Chapter 256: Chapter 243 Gossip is Plentiful_2
After the case of Liu Yan’s murder came to light, several Imperial Censors from the Imperial Censorate, led by Xie Zhang, submitted memorials to the court, reporting all the outrageous acts committed by Yongping over the years. On the other hand, Xu Yin also received two memorials impeaching him for not managing his household strictly and for condoning his servants’ misdeeds.
However, as Xu Yin had a good attitude of admitting his fault, the Emperor did not impose severe punishment, only instructing him to reflect on his actions and fining him half a year’s salary.
This was the first time Vice Minister Xu, radiant like the bright moon, faced such a situation. Six years ago, when he achieved third place in the imperial examinations and entered the officialdom, he first married the only royal family member of the current dynasty, Princess Yongping, and later gained the Emperor’s favor for his military strategies, joined the Six Ministries, and became an Assistant Minister. He even oversaw the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony. His prestige was unmatched, with no one able to rival him in the examinations to this day. Who would have thought he would stumble over his high-marriage wife?
Human nature has always been this way. The better a person’s reputation is, the more any blemish will be magnified. Thus, there were various opinions about Xu Yin throughout the court, with the most notable being that when such chaos erupted at the Xu family, Xu Yin never returned home to handle the situation from start to finish.
The image of Vice Minister Xu being emotional and righteous had been deeply ingrained in people’s hearts, so his indifference naturally contradicted this reputation.
Then, somehow, rumors surfaced about Vice Minister Xu dating Yongping before marriage.
Many ladies and madams who had witnessed Yongping flirting with Vice Minister Xu even came forward, attesting to it, because back then, Xu Yin was merely Xu Bianxiu, with no qualifications to enter events attended by the Commandery Princess. Wasn’t it always under Miss Liang’s guidance, or led by the men of the Liang Family?
So the ladies and madams present at such events—all naturally were young maidens then—recalled this.
Everyone suddenly realized that the "fate" between Yongping and Vice Minister Xu was sealed from that time!
Thus, there were many rumors about how Xu Yin became the son-in-law of Prince Rong’s Mansion.
Of course, it inevitably involved the Liang Family, and those who had dealings with the Liang Family visited their home.
But since that day, the Liang Family started declining visitors, and no one managed to figure out their stance.
While sipping tea in the garden of Pei Mansion, Fu Zhen asked Su Xinger, "The scandal between Xu Yin and Yongping long ago, was it your group that spread it?"
"You’ve got the wrong person," Su Xinger said, sipping a fruit drink carefully crafted by Mrs. Pei. "We indeed planned to settle some old scores at this opportunity, but someone beat us to it. We merely exaggerated a bit, helping the world remember things almost forgotten."
Fu Zhen lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "I just wonder what He Huan thinks about it?"
"No word from the He Family. But this is just the beginning, so what? In the future, whenever we have a chance, we’ll ruthlessly tear him apart, revealing his vile nature to the world!"
"Exactly!" Liang Zhi echoed, "Even though it’s about dealing with Yongping, it doesn’t prevent exposing Xu’s villainy!"
Cheng Chili took a big sip of his drink, "Where did Fifth Brother go today? Why hasn’t he returned yet?"
"He went to the palace," Fu Zhen replied. "Consort Yu is under house arrest, and Lou Zhao’s cousin can never succeed; the Imperial Grandson is now under Consort Li’s care.
"Earlier, Consort Li appealed to the Empress, wanting a good Martial Arts Master for the Imperial Grandson.
"Given her eagerness, the Empress thought of our Great General, but our Great General is very busy every day, so where does he have the time? Thus, this task fell upon the General."
This task received Fu Zhen’s approval since even Lian Yongping had penetrated the Eastern Palace, they at least need to secure this channel. Consort Li was clearly currying favor with the Pei family, and since the Emperor and Empress did not oppose it, the Pei family could accept it with peace of mind.
Su Xinger said, "Do you still address Fifth Brother as ’General’?"
"What else?"
Surely not ’husband’!
Su Xinger pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling as they circled around, saying nothing.
In the palace, the Emperor and Empress were speaking with Pei Zhan.
The Emperor assigned the task to Pei Zhan, then said, "Ah, having such a father is hard for you. Lately, what’s he been busy with? Still accompanying your mother to admire flowers and dine out every day?"
Pei Zhan replied, "He’s been busy making pickled vegetables lately."
The Emperor laughed aloud.
"All right, Zhan Er," at this point, the Empress stepped out, holding a sewing box in one hand and lifting the curtain with the other. With only a few pieces of jewelry on her, she seemed both warm and straightforward. "Your new wife hasn’t been brought for me to meet yet. I’ve heard she’s quite capable, solving the Liu Yan case swiftly and identifying Lou Zhao. What was her family’s occupation in the past?"