Chapter 93
The day before the trial in the capital, Wei Luo went through the entire list of interview reports and evaluation comments, and compiled an evaluation report based on the officials' daily performance.
Compared to those from the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate, this report contained far fewer of the Grand Secretary's cronies.
As an inspector, Wei Luo avoided direct interference in politics; therefore, his inspection reports were merely horizontal comparisons and did not have administrative effect.
On the day of the court hearing, the Ministry and the Supreme Court announced the results of the evaluation of all officials in the capital below the fifth rank:
Thirty people were elderly or ill;
Ten people were greedy and cruel;
Six people were involved in the protest;
Ninety people were careless;
Thirty-nine people were restless;
Thirty-two people were less capable than him.
Although the emperor was seriously ill, he still attached great importance to the important matter of the capital inspection. As soon as the inspection report was submitted, the emperor sensed that it was biased. The father and son were in sync on this point.
Meanwhile, upon seeing that most of his cronies were on the list after the results were announced, the Grand Secretary was furious. He immediately launched a counterattack against the Beijing Inspection.
On that day, a secret report was presented to the emperor, which stated that there were many corrupt officials in the Imperial Censorate, and that the chief inspector must be engaging in favoritism and malpractice.
The emperor was extremely sensitive to the abuse of power and factionalism, and immediately questioned the officials in charge of the censorate and the academy, "Are there so many incompetent officials in the censorate and the academy, are they all unworthy?"
The emperor chose to keep the memorial for investigation in the palace and not issue it.
*
The warm pavilion of Qixiang Palace was filled with the bitter smell of medicinal soup.
When Wei Luo entered, the emperor had just drunk his traditional Chinese medicine, which was being served by Prince Xi, Wei Xun.
Upon seeing the Crown Prince enter, Wei Xun greeted him with a smile, saying, "Your Highness."
Wei Luo walked in, gave a casual "hmm," and said, "Third brother, you're here quite early today."
Wei Xun smiled and said, "Your Majesty's health is not good, how could I, your younger brother, dare not be diligent? It is Your Highness who has been rarely seen lately."
Wei Luo frowned, glanced at the emperor, and seeing that the emperor seemed displeased, quickly explained, "It's just the capital inspection, which concerns the affairs of the nation. How could I dare to be negligent?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Xun immediately clapped his hands and said, "Your Highness is indeed diligent in governing and loves the people. Since Your Highness is the ruler and busy with state affairs, I will take care of the filial duties at the bedside of the ruler and father."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Luo was immediately furious, his eyebrows twitching several times. Just as he was about to refute him, the emperor interrupted, saying, "Sanlang, you go out first. I have something to say to the Crown Prince."
Wei Xun quickly bowed and said, "Yes."
As she left, she winked at Wei Luo, making Wei Luo's throat hurt with anger.
The emperor asked Wei Luo, "How do you feel about having me supervise the capital's inspections?"
Seeing that the emperor seemed displeased, Wei Luo cautiously replied, "I believe that there may be some favoritism or corruption involved in this imperial examination."
"Oh, really?"
The emperor was slightly surprised by Wei Luo's frankness.
Wei Luo lowered his head, took out the investigation report from his sleeve, and handed it to the eunuch to present.
The emperor opened it and, by the candlelight, flipped through it. He saw it was another inspection report, then looked up and asked, "What is this?"
"A few days ago, the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate compiled the investigation report. When I first looked at the list of personnel, I found some problems. So I spent several days reviewing the investigation report and comments with Vice Minister Guo of the Ministry of Rites and Principal Xu of the Ministry of Justice. That's how Your Majesty got this investigation report."
After listening, the emperor nodded and then ordered someone to bring the reports from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice so that he could review them together.
After a short while, the emperor said, "Your copy is missing many officials from the censorate."
"When I judge whether an official is competent, I do not do so based on personal feelings, but rather on his political achievements and character. I have a clear conscience."
"What a fine example of having a clear conscience and being upright and honest."
The emperor's emotions got the better of him, and he immediately started coughing. A eunuch handed him a handkerchief, but the emperor waved it away, closed the two inspection reports, and handed them to the eunuch.
He said, "If I remember correctly, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice seems to have had a disagreement with you, but I didn't expect you to be so magnanimous."
“I did have some shortcomings in my past actions. As a censor, he was not afraid of being impeached by powerful officials, which shows his dedication. I have no complaints, only admiration.”
The Emperor said, "What about Censor Zhang of the Censorate? I remember he and your teacher, Vice Minister Guo, were enemies."
"Although Vice Minister Guo is my mentor, the capital inspection is an official matter, and even Vice Minister Guo would never use it to do anything underhanded."
After hearing this, the emperor beckoned to Wei Luo.
As Wei Luo approached, the emperor smiled and took the crown prince's wrist, saying with a smile in his eyes, "Well done, you didn't disappoint me."
Wei Luo suddenly looked up, his face showing undisguised surprise. In his memory, this seemed to be the first time he had received praise from the emperor.
It is an honor for the son to gain his father's approval, and even more so for the father.
A surge of emotion welled up within him, and he smiled at the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
The emperor patted his hand and said, “You are the crown prince, and your every word and action is under scrutiny. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and rulers should take this as a warning.”
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have remembered what you said."
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave. I'm tired and need to rest."
After Wei Luo left, only the emperor and Chen Zhen, the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the emperor's confidant, remained in the room.
The emperor asked him, "Do you think the crown prince's actions were out of genuine courage or feigned benevolence?"
