Chapter 330: Turmoil
Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Turmoil
The next day, the weather was gloomy and the cold wind howled.
When it was time for the morning assembly, the Emperor had not yet arrived.
All the civil and military officials stood waiting at the foot of the White Jade Steps.
Grand Tutor Ye turned his head and whispered to Xie Suzhi.
"I heard that two secret reports were presented to the Emperor last night. It looks like someone is in for some bad luck today."
Xie Suzhi’s expression didn’t change. "Does the Grand Tutor not know what they were about?"
Grand Tutor Ye lowered his voice. "I couldn’t find out. That’s what makes this so serious. Otherwise, the Emperor would have surely let some word slip out."
"But if even I can’t get any news, it means the Emperor is furious. That’s why I said someone is going to suffer today."
Xie Suzhi coughed lightly twice and did not reply.
Grand Tutor Ye said, "Suzhi, you really must take better care of your health."
"Thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor."
Just as they finished speaking, a procession in imperial yellow approached from a distance, braving the cold wind.
"His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived! Open the court gates! Let the officials enter!"
The officials paid their respects, shouting, "Long live His Majesty!"
With his usual warm demeanor, the Emperor said, "My dear ministers, you may rise. I felt unwell today, which is why I arrived a little late. I apologize for making you all wait in the cold."
The ministers repeatedly said they wouldn’t dare presume such a thing and followed the Emperor into Jinluan Hall.
However, some noticed that the Crown Prince usually attended the morning assembly as well.
But today, Crown Prince Mo Lingwei was nowhere to be seen.
Just as the morning assembly began, the Chief of the Secretariat, Mr. Qi, stepped forward, raising his clasped hands high.
"Your Majesty, this servant has an urgent matter to report."
"Oh? Speak, Minister Qi."
"Yesterday, this servant heard from his subordinates that a Divine Woman in the city was using witchcraft to harm people and was captured by Princess Funing and Lord Xie of the Ministry of Justice."
The Emperor laughed. "Such a good thing happened?"
He looked at Xie Suzhi and praised him, "Minister Xie, your family is truly full of talented people. And ever since Ningning joined you, there has been no end to the happy occasions!"
Xie Suzhi lowered his head, his handsome, cold face showing no excess emotion.
Instead, he clasped his hands. "This servant is undeserving of such praise."
The Chief of the Secretariat, Mr. Qi, glanced at Xie Suzhi.
He then continued, "Your Majesty, it is too soon to say whether this is a happy occasion."
"This servant sent people to investigate thoroughly and discovered that the person colluding with the Divine Woman to harm others was none other than the Second Madam of the Xie Mansion’s second branch—the Prime Minister’s own sister-in-law!"
The court officials were in an uproar.
The Emperor’s smile stiffened. "Could there be some misunderstanding in this?"
Mr. Qi’s voice was firm. "This servant also feared that villains in the city might be targeting the Prime Minister, so I investigated to the very end. And this servant discovered—"
"The one whom Second Madam Xie used witchcraft to curse was none other than General Fang Qingdai, who is leading troops on the border against Changliu Country!"
At this, the officials were not just in an uproar; they turned to stare at Xie Suzhi in astonishment.
Years ago, the love affair between Second Master Xie and Fang Qingdai was a celebrated story throughout the entire Capital City.
They were childhood sweethearts, and because they shared a love for martial arts, they were an inseparable pair.
Both of them had also achieved brilliant military merits and were famous generals in Cangyun Country. Out of adoration, the common people even gave them a nickname: the "Martial God Couple."
Later, the two families almost became joined by marriage.
But who could have expected that Second Master Xie would be tricked into defiling another woman?
General Fang left in tears, heading to the border to stand guard, never to return to the Capital.
Everyone sighed with regret over this past affair.
Now, hearing that Second Madam Xie had cursed Second Master Xie’s old flame, the officials sighed to one another, feeling that this act was vicious and truly conscienceless.
The Emperor’s expression was complicated.
The Chief of the Secretariat, Mr. Qi, pressed further, "Moreover, this servant’s investigation also revealed that the Prime Minister has known about this for some time."
"But not only did he keep it a secret and fail to report it, he even protected Second Madam Xie."
The officials were stunned, whispering amongst themselves in a flurry of discussion.
All sorts of things were being said, but the sentiments all revolved around the idea that "the Prime Minister showed favoritism and shielded his family."
The military officers were already becoming incensed.
They launched their attack on Xie Suzhi—
"General Fang is a military general who has risked life and limb for Cangyun Country, a woman who is no less than any man! For the Second Madam of your mansion to curse and harm her—does she have any sense of the greater good or loyalty at all!"
