vrcanaries Chapter 1284: Zhuang Taifu's reputation is damaged (190 million votes plus additional content)
Chapter 1284: Zhuang Taifu's reputation is damaged (190 million votes plus additional content)
"No reason for Concubine Chun to do this."
Concubine Zhuang paused, a gleam in her eyes. "Then who else in the harem has the ability and motivation to set up such a precise scheme, not only to eliminate the prince in Concubine Chun's womb, but also to bring me to ruin in one fell swoop?!"
The answer is ready to come out.
Little Caizi took a deep breath, then suddenly realized what had happened. However, he didn't dare to say the other person's name directly. He just lowered his voice and said, "If that's the case... that person's mind is too vicious and meticulous!"
"But, Madam, we have no evidence..."
Concubine Zhuang said in a cold and hard voice: "I know there is no evidence."
"But if you're a fox, you'll always show your tail!"
"Little Caizi, investigate carefully for me! Who do Eunuch Zhang and Little Liuzi usually interact with? Don't miss any clues!"
"I want to see how many evil spirits are hiding behind this!"
Little Caizi immediately bowed and accepted the order, his eyes quite calm: "Yes, I understand! I will investigate carefully in secret and will never dare to let the queen down!"
Concubine Zhuang looked at him, and the frustration in her heart finally eased a little.
After losing Ruoli, if we can cultivate a more useful Xiao Caizi, maybe... it won't be a bad thing.
This battle is not over yet!
……
The death of an imperial heir in the harem is no small matter.
Especially compared with the flourishing descendants of emperors in the past dynasties of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the descendants of His Majesty today are really few.
Therefore, even if Concubine Chun is carrying a prince with foreign blood in her belly, he is still a precious dragon seed!
The waves caused by Concubine Chun's sudden miscarriage were not limited to the palace walls.
The news spread quickly outside.
In this turmoil, besides Concubine Chun who tragically lost her son and Concubine Zhuang who failed to control her subordinates, the one who attracted even more attention was Concubine Zhuang's father, Imperial Tutor Zhuang!
There is no other reason.
Master Zhuang’s reputation is too high.
When the imperial teacher returned to the court, scholars from all over the world followed him.
He is almost a leader of the clean stream and a moral role model!
It was at this time that his legitimate daughter, who had just been granted the power to assist in the management of the six palaces, made such a disgraceful mistake, resulting in the premature death of the royal heir.
This was like a loud slap in the face, which severely hit Master Zhuang's golden signboard of "cultivating oneself, managing the family, governing the country and pacifying the world"!
For a time, people from all walks of life were talking about it.
The political enemies who were at odds with the banker were secretly delighted and attacked him whenever they got the chance.
Even those who are neutral cannot help but have doubts.
Can a person who can't even teach his own daughter well really help the king govern the world?
How could Master Zhuang not sense this undercurrent?
On the night the storm broke out, the lights in the Zhuang Mansion's study remained on all night.
The atmosphere at the next morning court session was particularly solemn.
All civil and military officials performed their duties in order.
Imperial Tutor Zhuang stepped out of the ranks of civil officials, holding a jade tablet in hand. He bowed deeply, his sorrowful voice echoing through the hall: "...Your Majesty, this old minister's inability to raise your daughter has led to the Imperial Concubine's lax management of her children, resulting in a catastrophe within the palace and the premature death of the Imperial Heir."
"This old minister is ashamed of your Majesty's trust, and I am ashamed to stand before this court..."
"I implore Your Majesty to severely punish the Imperial Concubine, to rectify the palace rules, and to serve as a warning to others!"
"This old minister...will also accept the blame for my negligence!"
After saying this, Master Zhuang lifted his robe and was about to kneel down, his gray beard trembling slightly with excitement.
This look of deep sorrow and resignation for the sake of justice is very moving to watch.
However, before his knees even touched the ground, the emperor on the dragon throne spoke: "There is no need to do this, Grand Master."
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze swept across the ministers below, who all had different expressions on their faces, and he slowly said, "I have investigated the matter concerning the harem. It was caused by my greed and laziness."
"The Imperial Concubine is indeed responsible for negligence. I have revoked her authority to assist in the management of the six palaces and ordered her to reflect on her mistakes within the palace."
"Well, what does this have to do with Grand Tutor? How could a daughter's careless actions bring trouble upon her father?"
The emperor looked at Grand Tutor Zhuang, his tone softening slightly, even with a hint of relief. "Grand Tutor is the pillar of the country and my right-hand man. Now that the government is just beginning to settle down and much needs to be rebuilt, we need the full support of an experienced minister like Grand Tutor."
"How could the Grand Tutor be so self-deprecating and abandon the country and its people because of a few trivial matters in the harem?"
"There is no need to discuss this matter any further. I have made up my mind!"
These words not only saved the reputation of Zhuang Taifu, but also clearly limited the blame to the trivial matters of the harem and the mistakes of the servants, without affecting the previous dynasty. They also reaffirmed the emperor's reliance on and trust in Zhuang Taifu.
Completely shut up those who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Upon hearing this, Master Zhuang bowed deeply, his voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is magnanimous. This old minister... This old minister is ashamed!"
"I, this old minister, will dedicate my remaining years to repaying Your Majesty's grace!"
There was a cold clarity under the lowered eyes of the Minister of Rites.
Your Majesty's magnanimity and protection at this moment are more of a warning and balance than grace.
Your Majesty needs his brother to stabilize the government, so he will never completely dislike the banker because of this matter.
But after this incident, the dealer's reputation has been damaged.
Whether it is him or his brother, it will be difficult for them to act in the court in the future and they will need to be more cautious.
His Majesty's seemingly light comfort actually sent a chill down their spines more than any harsh reprimand...
The king’s grace is like the sea, and is unfathomable.
I can praise you to the sky today, and trample you into the mud tomorrow.
All the officials of the banker were walking on thin ice in the turbulent court.
Prince Jin stood among the clan members with his hands hanging down, his eyes and eyebrows gentle, his posture humble, without showing any strange expression.
However, under his lowered eyelids, a barely perceptible glimmer of satisfaction flashed across his deep eyes.
Your Majesty did just that.
Lift high and put down gently.
Not only did he punish Concubine Zhuang and uphold the palace rules and regulations, he also protected the reputation of Grand Tutor Zhuang and stabilized the situation of the previous dynasty.
Everything was as he expected.
But is this enough?
No.
King Jin sneered in his heart.
The embankment of a thousand miles collapsed in the ant nest.
After this incident, Master Zhuang's seemingly indestructible and flourishing reputation had been chipped with a tiny but fatal crack!
In the court today, those officials who were originally eager to make a move and intended to cling to the big tree of Zhuangjia are now probably hesitant and waiting to see what happens.
The King of Jin's gaze seemed to casually sweep across the ranks of civil servants, revealing several officials with subtle expressions and flickering eyes.
These people may have flocked to the banker in the past.
Now that the Zhuang family's daughter has caused such a shameful incident in the harem, and even Master Zhuang's reputation has been damaged, I'm afraid their desire to join the family will also fade a bit...
And this is his chance!
He might be able to manipulate the situation and quietly win over these wavering fence-sitters to his side.
A little makes a lot, and sand makes a tower.
This power cannot be underestimated.
Thinking of this, King Jin was somewhat satisfied with the meritorious official of Shuixi Pavilion.