Chapter 422 The Emperor Ignored the Censors’ Impeachment
The emperor was silent for a moment before he said in disbelief, "My dear ministers, is there some misunderstanding here?"
Imperial Censor Tang Zizhong immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, yesterday, Princess Funing and her family dined at Renjian Xianwei, spending nearly four thousand taels of silver. I have absolutely not wronged Princess Funing."
When Tang Zizhong said this, the whole court was in an uproar. They were so surprised because four thousand taels for a meal was too much. Even if they were people with a small fortune, they would not be willing to spend so much.
It can only be said that the dowry that Lord Zhao gave to Princess Funing was really huge, and all the civil and military officials in the court were envious. If they had known such a daughter-in-law, they would have fought for it no matter how hard they tried.
The Emperor asked, "Lord Tang, how much silver did you spend?"
"Your Majesty, the four thousand taels of silver are absolutely true." Tang Zizhong had no grudge against Princess Funing, but he was the Imperial Censor. If he didn't report such a thing, it would be his dereliction of duty.
The Emperor could only look at the Crown Prince, who looked up and down, refusing to meet his gaze. The Emperor knew what else, but the key point was that he had already spent the four thousand taels yesterday. He had even discussed with the Empress that evening about dining at the restaurant sometime in the future.
Now that he heard the price, he only regretted not buying the plate yesterday.
"I don't think this is my responsibility! Princess Funing doesn't have any fiefdoms, and no one in Princess Funing's mansion is an official. Her money comes from legitimate sources. Am I really supposed to stop people from spending their own money?"
The emperor said that he envied his sister's life, because she could spend her own money freely, unlike him. The emperor had no private property, all of it belonged to the people of the world.
"This trend is not good! As the eldest princess of Jing Kingdom, you should set an example for the world." Tang Zizhong argued again.
"It's true, but it's also true! Princess Funing wasn't given the title of princess simply because she was a member of the royal family. She was given the title because she discovered the miracle cure for smallpox.
If there is any debt, then the world owes Funing more. Moreover, Funing spent her own dowry.
The emperor thought that he had not yet mentioned how many military weapons Fu Ning had invented, otherwise he would have scared all the ministers in the court.
"Your Majesty, this is a great achievement." Lord Jin saw that the situation was not right, so he quickly came out to agree.
The emperor is now very annoyed when looking at Lord Jin. He is not an imperial censor, so why is he everywhere?
"Okay, stop using chicken feathers as a token of authority. What's the point of saying 'yes'? You guys sometimes buy antiques and paintings without blinking an eye. The princess just likes to eat.
And as far as I know, this is because Fu Ning wanted to celebrate his child's passing the imperial examination. It's just a celebration, not like he goes there to eat every day.
If you have something to report, please report it. If not, please leave the court!"
The emperor's words were almost like saying that these people were looking for trouble and meddling in other people's affairs.
When the ministers in the court saw the emperor's attitude, they knew that even if the emperor had changed, Princess Funing's favor would still remain strong!
No one said anything else, bowed obediently, and left the court.
From an angle unseen by the ministers, the Emperor glared at the Crown Prince before leaving. This boy was truly full of cunning schemes, and he was also quite malicious.
When Zhao Lingmeng heard the news, she was very proud of her cleverness and gave herself a thumbs-up. Fortunately, she bribed those bigwigs in the palace yesterday!
The matter came to an end, and Zhao Lingmeng began to live a leisurely life at home in the mansion again. Since Zhao Houjing and Zhao Houming had to take the scholar examination in a month, Zhao Lingmeng did not propose to live in the manor.
She stopped all the things she was working on and ordered the kitchen in her house to prepare various kinds of food, so she lived a relatively comfortable life.
The one with the hardest life and the most pressure was Zhao Houjing. He was originally a student and was in a hurry to get the title. If he didn't prepare well, he might not have a chance to become a scholar this time. So he spent all his time reading.
Zhao Houyang and Yang Chengchen were given various gifts after passing the imperial examination, and they were like chicken blood, reading books all day long and no longer going out to play.
Zhao Houming, on the other hand, wasn't sure if he was confident or if he'd gotten carried away after winning the first place award. Although he read every day, he maintained a relatively regular sleep schedule, going to bed early and getting up early, and sometimes even helping Zhao Lingmeng mow the lawn.
Zhao Lingmeng observed their state. She neither poured cold water on Zhao Houyang and the others nor criticized Zhao Houming. She felt that the children were quite professional in their studies, and she should not let outsiders command the experts.
In the end, they have to walk their own path in life.
Zhao Lingmeng, who had been relatively idle recently, occasionally thought of his long-missed future prince consort. Even the admission of his two children into the Tongsheng examination was a gift from the servants.
Zhao Lingmeng also guessed that Fan Yong must have gone out on a mission again. She didn't miss him much, but she was worried that he might be in danger because he hadn't been back for so long.
But these thoughts and worries were just occasional flashes of thought. They were both career-oriented and not prone to sentimentality. She had absolutely no intention of keeping Fan Yong with her.
While Zhao Houjing and Zhao Houming were taking the exam for the scholar degree, Zhao Lingmeng felt as if a long time had passed. It was true that time passed more slowly when one was free.
Fortunately, the final result was not bad. Although Zhao Houming seemed to have relaxed a little during the past month, he still passed the examination with the first place advantage. Zhao Houjing was even luckier, as he was the last one to pass the examination.
Even Zhao Lingmeng couldn't help but sigh that his eldest son was really lucky.
Since Zhao Houjing and Zhao Houming had passed the imperial examination, Zhao Lingmeng was bound to reward them. Zhao Lingmeng generously rewarded them with a 100-acre farm each, but this time it wasn't in Yuanjing.
Zhao Lingmeng has thoroughly implemented the saying that "being good at studying can also be considered a career."
But Zhao Houyang was still envious, and from then on he studied even harder. The ability to own property that he could dispose of was Zhao Houyang's most enduring motivation.
Another major event that occurred during this period was the emperor's departure from the palace. He took his concubines with him and moved directly to the imperial residence outside Yuanjing. This was a true farewell to the political center, and he would only be an idle emperor from then on.
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