Chapter 118 The incident concludes, and good news keeps coming...
The following day at the court assembly, officials from the Ministry of Personnel stood up and criticized the officials from the Ministry of Rites. The officials from the Ministry of Rites were a group of gentle and weak scholars, and they argued until their faces turned red, but they could not defeat the officials from the Ministry of Personnel.
Song Yin's lips curled into a slight sneer. "Lord Liu, weren't you known as the 'Shrew of the Court,' someone no one could refute? Why can't you spout all those profound truths you used to?" Her eyes gleamed with the cruel pleasure of a cat toying with a mouse.
Liu Yu blushed deeply at her questioning, her neck stiff, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
Suddenly, someone in the Ministry of Personnel crowd burst out laughing, "The Ministry of Rites is full of weaklings."
"you!"
Liu Yu opened her mouth to rebuke, but the Ministry of Personnel had a large number of people, and she could not withstand the clamor of the crowd alone. She was forced to retreat step by step.
Seeing this, the court officials thought to themselves: "The Qing faction has lost the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Revenue; they are indeed no match for the corrupt faction. It seems that the corrupt faction is now dominant, and it's only a matter of time before they completely control the court."
Everyone was closely watching the struggle between the Qing and the Zhuo factions, but no one noticed the chilling glint that flashed in the eyes of Emperor Chengtai, who sat at the head of the table.
Song Yin, oblivious to the situation, dismissed the group of Qingliu officials with a sense of smug satisfaction and ordered someone to present Zhang Ting's evidence of crimes to Emperor Chengtai.
"Your Majesty, this is the evidence of the crimes committed by the convicted official Zhang Ting. Please take a look." With this 'evidence,' even if Zhang Ting is not executed, it would be easy to imprison her. Then, by smoothing things over with the Ministry of Justice, it would be a piece of cake to make a convicted official commit suicide out of fear of punishment.
At this moment, every official in the Ministry of Personnel stood up straight, practically waving their tails to the sky.
Even the composed and reserved Xu Pin couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth, closing his eyes smugly as he awaited Emperor Chengtai's verdict.
Meanwhile, the officials of the Ministry of Rites sighed and groaned, looking like defeated hens with their heads drooping.
Those who knew of Zhang Ting's deeds closed their eyes in regret, their hearts filled with unbearable sorrow. Alas! Such a peerless talent had fallen victim to the machinations of treacherous officials.
However, in the deathly quiet palace, Emperor Chengtai slowly picked up the memorial and said only lightly, "A guilty subject? Song Yin, you have already sentenced Zhang Ting for me?"
for?
Under heaven, who dares to rule as emperor?
Xu Pin opened his eyes abruptly, his gaze filled with turmoil, and cold sweat broke out on his spine. He fell to his knees in terror.
"Song Yin's words were inappropriate; please forgive him, Your Majesty!"
Song Yin, who had been standing there stunned, immediately prostrated himself on the ground upon hearing this, saying, "This humble subject has been disrespectful before Your Majesty, please punish me." He was filled with fear and his previous smugness had completely vanished.
"Disrespectful behavior before the emperor? You certainly have a silver tongue, finding a good excuse for yourself." Emperor Chengtai said calmly, holding the memorial in his hands. "Xu Pin, you've taught your apprentice quite well."
Xu Pin lay prostrate on the ground, his cloudy eyes widening suddenly. "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty to teach your subjects. Please punish me." He was filled with fear and trepidation, knowing that His Majesty had become suspicious.
"Wu Fang? You're doing very well. With that bunch of officials in the Ministry of Personnel around, how dare I blame you?" Emperor Chengtai didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and made a rare, relaxed joke. "If I were to punish you, the leader of this corrupt faction, wouldn't those people gang up on me?"
This...this means that the corrupt officials are plotting a rebellion?
The entire court was terrified, especially the corrupt faction, who were so panicked that they knelt on the ground. Even the high-ranking official, who had been watching from the sidelines these past few days, was sweating profusely and swallowing hard, fearing that he would be implicated.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This humble subject had no such intention!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This humble subject had no such intention!"
