Chapter 481 So, after hearing what you said, am I in the wrong?
Grand Tutor Yan was well aware that, for the Yan family, the most crucial point wasn't that the affair between the Duke of Chu and Prince Rui had been exposed, but rather that Yan Fengxi had been instigated by Zhu Junning. But would the Emperor believe that Yan Fengxi had been instigated?
Even if one believes it, the fact remains that Yan Fengxi colluded with Zhu Junning. And in the Emperor's eyes, the Prince of Lingnan was a traitor.
"Grand Tutor Yan!" Marquis Anyuan's voice rang out, "Don't worry about Yu'er being angry. In the current situation, every mistake could lead to total defeat. Yu'er is working tirelessly every day to guard against the Lingnan King's faction taking advantage of any loopholes, but she never expected that the loophole would appear in your residence."
Grand Tutor Yan was overwhelmed with shame and could no longer support himself. Yan Fenghua quickly stepped forward to support him, and Yan Fengju also bowed deeply to Jiang Yu, saying sincerely, "Yan Fengxi died suddenly after returning to the manor today, but my Yan family will not shirk responsibility. We will explain the whole story to the Emperor."
"We are deeply ashamed of our intrusion into your residence, as it was Yan Fengxi's doing. We do not ask for the Duke of Chu's forgiveness, but only hope that the Duke of Chu can give the Yan family a chance. From now on, the Yan family will follow your lead."
The phrase "following their lead" made Grand Tutor Yan stiffen. He was a Grand Tutor of the dynasty, and his previous cooperation with the Duke of Chu's mansion was mutually beneficial, with no distinction between them. In fact, because of his age, the Duke of Chu even showed him some respect.
Yan Fenghua felt his stiffness and tightened her grip on his hand. Grand Tutor Yan gave a bitter smile and bowed to Jiang Yu again, saying, "Yes, from now on, my Yan family will follow the lead of the Duke of Chu."
Jiang Yu's expression softened somewhat; she was aware of the Yan family's situation. Leaving aside Grand Tutor Yan, both Yan Fengju and Yan Fenghua were reasonable people, and it seemed there was no discord between them. As long as the Yan family could overcome this current hurdle, their future could be glorious for decades to come.
Grand Tutor Yan held considerable weight in the Emperor's heart, and he decisively dealt with Yan Fengxi. Overcoming this hurdle wouldn't be too difficult for the Yan family, and she didn't need to continue treating them coldly. Her actions just now were meant to serve as a warning to the Yan family, reminding them that they must never produce someone like Yan Fengxi again.
To put it bluntly, the way Grand Tutor Yan dealt with Yan Fengxi before was too lenient; otherwise, the Yan family wouldn't be in this predicament now.
She stood up, walked to Grand Tutor Yan, helped him up, and said in a calm voice, "I am going to the palace to meet the Emperor. Would you like to come with me, Grand Tutor?"
Grand Tutor Yan was taken aback, then immediately agreed, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. Given the Duke of Chu's style, she was unlikely to be in a passive position in her dealings with Prince Rui. Thus, with the Duke of Chu's approval, things wouldn't be too difficult with Prince Rui.
He was filled with remorse. If he had known that Yan Fengxi might bring disaster to the family, he should have dealt with him decisively. Otherwise, how could the Yan family have suffered such a calamity?
He followed behind Jiang Yu, supported by Yan Fenghua as they walked out. He glanced at the tall, straight back ahead, sighed again, and whispered to Yan Fenghua, "I heard that the third young lady of the Duke of Chu's mansion died suddenly?"
Yan Fenghua nodded. "Yes, there is such news."
Grand Tutor Yan gave a wry smile, "I'm still too soft-hearted!"
Yan Fenghua pursed her lips, then said in a low voice, "The Duke of Chu is different from you. She has only been back in the manor for a few years. How deep can her feelings for her half-sister be?"
Grand Tutor Yan waved his hand, "When something goes wrong, you should look for your own shortcomings, not excuses."
Yan Fenghua was taken aback for a moment, then immediately replied, "Yes, grandson remembers."
Grand Tutor Yan glanced at Jiang Yu's retreating figure again, and sighed inwardly once more. They were about the same age, yet his grandson was already much older than her.
After leaving the Duke of Chu's mansion, they each boarded their own sedan chairs and headed towards the palace. Upon arrival, they presented their credentials, and the imperial guards at the palace gate couldn't help but glance at Jiang Yu a few more times, while inwardly thinking, "No wonder she's the number one female official of the Great Qian Dynasty; even the Prince Rui, who's at the pinnacle of power, has been won over by her."
Jiang Yu paid no heed to their gazes, accepted the returned token, and stepped into the palace, with Grand Tutor Yan following closely behind. Along the way, Jiang Yu felt frequent glances directed at her, and sighed inwardly; no matter where one was, scandalous news was always the most intriguing.
She soon arrived outside the Imperial Study and saw Zhao Fuquan waiting there. Upon seeing her, Zhao Fuquan quickly bowed to her, his voice much more lively than usual. Jiang Yu pursed her lips helplessly and cupped her hands in greeting, saying, "This humble official requests an audience with His Majesty. I hope you will inform him of your presence."
"Alright, you wait here." Zhao Fuquan responded and went inside, and then the emperor's cold snort came from inside, "Let her in."
Jiang Yu straightened her official robes, stepped inside, and knelt before the emperor's desk. The emperor, holding a teacup, looked down at her and asked, "What is this, Minister Jiang?"
Jiang Yu kowtowed with both hands on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I have come to be scolded by you."
