allonlinenovel Chapter 159 The Morning Court Was Really Lively
Chapter 159 The Morning Court Was Really Lively
The words of Minister of Personnel Wang Hansheng stunned even the emperor, but Hu Yucheng understood what was going on and immediately echoed, "Your Majesty, I think Minister Wang is right. Besides, it is impossible for a prefect to be completely unaware of such a big matter as someone secretly buying up grain at high prices within Qingzhou. I think Li Huan did this intentionally!"
Li Huan was also bewildered. He was just reporting the facts, so why was everyone pointing the finger at him?
When Ministers Wang and Hu spoke, even though Prime Minister Zou was at home reflecting on his mistakes, he still had a group of followers!
Then Imperial Censor Li Wenqing stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Zhan is the direct niece of Prefect Li. The Princess Consort of Zhan’s dowry shop is called Li’s Grain Shop. Li’s Grain Shop sells grain in limited quantities every day, and the supply is plentiful. I believe that Prefect Li and Princess Consort of Zhan must have done this in concert.”
Ye Muchen had remained silent, but since Jingxue was involved, he couldn't stay quiet. "Imperial Censor Li, do you have any evidence that my princess consort colluded with Prefect Li to collect grain?"
Prince Duan, Ye Musen, said, "Prince Zhan, Imperial Censor Li is speaking based on facts. Other grain shops have closed down, so why does Li's Grain Shop still have grain to sell? If it wasn't bought at a high price, where did it come from? What more evidence do we need?"
Prince Rui Yemus said, "If Princess Zhan is buying grain at a high price, then why is the fine rice and flour at Li's Grain Shop only fifteen coins per pound? Who would buy high and sell low? Are they out of their mind?"
Then several ministers spoke up, some saying that Li's Grain Shop's grain was indeed both good and cheap, while others said that Li's Grain Shop was doing it on purpose and would sell it at a higher price in the future.
After listening for a while, Li Huan had no choice but to cup his hands and say, "Your Majesty, I am merely reporting the truth. This has nothing to do with Princess Zhan."
Hu Yucheng said, “Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Zhan deliberately sold more grain than she was entitled to. The people of Qingzhou had to pay for lodgings and even hire people to queue up to buy grain when they came to the capital. What is her intention in such a disregard for the suffering of the people?”
Li Huan: Why is everything I say wrong? What exactly did my niece do to offend so many people? It's all because my brother-in-law is imprisoned, everyone's kicking him while he's down!
Ye Muchen snorted coldly, "The reason my queen consort is limited in quantity is to prevent grain dealers from buying in large quantities and then reselling at high prices!"
Prince Rui also said coldly, "Princess Zhan does not want to profit from the national crisis. Such a simple truth, yet you gentlemen have twisted it into such a way. I would like to ask you what your intentions are?"
“Prince Rui, the officials are only seeking justice for the people. Why do you have to say such things?” Prince Duan said coldly.
Prince Rui, Ye Musi, sneered, "Is that so? If you're seeking justice, shouldn't you investigate who bought the grain at such a high price? Prefect Li, didn't you find out?"
Li Huan sighed, "After I learned of this matter, I did send people to investigate. In the end, the source should be the grain purchased by the magistrate of Kangping County."
Li Wenqing reacted quickly, saying, "Your Majesty, everyone knows that the Princess of Kangping has a sense of national righteousness and has relieved the court of its troubles. Yet Prefect Li is slandering the Princess of Kangping like this. Isn't this implying that Your Majesty has made a mistake in bestowing her with such a title?"
The Emperor was puzzled. Why was Li Wenqing acting like a mad dog today?
Not only the Emperor, but also Liu Zhi, the Censor-in-Chief and elder brother of Liu He, the Minister of Agriculture, felt that his subordinate Li Wenqing was acting strangely. However, with the Emperor present, he couldn't stop him from speaking.
Li Huan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I was merely stating the facts and had no intention of slandering or implying anything. Please understand!"
Wang Hansheng continued, "Your Majesty, both of you have grain in your hands. Princess Kangping generously donated it to the court, relieving Your Majesty's urgent needs and alleviating the people's suffering. But Princess Zhan deliberately limited the sale of grain. This is profiteering from the national crisis and is unworthy of being a royal consort!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Muchen raised his foot to kick Wang Hansheng, but was stopped by Ye Musi beside him.
"Enough!" the Emperor shouted.
"This is Qingyang Palace, not the South Street Market!"
Seeing that the emperor was in a hurry, everyone knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
The Emperor wasn't stupid. These ministers were all after Ye Muchen and Jingxue. Li Huan just happened to be there as a bystander. How did this couple offend so many people?
"Princess Kangping's good deeds are beyond question, and Princess Zhan's purchase of grain in limited quantities is not unreasonable. How can you all turn what you're saying into a conspiracy? Or are you all hiding something in your hearts?" the Emperor said angrily.
"This matter ends here. No further discussion is permitted. Anyone who violates this rule will be severely punished by me! Rise!"
"Yes!" The ministers stood up.
"Minister Li, Minister Wang, now that you have returned to the capital, your families must have come back with you. Why don't you spend the New Year in the capital? I have just received a report that the Cangbei delegation will soon visit my Beiye to discuss trade matters."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wang Shumo was truly amazed today. He had attended court before, but this was the first time he had ever seen anything like it. It was quite a spectacle!
The War King has quite a temper; he even tried to kick someone right in front of the Emperor!
Jingxue had no idea that the morning court was so lively. After seeing An'an and Jingze off, she returned and saw Yingying and Runyue eating breakfast. She asked, "Has anyone sent breakfast to the Emperor Emeritus?"
Xiaoman replied, "It's been delivered. The Emperor Emeritus left the lunchbox and the thermos containing the soy milk as well! He also said that he's going to see how tofu is made later."
Jingxue wasn't surprised at all; it was perfectly normal for that old man to do that!
Today's breakfast was very lavish. Because the Emperor Emeritus had come, Jingxue had specially instructed Lianma and Fuma last night to prepare more staple foods, as well as more porridge and side dishes than usual.
Jingxue had just finished eating a steamed bun when she overheard Jingze's nanny mention that today was the Beginning of Winter. Jingxue had originally planned to make dumplings for lunch, which would have been in accordance with the season.
I went to the warehouse and got some sauerkraut, chives, cabbage, mutton, and carrots. I plan to make several kinds of fillings and have someone send some to Jingze and the others at noon.
I didn't know it was the Beginning of Winter last night, so I didn't bring dumplings for the two kids. I was worried they would eat too much and get indigestion.
After instructing the two cooks on what kind of dumplings to make, Jingxue went to prepare the dishes for lunch. The old man had specifically requested meat, so she decided to make several different kinds of meat.
Just as Jingxue was preparing the dishes, Ye Muchen returned.
Jingxue was quite puzzled. Why didn't this guy go to the main camp?
Jingxue put down the dishes she was holding and went into the main hall. She saw Ye Muchen drinking tea there and asked, "Why are you back so early?"
"Most of the soldiers in the camp have gone home on leave, and there's nothing major going on. Besides, Father Emperor is still at the palace, so I came back!"
"Oh!"
"By the way, Jingxue, your eldest uncle has returned to the capital. We met at the morning court session this morning. He told me that his whole family has returned. Your maternal grandmother misses your mother very much. I told him that they are all well, and he said he might come to the mansion this afternoon!"
Jingxue nodded to indicate that she understood and said, "Come on then!"
"Where is Father?" Ye Muchen asked.
"He's making tofu in the neighbor's yard! I think you should move him to your yard! The servants are terrified of him being there!"