Chapter 212

Soon, the winter solstice holiday ended, and Shen Rang had to get up early to attend court again.

After the winter solstice, it gets light later and later. Before, Chen Rang could still see some light, but now it's pitch black outside.

However, Yunxi still got up and dressed him as before.

My eyes are getting harder and harder to open.

Seeing her like this, Shen Rang felt both sorry for her and amused.

With his clothes tied up, Chen Rang put his arm around the woman's soft waist, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing: "Do you still know where the bed is?"

Yunxi instinctively clung to his broad shoulders, her voice murmuring, not quite clear: "Zirong..."

Shen Rang felt as if his heart was melting.

Shen Rang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. Before losing control, he picked the person up and placed them back on the bed, then turned and strode away.

Shen Rang was in a good mood until he entered the magnificent and imposing Xuanzheng Hall, at which point he calmed down.

Today is the first morning court session since the winter solstice, and all the officials have to come forward one by one to report, which is quite a long process.

Just as the morning court session was about to end, an official suddenly stepped forward, bowed to the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard a rumor these days."

A rumor suddenly broke into the serious official business, and the previously listless civil and military officials immediately perked up.

"Play it."

"I have heard that Minister Wang of the Ministry of Personnel frequented brothels and drank wine during the Winter Solstice, and that this even resulted in a death. Minister Wang, do you have anything to say about this?"

As the official finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Wang Zhengze.

"You have to take responsibility for your words, Lord Feng. Do you have any evidence?!"

Wang Zhengze's appearance was not outstanding, only decent, but his imposing presence was not to be underestimated.

Imperial Censor Feng cupped his hands in greeting, without even raising an eyebrow: "Imperial Censor, you have heard rumors about this matter. Your Excellency holds a high position, and this is of great importance. Therefore, I have not yet had time to gather evidence."

That's clearly just nonsense!

Wang Zheng glared at him fiercely, then turned to the emperor and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I absolutely did not do such a thing. I beg Your Majesty to investigate and give me justice!"

Seeing this, the Crown Prince stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Father, Imperial Censor Feng's news should not be unfounded. However, we all know Lord Wang's character. This matter should be thoroughly investigated."

The eldest prince, not to be outdone, stepped forward and said, "Yes, Father!"

Only after the Crown Prince and the First Prince spoke did the Emperor's expression soften.

He flicked his wide sleeves and said, "Minister Chu."

Chu Zhiyuan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, stepped forward and said, "Your humble servant is here."

"I'm leaving this matter to you. Make sure you find out the whole story!"

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

The morning court session lasted until noon before it ended.

In the afternoon, Shen Rang returned to the Hanlin Academy to await orders, which was relatively leisurely.

It was completely dark outside. After leaving the Hanlin Academy, Shen Rang went for a walk in the street and bought two bowls of hot mutton soup before returning home.

Unexpectedly, Shen Jun's men were waiting for him at the door, seemingly having something to say to him. Shen Rang had no choice but to ask Jing Yuan to send the mutton soup back to Yun Xi first, and then he went to Shen Jun's study.

In the study, the father and son sat facing each other.

"Did Father call me here because of something?"

Shen Jun sighed: "It's nothing. I just saw what happened at the morning court session today and I'm a little scared."

"What do you mean by that, Father?"

Shen Jun took a sip of hot tea before saying, "If you don't agree to His Highness the Crown Prince's request, then today's Wang Zhengze will be you in the future!"

Hearing this, Shen Rang suddenly realized that something was amiss: "What do you mean? Could it be that Lord Wang refuses to submit to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince is trying to force him to his death?"