In the few days the Emperor was away from the Capital City, Pri Minister Xun temporarily managed state affairs.
Today’s court session was flooded with morials, most of which revolved around the Chu Family case.
Imperial Censor Wang once again single-handedly engaged in a war of words against the scholars, securing an undefeated record.
The court officials stord out of the Jinluan Palace, fuming with rage and disheveled.
"Outrageous! Since ancient tis, when has it been acceptable for a woman to be ennobled? Lu Yuan disregards propriety and acts recklessly. Does Imperial Censor Wang even understand etiquette? How is he qualified to be an Imperial Censor?"
"Let it go. What can we do when we can’t out-argue him?"
"Although Madam Chu suffered a grave injustice, in my opinion, posthumously conferring her the First-Rank Lady of State is already a great favor from the Emperor. And yet they still audaciously demand to ennoble her?"
"Enough, enough. Imperial Censor Wang is coming!"
The court officials angrily grumbled as they returned to their respective governnt offices.
Imperial Censor Wang stood outside the Jinluan Palace and asked Pri Minister Xun, "Pri Minister, do you also believe that won cannot be ennobled?"
Pri Minister Xun smiled mildly, exuding both amiability and the authority of a Regent: "Madam Chu saved lives and assisted the military at the border, rendering great ritorious service. For such an extraordinary woman, the court should show favor. Making an exception to ennoble her is not excessive."
Imperial Censor Wang pressed further, "Then why were you silent just now?"
Pri Minister Xun sighed, resignedly: "It’s not that I’m unwilling to contend for Madam Chu’s case with sound reasoning, but ennoblent is a matter of great significance. Everything must wait for His Majesty to return from the autumn hunt before making a decision."
Imperial Censor Wang: "Old fox."
Imperial Censor Wang always attacked issues, not people. Since Pri Minister Xun had yet to reveal any shortcomings, Imperial Censor Wang rely found him overly pragmatic, lacking enough substance to inspire deep dislike.
He cupped his hands in salute: "This subordinate takes his leave."
Pri Minister Xun courteously raised his hand: "Take care, Lord Wang."
It wasn’t until he exited the palace and boarded the carriage headed for the Pri Minister’s Mansion that Pri Minister Xun finally shed his mask of benevolence, his gaze becoming profound and unreadable.
He retrieved a jade ring from a hidden compartnt and slipped it onto his finger, then closed his eyes to rest.
Midway through the journey, a Hidden Guard suddenly appeared and boarded the carriage.
"Lord, Seventh Young Master has sent a carrier pigeon with an urgent ssage."
Without opening his eyes, Pri Minister Xun responded indifferently, "Speak."
The Hidden Guard, looking grave, said, "The Hidden Guards sent to assassinate the Miao King have failed. Not a single one survived."
The Hidden Guards of the Pri Minister’s Mansion were no ordinary bodyguards. Each was ticulously chosen and underwent rigorous training—a rarity among elites.
The loss this ti was devastating.
Pri Minister Xun, however, reacted with calm indifference, offering only a nonchalant hum in response.
"There’s more."
The Hidden Guard continued to report, "Luo San has been exposed and is now a hostage of the Governor Mansion."
A flicker of change finally appeared in Pri Minister Xun’s expression as his thumb lightly stroked the jade ring.
The Hidden Guard added, "The Miao King is extrely cunning and practices sinister Gu Techniques. Should we... eliminate Luo San?"
Pri Minister Xun remained silent.
The Hidden Guard broke into a cold sweat.
As a Hidden Guard, his role was to carry out his lord’s orders; devising strategies was left to the advisers of the mansion.
Dropping to one knee, he lowered his head in trepidation: "This subordinate misspoke. Please punish , Lord!"
Pri Minister Xun continued to thumb the jade ring without opening his eyes, yet the Hidden Guard could feel an almost tangible oppressive force.
Pri Minister Xun was a man seasoned by countless trials and tribulations. No matter how severe the problem, it was always within his calculated grasp, never bothering him for more than a mont.
