thenovelthief Chapter 188 Debate with the Ministers
Chapter 188 Debate with the Ministers
Shen Shixi was just watching the drama unfold, but ended up becoming the drama herself.
"Your Highness, as a high-ranking concubine in the harem, you should advise His Majesty to expand the harem to ensure the continuation of the royal family. As the Book of Songs says, 'If one is not envious and does not seek, what is there that is not good?' In the past, Consort Ban refused the imperial carriage to express her determination, and Consort Fan advised against hunting to correct the emperor. Both of them left their names in history because of their virtue as concubines."
We also urge Consort Chen to prioritize the well-being of the nation, assist the Emperor in upholding virtue, set a model for the six palaces with kindness and compassion, and serve as a virtuous example for future generations.
The speaker was Jiang hope, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
[You're asking for it! I was just looking forward to watching the show, but you insist on dragging me into it. Are you afraid I'll ruin your plans? What does it matter to me whether Li Yuanke takes a concubine or not! Very well!]
Shen Shixi smiled, "What if I don't agree?"
This is like flipping the table!
Pei Xunli was still too young and was particularly indignant. "Your Highness, even if you have committed one of the seven grounds for divorce, do you want to be remembered in history as a jealous woman?"
[It's pointless to argue with such a simpleton. Even if the Pei family doesn't fall, they'll be finished once Prime Minister Pei dies! Pei Xunli is useless now; it all depends on Pei Yanli. It's just a pity that the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children is like heaven and earth.]
"Oh, if you're so capable, then when you write the history of this dynasty in the future, just portray me as a jealous woman. Thank you!"
This is mockery!
Could Pei Xunli live for hundreds of years?
This guy was definitely a tough nut to crack, and everyone was at a loss, completely dumbfounded.
Local officials, in particular, had never seen such a shameless woman before.
Li Yuanke remained silent, watching with a smile as Shen Shixi dealt with the officials. Only when he was with Shen Shixi could he feel at ease taking a break.
There's no need to deal with ministers, no need to figure out what others are thinking, and no need to be on guard.
It was as if he could hide behind Shen Shixi, take a short break, and catch his breath.
This was seen as quite extraordinary by the officials.
The emperor's favoritism towards his concubine over his wife is not just a matter of neglecting his wife; he's being completely controlled by her. If this continues, the throne might change hands in the future, and who knows, a female emperor might even emerge.
Cao Ruiyuan was anxious. If he couldn't send any of them out, what would the local prominent families think of him? Wouldn't they say he was incompetent? How could he then establish himself in this place?
"Your Highness, you jest. Lord Pei didn't mean it that way. Why don't you take a look at these eight young ladies today, Your Highness, and see which ones you find pleasing to the eye? Let them stay and serve the Emperor. It would be their good fortune, and they will remember your kindness in the future!"
Cao Ruiyuan was good at handling things; he gave Consort Chen a way out and also pleased her.
Shen Shixi laughed, "Lord Cao is joking. What, do you think we have that much power? You think you can decide the Emperor's concubines with just a few words? You dare to go to heaven? I certainly don't!"
Cao Ruiyuan was terrified. He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed frantically. "Your Majesty, I dare not! I am utterly loyal. I only sent these flowers to Your Majesty because I feared you were tired from your journey. I have no intention of disobeying you whatsoever."
He genuinely meant well, wanting to give Consort Chen a way out, but little did he know that she would dig such a huge pit for him with just a few words.
Pei Xiang and the others were not surprised at all. When it came to arguing, all the censors in the court combined could not beat her alone. Her words seemed to be full of loopholes, but in fact they were full of traps. If you were not careful, you would fall into them and there would be no way to pull you out.
Prime Minister Pei had no choice but to speak up, "Your Highness, Governor Cao is a loyal and benevolent ruler who deeply loves the people. He made this move out of consideration for His Majesty's arduous journey. I humbly request Your Highness's permission!"
