The next morning, the court assembly.
All the courtiers stood on either side of the great hall, divided by civil and military ranks. Usually, these assemblies began with disputes along these lines, but today there was no argunt, not even a sound.
The hall was so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.
In the midst of this silence, a sudden loud noise erupted.
It was His Majesty the Emperor who slamd his palm on the desk while angrily pointing at soone below, shouting, "Drag this lawless traitor down and behead him!"
As soon as he spoke, the Qi Fei Guards ca in.
The person they were to capture stood among the courtiers, a prominent and imposing figure — Duke Sheng, Yu Wenquan!
He had already been deployed to Taiyuan, especially after the battle in Yann County. Shanxi and other areas had beco targets for Ashina Shali’s revenge, frequently harassed by troops. Thus, after the new year, this Shanxi Comfort Envoy set off quickly, returning to Taiyuan to lead the defense against the Turkic southern invasion.
Unexpectedly, he returned to the Eastern Capital at this ti, appearing among the courtiers at the morning assembly.
Everyone was astounded, and hearing the Emperor’s execution order, the courtiers were thrown into panic. Several ministers imdiately stepped forward, kneeling before Chu Yang, pleading repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please spare Duke Sheng’s life."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, Duke Sheng has defied the Turkic, quelled the rebellion at Dragon Gate, and his achievents are significant. We cannot simply kill him."
"We ask Your Majesty to clarify the reasons before executing judgnt."
Listening to their desperate pleas, Wang Shaoji, standing among the courtiers, sneered and said, "You all speak easily. Yu Wenquan was commanded to guard Taiyuan, yet now, without the Emperor’s decree or a court order, he dared to return to the Eastern Capital on his own. What is this? This is dereliction of duty, deceit of the Emperor! If His Majesty doesn’t punish him as an example, will the soldiers guarding the borders of the empire follow his lead?"
Those ministers wanted to say sothing more, but could not find the words.
Indeed, Yu Wenquan standing here was dereliction of duty, a capital offense, leaving hardly any room for leniency.
At that mont, a person slowly stepped out from the line and stood at the center of the great hall.
It was Duke Shenwu, Dong Bizheng.
Bow respectfully, he said, "Your Majesty, Duke Sheng has deserted his post, deceived the Emperor, and deserves death undeniably. Since death is inevitable, might as well listen to what he wishes to say before dying; at least he can die with an understanding."
Chu Yang slightly squinted his phoenix eyes and looked at Yu Wenquan, whose arms were restrained by two Qi Fei Guards but who still stood tall without a trace of fear. After a mont of silence, he said, "Fine. Let’s hear what you have to say."
After speaking, he waved his hand lightly.
The two guards imdiately released Yu Wenquan and stepped aside while Yu Wenquan stood at the center of the great hall, bowing to Chu Yang, saying, "This old minister deserves death."
Chu Yang lazily replied, "Don’t bother with such nonsense, quickly explain why you returned to court to face death, and then proceed on."
Yu Wenquan said calmly, "This old minister returned to court for my son."
Chu Yang slightly raised his eyebrows.
The courtiers showed a peculiar expression on their faces.
Half a month ago, the Emperor shredded Military Supervisor Kou Junliang’s bones after executing him, although not in a public legal sentence, everyone knew about it, which was no secret, adding more mystery to the case of Assistant General killing the supervisor; now Duke Sheng returned secretly for his son, making the case even more complicated.
Chu Yang sneered and said, "So, it’s for Assistant General."
Upon hearing "Assistant General," those bewildered faces showed even more shock.
Even now, the Emperor referred to Yu Wenye as Assistant General, implying—
However, before everyone could think further, Yu Wenquan’s deep voice echoed in the great hall, almost deafening.
He said, "I wish to die, to prove my son’s innocence."
Many people gasped audibly.
And sitting on the Dragon Chair, Chu Yang straightened his body but after thinking, leaned back, placing his hand on the table, tapping his fingers lightly as if calculating sothing.
After a while, he squinted his eyes slightly at Yu Wenquan, sneering, "You an you want to exchange your death for his life."
"Yes."
"According to your words, regardless of his innocence, as long as you die, you want to spare him; where is the dignity of law? Where is justice? Is the court a place where lives can substitute for lives?"
Yu Wenquan replied promptly, "This old minister is confused."
"You are indeed confused!"
Chu Yang said, "I have already investigated Yu Wenye’s case; those who deserve death will die, those who deserve release will be released, those who deserve reward will be rewarded; why do you need to make such unnecessary moves?"
Yu Wenquan replied again, "This old minister is confused."
Chu Yang sneered and said, "If I don’t kill you and let you live, how will you save your son’s life?"
Upon hearing this, the court’s atmosphere suddenly shifted.
