Chapter 294 Zhang Ruzhou assassinated his partner and was exiled
As other officials suspected of cheating in scientific examinations were arrested one after another, those scholars who had tried to buy official positions through unfair means and wanted to win Jinshi were not spared.
Above the court hall, Zhao Yingluo sat beside the dragon chair with an expressionless face.
When Zhang Ruzhou was escorted into the hall, his legs were as heavy as lead. He lowered his head, trembling all over, and didn't even have the courage to raise his head.
Zhao Yingluo's voice echoed in the empty hall, and she asked: "Zhang Ruzhou, do you know your guilt?"
Zhang Ruzhou replied with a trembling voice: "I...I don't know what crime I have committed?"
Zhao Yingluo sneered softly, with a hint of majesty in her voice: "Oh? I don't know what the crime is? Then why don't you dare to look up at me?"
Zhang Ruzhou raised his head bravely and met Zhao Yingluo's eyes as bright as cold stars.
He carefully looked at Her Royal Highness the Princess in front of him, and suddenly, a trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes. this
The familiar face and the eyes that had briefly crossed paths with him made him feel like he was waking up from a dream.
"You..." Zhang Ruzhou stammered, "Are you the young man who went to Chunfang Garden that day?"
Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, a proud smile appeared on her face: "Yes, it is Gu. Have you ever thought that we would be in today's situation?"
Zhang Ruzhou suddenly realized at this moment that the young man he saw that day was actually the princess of the Song Dynasty.
The panic in his heart became even worse, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and his lips trembled as he said, "Your Highness Princess... I... I am guilty."
"Of course you are guilty," Zhao Yingluo's voice became stern, "Not only did you cheat on the scientific examination, you also dared to buy and sell officials, and regarded the court's laws as nothing! Do you know that your crime has a negative impact on the court, the scholars, and the people? How much harm did it cause to the people of Song Dynasty?”
The atmosphere in the court became more solemn. Commander Wen Boyuan stood aside, staring at Zhang Ruzhou with burning eyes. Other officials were also whispering, discussing this scientific examination fraud case that shocked the government and the public, and speculating on how this incident would end.
"Zhang Ruzhou actually dared to cheat in the scientific examination. How audacious!"
"Yes, this is the crime of deceiving the emperor. He will not be able to escape this time."
"But then again, how could he, a small official, have the guts to do something like this? There must be someone behind it."
Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair in the court hall, her eyes as sharp as cold stars. She calmly stared at the ministers below, like a hunter examining her prey.
Today, she will bring a storm to this court, a storm to cleanse corruption.
"Wen Boyuan, read out the investigation results." Zhao Yingluo's voice was emotionless.
Holding a thick document, Wen Boyuan strode to the center of the court, "After careful investigation by the Imperial City Department, it has been confirmed that Zhang Ruzhou teamed up with more than a dozen invigilators to commit scientific examination fraud, sell official positions, and illegally collect The candidates’ money totals eight hundred thousand taels of silver!”
There was an explosion in the court hall, and the ministers were whispering to each other.
Zhang Ruzhou's face instantly turned pale as if he had been struck by lightning. His eyes were full of fear and despair, and his body was trembling involuntarily.
Zhao Yingluo turned her gaze to Huang Zushun, the left minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and said, "Servant Huang, according to the laws of the Song Dynasty, what punishment should Zhang Ruzhou and others receive?"
Huang Zushun replied in a deep voice: "Princess Hui, I will be executed according to the law! The amount of corruption and crimes are so serious that they cannot be forgiven."
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court.
Zhang Ruzhou's face became as pale as a dead man's, his legs were shaking like chaff, and he almost fell to his knees.
"Your Highness Princess, please have mercy!" Zhang Ruzhou suddenly begged loudly, "I was obsessed with it for a moment, please give me a chance to change my ways!" At this time, an old minister stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness Princess, although Zhang Ruzhou has He is guilty of corruption, but after all, he is an official of our Song Dynasty and has made many contributions to our Song Dynasty over the years. I beg the princess to be treated leniently."
"A lenient treatment?" Wen Boyuan sneered, "He embezzled 800,000 taels of silver. If he is given a lenient treatment, why will the people be angry? How will the law be enforced?"
"What Commander Wen said is wrong," another minister retorted, "The law is nothing more than human feelings. Although Zhang Ruzhou is guilty, considering his contributions over the years, it is reasonable to treat him leniently."
In the court, the ministers expressed their opinions and argued endlessly. Some advocated severe punishment to serve as a warning to others; others advocated leniency and giving Zhang Ruzhou a chance to change his ways. It was like a mess, with various voices intertwined, as if they were about to tear down the roof.
Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair. She had already made a decision in her heart, but facing the dispute in the court, she knew she had to give an answer that would satisfy everyone.
She hates corruption, especially corrupt people like Zhang Ruzhou. According to her character, she really wants to cut him into pieces.
But thinking of Li Qingzhao, that talented but ill-fated woman, she hesitated.
Although the marriage between Li Qingzhao and Zhang Ruzhou was not affectionate, it was in the name of husband and wife after all. Zhao Yingluo did not want Li Qingzhao to be hurt more because of Zhang Ruzhou's crimes.
Furthermore, she knew that severe punishment would inevitably lead to backlash. Punishments that are too severe may instill fear in the minds of courtiers, which may lead to alienation.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yingluo took a deep breath and decided to show mercy outside the law. She stood up and announced loudly: "Dear ladies!"
The hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were focused on her.
Zhao Yingluo continued: "Gu is well aware of the harm of corruption, but various factors must also be taken into consideration. Therefore, Gu decided to give Zhang Ruzhou a lighter sentence."
She paused and glanced at Zhang Ruzhou's pale and trembling face, "As long as Zhang Ruzhou returns the corrupt money in full, he will be sentenced to thirty with a rod and tattooed to Qiongzhou."
As soon as these words came out, the court was in an uproar again.
Zhang Ruzhou's eyes flashed with disbelief, and then he burst into tears and kowtowed to thank him.
His voice was trembling and excited: "Thank you, Princess, for your kindness! I must change my past and be a new person!"
Zhao Yingluo turned to the other officials who were implicated, "As for you, you will all be exiled from prison to prison, depending on the severity of your crimes."
After retiring from the court, Zhao Yingluo did not return to the palace directly, but ordered Wang Shouen to drive to Zhang Ruzhou's residence.
Along the way, she had quite complicated emotions, including resentment against corrupt officials and sympathy for Li Qingzhao.
Although Zhang Ruzhou's crime was hateful, Li Qingzhao, as an innocent party, also made her feel pity.
Li Qingzhao was wearing plain clothes and looked gloomy. He had obviously learned the news that Zhang Ruzhou had been sentenced to exile.
"My wife, Li Qingzhao, comes to greet Her Royal Highness the Princess." Li Qingzhao's voice trembled slightly and he leaned down to bow.
Zhao Yingluo quickly helped Li Qingzhao up and said warmly: "Zhang Ruzhou's crime has nothing to do with you, you don't have to blame yourself so much."
Li Qingzhao stood up, his eyes slightly red, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your magnanimity. I am deeply grateful."
Zhao Yingluo gently patted the back of Li Qingzhao's hand and said comfortingly: "Now the Zhang family property is at your disposal. I hope you can live a good life, and let the past go."
Hearing this, Li Qingzhao burst into tears, "Your Highness the Princess's great kindness and virtue, I will bear it in my heart."
