Chapter 89 Chapter 89 Jinjiang First Release
Chapter 89
Council Hall, Grand Court Meeting.
On the rosewood table with tortoise-back patterns, there was a pile of memorials impeaching Pei Yuan, the Minister of the Guest Department.
These official documents clearly stated that Pei Yuan had been disrespectful and neglectful of foreign officials during his several visits to the vassal states. He even repeatedly concealed tributes from the Western Regions, pocketed them, and embezzled government funds.
Now that the evidence of his guilt was irrefutable, the imperial censors and remonstrators who supervised all officials denounced Pei for his contempt for propriety and blasphemy against the majesty of the emperor. Several old officials even knelt in front of the palace with great fanfare, eager for the emperor to declare his guilt and punish him.
Cui Jue took a deep breath and shouted angrily, "Pei Yuan, how dare you!"
All the officials knew that Pei was attached to Xie Xiuming and was a powerful general under Xie's party.
If Cui Jue were to attack Pei Yuan, he would be breaking Xie Xiuming's bones and trying to humiliate Xie Xianggong...
However, Xie Xiuming was actually a founding hero, and he assisted in government affairs for many years when the Cui family first took power, and was Cui Jue's right-hand man.
They even heard that the Cui family was planning to let the eldest son of the Xie family marry the princess. If that was the case, they would be relatives in the future, so why would Cui Jue target the officials of the Xie party?
Could it be that, as the rumors in the market say, those collections of essays and poems that slandered Cui Jue were really written by the literati of the Xie family, so Cui Jue held a grudge and attempted to expel the literati of the Xie family from the court?
The ministers all lowered their heads in silence, their minds racing with thoughts and calculations.
There are those who are afraid of being dragged down by the Xie family;
There are also people who are eager to try, hoping that after Xie Dang is brought down, there will be vacancies so that they can rise to the top in the future.
On the imperial table, Cui Jue, wearing a formal dress with black flower and dragon pattern, held the official documents in his palm and flipped through them page by page.
With each page, the man's cold and sharp eyes lowered an inch, and the aura around him was solemn and murderous, and it was clear that a storm was about to come.
Upon seeing this, the ministers lowered their heads and said nothing, fearing that if they made a mistake they would bring bad luck upon the king and lose their heads in court.
It was clear that yesterday they were still drinking and enjoying themselves in the hunting ground, with both the king and his ministers having a great time.
However, overnight, the officials of the Xie Party were in a miserable state of "being blown by the wind and rain, and the building was about to collapse."
All the civil and military officials were testing Cui Jue's attitude to see whether he would take action against these founding heroes or let them go.
But it was obvious that Cui Jue had always been a violent person, and he could not tolerate any injustice. He frowned and shouted "Damn it", then slammed the memorial in his hand heavily on Pei Yuan's face, leaving a bloody line on his plain face!
Pei Yuan was injured on his face and bowed his head in pain, crying out that he was wronged.
But Cui Jue turned a deaf ear to him and hurried down the jade steps, cursing loudly, "How dare you, Pei Yuan! I, considering the Pei family's long history of nobility, have entrusted you with such an important task. Yet, you have shown none of the loyalty and patriotism of our ancestors, and have resorted to such despicable acts of scheming and corruption. You should be ashamed to face our ancestors in the grave!"
Pei was once one of the retainers of Cui's family in Wudong, and had always been devoted to Cui.
However, hundreds of years passed, and the Pei family benefited from the Cui family's favor and gradually became a prominent family in Jianye County. They then established their own family and distanced themselves from the Cui family.
It can be said that without the Cui family, there would be no Pei family's current glory.
The old ministers who knew about this past event guessed that Cui Jue scolded Pei in court not only to punish Pei Yuan, but also to deliberately divert the blame and implicate Xie.
After all, Pei Yuan abandoned the Cui family and switched to the Xie Party. He was loyal to Xie Xiuming and was also suspected of betraying his master.
In other words, Cui Jue punished Pei Yuan severely, not only with the profound meaning of "warning all officials and making a warning", but also perhaps with the intention of warning everyone present - if you betray the Cui family and become a dog that betrays its master, you will surely die without a burial place!
Because the emperor was furious, a large number of ministers immediately knelt in the court.
When an official under Xie Xiuming was beaten, he, as a member of his party, had to help plead for mercy so as not to disappoint others.
Thinking of this, Xie Xiuming lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, pleading with Cui Jue for mercy: "Your Majesty, Minister Pei has served as an official for many years, always loyal to his duties and dedicated to his integrity. It is absolutely impossible for him to knowingly break the law. This case is full of doubts, and I beg Your Majesty to examine it carefully."
