Chapter 133

Chapter 133: The Crime of Deceiving the Emperor

But Zhang Zhong Cheng remembered very clearly!

The young official from back then had taken the examination the same year as him, and they had even stayed at the same inn before the exam.

When fragrant herbs burn, the orchids sigh in sorrow—such tragedy touches those who share the same path.

Naturally, Zhang Zhong Cheng paid close attention to this matter. He had also heard that dozens of young women had been driven to death by Second Young Master Yang.

Back then, even the official who struck the Drum of Grievances could have his case buried.

Now, against a mere wealthy merchant, if the Yang Family wished to crush him, how simple would that be!

Thinking this, Zhang Zhong Cheng suddenly realized a chance to leave his name in history had arrived!

Though he was merely a minor Censor, as a scholarly official, Zhang Zhong Cheng carried within him a righteous heart, driven by a fierce sense of duty to oversee and correct his ruler’s mistakes.

Currently, Emperor Chong Sheng adored Noble Consort Qi, who kept a low profile. Her son, the Third Prince, was even more humble, never giving anyone reason to criticize him.

Minister Yang ran his household strictly, yet he had produced an utterly wicked son like Yang Jun Kang.

What did it matter if he was a Minister’s son?

What did it matter if he was the younger brother of a favored Consort?

And above all—Zhang Zhong Cheng was already firmly loyal to Second Prince Sheng Yuan Qi.

Even though Third Prince Sheng Yuan Hao seemed uninterested in the throne, an Imperial Prince was still an Imperial Prince!

Who could say if beneath Third Prince’s seemingly carefree, refined demeanor didn’t lie hidden ambitions?

Emperor Chong Sheng doted on Noble Consort Qi, whose father was the Minister of War, and Third Prince himself was greatly favored by the Emperor…

No matter how he looked at it, Third Prince was the greatest obstacle facing Second Prince.

Now that an opportunity had presented itself to cut down the Third Prince’s strongest supporter, how could he let it pass?

Thinking this, Zhang Zhong Cheng left Rouge Tower in such haste he didn’t even spare a glance at the lady he’d come to see.

Soon, this bit of gossip reached Zhang Zhong Cheng from the mouth of a courtesan at Rouge Tower, and then traveled swiftly from his lips to the Second Prince’s manor.

Inside the Second Prince’s residence, after an intense discussion, the advisors unanimously agreed with Zhang Zhong Cheng—this indeed was an excellent chance to diminish Noble Consort Qi’s influence.

Second Prince Sheng Yuan Qi had grown weary of his mother’s complaints about Noble Consort Qi. Now he had a chance to vent a bit of anger on behalf of his mother; naturally, he was delighted.

Towards Zhang Zhong Cheng, this minor Censor whom he’d previously overlooked, the Second Prince’s expression became warmer.

“Zhang Zhong Cheng has done well! Since you discovered this, why don’t you write the memorial yourself?”

“As long as you accomplish this task, I shall reward you handsomely!”

“Yes! Rest assured, Your Highness!”

Zhang Zhong Cheng was thrilled beyond words. Upon returning home, he immediately retreated to his study.

Previously, as a low-ranking Junior Fifth Rank Censor, Zhang Zhong Cheng could only quietly stand outside Purple Radiance Hall during morning court, struggling to even hear His Majesty’s voice clearly.

But tomorrow, he would finally present his own memorial!

For his first-ever official memorial, naturally, he had to make it compelling and stir deep emotions!

He pondered through the night, revising many times, until finally, just before dawn, he was satisfied with his final draft.

…

Meanwhile, Duke Qi sat restlessly in his carriage on his way to court, wondering if he had offended some unlucky spirit these past days.

First, Qi Fei Yan had become involved in illegal salt trading, causing turmoil at home. Madam Cui had also fallen ill.

And yesterday, his secret relationship with Lady Tao had nearly been discovered.

When Duke Qi recalled how Yang Jun Kang looked at Lady Tao, he longed to pluck the man’s eyes out!

Yet he had to endure it!

What kind of man was Yang Jun Kang?

A bully riding on the power of his family, wicked beyond measure, thoroughly vile.

Right now, Duke Qi’s identity at Lady Tao’s was just a wealthy merchant.

If Yang Jun Kang harassed Lady Tao again…

Duke Qi grew anxious just thinking about it.

When his carriage arrived at the palace gate, Duke Qi remained absent-minded, barely responding to Qi Shu Xian’s attempts at conversation.

Even as morning court began, Duke Qi still brooded over Yang Jun Kang’s troublemaking.

Perhaps he imagined it, but had he just heard Yang Jun Kang’s name mentioned?

Duke Qi paused, straining his ears.

“This lowly official, Censor Zhang Huan, humbly accuses Yang Jun Kang—the Noble Consort’s brother and second son of Minister Yang—of publicly assaulting a common woman, forcibly abducting a married woman, abusing his power, and defying the law…”

Duke Qi: “…”

At first, Duke Qi felt elated. He never imagined Yang Jun Kang would dare commit such shameless acts—not only targeting Lady Tao but other women too?

Now he had finally been accused publicly by a Censor!

Haha!

Wonderful!

This Censor Zhang Huan was truly admirable!

If he could truly topple Yang Jun Kang, Duke Qi vowed he would never forget this man’s name—Zhang Huan!

Zhang Huan! A splendid name!

“And this official also heard that the woman was pregnant at the time she was abducted, and her husband is merely a wealthy merchant…” Zhang Huan continued passionately.

Duke Qi’s smile froze.

Pregnant woman… wealthy merchant…

Wait…

A buzzing sound filled Duke Qi’s ears.

Could Zhang Huan possibly mean… Lady Tao?

And the wealthy merchant—himself?

Duke Qi swayed slightly, vision blurring.

Keeping a mistress was usually only a private moral failing.

But now it was being aired directly before the Emperor in such a way.

Two words echoed ominously in Duke Qi’s mind—[Finished!]

If he admitted it now, his reputation would crumble.

But if he didn’t confess…

Then once investigated, it would become the crime of deceiving the Emperor!

Zhang Huan!

Duke Qi ground his teeth, desperately wishing he could turn and see exactly what this Zhang Huan looked like, but he dared not.

All he could do was listen helplessly as Zhang Huan’s accusations plunged the entire court first into deathly silence, then exploded into noisy accusations and rebuttals.

“I too have a memorial!”

“As do I!”

One by one, officials loyal to Second Prince stood forth, recounting Yang Jun Kang’s misdeeds, even dredging up the old case of the official who had struck the grievance drum years before. Emperor Chong Sheng had indeed investigated and punished Minister Yang back then.

But strangely, that official had mysteriously died afterward, and public opinion abruptly shifted…

All fingers now pointed at Minister Yang.

Minister Yang’s expression turned extremely grim.

He never imagined that the trouble he’d suppressed years ago would resurface today. Even more astonishingly, a minor Censor dared openly accuse him.

But despite his internal fury, Minister Yang quickly knelt, pleading for mercy, “Your Majesty, please forgive me!”

Everyone present was stunned—including the impassioned Zhang Huan.

Minister Yang’s face filled with genuine remorse. “I truly had no knowledge of this matter. Previously, Jun Kang’s reckless behavior caused grave mistakes. I ordered him to atone through charitable deeds, believing him reformed. If what Censor Zhang says is true, I must thank him for alerting me.”

“And I will seize this chance to correct my son’s ways before it is too late! I myself shall go to the wealthy merchant and his wife to personally beg forgiveness.”