Chapter 393: Swift and Resolute
Being perfect and impeccable in front of outsiders has never been his style.
Whatever a family like the Zhao and Mi families, who have no foundation and are stupid enough, do, how could they withstand Zhou Hansheng's investigation?
Zhou Hansheng quickly investigated them thoroughly.
Then, report to the emperor.
The emperor sneered and circulated Zhou Hansheng's memorial to all civil and military officials in the court. He wanted to slap the faces of those who impeached Zhao Xiang.
The evidence was irrefutable, shocking everyone in the court. Those who had impeached Zhao Xiang for various reasons didn't find embarrassment a big deal. After all, who had made it to the court hadn't experienced ups and downs, and who hadn't developed a thick skin? Even if they were slapped in the face, it was nothing.
What terrified them was that Zhou Hansheng actually found out about the collusion between the Zhao clan leader and Concubine Yan Gui and the commoner Wen Limo Xinian. He even found out the letters they exchanged with each other and interrogated them. What else was there to say?
To curry favor with Wen Limo and his mother, the Zhao family deliberately attacked Master Zhao, leading to his expulsion from the clan. Afterwards, they even wrote a letter to Wen Limo, seeking credit for the deed and receiving a reward from him. They were colluding with the rebels! Master Zhao, what was wrong with not forgiving them?
No wonder the Zhao clan leader fell ill. He must be scared, right?
Anyone who dares to speak up for them at this time is siding with the rebels. Do they want to die and take their entire family with them?
They all secretly hated him. Were those people from the Zhao family crazy? How could they still keep such a traitorous letter from Wen Limo? Why didn't they destroy it immediately?
Little did they know that the Zhao clan leader had completely forgotten about the letter! He was completely preoccupied with Zhao Xiang's affairs. First, he was worried about Zhao Xiang's revenge, and then he wanted to recognize Zhao Xiang. He forgot everything else!
It was not until Zhou Hansheng's men found the letter and Wen Limo's thank-you gift that he suddenly remembered. He screamed and fainted on the spot.
This time, it was confirmed that he was sick.
I'm afraid I'm really going to get sick this time!
The Zhao family was turned upside down. Since they were involved in the rebellious party, no one dared to discuss it anymore, and no one had any right to say a word about Zhao Xiang and the Zhao family.
The emperor has long wanted to deal with the Zhao clan to vent his anger on Lord Zhao, and now the opportunity has come.
Let the Zhao family also suffer the punishment that Lord Zhao suffered. Anyone involved in treason would rather be killed than let off, and no one would say a word against the punishment, no matter how severe.
The emperor was still willing to show leniency to those ordinary members of the Zhao clan, and he knew that Lord Zhao would do the same.
Therefore, Zhou Hansheng leaked the news in advance, and the Zhao clan was also quick to act and make a prompt decision. Several clan elders united and without hesitation pulled down the Zhao clan leader and expelled his family from the clan.
When the verdict came down, only the Zhao clan leader and his family were exiled.
The family was exiled three thousand miles to the northwest.
The Emperor of Lingnan, whom Lord Zhao had served, refused to let them stay there.
The Zhao family cried and screamed, regretting their actions so much!
Unfortunately, it’s too late!
The judgment has been made and cannot be changed.
As for how they get to the Northwest, how they survive after arriving there, and whether they have the ability to turn things around, it all depends on themselves.
Zhao Xiang would not retaliate against them, but he would not sympathize with them or help them either.
After all, we have long been strangers who don't interfere with each other.
The Zhao clan also specifically told Zhao Xiang about this matter, with the intention of testing their luck: maybe Zhao Xiang would let out the anger in his heart and be willing to forgive them and return to the clan?
Of course, Zhao Xiang did not forgive him and did not return.
He did not meet anyone from the Zhao family, nor did he give any response.
The Zhao family finally gave up hope and didn't dare to disturb them anymore.
They were able to escape exile because Zhao Xiang had shown them mercy. If they were still dissatisfied, it would be hard to say what the consequences would be.
It would be a lie to say that I have no regrets, but it's too late now. Not everything can be done again.
Zhou Hansheng did not let go of those who spread rumors and shouted the loudest at the beginning. He arrested dozens of people one by one and would never let them off easily.
As for the Mi family, their collusion with the Zhao family and instigation of the Zhao family to cause trouble were also discovered.
Their selfish motives could not be hidden from the shrewd court officials, but such things could not be said openly, and no one mentioned them openly.
They didn't have much of a reputation to begin with, and now their reputation has become even worse.
What have they done for the eldest prince? Nothing!
In the past, I was afraid of being implicated, so I pretended not to know the existence of the eldest prince and stayed away from him. Now, I want to get involved in everything, but I don’t have the ability to do so!
On the other hand, Mr. Zhao.
Who in the court doesn't know what Lord Zhao has done for the Emperor and the First Prince? Even everyone in the capital knows it!
Instead of expressing their gratitude, they even went so far as to harm Lord Zhao in such a vicious way!
With such character, who would want to associate with them?
The Emperor issued an edict to reprimand Mi Fei's father, and took the opportunity to dismiss him from his official position, allowing him to retire at home. As for Mi Fei's elder and younger brothers, they were just minor officials, so insignificant that they were not worth worrying about, so they escaped the disaster.
The emperor rewarded and comforted the Zhao family generously.
At the same time, she took the opportunity to formally register the eldest prince as the queen's son. From then on, the eldest prince was the legitimate eldest son.
All the civil and military officials in the court congratulated him.
The court officials had nothing to say about this. After all, the Mi family was too dishonorable and too unworthy of the emperor. Since the emperor wanted to promote the eldest prince, it was indeed inappropriate for the eldest prince to have such an outsider.
Look at the Lu family. Even with Empress Lu in the harem, they remained respectful and honest, neither impetuous nor overbearing, and never caused any trouble. This is how the eldest prince's in-laws should be.
Empress Lü finally made up her mind. Whether one's status was fixed or not was no small matter. As the saying goes, if one's status is not right, then one's words will not flow.
From then on, she could discipline the eldest prince with full justification. However, Concubine Mi wanted to interfere, but she could not.
Of course, Empress Lu would not deliberately make things difficult for Concubine Mi. Concubine Mi was still treated the best in the harem except for her, and this would not change in the future.
That's all Concubine Komi has.
The privilege of the Mi family's female members to visit Concubine Mi twice a month was also abolished, and was reduced to only once. And because of the Mi family's mistake this time, the Empress issued an imperial decree that no female members of the Mi family were allowed to enter the palace for six months.
This incident also served as a warning to all the ministers and dignitaries in the court: Don't mess with Lord Zhao unless necessary! And don't try to use the eldest prince to stir up trouble!
Otherwise, you will be in trouble!
(End of this chapter)
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