Chapter 80 Shen Chu Gets Promoted Again

She conveyed her confusion with her eyes.

Since we're in the same boat, I'll volunteer to be your striker, isn't that a good thing?

Pei Yuan stared at her for a moment, then curled his lips into a smile, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes.

Shen Chu felt a chill run down her spine from his laughter.

What exactly is this guy up to?

The Longqing Emperor had already finished reading the memorial and was furious.

"Where is the Third Prince? Let the Third Prince come up and give us an answer."

Only then did everyone realize that the Third Prince was not present at the grand court assembly, and they began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Where did the Third Prince go?

Shen Chu didn't know where the Third Prince had gone either, and subconsciously looked at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan didn't even glance at her, standing there expressionless, as if it were none of his business.

From outside came the panicked cries of a palace attendant, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, we've found the Third Prince!"

The Longqing Emperor was furious. "Where is that wretched child? Send him here to give an answer!"

The eunuch stammered, and only after being urged did he say, "The Third Prince is in the stable, hugging a horse... The horse trampled his lower body."

The entire court was in uproar.

Emperor Longqing, losing face, ordered, "Drag that scoundrel up here for me."

When the Third Prince was carried up, everyone was startled.

His face was swollen and bruised like a pig's head, and his lower body was covered in blood.

"Third brother, what's wrong with you?"

Emperor Longqing was startled and was about to reprimand him when he saw the Third Prince suddenly raise his head, grin at him, and rush straight towards him.

"This young male prostitute is pretty. Send him to my bed tonight."

"What? My parents are here! Beat them to death!"

"You, come and serve me a drink. If I'm in a good mood, I'll release your brother."

The Longqing Emperor was so angry that his face turned black. Why was he even asking? Hadn't he already confessed?

With Liu Feng and the steward of the Third Prince's residence as witnesses, the Longqing Emperor immediately announced that the Third Prince would be flogged one hundred times, demoted to a commoner, and imprisoned for life. The Prefect of Jingzhao who covered for the Third Prince was also dismissed and investigated.

When the heavy blows of the cane struck, the Third Prince trembled in pain, rolled to the ground, and cried out incoherently:

"Don't come after me, I was wrong."

"Please, please spare me, I'll never do it again."

The imperial guards tried to drag him back to get him, but he was so frightened that he soiled himself, leaving him completely undignified, no longer resembling a prince.

The Longqing Emperor roared, his hands trembling, "Drag him away, you wretched creature, beat him to death!"

The third prince screamed as he was dragged away.

The entire square in front of the palace was deathly silent. No one dared to plead for the Third Prince, since he had already confessed.

Emperor Longqing took a breath and looked at Shen Chu with a deep gaze. "Shen Chu, the Third Prince is my son. Aren't you afraid that I will be angry with you later for speaking so frankly in your memorial?"

Shen Chu's heart skipped a beat; he couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind the emperor's words.

When Lord He asked for a petition, she disagreed because she was afraid that His Majesty would be angry with Lord He later.

Since she dared to accept the imperial decree, she was naturally prepared to be displeased by His Majesty.

Taking a deep breath, she said loudly, "Thirty years ago, at the beginning of His Majesty's reign, he issued an edict to reform the Censorate."

In addition to supervising all officials, the Censorate also had the responsibilities of investigating criminal cases, jointly adjudicating cases with the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice, reviewing case files in the two capitals, inspecting the Beijing Garrison, the Imperial Examinations, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, among others.

His Majesty has entrusted these responsibilities to the Censorate in the hope that the court will be clean and just, the world will be bright and clear, and the will of Heaven will be just and just.

Your Majesty's magnanimity and vision inspire our admiration, and we are determined to take Your Majesty's instructions as our guide.

If I know of any wrongful convictions or miscarriages of justice, but am too afraid of Your Majesty's authority to speak openly about them, then I am essentially deceiving Your Majesty.

I have fulfilled my duties with a clear conscience. If Your Majesty punishes me, I will have no regrets, for both thunder and rain are acts of imperial favor.

