15. The Golden Palace: A Battle of Wits
Early that morning, as predicted, Imperial Censor Xu submitted a petition to the Emperor during the court session, accusing Ye Wenhua, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, of failing to discipline his daughters. As an elite scholar from the most prestigious scholarly family in Great Chu, Imperial Censor Xu penned a brilliant indictment. He quoted chapter and verse to elaborate on how the Fourth Miss of the Ye Family had brazenly associated with His Highness Prince Li in public while the engagement between Third Miss Ye and Prince Li was yet to be dissolved, and how she utterly lacked the demeanor expected of a lady from a noble family. Of course, all of this was ostensibly due to the poor parenting of Minister Ye Wenhua. And what of Third Miss Ye also being his daughter? As Mr. Qingyun's granddaughter, possessing the lineage and upbringing of the Xu Family, could her qualities possibly be doubted?
That the Xu Family, Ye Wenhua's in-laws, had so unhesitatingly aimed their fire at the Ye Family was entirely unexpected, stunning Minister Ye, who had recently been riding a wave of success. Although now a high-ranking Senior Second-Grade Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Ye Wenhua still held considerable reverence for his former father-in-law. His usually handsome face turned beet red, and he struggled to utter a single word in his own defense. Though a few members of the Wang Family intended to come to his aid, they lacked substantial status. Besides, the officials from the Office of the Imperial Censor were all upright and independent scholars. Many of them hailed from Lishan Academy, and their eloquence was formidable. Mo Jingli, His Highness Prince Li, who was indirectly implicated in this impeachment, was now glaring ominously, his expression ice-cold. Regrettably for him, while Imperial Censor Xu's official robes were somewhat thin, it was nearly April—and genuinely not cold.
High upon the dragon throne in the Golden Palace, Mo Jingqi, the Emperor of Great Chu, gazed down at his ministers, each wearing a different expression. As Emperor, he didn't mind occasional disputes among his officials; it would be far more worrisome if they were all in complete accord. However, it surprised him that the Xu Family dared to confront Ye Wenhua so fiercely over little Ye Li. Although the Xu Family's influence in court had diminished, the Xu Clan remained an object of respect and admiration among scholars. It seemed... Minister Ye's days wouldn't be too easy in the near future. That was also for the best; too much glory could lead people to entertain improper thoughts. Some individuals were indeed due for a rebuke.
"Minister Ye, is what Imperial Censor Xu has reported true?" Mo Jingqi asked Ye Wenhua with a smile. The sovereign's warm smile, however, sent an inexplicable chill down Ye Wenhua's spine.
"Your Majesty... this humble servant, I... I have been wronged…"
"Is Minister Ye suggesting that Imperial Censor Xu is slandering a colleague?" another Imperial Censor stepped forward, glancing sideways at Ye Wenhua. "According to my knowledge, as early as the Double Ninth Festival last year, someone saw your beloved daughter accompanying His Highness Prince Li. At that time, Prince Li was still engaged to Third Miss Ye, am I correct?" Though they held no actual power, the officials at the Office of the Imperial Censor were talented and capable individuals. For the most part, they disdained corruption and therefore feared no one. As long as they didn't make unfounded accusations, they couldn't be reproached for their words—not even by the Emperor, let alone anyone else.
"Indeed, my wife also seemed to mention this matter. I heard that at this year's Lantern Festival, the Fourth Miss Ye was also seen... strolling hand-in-hand with His Highness," chimed in Prime Minister Liu, Noble Consort Liu's father and Minister Ye's old adversary, naturally not missing a chance to kick a man when he was down. The daughters of the Liu and Ye families were locked in a fierce rivalry within the palace, and the two families themselves were constantly engaged in overt and covert struggles at court. Unfortunately, the Ye family had shallow roots. Even though they had now allied themselves with a powerful figure like Prince Li, they were in no position to shake an established aristocratic family like the Liu Family in the slightest. Besides, with Ye Wenhua now facing internal strife, being impeached by his own in-laws, Prime Minister Liu would have felt it a pity not to exploit the situation. Although Prince Li was the Emperor's own brother and had the Empress Dowager's backing, the Liu family was no pushover; his two grandsons and granddaughter were the Emperor's own royal children.
