efore Ye Li and asked, “Who are you”The maid bowed slightly and replied, "I am a lady-in-waiting in Empress Yi's palace. Empress Yi would like to invite Ding Wangfei to the Yao Hua Palace for a chat."...The Imperial Capital Ode 15. The Verbal Duel in the Golden Hall
15. The Verbal Duel in the Golden Hall
This morning during court, Inspector Xu indeed submitted a memorial to Emperor Mo Jinqi, accusing Minister of Household Affairs Ye Wenhua of failing to properly educate his daughter. As expected of someone from the First Scholarly Family of Great Chu, Inspector Xu wrote an elaborate and well-cited memorial detailing how Ye Wenhua's four daughters were engaging in public displays with Prince Li despite their marriage contract not being dissolved, and how they lacked the decorum expected of a noble lady. Of course, all this was due to Minister Ye's failure to properly educate his daughter. What You say that Third Miss Ye is also Minister Ye's daughter Third Miss Ye is the granddaughter of Scholar Qingyun, so should there be any doubt about her Xu family bloodline and upbringing
The Xu family’s decisive action against the Ye family was completely unexpected, leaving the recently successful Minister Ye reeling. Although he now held the rank of Second Rank official as Minister of Household Affairs, he still harbored great respect for his former father-in-law. His rather handsome face turned red with rage but he could not utter a single word in his defense. Though several members of the Wang family tried to intervene on Ye’s behalf, their ranks were too low to make any impact. Moreover, each member of the Censorate was a respected scholar or an upright official, and most of them hailed from Mount Li Academy, known for their sharp tongues. Prince Mo Jingli of Li, who had no direct involvement in this incident but clearly bore some responsibility, glowered with cold disdain.
In the Golden Hall, Emperor Mo Jinqi of Great Chu, seated on his dragon throne, observed the various expressions of his ministers below him thoughtfully. As an emperor, he did not mind occasional conflicts among his ministers; in fact, it would be concerning if they all united against him. However, Xu family’s decisive action against Ye Wenhua over a minor matter was unexpected. Although the influence of the Xu family in court had diminished, they remained revered by scholars across the realm. It seems that Minister Ye will not have an easy time ahead.
"Minister Ye, is what Inspector Xu reported true" Mo Jingqi asked Ye Wenhua with a smile. However, the warm smile of the emperor inexplicably sent chills down Ye Wenhua's spine.
"Your Majesty... Your servant is innocent..."
"Are you saying that Inspector Xu slandered his colleague But according to what I know, someone saw your daughter and Prince Li going out together during the Chongyang Festival last year. At that time… Prince Li and Miss Ye's third daughter were not yet divorced, right" Another inspector stepped forward and sneered at Ye Wenhua. Although these officials from the Office of Censors did not have real power, they were all people with genuine talent and learning. Moreover, most of them despised collusion and were not afraid of offending others. As long as what they said was not nonsense, even the emperor could not blame them; how could anyone else do so
"Indeed, your servant seems to have heard about this from my wife too. It is also said that during this year's Lantern Festival, Miss Ye's fourth daughter also went out together with…" Minister Ye’s old rival, Chancellor Liu Guifei’s father, Chancellor Liu, of course did not miss the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. The daughters of the Liu and Ye families were fighting tooth and nail in the palace, while their families were engaged in open and covert struggles in court as well. Unfortunately, the Ye family's foundation was shallow, even though they had now aligned with Prince Li, a great tree, they could not shake the roots of the Liu family’s aristocratic clan for the time being. Moreover, Chancellor Liu himself would feel regret if he did not take this opportunity to step on Ye Wenhua while his own mother-in-law impeached him.
"Jingli, what do you say" Mo Jingqi swept a glance across everyone in the hall and asked with a smile, fixing his gaze on the gloomy-faced Mo Jingli.
A moment of silence fell in the hall before they heard Mo Jingli's cold voice, "I have nothing to say."
The conservative old ministers sneered inwardly, thinking even less favorably of this prince. Indeed, there was little he could say; such matters were never pursued if no one complained, but once exposed, any punishment would be justifiable. Who could blame them for believing their arrogance and open disregard for propriety when they first acted so brazenly Not only did officials know about it, but many commoners did as well. Now that the Xu family had brought this to light, further denial would only make things worse.
The ministers loyal to Prince Li could not let their master take this silent defeat; they quickly stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, even if Third Miss Ye were without talent, virtue, or beauty, she did not deserve the Li Prince. Moreover, Your Highness is now married to Fourth Miss Ye by the Empress Dowager's own decree."
Inspector Xu snorted sarcastically, "If the Li Prince questions Third Miss Ye’s talents and virtues, he should divorce her honorably and seek a better match instead of resorting to such underhanded schemes. According to what I know, Third Miss Ye showed no hysterical reaction or reluctance during her divorce; her virtue can be well imagined from this behavior alone... Not to mention the fact that the original betrothal between Prince Li and Third Miss Ye was bestowed by His Late Majesty!" When comparing imperial decrees, whose carries more weight—the Empress Dowager's or the late emperor’s If she were to go against his wishes entirely, her moral standing could be questioned.
“…” The loyal minister, pale with defeat, retreated. Others watching the spectacle felt sympathy for anyone who foolishly attempted to match wits with Inspector Xu. Those with insight knew that when the young second son of the Xu family, only sixteen years old, debated and defeated six talented scholars from Xi Ling Kingdom in one fell swoop, his reputation was established overnight. His more low-key behavior over recent years did not mean he had suddenly become less eloquent.
"Alright, has Secretary Ye any words to defend himself" Mo Jingqi stopped the people around the prince who were still eager to speak.
Ye Wenhua had spent many years in官場, rising from an ordinary candidate scholar to a high-ranking official of second rank; he was not one to act rashly. He knew that Imperial Censor Xu came well-prepared and that there was no way for him to refute the charges effectively. So, he decided to admit his guilt outright: "For many years, this minister has neglected household affairs, failing to properly discipline my daughter. Please let His Majesty punish me accordingly." Men were not expected to interfere in household matters, so neglecting such responsibilities was understandable. The emperor clearly did not intend to dismiss a useful official and his most favored younger brother over trivial matters. Therefore, he was quite pleased with Ye Wenhua's timely recognition of the situation; if Ye had continued to argue stubbornly, Mo might have been forced into harsher punishment. "Given this, Secretary Ye will be penalized by losing one year’s salary, and Li Prince, half a year’s salary. Furthermore, as Lady Xiuying is virtuous and賢淑, I grant her two jade如意and 100 taels of gold as a dowry for the wedding of Mr. Qingyun's granddaughter."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Secretary Ye with a sallow face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Imperial Censor Xu calmly.
"Thank you, Brother," Li Prince said in an even darker tone. him. However, for someone as similar-looking as Han Mingxi, she did not have that feeling at all. Perhaps it was because of the means and capabilities he used to establish Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion a...