Since the reign of Emperor Taizu of the Zhou Dynasty, there has been an iron rule: even the emperor cannot stop the censors from speaking frankly and making suggestions.

Li Longze sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes as sharp as torches, overlooking His Highness and his ministers.

"The Queen Mother and I have already discussed the matter of Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yuanchu inheriting the title. Considering the contributions Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai has made to the court over the years, the Queen Mother and I have decided to reward him."

Imperial Censor Fan Jie was nearly seventy years old, and his long beard had already turned white, but his eyes were bright and he looked energetic.

He has always been known for his outspokenness and courage to criticize. Even when the previous emperor was in power, he was not afraid of the emperor and refuted the imperial edicts that were contrary to the court laws.

Fan Jie stepped out and said in a loud and firm voice, "Your Majesty, all the generations of Xingyuan Marquis were able to inherit the title because they made great contributions to the country and were rewarded by the court."

"Back then, when Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai was young, he led troops to guard the West Gate and made great military achievements, which earned him the title without being demoted."

"Currently, Crown Prince Xue Yuanchu, in terms of academics, is merely a Juren (a successful candidate); in terms of military skills, he has not even served in the military. Your Majesty and the Queen Mother's favor towards the Marquisate has caused the entire capital to be concerned. I implore Your Majesty and the Queen Mother to revoke their decree allowing Xue Yuanchu to inherit the title of First Class Marquis."

After hearing this, Li Longze secretly admired it in his heart.

In fact, his favor for the Xue family was largely influenced by his mother, Queen Lu Fengqing.

The Zhou Dynasty ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety, so he often found it difficult to refuse his mother's suggestions.

In fact, I also agree that Fan Jie's advice is reasonable.

Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing sat elegantly on the gorgeous phoenix throne beside the dragon throne, with her chin slightly raised, showing her graceful and elegant demeanor.

A hint of displeasure flashed across her brow, and her tone revealed majesty. "Censor Fan, aren't you implying that I am interfering in state affairs and favoring my relatives?"

Fan Jie, an old minister who had served three dynasties, remained calm and showed no fear in the face of the empress dowager's questioning.

He bowed respectfully to the empress dowager and replied, "Ever since Emperor Taizu established the rule that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. If the empress dowager is merely showing special care for the Xue family out of family courtesy, then the imperial edict of increasing official rank announced yesterday by Eunuch Chen Jin of the Imperial Household Department is already a special gift."

"I'm afraid it's inappropriate to grant Xue Yuanchu the title of First Class Marquis at this moment. Please don't let your Majesty be overly sentimental and use the name of filial piety to coerce His Majesty."

These blunt words obviously angered Lu Fengqing. She slammed the armrest of the phoenix chair and said angrily, "Fan Jie, don't think that you can ignore me just because you are a veteran of three dynasties!"

Fan Jie, however, advanced instead of retreating, his words becoming even more pointed: "This old minister is by no means ignorant of the Empress Dowager. Quite the contrary. It is precisely because I respect your majesty and authority that I am even more worried about what people will say."

"If, a hundred years from now, history books record that the Empress Dowager failed to distinguish between public and private affairs, appointed people based on personal connections, and disregarded national laws, that would truly damage her reputation."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fengqing couldn't help but sneer.

"Censor Fan is truly eloquent. No wonder people say that with his pen, he can bring even the dead back to life."

Emperor Li Longze on the side remained silent. The expression on his face was unfathomable, making it difficult to guess his true thoughts.

Hong Yingrong and Xue Yuanchu stood in a corner of the altar, watching the argument in front of them nervously.

Even though Eunuch Chen Jin had revealed to them yesterday the Censorate's dissatisfaction with the Marquis's Mansion, the tense atmosphere between Censor Fan Jie and the Empress Dowager still made them feel unbelievable.

Hong Yingrong suddenly realized that in her previous life, the Censorate had spoken out against Xue Yuanchu's unmeritorious succession to the title, and the scene at that time was so intense.

But recalling that His Majesty only postponed the succession to the title for three years, and after the mourning period was over, Xue Yuanchu could inherit the title without being demoted, it can be seen that His Majesty did not fully accept Fan Jie's request.

I'm afraid the Empress Dowager's repeated mediation was also involved.

Hong Yingrong slightly turned sideways and subconsciously glanced at the officials on both sides of the imperial road.

Upon seeing this, she was surprised to find that many people looked at the censor Fan Jie with admiration.

This made her deeply aware that the outside world's evaluation of the Marquis' Mansion was not as simple and positive as she had imagined.

In the past, in the Marquis' Mansion, she was only immersed in the old Marquis's glorious military achievements and the praise of the people. She mistakenly believed that all the civil and military officials in the court were full of respect for the old Marquis, and were even more full of admiration for the Xingyuan Marquis' Mansion.

Now she understood that the real situation was much more complicated than she knew.

Hong Yingrong looked back at her son Xue Yuanchu and found that he was trying hard to suppress the anger on his face.

What's the point of being angry at this time?

Should we let His Majesty compromise and let Xingyuan Hou become a target of criticism, or should we take the initiative and seize the opportunity?

Hong Yingrong narrowed her eyes slightly, her heart churning like a raging storm.

In a flash, a flash of clarity flashed through her mind, as if she had found a way out.

Hong Yingrong gently broke free from her son's support and walked towards the throne steadily and step by step, as if every step was at the node of fate.

"Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I have something to say." She asked respectfully.

Seeing this, Li Longze waved his hand and signaled the eunuchs around him to come forward and support.

He looked at Hong Yingrong and said in a gentle tone, "Old Madam, there's no need to be so polite. Feel free to speak your mind."

Hong Yingrong looked back at Xue Yuanchu who was kneeling behind her, cleared her throat, and prepared to speak.

Fan Jie looked at her, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "Old Madam, are you going to ask the Empress Dowager for an imperial decree on behalf of the Crown Prince?"

Hong Yingrong did not answer, but turned and walked towards Fan Jie, then bowed to Fan Jie.

This action shocked Fan Jie.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!