"This method is truly vicious! And for you, my Lord Prime Minister, to cover for her simply because she is your sister-in-law is truly disheartening."
One military officer even clasped his fist to the Emperor, saying in extreme anger, "Your Majesty, we military generals lead troops into battle, often facing near-certain death."
"Cangyun Country is our home, yet within this home, someone is cursing and harming others over a personal grudge. How can we go off to battle with peace of mind in the future?"
"Exactly, Your Majesty! If you do not handle this matter with the utmost seriousness, we servants will find it truly unacceptable!"
As everyone chimed in one after another, the Emperor had no choice but to turn his gaze to Xie Suzhi.
Grand Tutor Ye secretly nudged Xie Suzhi’s arm.
He lowered his voice. "Prime Minister, if you must, just admit fault first. It’s best not to let the situation escalate."
Anyone with eyes could see that someone was using this opportunity to make trouble and attack Xie Suzhi.
Xie Suzhi’s expression remained unchanged, his face as cold and pale as jade, exuding a deep, steady calm that concealed a sharp edge.
He stepped out from the ranks, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, this was originally a family matter. This servant considered it a family scandal and thus did not make it public."
"But since Mr. Qi has brought it up today, this servant has no choice but to give everyone an explanation and clarify the matter."
"After the incident occurred, Lord Xie Ming’an has already taken my sister-in-law into custody at the Ministry of Justice’s prison for interrogation."
Everyone was stunned.
’Arrested? Xie Suzhi actually upheld justice even at the expense of his own family!’
Mr. Qi was also taken aback for a moment, then frowned and asked, "It has been more than three days since the incident. Why wasn’t she arrested then? Why was only the Divine Woman arrested?"
Xie Suzhi’s gaze toward him was as sharp as a blade, his dark eyes like a desolate, cold frost.
"According to the rules of the Ministry of Justice, the perpetrator is arrested first, and then the evidence they provide is used to pursue and apprehend any accomplices. Xie Ming’an acted according to the law. Does Mr. Qi have any objection?"
Mr. Qi was momentarily speechless.
’His men had only found that nothing at all had happened to Second Madam Xie. He hadn’t heard anything about Xie Suzhi arresting anyone.’
The Emperor raised a hand to placate the officials.
"Alright, my dear ministers, do not be hasty. I will send someone to the Ministry of Justice to find out the truth."
A short while later, the head of the Imperial Guards, Lord Lu, who had been sent by the Emperor to the Ministry of Justice to inquire about the facts, hurried back.
"Your Majesty, what the Prime Minister said is true. This subordinate has also brought back the registration scroll for Second Madam Xie’s detention."
Commander Lu presented the scroll.
The Emperor glanced at it, and his tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.
He passed it to a eunuch, ordering him to show it to the civil and military officials to quell their anger.
"You see? I told you it was a misunderstanding."
"Suzhi is a loyal minister of mine. How could he possibly show favoritism and cover up a family matter?"
Xie Suzhi lowered his head.
He clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this servant is ashamed. Initially, I did indeed intend to conceal this matter and not report it."
The officials looked at him in astonishment.
Grand Tutor Ye also frowned and once again tugged on Xie Suzhi’s sleeve.
The old tutor lowered his voice. "Let the matter end here. Don’t say any more, it won’t do you any good!"
However, Xie Suzhi straightened his back and held his head high, his gaze burning bright. His tall, handsome figure stood like a pine and bamboo.
"Your Majesty, my second brother has earned one hundred and nine merits. Among them, he has fought in over thirty major and minor battles combined."
"Due to an accident some time ago, he has been paralyzed ever since, unable to go to war for the country or serve you loyally, Your Majesty."
The Emperor said quickly, "I know. He is loyal to the throne and loves his country. I appreciate him, which is why I allowed him to retain his title as General and rest to recuperate."
Xie Suzhi’s eyes were dark, his calm tone tinged with a hint of sorrow.
"He has only one daughter, Yuan Jiu. After the matter of the witchcraft was discovered, my second brother insisted on divorcing his wife and having my sister-in-law dealt with according to the law."
"But when he thought of his daughter, my brother hesitated. He was afraid that if his wife were imprisoned, others would mock his child. With a paralyzed father and a criminal for a mother, she would only face scorn and rejection in the Capital from then on."
The officials present fell silent.
They were all people with children of their own. Putting themselves in Second Master Xie’s shoes, they couldn’t help but sigh with deep sympathy.
Even the military officers from before, thinking of Second Master Xie’s great merits and how he had been dragged down to this extent by his troublemaking wife, could only shake their heads and sigh.