Chapter 154 Let's talk about it in court!

Vice Minister Zhang squatted down, holding his head, while Lord Shangguan whipped him several times with his boots.

Even so, he still had something to say.

"Sacrificing one person to bring peace to the border is the true meaning of justice."

The Shangguan family is a family of upright officials; why can't they endorse such a righteous cause?

Or does Lord Shangguan believe that such a noble act is inappropriate? That this action would be disloyal and unfilial.

Lord Shangguan also knew that talking to this old fellow was a waste of breath.

A guy who's always spouting classical Chinese phrases and moralistic pronouncements isn't worth arguing with.

In any case, the one in high and mighty would never agree.

Why not take this opportunity to beat that old bastard a few more times?

This is a rare opportunity...

Seeing that Vice Minister Zhang had been hit several more times, his official robe was askew, and his forehead was swollen from being hit by boots, everyone stepped forward and pulled Lord Shangguan away.

After watching the commotion for a while, Emperor Xiao Jing felt that it was about time, and then coughed.

"How dare you! This is the imperial court, not some marketplace!" Wu Youde's shrill voice rang out promptly.

Zhang Shilang hurriedly straightened his official robes and knelt down again.

Lord Shangguan glared fiercely at Vice Minister Zhang and even spat under his breath.

Everyone understood.

No wonder they say that old fellow Zhang Shilang has been stuck in the position of Shilang and can't get promoted!

With a brain like that, even if he became the Minister of Rites, he would probably offend everyone within a day and have to retire to his hometown long ago!

But with a brain like that, how did he become the Vice Minister of Rites in the first place?

Prime Minister Xu was also wondering how this Vice Minister Zhang had become the Vice Minister of Rites.

It seems that... he is particularly well-versed in etiquette, which is why he came up here!

Now look what's happened... we're probably in deep trouble.

Duke Anguo remained silent, but his expression had relaxed considerably.

It seems this troop deployment is a sure thing.

Once troops are deployed, the military pay must be received first.

If I take the military pay for the Pingnan Army first, then the Weiyuan Army's military pay will definitely not be much.

Ever-Victorious Marquis, you never expected this, did you! This old man can still outmaneuver you like this...

The court finally fell silent.

Lord Shangguan straightened his official hat, put on his boots, and gave Vice Minister Zhang a cold snort.

Everyone pretended not to see it.

Even officials who are in charge of remonstrance sometimes misbehave.

"Your Majesty..." Lord Shangguan was about to speak.

"My dear minister, please do not speak yet. I will make my own decision on this matter."

Vice Minister Zhang, you say that Princess Pingning is a woman of great virtue and has the heart of the Great Yu, but what if the Lady of the Duke of Dingguo is unwilling?

Or perhaps Madam Shen was unwilling?

The Duke of Dingguo has been gone for less than half a year, and I want to marry his eldest daughter to a foreign ruler. This is not reasonable or justifiable!

Furthermore, Princess Pingning is engaged to the second son of the Marquis of Wuding.

If we follow your logic, wouldn't this put both the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and the Marquis of Wuding's mansion in a dilemma?

"This marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager. You are showing contempt for her!" Emperor Xiao Jing said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Zhang became even more excited.

"The safety of the Great Yu Dynasty is at stake, and women in the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics."

Furthermore, the overall situation is of utmost importance. Princess Pingning and the second son of Marquis Wuding only had a verbal engagement and had not formally written a marriage certificate.

Your Majesty, this old minister is truly thinking of the best interests of Dayu!

Why not exchange a woman for decades of peace on the border?

After saying this, Vice Minister Zhang kowtowed several times.

Emperor Xiao Jing's lips curled into a smile.

That old man is really stubborn!

However, the saying that women in the harem should not interfere in politics really resonated with him.

Based on that statement alone, no matter what the old man says next, I will spare his life.

“Minister Zhang, I’ve heard these words too many times and I’m tired of them.”

You said you were thinking of Chongqing.

But perhaps the Duchess of Dingguo didn't think that way.

Here's what we'll do! I'll invite the Duchess of Dingguo here. If you can persuade her and leave her speechless, then I'll consider your suggestion.

If it's really as you say, that you can bring about a change of dynasty in a small border country, then you've accomplished something great.

"Perhaps he will be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the future." Emperor Xiao Jing's expression remained calm.

These words caused an uproar.

Invite the Duchess of Dingguo to the court?

There has never been a precedent of women attending court since the founding of the Great Yu Kingdom.

"Your Majesty..." Prime Minister Xu wanted to persuade him further.

Emperor Xiao Jing waved his hand.

“It is both a matter of state and a matter of family. Huaichen is my sworn brother, and his daughter is my daughter.”

Since this matter was raised in the imperial court, let's resolve it there!

Furthermore, weren't there precedents of empress dowagers ruling from the previous dynasties?

It's alright, these are not big deals.

I don't want to be known as someone who bullies orphans and widows.

"Wu Youde, summon Lady Chen to court! Send someone nimble-footed to do so."

Upon hearing this, Wu Youde immediately understood Emperor Xiao Jing's meaning.

He ran out with a whisk in his hand, and then quickly had a eunuch fetch Eunuch Hu from the Empress's palace.

News of the quarrel between the court officials had spread throughout the entire harem.

In the inner palace, the ladies-in-waiting, including the princess, were trembling with fear, but Eunuch Hu, who had difficulty walking, hurriedly left the palace.

He understood that His Majesty's order for him to summon Lady Shen meant that he wanted to give Lady Shen a heads-up beforehand.

Don't let Madam Shen be completely unaware of anything and get hit hard.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion was not far from the palace, so he soon found out what was going on.

After hearing what Eunuch Hu said, Shangguan Jin was so angry that her head was practically steaming.

This is never going to end, is it?!

The New Year has just passed, and things are already turbulent. Everyone's keeping an eye on these few people in the family, isn't that right?

Okay, so you wanted to hear your own opinion? Then listen to your own opinion properly!

Thinking of this, Shangguan Jin quickly changed into her first-rank imperial robes.

Dongmai quickly prepared a cloth soaked in ginger juice.

“Miss, I’ll go with you. If it’s inconvenient for you to hit that shameless old man, I’ll take care of him.” Dongmai also looked indignant.

“That’s the imperial court, not our residence. You don’t need to come with me.”

Don't worry! I can't eat it...

"Mother, what brings you here?"

Before Shangguan Jin could finish speaking, she saw that Old Madam Shen had also changed into her official robes and was holding a cane given to her by Hua Wanli.

She came out with Qiu's mother's help.

“Jin’er, I’ll go with you.”

"I want to see which old fool said he wanted to send my daughter, Yao'er, to a marriage alliance." Old Madam Shen was also furious.

Shangguan Jin wanted to stop her, but then she thought about it again.

It didn't specify which Lady Shen.

She is Madam Shen, and Old Madam Shen is also a Madam.

The old lady can throw a tantrum, and I can act spoiled; that would be quite nice...