Upon hearing this, Cui Jue glanced at the ministers, his eyes glaring like an eagle, his piercing gaze snarling, "If he were a loyal man, how could he have offered nothing but 'unjustly accused' as a defense? This guilty minister, Pei Yuanse, has indulged in alcoholism and extravagance, and this is not just a few instances. I, in recognition of his loyalty, have suppressed numerous memorials, yet he refuses to change! Now he has caused a catastrophe, bringing disgrace to the entire aristocratic family! I am committed to the country and cannot tolerate or shield him any longer! And yet, Lord Xie... the Xie family prides itself on a family tradition of poetry and rites, yet today they allow such an evil act of deceiving the emperor to occur?! Xie Xiuming, have you abused your power too much and forgotten your roots?!"
Cui Jue's brows were furious, his eyes were filled with anger, and veins were bulging on his forehead. It was obvious that he was extremely angry at these parasites that were harming the country.
He actually called the old minister by his name and had a falling out with Mr. Xie. Such discord between the monarch and his minister was extremely rare.
Everyone looked at each other, as quiet as quails, and no one dared to plead for Pei Yuan anymore.
Even Xie Xiuming opened his old eyes slightly and cried out, "Your Majesty, you are wronged. We have always been loyal to the Cui family!"
After Xie Xiuming cried out these words, he remained silent for a long time... He vaguely sensed that something was wrong and knew that Cui Jue had finally lost his patience.
Even with the literary inquisition, Xie couldn't force Cui Jue to yield and marry Xie Qinghan. This shows that he was determined to oppose Xie...
When a cornered dog jumps over the wall, Xie Xiuming finally touched Cui Jue's sore spot.
Cui Jue was already furious. He didn't care about anything and wanted to use the Xie family as a warning to others, to warn his ministers to be loyal to the Cui family and not to follow in the footsteps of the Xie family.
How could he let Cui Jue get what he wanted!
Xie Xiuming lowered his brows and eyes, swallowing the humiliation. He cursed inwardly, "Cui Jue, you arrogant brat! How dare you bully the nobles like this! This boy has become a running dog of the common people, repeatedly abandoned after his efforts have failed. He has already incurred public wrath. Without the support of the nobles, he would never have been able to hold on to this supreme throne!"
Xie Xiuming's palms were hidden in his wide and flowing official robes, and gradually curled into fists. He had a plan in mind.
Xie couldn't bear it any longer.
-
Cui Jue was inexplicably angry today. Many ministers could not guess the emperor's intention, so they went to Chen Heng to try to dig out some inside information from him.
Chen Heng had just finished training his troops in the light cavalry camp and was stopped halfway before he could rush to Cuijiawu Fort.
As a military general, he usually had nothing to do and did not need to stay in the hall. When he heard about this lawsuit today, he thought that Cui Jue was making some big move.
Before Chen Heng reined in his horse, he saw Cui Jue changing into a clean and tidy green robe and riding a red horse slowly down the mountain from afar.
"Your Majesty, where are you going?" Chen Heng raised his whip and stopped him loudly.
Cui Jue, holding the reins, glanced over at the words and asked, "What's the matter?"
Chen Heng has known Cui Jue for many years. Although he knows that Cui Jue is shrewd and cunning, he can still see some clues from that cold and dead face.
Now I looked at Cui Jue closely, but found that Cui Jue was extremely calm and not that unhappy, but also a little confused.
Cui Jue was seen going out late at night, having removed the jade pendant from his waist and the jade crown from his hair, and only loosely tied his hair with a river green hairband. He looked refreshing, elegant, and of unrestrained character, and it was obvious that he was going to meet a beautiful woman in private.
Chen Heng said meaningfully, "Are you going to look for Sister Su?"
Cui Jue remained silent, only glancing at the moon hanging high in the distance before saying, "If you have nothing else to do, please make way."
This is like forgetting friends for the sake of beauty. I don't want to talk to him at all.
Chen Heng was furious, but he held back his anger and asked, "Why are you thinking of punishing Pei Yuan today?"
Cui Jue said calmly, "Those who are guilty must be punished."
With such a high-sounding reason, Chen Heng couldn't say anything else.
He couldn't get any clear answer, so he could only step aside to make way.
Cui Jue didn't want to delay at all. He tapped the horse's belly lightly and urged Chixia to leave the city quickly.
