Chapter 176: Stripping the Marquisate
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Wan Yi is dead.
Gu Ling and the Marquis Zhongyong clashed fiercely within the Imperial Study.
The Emperor, enraged, hurled an inkstone at Lu Yuan Ze, striking his head and causing blood to pour. His Majesty remarked with indifference, “A slip of the hand; it missed.”
The Chief Eunuch lowered his gaze slightly. His Majesty had plenty of practice at exacting personal vengeance.
Clutching his bleeding forehead, Lu Yuan Ze appeared utterly aggrieved. Yet, he couldn’t afford to lament his plight.
“Your Majesty, please seek justice for my sister! Wan Yi was raised as a cherished lady, learned in poetry and virtue. But after marrying into the Gu family, she endured unimaginable torment, ultimately beaten to death. Your Majesty, I beg you, grant my sister justice!” Lu Yuan Ze knelt in the Imperial Study, his tears flowing uncontrollably.
“A virtuous woman…gone after marrying into the Gu household.”
Gu Ling’s face darkened as he also knelt. “Your Majesty, there is more to this matter than meets the eye.”
“The Marquis Zhongyong has maintained a mistress for all eighteen years of his marriage. The illegitimate son and the legitimate heir are of the same age.”
“Lu Wan Yi lived in the marquis’s household, soaking in such an atmosphere. She was no virtuous lady either. She betrayed her marital vows and secretly kept a lover!”
“What man could endure such humiliation? In his fury, he accidentally injured her.”
Lu Yuan Ze, infuriated, sprang to his feet. “Wan Yi suffered under your abuse and died because of it, yet you defile her memory!” His face turned ashen, his eyes bulging with fury, and his entire body trembled as he struggled to suppress his anger.
Gu Ling sneered. “What defilement? She was filthy to begin with.”
“Madam Xu endured eighteen years of marriage to the marquis, who exploited her dowry to fill his coffers. Lu Wan Yi was merely cut from the same cloth, using Gu family funds to keep her own lover.”
“The faults of the father pass to the children; the Lu family’s ways are corrupt. The marquis should reflect on himself.”
Lu Yuan Ze trembled, his eyes bloodshot, his fists clenched tightly. The humiliation was unbearable.
He was so choked with rage he couldn’t find the words to retort.
“Slander! It’s all slander! Your Majesty, Gu Ling defames this humble official!”
“Wan Yi would never have kept a lover! Gu Ling’s accusations are malicious!” Lu Yuan Ze shouted.
Though he had kept a mistress, none of his colleagues had ever dared to openly condemn him. Now, with Gu Ling exposing his shame, Lu Yuan Ze found it intolerable. He pointed at Gu Ling, wishing he could strike him dead on the spot.
Gu Ling, unfazed, retorted, “How is it slander? Back then, your marquisate was on the brink of ruin. You relied on your wife’s dowry to recover. The entire capital knows it. Lu Wan Yi followed your example, using the Gu family’s resources for her illicit affairs.”
“You…you…” Lu Yuan Ze was at a loss. He hadn’t anticipated Gu Ling resorting to such personal attacks.
Blood rushed to his head, and he nearly fainted.
“Compared to you, Marquis, I am nothing. If anyone is ruthless, it’s you,” Gu Ling shot back.
“Enough!” The Emperor’s expression turned grim. The two men immediately fell silent, kneeling obediently before him.
The Emperor had seen enough of their dogfight.
Neither Lu Yuan Ze nor Gu Ling were virtuous men. Since taking an interest in Lu Chao Chao, the Emperor had investigated everyone connected to her thoroughly—even her dogs, tracing their lineage three generations back.
Gu Ling’s criminal past was no secret to him.
Gu Ling had grown up in poverty, supported by a child bride who toiled daily to fund his education. Her hands, covered in frostbite, earned the silver for his examination fees. Yet he had beaten her to death.
Had the Emperor known of his past, he would never have appointed him as the top scholar.
Though he valued talent, he esteemed character more.
A man who couldn’t treat his closest companion with kindness could hardly be expected to govern with compassion.
