Chapter 122 Lao Qin loves to maintain world peace
"Mr. Changping, what you said is too harsh, isn't it? What do you mean by putting a accusation on someone? Wan is not the kind of child who likes to talk nonsense. If she dares to say so, she must have a reason for saying so!"
The mighty Marquis Qiao Yunhai immediately stepped forward to defend the Jiang family. Not only was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family the apple of the Fourth Brother's eye, but he also shared a comradeship with Jiang Huailiang, even from his natural position as a civil official and military commander, he was bound to support the Duke of Ling's mansion.
"Oh, what's the logic? We don't see any other logic now. We just see the Jiang family girl taking advantage of her power to bully others and wantonly beat up the imperial officials."
Changping Bo's rebuttal was well-reasoned and made Qiao Yunhai a little stuck.
"Well, hasn't the truth been properly stated yet? If you hadn't interrupted, wouldn't that kid have started to defend himself? Can't you just listen to what he's saying? What are you rushing around for? Are you eager to eat the Eight Bowls?"
Qiao Yunhai was uneducated and couldn't get by without swearing. Eating eight bowls of rice wouldn't be considered a good thing back home; it was usually reserved for funerals.
The Earl of Changping didn't understand the meaning, so he didn't bother to fight with Wu Fu. After all, although the Qiao family didn't have the title of Cheng'en Mansion, Qiao Yunhai was the Queen's younger brother and the Prince's uncle.
"Marquis Weiwu, we must uphold justice in all matters. Don't bring your military loyalty into the court. Forming a clique for personal gain is not something to be trifled with."
Prime Minister Ji Xun spoke indifferently, as if he just said it casually.
"Who the hell is forming a clique for personal gain? I'm just speaking a fair word for Old Jiang, so what? He's not here, and you guys dare to bully him with your bare hands? Do you have any shame?"
When he was competing with that bastard Zhao Heran for the position of queen, his Qiao family suffered because of these four words, so Qiao Yunhai's reaction of wanting to jump up and down was particularly real.
"I'm just giving you a casual reminder, Marquis Weiwu, please don't take it to heart."
Prime Minister Ji still spoke in a calm and unhurried tone, with a smiling face that looked like a good guy forever, making people feel too embarrassed to turn against him and just flip the table.
Jiang Wanan knelt there quietly, looking up at these people. She didn't rush to refute anything. It's better to let the bullets fly for a while, so that someone can make an example of them, right?
As expected, the emperor on the dragon throne looked very depressed. Every day there were trivial matters, big and small, and the civil and military officials were always fighting with each other. It was really annoying!
Although Xiao Jiang was able to remain calm, Lao Jiang's good friend Lao Qin could no longer bear to watch. He stepped forward, holding a sceptre, and spoke out in support of world peace.
"Your Majesty, I also think that what Prime Minister Ji said is absolutely correct. Evidence is absolutely necessary for everything. Slandering important officials based on conjecture, like that, does indeed seem to be an attempt to exclude dissidents!"
Oh, of course, I'm not accusing Prime Minister Ji of a slip of the tongue or a long-planned plot. After all, I just said that I completely agree with what the Prime Minister said. Everything must be based on evidence!
Otherwise, I will report the Earl of Changping for publicly slandering a senior official who fought for the country and the king abroad. What is his intention?!"
"Minister Qin, when did I ever slander anyone? I was just upholding justice."
The Earl of Changping immediately resented this serious accusation. He could no longer care about attacking the Jiang family, as he had to clear his name in front of the emperor first.
"Oh, then please forgive me, Master Zhu. I am simply fulfilling my duties as a minister, out of a loyal heart that wants to share your worries."
"You, you are so bold!"
"You're rude."
"You are slandering me!"
"Aren't you fanning the flames?"
"I just asked casually."
"I just mentioned it casually."
"You are the one who is truly slandering me!"
"No, I am simply being loyal to the Emperor. After all, as an official, all you have to consider is how to be loyal to the Emperor and love the people. This is my way of being an official.
I am determined to be a virtuous and loyal minister. If this goes against your wishes, Lord Changping, please forgive me."
"I, this old man, am also loyal..."
"Sorry, maybe your loyalty isn't obvious enough, so I haven't noticed it yet."
“…”
Very good, Lao Qin finally succeeded in changing the subject.
As a favored disciple of Xu Wenchuan, the former chief censor, Qin Zhenning's sharp tongue bears some resemblance to his mentor. When he's firing on all cylinders, no one else has much to do.
Even Ji Xiang was wary of this man's sharp tongue and the family behind him, and hesitated to confront him directly. The others were certainly not prepared to withstand such a verbal storm. Unsurprisingly, Earl Changping was defeated, his breath unstable.
Qiao Yunhai stood aside in amazement as he looked at Old Zhu, who had just made him speechless and was now so angry that his face turned pale and he couldn't breathe.
Oh my goodness, no wonder the old saying goes that civil servants are like cannibals. I've really learned something new today! Usually, Lord Qin is so quiet and has the pretentious demeanor of a gentleman, but what's wrong with him today?
He's going to eat meat?!
Qin Zhenning looked up at the defeated Changping Earl, then at Ji Xiang who kept silent, and then at his colleagues who had become honest, and then he raised the corners of his mouth with satisfaction.
The gentleman saluted the emperor with elegant manners and returned to his position in a proper manner, as if the fierce general who rushed out to kill the enemy just now was not him.
The emperor twitched his eyebrows.
To be honest, every time the emperor sees Qin Zhenning protecting Jiang Huailiang like this, he is really jealous!
Some time ago, he secretly wanted to steal his sworn brother's girlfriend, so he dragged the foolish but wealthy Qin Zhenning along and pretended to be friendly with him. He tried to kowtow to him and become his sworn brother, but was met with a cold shoulder.
As a family of established nobility, they wouldn't be interested in being sworn brothers with a bumpkin emperor. Dynasties may come and go, but the nobility remain. People are inherently proud!
The emperor was extremely discouraged. He squatted in the imperial study and racked his brains for a long time, but he didn't feel that his second son was much better than himself.
If you insist on explaining it, it's just that the boy was lucky to marry the daughter of Qin Zhenning's mentor, the girl from the Xu family who almost became a wife of the Qin family.
Then, he was attracted by this great lover and fell in love with her. Apart from this explanation, the emperor could not think of any other reason.
But I can't envy such good luck, so I can only sigh secretly and continue asking.
"Jiang Wan, keep talking. Why did you attack the Yongning Marquis's mansion? What on earth made you sue the Yongning Marquis for treason? Tell me everything!"
"Your Majesty, I certainly didn't come here for no reason!
My father is now away fighting for his country, but he is a loyal and devoted minister. Didn't you also promise that you would keep his family safe in the capital?
But now, while my father bleeds and fights on the battlefield, a villain is secretly trying to cut off his lineage! Is this an attempt to force loyal ministers to doubt the emperor, and force the emperor to kill those who have made great contributions to the country?
Thinking more deeply, could this be a deliberate ploy by someone to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers, so they can plot some unspeakable plot?
Jiang Wan had just received a hint from Lord Qin's eyes, and now he was even more confident. He started talking nonsense with a righteous tone.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