"Jing Li, what do you have to say?" Mo Jingqi swept his gaze over the assembled officials, his eyes landing on the sullen-faced Mo Jingli as he asked with a smile.
A moment of silence filled the hall before Mo Jingli's cold voice cut through. "Your humble brother has nothing to say."
Some conservative elder statesmen scoffed inwardly, their estimation of the prince dropping even lower. Indeed, there was nothing to say. Such matters usually wouldn't be pursued unless a formal complaint was lodged, but once brought to light, any punishment was justifiable. It was Mo Jingli and Ye Ying's own fault for being so arrogant, flaunting their relationship publicly, assuming no one would dare to comment. Not only officials but also many commoners were aware of it. Now that the Xu Family had exposed the affair, any attempt at denial would only lead to greater humiliation.
Naturally, the ministers loyal to Prince Li could not stand by and watch their master suffer this unspoken grievance. One quickly stepped forward to plead, "Your Majesty, that Third Miss Ye is devoid of talent, virtue, and beauty; she was never worthy of His Highness Prince Li. Furthermore, His Highness Prince Li's current engagement to Fourth Miss Ye was personally arranged by Her Highness the Empress Dowager!"
Imperial Censor Xu sneered. "If His Highness Prince Li doubted Third Miss Ye's talent, beauty, or virtue, he should have honorably and openly broken off the engagement before seeking a more suitable match. Why resort to such deceitful tactics? To my knowledge, when the engagement with Third Miss Ye was annulled, she showed no overly dramatic reaction, nor did she cling desperately, refusing the annulment. Third Miss Ye's character is thus self-evident. Moreover... the original engagement between His Highness Prince Li and Third Miss Ye was... bestowed by the Late Emperor!" When comparing the weight of an engagement decreed by the Empress Dowager versus one by the Late Emperor, which is more significant? To put it more gravely, an engagement decreed by the Empress Dowager that completely contradicts one by the Late Emperor could call the Empress Dowager's own virtue into question.
"..." The loyal minister, face pale, retreated in defeat. The onlookers watched the unfolding drama, a mix of amusement and pity in their hearts for anyone foolish enough to attempt a verbal joust with Imperial Censor Xu. Anyone with a modicum of awareness knew that Second Young Master Xu, at the tender age of sixteen, had famously outdebated the six greatest talents of the Xiling Kingdom. Though he had kept a lower profile in recent years, it certainly didn't mean he had lost his eloquence.
"Enough. Minister Ye, do you have anything to say in your defense?" Mo Jingqi gestured, silencing others who looked eager to speak.
Ye Wenhua, having navigated the treacherous currents of officialdom for many years to rise from a common scholar to a second-rank minister, was no fool. He knew Imperial Censor Xu had come prepared and that his own position was indefensible. Thus, he opted for a direct admission of guilt. "This humble servant has neglected my household affairs for many years and has been lax in disciplining my young daughter. I beg Your Majesty for punishment."
It was a common notion that men should not meddle in the affairs of the inner household, making negligence in such matters somewhat understandable. The Emperor clearly had no intention of severely punishing his useful minister and favorite brother over such a triviality. Therefore, he was quite satisfied with Ye Wenhua's pragmatism. Had Ye Wenhua continued to argue, the Emperor might have been compelled to impose a heavier penalty. "In that case, Minister Ye shall be fined one year's salary, and Prince Li, you shall be fined six months' salary. Additionally, Third Miss Ye is said to be exceptionally refined, intelligent, and virtuous. I grant her one hundred taels of gold and two jade Ruyi scepters, which I bestow to add to the dowry of Mr. Qingyun's granddaughter."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace," Minister Ye said, his face ashen.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Imperial Censor Xu stated, his expression indifferent.
"Thank you, Imperial Brother," Prince Li acknowledged, his face growing even more somber.