Fourth Master was troubled by Lanqin's anger, but Lanqin refused to see him, and Fourth Master was at a loss.
On this day, several ministers and officials came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with the Emperor.
Fourth Master felt a chill run down his spine, thinking that something big was about to happen.
As expected, the Fourth Master had them summoned. Upon seeing the Fourth Master, they kowtowed and performed a grand ceremony.
The leading official immediately stepped forward and addressed the Fourth Prince:
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Long live the Emperor! I have a matter to report to Your Majesty. Nian Gengyao has forcibly taken a woman from the local area as a concubine, causing widespread discontent. I urge Your Majesty to investigate and deal with this matter to uphold the dignity of the army!"
Upon hearing this, several officials whispered among themselves and exchanged knowing glances.
Fourth Prince knew that Nian Gengyao had been acting recklessly in the garrison area, and deliberately indulged him so that one day someone would use him as leverage against him. Only Thirteenth Prince knew this.
Everyone was talking at once, but the Fourth Prince remained calm and expressionless as he watched the ministers discuss the matter.
Sure enough, someone else stepped forward shortly after and said, "Your Majesty, I have also heard that General Nian has been illegally enclosing land and building a residence in the garrison area. Although it is a minor matter, the general's land grabbing is still a violation of the law, and Your Majesty must investigate..."
The Fourth Prince's expression was subtle, neither clearly anger nor joy. He asked slowly, staring at the jade tablet on the table, "General Nian has always been upright and unscrupulous. Could it be that his reputation has been exaggerated or misrepresented?"
A minister stood up indignantly and said passionately, "Your Majesty, I have heard that General Nian, relying on Your Majesty's favor, has been ruthless and unscrupulous in the garrison area. As the saying goes, a general in the field is not free to disobey orders, but this country belongs to Your Majesty and the people of the Qing Dynasty, not to Nian Gengyao alone."
The Fourth Prince shifted his posture and said coldly, "General Nian has always been a highly decorated general, and I have been somewhat lenient with him, but it's not as serious as you're making it out to be."
The Fourth Prince's face was tense, but his words still implied that he was intentionally protecting Nian Gengyao.
Knowing that the Fourth Prince might not listen to reason right now, the ministers continued, "Is Your Majesty aware of General Nian's unauthorized recruitment of soldiers? Throughout history, no general has ever been allowed to possess an army without permission. This is extremely disrespectful to the court and to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty continues to let this go unchecked, it will surely become a major problem in the future."
From that moment on, more and more people stood up to impeach Nian Gengyao, accusing him of everything from illegally recruiting soldiers to petty corruption and bribery. None of these were minor offenses, let alone trivial details like bullying the common people or taking concubines. All of Nian Gengyao's misdeeds were exposed at once, and the Fourth Prince accepted the memorials one by one, but made no reaction.
When the time was almost up, the Fourth Prince dismissed everyone with a single sentence: "I am tired. Let's talk another day..." Although the officials were unwilling to give up and wanted to stay and continue speaking, they were all turned away by the Fourth Prince. No one could see what the Fourth Prince was thinking at that moment, nor did they dare to forcefully offer any more advice or persuasion, so they all had no choice but to leave.
After everyone had left, the Fourth Prince began to open the memorials and carefully examine them one by one.
Su Peisheng dared not disturb him, dismissed everyone, and stayed with the Fourth Master alone until late at night. Although the Fourth Master did not speak, his expression revealed anger and resentment.
Su Peisheng stayed with the Fourth Prince until late at night, and in the end, the Fourth Prince specially summoned the Thirteenth Prince to the palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
