Chapter 17 "Perhaps the decree to punish will be issued soon..."
Xu Sheng sneered, "Minister Ji has been pressing me about confidential matters. May I ask what his intentions are?"
"Alright," the emperor said, his head throbbing.
Xu Sheng took a half step back, lowered his head, and remained silent.
Both sides stuck to their own version of events and refused to yield.
The emperor couldn't help but press his temples.
On one side are the noble ministers he has always favored, and on the other side are his trusted confidants. It's a dilemma, as if neither is more precious than the other.
The Emperor coughed lightly. “Xu Jing’en was wrong to ride his horse recklessly in the street, but he was on official business after all. Even if Cheng Ning was trying to save someone, he was still a bit impulsive.” He gave both sides equal blame and gently put the matter down. “Minister Xu, tell your son to take good care of his injuries. Once he’s healed, the two families will hold a banquet to apologize to each other.”
Should they admit their mistakes to each other?
Absolutely impossible!
Not to mention that Ji Chengning wouldn't back down, Xu Jing'en had five teeth broken, and in full view of everyone, which was enough to make the usually proud and ostentatious Director Xu feel ashamed and indignant to the point of death.
Ji Lang was naturally dissatisfied. As the Minister of Justice, Ji was well-versed in the laws of the country. In his mind, his nephew had done nothing wrong. Xu Jing'en had only himself to blame. A scoundrel like him who repeatedly broke the law should be beaten to death!
Xu Sheng found it even harder to accept. His son had been beaten so badly, yet His Majesty only asked them to apologize to each other and that was the end of it. Did the children of the Ji family alone have to be pampered and precious, while the children of other families were as worthless as weeds?
"His Majesty."
"His Majesty!"
The two spoke at the same time.
The emperor raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Young people are often hot-blooded and quarrelsome. My two dear ministers, you wouldn't even give me face, would you?"
The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.
Zhang Cong broke out in a cold sweat, but the two most quick-witted adults remained silent!
Zhang Cong felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He had thought that His Majesty would punish Ji Chengning after learning of Xu Jingen's miserable state, but His Majesty didn't even bother to reprimand him. Not only had he failed to handle the matter properly, but he had also been dragged into this power struggle.
He was feeling uneasy when he suddenly heard footsteps.
He looked over with hope, as if hearing the chanting of Brahma.
Qin Min said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Censor Feng requests an audience, saying he has important matters to report."
"Bring him in."
Before long, Imperial Censor Feng Rong strode in.
He was about to pay his respects when the emperor waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "No need for formalities. Minister Feng said there is something important. What is it?"
Feng Rong said, "Your Majesty, I discovered today that there are thieves impersonating court officials. The matter is urgent, and I have no choice but to come before Your Majesty to report this."
The emperor narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"
Xu Sheng suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, the next moment he heard Feng Rong continue, "It was quite a coincidence. Yesterday, the younger brother of Hua Chaojie was taken to Xianyunfang by a servant. Some madmen were riding wild horses, and my brother was almost trampled to death. Fortunately, Young Master Ji saved him." As he spoke, he bowed and gave Ji Lin a deep bow.
Ji Lin returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
Ji Chengning actually saved Feng Rong's younger brother?
These censors were all from the Qingliu faction, and were extremely arrogant. They considered themselves to be in charge of supervising all officials and looked down on everyone. Even if there was no mistake, they would find fault with it. How much more so now that they had personally handed over their incriminating evidence to Feng Rong!
Xu Sheng's face was ashen. "Is Imperial Censor Feng here to curry favor with Young Master Ji?"
Feng Rong glanced at him suspiciously. "Of course not. I heard that the madman claimed to be an official of the court, a confidant of Your Majesty," the emperor said, leaning slightly forward from his seat. "But the young marquis said that man is not an official of the court and asked him to prove it. The madman stammered and could not produce any proof. At that time, Xianyunfang was crowded with tourists, which can all prove that what I said is true. I have come today to ask Your Majesty to issue an edict to find that traitor who impersonated an official of the court and damaged Your Majesty's reputation!"
The emperor's expression was unreadable; he only glanced in Xu Sheng's direction.
Xu Sheng suddenly knelt down and bowed.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhang Cong quickly knelt down as well.
The emperor spoke calmly, "A fine son you raised."
If it weren't for Ji Chengning's intelligence in denying Xu Jingen's impersonation of an official, rumors about the emperor's favoritism towards treacherous and wicked people would have spread throughout Luoyang by now!
Xu Sheng kowtowed deeply, "Your Majesty, it is my fault for failing to raise my son properly. Please do not be angry with me for this. If he is harmed, I will not be able to atone for it even if I die a hundred times!"
