latelenovela Chapter 1788 The Minister of Rites is Demoted
Chapter 1788 The Minister of Rites is Demoted
"From feigning an act to lure Consort Zhuang into the trap; to having Imperial Physician Tang investigate the Third Prince's medical records... every step was meticulously planned."
"In the end, the Imperial Noble Consort deliberately let things slide, allowing Xiao Caizi to send those flawed pieces of evidence into Yongshou Palace, giving Consort Zhuang the opportunity to sacrifice one pawn to save the other."
The palace maid was stunned. After carefully considering Su Qing's words, she understood the intricacies of the situation.
A chill ran down her spine: "The Imperial Noble Consort's thoughts run too deep..."
Su Qing asked, "What's the current situation with the Xia family?"
The palace maid said, "It's already late, and news from outside hasn't come in yet."
"It's obvious that the manager of the Xia family's silk shop was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department, and several employees were interrogated separately. The entire Xia family must be busy investigating the source of that money, trying to find out who used their name to get in touch with Xiao Yizi."
"Perfect, our people can take advantage of the chaos!"
Su Qing nodded: "Make sure they keep their hands and feet clean."
“The Xia family is not stupid, and neither is the Imperial Noble Consort. If they are not careful, they will get burned.”
The palace maid solemnly replied, "Yes!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, the people outside are all experienced and know what's important."
A fleeting chill crossed Su Qing's eyes: "Proceed according to the original plan."
"If the lucky star in the Imperial Noble Consort's womb is born, her position will be completely secure."
"We've been planning this for so long, we absolutely cannot fail!"
The palace maid nodded vigorously: "This servant understands!"
"People outside are always looking for an opportunity."
"As for the palace... Yongshou Palace is like an ironclad fortress, and the palace maids and eunuchs around the Imperial Noble Consort are all very shrewd, so it's impossible to get involved..."
Su Qing's figure said, "No rush."
"The Imperial Noble Consort is still a month or two away from giving birth. A lot can happen in that time..."
……
The next day.
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
News of what happened in the palace yesterday has already spread.
The atmosphere inside the hall was extremely solemn!
The courtiers kept their eyes down, their noses closed, and even their breathing became soft.
I don't know how the bookmakers discussed it internally.
At this moment, Zhuang Shouzhen, the Minister of Rites, the second master of the Zhuang family, and Zhuang Yurou's father, was kneeling on the ground begging for forgiveness: "...This humble subject has failed in educating his daughter properly and deserves to die!"
"Before that rebellious daughter entered the palace, I always taught her to be dutiful and serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly."
"I never imagined... I never imagined she would do something so outrageous!"
Zhuang Shouzhen kowtowed deeply as he spoke: "As a father, I failed to properly educate my daughter, causing turmoil in the palace and nearly endangering the imperial heir. I am guilty, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Grand Tutor Zhuang also kowtowed: "This old minister...is ashamed!"
"With such a thing happening to the Zhuang family, I, as the head of the family, cannot shirk my responsibility."
"It is my fault for failing to properly educate and discipline my clansmen, which led them to commit such a grave error. I... I am ashamed before Your Majesty and before our ancestors!"
"Your Majesty, please punish me!"
Nangong Xuanyu's face remained expressionless as his gaze slowly fell upon Grand Tutor Zhuang.
He knelt there, his hair and beard all white, his face full of shame.
After a long silence, the emperor sighed softly.
The Grand Tutor is getting old.
When he first returned to court, the Grand Tutor's hair wasn't this white yet.
Nangong Xuanyu suddenly remembered when he was a child, the Grand Tutor held his hand and taught him to write characters stroke by stroke.
Those hands were warm and strong.
Now, the Grand Tutor's hands are so old that they have begun to tremble...
The court officials had different thoughts.
Grand Tutor Zhuang ordered His Majesty to punish him.
But how can His Majesty surrender?
