The minor Hanlin Academy's investigation into the matter of protecting a concubine's son and sending him to prison was like a small pebble thrown into a river, causing only a few ripples before disappearing.

On the contrary, the case of Gongye Jia's alleged plot to rebel, which was revealed by the father and son, has seen new developments.

It has been several years since the Second Prince returned to Zhou, and it is no secret that His Majesty wants to grant titles and allow the Second and Third Princes to enter the court.

The Crown Prince is now accomplished in both literature and martial arts, possesses remarkable talent, and has the ability to govern the country and bring peace to the people. It would not be a bad thing for him to be granted the title of King as soon as possible.

The second prince is somewhat special, and has never been favored by several old-fashioned ministers. Today, His Majesty bestowed the title of Prince Ning upon the second prince in the main hall, while not mentioning the third prince at all, which has caused dissatisfaction among many.

His Majesty seemed to be in a bad mood. Unlike the Censorate, the ministers were not afraid of death. They just stood there looking at each other, waiting for that great traitor to stand up and refute them.

Su Junyao stood there calmly, ignoring Lu Wenzheng's foolish attempts to wink at him. A few days ago, his eldest son brought Qiuqiu home, and the two siblings recounted the events that had occurred in the palace, which infuriated Su Junyao so much that he almost went to the palace to beat the Third Prince.

If his wife hadn't stopped him, he would have insisted on getting his sword, which hadn't been drawn in years, stained with blood!

I can't assassinate him, but secretly stabbing him a couple of times will vent my anger!

Do you still expect him to speak up?

Oh, dreaming!

Lu Wenzheng: "Suck, suck, suck."

Su Junyao: This is so annoying! That old bastard is calling for the dog!

He looked over impatiently, and Lu Wenzheng gestured with her lip, silently asking: What do we do now?

Su Junyao gave him a reassuring look, indicating that he would leave this matter to him.

The entire court remained silent. At this moment, the Marquis of Wenyang, who bravely stepped forward, appeared exceptionally imposing. However, his words contradicted those of several senior officials, infuriating them to the point of blowing their beards and glaring at them.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Emperor Jingming: "Oh? My dear minister, do you have any objection to my conferment of the title of Prince Ning?"

Su Junyao shook his head: "His Highness Prince Ning once worked with me. In my humble opinion, His Highness Prince Ning is kind and honest, and it would be a blessing for the Great Zhou if he were to enter the court soon. I have no objection."

"So what do you want to say?"

Su Junyao took out a memorial and presented it: "Your subject Su Junyao hereby accuses the Third Prince of abusing the Imperial Cat."

"What?"

"What is Your Excellency saying?"

"How utterly ridiculous! How could a marquis speak such words before His Majesty?"

"Exactly, accusing the Third Prince of abusing cats? You have to bring up such a trivial matter? My lord, you're being unreasonable!"

"Imperial Censor Su, please say something!"

Ministers who had always disagreed with Su Junyao on political matters stood up and criticized him, while he stood there unmoved, which, from Lu Wenzheng's perspective, was somewhat pitiful.

He cursed under his breath, thinking how unreliable the old man was. He'd been better off not saying anything, but now he was going to escalate things like this. Accusing the Third Prince of abusing cats in court? Wasn't that just asking for trouble?!

But since he had to pamper his own brother, Lu Wenzheng rolled up his sleeves and joined the fray.

Scholars' debates are unlike those of military generals; they genuinely hurl insults!

"Pah! What do you mean by 'such a trivial matter'?"

"Royal cat! Royal cat! Do you know what a royal cat is? It's His Majesty's cat, representing His Majesty! To mistreat a royal cat is disrespect to His Majesty! Your subject Lu Wenzheng accuses the Third Prince of disrespecting His Majesty, and begs Your Majesty to punish him!"

"General Fang, stop Imperial Censor Su! He's going to smash his head against the pillar again!"

"Lord Lu, that's sophistry! A cat is a cat, and His Majesty is His Majesty; how can you lump them together!"

"Hmm, I like what you say, but I don't accept your opinion. Please explain to me what a 'royal cat' is."

"The Imperial Cat is... the Imperial Cat is... is..."

"Hehe, can't say it now, can you!"

