novelones Chapter 561 Someone is planning something behind the scenes
Chapter 561 Someone is planning something behind the scenes
The next day, Lu Huaining came to Dali Temple as usual. Today, he did not ask Mr. Liu about the case, but went directly to the prison.
As soon as he stepped into the cell door, he saw a jailer running out in a panic.
Lu Huaining frowned and asked displeasedly, "What's wrong, so flustered?"
"Reporting to Prince Ning, the champion Qi Tan was foaming at the mouth, his limbs were twitching, and he was unconscious."
The jailer replied tremblingly. He secretly raised his eyes to look at the young man, and saw that the coldness on his face became even stronger, and a cold sweat broke out down his back uncontrollably.
"This sounds like poisoning." Hong Xi thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Go and invite Miss Shen." Lu Huaining turned to him and told him. After Hong Xi left, he ordered the jailer to carefully screen Qi Tan's diet in the past few days.
The prisoners all ate the same food, but Qi Tan was the only one who showed such symptoms. This is really strange.
Lu Huaining knew that it would be difficult to solve this mystery with his own strength, so he put his thoughts aside for the time being and waited for Shen Ruzhou's diagnosis results before making a decision.
He sat firmly behind the desk, glanced sharply across the hall, and ordered to the jailer: "Bring up Siqiao, the second-ranked man, and Liang Qing, the most beautiful woman."
The jailer responded and quickly escorted the two men over.
Si Qiao and Liang Qing knelt on the ground and shouted that they were wronged. Lu Huaining coughed lightly and slapped the gavel hard, and the hall fell into silence.
He looked at the two of them coldly and asked in a deep voice: "Tell me your names and origins."
Hearing this, Si Qiao rushed to answer: "Little Si Qiao, I am twenty-one this year. He is the eldest son of a British prince, and his mother is Princess Changning."
After hearing this, Lu Huaining's brows softened a little and his tone became a little softer, "You are actually a member of the royal family, so I should call you my cousin."
Seeing that the presiding judge took the initiative to mention the relationship, Si Qiao's heart suddenly relaxed, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face, "That's right, His Highness and I are related. I would like to ask Your Highness to be kind enough to let me go home. "
He had grown up in a public house since he was a child, and he was pampered and well-off. He could not bear the pain of prison. He had only been in prison for two days, and he was already suffering unspeakably.
Lu Huaining nodded slightly, with a kinder smile on his face, "If cousin can explain the matter clearly, I can naturally go home."
"Your Highness Prince Ning, I have studied hard for ten years and have excellent articles. It is really because of my true talent that I have passed the exam. You must not listen to the rumors outside and wrongly accuse me." Si Qiao had already prepared his words and was swearing at this moment. said.
"Really?" Lu Huaining smiled, showing his white teeth, "In that case, how about I give my cousin a test?"
After saying that, he waved to his subordinates to get pen and paper and write down the homework topic that the Tutor left for him today.
Si Qiao suddenly felt panic in his heart, but still pretended to be calm on his face, picked up the pen and started writing.
Lu Huaining did not look at him again, but turned his gaze to Liang Qing, "Where are you from?"
Liang Qing knelt straight and replied calmly: "I am Liang Qing, a native of Beijing. His parents died of illness when he was ten years old. Fortunately, he was raised by his neighbors. Later, he was taken in by his master in the temple and was able to read and learn in the temple. "
Lu Huaining heard that his words were sincere, so he didn't ask any more questions, and also took a pen and paper to test his article.
In less than a stick of incense, Liang Qing's article was completed. It was eloquent, thousands of words long, fluent in both text and science, and quoted from classics. After reading it, Lu Huaining couldn't help but praise, "Well written."
On the other hand, Si Qiao still only wrote the beginning, with crooked handwriting and a lot of typos.
Lu Huaining took the article and read it, his expression suddenly sharpened, and he said sternly: "Is this a good article for you to be the second best?!"
He suddenly grabbed the gavel, slapped it hard, and shouted: "Where did you buy the test questions? Tell the truth quickly, or you will be punished."
