After learning about the Cheng family's situation, the entire court and the public were in an uproar, feeling that the emperor's favoritism was excessive. While the Marquis of Cheng'en's family had made mistakes, they did not deserve to be demoted to commoners.
The atmosphere in the court was somber. The emperor looked at the group of people below but did not speak.
He gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, who quickly showed the minister who had just pleaded for the Cheng family what he was holding.
The above is a list of the usurious loans the Cheng family has lent out over the past ten years and the conflicts caused by these loans. Many lives have been lost, many families have been torn apart, and many have ended up on the streets. The younger generation of the Cheng family are all troublesome, notorious playboys who indulge in wine and women all day long, and no one in the family can stand on their own two feet.
Furthermore, during last night's interrogation, it was learned that the despicable method of marrying Ruozheng was personally suggested by the old lady.
Putting aside their despicable methods, what's disgusting is their scheme to use the Lu family's influence in the court to make a comeback.
With no achievements to speak of, how dare they even think of making a comeback? Do they think the emperor is blind?
After seeing this evidence, everyone was too embarrassed to say anything more, since many of the things the Cheng family had done were indeed unacceptable.
But then again, the emperor was completely biased towards the Lu family in this matter, which was going too far.
While the Cheng family is certainly hateful, the extent to which the Lu family is favored is truly displeasing.
Therefore, no matter what, the Lu family must pay some price!
Then someone stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter should be thoroughly investigated! After all, it takes two to tango, and Miss Ruozheng is probably not innocent either!"
Many people thought what he said made a lot of sense, and they all said, "Please, Your Majesty, investigate this thoroughly."
The emperor's brows were furious enough to trap flies, so why were his courtiers so keen on targeting the Lu family?
They're all perfectly normal in other matters, aren't they? How come they all act like they have no brains when it comes to the Lu family?
"Minister Zhang, do you want to listen to what you're saying?"
The emperor sneered and continued, "How could I not know that my trusted advisors also like to imitate those tyrannical rulers in storybooks, blaming women when something goes wrong? Why didn't you praise Miss Ruozheng's performance during the plague? Miss Ruozheng was clearly an innocent victim in this matter, yet you say it takes two to tango!"
The emperor's voice was loud, resounding throughout the entire court.
The courtiers who had just spoken immediately knelt down, feeling that the emperor had spoken too harshly, bringing up the tyrannical rulers from storybooks.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We only feel that Cheng Ying's crime does not warrant death, and Miss Ruozheng went too far!"
He immediately tried to justify himself, since there's always an excuse.
So, Kang Tiezui stepped forward.
He wasn't angry at all, and said to the emperor with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have a good idea that can make all of you feel the same way as Miss Ruozheng."
Seeing his pathetic state, the emperor knew he was about to resort to some dirty tricks. Thinking that these old fogies deserved to be taught a lesson, he said, "Minister Kang, tell me what you have to say."
"The court officials are all men, so naturally they cannot empathize with the humiliation suffered by women. But they all have wives and daughters. Why not let their wives and daughters personally experience the fear of being secretly watched and coveted, with someone wanting to harm them? Also, find a few beggars to stop their carriages on the street and express their love to them. Let's see if they can still say that it takes two to tango!"
Upon hearing this, the people in the hall immediately lost their composure, and someone immediately shouted, "Kang Chengzhi! We are just discussing the matter at hand, why do you have to humiliate our wives and daughters like this!"
Mr. Kang glanced at him lazily and laughed sarcastically, "Oh, when it happens to you, you feel humiliated, but when it happens to Miss Ruozheng, you say it takes two to tango, right?"
"You are all pillars of the nation. If you all implement this approach to the end, how many people will be disheartened? Confucius said, 'Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.' I hope that you, my lords, can be more upright."
Mr. Kang was a poor scholar who passed the imperial examination on his own. He had no background or connections in the court. At most, he had a good relationship with the Lu family. His only backer was the emperor.
He was essentially the emperor's mouthpiece; what he said represented the emperor's will. So even though everyone was angry, no one dared to do anything to him.
After being intimidated by Mr. Kang, no one dared to utter another word. The emperor was very satisfied and looked at everyone with a pleasant expression, asking, "Is there anyone else who is dissatisfied?"
Everyone had their own difficulties and could not express them, but they all replied that the Emperor was wise.
"Now that everyone has finished speaking, it is my turn to speak."
"I know that many people in the court are lending money at exorbitant interest rates in private. In our dynasty, lending money at exorbitant interest rates is a serious crime. I have not been able to investigate it before, but this time, taking the Cheng family as an example, they have harmed many people. I will investigate this matter thoroughly! Any official in the court who is found to have done this will be demoted and have his salary reduced at the very least, and exiled or beheaded at the worst. I hope that my beloved ministers will not disappoint me."
After saying this, before anyone could react, he ordered Qin Jian to thoroughly investigate the matter, and then announced the adjournment of the court.
The officials in the court were immediately dumbfounded. Why were they suddenly going to investigate usury?
Damn the Cheng family!
Damn the Lu family!
Many people initially thought the Cheng family was just unlucky and felt sorry for them, but they didn't expect them to get burned so quickly and start cursing the Cheng family!
Many people hurriedly left the palace and returned home, leaving the people in their families who were responsible for lending money at exorbitant interest rates to handle the aftermath.
But because of the urgency of the matter, the soldiers arrived shortly after their parents returned, and they were investigated before they could do anything.
Some people were lucky enough to hide some things, but you can still find a lot by following the clues. In any case, no one escaped unscathed.
Some were happy while others were sad. In the gap between the confiscation of property, Princess Jinlan's apprenticeship banquet began seven days later.
When everyone learned that Princess Jinlan's master was actually Miss Ruozheng, they belatedly realized why the emperor was so angry with the Cheng family.
That woman is about to become the princess's teacher. If she is really framed by the Cheng family and accused of being immoral, how can the princess become her teacher?
Isn't this a slap in the face to the emperor?
So, the emperor's sudden order to investigate usury was because he was angered by the ministers who were offering their advice in court, and he decided to send someone to investigate on a whim.
So, the real culprits behind the usury issue were those court officials who stood up and stirred up trouble for no reason?
The ministers were heartbroken at the thought of this possibility and vowed never to meddle in other people's business again.
This was the ceremony of formally becoming a disciple. The Empress and the Empress Dowager attached great importance to it, believing that their daughter could learn a lot from Ruozheng. Therefore, even though she was a princess, she still had to kneel down and offer tea to Ruozheng.
Ruozheng felt it was too much of a fuss and awkwardly declined, saying, "There's no need to kneel. Just stand and offer a cup of tea."
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