Spring Drunk Chang'an

Emperor Yingwu personally explained to the five officials the "two or three things" concerning the Duke of Zhenguo and the Duke of Ningguo's mansions...

Then, he also mentioned a few things about the Ningguo Mansion and the Cheng'en Mansion.

Of course, he didn't say it so clearly this time. After all, in his opinion, the matter of replacing the woman had been resolved by himself, and there was no need for the court officials to intervene. He said that it was just for...

Looking at the five officials, their faces full of astonishment, with expressions as if they were seeing a ghost in broad daylight and asking, "How could such a ridiculous thing happen in the world?", Emperor Yingwu could not help but pursing his lips and suppressing his smile.

Not bad.

Not bad!

The affairs of the three prefectures cannot shock only him, it would be good to scare others as well.

Sure enough, seeing others panic and helpless will make you feel better.

"My dear minister, this is the situation. Duke Liu and Lord Song, I have intervened, and the two houses have resolved the issue privately. However, Lord Xu and Duke Liu..."

"I have sent people to arrest Xu Ruyi and Xu Yuan and bring them to justice. However, if a son is not well-disciplined, it is the fault of the father. Lord Xu, knowing full well that his children are not worthy of respect, married Xu Ruyi into the Liu family."

"You two can discuss how to convict him."

You guys talk, I want to listen!

Emperor Yingwu said quietly.

However, he still gave the five officials a hint: he called Liu Xiu "Duke Liu", but called Xu Liang "Lord Xu", so who was more important and who won the emperor's favor more?

That's simple and clear.

The five officials looked at each other.

After a moment, a senior official working in the Dali Temple, who was known for his stern and serious personality, whispered softly with a dreamy voice, "...Brother, sister?" with a vague expression.

“Brother and sister!!!”

It was just a sentence, as slight as the movement of a mosquito or fly, but the Duke of Zhenguo felt like being pricked by a needle. His face instantly turned red. He was so embarrassed in the court that he almost wanted to die!

“He’s an adopted son!!”

“Adopted son!!”

"Not brother and sister, no!!"

He didn't care about the emperor in front of him and roared directly in front of the palace.

Emperor Yingwu:...

Understand and forgive him, and don't hold a grudge.

However, his loud noises also woke up the five officials who were in shock. They took a deep breath, gradually pulled their "scattered" spirits back, and managed to regain their composure.

Then, I began to feel embarrassed and ponder.

How to convict the Duke of Zhenguo?

Is it considered marriage fraud?

Liu Wenbai was seriously injured and paralyzed. It must be Xu Yuan and Xu Ruyi who really beat him.

That one was attempted murder.

Another is murdering her husband.

Oh, by the way, it can also be considered as fornication.

Basically, they are all capital crimes. As for the Duke of Zhenguo, he knew about it but didn't report it, and deliberately deceived her into marrying...

After thinking for a moment and considering Emperor Yingwu's words "My dear Xu", they finally came to the verdict.

"Reporting to His Majesty, our ministers' opinion is that after Xu Yuan and Xu Ruyi are apprehended and brought to justice, they should be immediately sent to the Dali Temple for interrogation. If what Duke Liu said is completely true..."

The official who stepped forward to report paused for a moment before speaking directly, "Murdering one's own husband is a heinous crime, punishable by beheading according to the law. However, considering that Prince Liu is still alive, I will give her a lighter sentence and sentence her to death by hanging."

It means leaving an intact body.

“Ah, no!! No…”

As soon as the official finished speaking, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, who had been silent all this time, cried out in surprise in the corner. She wanted to step forward and beg for mercy, but as soon as she uttered the word "no", her husband covered her mouth.

"That's enough, that evil girl deserved it!"

The Duke of Zhenguo's eyes turned red and he gritted his teeth in hatred.

He loved his daughter, but he also truly hated her. That evil creature, she had chosen a smooth and easy path for herself, but had to get involved with Xu Yuan, eloping in the bridal chamber without a care for the family's reputation, leaving the mess to her parents...