But lately, troubles seed to be closing in on him from all sides.
Just yesterday, the ancestral tomb of the Xun Family had been desecrated by the Miao King.
Who wages feuds in such an unimaginably crude manner?
Who could have anticipated that?
The Hidden Guard could sense that his lord was greatly displeased.
Could it be that the family’s bad fortune truly stemd from their Feng Shui being disrupted?
In truth, there was one more piece of bad news, but the Hidden Guard hesitated whether to disclose it.
As he wrestled with his thoughts, they arrived at the Pri Minister’s Mansion.
As soon as Pri Minister Xun stepped out of the carriage, Lady Wei, dressed in fine clothing and sobbing uncontrollably, rushed toward him: "Elder Brother—you must seek justice for Xuan’er—"
Pri Minister Xun asked, "Wasn’t Xuan’er out hunting? What trouble has he caused now?"
Lady Wei cried out in anguish, "Elder Brother! How can you say such a thing? What do you an by ’what trouble has Xuan’er caused now’? Xuan’er is your very own nephew! Without even asking, you assu he’s to bla? What kind of uncle are you? Clearly, soone has frad Xuan’er! My poor Xuan’er—his mother is no longer with us—if she were alive, how could she allow her own grandson to be treated so cruelly—ah—my Xuan’er—"
The Xun Family’s Steward stood anxiously by the door, attempting to diate: "Madam, please co inside. Don’t let others overhear and make a mockery of us."
Lady Wei snapped, "My son has been thrown into prison. Do you think I fear mockery?"
Then, she turned her gaze to Pri Minister Xun and said, "Elder Brother, you are the Pri Minister, yet they dare to arrest your nephew. Do they think nothing of you?"
"What happened?"
Xun Xiangguo turned to the Steward.
The Steward replied, "I just received word that the Princely Heir and the Young Master were escorted back to the Capital City and thrown into the Ministry of Justice Prison. I sent soone to investigate as soon as you arrived."
Pri Minister Xun frowned and looked behind him at the Hidden Guard trailing him.
The Hidden Guard: The third piece of bad news couldn’t be avoided after all.
Steeling himself, the Hidden Guard stepped forward and reported with trepidation, "The Princely Heir and the Young Master were caught committing indecent acts at the hunting grounds and were caught red-handed by Princess Wanping and several noble ladies. In her fury, Princess Wanping ordered them to be apprehended."
Lady Wei shrieked, "Indecent acts? Nonsense—my son isn’t that kind of person—"
Pri Minister Xun’s tightly clenched fist revealed a faint fracture in his ever-composed expression. "Seal the news!"
"It’s too late... Lu Yuan has already spread word of it, and—"
The Hidden Guard whispered, "The Princely Heir and the Young Master were transported back openly in prison carts."
This was practically a public disgrace.
Moreover, Lu Yuan had bribed beggars across the city and storytellers in major teahouses. Now, the entire Capital City knew that Xun Yu had an affinity for n and was involved with his cousin.
The carefully cultivated image of a virtuous gentleman had completely shattered in a single night.
All of this, the Hidden Guard had witnessed firsthand on his way to inform Pri Minister Xun.
The saying goes, "Good news stays behind closed doors, but bad news travels a thousand miles." And with Lu Yuan fanning the flas, the fall of Xun Yu, once so virtuous, had reached catastrophic depths.
The Hidden Guard could already imagine the difficult days ahead for the Princely Heir.
And since the Princely Heir was his lord’s only legitimate son, committing such indecorous acts would undoubtedly prompt Imperial Censor Wang to file a harsh accusation of poor parenting against Pri Minister Xun.
Imagining Imperial Censor Wang’s unyielding tongue, the Hidden Guard felt that Pri Minister Xun’s days at court were bound to grow increasingly arduous.
"Ah—"
Lady Wei, unable to withstand the shock, fainted.
Killing intent surged in Pri Minister Xun’s eyes as he struck the stone lion at the entrance with a heavy palm strike. "Lu—Yuan!"
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