Chapter 6 006 I am mighty.

It was impossible for Xie Lanzhao to be given a place in the lectures on classical studies, but the matter of the Duke of Anguo was more important than revising the list of lecturers.

Huan Qi had a poor reputation at court. This wasn't because his corruption was already known to the officials; before the emperor's true intentions were revealed, they viewed him as a treacherous villain who was tempting the emperor to indulge in frivolous pursuits. He frequently sent precious antiques, paintings, and rare birds and animals to the palace. Besides this, he was extremely arrogant, even criticizing others' writings with the air of a literary master; for example, he had once berated the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was convinced that it was His Majesty's true feeling; as for how he heard it, he attributed it to divine intervention and ancestral blessings. Although he didn't know why His Majesty hadn't brought it up, as a subject, it was his duty to share the burdens of his sovereign. How could he allow the villain Huan Qi to tarnish His Majesty's wisdom?! Even if Xie Lanzhao hadn't intended to investigate, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review would still find a way to expose Huan Qi's true colors!

Huan Qi, that old fool!

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review pondered the words repeatedly, finding them all too apt.

That old bastard! His pretentious poems are all ghostwritten, aren't they? As for his literary reputation—it's nothing but daily flattery, and those who don't understand fall for it. And those who do know, given his status, dare not call him out on it!

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has a personal grudge against Huan Qi. After hearing his thoughts, wouldn't he be eager to investigate? Of course, the matter between the Duke of Anguo and the Prince of Zhong can't be investigated in depth, but there must be some clues about the evil deeds he committed, right?

Zhao Jialing was unaware of the efforts of the Minister of Justice, and she ignored the tasks assigned to her by the Wise Ruler System. In the following days, the Wise Ruler System did not appear during court sessions, and Zhao Jialing's true feelings remained unspoken.

Just as she was wallowing in the daily grind of court attendance and trying to change the regular court hours, the invigorated Minister of Justice submitted a memorial. He listed the charges one by one, speaking with great enthusiasm, wishing he could execute Huan Qi on the spot! Originally a personal grudge, upon learning of Huan Qi's despicable deeds, she felt ashamed to be confined to the same world as him.

He embezzled and accepted bribes, and oppressed the local people; he was simply a scoundrel!

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, holding evidence in his hand, clearly explained the size of the Duke of Anguo's residence and manor, as well as when it was acquired, as if he had stolen Huan Qi's account books.

The censors and remonstrance officials didn't have much knowledge, but as soon as they heard the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review speak, they immediately started to speak.

Before coming to court, Huan Qi never expected this to happen. He was first stunned, then furious. He trembled all over, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

No, he's always maintained a good image. Who's trying to frame him? Xie Lanzhao? His family's affairs can't withstand scrutiny!

"Your Majesty! Huan Qi is a hateful villain. Many of the items in his home exceed the prescribed limits, indicating that he harbors rebellious intentions!" The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review directly exaggerated the facts.

The imperial censor also said, "Duke Anguo possesses numerous gold, stone, and antique artifacts, which, if not bestowed by His Majesty, must have come from elsewhere. All that he takes is plundered from the people, a ruthless act of extortion. Some have driven commoners into bankruptcy, while others have abducted beautiful women for their own use. We beseech Your Majesty to see the truth and thoroughly investigate Duke Anguo's crimes!"

"I'm innocent!" Overwhelmed by the attacks from numerous court officials, Huan Qi's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down. Trembling, he kowtowed, "How dare I do this?!"

Zhao Jialing, who was drowsy during the morning court session, was also awakened by the sudden commotion. Looking at Huan Qi, who was weeping and wailing below the steps, she sighed and said, "Whether it is true or not, we will know once we investigate. I believe that my uncle is upright and honest, and the officials will be able to clear his name."

Huan Qi listened to Zhao Jialing calling him "uncle" repeatedly, but instead of feeling relieved, he felt a chilling aura.

Shouldn't we say, "This is a trivial matter, there's no need to discuss it further"?