How could Liu Wenbai be beaten into paralysis?

Just run away, why hit others?

Now, things have gotten to the point where they are completely out of control?

Fuli, Fuli, what should I do? !

The Duke of Zhenguo glared at the five officials with hatred, knowing clearly in his heart that he would not be able to get away with it either.

The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo was sobbing, filled with fear.

Over there, five officials curled their lips, repeating the Emperor's words, "Lord Xu." They pretended not to hear the interruption of the Zhenguo Gong's wife and continued, "Xu Yuan attempted murder, had an affair with a married man, and assaulted her own husband. According to the law, he should be beheaded."

Xu Yuan was punished for multiple crimes, so there was no "reduction of sentence".

Both Xu Yuan and Xu Ruyi were sentenced to death.

"Ok!"

Emperor Yingwu nodded and accepted the verdict of the five officials.

No matter how insignificant Liu Xiu was in the court, he was still a "Duke". He had to give an explanation for the fact that his prince was beaten and paralyzed on his wedding night.

The chief evildoer must die.

"The Duke of Zhenguo failed to educate his adopted daughter and discipline his adopted son, and he also committed a fraudulent marriage. According to the law, he will be sentenced to three years in prison, demoted in rank, and fined 20,000 silver coins."

The official said again.

Three years of imprisonment.

A sudden death after three years of imprisonment.

The fine was naturally given to Liu Wenbai...

Although people may not need it.

As for the demotion~~

The Duke of Zhenguo's face turned ashen.

coming! !

The result he feared the most came, demotion, demotion! !

The Xu family, who had served the Emperor loyally for generations, sacrificed countless lives during the founding of the nation to maintain the title of Duke. Now, because of their illegitimate sons and daughters, they were to be demoted!

After Xu Liang died, he was too embarrassed to go down and see his ancestors! !

The Duke of Zhenguo's eyes were red, and he knelt down with a bang, looking straight at Emperor Yingwu, his eyes full of pleading.

Emperor Yingwu:...

You didn't raise your child well, so what do you think I should do?

I can't side with you.

You are not my son!

Emperor Yingwu lowered his brows and said calmly, "Xu Liang has betrayed my trust. He allowed his son to marry again and again, and I order him to be demoted from Duke of Zhenguo to Earl of Zhenguo. Three generations of his family will be executed, and he must also pay 50,000 taels of silver as compensation to the Ningguo Mansion."

"Visit the world's famous doctors to treat Liu Wenbai."

As for the three-year imprisonment, forget it.

He needs Xu Liang to do something.

The Duke of Zhenguo, uh, no, the Earl of Zhenguo was stunned on the spot.

The nobility of Daxia was divided into five ranks: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. His rank of Duke was once the pinnacle of nobility. Above that were the rank of Prince of a County and Prince of a Reign, which could only be granted to sons of the imperial clan...

From Duke to Earl, the rank is reduced by two levels.

The status plummeted.

That's fine, the most terrible thing is the sentence "three generations will be executed". Originally, the title of Duke of Zhenguo was given because his great-grandfather died saving the emperor. The emperor of that generation issued an imperial decree that the Duke of Zhenguo was an "Iron Hat Duke".

Their family's title will not be downgraded.

It can prosper along with the country.

As long as Daxia survived, their family would always be dukes, but now, three generations have been wiped out!

His grandson would be demoted to a lower rank and become a Viscount, and his great-grandson would become a Baron. With each generation, they would become increasingly destitute. If there were no outstanding talents among their descendants, they would gradually become ordinary people!

Oh my God! !

God! ! !

I'm going to kill Xu Yuan and Xu Ruyi!!

Why did I agree to let that loser woman adopt Xu Yuan back then?!

When I found out about Xu Yuan and that rebellious girl, I should have put justice above my own and killed them all!