Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Admitted in Court

Minister Yang’s words sounded perfect.

Minister Yang admitted fault, pointed out that Yang Jun Kang had already paid for past sins, and most importantly, stated that this time Yang Jun Kang had not truly caused a catastrophe.

With only a few lines, Minister Yang pulled Zhang Huan’s accusations of contempt for the law and harm to the realm down into the category of household discipline and a father teaching his son.

Zhang Huan went stiff.

Zhang Huan never expected Minister Yang to accept it so smoothly, without even a single rebuttal.

Zhang Huan’s prepared speech, the fierce arguments and emotional proof, felt like a punch thrown into cotton.

On the Dragon Throne, Emperor Chong Sheng nodded casually. “What Minister Yang says makes sense. But Jun Kang is Noble Consort Qi’s younger brother, which makes him my brother-in-law as well.”

Emperor Chong Sheng continued, “If someone dares to slander him, I cannot ignore it. Su De Yun, have Xie An bring men to investigate. Go question that wealthy merchant and his wife in person.”

“Yes,” Eunuch Su said with a smile, turning to leave.

Minister Yang immediately bowed in gratitude. “This subject thanks Your Majesty!”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s words were clearly biased.

If the matter was proven true, then Minister Yang would be told to discipline his son.

If the matter was proven false, then those court officials who dared to “slander” Yang Jun Kang would be punished.

Among the officials who had just stood up for the Second Prince, faces darkened.

But compared to them, one person’s face looked far worse.

Duke Qi stood among the crowd, eyes fixed on Eunuch Su’s steps as Eunuch Su walked away.

Duke Qi’s body shook hard.

Duke Qi’s lips quivered, and large beads of cold sweat seeped from Duke Qi’s brow.

Emperor Chong Sheng glanced down and immediately saw it. Emperor Chong Sheng frowned. “Duke Qi…”

Before Emperor Chong Sheng could finish, Duke Qi’s legs went soft.

Duke Qi dropped to Duke Qi’s knees with a heavy thud. “Your Majesty, this subject… this subject is guilty!”

Emperor Chong Sheng froze in shock.

Every official in court froze as well.

Qi Shu Xian turned in disbelief to look at his father kneeling on the floor.

What was Father doing?

What did this have to do with Father?

Duke Qi stammered, wiping sweat as Duke Qi spoke. “Your Majesty, the wealthy merchant Deputy Censor-in-Chief Zhang spoke of… was actually an identity this subject borrowed for the outside world.”

Duke Qi forced the rest out. “That woman… that woman was the mistress this subject kept outside. This subject knows it was a grave offense, against virtue and the sacred way, and a disruption to the court’s order… This subject is willing to accept punishment.”

Duke Qi felt countless gazes fall on Duke Qi.

They were like blades, stabbing so sharply Duke Qi did not dare lift Duke Qi’s head.

Duke Qi pressed Duke Qi’s forehead hard against the cold floor of the great hall, wishing there were a crack in the ground to swallow Duke Qi whole.

But cracks did not appear just because Duke Qi wanted them.

So Duke Qi could only keep Duke Qi’s head down and pretend Duke Qi could not see those eyes.

Emperor Chong Sheng said nothing.

Minister Yang said nothing.

Zhang Huan said nothing.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn.

Eunuch Su halted mid-step.

If Duke Qi was that wealthy merchant… did Eunuch Su still need to send Commander Xie to investigate?

Qi Shu Xian stared across the line of officials at the kneeling figure in the center.

Every word Duke Qi said rang clearly in Qi Shu Xian’s ears.

A mistress kept outside?

How could that be?

Father always cherished Mother. Father rarely even visited the two concubines’ courtyards. How could Father possibly keep a mistress?

Yet no matter how unwilling Qi Shu Xian was to believe it, everything before Qi Shu Xian’s eyes was real.

Qi Shu Xian forced down the urge to rush forward and demand answers.

Emperor Chong Sheng recovered and scolded coldly, “Duke Qi, I always thought you resembled the Former Duke, carrying the manner of a gentleman. I never imagined you could not even manage your own inner household!”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s eyes sharpened. “First your eldest daughter involved herself in smuggled salt, and now you’ve revealed you kept a mistress outside. If you like her, then bring her back properly and take her as a concubine. If you don’t, you still should not do something so against human bonds.”

