Chapter 192 Kneeling, When Will You Forgive Me, When Will You Stand Up
The group set out from the Cining Palace in a mighty procession. As soon as they stepped into the threshold of the imperial study, they heard the loud voice of General Weiyuan.
"Your Majesty, this incident all happened because a maid led us astray, leading to such a disaster. I have already executed those two servants to uphold family law. I have absolutely no intention of deceiving Your Majesty."
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression unclear. When he saw the Queen Mother come in, he hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Mother, why are you here?"
The Queen Mother waved her hand, walked straight to a chair beside her, and slowly sat down.
"The Feng family is making such a big fuss, how could I not come?"
The Queen Mother sneered, "General Weiyuan has such great authority! He executed someone so quickly?"
"You're pushing these two maids out to take the blame, General Weiyuan. Do you think I'm old and easy to fool?"
The Queen Mother's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of General Weiyuan and his wife.
General Weiyuan banged his forehead heavily on the ground. "Empress Dowager, please calm down! I would never dare to deceive you. Those two maids almost made a terrible mistake. I will execute them to vent my anger on the Crown Prince's wife."
Madam Feng followed suit, saying, "Her Majesty, we are both loyal to each other. If anyone truly intends to instigate this maid to harm us, we are willing to be cut into pieces."
Chu Ruohan raised her eyebrows. This couple kept protesting their injustice, and their acting skills were superb.
She stepped forward and said, "The Empress Dowager is the most compassionate person. She devotes herself to worshipping Buddha every day and wouldn't even step on an ant. It's really sad that General Weiyuan treats human life like grass!"
Although General Weiyuan cursed in his heart, he still looked terrified and took a few steps forward on his knees.
"Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I am a simple man, I only know how to lead troops, how could I understand these twists and turns?"
"In the military camp, anyone who makes a mistake will be severely punished. Otherwise, where is the dignity of military discipline? I was confused at the time and only wanted to follow military rules and quickly deal with the offender."
As General Weiyuan spoke, he secretly looked up to observe the expressions of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
He always talks about his military achievements, and he is really a clumsy person as he said.
From ancient times to the present, emperors of all dynasties have been wary of those who are more accomplished than their masters, let alone a general like him who holds military power.
Now is the time to add fuel to the fire...
"It seems the general is also treating his soldiers indiscriminately in the barracks. Could it be that the general feels that with military power in his hands, he can act recklessly and disregard the laws of the country?"
Gu Junze's cold voice, with a hint of questioning, echoed in the imperial study.
Sure enough, the emperor's face darkened.
"I absolutely did not mean that..." General Weiyuan was extremely flustered.
A young eunuch hurried into the imperial study, knelt down and saluted, then said loudly: "Your Majesty, the Censor Guan is outside and wants to see you."
In addition to the Anyang Marquis Mansion, there is another victim in this matter!
The emperor is aware of this matter. If he does not punish severely, his desk will be piled with impeachment memorials from the Censorate tomorrow.
The emperor did not summon Lord Guan. After a moment, his voice sounded coldly.
"General Weiyuan, as an important official of the court, you should set an example and abide by the laws of the land. Instead, you acted rashly, privately executing the maidservant and even attempting to deceive me and the Queen Mother. I will not tolerate what happened today."
General Weiyuan was trembling all over, his head lowered even lower, and cold sweat soaked his back.
He knew in his heart that there was no way to escape this time.
"I have decided to demote you three levels in a row as a warning to others!" The emperor's words were loud and clear, leaving no room for doubt.
General Weiyuan was struck by lightning, his face instantly turning pale. He raised his head with difficulty and said, "Your Majesty, I...I know my crime. I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance. I will definitely make meritorious contributions while serving my sentence."
The Queen Mother sat aside and nodded slightly, expressing her approval of the Emperor's decision.
"General Weiyuan, the Emperor and I have always trusted you, yet you acted this way. This punishment is already lenient. You will take care of yourself."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan looked at each other. Although they felt that the punishment was a little light, they also understood that the emperor had his reasons for doing so.
After all, General Weiyuan holds military power, and sudden severe punishment may cause unrest in the army.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for my wife," Gu Junze said, clasping his hands together and bowing respectfully to the Emperor. Then, changing the subject, "It's just that Madam Feng is also implicated in this matter."
Mrs. Feng raised her head in horror. Since the two maids were already dead, she had to deny it to the death.
"My Lord, please don't wrongly accuse me, Your Majesty. I am guilty of negligence, but..."
The Queen Mother stood up immediately. She had been in the palace all her life and had seen all kinds of dirty tricks.
He even wanted to make excuses right under her nose.
"Ms. Feng, I think you are blinded by greed and have lost your mind. Go and kneel in front of the Anyang Marquis's mansion. When Ruohan forgives you, you can stand up."
"Empress Dowager, please spare me! I truly know I was wrong. Please have mercy on me and don't make me kneel in front of the Anyang Marquis's mansion. If this gets out, how will I face people in the future?"
She kowtowed while crying, and her forehead soon became red and swollen.
The emperor was already upset, and Feng's crying and making a fuss gave him even more headaches.
He waved his hand impatiently: "Enough! How shameless to keep crying!"
Then he turned to look at the chief eunuch beside him.
"Ma Fuhai, keep an eye on her. If she dares to slack off or gets up mid-sentence, I will hold you accountable!"
Ma Fuhai immediately accepted the order and replied respectfully, "I obey your order!"
After saying that, he quickly walked to Feng's side and bowed slightly, "Madam Feng, please."
Feng still did not give up. She raised her tearful face and looked at General Weiyuan, her eyes full of help.
"General, please save me!"
"emperor……"
Seeing that General Weiyuan still had the nerve to plead, the emperor slammed the table and said, "If you also want to go on your knees, I will grant you your wish."
He was also in a difficult situation, so he lowered his head and could only grit his teeth secretly, feeling extremely regretful...
The matter was settled. Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan did not leave the palace directly, but had dinner with the Queen Mother and left only before the palace gate was locked.
The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's Mansion. Feng knelt upright. The emperor had sent people to watch her, so how could she dare to relax?
She really became a laughing stock among the ladies of the aristocratic families in the capital.
At this point, I was regretting it so much that my intestines turned green.
The curtain moved slightly, and Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze got off the carriage one after another.
"This old servant greets the Crown Prince and his wife." Ma Fuhai stepped forward and saluted.
"Thank you, sir."
Ma Fuhai quickly said, "Your Highness is too polite. This is all my responsibility. I will do my utmost to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Emperor and will not slack off in the slightest."
Feng cried out anxiously, "Madam, Madam, I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me!"
Chu Ruohan, however, acted as if she didn't hear anything and walked straight into the Marquis' Mansion.
The indifference in his eyes made Feng's heart sink to the bottom in an instant.
How long will she kneel...
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