Chapter 272: The Honest Minister

Chapter 272: The Outspoken Minister

"Your daughter and Gu Huai have long been betrothed, and We previously added another decree to make a good thing even better."

"As for whether the betrothal should continue, it ultimately depends on the wishes of the Duke's household."

"Duke, what are your thoughts?"

The Duke wanted nothing more than to rush up to the Yongning Marquis, examining him thoroughly from head to toe!

This was heaven-sent good fortune.

It felt like the joy of a death row convict being pardoned.

Considering Lu Minghui's ruthless and tyrannical temperament and methods, the Duke didn’t dare play hard to get before accepting. Bowing deeply, he said, "A fault confessed is half redressed."

"The Marquis's daughter has the intention to devote herself to spiritual cultivation—this is truly a good thing."

"I agree to dissolve the betrothal between our two households."

The Emperor declared clearly, "Since that is the case, We hereby annul the marriage."

Then, shifting his tone, he added, "Lord Lu, the state has its laws, and the family its rules—this is the natural order of things."

"Your governance of your household indeed has its shortcomings, failing to uphold strict discipline. In light of this, We have decided to impose a light punishment: you shall forfeit half a year’s salary as a warning to others. Do you accept this penalty willingly and without complaint?"

The Yongning Marquis nearly wept with joy. "Your humble servant bows deeply in gratitude for His Majesty’s grace."

Losing half a year's pay was barely a slap on the wrist.

Censor Ming smirked to himself.

He had finally seen the truth—facts didn’t matter, lives didn’t matter, only the Emperor’s attitude did.

Compared to the former Emperor Jingxiang, this Emperor’s methods of controlling his ministers were more polished and worldly-wise, yet his governance was more ambiguous, all bark and no bite.

After all, he lacked the former Emperor’s ironclad confidence and sharp wit.

Those who gained the throne improperly were always fond of stirring the pot.

"With all due respect, I must speak plainly—this is improper and unjust."

"One whose virtue does not match their position and fails to uphold integrity, yet is only punished with half a year’s forfeiture—if those above act thus, those below will follow, bound to cause problems."

Censor Ming’s words shattered the warm atmosphere of mutual approval between ruler and ministers.

His Majesty’s smile froze on his face.

Like a lake surface solidified by winter’s chill, not a trace of movement remained.

His expression darkened, his gaze piercing and sinister as it fixed on Censor Ming.

The Duke, who had just benefited, flicked his sleeve dismissively and glared coldly. "Censor Ming, men handle outside matters, women handle household affairs. At worst, the Yongning Marquis was just a bit slack in running his household—how does that make him unworthy of his position?"

Censor Ming shot back, "First improve yourself, then manage your household."

"If one cannot sweep their own house, how can they sweep the world?"

The Duke retorted sharply, "In any large, wealthy household, who doesn’t have a black sheep or two?"

"Does the misconduct of one unworthy descendant justify the complete erasure of the Yongning Marquis's past meritorious deeds, and the branding of him with such despicable accusations? Is this what the Imperial Censor Ming deems proper and fair?"

The Imperial Censor replied unhurriedly, "May I ask the Duke, what past achievements does the Yongning Marquis have?"

His tone was calm, yet his words were laced with poison.

The Duke was left speechless.

What past achievements? This truly stumped him.

Could he claim that the Yongning Marquis had the merit of swiftly switching allegiances when the winds changed during the palace coup?

The Yongning Marquis had indeed profited from that upheaval.

Beyond that incident, his life as a hereditary noble was completely undistinguished.

He was inferior to his elders and overshadowed by his juniors.

In his early years, he relied on the lingering prestige of the old Yongning Marquis to lord it over others. After the old Marquis's death, he paraded his standing through his legitimate son and daughter.

Seeing the Duke remain silent, the Imperial Censor scoffed. "I accuse the Yongning Marquis of lacking both virtue and ability—what fault lies in that?"

"I urge Your Majesty to punish the Yongning Marquis severely to set an example."

"If anyone suspects me of deliberately slandering or harassing the Yongning Marquis, I request the Three Judicial Offices to thoroughly investigate the Yongning Marquis's household. I guarantee the results will silence all doubts."

"Otherwise, I shall resign my post."