Grand Tutor Zhuang was a veteran of three reigns, a trusted minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor by the late emperor, and Your Majesty's mentor.
Over the years, during festivals and holidays, imperial gifts were delivered to Grand Tutor Zhuang in a steady stream.
Who doesn't know how much Grand Tutor Zhuang holds in His Majesty's heart?
Nangong Xuanyu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "...Grand Tutor, please rise."
"This was done by Zhuang Yurou alone. What does it have to do with the Grand Tutor?"
Grand Tutor Zhuang raised his head, his eyes slightly red: "Your Majesty..."
Nangong Xuanyu waved his hand: "Li Changde, help the Grand Tutor up."
"Yes!"
Li Changde quickly stepped forward and carefully helped Grand Tutor Zhuang up.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze shifted to Zhuang Shouzhen: "You have failed to properly educate your daughter, causing the imperial heir to nearly suffer harm. For this crime, execution would not be an exaggeration!"
Zhuang Shouzhen's body trembled!
The emperor paused for a moment, then continued, "Considering the Zhuang family's long history of integrity, Zhuang Shouzheng is hereby dismissed from his post as Minister of Rites and demoted to Magistrate of Ronghua County. He shall assume his post immediately without delay!"
A collective gasp filled the hall.
Ronghua is a remote county, poor and desolate, with miasma rampant.
He was demoted from the first-rank Minister of Rites to the seventh-rank county magistrate—a complete downfall!
But everyone knew that His Majesty had already shown leniency out of consideration for the Zhuang family.
Murdering the imperial heir and framing the Imperial Noble Consort—which of these two crimes is not enough to warrant confiscation of property and execution?
Being able to save their lives and the official positions of the other members of the Zhuang family is already an immense blessing!
Zhuang Shouzhen knelt on the ground, choking back tears, and said, "This sinful subject... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
He knew that once he left, he might never return in this lifetime.
But he dared not plead for mercy, nor did he dare cry out that he was wronged.
Because of the crimes Zhuang Yurou committed, he deserved to die ten times over.
His Majesty's decision not to kill him is already a great act of kindness.
He could only express his gratitude.
Nangong Xuanyu stopped looking at Zhuang Shouzheng and instead focused his gaze on the officials standing to the side.
They are all from the dealer's faction.
He is either a disciple of Zhuang Shouzhen.
They were either former subordinates of the Zhuang family or court officials promoted by Zhuang Shouzheng.
The emperor said without any emotion, "Chen Ruming, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, is demoted to a sixth-rank official and transferred to Jiangning."
"Zhuang Xingxin, a censor of the Censorate, was dismissed from his post and demoted to county magistrate, and sent to Qiannan."
"Zhuang Mingyi, Lecturer at the Hanlin Academy..."
Read out the names one by one.
One by one, their official positions were demoted.
Those whose names were called all obediently stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed to express their gratitude.
Because they all knew that this was already the lightest possible punishment.
Murdering a royal heir is a capital offense punishable by execution of the entire family. His Majesty only dealt with Zhuang Shouzhen and a few officials who were closest to him.
Pleading for mercy at this point is tantamount to courting death, isn't it?
After reading the last name, Nangong Xuanyu's gaze slowly swept over the kneeling court officials, finally landing on Grand Tutor Zhuang.
His body was slightly hunched, and his face was full of shame.
The emperor withdrew his gaze and said, "...This matter ends here."
Anyone who raises further objections will be punished in the same manner!
Everyone's hearts tightened: "Yes!"
After the court session ended, Shen Maoxue walked among the crowd, his demeanor perfectly composed.
Anyone who saw him would only think that he was upright and composed, and never showed his emotions.
No one knew that Shen Maoxue's hand, hidden in his sleeve, was clenched rather tightly.
Because he was so happy, he was afraid he might accidentally burst out laughing!
The bookmaker finally lost!
In the past, Shen Maoxue was a minor official of the sixth rank, and he didn't even have the right to speak to the Zhuang family.