On the throne room.
The officials were abuzz with discussion.
The Holy Emperor sat on it and pinched the bridge of his nose.
The memorials were piled up high, all impeaching the Marquis of Zhenbei.
Yesterday, taking advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I sent the memorial to the Regent's residence, only to be told that the Regent had moved.
This forced him to review memorials overnight.
I didn't sleep all night.
My ears are ringing right now.
"I think the Marquis of Zhenbei simply doesn't dare to attend court today."
"I bet he's gone out to have some fun."
"No, no, I think he went to scold his daughter."
"She might even faint from anger..."
...
All the chatter reached his ears.
"Your Majesty, yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei actually set fire to people."
"Fortunately, the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review rushed into the fire to save people, thus averting a funeral."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was dumbfounded upon hearing this.
So all that cursing and swearing turned out to be his daughter's kind and helpful nature?
"Yesterday, the Mid-Autumn Festival, we had to work all night, turning a family reunion into a family filled with fear!"
"Your Majesty, I don't care about the rest days or holidays anymore. You must be fair in your rewards and punishments, right?"
Several adults below were pouring out their grievances.
"Is the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei really so audacious?"
"It's absolutely true, we all saw it."
"But she's only two years old, we can't catch her even if we try!"
That's the real reason for their resentment.
What a wicked Marquis of Zhenbei! If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too.
"Marquis of Zhenbei".
...
"Marquis of Zhenbei".
...
"Where is the Marquis of Zhenbei?" the Holy Emperor asked three times in a row, but no one answered.
The officials lowered their heads and exchanged glances.
Oh, it's normal that Your Majesty didn't hear me.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Zhenbei has been absent from court."
The Holy Emperor raised an eyebrow:
"Kuang Chao?"
"An even more serious offense! One month's salary will be deducted!"
"It's payday today, Eunuch Wang, withhold his salary."
Eunuch Wang didn't dare to breathe loudly, and bowed, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"It's fine for the Marquis of Zhenbei to teach his daughter, but he almost caused a serious mistake. He shall be punished with thirty strokes of the cane!"
"Your Majesty is wise."
Marquis Zhenbei rode his donkey and finally arrived at the palace gate.
After showing his waist token, he rushed towards the Golden Palace.
The household is in dire straits now, and we cannot be late any longer.
He should be more diligent in court in the future, strive to win the emperor's praise, and make up for his bad impression. Perhaps he can even get a raise.
Upon arriving at the Golden Palace, he hurriedly walked into the main hall and knelt down amidst the gasps of all the officials present.
"Your Majesty, I am late. Please punish me."
The Holy Emperor's eyes flickered, and he said solemnly:
"Marquis of Zhenbei, at least you have some self-awareness."
"Punishment is justified; give him thirty strokes of the cane after court!"
Without even taking a deep breath, the Marquis of Zhenbei suddenly raised his head and looked towards the main hall.
"Your Majesty, I was merely late, why such a severe punishment of thirty strokes of the cane?"
"I have already given the order regarding your lateness; you will not receive your salary today."
"Thirty strokes of the cane, it's one thing for you to discipline your daughter, but you damaged the sacrificial altar in Bianjing!"
The Marquis of Zhenbei had a crying face.
“Your Majesty, Lin Wanwan is malicious, but she is no longer my daughter. You should punish Ye Lanyin.”
The Holy Emperor glanced at the Regent with a deep, unfathomable look in his eyes.
“Marquis Zhenbei, I am referring to your illegitimate daughter, who set fire to the sacrificial altar.”
Marquis Zhenbei was greatly surprised, "Wanqing?"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review arrived: "You, Marquis of Zhenbei, what are you pretending to be stupid for?"
"If your daughter hadn't started the fire, why would my daughter have rushed into the flames to save people?"
"If anything happens to my daughter, I will hold you responsible!"
The second prince calmly said, "Father, the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has rendered meritorious service and should be rewarded."
The Holy Emperor smiled and nodded, looking at his son with approval.
"Junli is right, rewards and punishments should be clearly distinguished."
"The daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has rendered meritorious service and shall be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review said, "In that case, your humble servant thanks Your Majesty on behalf of Yun Shu."
The Marquis of Zhenbei wanted to cry but had no tears.
These people are infuriating him.
He was punished, while they received the reward?
gas!
"By the way, Your Majesty, there's been new progress on the matter of the State Trust that I mentioned to you last time." The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies stepped forward and walked into the main hall.
“Your humble servant secretly sent people to Yun Ao Kingdom to inquire again, but who knew that their promise to help us summon the Purple Spirit God was a ruse, and their real intention was to steal the Purple Spirit Pearl.”
"Luckily, Lin Wanwan tore up the letter last time, otherwise the Holy Kingdom would be in grave danger."
The Holy Emperor's expression relaxed.
"So, Lin Wanwan has done a great job this time?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is indeed a great achievement," the Prime Minister said, still feeling a bit shaken.
His heart pounded the whole time he heard what Lord Wan said today.
If he hadn't unintentionally let Lin Wanwan, Lin Chang'an, and others into the mansion...
They have all become sinners in the Holy Kingdom.
They might be implicated and have their entire family executed.
"A generous reward! A very generous reward!"
"A reward of ten thousand taels of gold, food, clothing, and other necessities..."
As the Holy Emperor spoke, he simply beckoned:
"Forget it, forget it. Just invite Lin Wanwan into the palace. I'll take her to the national treasury and let her choose for herself!"
The Marquis of Zhenbei was overjoyed.
Lin Wanwan has rendered meritorious service and received so many rewards; the Marquis's mansion is saved this time.
He was about to kowtow in gratitude and ask the emperor if his merits and demerits could be offset against each other.
"Marquis of Zhenbei, what are you still kneeling for? You have failed to properly educate your daughter; go and receive your punishment!"
Cold water was poured over his head.
Oh, I forgot.
He was divorced by Ye Lanyin, and the truth about his child's parentage was also exposed.
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