The Emperor on the dragon throne felt as though he were caught between a rock and a hard place.

The Marquis froze.

A full investigation by the Three Judicial Offices?

Did the Imperial Censor intend to destroy the Yongning Marquis's family?

No noble house survives scrutiny.

Grand Tutor Qin stroked his graying beard and attempted to mediate. "This exceeds all bounds."

"A full investigation would treat the Yongning Marquis as a criminal suspect."

The Imperial Censor retorted coldly, "Grand Tutor Qin is about to become the Yongning Marquis's in-law. Knowing propriety and the law, you should naturally recuse yourself rather than dance around like the Duke, that old fool, who is practically throwing a celebration for the broken engagement—highly suspicious."

"This official can't help but wonder if the Duke's household and the Yongning Marquis have struck some shady dealings in secret."

The Duke had no retort.

How many people had the Imperial Censor insulted in one sentence?

Unfazed, the Imperial Censor pressed on, "Your Majesty, now that Grand Tutor Qin has intervened, I am reminded of an incident from last winter's *meihua* banquet."

Grand Tutor Qin's face flushed with rage.

"You insolent cur! How dare you!"

The Imperial Censor remained impassive. "Does Grand Tutor Qin think his merits let him defy Your Majesty's authority and shout disrespectfully before the throne?"

"Your Majesty, I request that Grand Tutor Qin be punished for disrespecting the throne."

Grand Tutor Qin regained his composure and hastily bowed his head, cupping his hands. "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness."

The Emperor watched his ministers in the grand hall with a knowing smirk, remaining silent.

He knew that among these officials, some were two-faced—those who only paid lip service.

But Grand Tutor Qin was certainly not one of them.

Grand Tutor Qin's greatest strength was his unwavering loyalty, tying the rise and fall of the Qin family entirely to the Emperor.

Thus, the Emperor overlooked Grand Tutor Qin's backroom dealings.

Of course, he would never allow anyone to undermine this pillar he had planted firmly in the court.

Yet, Censor Ming was a rabid dog.

Once this rabid dog latched on, Grand Tutor Qin was in for trouble.

The Emperor gave two deliberate coughs, and from a corner of the hall, a minor fifth-rank official from the Ministry of Justice in a blue robe stepped forward briskly. "Your Majesty, this humble official has something to report."

"Speak."

"Regarding the plum blossom banquet hosted by the Qin residence last winter, though I was not present, rumors reached my ears, and I found the matter fishy from the start."

"Though I hold a lowly position, I am somewhat acquainted with the children of Grand Tutor Qin's household, all of whom are erudite scholars raised on classics. As for the heir of the Yongning Marquis, he is renowned for his integrity and propriety—how could he possibly be involved in such underhanded schemes?"

"Thus, unable to quell my doubts, I privately investigated further to uncover the truth."

"After much effort, I discovered that the instigator behind this incident was none other than the eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis's household. She resorted to foul play, drugging to entrap Qinwu Guniang and the Marquis's heir."

"At the time, the Qin and Lu families had already finalized their marriage alliance, so I chose to sit on the proof to avoid further complications."

The Emperor's eyebrow ticked.

This was not what he wanted to hear.

Cheng Yan was an ace in the hole he had planted in the court—unremarkable, yet always able to defuse tensions just as he wished.

Why was it that today, of all days, he failed to grasp the Emperor's intentions?

The Yongning Marquis stood dumbfounded.

Had Lu Minghui schemed against Ming Hua?

Ruined Ming Hua's spotless name, destroyed the marriage he had longed for, forcing him to marry some Yangzhou courtesan's daughter instead!

Had his wife covered for Minghui, keeping him in the dark like a fool?

The Yongning Marquis was furious!

Why send her to a temple for self-cultivation?

She might as well be hanged from the rafters!

Censor Ming remarked sarcastically, "So, trouble was brewing early on."

"Brutalizing servants, plotting against his own brother..."

"Tsk, what a disgrace to the family."

"The Yongning Marquis's eyes might as well be window dressing."

"Your Majesty, can you truly entrust such a man with important responsibilities?"

Thanks to Censor Ming's dogged persistence, the Yongning Marquis was relieved of his post and confined to his residence for half a year.

"Pining for men."