Chapter 1331 Battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!

April 9th, Daqian Palace

"Old Queen Mother, you have watched our Ye Dong grow up, you can't just ignore him! Ye Dong just coveted some money, but this damn Chu Zhiyi insisted on framing Ye Dong, saying that he sent someone to kill the censor!"

"He is trying to put the blame on our Ye family. Ye Dong has fought for Daqian and Your Majesty for many years, and has made countless military achievements. His body is covered with scars. Old Queen Mother, please help us!"

"The old queen cannot let Chu Zhiyi, a cruel official, bully our Ye family!"

In the quaint hall, a woman in luxurious clothes was kneeling on the ground, crying and shouting to Ye Cui in front of her with tears and snot. She also nodded her head while speaking. This person was Ye Dong's wife, Cui.

In recent years, as Ye Mingsheng led the Fengwu Army to rise, some people in the Ye family have also become popular. For example, rough men like Ye Dong, Ye Kui, and Ye Tie have also transformed themselves into wealthy sons-in-law.

In order to ensure that her husband's family and her own family could share weal and woe, Ye Cui secretly promoted the entanglement of the Ye and Cui families. For this purpose, she also deliberately facilitated the marriage of the young people from the Ye and Cui families. Cui Shao also expressed his support for this. Ye Mingsheng also wanted to completely tie the Cui family to his chariot and contribute to his hegemony, so he acquiesced to this.

Against such a background, the Ye family and the Cui family have made many in-laws over the years. Your brother married my sister, and I married your sister. In short, the two families have many more in-laws.

Although it is a bit old-fashioned to use the method of in-laws to bind the family, this method has been passed down for so many years and is still enduring, so naturally it has its merits. The effect is still very good. The relationship between the two families has been very close over the years, and there was even a saying that Ye and Cui shared the world...
The marriage between Ye Dong and Cui was a typical product of such a background. His wife, Cui, was personally selected by Ye Cui. She was a niece of Cui Shao named Cui Yuan.

Because Ye Dong was Ye Mingsheng's confidant and had an important status in the Fengwu Army, when Cui Yuan married him, the Cui family gave a lot of dowry, including three shops in a prime location in Yijing. This marriage also attracted a lot of attention in Yijing at that time.

Although Cui Yuan gave birth to a son for Ye Dong a year after marriage, the relationship between the couple was very ordinary. After marriage, Ye Dong took five concubines and it was reported that he had at least three mistresses outside!

Although he had many women, Ye Dong still respected Cui Yuan and did not dare to act rashly. After all, Cui Yuan's family was very powerful, and this marriage was arranged by Ye Cui. If he acted rashly, Cui Yuan would go to the palace to complain to Ye Cui, and he would be punished.

Although the relationship between husband and wife is usually not harmonious at heart, after all, since they are husband and wife, they are a community of interests.

Therefore, when Ye Dong got into trouble this time, Cui Yuan tried her best to work hard for her husband, wanting to get Ye Dong out. Upon hearing that this matter would soon have a result, Cui Yuan came to the palace again, wanting to make a final effort.

However, even though Cui Yuan cried very hard and her forehead was red, Ye Cuishi seemed to have a heart of stone today. No matter how Cui Yuan cried, she closed her eyes and her expression did not fluctuate at all...

Just as Cui Yuan was becoming more and more desperate, a graceful and elegant woman walked into the hall and bowed to Ye Cui and said:

"I'm sorry, Mom! I was just meeting with the Ministry of Rites, so I'm a little late!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Ye Cui slowly opened her eyes and said with a smile:

"It's okay! Miaoyi, sit down!"

"Yes!"

As An Miaoyi sat down, Ye Cui's expression immediately changed, and she immediately taught Cui Yuan, who was kneeling on the ground, a lesson:

"I told you a long time ago to persuade Ye Dong to obey the law and not to be arrogant because of his favor. What did you do?"

"As a wife, why don't you advise your husband?"

Facing Ye Cui's rebuke, Cui Yuan said somewhat aggrievedly:

"Old Queen, I tried to persuade Ye Dong, but he didn't listen to me. I can't do anything about him!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Cui slammed the table and angrily shouted:
"Still making excuses here! As a wife, you should take care of your husband and children. Now that Ye Dong has gotten into such a scandal, you can't escape responsibility!"

