Chapter 61 Attending Court 2
"Kneel down!" Pei Yan shouted sternly.
Pei Mingyue was taken aback, then reluctantly knelt down: "Father..."
"Shut up!" Pei Yan slammed the memorial down in front of her. "Look what you've done!"
Pei Mingyue's face turned deathly pale as she opened it: "This...this isn't..."
"What else could it be?" Pei Yan sneered. "The account books you coerced Qian Yong into altering? The ones you used to frame Xie Ji?"
"Father, you are wise!"
Pei Mingyue suddenly looked up, tears welling in her eyes: "Mingyue is innocent! This must be a frame-up!"
"Framed?" Xie Ji suddenly spoke, his voice steady. "Does Your Highness still remember that a few days ago you personally told Lord Qian, 'If Xie Ji is not eliminated, I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace'?"
Pei Mingyue's pupils constricted sharply: "You...you're spouting nonsense!"
"Your Highness, Second Princess," Qian Yong suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with determination, "you also gave me a thousand taels of silver as a reward, which I've been holding like a hot potato! It's still untouched, hidden in a secret compartment in my study. If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can send someone to investigate!"
"Does the Second Princess think I am such a greedy person? I can only say that I am not! I am loyal to Your Majesty! I would never accept bribes from anyone! Not even if you are a princess!"
Xie Ji's lips twitched when he heard this. When it comes to shamelessness, Qian Yong really is the best.
Pei Mingyue's face turned deathly pale, and she swayed slightly: "You...you all..."
For a moment, Pei Mingyue was unable to refute it!
She gave Qian Yong a thousand taels, but she asked him to use it to help her set up a loan!
How could she possibly say such a thing? If she did, wouldn't her father be even angrier?
"Enough!" Pei Yan roared. "Pei Mingyue, what else do you have to say?"
Pei Mingyue suddenly screamed hysterically, "Yes! I did it! So what? Xie Rubao and Xie Sangning are on good terms, and that bitch Xie Sangning is always going against me! As a princess, what's wrong with me venting my anger?! It's just..."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yan was furious. She had been so pampered that she had developed such an unruly personality!
He then walked towards Pei Mingyue!
"Smack!"
Pei Yan slapped her across the face, interrupting her: "You insolent fool! Your behavior is not permitted in the imperial court!"
Pei Mingyue covered her face, looking at Pei Yan in disbelief: "Father...you hit me?"
Pei Yan looked at her coldly, his eyes devoid of any fatherly affection: "Second Princess Pei Mingyue, you have shown contempt for the Emperor's authority and framed loyal officials. Effective immediately, you are stripped of your title, ordered to depart for a year of confinement, your salary will be reduced for one year, and all your fiefdoms will be revoked!"
"No!"
Pei Mingyue screamed and rushed forward to hug Pei Yan's leg, "Father! You can't do this to me! I'm your most beloved daughter!"
Pei Yan kicked her away: "Drag her away!"
Two guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed the crying and struggling Pei Mingyue, and dragged her out.
Her cries gradually faded into the distance, and the hall fell into a deathly silence.
Pei Yan took a deep breath, calmed himself, and looked at Qian Yong: "Qian Yong neglected his duties and should be severely punished. However, considering his meritorious service in reporting this, he is hereby demoted to the position of Assistant Minister of Revenue and fined three years' salary."
Qian Yong felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and repeatedly kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"
"Xie Jizhong is upright and outspoken; he has been promoted to Minister of Revenue and will assume office immediately."
Xie Ji respectfully kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! I will surely serve you with my life!"
Pei Yan looked at him intently: "Minister Xie, I remember you have a daughter in your household?"
Xie Ji's heart skipped a beat: "Your Majesty, my daughter is Ru Bao, and she is only fourteen years old."
"Hmm." Pei Yan nodded meaningfully, "Bring him to the palace another day so the Empress can meet him."
Xie Ji quickly expressed his gratitude, but alarm bells were ringing in his mind!
What does the Emperor mean? Does he want Xie Rubao to marry a prince?
Or, a talent show?
impossible!
The Emperor couldn't possibly be such a beast...
Xie Ji desperately tried to comfort himself.
After the court session, Xie Ji had just stepped out of the palace gate when he was stopped by Qian Yong.
His face was filled with gratitude: "Thank you, sir, for saving my life. I will never forget your kindness!"
He was very grateful that Xie Ji didn't add fuel to the fire.
Xie Ji helped him up, saying, "Lord Qian, you flatter me. As we serve in the same court in the future, I hope you will take good care of me."
As the two were exchanging pleasantries, a young eunuch rushed over: "Lord Xie, His Majesty has issued an edict requesting that you come to the Imperial Study immediately to see him."
Xie Ji's heart tightened, and he quickly prepared to go. Inside the imperial study, Pei Yan was reviewing memorials. Seeing him enter, he went straight to the point: "Minister Xie, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Xie Ji respectfully replied, "Your Majesty means..."
"Second Princess," Pei Yan put down his vermilion brush, "why would she frame you?"
Xie Ji's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty does not know. Perhaps it is because I am close to Xie Sangning..."
"Xie Sangning..." Pei Yan gently tapped the table, "I heard that she saved you yesterday?"
Xie Ji's heart raced: "Miss Xie did not visit my residence yesterday!"
"Heh." Pei Yan sneered. "Fine, you may leave. Remember, I have taken note of what happened today."
Xie Ji cautiously left the imperial study, only to find that his back was completely soaked.
They won this power struggle at court...
At the General's residence, Xie Sangning finished reading Xie Ji's letter and smiled slightly: "The Emperor is suspicious."
Ru Chun said worriedly, "Miss, what if the Emperor finds out that you were behind this..."
"So what if you know?" Xie Sangning toyed with the black jade chess piece in her hand. "There's no evidence. No matter what it is, even if everyone knows, without evidence you can't do anything to me."
"That's the rule."
Regardless of the dynasty, evidence is always required for punishment. Xie Sangning exploited a loophole, and even if the emperor knew the truth, there was nothing he could do.
A few days later, the time for the imperial examination finally arrived.
The second wife finally couldn't hold back any longer and dared to act arrogantly in front of Xie Sangning.
In their hearts, Xie Wulu would surely pass the exam. If he did, he would be able to enter the court as an official, and their second branch of the family would be able to change their social standing!
I will never be bullied by Xie Sangning again!
Ru Xia said angrily, "The second branch of the family has even neglected the young lady's meals these past few days! Why don't you just tell them what happened!"
Xie Sangning stopped playing chess when he heard this.
"Understanding is not easy. Xie Wulu has the status of a scholar. If I were to make a move, I would be handing over my weakness to all those who are eyeing me covetously. Don't be angry. When have I ever suffered a loss?"
Xia thought about it and agreed. The young lady never allowed herself to be wronged, so the second branch of the family could let them jump around for now, hmph!
Thinking of the candidates in Miss's hands, Ru Xia thought to herself, "Xie Wulu might not even be able to pass the exam!"
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