In mid-air, a huge kite fluttered in the wind.
The fiery chains hanging in the sky seemed to be attracted by the kite, and actually landed on it.
Click!
Crackling sounds!
A string of sparks meandered down the wire that was tethering the kite.
boom!
The thunder, which should have been on the horizon, was getting closer and closer.
A rumbling sound, like it was hanging overhead.
Grand Tutor Zheng and his family members stared at him, their faces ashen.
They shouldn't be afraid of anything but a flash of lightning.
However, if these lightning bolts seemed to have eyes, and specifically targeted the Zheng family's roof, they would strike down with a crackling sound.
Haha, anyone would be trembling with fear in that situation.
This is no longer a question of whether or not he will be struck by lightning, nor is it a question of whether Zheng Taifu should resign. Rather, it is—being struck by lightning is really not a pleasant thing to say.
Let alone in superstitious ancient times, even in modern times, if you suddenly hear that someone has been struck by lightning, people's first reaction is: Damn, what sins did this person commit?
Grand Tutor Zheng would use the incident of "lightning striking the imperial tomb" to attack Xie Yuan, and try to portray Xie Yuan as a wicked empress who brought disaster to the country and its people.
It's because he knows the power of "superstition".
But now, he has suffered a backlash.
The dignified Grand Tutor of the dynasty was struck by lightning.
What will people think of when they hear this?
Do you think he did something that would anger both heaven and man?
boom!
Boom!
Click!
Click!
Finally, a powerful bolt of lightning struck one of the Zheng family's attics.
On the upper floor, three characters were written: "Library".
This is the most treasured and meaningful place for the Zheng family.
He was practically a representative of the Zheng family, a family that passed down poetry and books, but he was struck by lightning.
Half of the roof of the attic was blown open and caught fire!
"Fire! The library is on fire!"
"Oh no! The library has been struck by lightning!"
"Help! Help! Put out the fire!"
The servants were terrified, trembling and shouting at the top of their lungs.
Hearing the commotion outside, Grand Tutor Zheng collapsed to the ground with a thud, exclaiming, "It's all over! Everything's ruined!"
Not only his official position, but also his lifelong integrity were completely destroyed with each of those thunderous roars!
...
It wasn't just the Zheng family; all the powerful and influential people in the capital were paying close attention to this thunderstorm.
Who could have imagined that, in early winter, the Empress's words would truly come true—
Within three days, there was a thunderclap in winter, which struck Zheng Taifu precisely on the head!
"The Zheng family is finished!"
"Taifu Zheng is finished!"
Standing on his own attic, gazing into the distance, Wang Yu couldn't help but sigh.
Sigh, the Cui family just fell, and now the Zheng family has been added to the list.
The emperor and empress are truly a couple with some kind of "mystical" aura.
Wang Yu was cautious after all and did not utter such foolish words as "the emperor and empress are people".
But in his heart, Wang Yu began to feel apprehensive.
Helian Jue and the Xie family are truly strange.
They had only been in Beijing for a short time, yet so many changes had already occurred there.
In every single incident and every little detail, it was almost always others who suffered losses.
The emperor and empress, one became increasingly powerful and domineering, while the other began to make a name for herself in the court.
This couple is gradually gaining complete control over the entire court and even the whole country.
"Could it truly be destiny?"
As a traditional scholar, Wang Yu did not believe in ghosts or gods at all.
But sometimes, people can't help but believe.
The facts are right in front of us!
"However, Grand Tutor Zheng was just making a bet; he did not actually disobey His Majesty and was not so heinous as to be considered guilty."
"Perhaps the sage will be angered by his offense, but he will not really go so far as to exterminate him."
Well, even if the emperor holds a grudge, the Zheng family can still find a way to "atone for their sins through meritorious service."
"Let's all go to Chang'an! Together with the Cui family, we can at least contribute to the Emperor and Empress's plan to relocate the capital."
Wang Yu looked in the direction of the Zheng family. Although he could not see the devastation caused by the lightning attack on the Zheng family's library, he could imagine it.
In fact, the moment the thunder rang out, Wang Yu and the other high-ranking officials in the court knew that Grand Tutor Zheng had lost!
I'll accept my defeat!
All they could do was help the Zheng family minimize their losses.
Grand Tutor Zheng is old and can retire from the court, but the Zheng family cannot stray far from the center of power.
Since we have offended the Emperor and Empress, we should try to find a way to make amends.
Zheng Taifu is different from Cui Hong.
Although Zheng Taifu also came from a prominent family, he was more like a refined scholar.
He was the emperor's tutor, and his students were all over the world.
While he dared not compare himself to Confucius's three thousand disciples, Zheng Taifu still had quite a few students in the capital.
He has a great influence.
If Grand Tutor Zheng were willing to relocate with his entire family and actively respond to the emperor and empress's plan to move the capital, he could also inspire a large number of people.
That's a merit in itself.
The most crucial factor is attitude.
Grand Tutor Zheng gave in, and the entire Zheng family backed down!
They only hoped that the Emperor and Empress would be satisfied and then pardon the Zheng family.
...
"Haha, I knew it! Her Majesty the Empress never loses!"
"How laughable that old scoundrel, Grand Tutor Zheng, actually dared to clap his hands three times with the Empress!"
On the other side, at the Prince Yong's residence, the fourth prince laughed so hard he almost fell over, watching the rolling lightning in the sky.
Everyone in the capital says he's stupid. Ha, let him say it, those so-called smart people are the real idiots.
Don't they realize that the Empress, a woman, could bewitch a madman like Helian Jue? She must be a very simple person.
She said she wanted to "take a gamble," and surprisingly, some people actually believed it was worth the risk.
Tsk, Her Majesty the Empress wouldn't have spoken if she wasn't absolutely certain!
"Yes! Her Majesty the Empress is truly a master strategist!"
Princess Xu sat beside the Fourth Prince, gazing into the distance toward the palace.
When rumors circulated that the Empress had committed suicide for love, Princess Xu knew that Empress Xie was probably really setting a trap.
And she must have "won" the gamble once again.
Ignoring everything else, just looking at Helian Jue's attitude towards her, which seemed to value her even more, Princess Xu understood.
She admired Empress Xie even more.
Enough said, the Empress is her role model.
She will learn from the Empress and manage her marriage and family well.
I only hope that Her Majesty the Empress can always live in harmony with the Emperor.
...
Under the same sky, someone stared intently at the direction where lightning and thunder were striking.
The news of the Empress's bet with Grand Tutor Zheng was no secret in high society circles.
He found out too.
"The prophecy was right; Xie is indeed the woman of destiny."
"Helian Jue should have been a decadent and useless crown prince, but it was because he married her that he was able to rise to prominence in just a few years."
"...The Xie family, I am determined to have them!"
However, it's not easy to undermine Helian Jue.
"It doesn't matter! People's hearts are fickle! A relationship may remain strong for a year or two, but what about three to five years from now?"
He clenched his fist tightly; it was time to put the next step of the plan on the agenda.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