[Bullshit! Cao Ruiyuan is a corrupt and tyrannical official. If it weren't for your brother-in-law, how could such a piece of trash have become a regional warlord?]
"I can't grant your request!" Shen Shixi refused directly. "What? Can the concubine of Prime Minister Pei overstep her bounds and do the work of the mistress? Whether you and the Empress discuss taking a concubine for His Majesty, or you directly send women to His Majesty's bed, I don't care."
But you want me to step in and help His Majesty take these women in? I tell you clearly, I cannot do that!
"I beg Your Highness to uphold the virtues of a concubine..."
Before Jiang hope could finish speaking, she interrupted him, "Don't talk to me about the virtues of a concubine. What virtues does a concubine need? I don't have such high standards for myself."
"Minister Jiang, I've heard that you and Miss Zhuangyue from the 'Golden Dream of the Capital' are a loving couple. Why don't you go and ask her if she's ever considered erecting a memorial arch for herself?"
Many people couldn't help but laugh. Jiang hope was furious, his face turning a deep purplish-red, but he dared not show it too much before the Emperor. He knelt down with a thud and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
Officials were forbidden from visiting prostitutes, but this was only a regulation; throughout history, this practice had been repeatedly prohibited but never truly stopped.
Immediately, an imperial censor stepped forward to impeach him, saying, "Lord Jiang is not wronged. I personally saw the girl from Jin Fen Meng escort you out of the back door. Although I cannot be sure if it was Zhuang Yue, you are a regular at Jin Fen Meng, and many people know this."
[This old man is so filthy. I heard he even took a concubine last month. I really don't know how those girls could bring themselves to do that. Ugh, it's disgusting!]
Even with great ability and family background, one who can reach the third rank will eventually become a middle-aged man.
Jiang hope was no exception. Shen Shixi looked at the old man with a full beard, which was covered in oil, and it was unbearable to look at. Then she thought of the pear blossoms pressing down on the crabapple, and she felt even more disgusted and wanted to vomit.
[What a terrible thing! How old is he, taking advantage of a young woman like that? Goodness, thank goodness he didn't meet me. If it were me, that old geezer would be long gone by now, and I'd be doing him a favor by not cutting off a piece of his crotch for a snack!]
"Pfft, cough cough cough!" Li Yuanke choked.
Shen Shixi rushed over and patted his back, asking with concern, "Your Majesty, what happened? How could you be so careless?"
Li Yuanke thought to himself, "Thank you so much!"
If I hadn't heard what you were thinking, I wouldn't have choked on my drink like this.
As a result, Li Yuanke had an extremely bad impression of Jiang hope. It was a very unlucky thing to offend an emperor. On the spot, the emperor issued an edict ordering the Censorate to thoroughly investigate Jiang hope.
No human being can withstand scrutiny.
Jiang hope immediately collapsed to the ground, her body going limp.
The banquet ended unhappily.
The officials' attempt to offer their daughters failed, and instead, an official was implicated in the corruption scandal, making it a losing proposition.
In the secluded courtyard, Wang Zhi, now past forty, looked at his two daughters and asked, "How did you feel when you saw the Emperor during your dance performance today?"
Wang Linyao, the elder sister, shook her head, lowered her head, bit her lip, and said, "Father, I think it's better to forget about it."
Their grandfather was formerly a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat. When he saw that Prince Wei, Li Yuantai, was hunting and damaging the crops of the people without any restraint, he advised him. At that time, Prince Wei listened to him very well and ordered people to compensate the people, which seemed very sincere.
As he turned around, his grandfather was struck by a stray arrow and died on the spot.
For this matter, my father repeatedly pleaded with the late emperor to give justice, but the late emperor only brought out one of the Prince of Wei's guards to take the blame, and never admitted that it was the Prince of Wei who had instructed him to do so.
In a fit of anger, the father also returned home. The Wang family withdrew from the court for nearly ten years, and gradually, who still remembered the former glory of the Taiyuan Wang family?