“To kill one’s wife is a grave crime. If men do not honor their lawful wives, what becomes of our society? Strip Gu Ling of his rank and position. Investigate him thoroughly. If his wife’s murder is confirmed, he will face the harshest punishment.”
Gu Ling’s body went limp, collapsing to the floor, his face pale, trembling uncontrollably.
The Emperor’s gaze shifted to Lu Yuan Ze.
“As for you…”
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart leapt into his throat.
“I recall that when you were away, it was Madam Xu who nursed the Old Marquis on his deathbed, seeing him through his final days.”
“For eighteen years, your wife toiled while you kept a mistress. Truly heartless.” The Emperor rarely interfered in the personal affairs of his court officials, but Lu Yuan Ze’s conduct had provoked his ire.
Lu Yuan Ze’s face turned deathly pale, sweat dripping from his forehead.
“Are you aware that recently, the Xue family has been reporting incessantly that the Old Madam of the marquisate borrowed Princess Sunshine’s lifespan to extend Xue Huang’s life?” The Emperor’s voice was calm, but Lu Yuan Ze’s hair stood on end.
“Princess Sunshine is the sun of Northern Zhao. Do you have the audacity to tamper with her lifespan? Lu Yuan Ze, do you think I’ve been too lenient with you?!” The Emperor’s anger boiled over, and Lu Yuan Ze wiped his sweat frantically.
“Your Majesty, my mother is elderly and was deceived by the Xue family. She was merely used… Your Majesty…” Lu Yuan Ze stammered, regretting entering the palace that day.
He had walked right into disaster.
“Lu Chao Chao is also a direct granddaughter of the marquisate. The Old Madam has always doted on her deeply. She, too, must have been misled,” Lu Yuan Ze pleaded, kowtowing repeatedly.
The Emperor’s gaze turned icy. “Direct granddaughter?”
“Lu Jing Yao was born on the same day, month, and year as her. Why didn’t the Old Madam borrow Lu Jing Yao’s lifespan?”
Lu Yuan Ze was struck dumb.
How could he explain that his mother dared not touch Lu Chao Chao? The Emperor’s favoritism toward her was astonishing. Even he didn’t dare harm her.
The Emperor’s eyes flashed with contempt. “Lu Chao Chao has not been listed in the family registry and has been expelled from the marquisate. She is not a part of your household. What granddaughter? Stop flattering yourself.”
“She is the hope of Northern Zhao, our sun. You truly deserve death!”
The Emperor chuckled inwardly. [Not only is Chao Chao unharmed, but she even thwarted the Xue family, severing their schemes at the source. My luck truly is incredible.]
Lu Yuan Ze’s endless pleas for mercy filled the air as the Emperor coldly pronounced his fate.
“The marquisate’s title…you no longer need it.”
“Men! Strip the Marquis Zhongyong of his hereditary rank and send him home to reflect.” With that single decree, Lu Yuan Ze was plunged into despair, his heart sinking into an abyss.
The Marquis Zhongyong title—gone.
Lu Jing Huai’s position as heir—gone.
“Your Majesty! Please, show mercy! My mother can apologize to Princess Sunshine in person. Spare us!” The marquisate’s fall would ruin them.
He was the disgrace of his family. The Old Marquis had fought for his title, and now it was gone.
“Lu Yuan Ze, leave. His Majesty needs rest,” Eunuch Wang interjected coldly, disdain flickering in his eyes.
[You’ll have plenty of time to regret this.]
The fall of the marquisate would pave the way for Madam Xu’s rise, twisting the knife in Lu Yuan Ze’s heart.
He was dragged from the palace like a lifeless dog.
“Your Majesty, I know my wrongs! Spare me!”
Once Lu Yuan Ze had departed, the Emperor’s face lit up with delight. “A triple win! Fantastic.”
“Quick, deliver this joyous news to Princess Sunshine. Be sure to include a few kind words about me,” he instructed Eunuch Wang repeatedly.
[Dealing with the Xue family’s threat, stripping the Marquis Zhongyong’s title, and currying favor with Chao Chao. I am truly the biggest winner today!]