Chapter 154

Chapter 154

After leaving Meng Houliang, Meng Wenxiu, Meng Shuqi, and the others returned directly to Jin Yiniang’s courtyard. Meng Huiyun looked at Meng Shuqi unhappily, "What are you still doing here? Don't call yourself my brother ever again!"

Meng Shuqi quickly said, "Sister, are you blaming me? If I hadn't spoken up, Meng Shuping might really have sent you to the Military Hall. He's perfectly capable of such a thing—do you actually want to go there?"

Seeing Meng Huiyun fall silent, he continued, "But don't worry, I'll make all the necessary arrangements for you. I'll behave well during this time and strive to bring you and our mother back as soon as possible."

Meng Huiyun knew Meng Shuqi was speaking the truth; otherwise, she would have already turned against him. Moreover, once she entered the family temple, she would indeed need Meng Shuqi's help.

She said indignantly, "It's all Meng Shuping's fault! Was it necessary to make such a big fuss over a minor issue?"

Meng Shuqi snorted coldly, "We truly underestimated him. But now he's in power—not even Father dares to cross him, and even Grandfather has to cater to his whims. If Father had someone backing him, would anyone in the household ignore him like this?"

Meng Wenxiu's expression darkened, "Hmph, if I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have brought him back in the first place. Then I wouldn't be angered by him every single day!"

Meng Shuqi glanced at Meng Wenxiu, "I heard Princess Yongtai is selecting a wife for her second son. Whoever gains her favor will surely see their status rise at home."

Meng Huiyun exclaimed in surprise, "You're not thinking of marrying me into their family, are you?"

Even though the match seemed advantageous, Princess Yongtai's second son was far from an ideal candidate. She'd rather marry beneath her station than consider him.

Meng Shuqi quickly clarified, "What are you thinking, sister? Even if you wanted to marry into their family, they might not consider a daughter of a concubine. I was just making an observation."

Meng Wenxiu fell into thought. After all, if a concubine-born daughter wasn't suitable, what about a legitimate daughter? If he could secure such an in-law, his father wouldn't be able to deal with him so arbitrarily anymore, would he?

Over the next few days, Meng Shuping enjoyed relative peace. One day, while handling paperwork at his office, he suddenly felt the ground shake. Realizing it might be an earthquake, he quickly ran to an open area outside. The tremors lasted for a while before subsiding. Meng Shuping didn't think much of it and returned to his office once everything stabilized.

Unexpectedly, a few days later during the morning court session, he heard news of an earthquake that had struck one of the regions.

A minister stepped forward from the crowd, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this is a warning from heaven to Great Chu. I implore Your Majesty to issue a formal apology to heaven to reflect on your actions and calm the people!"

Others quickly echoed his sentiment. Seeing so many people supporting this view, Meng Shuping thought, "Why don’t they reflect on themselves? Always shifting blame onto others, huh?"

"This is an act of nature, beyond human control. How can it be blamed on Your Majesty? As an emperor, he’s done quite well. If anyone’s to blame, it’s these superstitious, pedantic people! They don’t focus on real work, just stir the pot. Calming the people isn’t about this—it’s about properly aiding the disaster victims!"

The speaking minister grew irritated. How was he stirring up trouble? Throughout history, hadn’t emperors always issued self-reproach edicts during natural disasters? He paused before adding, "Your Majesty, rumors are already spreading among the people. If you don’t speak up, things could get even worse!"

Emperor Qianyou frowned—this was indeed a concern.

But the next moment, he heard Meng Shuping’s thoughts: "Threats! This is absolutely a threat! Using popular sentiment to pressure Your Majesty into submission—how audacious! Isn’t he afraid of payback down the road?"

"Sigh, it seems Your Majesty has no choice but to comply this time. Tsk tsk, it's tough being emperor. At his age, he’s still being restrained by them."

Emperor Qianyou’s eyes turned cold. Was he the type to yield easily to threats? He said sternly, "Oh? Then tell me, where have I erred?"

"This..." The minister hesitated. Emperor Qianyou truly hadn’t made any major mistakes. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Perhaps it’s because you haven’t strictly disciplined your two sons."

Emperor Qianyou almost laughed in anger. His sons had made mistakes, but hadn’t he punished them by imprisoning them?

At that moment, Hong Da stepped forward, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this heavenly warning may not be related to you. Perhaps there is a jinx in the court. To appease heaven’s wrath, this jinx must be eliminated!"

Meng Shuping gave him a disdainful look. "This is even more absurd! What jinx? I haven’t seen any. Honestly, why are they all so superstitious? Thankfully, not all ministers in Great Chu are like this, or the country would be doomed sooner or later!"

"But I’m really curious—who is this jinx? Could it be Hong Da’s rival? Is he using this chance to get rid of rivals? Or maybe it’s one of the princes—someone high-ranking enough to cause such a stir!"

