Chapter 568 Public opinion is in an uproar

Teahouses in the capital are always packed with customers.

Many people gathered together and talked about the latest gossip in the capital.

"Tell me, how could a mere sixth-rank imperial lady, with no family background or connections, dare to break into the military camp and cause trouble?"

"She's a sixth-rank Anren, and a country woman. How could a country woman understand the power struggles in the capital? She's used to being arrogant and domineering in the village, and she thinks everyone in the capital is inferior to her."

"But I heard that it was the son of a man from Sui'an who was nearly beaten to death in the military camp, so the man from Sui'an acted impulsively..."

"Her son is just a peasant. Is he as precious as Master Ye? I heard that Master Ye was whipped fifty times by her and fainted on the spot. His life or death is unknown. Indeed, the heart of a woman is the most vicious."

"I thought the Ye family would stand up for Lord Ye and seek justice the next day, but I didn't expect the Ye family to be so quiet. They are probably afraid of offending the people of Sui'an."

"It is said that the people of Sui'an understand the language of the Assab people and are highly valued by the Honglu Temple. At this critical juncture, the Ye family naturally dare not submit a memorial."

"Just because you want to be on good terms with Assab, won't you punish this vicious woman? She assaulted court officials and was disrespectful to the general. If the court doesn't punish her, how many scholars and officials will be disheartened?"

"It would be better to go to war with Asab and render that venomous woman's skills useless!"

"Our Dayu Nation is prosperous and powerful. We will definitely defeat Assab. I also advocate going to war!"

"..."

The people of Beijing were abuzz with discussion. Their initial sympathy for the Ye family and condemnation of the people of Sui'an eventually turned into advocacy for war with Asab. Asab had been dragged into this mess for no apparent reason.

On the third day after the incident, after the morning court session, Cheng Zhao rushed to the courtyard where Cheng Wanwan lived: "This morning, many people submitted memorials requesting that Second Aunt be punished, citing many high-sounding principles. Grand Tutor Lin and Lord Zhang spoke up for Second Aunt, which was met with strong opposition from all the officials. No one wanted to hear the truth, and many people wanted to take this opportunity to bring Second Aunt down..."

He also wanted to defend his second aunt, but his official position was too low to enter the palace, so he could only stand outside the palace and worry.

Cheng Wanwan chuckled softly, "Of course these men don't care what the truth is. They only know that a woman from the countryside has overshadowed their glory. The faster I rise, the more their incompetence becomes apparent. They had no reason to attack me before, but this time, with the Ye family taking the lead and Concubine Yun secretly manipulating things, they just need to go along with it... Even though my downfall wouldn't do them any good, they still want to see a woman fall from a high position..."

Cheng Zhao clenched his fist: "I'll go and mobilize the intellectuals to clarify the truth..."

"How many scholars would be willing to get involved at a time like this?" Cheng Wanwan shook her head. "The pen in the hands of a scholar is indeed a sharp spear. If used well, it can be equivalent to an elite army... But the status of scholars is still relatively low. If they want to bring down the Ye family, they are far from enough."

Cheng Zhao was shocked: "Second Aunt means to destroy the Ye family?"

He only wanted to clarify the truth for his second aunt and let the matter rest, but he never expected that his second aunt would have such a plan.

Although the Ye family is not a prominent family, it has a concubine Yun, a fifth prince, a head of the family who is a fourth-rank official, a fifth-rank deputy commander Ye, a sixth-rank chief official Ye, and three eighth- and ninth-rank minor officials. Such a scale can support a family. After another three to five years of development, the Ye family will be able to gain a firm foothold in the capital.

And how can Second Aunt, who has no power or family background, compete with the Ye family?

Cheng Zhao wanted to offer some advice, but seeing the determination in Cheng Wanwan's eyes, he loosened his clenched fist: "No matter what Second Aunt wants to do, I will stand firmly by Second Aunt's side. Please give your instructions, Second Aunt."

