Now that Jiujiu has pinned such a grave accusation on Master Zhuo and the Zhuo family, and no one can find the slightest fault in it, it will be exceedingly difficult for Master Zhuo to turn the tide!
What a brilliant daughter-in-law!
The Empress Dowager and Empress completely let down their guard: Jiujiu’s skill in manipulating situations is indeed masterful, she truly is a blessing for Dong Chu!
Yang Chengrong and the likes of Rong Youyan all had faces full of contempt; if it weren’t for the occasion, they would have burst out laughing.
Meng Jingqi slowly played with the Ceramic Glaze wine cup in his hand, with a gentle and calm demeanor, a hint of a smile playing around the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
Gazing intently at his confident and radiant wife, who had firmly trampled Master Zhuo underfoot, Long Xuanmo’s eyes sparkled with fierce tenderness and support, and his lips curled up slightly, feeling exhilarated.
Although Yang Mengchen’s accusations were aimed only at the Zhuo family and didn’t mention him directly, every word and phrase implied his involvement, and especially after seeing the Emperor looking at him with a mock smile, Prince Duan felt a chill in his heart and squirmed uncomfortably, like sitting on pins and needles.
Glancing at Prince Duan next to him and then at Yang Mengchen opposite him, Prince Jing, who had always been invisible, had dark and indiscernible complex emotions hidden in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Master Zhuo and the Zhuo family were pale as snow, trembling all over, and cold sweat quickly soaked their clothes as gusts of the night wind hit them, sending a bone-chilling cold rapidly spreading from their hearts to their limbs, causing their teeth to chatter uncontrollably.
Seemingly gentle and kind on the surface but ruthless and fierce in reality, in an instant, she brought upon them the infamy of disloyalty and faced the desperate situation of their family’s ruin and annihilation. Princess Chen is truly terrifying!
For decades, Master Zhuo had never suffered such a fall from grace at the imperial court. Even the current Emperor had to show him respect, yet today he was defeated by a young girl, something that Master Zhuo considered a tremendous humiliation.
All this was the fault of that idiot Meimei, who brought about the disaster, but now things had come to this, and he could only try to preserve his family’s lives with his years of service.
Turning to face the Emperor, Master Zhuo wept profusely and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Chen’s accusations are pure slander. Since the reign of Emperor Long Yu, I have always been diligent in my duties, never daring to slacken in the slightest. I have been utterly loyal to three generations of Emperors, tirelessly dedicated, without an iota of disrespect in my heart..."
"Is Master Zhuo trying to coerce my father by playing the seniority card again?" Yang Mengchen coldly interrupted Master Zhuo: "Since ancient times, lightning and dew are all graces of the sovereign. As a subject of the Emperor, Master Zhuo, benefiting from his largess, ought to bear his worries, serve with full dedication, both for the Emperor and the imperial court, while also maintaining one’s own integrity. Yet, you have been arrogant and overbearing under the patronage of three generations of Emperors, and even committed treasonous acts. What punishment do you deserve?"
"Your servant..."
Master Zhuo was desperate to defend himself, but Yang Mengchen simply did not afford him that opportunity: "Did I speak wrongly? Let’s not mention other matters for now. For tonight’s event alone, you knew the significance of this banquet yet allowed Ms. Zhuo to make trouble, and after that, failed to repent and rectify on time. Instead, you became even more unreasonable and aggressive. Now tell me, are you guilty or not?"
Master Zhuo’s vision went dark, and he felt his body about to collapse. He truly wanted to faint and end it all, but he could not afford to, or else the Zhuo family would not escape punishment. There’s an old saying, "As long as the green mountains are there, one needn’t worry about firewood." They would have to get past this ordeal first.
"Your Majesty," he petitioned, "Princess Chen is right, your servant has failed to discipline my granddaughter properly, thus bringing shame upon Dong Chu. I am utterly ashamed. Now that I have reached old age, I am no longer able to fulfill my duties as the Grand Preceptor. I beg your Majesty to allow me to retire and live out the rest of my days at home."
This cunning old man, attempting to use resignation as a way to push me into a corner, you think I will comply with your wishes?
The Emperor was inwardly furious, but outwardly he appeared very sincere. He stood up, walked over to Master Zhuo, and extended his hand to help him up: "Grand Preceptor takes his words too seriously. Both our state and I need the Grand Preceptor, you must not simply let go and walk away like this."
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