His words were spoken with neither arrogance nor servility, and were resounding and authoritative.

The Longqing Emperor was somewhat moved, as if recalling the scene when he ascended the throne thirty years ago.

At that time, he had just gained power and was focused on creating a peaceful and prosperous era with harmonious governance, aiming to become an emperor comparable to the founding emperor.

Therefore, he gave the Censorate new responsibilities because he did not want officials in the court to protect each other and deceive him.

But he didn't know when it started, but he heard fewer and fewer voices.

Just like the matter of the Third Prince, all that reached his ears was that he loved to play and had some peculiar hobbies, occasionally summoning male prostitutes to serve him in bed.

He had reprimanded the third prince several times, but seeing that the third prince had become much more obedient, he didn't take it to heart. Little did he know that his rebellious son had actually killed so many people behind the scenes.

Emperor Longqing stared intently at Shen Chu for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"What a fine example of 'both thunder and rain are the Emperor's grace,' Shen Chu, I wasn't mistaken. Get up."

Shen Chu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She guessed correctly what His Majesty was thinking.

The hearts of emperors have always been the most unpredictable, but she felt that His Majesty could tolerate the Third Prince's playful antics and even his disregard for human life, but he absolutely could not tolerate her being kept in the dark.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty."

Emperor Longqing then changed the subject and looked coldly at Zhao Dewen.

"The Third Prince's misdeeds did not happen overnight. I do not believe that your entire Censorate was completely unaware of this, and that not a single person reported it."

Are you my Inspectorate or the Third Prince's Inspectorate?

"Zhao Dewen, are you my subject, or the Third Prince's?"

Zhao Dewen's face turned pale, and he immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, I am guilty, please punish me."

Emperor Longqing snorted coldly, "It seems that I have been too lenient these past few years, which has allowed many ministers to forget their duties. It seems that the administration needs to be properly rectified."

All the ministers knelt down.

Emperor Longqing said, "Starting today, each ministry shall conduct a self-examination. In addition, I hereby appoint Shen Chu as Imperial Envoy to inspect each ministry on my behalf and remove those corrupt officials who hold positions without performing their duties."

Shen Chu was stunned for a moment before he reacted, "Your subject Shen Chu accepts the decree and thanks you."

Does this mean she got promoted again?

Emperor Longqing waved his hand, "Get up. Those who are just sitting on their positions without doing their jobs, once verified, don't bother reporting back to me. Just report to the Sixth Prince and have his Flying Eagle Guard arrest them."

Everyone gasped.

Although the imperial envoy is only a temporary official position, he is on behalf of His Majesty to conduct inspections, and once the facts are verified, the Flying Eagle Guards will be ordered to arrest the person.

What an incredible privilege!

His Majesty has essentially handed their official hats to Shen Chu. They can only wear them if Shen Chu says they are qualified.

I'm so envious and jealous.

I wonder if it's too late to get on good terms with Lord Shen?

The ministers were in turmoil, but Shen Chu could not hide his excitement.

The wrongful conviction of the Liu Feng family was reopened, and the Third Prince was punished, much to the delight of the people.

One day, she will surely be able to reopen her father's case and remove the label of a criminal from the Ning'an Marquis's mansion.

She wanted the Shen family to enjoy the incense offerings and worship of future generations with dignity, instead of becoming lonely ghosts lingering in mass graves.

After the important matters were concluded and the grand court assembly adjourned, Emperor Longqing summoned Shen Chu and Pei Yuan to Longquan Palace alone.

The Longqing Emperor looked at them with a deep gaze.

"Alright, tell me what exactly happened last night? Who threw the Third Prince into the stable?"

"Don't try to fool me with some make-up excuse. I want the truth. Did you two secretly conspire to set a trap for the Third Prince?"

Shen Chu felt a chill run down his spine.

Did the emperor find out what happened last night?

She subconsciously looked at Pei Yuan.

How do you explain this?