Chapter 329 Your Majesty wouldn't really want to replace the Crown Prince because of the Second Princess, would you?
"Haha, Imperial Censor Tang."
Minister Nong sat down next to Imperial Censor Tang with a smile, poured himself a cup of tea with practiced ease, and then clinked his cup against Imperial Censor Tang's cup.
Imperial Censor Tang made no attempt to conceal the suspicion on his face as he watched Minister Nong's actions.
This person was the Minister of War, one of the six ministers. Because the affairs of the Ministry of War had nothing to do with the Censorate, the two had not interacted much despite serving in the same court for so many years, and were not even close.
In Tang Yushi's memory, the last time the two had crossed paths was several years ago when he impeached a vice minister of the Ministry of War under the Minister of Agriculture for dereliction of duty, which caused a delay in the transport of grain to Liaocheng.
The Vice Minister of War was a position second only to the Minister of War; one could say that the Vice Minister of War was the second-in-command of the Minister of War.
He impeached that person, and later the Vice Minister of War was dismissed. During that time, Minister of Agriculture gave him the cold shoulder whenever he saw him.
He's already drunk before the banquet even started, and he actually came to laugh with him on his own initiative?
Imperial Censor Tang stared intently at Minister Nong, as if trying to see right through him, his face clearly asking: What trick are you up to?
Minister Nong smiled calmly, seeing through what Imperial Censor Tang was thinking. He wasn't embarrassed at all and said calmly, "Lord Tang, it is a blessing for our Yu Kingdom that you, as an Imperial Censor, have such a character! His Majesty is benevolent and righteous. If he knew that you, Lord Tang, were like this, he certainly wouldn't blame you."
The Imperial Censor Tang had no desire to accept his flattery.
"If you're from the Agricultural University, please speak frankly. I can't accept your respectful address."
"Lord Tang, you misunderstand. I merely happened to pass by and overheard your conversation with several other officials, and then I heard your words, which prompted my reaction," Minister Nong said, bowing. "Lord Tang, perhaps there was some misunderstanding between us before, but we are both officials of the same court, subjects of His Majesty, and our actions are all for the future of our Great Yu. In that case, how can a misunderstanding be insurmountable? Don't you agree, Lord Tang?"
The Imperial Censor of Tang was an official who offered advice but had no real power. After much deliberation, the Imperial Censor could not imagine what other reason Minister Nong would have for saying these words to him.
Could it be that Minister Nong overheard his words by chance and was moved by them, and then, thinking that they were colleagues and there was nothing to be unhappy about, he took the initiative to come and make amends with him?
If that's the case, then Imperial Censor Tang would actually respect him for having some sense of awareness.
“What you say is quite right, Lord Nong. Since we are both officials in the same court, we don’t need to become enemies if we can’t be friends,” said Imperial Censor Tang. “As long as you don’t hold a grudge against me for impeaching you as the Vice Minister of War back then, we can still be colleagues.”
Minister Nong chuckled: "What you're saying, Lord Tang? You were just doing your duty. It was that person who neglected his post, so how could he blame you, Lord Tang?"
Imperial Censor Tang stared at Minister Nong for a long while, but Minister Nong's expression remained unchanged, which finally made Imperial Censor Tang relax his vigilance.
It seems that Minister Nong really just wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.
Thinking of this, Imperial Censor Tang's attitude softened. After the two chatted about politics for a while, Minister Nong casually remarked, "All officials are celebrating; His Majesty truly dotes on the Second Princess!"
"Yes, the Second Princess has suffered a lot among the common people. His Majesty's actions are probably partly an attempt to compensate her."
Minister Nong paused, his eyes unreadable, then lowered his gaze and smiled nonchalantly: "Perhaps, but whether it's compensation or not, what His Majesty has done is still a bit too much..."
At this point, Minister Nong stopped speaking, glanced at Imperial Censor Tang, and seemed to realize he hadn't finished speaking and stopped.
Imperial Censor Tang finished his sentence for him: "Your Majesty still spoils the Second Princess too much. The Second Princess is still young. Even if it is to make amends, Your Majesty, as the ruler of the country, should not act impulsively. This will make people doubt whether Your Majesty is still a qualified monarch."
"Oh dear, Lord Tang, be careful with your words!" Minister Nong glanced left and right, and said in a low voice, "With so many people around, rumors might spread at any moment. Doesn't Lord Tang know about the rumors circulating in the capital these days? Harsh words hurt people's hearts, and they don't discriminate. Be careful that someone with ulterior motives doesn't overhear them!"
"A clear conscience fears no accusation. I've served as an imperial censor for so many years, what have I ever feared? Am I wrong? The rumors circulating in the capital these days are all baseless and unfounded; they're all false until there's concrete evidence!"
"What you say is true, Lord Tang. But have you considered that the reason rumors exist is because there's something amiss at their source? If it were truly impossible, how could these inopportune rumors suddenly appear? Lord Tang, I'm only saying this to you because I genuinely consider you one of my own. His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and benevolent, and the Empress has been by His Majesty's side for so many years, managing the harem. How could His Majesty... Sigh, it's not that the Consort is bad, but I really can't understand how someone as benevolent as His Majesty could be so heartless?"
Minister Nong sighed: "Although it's just speculation, His Highness the Crown Prince is actually going out to enjoy the scenery with the Second Princess. Isn't this ridiculous? His Highness the Crown Prince will be coming of age in a few years. At such a crucial time, instead of studying diligently by His Majesty's side, he's being sent to play with a little girl like the Second Princess? Lord Tang, to put it bluntly, this is clearly a deliberate attempt to lure His Highness out."
The Imperial Censor Tang's expression changed several times. After what Minister Nong said, he realized that there was some truth to it!
Is His Majesty really going to change the Crown Prince for the sake of the Second Princess?
"Impossible! His Majesty is not such a muddle-headed person. These words are simply absurd!" Imperial Censor Tang said firmly. "His Majesty must have his own reasons. As his subjects, we should offer our advice, but the most taboo thing is to speculate on His Majesty's intentions."
Imperial Censor Tang's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as he bowed respectfully to the dragon throne at the very front of the Golden Hall. "I don't believe His Majesty would do such a thing, but if His Majesty truly harbors such irrational thoughts and actions, as the ruler of a nation, everything should prioritize the well-being of the country and its people. Therefore, as an imperial censor, I must take the lead, even at the cost of my life, to remonstrate with His Majesty—even if it means my death!"
Death as a form of remonstrance was the most extreme way for censors to offer advice.
It is said that honest advice is hard to swallow. Whenever a king does not listen to the advice of his censors, some loyal censors will die while giving their advice, trying to awaken the king's blinded mind by dying for his cause.
Minister Nong was genuinely shocked. He knew these censors would say anything, but he never expected them to be this outspoken!
However, it was precisely because these censors dared to say anything that...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com