Cui Yuan couldn't say anything after hearing this, she could only kneel on the ground and cry.

Seeing this, Ye Cui's gaze shifted away from Cui Yuan, and she glanced at An Miaoyi who was sitting on a chair beside her, intentionally or unintentionally. Facing Ye Cui's gaze, An Miaoyi immediately put on an attitude of learning.

At this time, Ye Cui continued to say to Cui Yuan:

"I told you before that I should persuade Ye Dong not to associate with those questionable people, so as to avoid being implicated by them in the future!"

"Ye Dong is a relative of the Daqian Dynasty. He should use his status to unite the royal family and share the worries of the court and the emperor!"

“Look at what he is doing now. He has thrown away his dignity as a royal relative for a little money. How will this matter end?”

After hearing what Ye Cui said, Cui Yuan, who was kneeling on the ground, had not yet reacted, but An Miaoyi beside her had already reacted.

She had just been discussing the expansion of the imperial palace with Chen Fu when Ye Cui sent someone to call her over. An Miaoyi had a bad premonition at that time, and now seeing this scene, An Miaoyi understood that this bad premonition had come true. Ye Cui and Cui Yuan were playing a double act with her!
At this time, seeing that Cui Yuan was still standing there in a daze and had not reacted, Ye Cui was speechless and had to give Cui Yuan a look.

Cui Yuan, who had received Ye Cui's instructions, suddenly realized what was going on. At this moment, she no longer cared about her status and face, and turned around and hugged An Miaoyi's thighs, begging:

"Please, Queen, save our Ye Dong! Our family will be grateful to you for your kindness forever!"

Seeing this, An Miaoyi knew that Ye Cui was plotting against her again, and she felt a little resentful towards her mother-in-law. However, she still spoke to Cui Yuan to comfort her, "Madam Cui, don't worry too much. General Ye Dong has fought with His Majesty for many years. His contributions are obvious to all in the court. I believe His Majesty will definitely take this into consideration. His Majesty will definitely give General Ye Dong a fair judgment!"

Cui Yuan didn't buy into An Miaoyi's perfunctory consolation. She still held An Miaoyi's thigh and refused to let go, and continued:

“Our Ye Dong has followed Your Majesty for so many years and has worked hard even if he has no merit. But this Chu Zhiyi is determined to bewitch Your Majesty! Please, Queen, make the decision for us...”

Looking at Cui Yuan kneeling on the ground and Ye Cui standing silently beside her, An Miaoyi secretly groaned in her heart.

Ever since this incident happened, Ye Cui wanted to save Ye Dong, but she was unwilling to rush to the front and go directly to Ye Mingsheng to beg for mercy, so Ye Cui adopted her usual method, which was to go into battle herself.

But An Miaoyi is not stupid. She doesn't want to have any conflict of opinion with Ye Mingsheng on this issue, so she will naturally avoid it if she can. Anyway, Ye Dong has no contact with her, so An Miaoyi doesn't care whether Ye Dong is dead or alive.

Ye Cui, whose plan had failed, was obviously unwilling to give up, so she and Cui Yuan started a double act in front of An Miaoyi to force An Miaoyi to submit.

In addition to forcing An Miaoyi to come forward, Ye Cui also intentionally or unintentionally exonerated Ye Dong in her previous remarks!

Ye Dong was charged with three main crimes in this matter!

The first charge was corruption. There were hundreds of artifacts from the Luoan Great Zhou Palace, including all kinds of rare treasures, collectibles, calligraphy and paintings. Each item was very valuable. According to the laws of Daqian, the amount of money was enough to sentence Ye Dong to immediate execution!

But with the operation of the Ye family, the Ministry of Household's assessment of these things has dropped a lot, so if it was just this charge, Ye Dong could escape!

The second charge is that he was suspected of sending someone to assassinate the censor!

This crime is currently the one with the greatest impact. After all, sending people to kill the censor is too evil in nature and has too bad an impact...
But from the current information, although Chu Zhiyi has charged Ye Dong with this crime, he is unable to provide solid evidence!
Li Jian from the Ministry of Justice could not find any evidence in this regard. He could only prove that Ye Dong knew that Zhao Bao intended to send someone to assassinate Liu Xinjie, but he could not prove that this person was sent by Ye Dong.

