "Did you see him?"

Qin Huan lowered his head, and replied: "No, those people in the Ministry of Punishment guarded very tightly, not letting anyone see Qinglang."

Qin Jian asked again: "What about Zhao E?"

Qin Huan was taken aback, and then replied: "I'm sorry father, I've been thinking about Qingming, so I didn't notice this person. Thinking about it... I probably won't see him."

Qin Jian fell silent for a long time before asking, "Huan'er, do you think you've handled this matter well?"

Hearing this, Qin Huan said with a look of shame on his face: "Father, the boy knows he's wrong, but it's just clear...I can't see anything happen to him."

Qin Jian frowned slightly, and said, "A man needs to take care of the overall situation in his actions, how can he be so emotional?"

He paused, and then said: "You only think about saving Su Qinglang, but have you ever thought that if this person falls, if you run recklessly like this, wouldn't it be that you are not recruiting yourself and throwing yourself into a trap, making people Do you suspect that this matter has something to do with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, and lead the fire to us?”

Qin Huan kept his head down and didn't say a word, but from his expression, he could see a hint of guilt. Obviously, he only cared about Su Qinglang before, and didn't think about these things at the time.

Qin Jian sighed, and said earnestly: "Forget it, you don't have to worry about that person. Father has already thought of a countermeasure. If it really doesn't work, I can only go to the palace to meet the Holy One."

Hearing this, Qin Huan raised his head and said in a low voice, "Thank you dad..."

Qin Jian looked at Qin Huan a few more times, and finally heaved a heavy sigh.

At this time, in the prison of the Criminal Ministry, Mr. Su, who was supposed to be under strict supervision, was standing in front of Mr. Zhao's cell, and there was no one around.

Zhao E was taken aback when he saw Su Qinglang: "Master Su, you..."

Su Qinglang was very sad, and said to him: "Originally, I was going to question me, but in front of the emperor, there was another Xiangye interceding..."

Zhao E immediately understood, having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he naturally knew what had happened, and said with a wry smile: "This matter, I have implicated Mr. Su, how could I have imagined that those slaves..."

If there is no testimony from that little servant, there are so many official residences in Beijing, who can judge that those things were sent to Su Qinglang's residence, Master Su will not suffer because of this.

Even if Zhao E's guilt could not be cleared away, with Su Qinglang and Qin Jian interceding in front of the emperor, at least he could save his life.

But luckily, being framed by servants in his own mansion, Qin Jian in order to keep Su Qinglang, and Su Qinglang in order to avoid suspicion, both of them can no longer participate in this matter, Mr. Zhao can only admit that it is unlucky.

Mr. Zhao felt bitter in his heart, feeling that his age was not good, but he didn't know that the so-called servant who had confessed did not exist at all.

Zhao E is smart, and the people in his house are not stupid, they know the consequences after confessing Su Qinglang.

So all of them gritted their teeth and refused to admit it, but Su Qinglang had expected this a long time ago, so he asked Cai Jun to interrogate the servants separately, and finally said that one of them confessed, it was just a cover.

Su Qinglang made a heartbroken look, and said to Zhao E: "Master Zhao, those servants are ignorant, so how can I blame you. It's just... Although Qinglang wants to help you in the future, there is nothing he can do."

At this time, Zhao E's heart felt like a knife was being twisted, and he had mixed feelings. Although he had done the beheading before, he had already planned to beheaded.

But when the long knife hanging above his head finally came down, he realized that he was not ready for anything.

Over the years, he has accumulated countless contacts in the officialdom, thinking that with power, he can sit back and relax, confronted Su Qinglang tit for tat, thinking that one day he would steal his position, but in the end he found out.

When his accident happened, none of those so-called friends came to visit him.

In the end, the one who was really on my side, and the one who never gave up and helped me, was Su Qinglang who had always been my enemy.

Zhao E wiped away his tears, but still did not give up and asked: "Master Xiang, is that also the plan?"

Su Qinglang hesitated for a moment, nodded as if he couldn't bear it, and said: "Master Zhao, what do you have to say, Qinglang will definitely do it."

Zhao E was silent for a moment, and then sighed: "People live their lives and die for money, and finally realize that the most important thing is not this. Mr. Su, you and I have known each other for many years. I am narrow-minded, and I have done a lot. I am sorry. It's just that now, for the sake of my colleagues for many years, I dare to make a request."

He paused, and then said: "My family still has an 80-year-old mother, her son is sick and unable to take care of the housework, and her grandson is still in his infancy. After this incident, I am afraid that the Zhao family will be hit hard. I would like Master Su to take care of them when you have time." , don’t let people bully you.”

Su Qinglang nodded, and replied: "Okay..."

Zhao E barely supported his body, gritted his teeth, and cupped his hands to Su Qinglang: "Master Su, don't worry, this is all done by me alone, and that slave was also instructed by me, and everything has nothing to do with Master Su."

Su Qinglang also bowed to him: "Lord Zhao, don't worry, you and I have been colleagues for many years, your family is my family, Qinglang will do his best to take care of them."

Hearing this, Zhao E sighed deeply, and lowered his head to Su Qinglang: "So, thank you, Mr. Su..."

While the two were talking, they heard sneaking outside, and a small voice came: "Master Su, the time is almost up, hurry up, don't let anyone find out."

Su Qinglang then looked at Zhao E again, as if a life-and-death brother were farewell, he cupped his hands and said, "I'm leaving, Mr. Zhao, take care."

Turning around and leaving, Yi Shuihan, like a strong man, walked outside the earthen wall of the dungeon.

Where Zhao E couldn't see, there were two people standing there, one was Cai Jun and the other was Mei Liusheng.

Su Qinglang gestured for them to go out, and the three of them walked out of the dungeon together and stood at the door. At this time, there was no one around.

I just heard Su Qinglang calmly say: "My lords, Qinglang's acting skills are pretty good, right?"

Mei Liusheng smiled faintly: "It's really good to make Zhao E grateful and confess his guilt on the condition of his family."

Su Qinglang snorted, looked back at the prison, and said: "Next, I will have to thank Mr. Cai and Brother Mei to make Zhao E confess as soon as possible."