Chen Heng wanted to chase after him to see what was going on, but thinking that Cui Jue would not recognize anyone when he was angry, he decided to stay out of his own business.
But no one knows when Su Li will finally give in and allow Cui Jue to bring the person back to his side and settle him down. Even if he occasionally comes to the fort to stay for a night, it is better than the king of a country sneaking out every night and meeting with the person outside like a mistress.
-
When Su Li returned to Meihua Village, the moon was already at its highest point in the sky.
She hadn't been home for two days. When she went back, she went to the market and bought some rice cakes and jujube paste cakes. If she mixed them with the bag of winter melon candy and gave them to Yuan Ge'er to try, it wouldn't seem too abrupt.
As soon as the ox cart arrived at the door, Mrs. Hu shouted, "Is Sanniang back?"
Su Li smiled and responded: "It's me! Have you eaten yet? I bought some food, let's try it together."
Mrs. Hu quickly washed her hands and came over to help her carry the things.
After chatting for a few words, Mrs. Hu seemed to remember something and smiled at Su Li, "I forgot to tell you, your brother is here to see you!"
"Brother?" Su Li was stunned for a moment, obviously not reacting.
Soon, a high-pitched and powerful voice of "Sister" rang out from the room. She recognized the tone and revealed a hint of joy: "Ayin, you're here!"
Lin Yin rushed out of the house, holding a crab with its claws and teeth bared in his hand. It was obvious that he had just been helping Mrs. Hu cook in the yard!
The young man used to be the boss of a bandit camp, and later he joined the army for training. He also lived with Su Li for a while. He ate almost everything his sister fed him. Now he has grown tall and strong, and looks very powerful.
Lin Yin hadn't visited Su Li for half a year. Since it was a rare opportunity for him to come back, he naturally had to buy some food to reward his sister.
This basket of fresh crabs was specially brought back by Lin Yin from the fishing village, specifically for Su Li to taste.
Su Li and Lin Yin have a close relationship. During the three years of her seclusion, she was the only relative who stayed by her side.
She hadn't seen Lin Yin for a long time and was very excited.
Su Li was just about to jump off the ox cart to pinch the young man's strong arm bones to see if he had become stronger.
As soon as she stretched out her hand, a cold and low cry came from behind Su Li.
"Sanniang..."
The man's voice was as clear as ice, hoarse and cold, and very pleasant to hear.
Su Li recognized the voice, was startled, and looked back in surprise.
She saw another man with a cold and sinister figure standing outside the courtyard.
It was Cui Jue with a bad look on his face.
For some reason, as soon as Su Li saw Cui Jue, she recalled the passionate sex scene last night.
It was because she was bewitched by Cui Jue's beautiful and charming face that she made such a big mistake.
He was allowed to enter with his body covered.
The snow foam that had accumulated over the years splashed towards her in balls.
Su Li suddenly felt her lower abdomen sore and her feet felt weak.
Su Li subconsciously pressed her slender waist, which was covered with purple finger marks on her clothes, and thought that something was wrong with today's situation.
How did Lin Yin and Cui Jue come into conflict?
Su Li was in a state of panic.
Lin Yin knew very well that Su Li was imprisoned by Cui Jue three years ago and could not avoid him.
Su Li had clearly escaped from the clutches of the devil and had been hiding outside for three whole years, but she was still entangled with Cui Jue in an ambiguous relationship. It was really unbelievable.
Just as Su Li was about to explain, Lin Yin stepped forward and protected her behind him.
Lin Yin raised his arm and used his body to separate the two men, blocking Cui Jue's attack.
Lin Yin turned around and soothed her gently, "Don't be afraid of him, sister. I will protect you."
Su Li's sight was instantly blocked by a tall figure. She was flustered and quickly stuck her head out to look at Cui Jue.
As expected, the man's face darkened again for a moment.
Cui Jue stood still for a long time, staring at Su Li, as if trying to see any trace of panic and helplessness on her face.
But Su Li was just surprised, and she didn't look guilty at all.
Cui Jue's blood ran cold, and he felt a surge of anger instinctively. The overwhelming emotion was like a heavy stone pressing down on his chest, making it almost impossible to breathe.
The anger Cui Jue got when he was confronting the old ministers in court today was not as unbearable and depressed as he is now.
The man's dark eyes were cold and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
After a long time, Cui Jue took a step closer to Su Li and said coldly, "Sanniang, come here."
Cui Jue waited quietly without saying a word.
He hoped that Su Li would choose him.
Only in this way could he suppress the strong murderous intent that had already emerged.
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