novelraw Chapter 337 Venting Anger
Chapter 337 Venting Anger
All at once, they directed their spears squarely at Grand Tutor Shih.Having been prominent in the Imperial Court for many years, Grand Tutor Shih naturally had a host of students shielding him.
Whenever the censors submitted an accusation, those students would shoot back a retort.
The grand Imperial Court was a cacophony of two clashing sides.
Zhao Junyao sat enthroned, his face gloomy, not uttering a word.
Aside from occasionally sending Grand Tutor Shih a fiercely vicious glare, he remained completely unresponsive.
But just that one look was enough to embolden the censors enormously.
"Emperor, Grand Tutor Shih has served in the Imperial Court for many years, yet he shows no sympathy for the common people. It is said that he has hundreds, if not thousands, of Female Dancers in his home..."
"Emperor, the son of Grand Tutor Shih indulges in idleness within the Capital City, frequenting Brothels, engaging in brawls, and creating a profoundly negative influence in the local neighborhoods!"
"Emperor, Grand Tutor Shih..."
The censors’ tongues were well-trained.
The words they spoke, phrase by phrase, were like blades stabbing directly into people’s hearts.
Grand Tutor Shih’s so-called students quickly began to falter; some stammered dry and feeble rebuttals.
Others were simply choked speechless.
Grand Tutor Shih was so enraged he was sputtering and glaring, his face pale.
"You..."
"You, you, you..."
He stuttered on "you" for ages without being able to articulate a single sentence.
Zhao Junyao watched his sputtering and glaring with a certain satisfaction in his heart.
A moment later, after the censors had thoroughly triumphed, Zhao Junyao delivered another devastating blow.
"Grand Tutor Shih, do you admit your guilt?!"
His tone was like the sharpest ice blade in winter, shattering the last line of defense in Grand Tutor Shih’s heart.
He had indeed committed many dishonorable deeds; otherwise, he wouldn’t be feeling so guilty.
Seeing the Emperor like this, he wondered, Has the Emperor discovered something? No matter, I must first get through this ordeal.
Thinking this, he knelt.
"Emperor, your humble official... admits his guilt. But everything I have done was for Your Majesty and for the common people!"
"If there are any indiscretions, please inform your humble official, and I will certainly rectify them!"
His words sounded grand and righteous, seemingly flawless.
Zhao Junyao sneered inwardly. What a fine Grand Tutor, indeed, serving the nation and its people! But behind the scenes, is that truly the case?
Zhao Junyao had originally not wanted to meddle in the Shih Family’s sordid affairs, but he was nursing his anger, especially since the Shih Family had provoked it. Then he wouldn’t hold back.
Suddenly, Zhao Junyao erupted in fury, slamming his hand on the imperial desk.
"A fine Grand Tutor you are! Committing wrongs and then daring to feign confusion!"
"Do you think by playing dumb, Zhen will spare you?"
Grand Tutor Shih was so frightened he prostrated himself, repeatedly saying he wouldn’t dare.
Zhao Junyao let out a cold chuckle. "Wouldn’t dare?"
"Li Shengan!"
Li Shengan stepped forward, opened a ledger, and, item by item, exposed all the wicked deeds Young Master Shih had committed within the Capital City.
He recounted in such detail that even an incident from a year ago, when Young Master Shih slept with a girl named Xiao Hong in a Brothel, was laid bare.
Actually, these matters were not particularly significant; which young master didn’t have a few mistresses?
Even among the older generation, who dared claim they had none?
Everyone was well aware of this.
But such matters, while not shameful in ordinary situations, became utterly humiliating when aired in the Imperial Court and openly criticized by the Emperor on the spot.
For an official who had reached the stature of Grand Tutor Shih, rewards of gold and silver were no longer significant; what he sought was dignity.
But now, the reputation he had maintained his whole life, the dignity he had upheld his entire life...
All gone.
