Chapter 362 Reward

The princes and princesses were the happiest and most excited that Emperor Jinghe was safe and sound and that the rebellion had been quelled.

Before Princess Pingyuan led her army into the palace, she had already sent people to take control of the princes' and princesses' residences, with no intention of leaving any survivors.

These princes and princesses thought they were doomed, but to their surprise, their wise and powerful father was not poisoned and successfully captured the traitorous Princess Pingyuan.

They were spared from death, and from then on they would still enjoy the riches and honors of princes and princesses. There couldn't be anything luckier than that.

The pro-emperor ministers, led by Chief Minister Pang, were also happy that Emperor Jinghe was safe and sound, and they admired Emperor Jinghe's clever plan to destroy Princess Pingyuan's power in one fell swoop.

However, being treated like talking oxen and horses by Emperor Jinghe made them unhappy. In just a few days, they were like pickled cucumbers, losing all their energy and spirit.

Soon, Princess Pingyuan's crimes were determined.

He kept a private army, formed cliques for personal gain, staged a coup, forged the late emperor's edict, and committed murder to cover up his crimes...

He was charged with dozens of crimes, big and small, and almost every serious crime could lead to the execution of nine generations of his family.

As a princess, Princess Pingyuan could not be punished by having her entire family executed. However, due to the combined punishment for her multiple crimes, Emperor Jinghe stripped her of her princess title, demoted her to a commoner, and gave her poisoned wine.

As the daughter of a criminal, Mu Yuanzhen's fate was naturally no better; she was also given poisoned wine and executed on the same day as Princess Pingyuan.

The mother and daughter will travel together, so they won't be alone on their journey to the underworld.

Compared to them, who at least managed to leave with their bodies intact, the fate of Princess Pingyuan's maternal family, the Chengen Duke's Mansion, was much worse.

Not only were they stripped of their titles and their property confiscated, but all members of the Wei clan who participated in the rebellion were sentenced to beheading.

Emperor Jinghe only sentenced the serious offender to death because of the late Empress Wei.

Other family members were enslaved and barred from studying or taking the imperial examinations for five generations.

Those officials who sought refuge with Princess Pingyuan did not fare much better; their homes were confiscated, some were beheaded, and others were exiled.

In an instant, blood flowed like a river at Caishikou, and the prison was overflowing with people.

The last time jail was this crowded was during last year's cheating scandal.

Those who deserve to be punished will be punished, and those who deserve to be rewarded will be rewarded. Xu Jinnian made a great contribution this time and is also among those who will be rewarded.

Before officially issuing the decree of reward, Emperor Jinghe specifically asked Xu Jinnian, "You have rendered great service this time, what reward do you desire?"

Just as Xu Jinnian was about to speak, Emperor Jinghe interrupted with a smile: "I'm tired of polite words. Just tell me what you want, my dear minister."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jinnian replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you."

Emperor Jinghe became interested: "Please speak freely, my dear minister."

Xu Jinnian, however, seemed a little embarrassed, and lowered his voice slightly:

"My wife returned to her hometown to pay respects to our ancestors before the Lunar New Year. She also took our children and several elders with her. Several months have passed, but she has not yet returned. I wish to request a long leave to return home and bring them back for a reunion."

Emperor Jinghe raised an eyebrow and asked jokingly, "My dear minister, did you perhaps have a quarrel with your wife?"

If it weren't for a serious argument, what wife would risk traveling thousands of miles back to her hometown during the Lunar New Year, taking her children and elderly relatives with her?

Xu Jinnian blushed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive my embarrassment."

This statement can be considered an admission of guilt.

Emperor Jinghe found it amusing to see Xu Jinnian like this: "It seems that our Xu Aiqing, who is skilled in both literature and martial arts, is not very good at the way of husband and wife."

Having said that, he didn't make things difficult for Xu Jinnian and waved his hand, "I grant you a three-month leave."

Xu Jinnian quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Another grand court session was held, but this time, a third fewer ministers were present, making the room appear rather sparse and empty.

Emperor Jinghe was very satisfied, having completely eradicated Princess Pingyuan's power; he could even wake up laughing in his dreams at night.

In front of all the civil and military officials, the chief eunuch began to announce the imperial edict:

"...Cheng Bi of the General of Weiyuan's Mansion is loyal and courageous, resourceful and capable, and has rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion. He is hereby awarded one hundred taels of gold and promoted one rank...Xu Jinnian, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, is diligent and responsible, loyal and wise. He is hereby awarded one hundred taels of gold and promoted two ranks, and transferred to the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel..."

Upon hearing this, the officials couldn't help but look at the most outstanding young official in the center of the hall.

Even though he knew that this man had made great contributions and that his promotion was only a matter of time, he did not expect His Majesty to value him so much. Not only was he promoted two ranks, but he was also directly transferred from the Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Personnel.

You should know that this Lord Xu has only been in officialdom for less than two years.

His contemporaries, the top two scholars, were still waiting in the Hanlin Academy.

Although the position of Assistant Minister is a fifth-rank official, it is enough to qualify one to attend court sessions and participate in government affairs.

After mastering the duties of the Ministry of Personnel, and then being transferred to a local post in two years to achieve some political success, one can rise rapidly through the ranks.

After a two-hour court session, Xu Jinnian walked out of the main hall amidst congratulations from his colleagues, preparing to return to the Hanlin Academy to hand over his duties before setting off for Qingzhou the next day.

After being separated for more than five months, he couldn't wait to see the person he missed every day.

Just as he stepped out of the palace gate, someone suddenly called out to Xu Jinnian from behind: "Lord Xu, please wait."

Xu Jinnian stopped and looked in the direction of the sound, and saw the smiling face of Chief Minister Pang.

The other ministers around them did not miss this scene. Their eyes darted back and forth between Xu Jinnian and Chief Minister Pang, trying to guess what the old man and the young man, whose statuses were so different, would say.

Ignoring the stares, Chief Minister Pang spoke to Xu Jinnian in a friendly manner:

"I have been wanting to have a chat with Lord Xu, but I have been too busy with official duties recently. It is a rare opportunity to meet you today. I wonder if it is convenient for you, Lord Xu?"

Facing Chief Minister Pang, Xu Jinnian showed no sign of stage fright: "It is my honor that the Chief Minister is willing to guide me."

Upon hearing this, Chief Minister Pang laughed heartily: "We were just chatting about everyday things, it's hardly any guidance."

After saying this, the two boarded the Pang family's carriage together, watched by the other ministers.

Chief Minister Pang lived a simple life. His carriage was very ordinary, without any fancy decorations, reflecting his focus on practicality, just like its owner.

Looking at the exceptionally handsome young man before him, Chief Minister Pang praised him inwardly, but smiled and said, "It was thanks to Lord Xu that day for exposing the truth that the traitor was not allowed to escape his crimes, and His Majesty was also exonerated."

Xu Jinnian's brows twitched slightly, but he said calmly:

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and is revered by the people. You are sure to be blessed by Heaven. It was Heaven's disapproval of the traitor's rebellion against the Heavenly Gang that guided me to discover those two, expose the traitor's lies in public, and let her receive the punishment she deserves."

After hearing this, Chief Minister Pang felt even more that this young man was not to be underestimated.

Not only is he highly skilled, having anticipated the traitor's plot, but he is also incredibly eloquent, even more so than when he was younger.

With this thought in mind, Chief Minister Pang looked at Xu Jinnian with a more sincere appreciation.