Jiang Cian was startled. Had Hong Da allied with someone else to drag them down? If Hong Da successfully pinned this label on him, even if false, it would surely cause dislike.

He immediately stepped forward and said, "Hmph, General Hong, have you lost your mind? Since when did you take up the work of a Taoist priest! You claim there’s a jinx in court—do you have any evidence?"

Jiang Ciyi also stepped forward, "I think General Hong is the real jinx! Perhaps your bloodshed is too heavy, and you’ve done too little good, thus provoking heaven’s warning."

Hong Da thought these two were utterly unreasonable. He hadn’t targeted them—why were they opposing him? He said coldly, "Your Majesty, please discern the truth. Every enemy I’ve killed was to protect Great Chu. How can the two princes claim my bloodshed is too heavy?"

But as soon as he finished, he heard Meng Shuping’s internal monologue: "Was his son seizing commoners' properties and kidnapping women also to defend Great Chu? Even if he has merits, he can’t bully commoners based on past achievements! If there really is a jinx, it must be him! Heaven can’t stand having someone like him remain in court!"

Hong Da glared angrily at Meng Shuping. His son was already in prison—what more did Meng Shuping want? He bowed to Emperor Qianyou and said, "Your Majesty, the real jinx is Meng Shuping!"

Otherwise, how could he hear Meng Shuping’s thoughts? Meng Shuping must be some kind of supernatural being.

Meng Shuping was stunned. "Holy crap! How did I end up as the jinx? I knew he was getting rid of his opponents! And he has the nerve to say it’s for Great Chu—what a hypocrite!"

Jiang Cihe said coldly, "General Hong, even if Vice Director Meng wouldn't take your bribe and upheld the law fairly, you needn’t seek revenge under the guise of public duty. If everyone acted like you, wouldn’t the court fall into chaos?"

Then, Cai Feng stepped forward, "Your Highness Prince Zhao, you are mistaken. I’ve heard that before Vice Director Meng returned, the Earl of Anyang’s household was at peace. But since his return, there’s been constant trouble. Now that he’s entered the court, heaven saw fit to punish us—isn’t this proof he’s the jinx?"

Meng Shuping found this utterly ridiculous. "You've got to be kidding! That's your evidence? Then Your Majesty’s harem and sons fight the most—is he implying Your Majesty is the jinx? Besides, I’ve been in court for over half a year—is he saying heaven is slow to react?"

Emperor Qianyou’s face darkened. What did this have to do with him? Whose family didn’t have skeletons in the closet? Was this even a valid reason?

Seeing Cai Feng drag the Earl of Anyang’s household into this, Meng Houliang couldn’t stay silent. He said sternly, "Imperial Censor Cai seems awfully interested in other families’ affairs! But I wasn’t aware—what exactly has happened in my household? Did someone die, or was there a scandal?"

Cai Feng choked, then stubbornly said, "Rumors have been swirling about your household, haven't they? If not for him, why would these rumors spread?"

Jiang Cihe said, "As you said, Imperial Censor Cai, they’re just rumors. Have these rumors brought any disaster to the Earl’s household?"

He turned to Emperor Qianyou, "Father, everyone has seen what Vice Director Meng has accomplished since joining the court. Moreover, the news about sweet potatoes came from him, helping countless ordinary people. I fail to see how he could be a jinx! On the other hand, I haven’t heard of Imperial Censor Cai accomplishing much, let alone General Hong, who allowed his son to commit evil deeds. Who the real jinx is needs no further explanation!"

Cai Feng’s face turned red with anger, "You’re making baseless accusations!"

Hong Da sneered, "Prince Zhao claims we’re eliminating opposition, but everyone knows you’re close with Meng Shuping. Isn’t it natural for you to defend him now? But I hope Your Highness will put the nation's interests first. If we fail to eliminate this jinx in time, can you bear the responsibility?"

Just as Jiang Cihe was about to speak, Emperor Qianyou raised a hand to stop him, and he immediately fell silent.

Emperor Qianyou looked at Meng Shuping, "Vice Director Meng, what do you say?"

He wondered what unusual response Meng Shuping would have.

Meng Shuping stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the urgent matter is providing aid to the disaster victims. Other issues can wait!"

"It’s not that I want to criticize them, but what century are we living in that they have time to debate such things? Every moment delayed means more suffering for the people! Thankfully, Your Majesty is wise, or these stubborn old men would lead him astray!"

Emperor Qianyou slammed his armrest fiercely and said coldly, "Have you all heard, my beloved ministers? Instead of arguing here, focus on comforting and aiding the people! I don't pay your salaries so you can bicker in court!"

Seeing Emperor Qianyou’s anger, everyone dared not speak further. Having made his point clear to the court, Emperor Qianyou quickly arranged disaster relief personnel and supplies. After returning, Meng Shuping promptly wrote down all the knowledge about disaster response he knew and submitted it to Emperor Qianyou.