Si Qiao's face turned pale when frightened by the loud shout, and his body shook like chaff. But his remaining reason told him that he couldn't say it, because if he said it, he would die.
He lowered his head, not daring to look at Lu Huaining, and continued to quibble, "Your Majesty, I fell ill a few days ago and my brain was burned and confused, so now..."
Seeing that Si Qiao still refused to confess honestly, Lu Huaining lost his patience. He waved his hand and the officer immediately stepped forward and pressed his thick sticks on Si Qiao's legs.
Si Qiao's shrill screams suddenly sounded in the room. Outside, Princess Changning heard her son's cry, her delicate body trembled, and without caring about etiquette, she pushed the yamen servant aside and rushed in.
Princess Changning felt heartbroken when she saw that her son had been severely tortured.
She hugged Si Qiao tightly, looked up at Lu Huaining with tears in her eyes, and cried: "Prince Ning, how could you treat my Qiao'er so cruelly? He is of royal blood, aren't you afraid of the emperor's blame?"
Lu Huaining's face was stern and unmoved.
"Princess Changning, I have been ordered to hear this case. Under the current national laws, I dare not show favoritism. Please also ask the princess not to interfere with official duties."
When Princess Changning heard this, she felt extremely angry. She pointed at the uninjured Liang Qing next to her and asked, "Since the case is going to be tried, why not punish him?"
Lu Huaining raised his eyebrows and said seriously: "Princess, what you said is wrong. Liang Qing is not suspected, and I have already verified it. As for Si Qiao, he refused to confess his crime, so I can only act in accordance with the law."
At this time, Hong Xi hurried over and whispered a few words in Lu Huaining's ear. After Lu Huaining heard this, a strange color flashed in his eyes.
He turned to Princess Changning and said, "The trial ends here today. Take the prisoner back to his cell."
How could Princess Changning be willing to leave like this? She tried to struggle, but was forcefully pulled away by the government officials. Lu Huaining watched with cold eyes, already having a plan in mind.
After Princess Changning was taken away, Lu Huaining said to Hong Xi, "Go check Princess Changning's whereabouts and see if she plans to go to the palace to complain."
A hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, "If that's true, we have to find a way to stop her."
Hong Xi understood, patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I guarantee she won't be able to enter the palace."
When Lu Huaining came to Qi Tan's cell, Shen Ruzhou had finished the acupuncture treatment and was cleaning his hands. When he saw him coming in, he explained the diagnosis.
"Qitan should have been poisoned half a month ago. This poison has a hallucinogenic effect."
"No wonder he told everyone in the restaurant that he bought the test questions for the scientific examination." Lu Huaining's eyes showed a probing look, "It seems that this incident was not an accident, but someone planned it behind the scenes."
Hearing what he said, Shen Ruzhou felt very comforted. Huaining was worthy of being taught by Beixiu Banquet, and he could see the mystery behind it so quickly.
"Is it Xiao Chenyan?" Lu Huaining asked.
"Yes." Shen Ruzhou nodded and reminded with great concern: "Xiao Chenyan has always been ruthless. Now that he has taken action, I'm afraid he may have another move."
As soon as he finished speaking, a young eunuch shouted in a sharp voice outside, "Your Highness Prince Ning, the emperor has sent you a message to enter the palace."
"I know." Lu Huaining responded impatiently. I thought to myself, Xiao Chenyan is really pressing forward step by step.
Shen Ruzhou also thought of this and asked, "Has Liang Qing found out? Can you let him go first?"
"I have verified Liang Qing and there is no suspicion. I am planning to release him." Lu Huaining agreed readily. After a while, his mind was spinning and doubts flashed in his eyes.
"How could a beautiful sister care so much about this person?"
"He is Shen Rumeng's husband. Let me ask the family." Shen Ruzhou laughed. In fact, she asked Liang Qing to be ordered by Beixiu Yan.
Since Liang Qing participated in the scientific examination, he must be connected with many examples. Beixiu Yan thought that he could find some clues from it.
Lu Huaining didn't think much, he cooperated and let the person go, and rushed to the palace in a carriage.