The hall was filled with deafening shouts. Emperor Chengtai closed the memorial, neither pleased nor angry, and stood up. He looked at the few 'weak' scholars in the Ministry of Rites and sighed. He had killed too many Qingliu scholars last time, and now only a handful remained.
She glanced at the large group of corrupt officials kneeling in a row, and clicked her tongue lightly. There were still too many people here.
Emperor Chengtai casually tossed the memorial to the ground, his gaze calm and sharp, showing no trace of the hysteria, madness, and sinister aura of the previous days.
She slowly walked past the kneeling officials, her bright yellow dragon robe swaying gently—a figure whom everyone in the world should worship.
Without warning, she issued an imperial edict: "Song Yin has deceived the emperor and is hereby dismissed from his post and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Xu Pin has failed in his duties as a teacher and is hereby suspended from his post to reflect on his actions."
"Dismiss the court."
This day was exceptionally special. The Qingliu faction stood blankly in the palace, watching the leader of the Zhuoliu faction, who had recently rendered them utterly powerless, suddenly fall in defeat. Their minds were blank, and they even felt that their victory was inexplicable.
Just a moment ago they were the ones who lost, how did things suddenly turn around?
Ning Yuanzhi suddenly realized that Zhang Ting's letter... that was the meaning! This... she... sigh! Did she sense that His Majesty's tolerance for the corrupt faction was nearing its limit? That's why she quietly set up such a massive net, one that even she, a veteran of decades in officialdom, couldn't fathom.
This woman is truly resourceful!
Ning Yuanzhi smiled as she thought about it, genuinely happy for Zhang Ting, but the smile suddenly froze as she realized something was amiss.
If Zhang Ting's plans were so flawless, then why did she behave so poorly when the Emperor questioned her?
Ning Yuanzhi was suddenly shocked, her eyes widening in disbelief. Could it be... could it be that she had been planning this all along? Was it all to lure Xu Xiang's faction into a trap she had set?
Ning Yuanzhi was utterly shocked. She...she really was a monster...
As Ning Yuanzhi was still in shock, a furious shout abruptly pulled her back to reality.
It turned out that Song Yin was so angry that his eyes were bloodshot. "Ning Yuanzhi, did you plan all of this? You old hag, you are so treacherous and cunning, yet you still dare to call yourself a virtuous person!"
Ning Yuanzhi was slightly taken aback. She looked up at Xu Pin, who was also glaring at her with anger, his eyes burning with fury that seemed to want to turn her into ashes.
Looking at the entire Zhuo Liu faction in this state, even the most cunning and treacherous minister in the court was staring at him resentfully. Clearly, these people mistakenly believed that he was the genius chess master who controlled the entire game.
Ning Yuanzhi suddenly laughed. These court officials, who prided themselves on being extremely intelligent and resourceful, couldn't even see the true face of the mastermind behind the scenes, let alone grasp the tip of the iceberg of the game.
She laughed heartily, laughing loudly under the angry gazes of the crowd. No one knew the ecstatic joy in her heart, and she even wanted to tell everyone!
Ning Yuanzhi knew that a young leader was about to emerge in Qingliu, and she would lead the Qingliu faction to a higher and broader realm, even... far surpassing the glory days when Zongxiang was in power!
...
With the incident concluded, Emperor Chengtai summoned a lecturer from the Hanlin Academy to draft an imperial edict.
When the person finished writing and presented it to her, she still felt it wasn't enough.
Is demotion enough? No, those who dare to disrespect the emperor must receive a more profound lesson.
But she couldn't bear to damage the beautiful jade.
Empress Chengtai leaned back on her throne, stroking her chin in deep thought, when suddenly an excited smile spread across her lips.
Since Zhang Ting believes she has a deep and abiding affection for the Zong family's son, then let her face the bloody reality.
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Chief Steward Xu led a large entourage of guards and palace maids to the Zhang residence.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhang Ting, serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, is unruly and acts eccentrically. He should be severely punished without exception, but considering his past minor service, he is hereby demoted two ranks and transferred to Fengxian County, Zhangzhou Prefecture, to serve as the county magistrate. This is the imperial decree!"
