Chapter 934: Chapter 932: Who Dares Expose the Emperor?
Xing Yuyue was already very disgusted with Kan Yingquan, and after hearing the name Jiang Yifan, his gloomy expression became even more unsightly.
A mere imperial scholar of gentry origin, currying favor with a prince, dared to blatantly frame the Crown Prince. Such audacity and villainous behavior!
Then thinking back a few years, when his grandson was in the capital, he was also a figure whom no one dared to provoke. Yet, he was beaten by a few country lads brought back by a Ye Family woman. Although it was their own fault, Ye Xinyan’s arrogance was evident.
Ye Xinyan, despite such a disgraceful reputation, could still have Jiang Yifan eagerly remarry her, showing that he has no shame, only coveting the power of the Duke An’s Mansion and Ye Xinyan’s ways of amassing wealth, even forsaking the dignity and propriety of a scholar.
Indeed, they are all birds of a feather!
Kan Yingquan saw Xing Yuyue’s expression change after listening to him, and the hint of anger was clearly no longer directed at those present.
"Grand Tutor, Jiang Yifan is just a minor official of the seventh rank, yet he dares to attack the Crown Prince treacherously. Such conduct is nothing short of a treacherous wolf without loyalty or filial piety. If such people are allowed to succeed in their machinations and even rise to high positions, how can His Majesty and the royal family’s sacrosanct order command respect and adherence from the people?"
In Kan Yingquan’s view, if Xing Yuyue could convict Jiang Yifan, then, could this incident be defined as a villain framing the Crown Prince?
All of them, who loyally follow the Crown Prince, were doing everything for the Crown Prince. With the Crown Prince being framed, they too were naturally framed by villains, which might at least reduce their responsibilities.
As long as the Crown Prince retains his position, and if one day he ascends to the throne, he believes he, as the person who understands the Crown Prince’s intentions best, will definitely have a chance to rise again.
Xing Yuyue saw the hope in Kan Yingquan’s eyes, though he despised this treacherous courtier, he couldn’t abandon the Crown Prince because of one villain.
And that Jiang Yifan must certainly be punished. If such treacherous scoundrels without loyalty or filial piety were to gain influence, the order in the Imperial Court would be in shambles, and who would still be willing to be honest and upright officials!
The next day, the long-absent Grand Tutor Xing appeared at the court.
The presence of Grand Tutor Xing brought some stability to Yu Shiqing and others, reducing their anxiety slightly.
Regarding yesterday’s affair, most officials were merely uninformed spectators, only aware that an inspecting official sent by the Cabinet to the Ministry of Revenue quarreled with Hao Ruhai of the Ministry of Revenue. In the altercation, Hao Ruhai accidentally hit a pillar and sustained a serious injury, dying of his injuries last night.
Afterwards, the Crown Prince suddenly suffered a heart attack in the palace, falling unconscious. Although the imperial physicians assured that his treatment was adequate and there was no immediate danger to life, the Crown Prince had still not awakened.
Even though most people were unclear about the truth, these two incidents were enough for those with vivid imaginations to concoct various reasons, processes, and outcomes.
Moreover, there were noticeably more patrol soldiers from the Five Cities Military Command cruising in the capital. Even the guards of the Forbidden City seemed more alert. It was likely the hidden Imperial Guard Camp was not idle either.
Given all these, if nothing major had happened, no one would believe it.
An invisible bizarre atmosphere flowed through the Imperial Court, yet the four Grand Councillors from the Cabinet proceeded with the day’s morning court session according to usual procedures, bringing it to a completion that could not have been more normal.
Almost as if there had never been someone called the Crown Prince in the Imperial Court, as if Grand Tutor Xing had always devotedly attended court daily without interruption.
After the ministers had delivered their submissions and were about to disperse, the Emperor named the Minister of War, Han Yanhui, Liu Chengzhi, and Duke An to stay, then looked at Xing Yuyue, "Grand Tutor, do you have matters to address today? If so, please stay behind as well."