Cheng Wanwan looked up at him and said, "There's something you really need to do. In two days, it will be the Insect King Festival on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month."

The Insect King Festival had different meanings in different dynasties, but they were all similar. In the Great Yu Dynasty, the Insect King Festival was related to agriculture. In June, the rice in the fields was growing vigorously, and farmers would observe the growth of the rice to predict the harvest. Some farmers with some wealth would burn incense in the fields to pray for good weather, pests to disappear, and a good harvest.

At this time every year, the imperial court would summon all civil and military officials to open the altar, and the emperor would lead all officials to pray to heaven and earth for a good harvest.

This is not a major festival, but it is also very lively because the place of sacrifice is not in the palace, but in the largest square in the south of the capital, and people from all over the city can come to watch.

"I want to participate in the Insect King Festival," Cheng Wanwan said softly. "I wonder if you can do it?"

She could have gone to see the Empress, but going to meet the Empress at this critical juncture would easily give the people something to talk about.

Cheng Zhao nodded without hesitation: "I dare not say that I can definitely do it, but I will do my best."

As a newly appointed seventh-rank official, he didn't even have the right to enter the palace to submit a memorial. It was extremely difficult for him to handle this matter, but he had to do it.

He owes his success to his second aunt, and now that she is imprisoned, he is willing to do anything to help her clarify the truth.

As the aunt and niece were talking, Granny Qi came in to report: "Madam, Old Madam Zhang, Madam Lin, and Madam Situ have arrived."

Cheng Wanwan smiled and said, "Please come in."

She is now the target of public criticism, but the Lin, Zhang and Situ families are still willing to visit her. This friendship is very rare.

The three ladies were led in, all of them looking worried.

Madam Zhang sighed, "Although many people have submitted petitions, fortunately the Emperor hasn't expressed his stance, so there's still room for a turnaround."

"Consort Yun has been making a lot of underhanded moves in private, getting many people in the court to speak up for the Ye family. Now the situation is one-sided. Whoever speaks up for Sui'an will be attacked by all the civil and military officials..." Madam Lin said in a low voice. "I heard that it was the Empress who appeased the Emperor, otherwise the Emperor would have summoned Sui'an to the palace for punishment long ago."

Lord Situ is of low rank, knows little, and can do little. Lady Situ sighed, "It's only because women can't attend court that the situation has turned out this way. People of Sui'an, what are we going to do now?"

Just as Cheng Wanwan was about to speak, Granny Qi rushed over again: "Madam, it's Consort Yun's maidservant."

Cheng Wanwan said calmly, "Bring him in."

A young palace maid, no more than twenty years old, walked in with her head bowed. "Sui'an, Concubine Yun has asked me to tell you something. If you come with a generous gift and personally apologize to Master Ye, then the Ye family will forgive you for this matter. But if you fail to understand the situation and are unwilling to bow your head, then you may lose your sixth-rank official position."

Madam Zhang looked incredulous: "Consort Yun, what an arrogant tone you have..."

Before she could finish her words, she was stopped by Cheng Wanwan. She didn't want Madam Zhang and Concubine Yun to confront each other.

She looked at the young palace maid and said in a mournful tone, "Go back and tell Concubine Yun that I will personally apologize to Master Ye and reassure her."

The young palace maid received an affirmative answer and then turned to leave.

"People from Sui'an, you can't go." Madam Situ said, "I heard that Master Ye was beaten all over his body. If you go to the Ye family, you won't be able to come out unscathed."

Madam Lin nodded: "The Ye family won't be so easy to talk to. There must be a conspiracy."

Madam Zhang said coldly, "Besides, it wasn't Sui'an people who did anything wrong, so why should you apologize... Why don't we jointly petition the Empress, and then have the Empress invite the Emperor to uphold justice..."

"Thank you all, Madams, for your advice. It's my honor to have you treat me with such sincerity," Cheng Wanwan said sincerely. "But it's true that I injured Master Ye. I owe you an apology no matter what. But I'll choose the venue."