This time, Dong Jinguo's Imperial Preceptor had also arrived in the capital, mingled with the marriage procession. Like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey, he was determined to seize the throne, attempting to annex the Great Gan Kingdom and unite the two countries. His ambition was as vast as that of a giant beast devouring the heavens, a matter of course.
In their chambers, the Third Prince and Concubine Qing took pills to ease their pain, but their resentment towards Imperial Preceptor Dong Jinguo intensified. They knew that if they didn't break free from the Gu, not only would their lives be in jeopardy, but the Great Gan Kingdom would also be plunged into crisis. A struggle for power, conspiracy, and family and country had just begun.
Morning Pilgrimage Temple
The ministers, holding jade tablets, stood respectfully in three rows. The Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, following His Majesty's orders, summoned the convicted officials into the main hall one by one. There, they trembled like lambs to be slaughtered, waiting for His Majesty to judge their crimes.
When they arrived at the father and son of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, they were kneeling in the hall, trembling like autumn leaves, as if they would fall down at the slightest breeze.
The Song Emperor spoke slowly, his voice resonating through the hall like a bell. "Duke Zhenguo Jiang Wangmo was found guilty of corruption and abuse of power during his tenure at the Ministry of Revenue. The evidence is irrefutable and he deserves severe punishment. However, considering his ancestors' outstanding contributions, I am showing mercy today and stripping him of his official title, but sparing his life for now. His son, Jiang Yunzhu, is arrogant and domineering, forcibly abducting a woman and making her his concubine. The evidence is irrefutable and he should have been stripped of his title and exiled. However, Jiang Zhixu has made great contributions to the state by offering a salt mine and an iron mine. Therefore, his merits and demerits offset each other, and I will retain his title. Duke Zhenguo and Jiang Yunzhu will no longer serve in official positions. I decree this."
Upon hearing this, the father and son collapsed to the ground as if their spines had been torn out, kowtowed profusely in gratitude. Everyone in the court was hushed, not daring to even breathe. Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan also breathed a sigh of relief; the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had finally been saved.
After the court was dismissed, Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan helped their father and brother, who had collapsed on the ground like mud, to their feet and helped them into the carriage. They lay there for a long time, like statues, unable to recover, their legs so weak they felt like they weren't their own. When they got home, the two brothers had to carry them into the mansion like sacks.
Just when the people in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion were in a panic, like frightened birds, they didn't expect that the Duke of Zhenguo and Jiang Yunzhu would actually return home. The imperial edict showed that the emperor remembered Jiang Zhixu's donation of salt mines and iron mines, and his merits and demerits offset each other, so he was given a lighter sentence and his title was retained.
Everyone in the Zhenguo Mansion cried with joy and hurried to express their gratitude.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
