Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1830: Chapter 1830: Nearly Capsized

Zhou Shuren and the other ministers today are not letting their ears idle; everyone is listening intently, especially when the Duke of Yongan brought out the Zhezi.

The Duke of Yongan stood inside the hall, feeling quite dazed. His appearances in court were limited, and he was uncomfortable with the scrutinizing gazes that he had anticipated. Indeed, he had made a mistake.

The Emperor accepted the Zhezi from the Duke of Yongan. The actions of the Duke Residence could not escape him. At the end of last year, they had already sent people south to look for evidence of crimes. Although they lacked extensive connections, they had silver to pave the way. Indeed, they uncovered quite a bit.

After reading, the Emperor handed it to the Crown Prince. With Zhuo Guyu giving him the nod, he only took a glance and then passed the Zhezi along.

When Zhou Shuren received it, he took a glance, focusing on the words about harbor taxation. He understood the Emperor well, and seeing the standing Old Duke, it was clear the Emperor hadn’t summoned him; it was Zhuo Guyu, guided by the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shuren handed the Zhezi down. The blade of the Duke Residence bore no weight in the hearts of the Imperial Family father and son. Sympathy? No, this was the path the Duke Residence had chosen.

The Emperor wanted to rectify the harbor, give a bit of a warning, and if the chance was not seized, he would have to act seriously. The Duke of Yongan’s residence was the Emperor’s knife.

Once the Zhezi finished circulating, the hall was no longer silent. The Duke of Yongan remained mute, knowing well that after submitting the Zhezi today, the Duke Residence could only continue down this road.

The morning court session ended, and the Emperor suggested discussing it later, then retired from court with the Duke of Yongan.

Walking alongside Zhou Shuren were Minister Wei and Old Minister Liu. Minister Wei was anxious. "Marquis, my young one at home."

Zhou Shuren understood his unspoken words, "There won’t be any trouble."

The Emperor truly wanted to stir up the noble families linked with the harbor. While some in the capital might get involved, the young Wei, who had just transferred to Maritime Affairs, might even catch a promotion opportunity.

Minister Wei felt relieved; the major cases in the past two years had been bloody, and he was careful in his actions.

Old Minister Liu stroked his beard. "The Duke Residence will survive if they win; if they lose, it is utter devastation."

Minister Wei frowned, "What a deep-seated grudge!"

There were as many as five noble families from the south on the Zhezi. When he read it, he only felt that the Duke Residence was insane.

Zhou Shuren thought the current outcome was led by the Emperor; the southern noble families would fix their attention on the Duke Residence, thus overlooking the court’s movements. The Duke of Yongan staked everything for the continuation of his descendants.

The Zhezi was passed around, and its contents did not need to be kept secret. The Emperor meant for it to spread, and soon the involved southern noble families all knew.

At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi saw several Scholars gathered together as he came out for tea. He didn’t know what they were discussing, but their faces were particularly serious.

Noticing Chang Zhi, a few saluted and left, walking with heavy steps.

Mr. Qi held tea leaves, "What are you looking at?"

Chang Zhi took the tea leaves and explained what he had just seen. Mr. Qi said, "You make the tea, I’ll go find out."

The news was easy to gather. Chang Zhi didn’t focus on morning court; all his thoughts were on compiling books. The contents of the Duke of Yongan’s Zhezi had spread in Hanlin Academy.

After hearing it, Chang Zhi said, "This is rushed."

Mr. Qi waited for his tea, glanced up, and said, "I thought the Duke Residence had swallowed its losses in silence, but it had stored up fierce dormant energy instead!"

Then he shook his head, not understanding; the Old Duke was too reckless. Submitting the Zhezi felt satisfying but implicated too many, risking capsizing!

Chang Zhi said, "Zhuo Guyu has already entered the palace. Doesn’t that indicate the stance from above?"

Mr. Qi nodded in realization, "Indeed."

So the Duke Residence had some backing.

