When the news arrived, Mu Zian and the others were already having tea at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Ning Hongchen, resting his chin on his hand, couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Since the young master didn't take Pei Liang's life, why did he still commit suicide?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Xu smiled calmly.
"The struggle between powerful families is like the struggle for the throne. When the imperial power is weak, the feudal lords are strong, and when they are strong, they force the emperor to abdicate."
“If the main branch is weak, the branch will be strong; if it is strong, it will seize power. Since ancient times, those who lose power have only one fate: death.”
“Pei Liang has brought such a great disaster to the Pei clan this time. How can the elders of the clan allow him to continue to act recklessly?”
"Just like before the imperial examination, Pei Liang decisively gave up his fifth son in order to appease His Majesty's anger."
"Pei Liang is now of no value, so the most dignified way for him to exit is through death."
Ning Hongchen still looked puzzled.
"The dignified head of the Pei family died so willingly?"
Mu Zian put down his teacup and said softly.
“If he doesn’t want to be dignified, someone will naturally help him be dignified.”
Just as the two were chatting, a shrill voice came from outside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"The imperial edict proclaims!"
As soon as the voice fell, Eunuch Cao, dressed in a red robe, entered the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion carrying the imperial edict.
Upon seeing this, everyone knelt down.
Mu Zian bowed in greeting.
Without wasting any words, Eunuch Cao unfolded the imperial edict in his hand and spoke.
"By the grace of the Emperor, the decree reads: Chen Yuanbai, the magistrate of Qinghe County, has been corrupt and has accepted bribes. In ten years of service, he has failed to bring benefits to the people. Instead, he has become a lackey of the Pei family, oppressing the people and abusing his power for personal gain. He has failed the Emperor's grace."
"Duke Mu Zi'an has rid the people of a scourge and eliminated a traitor for the country! He is hereby rewarded with 100,000 taels of silver, 1,000 taels of gold, and a certain amount of silk and brocade. However, his actions violated the law of the country. Merit is merit, and demerit is demerit! He shall be fined one year's salary as a warning to others! If there is a next time, he shall be severely punished without leniency! So be it."
Eunuch Cao looked at Mu Zi'an with a smile on his face and said.
"Duke Zhenguo, please accept the imperial decree."
Mu Zian accepted the imperial edict.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
They stirred up the people, strangled the county magistrate to death, and forced Pei Liang to commit suicide.
Any one of these crimes would be capital offenses, yet Xiao Yu let Mu Zi'an off so easily.
The reason for this is that Mu Zi'an directly helped Xiao Yu solve the Pei family, a major concern.
Pei Liang's suicide has severely damaged the reputation of the Pei family among scholars.
Taking this opportunity, Xiao Yu directly reorganized the Pei family's power in the imperial court.
After this incident, the Pei family completely fell out of the ranks of top aristocratic families, with no possibility of recovery.
To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that Mu Zi'an had broken the rules by killing Chen Yuanbai, the magistrate of Qinghe County, Xiao Yu would have wanted to promote Mu Zi'an again.
Eunuch Cao looked at Mu Zi'an with a smile.
"Your Excellency, His Majesty has issued an imperial edict summoning you to the palace for an audience."
"The carriage outside is ready."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zian did not hesitate. After handing the imperial edict to Liu Rushi, he set off for the palace with Eunuch Cao.
Although the Pei family has suffered a great loss, Mu Zian now has to clean up the mess he made for his actions.
Since ancient times, it has been said that silencing the people is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing.
Right now, Mu Zian is using the power of newspaper media to destroy a century-old family in an instant.
How could Emperor Xiao Yu not be worried?
As soon as Mu Zian arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he heard an angry voice coming from inside.
"It's outrageous that the commander of the Imperial Guards would stay overnight in a brothel on his day of duty!"
Mu Zian felt a chill run down his spine; good heavens, that tone was definitely hostile.
However, Mu Zian had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.
Stepping into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Mu Zian immediately bowed and greeted the guests.
"Your subject, Mu Zian, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
As soon as Mu Zian finished speaking, he heard a mocking voice from Xiao Yu.
"My Duke Zhenguo is truly skilled. How come I never discovered before that you also have the ability to incite the people to rebel?"
Mu Zian felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty, I do not understand what you mean."
Given the current situation, Mu Zian has no choice but to deny it to the bitter end.
"Cough cough!"
A soft cough was heard.
Mu Zian looked up and saw Xiao Xiuning standing next to Xiao Yu winking at him.
Meanwhile, Shen Congwu, the commander of the Imperial Guards, knelt on the ground with a dejected look on his face, silently enduring Xiao Yu's barrage of attacks.
To be honest, Shen Congwu was in a terrible situation. He was knocked away by Mu Zian with a single punch, which made him lose face as the commander of the Imperial Guards.
Then Xiao Yu sent him to patrol the streets in the Imperial Guard. He was supposed to stay there for a while before being transferred back to the palace.
However, he was tricked by Mu Zian into drinking in a brothel, which almost caused a people's rebellion.
"Won't I be stuck sitting on this bench forever?" Shen Congwu looked utterly desperate.
Xiao Yu, sitting on the dragon throne, looked helplessly at his daughter and Mu Zi'an exchanging glances.
How come I never noticed before that Mu Zian was so ruthless?
The Pei family's affairs have escalated too much, and Xiao Yu has no choice but to step in and quell the situation.
So Xiao Yu got straight to the point.
"The matter concerning the Pei family ends here. Today, I will issue an edict to reprimand them."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zian responded with a flattering expression.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Seeing Mu Zian's glib tongue, Xiao Yu was furious.
"This matter has already caused widespread public outrage. How do you suggest we end this?"
"And what is that newspaper? I know perfectly well what you've done."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zian knew he couldn't avoid it, so he coughed lightly.
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