The next time he wanted to bluster and glare at someone, if they mocked him, saying, "Your son was reprimanded by the Emperor for frequenting Brothels!" how could he possibly retort?
There was no comeback for that!
Where could he show his face then?
Fortunately, the Emperor had left him a shred of dignity by not disclosing his own similar affairs.
Grand Tutor Shih secretly heaved a sigh of relief. But deep down, the more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt. Who on earth had he offended?!
「In the following two to three days」
An inexplicable frenzy swept through the Capital City.
The whole Capital City knew that Grand Tutor Shih had been reprimanded by the Emperor in the Imperial Court because of his son.
His disgrace was the talk of the entire Capital City!
Even the Empress Dowager in the palace had heard about it.
It was even more unavoidable for Noble Consort Shih; rumors raged throughout the Harem.
「Just look at this.」
On this day in Jiaofang Hall, Noble Consort Shih arrived to pay her respects a whole incense stick’s burning time late.
The Empress sneered, "The Shih Family’s rules are truly different from others; the children they raise are certainly unique!"
That was a clear dig at Noble Consort Shih and Young Master Shih.
Noble Consort Shih trembled with anger.
Her brother’s incompetence was nothing new, but to have it brought up so suddenly now clearly indicated malicious intent from someone.
So, who else could it be? Seeing that I am about to have a child, who else could be so envious?
Noble Consort Shih retorted coldly, "The Empress certainly has fine upbringing, but what good is that upbringing... No matter how well she feigns it on the outside, inside she’s just a jealous woman."
If the Shih Family had to name their foremost adversary in the Imperial Court, it would definitely be the Fan Family.
Although the Fan Family wasn’t in the Capital City, there was no guarantee they weren’t playing dirty tricks!
This thought further convinced Noble Consort Shih. This time, she and the Empress were truly irreconcilable enemies!
The Empress’s face stiffened briefly, but she quickly recovered.
She scoffed, "My upbringing hardly compares to Sister Shih’s. Otherwise, why would they say that in this Harem, the Emperor favors you, Sister, the most?"
Having said that, the Empress smiled triumphantly.
"You!"
Noble Consort Shih felt as if her heart had been pierced.
Everyone in the Harem knew she had fallen out of favor. For the Empress to bring that up was truly vicious!
"Your humble servant suddenly feels unwell and requests to be excused!"
Noble Consort Shih felt that if she didn’t leave immediately, she might actually wreck Jiaofang Hall in her rage.
The Empress, delighted, burst into laughter.
"Granted. Yu Lan, quickly summon an Imperial Physician for Sister Shih!"
Yu Lan acknowledged and respectfully withdrew.
In Xifu Palace, the Imperial Physician arrived only to be driven out.
Noble Consort Shih was so furious; she smashed numerous cups and saucers before her anger subsided.
This turmoil persisted for a whole month.
Grand Tutor Shih secretly made inquiries but found nothing. The rumors became increasingly outrageous, and in the end, he dared not even attend court sessions.
Zhao Junyao observed the empty seat in the Imperial Court and smiled in satisfaction. Yes, I’ve vented enough anger; it’s time to stop.
With this thought, the Emperor, feeling mentally and physically relieved, ordered the rumors to be quashed.
Just like that, the controversy was settled.
「Let’s rewind time.」
The day after returning from the drill field, Xia Ruqing stayed the night in Zhaochen Palace and didn’t return to Qingya Residence until the next day.
Da Bai had been waiting at the door since morning.
The usually aloof Da Bai had now become even more clingy.
Seeing Xia Ruqing alight from the sedan chair, it eagerly raised its tail and trotted over.
It rubbed against her legs, calling out "MEOW, MEOW" as it did so.
Xia Ruqing was so delighted she wished she could immediately pick it up and ’kiss, hug, and lift it high!’ Unfortunately, her advanced pregnancy made it inconvenient.
So Zi Yue picked Da Bai up for her, allowing Xia Ruqing to stroke him as she walked.