"Your Majesty, I accept the decree! Long live the Emperor!" As Zhang Ting had expected, she respectfully accepted the imperial edict.
Zong Suyi, standing beside her, turned deathly pale, her eyes filled with fear and worry, and suddenly collapsed to the ground.
He... he still caused his wife to be demoted...
Xu Qiu glanced lightly at the once most dazzling jewel of the royal family, a hint of reluctance and pity flashing in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and looked at Zhang Ting with a smile.
Although it was an imperial decree of demotion, this Lord Zhang's good fortune was yet to come!
I have done my best for her, whether it was something I should or shouldn't have done. I hope that one day she will extend her kindness and compassion to Zhangzhou Prefecture as well.
"Lord Zhang, His Majesty has another imperial edict." Xu Qiu waved his hand lightly forward, and the guards behind him marched out in an orderly fashion and rushed into the inner courtyard of the Zhang residence.
The group, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, were now on edge again, watching the scene with alarm and dismay.
"His Majesty's decree: Confiscate all gold and silver properties under your and the Zong family's names, including all servants."
This was something Zhang Ting hadn't expected, but she accepted reality in an instant. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." It was only a small amount of money to give up; she could earn it back later. Besides, she had buried a box of gold bars in her old house back home. Hmm... she couldn't say that.
But these words struck Zong Suyi like a bolt from the blue. In an instant, his eyes filled with tears, which streamed uncontrollably down his face. What difference was there between this and having his property confiscated and being exiled? His wife's current predicament was all his fault! Why hadn't this wicked man died back then?!
He was devastated and his mind went blank for a moment before he fainted.
"Xiaoyi!"
He vaguely heard his wife calling his name urgently, her voice growing softer and softer. He opened his mouth weakly, wanting to apologize to her, but in the next instant, he completely lost consciousness.
Zong Suyi felt as if she had returned to the past, when her grandmother and mother were still alive.
He was still the most noble and powerful Duke in the capital. When he learned that his maternal grandmother intended to marry him to the Lin family, he was furious. How could Lin Qiuyue, a good-looking but useless woman, be worthy of being his wife?
If she doesn't deserve it, then who does? Zong Suyi felt she should have the answer in her heart, but she couldn't remember it no matter what she did.
But this did not stop him from riding in a magnificent phoenix carriage to argue with his maternal grandmother.
On the way to the East Palace, we passed by the residence of the Junior Chamberlain.
The biting wind blew up the curtains, and fine snowflakes fell on his face, making him frown from the cold. He glanced over and saw a figure in red robes standing in front of the young master's gate, with a graceful and gentle demeanor.
His pupils trembled slightly, and he opened his mouth, finally uttering the name from the depths of his heart: "Zhang Ting!"
That was his wife!
"What do you want, my wife?" Zhang Ting hurriedly placed the medicine bowl on the table beside her, quickly stepped forward to hold his hand, and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Zong Suyi sat up, panting, and looked around the room. It was empty; even the curtains had been removed.
He... just took a nap?
Zong Suyi nestled affectionately into Zhang Ting's arms, feeling reassured by her scent. "My lady..." she asked, her brows furrowed in confusion, tilting her head as she asked, "Did you visit the Junior Chamberlain's residence in early January three years ago?"
Zhang Ting carefully caught him, but her movements were a little awkward and clumsy. She muttered something unusual, "Why are you still so loud?" She held him tightly and replied, "I have indeed been in the past, why do you ask such a question, my lord?"
Zong Suyi excitedly sat up, leaned close to her neck, and said mysteriously, "So we met back then! Do you remember, my lady?"
Zhang Ting smiled and nodded, not wanting to spoil his mood, "Of course I remember." However, she had known Zong Suyi for much longer than that.
The little chili pepper that the Prime Minister meticulously nurtured.
She gently pinched his nose. "My lord, you must not be so reckless in the future. You are now a woman with two bodies."
The doctor just took her pulse and found she was one month pregnant.
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