According to the principle of presumption of innocence in Daqian law, although Ye Dong still has to bear some joint liability because Zhao Bao is his subordinate, he can get rid of the main responsibility.

The third charge is also the most important one!
Violating etiquette to secretly collect artifacts from the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

At that time, Ye Dong saw that the matter was about to be exposed. On the one hand, he wanted to put all the blame on Zhao Bao and let Zhao Bao take the blame, but on the other hand, he also wanted to burn all the things he had hidden in the house, but he was still reluctant.

Just when he was hesitating and struggling, Chu Zhiyi rushed in with his men, and finally these things were found out from Ye Dong's mansion by Ye Cheng and his personal guard battalion. It can be said that they caught the person red-handed!

In Daqian, the crime of secretly collecting artifacts from the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty violated the etiquette and was a serious crime under Daqian law because it involved the royal family!
Among the things that Ye Dong hid from the Great Zhou Palace, many were exclusively used by the royal family, or even by the emperor himself!

Therefore, in the smallest sense, you are committing embezzlement, but in the largest sense, you are having second thoughts and plotting something illegal, which is extremely fatal...

In the lesson that Ye Cui just gave to Cui Yuan, although she denounced Ye Dong's corruption, she never mentioned his behavior of violating etiquette. This was actually a statement. As the queen mother of Daqian, Ye Cui defined the matter as follows: Ye Dong was just greedy and had no second thoughts about Daqian!
Although Ye Cui chose to believe Ye Dong, An Miaoyi knew very well that the key to this matter was Ye Mingsheng's attitude!

It doesn't mean that Ye Cui said Ye Dong has no ulterior motives. This matter has to be decided by Ye Mingsheng. No matter who else says it, it won't count!

Seeing that An Miaoyi refused to give in, Cui Yuan was disappointed but also made up her mind. She was about to crash into the wall.

But perhaps her legs were numb from kneeling on the ground for too long, or maybe this noble lady from Daqian just wanted to act and didn't really want to bang her head against the wall. In short, she was not fast enough and was stopped by the maid beside her.

In the arms of the maid, Cui Yuan pretended to hit her head against the wall while crying bitterly:

"Empress! If you don't take action, our Ye Dong will die! If he dies, I will not live either!"

Seeing Cui Yuan crying and making a fuss, An Miaoyi was overwhelmed. Then, seeing Ye Cui continuing to remain silent, An Miaoyi realized that she was probably doomed!

If I don't agree, the good impression I have worked so hard to maintain among the Ye family will probably be destroyed and I will be labeled as a heartless person...
Although she felt helpless, An Miaoyi still nodded and said:
"I will talk to His Majesty about this matter! Cui Yuan, don't worry too much!"

Cui Yuan was delighted to hear An Miaoyi say this, and immediately stopped pretending to be desperate and said directly:
"Thank you, Queen, for your consideration! Our family will always be grateful to you for your kindness!"

"Your family can be respectful and law-abiding, which is the best reward for me!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Queen!"

After thanking An Miaoyi profusely, Cui Yuan finally left after achieving her goal.

At this time, Ye Cui slowly said:
"Miaoyi, you don't have to worry too much. Mingsheng is not the kind of person who doesn't care about old ties and doesn't recognize his relatives! Ye Dong has been his playmate since he was a child. When Ye Dong was eighteen or nineteen years old, I sent him to be Mingsheng's personal soldier. Although Mingsheng didn't say it, I can see it as a mother. In his heart, he always regards Ye Dong, Ye Kui and others as his younger brothers!"

"I believe that in his heart he also doesn't want to be like Zhuge Liang who shed tears and executed Ma Su!"

An Miaoyi, who was forced to take on this task, lowered her head and remained silent after hearing what Ye Cui, the instigator, said.

Seeing that An Miaoyi seemed to have resentment in her heart, Ye Cui first sighed and said:

“Miaoyi! Mother is old! Mingsheng has never valued the Ye family. The matter of taking care of the Ye family will eventually be handed over to you! You will be the backbone of this group of people in the future..."