Feng Rong stared at Xu Sheng in astonishment, as if only now realizing what had happened. His anger surged, and he blurted out without thinking, "It was actually Director Xu who did this?!"
"Director?" The emperor's voice suddenly became stern. "How dare someone like Xu Jing'en, who disregards human life and stirs up trouble, be an official? Guards," the emperor pointed casually, "take Xu Sheng back and take back Xu Jing'en's official seal and seal!"
"His Majesty……"
The emperor coldly interrupted, "Get out."
Xu Sheng slammed his forehead on the ground. "Yes."
He knew very well that there was no turning back.
Before it involves the emperor himself, the emperor doesn't mind being more lenient with his favorite ministers. However, if it damages the emperor's reputation among the people, then it's a different story.
Xu Sheng got up and left.
Zhang Cong's face was ashen. "Your Majesty, I take my leave."
The emperor glanced at him, and Zhang Cong felt his knees go weak. He hurriedly paid his respects and withdrew.
The emperor beckoned to Feng Rong.
Seal and melt forward.
The emperor sighed, "Feng Qing, your brother has been frightened. I have also been in such a situation."
Feng Rong immediately replied, "My duty is to supervise all officials, and I also bear responsibility for this matter. Your Majesty's words make me feel even more ashamed."
The emperor patted Feng Rong's arm and turned to Qin Min, saying, "Send the imperial physician to the Feng residence to treat young master Feng. All supplies should be provided from the palace."
Feng Rong was deeply grateful, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is so profound that even if I were to repay it with my life, I could not do so even a fraction of it."
The emperor smiled slightly. "Go down."
"yes."
The study was instantly emptied of most of its space.
With only Ji Lin remaining, the emperor relaxed considerably. He spoke with dissatisfaction, "Xu Sheng has served as a minister for many years and has always been respectful in his work. I originally thought he was a cautious and experienced man who was good at governing the country. I never expected that he would raise such an incompetent son."
Ji Lin comforted him, "A son may not resemble his father. Lord Xu is busy with official duties and has neglected to discipline his son. As a young master from a prominent family, he is spoiled and has inevitably picked up some indulgent habits from his upbringing."
The emperor smiled slightly as he listened to the man's words, which seemed to be defending Xu Sheng but were actually accusing Xu Sheng of lax family upbringing and improper conduct.
He stood up.
The temperature in the warm pavilion was just right, and the hall was filled with blooming flowers, the flamboyant shadows of peonies reflected on the glass fish tank.
The fluffy, wide fish tail swayed, trailing a graceful arc.
The light and shadow shimmered.
A few smile lines appeared at the corners of the emperor's eyes. "This leaping golden carp was brought back by Cheng Ning by fast boat when he went to Wanzhou for his studies."
Koi are not rare, but this koi is rare because it has huge, reddish-gold scales all over its body, a large and smooth body that does not look bulky, and two protruding bone spurs that can be faintly seen on the top of its head, which are like dragon horns.
The emperor had seen many auspicious omens, but this koi was particularly beautiful, had a good meaning, and was sent by one of his favorite juniors, making the sentiment all the more precious.
Ji Lin said, "He has the mind of a child, is not steady, and has been spoiled by the Chen family, so he still acts childishly."
"You're being too harsh," the emperor said disapprovingly, then changed the subject, "The Qinglu Guard is a branch of the Imperial Guard that protects the capital. Although they may not hold high positions or great power, they are only allowed to patrol the capital if they are not my closest and most trusted relatives."
Ji Lin's hands, which were resting on his knees, suddenly clenched, but his tone remained calm. "Your Majesty, Cheng Ning has never held an official position and is completely ignorant of administrative affairs. I'm afraid he will disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."
"Who is born knowing how to handle affairs? I remember when you first arrived at the Ministry of Justice, you couldn't understand a case file, so you locked yourself in your study for three days, which scared us all into thinking something terrible had happened. Young people need more experience, and they'll mature quickly."
Ji Lin: "Your Majesty, Cheng Ning is too unreliable. Today, he accidentally injured the son of Lord Xu and has already caused a scene in front of you. If Cheng Ning becomes the director of the Qinglu Guard, Your Majesty will have to deal with countless cases for him every day."
The emperor remained unmoved. “The atmosphere in the capital is getting worse and worse. I need a young, arrogant, and ignorant boy to teach him a lesson. I know you’ve always wanted Cheng Ning to be a civil official, to study diligently day and night for the rest of his life. But with Cheng Ning’s temperament, how could he possibly be trained in scholarship?”
Ji Lin lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty's considerations are far-reaching, beyond the reach of us."
