Chapter 368: Punishment

Chapter 368: Punishment

Emperor Xingyuan's anger grew as he spoke, looking down and asking in a deep voice, "Is the Prefect of Shun Tian here?"

An official stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I, Tian Dacheng, Prefect of Shun Tian Prefecture, am present."

"What charges was that scholar sent to Shun Tian Prefecture on yesterday?"

Yesterday, Qianfeng had delivered the scholar to Shun Tian Prefecture. Upon learning that Lady Xin's guard had brought him, the Prefect naturally did not dare to neglect the matter and personally inquired about the details. Now, being questioned by Emperor Xingyuan, he secretly congratulated himself: Fortunately, he had investigated thoroughly, or else he would have been caught off guard.

"Your Majesty, he was charged with slander and assault against a court official."

Emperor Xingyuan nodded: "I understand the 'assault,' but what about the 'slander'?"

The Prefect of Shun Tian lowered his head and replied, "The scholar publicly accused Lady Xin of being an unkind official who exploits the people—"

With a resounding slap, Emperor Xingyuan struck his throne's armrest, startling the Prefect and cutting off his words.

The court officials tensed, their hearts pounding.

Emperor Xingyuan glared at Censor Du and others, his face dark with anger: "I granted the censors the right to report on hearsay, but not to cherry-pick what you hear! That scholar attacked Lady Xin with a rotten egg and tarnished her reputation with such serious accusations, yet you still expect her to tolerate and placate him, even accusing her of being arrogant!"

After venting his anger, Emperor Xingyuan paused and then continued, "It seems to me you are deliberately obstructing the new policies. You are the corrupt officials who cannot stand to see the people live in peace! Guards, take Censor Du and the others to the dungeon and remove them from their posts!"

At this, the court officials burst into uproar.

"Your Majesty, censors reporting on hearsay do not need evidence. If Censor Du is punished for this, it will make the entire nation laugh!" The Minister of Rites stepped forward to plead for Censor Du.

Emperor Xingyuan's icy gaze fell on the Minister of Rites as he spoke word by word, "I am not punishing them for reporting on hearsay, but for deliberately obstructing the new policies!"

Obstructing the new policies was just one part of the reason; the main issue was that these people had recklessly impeached Ayou! Of course, he would never admit that.

As expected, once Emperor Xingyuan levied the charge of "obstructing the new policies," neither the Minister of Rites nor anyone else dared to speak up.

The Jinlin Guard swiftly dragged Censor Du and the others away.

Emperor Xingyuan finally felt somewhat relieved and turned his gaze to the Prefect of Shun Tian Prefecture.

The Prefect's scalp prickled.

Was he about to face misfortune as well? He had done nothing wrong!

"Is that scholar still in Shun Tian Prefecture?"

The Prefect hurriedly replied, "Indeed, Your Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan sneered, "What is the scholar's name? Does he hold any scholarly rank?"

"Your Majesty, the scholar's name is Ma Jiyuan, and he is a licentiate."

"A licentiate?" Emperor Xingyuan became even angrier upon hearing this.

A licentiate is someone with scholarly rank, not some ordinary commoner.

"Earlier, Du Yisheng said it is common for commoners to express anger by throwing rotten eggs. Since this Ma Jiyuan considers himself a commoner, let him be stripped of his licentiate rank, permanently barred from the imperial examinations, and live as a commoner."

After saying this, Emperor Xingyuan fixed his heavy gaze on the court officials below: "Do any of you have further matters to report?"

The court officials below lowered their heads and averted their eyes, each shrinking like a timid quail.

Even the censors have been thrown into prison; who would dare to stand up and court death now?

They were honest, extremely honest.

"Since there is nothing else, the court is dismissed." Emperor Xingyuan stood up and walked away.

The court officials slowly made their way to the palace gate, with less whispering among them, each looking listless, the atmosphere heavy with gloom.

It's impossible not to be listless; once it involves Lady Xin, the Emperor seems to lose all reason, striking down indiscriminately.

Who can handle this?

Unlike the low morale of the court officials, Emperor Xingyuan, having decisively dealt with the accusers and the egg throwers, was finally less enraged. Upon returning to the Qianqing Palace, he ordered the eunuch to summon Xin You.

Xin You was at the Hanlin Academy and arrived at the Qianqing Palace shortly after being summoned.

After paying her respects, Emperor Xingyuan said, "I heard there was a commotion in front of you yesterday."

Xin You immediately realized that some officials had brought up this matter during the morning court, undoubtedly to impeach her.

She had said yesterday that there was no need to rush into action, wanting to see how this person would react.

If a ruler lacks the determination to push through new policies, then implementing them will undoubtedly be difficult. And his determination can be seen in how fiercely he protects her.

"Yes. That person, having heard some twisted views about the new policies, came to the bookstore to vent his anger by throwing rotten eggs."

"Ayou, you've been wronged. I have already decreed to strip that person of his scholarly title, and those who defended him today have also been punished. If anyone speaks nonsense in the future, just let me know." Emperor Xingyuan dislikes the roundabout and subtle approach; being good to Ayou, of course, he wants her to know.

Xin You bowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

At the Shun Tian Prefecture office, the scholar Ma Jiyuan was brought before the Prefect.

Upon hearing that his scholarly title had been revoked, Ma Jiyuan's eyes widened in disbelief: "Impossible, impossible."

The Prefect, fearing that this man might go mad in the office, quickly said, "Take him out."

Two attendants dragged Ma Jiyuan out, who twisted his head and shouted, "You're falsely transmitting the imperial decree; the Emperor couldn't possibly strip me of my title. I don't believe it!"

The two attendants, hearing this man dare to mention the Emperor and fearing what shocking words he might say next, quickly sped up and pushed him out the gate.

"Let me in!" Ma Jiyuan turned around and ran back.

The family servant was waiting outside the Shun Tian Prefecture and quickly stopped him: "This is the Shun Tian Prefecture; you can't make a scene here."

"My scholarly title is gone, just because I said a few words," Ma Jiyuan's sanity teetered on the edge as he loudly proclaimed the punishment he had received.

Onlookers began to gather.

Two days later, when Xin You returned to Qingsong Bookstore, the news of the scholar being stripped of his scholarly title had reached Hu Boss and others.

"Boss, I've arranged for people to visit various taverns and teahouses these past two days, and there's almost no public discussion about you and the new policies."

Xin You was not surprised.

Under severe punishment, it's only natural that public criticism would temporarily subside.

However, Hu Boss was somewhat worried: "Those people will surely gossip about the boss in private. Over time, more and more people will believe them."

Liu Zhou disagreed: "As long as the Emperor stands by the boss, we are not afraid of what they say."

"Reputation is also important," Hu Boss didn’t say it outright, but his concerns deepened.

What if one day Grandpa Longevity no longer supports the boss?

"Tomorrow, the boss will arrange for someone to manage the bookstore, and I'll take you all to see a play."

A play, huh?

Hu Boss and Liu Zhou exchanged glances.

Is it actually a play, or just some kind of show?

There are many curious people like Hu Boss and Liu Zhou.

With less work in winter, ordinary people gathered around the wide stage set up by the roadside, talking excitedly.

"Is this going to be a big opera?"

"Big operas are usually in theaters—why would it be outside?"

"It looks like a stage for a big opera. I've been to a theater."

"Oh, you actually have money to watch a big opera? Tell us all about it."

Paid entertainment is out of reach for most ordinary folks. Reading novels is like this; watching big operas is also like this.

Just as the person was about to explain, the crowd suddenly stirred.