Chapter 66 It's All Your Fault
"My father-in-law wants us to go back."
Zhao Hong's expression was indescribable.
"If your father-in-law scolds you when you get home, just bear with it."
A bad feeling rose in Song Hui's heart.
"What's wrong with Father?"
"The news that my mother-in-law secretly seized the dowry shop of my eldest daughter-in-law spread early this morning. An imperial censor has written a memorial impeaching my father-in-law, saying that he does not bathe in the inner quarters and does not properly educate his wife."
There were also accusations that the father-in-law and mother-in-law abused their own daughter and almost poisoned her. In short, His Majesty was very angry after reading the censor's memorial.
The emperor issued an edict ordering his father-in-law to suspend his duties for one month, reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors, and have his salary reduced by half a year.
After receiving the imperial decree, the Minister of Rites immediately selected the Right Vice Minister of Rites as his successor, and the list has already been submitted.
Song Hui's heart sank, and she couldn't help but complain about Zhao Hong.
"Aren't you in the Censorate? Since there are censors impeaching Father, why didn't you stop them beforehand?"
Zhao Hong looked displeased.
"I went to the Left Prime Minister's residence to ask my mentor for help in getting the Bianjing government to release you. I didn't even notice that someone in the Censorate was impeaching my father-in-law."
Besides, I've only been in the Censorate for two months, and I'm not particularly familiar with my colleagues. Censors are supposed to keep their reports confidential, so how would I know they would impeach my father-in-law?
Song Hui sighed and softened her tone.
"I spoke too hastily just now, please don't take it to heart, my husband. I will comfort my father myself."
As they were talking, the couple arrived at the Song family's house.
The room was a mess, with broken teacups, scattered pens and books everywhere.
It was clear that Vice Minister Song had just lost his temper.
As Madam Zhang was instructing the servants to clean the floor, she saw Song Hui and Zhao Hong arrive and silently gave them a wink.
Song Hui looked at Minister Song, who was standing angrily by the window with his back to them, smiled and went up to take his arm.
"Father, why do you do this...?"
Before she could finish speaking, Vice Minister Song turned around and slapped her hard across the face.
*Smack*
Caught off guard, Song Hui's entire face was slapped to the side, half of her face turning white, then slowly reddening, revealing five finger marks.
"Father!"
Song Hui covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, and gasped in disbelief.
From childhood to adulthood, Song Yi was always the one who got beaten; her father never hit her.
Especially after her rebirth, although she followed Zhao Hong to his post, she also wrote letters to help her father avoid several minor disasters.
Her father doted on her even more, and there was even a hint that he was going to surpass her brother in affection.
Unexpectedly, her father slapped her in the face in front of her husband after one unpleasant incident.
Song Hui burst into tears, feeling wronged.
Zhao Hong awkwardly slipped away.
Lady Zhang was heartbroken and went forward to hug Song Hui, complaining softly about Vice Minister Song.
"What are you doing, sir? Can't you talk to Hui'er properly?"
Song Shilang's eyes were bloodshot.
"Do you really think I believe that Zhou Mama took those nux vomica on her own initiative?"
"You bastard! If you hadn't suddenly pulled this stunt, Song Yi wouldn't have run into Prince Xuan, and things wouldn't have escalated like this!"
Do you know how much effort I've put into advancing to the position of Minister of Rites over the years?
Now everything is ruined! It's all over! I might not even be able to keep my position as Left Vice Minister!
"It's all because of you! It's all your fault!"
The veins on Vice Minister Song's forehead bulged as he glared at Song Hui with eyes that seemed to want to tear her apart.
He had been in the position of Vice Minister of Rites for eight or nine years without moving, and this time he finally got to see the Minister of Rites resign.
The Minister of Rites had previously hinted that the next Minister would be chosen from between him and the Vice Minister of Rites.
For this reason, he has not had a day off for several months, and he is cautious in everything he does, for fear that his superiors or colleagues will find out any mistakes.
He could clearly feel the Minister of Rites looking at him with increasing satisfaction, and it seemed that victory was within his grasp.
Unexpectedly, Song Hui ultimately caused all their efforts to fail.
The more Minister Song thought about it, the angrier he became. His anger surged from his chest to his head, and he couldn't help but raise his hand again.
Startled, Zhang quickly shielded Song Hui behind her.
"Master, hit me if you must, don't hit Hui'er anymore."
"you!"
Standing behind Madam Zhang, Song Hui looked at Vice Minister Song, whose hand was frozen in mid-air and whose face was ashen, and quickly said, "Even if the Right Vice Minister is chosen, he won't be able to hold the position of Minister for long."
“I guarantee that the position of Minister of Rites will belong to Father sooner or later.”
Vice Minister Song frowned and slowly lowered his hand.
"Why would you say that? Did you dream of some divine guidance again?"
Song Hui had written to him a few years ago to help him avoid two disasters, saying that it was a divine guidance in his dream.
Therefore, upon hearing Song Hui's tone, his heart stirred slightly, and his gaze became somewhat eager.
Song Hui took a deep breath, suppressing the anger rising in her heart, before nodding and calling Zhao Hong in.
Vice Minister Song pulled up a chair and sat down, then invited Zhao Hong and Song Hui to sit as well.
Then, eagerly, he pressed on, "Tell me quickly, what did the deity instruct you on this time?"
Zhao Hong looked surprised, and then a little excited.
His rapid promotions in recent years were largely due to Song Hui's behind-the-scenes help.
Song Hui can foresee many things in advance, which she explains is due to guidance from deities.
Could it be that the deity has given new guidance this time?
Seeing that her father and husband both looked anxious and hesitant, Song Hui felt a little relieved.
He cleared his throat lightly before saying, "As instructed by the gods, on the night of the 29th of August, the Yellow River in China will breach its banks, causing widespread flooding."
More than a dozen counties downstream were affected by the disaster, and the situation was extremely severe.
Both Vice Minister Song and Zhao Hong's expressions changed simultaneously.
Zhao Hong reacted even faster, "How is that possible? The Imperial Observatory just posted a notice this morning saying that the next seven days will be sunny."
It rained for about ten days straight a few days ago, but now the sky has cleared up, which is perfect for the crops to bear fruit. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau says this year will be a bumper harvest.
Song Hui pouted.
There was no harvest at all.
Although she had already been exiled by this time in her previous life, she had heard about the severe disasters in more than a dozen counties under the jurisdiction of Bianjing during her exile.
"What the gods say can't be wrong, you can trust me."
Zhao Hong and Vice Minister Song looked at each other in bewilderment.
Song, the Vice Minister, said, “What does this have to do with me being the Minister of Rites? Do you expect me, a mere Vice Minister of Rites, to submit a memorial to His Majesty in advance, saying that the nation is about to breach its banks?”
Zhao Hong frowned slightly.
"Yes, it's not appropriate for me to write a letter about this."
A mysterious smile appeared on Song Hui's face.
“Who says it’s not suitable? It would be most appropriate for my husband to write a letter about this. I’ve already thought it through.”
Since the breach originated in Chixian County, it means that the dikes in Chixian County had long been in disrepair, and local officials probably did not take them seriously.
My husband, being an imperial censor, could use this as a starting point to impeach local officials for being incompetent and failing to properly maintain the dikes, and request that the imperial censor inspect the dikes.
Zhao Hong's eyes brightened slightly.
"Yes, if we discover the faults in the dike in advance and repair them in time to prevent it from breaching, then we have made a great contribution."
Song Hui shook her head.
"No, it can't be repaired in time..."
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