He suddenly looked up at Zhao Jialing: "I am innocent. Why do you all trample on my dignity? Such behavior will only bring shame to the Empress Dowager."

Zhao Jialing: "..."

She covered her ears, knowing that Huan Qi was about to start his unreasonable tirade.

【San San, why did the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review suddenly start impeaching Huan Qi?】 Zhao Jialing thought to himself. Whether it was hysteria or a real divine manifestation, since it hadn't disappeared, let it continue like this.

"[He's innocent? Innocent my foot! If he were innocent, snow would be falling outside the Daming Palace.]" The Wise Ruler System spat at Huan Qi disdainfully.

Two years ago, he presided over the reception of foreign envoys, accepted their "tribute," and suppressed the matter of that country's succession dispute.

Last year, he used the pretext of the Empress Dowager's birthday to obtain 20,000 strings of cash.

Half a year ago, he forged an imperial edict and sent a letter to Lingnan, offering to buy rare birds and animals, obtaining countless hawksbill turtles, pearls, shells, rhinoceros horns, and jade.

...

The Wise Ruler System searched through the database while listing Huan Qi's crimes.

Many courtiers who heard these words were shaken to their core.

Is His Majesty blessed by the gods and sees everything? Does His Majesty also know about their immoral acts?

A long series of gasps rang out in the court.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was in high spirits. He listened intently to the whispers, and found many things he hadn't discovered! He immediately presented them as evidence, though he slightly altered the wording so that His Majesty wouldn't know he had listened to the words of the gods.

Huan Qi, who was lying on the ground, was ashen-faced and even cried out "I'm innocent!"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review spoke so precisely; he must have detailed evidence! That couldn't have been done overnight. How long has the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review been secretly watching him? Who instigated him? Huan Qi's eyes suddenly turned like those of a venomous snake.

How could the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review know so much?!

Zhao Jialing was shocked and paused for a moment.

The Wise Ruler System, of course, wouldn't tell Zhao Jialing that it had leaked its thoughts. It simply said: "[Host, you have a group of capable ministers under your command. If you wish, they can go down in history and create a legendary tale of a ruler and his ministers.]"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review puffed out his chest, revealing a smug look of pride.

Zhao Jialing did not look at the Minister of Justice's expression.

As their gaze descended the steps, it almost always lingered on Xie Lanzhao's face, a face that could rival the sun and moon in brilliance.

Zhao Jialing cleared his throat: "What did the Duke of Anguo say?"

Duke Anguo shuddered and raised his voice, saying, "Your Majesty enjoys calligraphy, painting, bronze and stone inscriptions, antiques, and rocks. I also sent four small boxwood trees that I acquired years ago to the palace. How could I dare to keep them for myself?! What I took was all what Your Majesty desired!"

Zhao Jialing: "?"

The Wise Ruler System's thoughtful translation: [He's saying that all the embezzlement was for your sake, that you forced him to do it. But does the host enjoy calligraphy, painting, and seal carving? I thought that after mastering calligraphy, the host would look down on everyone and wouldn't be interested in those things.]

Zhao Jialing: "..."

[I have no interest in collecting bronze inscriptions, calligraphy, or paintings! I merely admire Xie Lanzhao's calligraphy; I have never instructed Huan Qi to do such things.]

Zhao Jialing was fuming.

Her good uncle, in order to exonerate her, directly smeared her, didn't he?

Xie Lanzhao was also aware of the matter of the Dali Temple Minister impeaching Huan Qi.

She had been observing coldly, but she never expected that Zhao Jialing's true feelings would take a turn and end up on her.

It's easy to imagine that she will become the subject of much gossip.

Her good reputation was ruined by Zhao Jialing.

However, Zhao Jialing didn't say it outright, as he couldn't easily defend himself.

Fortunately, Zhao Jialing's inner thoughts disappeared.

However, no imperial edict was issued regarding how to handle the matter of the emperor's brother-in-law.

