Chapter 287 Protecting Jiang Yao

Duke Xuanyuan also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the invitation of this expert to the palace was entirely due to Madam Lu's favor, but you rewarded Lu Yunjue. I cannot agree with this!"

The prince's implication was that the emperor favored Lu Yunjue, and the Duke was even more ruthless, directly implying that Lu Yunjue was a gigolo.

Although the others didn't say anything, their eyes looked a little strange.

The emperor's face darkened: "I am the rule!"

He actually suppressed the discussion and without even asking Mu Qing's opinion, he announced directly: "Three days from now is my birthday. Let's promote Lu Yunjue on that day!"

His Majesty was always gentle, but this time he was so arbitrary and tough that no one could react for a moment. Only the chief eunuch beside the emperor said, "Yes!"

"Your Majesty!" Duke Xuanyuan was still thinking about what to say, but the emperor just flicked his sleeves and left.

The prince knew that he had missed the opportunity and said nothing more, but his expression was uncontrollably broken.

In order to support Lu Yunjue, the emperor actually refuted him and Duke Xuanyuan at the same time. Now all the officials know that in his majesty's heart, the prince's words are not even as good as Lu Yunjue's?

He thought bitterly, Father, do you really love Lu Yunjue so much?

This speech in the library was quickly spread through various channels.

The imperial edict sent to the Ministry of Rites immediately afterwards was to prepare for Mu Qing's promotion, which further confirmed that what happened that day was not a joke of the emperor, but a golden word that could not be changed.

After the news came out, memorials from officials flew onto His Majesty's desk like snowflakes. Many people said that Lu Yunjue had too little experience and had not made any great achievements, and was not worthy of such a high position.

No one could have imagined that the burning of a library would cause such great turmoil in the government and the country a few days later.

The emperor simply put all these memorials aside.

Duke Xuanyuan was the first to lose his temper: "Your Majesty, I heard that all the ministers in the court have impeached Lu Yunjue, why has Your Majesty been so slow to approve it?"

The emperor said calmly, "Yes, I saw it."

The Crown Prince also said tactfully, "Father, Lu Yunjue has indeed made great contributions in restoring the library, but I'm afraid that promoting him to the position of Grand Marshal will not convince the public."

The emperor glanced around the court: "My dear ministers, what do you think? Do you feel the same way?"

More than half of the ministers stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

I originally thought that after His Majesty got carried away with passion, he would reconsider the opinions of his ministers.

After all, His Majesty has always been kind and benevolent. Even if he is occasionally willful, he will never act on his own.

However, the emperor's words were beyond everyone's expectations.

He looked calmly at the courtiers below, seemingly not surprised by such a scene.

Then he said, "It seems that all of you dear ministers have had a very full breakfast. Your voices are so loud that they are about to shake this palace down."

No one expected him to react like this. Who among those who could rise to such a high position in the imperial court was not a shrewd person? For a moment, they dared not speak.

The court was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The emperor narrowed his eyes and asked in a gentle but authoritative voice, "The imperial decree has been issued. The Crown Prince and the generals have all marched out, and half of the ministers have followed. Are you planning to—force the emperor to abdicate?"

Everyone was shocked and fell to their knees: "Your Majesty, we dare not!"

Everyone in the court was suppressed by the emperor's aura and obeyed orders submissively, but outside the court, there was an uproar in front of the Lu Mansion.

"How's it going outside? Are they still stuck there?"

In Fu'an Hall, Lu's mother asked with a frown.

Her personal nanny whispered, "Madam, the people outside are here for the young master, saying that he is unworthy of his position."

"Your Majesty wants to promote him to Grand Marshal, which would steal someone else's job. Furthermore, the Crown Prince and Duke Xuanyuan are obstructing him..." Mother Lu fell into deep thought. "Let's go and take a look at the door."

Meanwhile, Hu Xin'er was still poring over her ornaments when Yun Qiu hurriedly reported, "Young Madam, something bad has happened! Mrs. Chen, who's buying groceries, said all the gates are blocked. A bunch of scholars are outside, yelling and cursing, saying our young master is incompetent and can only rely on women's connections to get to his position!"

Hu Xiner had anticipated such a situation, but she didn't expect that after arriving in the capital, Mu Qing would be accused of being a gigolo.

She sighed, "We've offended quite a few people this time. I'm afraid the Lu Mansion won't be at peace until the official imperial decree for the promotion comes down. Let's go and take a look at the gate."

When she arrived at the door, she saw Lu's mother and Jiang Yao also standing at the steps.

Shouts and curses continued to be heard from outside: "Lu Yunjue, come out, get out here!"

Someone squeezed through the crack in the door and shouted, "It's clearly the Hanlin Academy scholars who have toiled for months, and you dare to take credit for their achievements? You're not worthy of being a human being!"

The servants were extremely anxious, fearing that they would actually break down the gate. "Gentlemen, we have already told you that our eldest young master has gone out to attend court!"

"Then we'll just sit outside and wait!" the people outside said angrily. "We must demand justice today!"

Yun Qiu said speechlessly, "It was clearly our Young Madam who invited Pavilion Master Yin, and the Eldest Young Master personally oversaw the restoration work, yet these scholars are unable to distinguish right from wrong and are accusing our Eldest Young Master of stealing other people's credit."

She spat angrily, "If it weren't for our young master and mistress, what would those people in the Hanlin Academy do?"

The people outside changed their tune again: "Great, you finally admitted it! Lu Yunjue gave his wife away to someone else. How could such a shameless person want to be the Grand Marshal?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" When Mother Lu heard them talking about Hu Xin'er, an angry look appeared in her eyes.

Jiang Yao rolled up her sleeves quickly and decisively.

Mother Lu was startled: "Yaoyao, what are you doing?"

Jiang Yao said coldly, "Go beat these sons of bitches to death."

Mother Lu quickly pulled him back, and after a moment, everything outside the door suddenly became quiet.

Jiang Yao opened the door with a fierce look on her face, but was caught off guard by Taoist Master Yiqing.

He was the one who drove everyone away.

The Taoist priest was a little surprised to see her, and was about to leave when he was stopped by Lu's mother.

"It's Taoist Master Yiqing. It's been a long time since we last met. Why don't you come in and talk?" Mother Lu said with a smile.

Taoist Master Yiqing looked at Jiang Yao and said, "I'm just passing by. I don't want to bother you."

But at the invitation of Lu's mother, he still entered the Lu family.

Several people sat down at the table and the atmosphere was a little awkward.

Mother Lu broke the silence. "The Taoist priest has been around the Lu residence recently, but he dared not show up. I wonder if he is protecting the Lu family or someone else?"

After saying this, she looked at Jiang Yao gently, obviously hinting at something.