He was respectful in his words, but there was not a trace of joy in his tone.
The emperor smiled enigmatically. "What? Jie De, you're making all sorts of excuses because you're afraid your little nephew will offend someone and suffer a terrible death in the future?"
The words "may you die a horrible death" were too harsh, and Ji Lin's expression changed drastically.
He suppressed his heart palpitations and replied respectfully, "Your subject dares not. My family has received such great favor from Your Majesty, which we could never repay even if we died a hundred times. How could we possibly cherish our lives?"
The emperor, who had been smiling, suddenly turned cold in the next moment, "I see you've already mastered it!"
Ji Lin lifted his robe and knelt before the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I have spoken out of turn. Please punish me."
The calmer he remained, the more the emperor felt as if his heart was being burned by charcoal.
“I previously bestowed a marriage upon Cheng Ning and Ding Yang, but you refused. Now that I am granting him an official title, you are still refusing in every way. I know that you have been resenting me for so many years because of Chen Ge’er’s death, and you even refuse to let me get close to Cheng Ning. But I watched Cheng Ning grow up, how could I harm him!”
Ji Lin's face was ashen.
The shimmering light from the fishtail fell on the pale face.
His voice was hoarse, as if it had been ground up and squeezed out from deep within his throat. "Your subject dares not."
Ji Lin was composed and aloof to the point of being almost harsh. However, the emperor remembered that when the report of the tragedy at Changyang Pass reached the capital sixteen years ago, Ji Lin, who was then a junior official in the Ministry of Justice, rushed to the palace.
The rain poured down, and purple lightning flashed through the dark clouds, looking like a ferocious black dragon. The lightning illuminated Ji Lin, who was kneeling at the palace gate, making her face turn deathly pale.
He saw the emperor as if he had found a lifeline, and staggered forward on his knees, "Your Majesty, your subject..."
The emperor stood in the rain, simply watching him silently.
A tear welled up in the emperor's eyes. He said nothing, yet it was as if he had said everything.
Ji Lin stared at him in disbelief, her voice hoarse as she said, "Your Majesty."
Just like today.
The emperor's chest heaved violently.
Qin Min hurriedly stepped forward to pat the emperor on the back and help him catch his breath.
The emperor waved him away, and when he spoke again, his expression was much calmer, but also much more dejected. "Enough, enough," he sighed. "Let's put this matter aside for now. A-Lang said yesterday that he missed Cheng-Ning. When he's feeling better, let him come to the palace to see his aunt."
Ji Lin replied, "Yes."
"I am tired, you may leave."
"……yes."
Seeing Ji Lin turn and leave, the emperor stared at her back for a long time before sighing, "Their family members are all stubborn in the same way."
Qin Min smiled ingratiatingly and said, "His Majesty's magnanimity in governing his subjects is the reason why Minister Ji possesses such a resolute character."
The emperor grunted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and simply ordered, "Bring me a vermilion brush."
...
"It's so late, why hasn't Second Master returned yet?"
"I heard that the young marquis beat someone in the street, which angered His Majesty. As a result, Lord Ji has been summoned for questioning."
"Lord Ji is really unlucky to have such a troublesome nephew. In my opinion, the young marquis is so useless, yet Lord Ji has spoiled him for so many years."
"You mean that title..."
It was early spring, and the carved window was half-open, allowing the servants' chatter in the courtyard to reach Ji Cheng'an's ears without any attempt to conceal it.
He slowly sipped his tea.
Ji Jin, however, was in no mood for anything else and said in a deep voice, "An'er, is everything you just said true?"
"The Third Prince specifically sent someone to tell his son that His Majesty was furious after learning that Fifth Brother had beaten Xu Jing'en and severely reprimanded Second Uncle. Second Uncle hasn't returned yet, so how could it be false?" Ji Cheng'an smiled smugly. "Perhaps the decree to punish him will be issued soon. Father, just wait and see."
Before the words were finished, a servant rushed in. In his haste, he tripped over the threshold and nearly fell to his knees in front of the two men.
Ji Jin frowned. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
The servant took several quick breaths. "The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree has arrived. The junior eunuch who arrived first is telling the masters and young masters to prepare to receive the decree."
Ji Jin and Ji Cheng'an looked at each other, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
A note from the author:
----------------------
A big thank you to my wife for catching the bugs; I'll send her a small red envelope after it's fixed.
P.S.: Thanks for your support, my wife! A red envelope is dropping in this chapter. [Owl emoji]
Marquis of Yongning: Ji Chen
Imperial Concubine: Ji Lang
Minister of Justice: Ji Lin
Ji Chen and Ji Lang are twin siblings.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