The civil and military officials’ faces showed surprise, and looking at Chu Yang, many had a light of realization in their eyes.
But, no one spoke.
Yu Wenquan quickly said, "If this old minister is fortunate enough to survive, but the cri has already been committed, I am willing to demote myself by three ranks, yet remain stationed in Taiyuan, to defend against the Turkic on behalf of the court, and dedicate myself with utmost effort until death!"
Upon hearing this, soone already let out a low exclamation.
Self-demoting by three ranks, yet still remaining in Taiyuan, ans that from today onwards, he will no longer lead the court’s troops but will have to continue to resist the Turks’ attacks, relying solely on his own Sheng Country troops!
This is not an ordinary punishnt and penalty!
This is an act of completely weakening oneself to demonstrate loyalty to the court!
Even Wang Shaoji, who stood by ready to mock him at any mont, showed a hint of surprise, as if he no longer needed to say anything.
In fact, he had already discerned the Emperor’s intention; it was impossible for the Emperor to truly execute Duke Sheng for such a minor offense as leaving his post without permission and returning to the court privately. Wang Shaoji’s previous agitation only aid to exacerbate his cris and intensify the Emperor’s punishnt.
Unexpectedly, Yu Wenquan, on his first words, took the heaviest punishnt upon himself.
With this, not releasing Yu Wenye was no longer an option.
But this was indeed the Emperor’s ultimate goal!
|
anwhile, outside the Ministry of Justice, Shang Ruyi stood in the wind and snow with Tushere and Chang Wan. Although the cold wind was piercing, she did not feel very cold in her thick fur coat. Instead, a passionate emotion surged in her chest, making her fear neither the wind nor the snow, as she eagerly stared at the door of the Ministry of Justice.
Haven’t they co out yet?
At this point, there should be a result.
Tushere was truly worried, holding an umbrella that still couldn’t shield against the chaotic wind and snow. Fearing that Shang Ruyi, who had just recovered from a serious injury, might fall ill again, she softly said, "Miss, why don’t we find a place to shelter from the wind and snow? I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold."
Shang Ruyi shook her head, "I’m fine."
On the other side, Chang Wan said worriedly, "Young Madam, are you sure Second Young Master will co out today?"
Shang Ruyi said, "He should be able to."
Chang Wan said, "Why is that? I don’t understand."
"..."
"Although the Duke has returned, wasn’t his return this ti due to committing——"
Here she forcibly swallowed the word "cri," as a maid shouldn’t presumptuously discuss her master’s actions, then continued, "Why does the Young Madam think Second Young Master can still be released?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, smiled slightly, and said, "His Majesty waited for this half month, just to wait for the Duke to ’commit a cri.’"
Both maids showed expressions of surprise.
Shang Ruyi said nothing more but smiled and turned her head back to look at the gate of the Ministry of Justice again. At this mont, the wind and snow seed to have lessened, and the oppressive clouds that had hung over them for half a month seed to have thinned, allowing faint light to filter through, brightening even her heart considerably.
At this mont, she understood too.
In fact, ever since Chu Yang ground Kou Junliang’s bones to dust, Yu Wenye had to be released, but he had been held back all along to pressure Duke Sheng.
And how could soone as astute as Duke Sheng fail to see through the Emperor’s intentions?
Thus, he "walked into the trap."
He returned to the Eastern Capital without permission, committed the cri of deceiving the sovereign, and with his cris, he punished himself by demoting by three ranks, yet remained in Taiyuan, using his troops to fend off the Turkic soldiers. The court benefited, and at the sa ti, the emperor’s thorn was weakened.
Indeed, it was a move that killed two birds with one stone.
In this way, even after admitting Yu Wenye achieved great military rit at Xingluo Granary, securing his position as Assistant General, and winning the people’s admiration, the weakening of the Yuwen Family was a decided fact that couldn’t be changed.
Upon thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a chill rising from her heart.
All along, in her eyes, Chu Yang had two faces: one she had never seen, but which had already been established, an image of a tyrannical and murderous, wanton and debased emperor in the world’s eyes; the other was the Immortal under the misty rain, holding an umbrella and smiling as he looked at her.
But she never imagined that Chu Yang was also adept at political maneuvering.
His intelligence astounded her countless tis before, yet at this mont, it once again made her realize that his intelligence was far beyond her imagination.
This person, favored too much by Heaven.
Too much...
As she marveled at this in her heart, the gate of the Ministry of Justice suddenly made a long creaking sound and opened.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly raised her head.
At this mont, the clouds parted as if being dispelled, and a ray of sunlight shone down, illuminating a tall and strong figure walking out of the gate. Though his face was pale, sowhat haggard, he stood upright as if a jade tree facing the wind. As he walked toward her, a joyful, gentle light slowly erged in his bright eyes...
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