I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 353 - 271: Impartiality
Xie Yun, who knew nothing about the situation between Gu Changting and Lu Congyun, had been sneezing constantly lately.
"I must have caught a cold..."
Xie Yun mumbled to himself, then picked up the pastries with the added laxative and set off to visit the Su Family.
As a child, he was the Attendant Student to Prime Minister Su’s sons and was on good terms with Su Zixiao, the Su family’s heir. He was also a disciple of Prime Minister Su, so coming and going from the Su Family was quite convenient for him. In fact, to outsiders, Xie Yun was seen as part of the Su Family.
But only he knew that ever since Su Wenzhong had taken him from Gu Chengluan to the Su Family, he had always been treated as a servant.
It was only because, as he grew older, Su Wenzhong recognized his talent in governance and scholarship, and because the former Emperor had tacitly allowed him to live, that Su Wenzhong took him in as a disciple, gaining fame as a wise and benevolent Prime Minister.
Tomorrow was the day to attend court, and it was also the time for him to seek the results of the truth. If things went smoothly, after tomorrow, the century-old Su Family in the Capital City would fall.
Such a day would be far simpler without that old fox Su Wenzhong around.
That night, at the Princess Mansion, Rong Miaoyan had Zisu prepare tea that Qin Zhenghu had brought back.
The tea leaves weren’t particularly precious, but Qin Zhenghu had brought them to her from afar, and she usually couldn’t bear to drink it.
But today, she indulged cup after cup.
As she drank the tea, Rong Miaoyan thought of the familiar faces she once saw in Maoqin Hall, the common people she had encountered, and the serious yet gentle visage of Prince Rui, Rong Shuo.
Gu Lan was in danger, harmed by the Su Family; border conflicts arose as the Su Family colluded with traitors; Prince Rui died at the hands of the Empress Dowager.
As a princess of Dayan, when injustice exists, she would personally deliver judgment!
Even if the perpetrators were the Su Family, her mother’s family, the Empress Dowager, her grandfather, she would show no mercy... When the Emperor breaks the law, he receives the same punishment as commoners!
Meanwhile, at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Gu Lan had Zijin select the best-looking attire for her, intending to wear it to court the next day.
She also carefully transcribed the dossiers Xie Yun had given her, word by word. These, she would make public the next day.
The next morning, outside Taihe Palace, a servant from the Prime Minister’s Mansion arrived to report and plead for forgiveness, saying that Old Prime Minister Su had eaten something bad and was unwell, thus unable to attend court.
The wind outside Taihe Palace was noisy, and many people sensed a different atmosphere from usual.
As Rong Jing had just sat down, Rong Miaoyan stepped forward.
"Is the Prime Minister indisposed, or does he have no face to meet Your Majesty?"
The Ministry of Personnel, Wind Discipline, performs the duty of supervising all officials.
As soon as Rong Miaoyan spoke, she calmly and coldly directed her words towards the Su Family.
Officials who were aligned with or outright belonged to the Su faction immediately stepped forward: "What does Princess Ning’an mean by this? What does ’have no face’ mean? Old Prime Minister Su has served faithfully and diligently all his life, a veteran of three reigns; how dare you smear him so casually?"
Over the past half year, as Rong Miaoyan attended court as a proud princess, over time, the officials had grown accustomed to her presence, neither filled with reverence nor disdain, treating her like an ordinary minister.
Rong Miaoyan replied, "What I speak is not slander. I request that the Ministry of Justice investigate the Su Family."
At this moment, Xie Yun stepped forward.
The world knew that Xie Yun was a disciple of Prime Minister Su and had been supported by the Su Family to become Vice Minister of Revenue. As he stepped forward, silence fell over the assembly.
Xie Yun respectfully saluted Rong Jing, then declared loudly:
"Xie Yun, of his own accord, advises on the matter of Su Shouli, an illegitimate son of the Su Family, and Governor of Ningzhou, who colluded with the Qiangrong traitor Jiang Di, providing him convenience to infiltrate the Southern Border.
