Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Noticing the Emperor Qianyou's expression turn somewhat grim, Dong Lide's heart skipped a beat. Panicked, he stammered, "Your Majesty, you've known your humble servant for so long—do you not understand my character? I have always been honest and upright. How could I possibly commit such an act?"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Honest and upright? His son's servants dared to boss me around. Is that what he calls honest and upright? I'm starting to forget what those words even mean!"

*And keep in mind, I was wearing my official robes at the time! Official robes! And they still didn't hesitate to attack me!*

Being contradicted by Meng Shuping like this, Dong Lide was seething with anger. However, being in the presence of Emperor Qianyou, he couldn't openly lash out at Meng Shuping. So, stifling his rage, he retorted, "None of us were there when it happened. You can claim anything you want!"

"Lord Dong, that's not quite right," Jiang Cihe interjected. "The incident occurred on the street, with many witnesses. Vice Director Meng would not fabricate such an easily exposed lie."

Dong Lide was momentarily speechless, then quickly changed his tune. "Your Majesty, perhaps I have been too lenient with my servants, which has allowed them to become so arrogant. Once I return, I will discipline them severely—dismissing those who should be dismissed and reprimanding those who need it."

Watching Dong Lide shamelessly shift the blame onto his servants, Meng Shuping's expression was openly derisive. *Oh, look, he's pushing all the blame onto the servants again?*

He immediately turned to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, without the indulgence of those above them, would servants dare to act so presumptuously? Moreover, if even the servants speak this way, it clearly shows how blatantly Lord Dong has been colluding with court officials!"

*Honestly, the servants are the most informed about what goes on in a household. Who came with gifts, who came seeking official positions, who came to settle disputes—without the servants' reports, how would these people even get in? I've heard that officials from other regions have to bribe the servants first to get an audience with their masters!*

*No wonder they dare to act so recklessly, even to the point of arbitrarily dismissing imperial officials. Minor officials like us, without power or influence, wouldn't dare speak up for justice outside. The phrase 'officials protect each other' isn't an exaggeration! It's only because I have the chance to see Your Majesty that I can speak up. Otherwise, I'd probably be beaten and lose my position too. Ugh, how terrifying!*

*Sigh, the well-connected are truly formidable. Look, he still has the chance to cozy up to Your Majesty. But what about the ordinary people they've oppressed? Who can they turn to for redress?*

Emperor Qianyou scrutinized Dong Lide. It had to be said, while Meng Shuping often made wild speculations, his deductions were sometimes remarkably insightful. Could it be that this Dong Lide truly dared to act in such a manner?

Regardless of whether it was true, Dong Lide needed a stern warning to prevent others from following his example and corrupting the court.

Cao Jie and the others felt a jolt of fear. Could their own servants be acting this way too? They would have to investigate thoroughly upon returning—they couldn't afford to be undermined by their servants.

Dong Lide shot a hateful glare at Meng Shuping. Who was the truly malicious one here? All he wanted was for the emperor to release his son, but Meng Shuping was outright trying to get his family ruined!

Since Meng Shuping insisted on opposing him, he shouldn't blame Dong Lide for being ruthless!

A flash of ferocity crossed Dong Lide's eyes. Seeing this, Meng Shuping was startled. *Whoa! Such a vicious glare—is he planning to retaliate against me?*

*I get it now. He must be planning to conspire with others to frame me and then impeach me, right? Alas, someone like me, with no connections in official circles, how could I ever stand against them? I'd probably be screwed over and not even see it coming!*

Cao Jie and Lord Chen couldn't help rolling their eyes. How could this kid claim to have no connections? Prince Zhao alone was support enough for many, not to mention he was the grandson of the Earl of Anyang and highly favored by the emperor. If they had such backing at his age, they'd be overjoyed!

This kid has no idea how good he has it!

However, to Meng Shuping's surprise, Dong Lide suddenly fell to his knees and kowtowed to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, I failed to discipline my son properly. I am at fault. Whatever punishment you decree for me and my son, I will accept it."

Meng Shuping was utterly dumbfounded. *Huh? Why did he suddenly back down? Wasn't he acting all high and mighty just a moment ago?*

A moment later, it dawned on him. *Oh, I see! He must be guilty! He's afraid that if more serious charges are brought up, Your Majesty will investigate him!*

*Investigate him! He must be investigated! We can't let him become a parasite of Great Chu!*

Dong Lide gritted his teeth in fury. This Meng Shuping, though young, was like a treacherous minister spreading malicious rumors. Just because his son suffered a minor injury, was it necessary to pursue him so relentlessly?

But given the current situation, which was highly unfavorable to him, Dong Lide had no choice but to endure it for now. Once he overcame this hurdle, he would find time to settle scores with Meng Shuping.

Through clenched teeth, he said, "Your Majesty, since Vice Director Meng wants compensation for medical expenses, I will pay it!"

Meng Shuping was exasperated. *What 'I want compensation'?! His son injured people—he should pay anyway! Don't make it sound like I'm extorting him, or I *will* extort him for all he's worth! Acting all high and mighty while compensating—just watch me extort him for all he’s worth!*

With a stern face and a stiff tone, he said, "Your Majesty, Lord Dong's son didn't just injure me alone. If he's compensating, he shouldn't compensate only me—he should compensate everyone on the entire street!"