After a few breaths of silence in the court, the Censor Meng Xuanhe reported: "In the past, the wise ruler of the Han Dynasty had his uncle pervert the law, and the Han ruler executed him with tears in his eyes, which was praised by good historians. Your Majesty has ascended the throne, and your holy influence has spread, with the people all turning to the public good. Even as the Son of Heaven, you cannot act arbitrarily and bend the law. I sincerely hope that Your Majesty will make a decision and arrest Huan Qi immediately!"

Zhao Jialing asked, "What does Xie Qing think?"

Xie Lanzhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please make a decision according to the law as soon as possible."

[Host, hurry! Someone has already handed you a knife. As long as Huan Qi is imprisoned, your mission will be complete, and you will have taken a huge step towards becoming a wise ruler!]

The "Wise Ruler System" is urging Zhao Jialing to get rid of Huan Qi. There are several side quests to eliminate treacherous officials, but the "Sacrifice Family for Righteousness" achievement must be completed first to silence the pleading officials in the future. Only then can one logically and persuasively say, "I even arrested my own uncle, what are you compared to me?"

Huan Qi broke down when he heard Xie Lanzhao's conclusion.

He was indeed the Empress Dowager's brother, but in her eyes, he was nobody! Even the Emperor had to step aside, let alone him! If His Majesty really listened to Xie Lanzhao, then everything would be over! Huan Qi's mind raced wildly, and unable to hear his own thoughts, he visibly broke down under the strange gazes of his colleagues.

What does His Majesty care about most? That's right, His Majesty has always been dissatisfied with Xie Lanzhao's absolute control!

So he shouted, “A ruler must wield absolute power; how can he delegate everything to his subordinates? Your Majesty ascended the throne at the age of fourteen, and five years have passed; you are no longer young. The Empress Dowager has stepped down from the regency, and Your Majesty is now ruling personally, yet you are being manipulated by Xie Lanzhao, obsequious and lacking any semblance of a ruler's demeanor. If Your Majesty continues like this, then the people of the world will only know of Prime Minister Xie, and not Your Majesty!”

"With virtuous and petty men mixed together, good cannot advance and evil cannot retreat. Your Majesty is completely unaware that the end is near. If the late emperor has a spirit, he will be filled with resentment in the netherworld, thinking that his descendants are unfilial!"

Huan Qi shouted with such fervor that anyone who didn't know better would have thought it was the wise words of a steadfast and unyielding old minister addressed to the world.

Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone Zhao Jialing, who was being verbally abused.

Would she share Huan Qi's hatred of the enemy?

[Outrageous! This is outrageous! Is he trying to portray himself as an innocent minister? Host, punish him!] The Wise Ruler System snorted angrily.

"I'm afraid it will upset the Empress Dowager," Zhao Jialing sighed.

Xie Lanzhao said, "The Duke of Anguo, as the emperor's brother-in-law, is ignorant of etiquette and proper conduct. Relying on the emperor's favor in the palace, he has tarnished the Empress Dowager's reputation. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to set aside your personal affections and uphold the law." As soon as she spoke, many officials echoed her sentiments.

After all, from the heartfelt words heard, it was impossible to tell how much His Majesty was reluctant to part with the Imperial Uncle; he was merely making a show of it.

As for those who couldn't hear his true feelings and had dealings with Huan Qi—following the crowd was the first skill they learned upon entering the court; when disaster struck, they all fled for their lives! All we could say was to wish Huan Qi well, and if things changed, it wouldn't be too late to write a letter pleading for mercy.

Having come this far, Zhao Jialing gave up.

“As Xie Qing suggested, we shall imprison my uncle. As for the Duke’s family, they shall not be offended before they are convicted.” Zhao Jialing sighed, “My uncle’s situation is a misfortune for our family.”

[Host, Main Quest: Governing the Country: Eliminating Traitors - Part 1: The Defeat of the Emperor's Brother-in-Law is complete.]

[Congratulations, host, on achieving the achievement "Sacrificing Family for the greater good."]

[Achievement Reward: "Methods to Improve Work Efficiency: Effective Task Management"]

Zhao Jialing was stunned.

The officials who could hear his thoughts were also shaken.

What is it?