Chapter 31: Scolded and Punished, Labeled a "Wild Child"
The next day.
Before the night had completely faded, the sound of drums and gongs rang out in the Phoenix Palace.
The officials entered the hall and took their places.
On the golden throne representing supreme power, Emperor Wusu wore a dark gold robe embroidered with a dragon pattern, a crown with nine tassels hanging down in front and behind, each tassel wrapped with nine five-colored jade beads, and a jade balance supporting the crown.
The magnificent imperial court exuded an air of solemnity and nobility.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The ministers bowed in worship, their voices echoing through the air.
After being summoned, Emperor Wusu raised his eyes and asked in a deep voice, "How is the flood situation in the southwest?"
The River Conservancy Commissioner stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, since the beginning of spring, there has been continuous heavy rain in the southwest, and six sections of the river dikes have collapsed. The affected people have now been evacuated to safety.”
"Is this the solution?"
"Your Majesty, I..." The River Conservancy Commissioner paused before continuing, "I will arrange manpower to help the disaster victims rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods as soon as possible."
The person on the throne spoke slowly, his voice unreadable.
The question was asked: "Why did the disaster victims become homeless?"
The River Conservancy Governor bowed his head and replied, "It's the flood that's causing the trouble."
"Your solution is to appease the disaster victims, but floods happen every year. What good is it if the imperial court gives out more disaster relief money? Do you truly understand what it means for people to live in hardship and what the suffering of the common people is?"
Emperor Wusu's tone was normal when he asked the question, but it was a wake-up call to the court officials.
The River Conservancy Governor hurriedly knelt down and said, "It was my oversight."
"Cai Zuodong, you're not just being inconsiderate, you're overthinking things!"
A furious shout was heard.
Just a moment ago, the emperor was all smiles and pleasantries, but his temper flared up in an instant.
The hall was completely silent; everyone kept their heads down, not daring to meet his gaze, displaying the emperor's majesty.
Emperor Wusu waved his hand, "Show it to Lord Cai." Chief Steward Li, who was standing to the side, handed him the memorial he was holding.
The governor of the canal was covered in cold sweat. He held his breath and opened the memorial. After reading its contents, the memorial slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Cai Zuodong's hands trembled. "I did not collude with the local officials to embezzle disaster relief funds. My loyalty is as clear as day."
Emperor Wusu opened his lips, his voice icy: "Lu Juan."
"Your subject is present."
"This case is entrusted to you. Within three days, I require a list of those who have formed cliques and engaged in corruption during this disaster relief effort."
Lu Juan accepted the order and stepped back, then shook his head as he looked at the river governor kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
Emperor Wusu was a man who never fought unprepared battles when he led his troops into battle. He was like a dragon lurking in the abyss, and only by being patient could he avoid ruining his grand plans.
If they don't act, they don't act; but if they do, their methods are extremely ruthless. Since they've decided to punish him before all the officials in the palace today, they must have solid evidence.
Emperor Wusu's thoughts were so profound that he would only reveal a fraction of them to you when he wanted you to see them.
"Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"
The voice returned to its nonchalant tone, but the court officials dared not provoke the emperor at this moment, and kept their heads down in silence.
At this moment, Imperial Censor Yan Zongrang stepped forward, his face grim, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report. I have a memorial to impeach you."
The court officials looked at each other, wondering which official this censor would impeach this time.
"explain."
"The first book I submitted was about the Empress Dowager's maternal family—the Ji family."
These words were met with murmurs of discussion from below.
Because of the nine-tasseled crown separating them, the officials below the steps dared not look at Emperor Wusu's expression, nor could they see it clearly.
What matter is it you are consulting about?
"Your Majesty, the Ji family, relying on their status as imperial relatives, beat my grandson. This old minister must impeach the Ji family for abusing their power and bullying others! They have no respect for the law!"
Emperor Wusu glanced at Li Yuzong, who immediately stepped forward and explained the whole story in a low voice. The emperor had gone to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests to offer sacrifices to his ancestors the day before and was unaware of this matter.
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and looked at Imperial Censor Yan with cold eyes.
Ji Changlin quickly stepped forward as well, "Lord Yan, this is just a misunderstanding, there's no need to bring it up in the morning court."
“That little girl is quite shrewish. She dared to beat up the Imperial Censor’s own grandson in the Imperial Study. This is outrageous!” An official who was on good terms with Imperial Censor Yan stepped forward.
Emperor Wusu's lips curled into a cold smile.
He asked, "Do you know who that little girl is, and what her relationship is with me?"
What does this mean?
According to their relationship, the Ji family was the emperor's cousin, so the little girl could also call him uncle.
Imperial Censor Yan stepped forward and said, “I don’t care who that child is. Although it is a small matter, we must not forget the lessons of the past! Your Majesty must not show favoritism to the Ji family! The Prince of Liang of the previous dynasty was too fond of his empress, which made his maternal clan extremely powerful, and in the end, he ruined the country.”
Emperor Wusu changed his sitting posture, propping his long legs on the ground and leaning his waist back slightly, making him look even more languid.
But Lu Juan, who knew the emperor well, felt a chill in his heart. This was a sign that the emperor was about to get angry. He moved to the side and corner, afraid that he would be caught in the crossfire.
Imperial Censor Yan puffed out his chest, becoming increasingly indignant as he spoke: "Even if it were His Majesty's own son, this old minister would still impeach him! My second memorial is to impeach Prince Yuan Heng and His Majesty for failing to properly educate his son!"
A chorus of gasps filled the court.
The nine-tasseled crown on Emperor Wusu's head moved slightly.
Almost simultaneously, with a loud bang, a piece of jade fell down, landing directly at Imperial Censor Yan's feet.
The crouching, ferocious dragon-tiger, with its eyes wide open, seemed to be staring at Yan Zongrang. When Yan Zongrang recognized it as the imperial seal, he immediately knelt down and dared not utter another word.
"You compare me to a tyrannical ruler and consider yourself a capable minister. I might as well grant your wish."
"Yan Zongrang was dismissed from his post as censor and his entire family was exiled to a desolate mountain."
Lu Juan sighed, "Now the whole family has to move to this desolate mountain where even birds don't bother. Yan Zongrang's grandson is really going to become a wild child."
But this matter was not over. Emperor Wusu then dealt with the Ji family and Yuan Heng.
When Ji Changlin returned to Anju Garden after court, Qiao Shi and Ji Qingwu were waiting for him in the front hall.
Seeing her eldest son's face turn purple and his dejected appearance, Madam Qiao stepped forward and asked worriedly, "Changlin, has His Majesty blamed you?"
Ji Changlin sighed, "I've been punished."
He held out his palm, which was red and swollen.
Qiao asked, puzzled, "Why...why was my palm slapped?"
Ji Changlin smiled wryly as he recounted the events that had transpired in court that day.
After dealing with Censor Yan, the emperor then punished the Ji family and the young prince. Although the one who starts a fight is the one who loses, once the fighting begins, the nature of the matter changes. Emperor Wusu bestowed twenty strokes of the cane upon Yuan Heng, who naturally could not escape.
But the slap fell on his head, and Ji Changlin still remembered what the Emperor had said.
“The little girl from the Ji family is also at fault. Since she’s not here, let her uncle take charge.”
It was described as if it were some kind of favor, and he had no choice but to accept the punishment. Ji Changlin had never been slapped on the palm of his hand since he could remember, especially not in front of the entire court.
Upon hearing his elder brother's description, Ji Qingwu's eyes blazed with anger, and he smashed the teacup on the ground.
Dog Emperor!
She hit her son again!
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