As the Grand Court of Revision's official rapidly entered the palace to report, the matter of the Grand Princess accusing four princes soon became the talk of the town. Not only did most people in the palace know about it, but the entire city of Chang'an was essentially aware.
While Ding Yun had played a part in fanning the flames, the incident itself was of immense significance.
The root of the problem was that it was bound to attract attention.
Entertainment was scarce in those days, and gossip about ordinary families was already a popular pastime. How much more so when the royal family was involved? Even if one wanted to keep a low profile, it was impossible.
Moreover, it wasn't just the common folk who were interested in such matters.
Were the officials and nobles any less prone to gossip?
In the palace, while Duguxiao's decree had not yet been issued, the area outside the Grand Court of Revision was already swarming with people. There were residents from nearby who had heard the news and come to join the excitement, servants sent by officials and nobles who had caught wind of the situation to gather intelligence, and even people sent by the princes to investigate.
In short, it was quite the spectacle.
After a long while, the Grand Court of Revision's official returned from the palace.
He brought Duguxiao's decree, which essentially conveyed one message: Ding Yun was to enter the palace, and the princes involved would also be summoned to confront her on the spot.
To be honest, Ding Yun was not entirely satisfied with this outcome. She had hoped that Duguxiao would come to the Grand Court of Revision and preside over the trial there, perhaps even opening up the court for the public to witness the proceedings.
Unfortunately, she knew this was unlikely.
Even ordinary families understood the principle of not airing their dirty laundry in public.
How much more so the royal family!
Most importantly, she was still the victim when she accepted the decree to enter the palace. However, if she defied the imperial command, she would no longer be the perfect victim. Ding Yun believed that if she angered Duguxiao, he would not hesitate to charge her with defying an imperial decree first.
Therefore, even though Ding Yun was not entirely pleased in her heart,
She ultimately said nothing and accepted the decree on the spot.
Then, she left the Grand Court of Revision and proceeded to the palace.
As Ding Yun followed the eunuch's guidance into a side hall of the Chang'an Palace, the first thing she saw was Duguxiao, whose expression was not pleasant. At the same time, she noticed many ministers standing on both sides. Only then did Ding Yun's satisfaction grow, and she quickly strode forward and bowed respectfully:
"Your subject greets Father Emperor, may Father Emperor be blessed with peace!"
Before heading to the Grand Court of Revision, Ding Yun had made extensive preparations. For instance, she had specifically chosen a day and time when Duguxiao was not holding court but was consulting with many ministers on state affairs. She had also deliberately passed relevant information to the princes whom she had not accused. It was precisely because of these preparations that the current situation was to her liking.
Thus, many officials, nobles,
And even princes or members of the imperial clan were present.
Otherwise, it would be a mere coincidence to have so many ministers gathered on a non-festival day and outside of a grand assembly. Moreover, if these officials and nobles were not present, Ding Yun knew with her toes that Duguxiao would surely find a way to suppress the matter, even having prepared the excuse of not airing dirty laundry in public and harming the nation's reputation.
Fortunately, her plans had gone smoothly.
With everyone present, even if he wanted to downplay the matter, it would not be possible. Not only would the officials and nobles have a say, but even the princes not involved in this matter would absolutely not agree.
Who would be willing to give up such a rare opportunity to eliminate four competitors at once?
Although Duguxiao did not yet know that all of this was Ding Yun's doing, he could foresee what would happen next.
And that this matter absolutely could not be suppressed.
Hence, his expression was particularly grim at this moment.
However, at this point, he obviously could not fall out with Ding Yun, as she was the wronged party. Thus, he could only say expressionlessly, "You are dismissed," and then added:
"If you had grievances, why didn't you tell me directly? Why go to the Grand Court of Revision? Don't you know that the Grand Court of Revision is specifically for the common people?
Royal family matters should be reported to the Imperial Clan Court."
Even at this stage, Duguxiao was still unwilling to give up, trying to suppress the matter or at least shift it to the imperial clan for the Imperial Clan Court to handle. This way, it could be passed off as a family matter, and the final outcome could be kept confidential.
But the situation had already escalated to this point, and Ding Yun was not about to back down. Therefore, she immediately said:
"Father Emperor, please listen. If this matter truly only involved my brothers, then no matter how unconventional I may be, I would not have gone to the Grand Court of Revision to file a complaint.
This matter also involves quite a few officials,
And even more citizens who were incited to act.
How could it be decided solely by the Imperial Clan Court?
I have collected all the evidence that could be gathered and have had several copies made. I implore Father Emperor to examine them and administer justice for me.
Furthermore, I have many more here.
The ministers can also take a look."
With that, Ding Yun personally took a copy from the rattan box she had brought and handed it to a nearby eunuch. Then, she distributed the rest to the officials, nobles, and even the Imperial Clan Court officials who were preparing to take over the case. While not everyone received a copy, there were enough for every three to five people.
Not long after, Duguxiao also received his copy from the eunuch.
The evidence included physical proof and confessions. Although not as conclusive as video evidence, in this era, this much evidence was considered solid.
And Ding Yun did not lack witnesses either.
What followed was silence.
Everyone was engrossed in examining the evidence.
It was worth noting that before undertaking this action, Ding Yun had spent considerable time meticulously reviewing the current legal statutes and even personally consulted with many senior lawyers.
Only then did she finally compile this evidence.
And personally drafted a petition.
To make it clearer for others to understand, Ding Yun had even added remarks below each piece of evidence. These remarks mainly cited the clear and unambiguous content from the legal statutes, indicating the offense.
Therefore, even those who were not very knowledgeable, upon receiving Ding Yun's evidence and petition, could clearly understand the crimes committed by those princes and how many officials and their subordinates were involved. For an ordinary person, with this evidence, a conviction could be made without further trial.
However, princes were, after all, different.
Half an hour later, most of the people present had finished reviewing the evidence provided by Ding Yun. The four princes involved in the case also arrived one after another during this time.
They, too, were examining the evidence provided by Ding Yun, breaking out in cold sweats as they read, their minds racing to figure out how to defend themselves and shift the blame.
To extricate themselves.
Among them, the Second Prince, immediately after Duguxiao put down the stack of evidence, knelt down and cried out:
"Father Emperor, your son is wronged!
Your son is completely unaware of these matters. These actions must have been done by those people behind my back. How could I possibly target my own sister's enterprises? Perhaps some of those people have already pledged allegiance to my eldest brother and are using my name to carry out those deeds.
The sole purpose is to deliberately frame me.
Father Emperor, you must dispense justice for your son!"
As soon as he spoke, Duguxiao, seated above, was so exasperated that he wanted to roll his eyes. How could this fool be his son? It was a disgrace to his intelligence. While claiming ignorance was one way to go, how could one say they were completely unaware of such matters and directly betray all their subordinates?
Selling out your subordinates was one thing.
At most, you would withdraw from the succession, and no one would be willing to follow you.
But to then turn around and falsely accuse a brother was truly an operation that made one's mind numb.
At the same time, Ding Yun, standing below, almost couldn't help but laugh. The officials beside her who had initially supported the Second Prince couldn't help but close their eyes, feeling that they had made the wrong choice, and wondering if they had been bewitched when they chose to support the Second Prince back then.
Otherwise, why would they have chosen such an idiot?
In this situation, instead of immediately finding a way to band together with the other three princes to refute the accusations, he directly admitted to it, shifted the blame, and even slandered his own brothers.
Was this an action a rational person would take?
Was he afraid that people would think he had a brain?