Read Novel Full Chapter 1831: A Windfall
Chapter 1831: Chapter 1831: A Windfall
After the morning court session concluded, once the Emperor and Crown Prince had moved away, the ministers remained in place, all eyes fixed on Old Master Zhuo.
Zhou Shuren waited for a moment, observing the spectacle with his sentiments intertwined. Other colleagues felt no sympathy for Old Master Zhuo, watching indifferently as he slumped down.
Zhou Shuren watched the rarely attending Prince Qi and Prince Chu. Neither would move first, as the royals were indeed petty; the eyes of Prince Qi and Prince Chu were very cold.
Fortunately, both Princes knew the Emperor still needed the Zhuo family, so when Prince Qi moved, Prince Chu followed along.
Zhou Shuren turned and hadn’t yet left the hall when he heard the voice of the Minister of Rites, "The Ministry of Rites will visit Duke Residence at noon."
Oh right, he just remembered that Duke Residence was bestowed, and now the Emperor didn’t want the Zhuo family to stay an extra day.
Zhou Shuren did not pause his steps as he left, with Mr. Lin and Mr. Wei hastily following.
The three walked quickly, putting distance between themselves and the others behind them. Only then did Mr. Lin speak, "We barely crossed paths, almost capsized."
Mr. Wei said, "Indeed, within a day, evidence against Duke, no, against the Zhuo family, was found."
This level of prowess looked a bit daunting to him!
Zhou Shuren sneered, "It’s not entirely evidence found by five families; quite a number of noble families implicated through marriage and connections."
Mr. Lin frowned, "The Zhuo family has lost the Duke’s title and is now on the back foot."
Zhou Shuren said gloomily, "Thus, the Emperor is enraged."
A well-planned game almost destroyed; after so many years of the Emperor’s strategic planning, this is the first time he almost lost at the start.
The Lin family is loyal to royal authority, dedicated to the Imperial Censors’ home, with first the Censors paving the way, followed by the Lin family, holding plenty of evidence. Mr. Lin furrowed his brows, "What a disgrace."
Mr. Wei agreed inwardly, "Without the title, only Zhuo Guyu is left, tut tut."
It’s clear what was left unsaid; it’s good if the Crown Prince continues to promote Zhuo Guyu, but once he abandons Zhuo Guyu, the Zhuo family will become meat to be divided and consumed!
In Zhou Hou Residence, Zhulan was speechless hearing the news. If she were the Emperor, she’d be furious too.
Su Xuan exchanged glances with Lady Zhao; Lady Zhao spoke first, "Mother, is the Zhuo family finished?"
Zhulan shook her head, "The Emperor gave them a chance."
Su Xuan responded, "The Emperor still needs the Zhuo family indeed!"
"Mm."
Zhulan signaled Steward Ding to arrange for someone to keep an eye and report back with updates.
Lady Li, after her mother-in-law arranged this, said, "Everyone will be watching the Zhuo family today."
Su Xuan snorted coldly, "The Zhuo family doesn’t deserve sympathy."
Lady Zhao nodded, "The path under one’s feet is walked by oneself; today’s fate for the Zhuo family was destined, only time has sped up."
Zhulan laughed, "You see clearly."
The Zhuo family lost the Duke title, and Duke Residence was in chaos. Old Master Zhuo returned, enduring discomfort, arranging someone to pack. The Ministry of Rites stated if it’s not packed today, don’t think of taking away anything remaining.
After giving instructions, Old Master Zhuo arranged for someone to deal with trusted aides, eyes filled with ruthless intent. The Emperor’s given three days weren’t truly about finding evidence, but to clean up thoroughly.
The Princely Heir, or rather now Great Master Zhuo, looked forlorn, "Father, we lost?"
Old Master Zhuo slapped his son, "Shut up."
The other masters of the Zhuo family didn’t dare to make a sound, Great Master Zhuo, covering his face, came to clarity, "Father."