Furthermore, Crown Prince of Dayan, during the first year of Jiande, leaked exam questions to six impoverished scholars during the Spring examinations to win their favor and threatened me, attempting to destabilize the court."
After he spoke, silence enveloped Taihe Palace, and many court officials affiliated with Prime Minister Su were staring at him in disbelief.
Wasn’t Xie Yun a member of the Su Family? How could he impeach Su Shouli and the Crown Prince?
Rong Jing’s expression darkened as he looked toward the Crown Prince.
Unprepared for his implication, the Crown Prince panicked and rushed out:
"Xie Yun, cease your nonsense! When did I ever buy off impoverished scholars? As a disciple of the Prime Minister and my companion during my time at the Imperial Family, why would I need to bribe you?"
"The First Gentleman of the Capital daring to slander the Crown Prince truly chills the hearts of scholars across the land!"
Xie Yun retorted, "Is Your Highness suggesting that I am yours, that you admit to private alliances with courtiers, forming factions for personal gain?"
The Crown Prince turned pale, dropping to his knees: "I had no such intention... Please, Father, judge me fairly."
As Xie Yun and Miaoyan spoke, Ministry of Rites Chief Gu Chengye, Junior Minister of Honglu Temple Gu Changting, Minister of Justice Zhou Xing, and Ministry of War Vice Minister Fu Feichen each stood forth to indict the Su family’s crimes.
Many officials in Prime Minister Su’s faction disputed their claims, leading to a heated debate.
Rong Jing glanced at the empty seat of the head of civil servants, knowing that the Su family’s downfall was imminent; today was the day to resolve the matter.
Since granting Rong Heng his title, he had awaited this day, secretly taking control of many Su family influences and scrutinizing the Empress Dowager’s power in the harem.
Rong Jing hadn’t anticipated that the instigator would be Xie Yun himself.
For Xie Yun to stand up and denounce the Su Family meant he would never again be the gentle, unassuming First Gentleman, but would instead bear the stigma of ingratitude.
Known for his gentleness and self-restraint, Xie Yun upheld decorum, and delving into conflict with the Su Family meant he was forced into it.
Evidently, the Su Family’s treatment of Xie Yun over the years hadn’t been as considerate as presumed.
At this realization, Rong Jing’s gaze grew colder, and he commanded:
"Summon Pingnan General for an audience."
"Summon Pingnan General to court—" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Zhang Fengcai hastily conveyed the Emperor’s command.
At that moment, Gu Lan was waiting in a side hall of Taihe Palace. Upon hearing the summons, she adjusted her attire, glanced back, and proceeded directly to the main hall.
Rong Heng and Lin He were secretly positioned within the Inner Supervision’s secret guard duty.
Watching Gu Lan step into the main hall, adorned in a dark blue patterned official robe with gold threads intricately woven in layered designs, a matching waist sash outlining a supple silhouette, her expression solemn, lashes dark as ink concealing the cold and sharpness beneath her eyes.
This youth prompted Rong Heng to lift his head, a proud smile curling his lips.
The Pingnan General, moving through the morning light and shadows at an unhurried pace, entered the hall, commanding the silence of all present.
Gu Lan surveyed the assembly, confirming the absence of Prime Minister Su.
Attending court today was a time for settling scores openly, acting impartially, forbidding acts of slaughter.
Su Shoucheng suddenly stepped forward, exchanging pleasantries: "The Princely Heir has just returned to the capital; have you reunited with my son?"
Su Shoucheng, Su Zixiao’s father, was also the legitimate son of the Prime Minister, unquestionably a member of the Su Family.
Gu Lan looked at him indifferently and replied, "No, I’m just a playboy in the Capital City and wouldn’t dare tarnish Su brother’s reputation."
Su Shoucheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, immediately addressing the court, raising his voice: "Since the Princely Heir himself admits to being merely a playboy, what significant insight could he possibly offer in court today?"