After all the other officials exited the main hall, the Emperor again turned to Xing Yuyue and said gently, "Grand Tutor, these years you’ve found the affairs of the court tiresome. I suppose you came today for something important."
The Emperor had left certain ministers to discuss matters, and Xing Yuyue had no intention or way to conceal anything.
The Crown Prince, who had been in position for decades, was suddenly implicated in a major affair, involving many officials. Given the Emperor’s prudent nature, the key officials aligned with the Crown Prince would surely be under strict surveillance, and the many visitors to the Grand Tutor’s Mansion last night could not escape the Emperor’s notice.
Xing Yuyue, a minister serving through three reigns, however, adopted a very humble posture, took two steps forward, raised the hem of his court robe, and knelt, "Your Majesty, I have come regarding the Crown Prince. I once taught the Crown Prince in his youth, and now that he has made such a grave mistake, I cannot shirk responsibility, and I come forth to plead guilty to Your Majesty."
The Emperor frowned slightly, "Grand Tutor, why say such a thing? The Crown Prince has been cultivated as a Crown Prince since childhood, taught by numerous officials and Great Confucian Scholars. Yet regardless of who taught him, it was to instruct him in the way of sages and the way of ruling. None would teach him extravagance or to oppress the people. His own conduct is flawed, it is not the fault of others, and it surely does not concern the Grand Tutor. Please rise."
The Emperor turned and instructed Zhang Cunhai beside him, "Help the Grand Tutor up."
Xing Yuyue stood up as instructed but had no intention of retreating, continuing, "Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince has erred, he is ultimately Your Majesty’s legitimate eldest son, and not a person devoid of virtue. He simply lacks upright ministers by his side to guide him, which led to such an error. None know a child better than their father, and I believe Your Majesty knows the Crown Prince’s nature is pure and good. I implore you to give him an opportunity to reform."
Xing Yuyue finished speaking and straightened up, looking into the Emperor’s eyes filled with a plea. Though he is a civil official, he is exceptionally steadfast. Rarely did he reveal such an expression, in the memory of the Emperor and those present.
The Emperor, without a word of disagreement, affirmed Xing Yuyue’s narrative, "I certainly know the Crown Prince’s character. When he saw me yesterday, he was sincerely remorseful. At one point, he even suffered a heart attack, showing his deep remorse. Grand Tutor, do not worry, the Crown Prince is my legitimate eldest son, and I will certainly take good care of him."
The Emperor’s words left Xing Yuyue momentarily stunned.
Isn’t it known to all here that the Crown Prince didn’t have a heart attack? Yet, Your Majesty, you simply said it openly?
But as the Son of Heaven, the words of the Emperor are as good as gold. Even when all present knew it was a lie, who dared to expose it?
The Emperor didn’t address the Crown Prince’s fault, showcasing his heartfelt affection for his son. However, a Crown Prince afflicted with heart disease couldn’t inherit the throne, lest it leads to unrest for the empire.
Xing Yuyue was momentarily speechless, subconsciously casting a glance at Duke An.
Duke An’s expression remained calm, eyes fixed forward, betraying no emotion.
Han Yanhui and the other two lacked Duke An’s composure, knowing the Emperor was lying, found it embarrassing to maintain a composed countenance, hence kept their heads lowered, pretending to be
dead.
Xing Yuyue took a while to collect his thoughts. Since the Crown Prince’s matter couldn’t be pursued aggressively for the time being, he would proceed with the next matter.
"Your Majesty, the issues in the Ministry of Revenue have existed for many years. So many officials living off the court salary, not only failed to deter the Crown Prince but abetted him, utterly abhorrent. Especially Jiang Yifan, knowing the Crown Prince was doing wrong, not only did he fail to advise against it or report to Your Majesty, but deliberately stabbed the heir to the nation in the back. I humbly implore Your Majesty to severely punish such treacherous and defiant officials."