"Ha!" The Emperor was almost amused by his anger. "You've tried to outsmart me! You think that by admitting your mistakes, I'll grant your request? Jiang Yu, do you think that just because you've rendered some service to the court, I'll back down for you?"
The emperor grabbed the roll of plain silk and threw it in front of Jiang Yu, his voice sharp and piercing, "This is the preparation you made in advance, isn't it!"
Jiang Yu kowtowed, head bowed, respectfully accepting the emperor's wrath. The more respectful she was, the angrier the emperor became. He walked around the table to Jiang Yu, squatted down, and said coldly, "Do you know how disappointed you have been in my life?"
Jiang Yu trembled slightly, but remained silent. The emperor stood up, looking down at her. "Speak! Aren't you very eloquent?"
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed." Jiang Yu's voice was choked with emotion, and the emperor snorted heavily in response.
Jiang Yu raised his head, glanced at the emperor's gloomy face, and then lowered his head and said, "When I was young, I left home and when I returned, my home was surrounded by enemies. There were hidden enemies outside who wanted to kill my Chu State Duke's Mansion, and there was no one to carry on the family line inside. My grandfather was exhausted and could not sleep every day, dragging his sick body to maintain the superficial glory of the Chu State Duke's Mansion."
Hearing her mention the old Duke of Chu, the emperor's expression softened slightly. Jiang Yu continued, "My grandfather, seeing my courage and talent, boldly wanted to recommend me, a woman, to serve in the court. I still remember his words. He said that since the founding of the Great Gan Dynasty, very few women have served in the court, and in recent decades, not a single one has."
It is unconventional for a woman to serve as an official, but His Majesty is enlightened and virtuous, so perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. My grandfather and I did not have many expectations at the time, but Your Majesty has given me the opportunity to serve in the court as a woman. I thought then and there that only by doing my utmost to serve Your Majesty and the court well, and by maintaining the loyalty of the Duke of Chu's family for generations, could I repay Your Majesty's kindness.”
The emperor's expression softened considerably. In truth, what he desired most was Jiang Yu's loyalty. As long as Jiang Yu remained loyal and showed no interest in seizing the Qin family's throne, nothing else mattered.
Jiang Yu wiped away her tears with her sleeve and continued, "Your Majesty raised Prince Rui. I know that you have poured a lot of affection and effort into Prince Rui. Only an enlightened and magnanimous person like Your Majesty could raise such an outstanding Prince Rui."
"Hmph!" The emperor snorted again, but this snort carried a hint of approval and pride.
Jiang Yu pressed on, "Although I am an official in the court, I am still a woman. How could I not be moved by Prince Rui, whom you have taught, after so many interactions with him? I... I am indeed lacking in self-control, and I am attracted by Prince Rui's talent. I dare to say that this is also because you are so good at teaching, and that you have taught Prince Rui to be so outstanding."
.........
The air was a little cool on an autumn evening.
Grand Tutor Yan, his hair now gray, stood nervously outside the Imperial Study. The gradually cooling weather made him shiver slightly. He heard the conversation inside the Imperial Study with exceptional clarity. Then came a wry smile and admiration.
Jiang Yu's words were quite remarkable. First, he sincerely recounted the past of the Duke of Chu's mansion, mentioning the old Duke of Chu and reminding the emperor of the old Duke's past assistance to him. Then, he directly and appropriately flattered the emperor, while also expressing his loyalty.
The latter half of the praise for Prince Rui was even more blatant, but what elder doesn't like to hear their child being praised? In the end, Jiang Yu's blatant flattery was so obvious that even outside the Imperial Study, Grand Tutor Yan could feel the Emperor's upturned lips.
He sighed deeply in his heart, truly feeling ashamed of his own inferiority!
Zhao Fuquan, however, maintained a smile. Having served the emperor for many years, he knew him intimately. The Duke of Chu had it all figured out.
Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor was truly pleased by Jiang Yu's last words: "This is also because you are such a good teacher, raising Prince Rui to be so outstanding."
This is outrageous!
"So, you've made your point, and now it seems I'm in the wrong?" the emperor sneered.
Jiang Yu kowtowed again, "No, it's because I lack self-control, it's because Your Majesty is too good at teaching, and it's because His Highness Prince Rui is too outstanding."
"Heh!" The emperor pointed at her, "I have never seen such a eloquent and persuasive person as you."
Jiang Yu picked up the plain silk in front of him, held it above his head with both hands, and said earnestly, "I admit that I am somewhat shallow in talent and wisdom. Your Majesty's kindness to me and the Duke of Chu's Mansion is as heavy as a mountain. Only by being loyal to the Duke of Chu's Mansion for generations can we repay this kindness. I will also do my best to assist Your Majesty in creating a prosperous era."
Her renewed declaration of loyalty truly resonated with the emperor. His greatest fear was that if Jiang Yu married Prince Rui, she would use Prince Rui to usurp the Qin family's throne.
However, he had to admit the generations of loyalty of the Duke of Chu's family. When the founding emperor took away the Duke of Chu's military power, putting them in a difficult situation, the Duke of Chu's family never harbored any thoughts of rebellion. Later, the old Duke of Chu, needless to say, provided them and his mother with much assistance.
Since entering officialdom, Jiang Yu has been diligent and conscientious in her work, handling each matter with meticulous care. The Xie family fell at her hands, and now, in eliminating the Lingnan Prince's Mansion, she is an indispensable force. More importantly...
The emperor's gaze fell upon the plain silk handkerchief held aloft by Jiang Yu, his expression hardening. He reached out and took the silk, then turned and sat back down behind his desk. His fingers tapped the silk, which bore the weight of his grand ambitions, for a moment before he asked, "What is your opinion on this matter?"
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