Chang Zhi quietly said, "In this year’s imperial exam, the children of the southern noble families haven’t sought official positions."

Mr. Qi thought they gathered at the Hanlin Academy to become Scholars, awaiting a three-year assessment. "Their main purpose these three years is to cultivate connections?"

Chang Zhi, "Yes."

The court has changed rapidly in recent years. Indeed, the south prospered, but the capital is the political center. The court’s actions are constant, and the southern noble families have realized they must rebuild connections.

But alas, the Emperor would not allow it. As the court changed over the years, the Emperor subtly weakened the power of noble families, so how could he allow them to grow strong again?

Chang Zhi raised his teacup, "These three years will not be peaceful."

Mr. Qi’s eyes were deep with thought. He trusted Zhou Changzhi’s political acumen, considering what the Qi family might gain in this struggle.

Chang Zhi regretted that the Marquis Zhou would reap no rewards. Yet, not taking advantage had its benefits, not incurring the wrath of the southern noble families, with his third brother still posted in the south!

Chang Xhong’s mind was buzzing from exhaustion, and as he emerged, he saw his fourth brother leisurely sipping tea in the pavilion, "!!"

Upon seeing his brother, Chang Zhi smiled and waved, "Come, have some tea."

Chang Xhong approached without hesitation, sat down, and said, "Fourth Brother, what were you discussing with Mr. Qi?"

Chang Zhi, "Discussing today’s Zhezi from the Duke of Yongan."

Chang Xhong’s mind was filled with knowledge needing organization; after his brother’s explanation, he merely acknowledged and didn’t wish to engage further in discussion.

The next day, as the morning court had just begun, impeachment memorials fell like snowflakes, both against the southern noble families and the Duke Residence.

Zhou Shuren thought that the Imperial Censor was busiest these few days. Earlier in the morning, Mr. Lin had talked with him, revealing much information. Zhou Shuren felt the importance of having a Censor as an in-law; today’s impeachment Zhezi all had evidence.

The Duke of Yongan believed he had cleaned family and friends and retained no evidence, yet overlooked his trusted aides. Did his aides act independently? No one would believe it!

The Duke of Yongan, listening to the impeachment memorials, swayed a bit and finally knelt on the ground, "Emperor, this old minister has managed the family poorly. I ask the Emperor to grant punishment."

The noisy hall quieted down. This sound was too resonant, drawing everyone’s eyes to the Old Duke.

The Emperor was displeased. The Crown Prince had already hinted, yet the Duke Residence still let someone catch a handle. The Emperor, unhappy, remained silent.

Zhou Shuren knew the Emperor too well; he was quite displeased.

Sweat dripped from the Duke of Yongan’s forehead, and the sweat on his body came in torrents. His mind was filled with impeachment Zhezi against the Duke Residence, most alarmingly the accusation of embezzling military funds from his estate. Though unfounded, he knew having too much wealth stirred envy. Once rumors formed, falsehoods became truths.

More sweat on his forehead; he had to quash the charges today.

The Old Duke knew well and finally shut his eyes. "An official like me deserves my title stripped, and I plead for the Emperor to retract the Duke Residence’s title."

The Emperor stayed silent. The few who had been accusing the Old Duke squinted, exchanging a glance, knowing full well the Zhuo family got away today.

The Emperor stood, "Indeed, you have failed to honor the titles granted to you."

The Old Duke pressed his forehead against the ground, the cool sensation making his mind exceptionally clear, "This old minister should repay with death, but wishes to redeem himself. May the Emperor grant a chance."

The Emperor had use for the Zhuo family and looked at the gathered ministers, "I grant three days and expect evidence proving innocence."

The Old Duke kowtowed in gratitude and added, "I beg the Emperor to retract the Duke title, for I am too ashamed to hold it."

In the end, the Emperor agreed, as an explanation had to be provided. Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow—the Duke Residence nearly capsized, but maneuvered adeptly!