As soon as Xue Qi spoke, everyone in the court couldn't help but speculate whether this was the Emperor's intention.
After all, Xue Qi was backed by the Xue family, and the current Empress is also from the Xue clan.
The Emperor and Empress have a deep bond, so it's quite possible that Xue Qi's rudeness towards the Zhou family is actually at the Emperor's behest.
For a moment, there was silence in the court.
Even Zhou's disciples, who had originally intended to test the emperor's attitude, couldn't help but hesitate.
The head official remained silent, taking advantage of the fact that no one dared to look up at the moment, and even managed a slight smile.
It was just a mocking laugh.
As Zhou Yuzhong spoke, his white beard trembled, and he knelt down.
"Your Majesty! I have failed to discipline my grandson properly and have no face to face Your Majesty. Merits are merits and faults are faults. I implore Your Majesty not to consider our past relationship and to punish me and my rebellious grandson according to the law."
As soon as Grand Tutor Zhou spoke, Jin Yang, who was standing by the side of the main hall, couldn't help but secretly shake his head.
As the saying goes, an outsider can see things more clearly. He realized that Grand Tutor Zhou was determined to plead guilty and take all the blame upon himself, but the moment Grand Tutor Zhou opened his mouth, the meaning of his words changed.
The first few sentences using "old minister" were fine, but the moment he uttered the words "merit is merit," things went awry. Then he continued with "cherishing past relationships," which, though meant to be an apology, sounded like coercion.
Sure enough, Jin Yang heard a soft hum from the Emperor's throat before Grand Tutor Zhou finished speaking.
"Enough. The Grand Tutor is devoted to the country; how can I punish you? Cheating in the imperial examinations and the unworthy descendants of your family are indeed punishable. Let the Judicial Commissioner handle it according to the law. The Grand Tutor must not be implicated."
Xue Qi, who had been wearing a cold expression just moments before, immediately stood up and responded after the Emperor finished speaking.
"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent; we are deeply grateful."
He spoke, and Zhou Yuzhong, who was kneeling, almost dropped his scepter. His eyebrows twitched heavily, and he sighed before speaking: "Yes. Your Majesty, I am grateful for your forgiveness."
This was certainly not the outcome he desired after attending the morning court session.
But the emperor had clearly made up his mind, and it was obvious that no amount of persuasion could sway him, so in the end he naturally said nothing.
In the end, the Emperor still gave way to the Empress Dowager's favor, or rather, he was concerned about his own dignity and maintained the relationship between the Emperor and his mother.
The Emperor's attitude is now very clear: if they continue to cause trouble and put on airs, the title of the Empress Dowager's maternal clan will not be useful forever.
Just one morning at court, when Zhou Yuzhong walked out of the Zichen Hall, his back seemed to be hunched over considerably.
After the morning court session, Xue Qi was surrounded by many people offering flattery. He glanced at Zhou Yuzhong from afar, where some of his disciples were following him anxiously, but the situation was naturally not as good as before.
This shows the misfortune of the family... Considering that there are also many cockfighting and dog racing members in the Xue family, who knows what the future holds.
Xue Qi's smile faded slightly. Yes, the Zhou family was now a living example right in front of him.
The Zhou family desperately wanted an imperial heir, and the Xue family wanted one just as much.
Unfortunately, I wasn't destined for that.
...
The commotion at the morning court session soon reached the inner palace, starting with Kunning Palace.
Xue Yinjia had already received the Emperor's message, but she still followed the Emperor's example and sent Chunbai, who was by her side, to serve at Cining Palace, so that she would know if anything happened.
After several rain showers a few days ago, Xue Yinjia's old ailment flared up again.
At first, he only had a headache, but because of the Empress Dowager's matter, he also felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, so he could only rest in bed.
Kong Qing served the medicine to Xue Yinjia. The medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital was extremely bitter, but Xue Yinjia endured the bitterness and drank it. After finishing, he had candied fruit in his mouth and only spoke after a while.
"I wonder if the Empress Dowager is also drinking this kind of medicine while she is ill."
Kong Qing put the empty bowl aside and couldn't help but say, "What medicine isn't bitter? Your Majesty's health is the most important thing. Let those little devils outside make a fuss."
Xue Yinjia, wearing a headband and looking somewhat haggard, took a handkerchief and wiped her mouth: "If the Zhou family behaved themselves, they would have their own dignity. But they insist on competing with the Emperor. Do they really think that the Emperor's current empire was seized by their family? The real heroes are still fighting on the front lines."
This is naturally referring to the Chi family.
Kong Qing silently massaged the Empress's knees: "Your Majesty is overthinking it. A tall tree catches the wind. It used to be the Zhou family, but who knows who will come next..."
Xue Yinjia leaned against the large pillow, feeling a chill run through her body even though it was only September: "With the Empress Dowager around, the Zhou family won't fall. I heard that Master Fu spoke up for the Zhou family today?"
Kong Qing nodded: "The powerful families are protecting each other..."
No wonder the emperor is unhappy.
Xue Yinjia didn't respond; she was thinking about it too.
With the Empress Dowager around, the Zhou family will not fall; with her as the Empress, the Xue family will not fall either.
No one can fall.
Xue Yinjia lowered his head: "Let the clan keep a low profile. We don't expect anyone to emerge from here. Just don't let them cause trouble like the Zhou family did."
Kong Qing quickly replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Master has already sent word back that Your Majesty can rest assured."
Xue Yinjia slowly closed her eyes: "It's raining outside again? It's upsetting to hear that. Go to Xiefang Palace and keep an eye on things, make sure Fuming doesn't play in the water. And Consort Cao is about to give birth, right? Keep a close eye on them, make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Your Majesty, please don't worry about those things."
However, Consort Cao's due date is indeed approaching.
The Empress Dowager's headache in Cining Palace was obviously feigned; it was just that the morning court session had just ended, and this time the Empress Dowager was genuinely ill.
"Fool!" Empress Dowager Zhou, also wearing a dark headband, slammed her hand on the bed, truly furious.
"What did the imperial physician say about Hengping's health?"
Seeing that the Zhou family was becoming worthless, Empress Dowager Zhou naturally had to make other plans.
Zhu Yu quickly helped the Empress Dowager up: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The imperial physician has already presented the medical records. Your Majesty knows about Lady Zhou's health. There is nothing seriously wrong with her. It seems that the time has not yet come."
Empress Dowager Zhou became even angrier upon hearing this.
"The time is not right, the time is not right. When will the time be right? Fine, fine. Since she is useless, let's choose two more children of suitable age to enter the palace. Let's not choose from the clan. It's obvious that our emperor is tired of Hengping. Since the emperor likes someone like Xiao Huo, let's choose two beautiful ones, but they should also be easy to control. Let's choose a few from the Zhou family's students who come from lower social classes."
Zhu Yu hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.
Just as Empress Dowager Zhou was about to say something more, she heard a voice from outside saying, "His Majesty has arrived."
Empress Dowager Zhou immediately leaned back, closed her eyes, and breathed heavily, her face showing great discomfort.
Zhu Yu wisely stopped talking and waited for the official to come in, but the official didn't mention the Zhou family at all.
Empress Dowager Zhou pretended to be asleep and didn't dare to speak.
He couldn't utter a word on that last day.
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