Emperor Chong Sheng paused. “Or is there some problem with that woman’s identity?”

Under the heavy pressure of that gaze, Duke Qi did not dare lift Duke Qi’s head. Duke Qi bowed even lower. “Your Majesty sees clearly. Lady Tao’s identity is clean. It’s just… it’s just…”

“Just what?” Emperor Chong Sheng asked.

Duke Qi gritted it out. “It’s just that this subject’s wife, Madam Cui, is truly jealous. Though this subject has two concubines, there have been no children for years. This subject… this subject only did this because of that.”

After Duke Qi said it, several officials looked at Duke Qi with strange eyes.

Some felt pity.

Some felt disdain.

Some felt outright contempt.

So this was the so-called model husband who loved his wife?

So this was the husband other wives envied?

They would go home and tell their own wives about today.

They would make sure their wives understood that compared to a man who showed lust openly, this Duke Qi with a spotless public name was the truly hypocritical one.

And Madam Cui… Madam Cui had still dared to show off Duke Qi’s devotion at banquets.

So it had all been forced?

Look at this. In the end, she forced a man into keeping a mistress outside.

Only Qi Shu Xian’s eyes widened.

How could Father say such things about Mother?

“I see…” Emperor Chong Sheng shook his head. “Then what Deputy Censor-in-Chief Zhang said – was it true?”

Duke Qi wiped sweat again. “It was true, but Yang Second Young Master was drunk and mistook this subject’s mistress for someone else. That’s why he acted foolishly.”

It was laughable. Emperor Chong Sheng had already made it clear Emperor Chong Sheng favored Minister Yang. Duke Qi naturally would not offend Minister Yang just because a mistress had been teased.

“So that’s how it was,” Emperor Chong Sheng said, expression easing.

Minister Yang bowed to Duke Qi. “Duke, my son was unruly and offended you.”

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” Duke Qi said quickly. “It was all a misunderstanding.”

Emperor Chong Sheng nodded. “Since it was a misunderstanding, then let the matter end here. However…”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s voice turned stern as Emperor Chong Sheng looked down at Duke Qi. “Duke Qi, since your mistress is already pregnant, bring her back to the manor and settle her properly. Do not let her remain outside again.”

“Yes, yes!” Duke Qi said, finally breathing easier as Duke Qi started to rise.

But Emperor Chong Sheng added, “Su De Yun, after court you will go with Duke Qi. Watch with your own eyes as he brings her back and settles her.”

Emperor Chong Sheng continued, “Also, pass my oral edict to Madam Cui. Her nature is jealous. She caused discord in the inner chambers and failed greatly in raising her children. She ignored the gentle and kind virtues a woman should have, damaged the family’s reputation, and must correct herself at once and reflect deeply.”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s tone hardened further. “If she still refuses to change, I will not spare her lightly!”

“Yes!” Eunuch Su answered.

Duke Qi thanked the Emperor again.

No matter what, today Duke Qi and the Duke manor had lost all face.

When court finally ended, Eunuch Su kept smiling as Eunuch Su followed at Duke Qi’s side. “Duke, please.”

Duke Qi could only clasp Duke Qi’s hands and comply.

Qi Shu Xian had wanted to step forward and demand answers, but then Qi Shu Xian remembered what was about to happen next.

Annoyed and suffocating with anger, Qi Shu Xian did not even want to return to the Duke manor.

Qi Shu Xian got into the carriage and went to a tavern instead.

As for Duke Qi, with Eunuch Su accompanying Duke Qi, Duke Qi soon went to Lang Men Alley and picked up Madam Tao.

Madam Tao climbed into the carriage still dizzy, as if in a dream.

Madam Tao had schemed for so long, desperate to become pregnant, all so that one day Madam Tao could rely on the child and move openly into the Duke manor.

Who would have thought?

It only took one fright, and Madam Tao’s wish actually came true.

If this was what it took, then Madam Tao truly would not mind being frightened a few more times.