The old master looked at his sons, "Our Zhuo family is not finished yet. From today onwards, you will stay at home."
Great Master Zhuo’s brothers felt terrified, fearing for their lives, quickly claiming they wouldn’t go anywhere.
With Old Master Zhuo overseeing, it was somewhat orderly, yet in other courtyards, the cries of terrified women and children did not cease.
The Ministry of Rites arrived promptly, Chang Yi was assigned this task, one he originally didn’t have, but the Minister of Rites, knowing Zhou Shuren’s dislike for the Zhuo family, added Chang Yi to the affair.
Standing outside the main gate, Chang Yi watched the plaque being removed, shaking his head at his colleague’s proposal, "You all go ahead, I won’t."
The colleague frowned, "The inspection won’t finish quickly."
Chang Yi understood, pointing at the relatively clean steps, "I’ll sit and wait for you."
The Ministry of Rites’ officials were surprised; they thought Zhou Changyi would seize the opportunity to attack, gave each other a look, then entered the Residence with their people.
Chang Yi watched them walk away, curled his lips; though he enjoyed watching the show, seizing the chance to lower his family’s reputation wasn’t worth it.
The gatekeeper, very perceptive, hurriedly brought out a clean cushion and sent someone to notify the master. In no time, Chang Yi was drinking tea and enjoying snacks.
The ministry officials who entered the residence today made a fortune; the Zhuo family brought out many purses with silver notes inside.
The Ministry of Rites officials weren’t overly greedy; after inspecting, they left people to watch, with a deadline of moving out before sunset, else directly sealing the residence.
On returning to the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi was also rewarded with some silver coin. Counting, it was quite a bit—five hundred taels.
At Hanlin Academy, Zhuo Guyu’s lips were tightly pursed, seeming calm on the surface but deeply anxious within, contemplating visiting the Crown Prince briefly before suppressing it, knowing now was not the time. Duke Residence failed the Royal Family; today the Emperor has already given them a chance.
Previously, though Duke Residence’s name was undeserved, it still had a title; now without it, everything is exposed to scrutiny, and ignoring Zhuo Guyu leaves only silver coin.
Mr. Qi whispered, "Today was truly perilous."
Chang Zhi sighed, "You’re awfully idle?"
Mr. Qi nodded, "Indeed, nothing important lately."
Chang Zhi ignored Mr. Qi, Chang Xhong interjected, "Silver coin and people."
Mr. Qi fell silent for a moment before leaving; Chang Zhi then addressed his brother, "Today, with Zhuo family losing the title, in a weakened state, looking positively, the Emperor might bolster the Zhuo family."
By afternoon, before dusk set, the Zhuo family had moved out of Duke Residence. With time constraints, they left many things behind; the Emperor didn’t clean them up, directly sealing the residence instead.
The next day, Zhou Shuren followed the Emperor to the government hall; the Emperor said, "Once this busy period ends, I’ve found a new owner for Duke Residence."
Zhou Shuren, "The Emperor intends to confer a new Duke?"
The Emperor almost rolled his eyes, "Do I seem foolish?"
Zhou Shuren smiled, "To which palace will His Majesty give it?"
Inwardly, the Emperor thought the old fox knew too well, "Who do you think I’d give it to?"
Zhou Shuren glanced at the garden blueprint, smiling, "I heard from my son about the Third Prince diligently studying behind the scenes."
The Emperor told the Crown Prince, "Upon hearing that, I knew I wouldn’t fool him."
The Crown Prince chuckled, "Father makes it quite obvious."
Zhou Shuren knew the Emperor prepared residences for the Princes to establish their own domains; originally equal treatment aside from the Fourth Prince, now the Third Prince was alluring, made Zhou glance more at the Crown Prince, without whom the Emperor wouldn’t single out the Third Prince.
The Duke Residence’s location was favorable for one, and secondly, with the Zhuo family leaving in a hurry, they left behind many good things. This time, the Third Prince got the residence without having to open a palace, quite a windfall.