Dong Lide was livid. "Meng! Don't push your luck! Why should I compensate the entire street? My son didn't injure everyone on the street!"

Meng Shuping immediately turned to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, look! He's still refusing to yield! I don’t think he has recognized his mistake at all. He’s just trying to buy my silence! He dares to attempt bribery right in front of You—and he still claims he isn’t colluding with officials?"

*Does he think that by paying me off, I’ll let this go? Pah! What does he take me for? Do you think I'd sell my principles for money? He really underestimates me!*

*Ah, I see. Has he often used money to settle matters with others like this before? When the weak face the powerful, they have no choice but to swallow their grievances. After all, getting some compensation is already something to be thankful for. If they don’t know their place, they might even lose their lives!*

At this thought, Meng Shuping felt utter disdain. *Pah! I despise their condescending attitude the most! Does having money mean they can do whatever they want?*

The other officials chimed in one after another. "Hear, hear! Lord Dong, this is in front of His Majesty. Have you no restraint?"

"Lord Dong, no offense, but if you wanted to settle this, you should have done it privately. How could you do it so openly in front of everyone?"

"What? Is Vice Director Meng’s injury an injury, but the injuries of ordinary people aren’t? Lord Dong, don’t be so snobbish!"

"Lord Dong, why can’t you see reason? It’s just a bit of money—just pay it and admit your mistake. Besides, isn’t this what you should be paying? Why hesitate?"

Dong Lide’s face turned ashen. It was easy for them to talk—they weren’t the ones paying. Compensating everyone on the entire street would cost a fortune! How was he supposed to afford that? He was just trying to get his son out, not play the sucker!

What infuriated him most was how Meng Shuping kept spreading such malicious rumors. He had merely raised a doubt, and this kid was pinning such serious charges on him! In his opinion, even the censors from the Censorate would be put to shame by Meng Shuping!

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Your Majesty, it’s not that I refuse to admit my fault or shirk responsibility. It’s just that such compensation is unreasonable. No matter how unruly my son was, he couldn’t have injured everyone on the entire street!"

At this moment, Jiang Cihe stepped forward. "Father, Lord Dong is right. I had people make a tally yesterday. Only a few dozen people were directly injured by Dong Wenjin’s horse, and those injured while avoiding it accounted for only twenty to thirty percent. Besides that, there were also those whose stalls were destroyed and those beaten by Dong Wenjin. Altogether, it amounts to only half the street. So, Lord Dong only needs to compensate half the street. Compensating the entire street is indeed an exaggeration."

"Pfft!" Several officials couldn’t hold back their laughter. Prince Zhao’s words were brilliantly witty.

Dong Lide was so angry he nearly spat blood. He had thought Jiang Cihe was speaking up for him, but it turned out they were even harsher!

Meng Shuping’s words could be dismissed as nonsense, but Jiang Cihe’s statement sounded so reasoned and supported by evidence that Dong Lide didn’t know how to refute it. A sense of despair washed over him. Half the street! The cost would be astronomical!

The thought made him want to rush into the prison and give Dong Wenjin a beating. Why did he have to ride so recklessly? Why did he have to pick a fight with Meng Shuping? Couldn’t he have been more low-key?

At this point, he almost wished Dong Wenjin would just stay in prison. But the situation left him no other choice. With a stiff expression, he said, "Your Highness Prince Zhao, are you sure there are that many? Isn’t this an exaggeration?"

Jiang Cihe replied coldly, "If Lord Dong doesn’t believe it, you can ask His Majesty to send someone else to investigate."

Watching Dong Lide’s dismayed expression, Meng Shuping felt gleeful. *Acting all high and mighty now, aren’t you? Didn’t he say the clothes he wears cost more than my annual salary? Then this compensation should be peanuts to him, right?*

*What's Lord Dong's problem, anyway? Either go to prison or pay up—is there even a choice? If he’s unwilling to pay such a small amount, Lord Dong, don’t be so stingy!*

Dong Lide was nearly driven to madness by Meng Shuping’s sarcastic tone. So much money—why didn’t Meng Shuping try paying it himself? No matter how wealthy he was, how could he afford such extravagance?

Emperor Qianyou struggled to suppress a smile and asked Dong Lide, "Beloved Minister, do you need me to send someone to investigate?"

Dong Lide hurriedly replied, "No, no need. I will pay. Please have Prince Zhao provide a list, and I will compensate accordingly."

After forcing out these words through gritted teeth, he cautiously asked Emperor Qianyou, "What about my son…?"

Meng Shuping looked incredulous. *He wouldn’t still be hoping for His Majesty to release his son, would he? No way, no way! One thing at a time—the compensation issue is resolved, but that doesn’t mean his son isn’t guilty of breaking the law. Why does he keep dreaming?*

Dong Lide was so angry he felt smoke coming out of his head. Why did Meng Shuping have to interfere everywhere? Couldn’t he just let him plead for mercy?

Emperor Qianyou chuckled inwardly. After a pause, he said, "Considering your attitude in admitting your fault is acceptable, let him stay in prison for a while to learn his lesson. He must not repeat this offense in the future."

Dong Lide felt both relieved and dissatisfied. Well, at least the matter was settled.