With Lu Wenzheng stirring things up, the imperial court was in complete chaos, just like a vegetable market.

Some were arguing, some were physically fighting, and some were even banging their heads against pillars.

Emperor Jingming had a headache, rubbing his temples as he looked at the culprit who seemed completely unaffected. He inwardly resented Su Junyao for not speaking privately, now putting him in a difficult position. What angered him most was Lu Wenzheng, who had even brought up the charge of disrespect towards the Third Prince. His talent for sophistry was unparalleled!

"Su Junyao, what is it that you can't..."

"The Imperial Advisor has arrived!"

Emperor Jingming was interrupted, but he showed no displeasure. Instead, he sat up straight and looked ahead, waiting for Yuewen to enter the hall.

The once chaotic court fell silent instantly, and even the most agitated Imperial Censor Su, who was about to bang his head against a pillar, quieted down.

Taking the opportunity, Su Junyao pulled Lu Wenzheng, whose hair was a mess, up: "Are you alright? If you can't beat them, don't you know to hide behind Vice General He?"

Lu Wenzheng glared at him, "Is it because I didn't want to hide? The three of them were pulling my hair!"

"This is an insult to scholarship! An insult to scholarship!"

Su Junyao glanced at the three adults who were most seriously injured in the battle...

Despite facing three opponents alone, Wen Zheng remains incredibly brave!

"Sigh, why is the Imperial Advisor here?"

The Imperial Advisor Yuewen rarely sets foot in the imperial court; if he does, it means something big has happened!

The hearts of all the officials were in their throats, fearing that the Imperial Advisor would utter some shocking news.

The oldest ministers trembled, looking as if they might follow the late emperor to their deaths at any moment.

Yuewen ignored everyone, treating them as if they were nothing. He had only one purpose for coming today.

"Your subject Yuewen greets Your Majesty."

"You may dispense with the formalities, Imperial Preceptor."

Emperor Taizu decreed that the Imperial Preceptor need not perform the full rites when paying homage, but only kneel before Heaven and Earth. Today, Yuewen entered and immediately bowed to Emperor Jingming, startling him so much he nearly jumped up!

Emperor Jingming: Is my Great Zhou Dynasty doomed?!

"I wonder what important matter the Imperial Preceptor has brought in?"

Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may the Great Ancestor appear quickly!

May the Great Zhou Dynasty enjoy lasting prosperity!

Under Emperor Jingming's pleading gaze, Yuewen nodded solemnly: "It's something very important!"

Emperor Jingming's vision went black: "What is it?"

Yuewen: "Your subject accuses the Third Prince of abusing the Imperial Cat!"

"W-what?!"

The ministers began whispering amongst themselves. Had they heard correctly?

The Imperial Advisor also sued the Third Prince for cat abuse?

The nearly seventy-year-old Duke Zhongyong exclaimed, "What? This old minister is hard of hearing? The Third Prince is planning a rebellion?"

The ministers: "!!!"

Su Junyao: This one is even more ruthless than him!

(The unsuspecting Third Prince: Frightened.jpg)

Emperor Jingming's expression changed repeatedly, first towards Su Junyao, then towards the Imperial Preceptor. Even a trivial matter had become a big deal!

Su Junyao's accusation against the Third Prince for cat abuse is unreasonable and a waste of everyone's time. But the Imperial Advisor's accusation against the Third Prince for cat abuse is a completely different story!

Is the Imperial Advisor the kind of person who plays around for no reason?

The ministers said, "The Grand Preceptor must have his reasons for saying that!"

"Your Majesty, I believe there must be more to this matter than meets the eye. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

"We beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

Su Junyao: "..." They've really mastered the art of double standards!

Emperor Jingming was so overwhelmed by the deafening shouts of petitioners that he realized the matter was definitely not so simple!

There's definitely something going on!

"Guards, bring me a seat. Imperial Preceptor, please sit down. Tell me about this matter from the beginning."

"Does it concern the fate of the nation?"

Yue Wen paused, "It concerns the fate of the nation?"

Probably...

Very important!

Under Emperor Jingming's gaze, he slowly nodded: "Yes, it's very important!"

Chuchu: I have tons of backers!