Chen Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and replied, "Your Highness is intelligent, quick-witted, and of pure and filial character—"
"I asked you to speak of the Crown Prince's actions," the Emperor interrupted impatiently. "The Censorate and the Imperial Academy investigated so many people. If they were truly fair, why would Liu Zhengxin have submitted a secret report to me? It is clear that there are indeed problems with the capital investigation."
"Now it's all good. The Crown Prince has submitted his own investigation report. Even if there are problems with the capital inspection, it will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Personnel, and will not implicate the Crown Prince. If there are no problems, I will proceed according to the investigation report, which will ultimately benefit the Crown Prince."
The emperor sighed, and after speaking his mind, he didn't let Chen Zhen reply. He simply said, "Send someone to investigate the Crown Prince's recent actions to see if he has formed any factions. No, Chen Zhen, you go and investigate personally, and make sure it's accurate."
Chen Zhen said "Yes," and then went down in a huff.
Meanwhile, after bidding farewell to the emperor, Wei Luo returned directly to the Eastern Palace.
Unexpectedly, Xu Xuan was waiting for him.
Xu Xuan asked for half a day off, citing the reason that he needed to go home to visit his father.
Although he knew it was probably just an excuse, since the excuse was to fulfill his filial duty, Wei Luo couldn't stop him any longer and said, "Master Xu has been working hard these past few days, I'll send someone to see you off."
Without giving Xu Xuan a chance to refuse, he directly dispatched the Eastern Palace Guards, ostensibly to escort him, but in reality to escort him. He even specifically instructed the guards, "You must personally escort Master Xu back to the Xu family."
Xu Xuan had no choice but to thank him through tears.
But rules are rigid, people are flexible.
As soon as he returned to the Xu family home, he slipped out through the back door and rode his horse to the Shen family home.
Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the Shen family home, no one was there. Upon asking, they learned that Master Shen had taken his wife and daughters to the Duke of Xin's mansion that day.
He was greatly surprised and paced anxiously in the courtyard. As time passed, he became increasingly anxious. After weighing his options, he decided to go to the Duke's Mansion to find Shen Yao in person.
There's a saying that feelings are cultivated. He didn't believe it before because he still had family and loved ones. But now, perhaps he's too lonely, or perhaps he's only learned to cherish things after losing them.
Now, his longing for Shen Yao, for his wife whom he hadn't seen for several days, had reached its peak.
The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone slabs as they approached the gate of the Duke's mansion.
When the gatekeeper saw Xu Xuan, dressed in official robes, arrive, he hurried inside to announce his arrival.
Shen Yao was waiting for him in the front hall.
Upon seeing that beautiful figure, Xu Xuan's heart involuntarily quickened, and her throat tightened slightly. In an instant, a mix of joy and grievance flowed through her entire body.
I was happy to see her, but also saddened that I hadn't seen her for so long.
Actually, it seems he misses her.
Compared to Xu Xuan's complex emotions, Shen Yao seemed much more reserved. She was only thinking about what Xu Xuan would do upon his return. Therefore, after exchanging greetings, Shen Yao looked at the tall and imposing man and cautiously asked, "Why are you here?"
Xu Xuan retorted, "Aren't you happy that I'm back?"
Shen Yao was taken aback, and hesitated before asking, "Happy...what?"
In an instant, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, Xu Xuan's heart sank. When he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of annoyance. He gritted his teeth and said, "I came back specifically to see you."
Shen Yao was stunned, staring at him speechlessly for a long time.
Xu Xuan was even angrier when he saw this, and wished he could teach her a lesson right away.
He slowly moved closer, wanting to get closer to the girl, but Shen Yao was still too cautious. As if avoiding a plague, she would take a step back for every step he took.
Xu Xuan said angrily, "Why are you backing away?"
Shen Yao said, "Then why are you getting closer? Just say what you have to say. I'm not going to run away."
Xu Xuan scoffed, "Can't you run? You seem pretty good at running."
Shen Yao pursed her lips and didn't answer.
Seeing this, Xu Xuan didn't press her further, but simply asked, "What brings you to the Duke's mansion?"
"Father said he came to discuss my eldest brother's marriage."
"Isn't Miss Zhao in mourning? Even if you've discussed it, what good will it do? You won't be able to get married anytime soon."
Shen Yao said, "What can I say if Father is coming? Besides, we are meeting you... Liu Shi, not the Duke."
Xu Xuan was stunned for a moment, as if a string in his heart had suddenly been plucked, causing his emotions to surge.
Seeing that his expression had finally changed, Shen Yao quickly said, "Do you want to see your biological mother?"
Xu Xuan sneered, "I've seen it before, and now I don't want to see it anymore."
Shen Yao turned her gaze and repeatedly advised, "But she is, after all, your biological mother. Perhaps she wants to acknowledge you, but as an elder, she finds it difficult to say so—"
"Chen Yao, shut up." Xu Xuan interrupted abruptly, his face contorted with rage. "Is it any of your business whether I acknowledge my relatives or not? As a wife, you should be devoted to your husband and raise your children. Ask yourself honestly, have you done that?"
Shen Yao glared at him, instantly becoming furious. "I knew it! My good intentions were taken for granted. Xu Xuan, if I ever interfere in your affairs again, I'll change my name."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Xu Xuan's expression changed, and he quickly grabbed her sleeve, shouting, "Stop! Did I say you could leave?"
Shen Yao angrily said, "Let go."
As the two were struggling, a servant ran in from outside. Seeing the two entangled, he was embarrassed for a moment, but then stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said urgently, "Master Xu, Madam Shen, please stop here! Something terrible has happened."
The impatient tone immediately calmed the two down, and Shen Yao hurriedly asked, "What's the big deal?"
The servant replied, "How would I know? Master Shen only said that something big has happened."
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