Niu Yu was not clever and persistent, insisting that the previous Emperor had indeed favored the Wu woman as Empress, believing her to be talented and elegant, reserved and graceful. However, at that time, the previous Emperor had not yet decided, considering the selection of an Empress a significant matter that required observation.
Niu Yu spoke at length, and even if he continued for three days and nights, he would not get to the point.
Wan Zhen’er gave the Emperor a meaningful look, suggesting they take a more decisive approach.
So the Emperor slammed the imperial desk and shouted: “Bring him! Throw him into the Jinyi Guard prison!”
What was the Jinyi Guard prison?
The Jinyi Guard, staffed by the Emperor’s trusted military officers, was responsible for protecting the Emperor and capturing criminals. Another famous function was executing corporal punishment for disobedient officials, a torture method created by the Ming Dynasty not found in ancient practices.
Entering the Jinyi Guard’s prison is like half a foot stepping into hell. There are 18 sets of torture instruments there, such as thumb screws, head rings, horse-stopping sticks, nail pinching, brushing, oil frying, poison feeding, standing in heavy stocks, and other such high-end “enjoyments.” Those who have experienced them are lucky to survive, and even those with great luck and strong will end up disabled.
The human body is not made of iron. No matter how tough Niu Yu was, he couldn’t withstand the torture.
Finally, Niu Yu, tortured to near death, had to confess: Before the Emperor’s father, Emperor Zhengtong, passed away, he didn’t favor the Wu family, but the Wang family. The Wang family was already designated as the imperial consort. However, because the Emperor’s father suddenly fell ill and passed away unexpectedly, he didn’t have time to issue an edict. Later, the Wu family’s father, in order to become the imperial father-in-law, bribed Niu Yu through other eunuchs. Niu Yu, having received benefits, fabricated the late Emperor’s will during the Empress Dowagers’ review, claiming that the late Emperor wanted to establish the Wu family, not the Wang family.
Obtaining Niu Yu’s confession, the Emperor and Wan Zhen’er were overjoyed.
Ha, the play directed by Wan Zhen’er and the Emperor was truly brilliant, with unique imagination and novel creativity. Remarkably, it was seamless.
Wan Zhen’er was excited.
