“Evidence? The evidence is…”
Imperial Doctor Hu's agitated expression crumbled under Jiang Yankun's teasing gaze. His lips trembled for a long time, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
The evidence had turned to dust and flown away!
Who was Jiang Yankun?
He was the Minister of Punishment, a man who never let anyone off the hook, whether he had the upper hand or not.
He snorted coldly, "I wondered what could have caused Director Lin to abandon his post for three months. So it was all about plotting against my daughter."
"I… this official merely went to Yu Province for a tour and had no idea about the drought there. Please… Your Majesty, please clarify."
"A tour? This official and Leader Ma went to Qin Province together. With only you and Vice Minister Song managing the Ministry of Punishment, we were already short-handed. Where did you find the leisure to take leave for a tour? Moreover, I've already inquired with Vice Minister Song, and you never mentioned taking leave to him. Instead, you bypassed him and went straight to Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Personnel."
Jiang Yankun's disdainful gaze swept over him like he was looking at garbage. "While this official was away, Vice Minister Song was your superior. What secret business did you have that required you to go to Minister Jiang for leave? And what about your frequent visits to the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng?"
After this barrage of questions, Director Lin was completely flustered. "This official… this official didn't think that far."
What a pig-headed fool!
Jiang Yankun flicked his sleeve, utterly uninterested in engaging with such a fool. Instead, he turned to the emperor. "Your Majesty, such a neglectful and morally corrupt individual is beyond the capacity of my humble Ministry of Punishment. Please dismiss Director Lin from his post and send him back from whence he came."
One woman does not serve two husbands, one servant does not serve two masters.
Even though Director Lin was not a servant, he was still under Jiang Yankun's command in the Ministry of Punishment. This statement was not entirely inappropriate.
"You… you're slandering me!"
Imperial Doctor Hu became agitated again, but as soon as he moved, his fingers throbbed with pain, and he started groaning, "Ouch, ouch!"
The Xuanwu Emperor clicked his tongue, clearly showing his impatience. Tang Shiliang immediately stepped forward to pull Imperial Doctor Hu aside. "Your hand is in such a state; you should hurry to the Imperial Hospital to have it treated! If it leaves any lasting damage, you are an Imperial Doctor!"
If an Imperial Doctor's hand were to become disabled, it would greatly hinder his ability to practice medicine in the future.
"I won't go!"
Imperial Doctor Hu sat on the ground, sobbing. "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort is a demoness! Ever since she entered the palace, Your Majesty has changed, becoming overly fond of her and neglecting the other concubines. This prolonged neglect will harm the imperial lineage! Now that disasters have befallen us, does Your Majesty still intend to indulge her?"
"Crash!"
"How dare you!"
A fine jade cup shattered at Imperial Doctor Hu's feet. The emperor, enraged, rose from his chair, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared directly at Imperial Doctor Hu. "What nonsense about a demoness and divine retribution! I am the heavens, and I shall favor whoever I please. It's not your place, you old fool, to point your finger at me and curse me. Using the fact that the Governor of Yu Province and Minister Jiang are old classmates to stir up trouble? Get this straight: the Governor of Yu Province envied Minister Jiang's talent and they have long since severed all ties. You can't even frame someone properly; what a waste."
Director Lin fell to his knees with a thud, not daring to utter a single word.
But the emperor was still not appeased. He continued to bellow, "Not only will I indulge the Imperial Noble Consort, but I will also make her my empress. I am the dragon, and she is the phoenix, destined by heaven. What divine retribution are you talking about?"
With that, he slammed his palm on the imperial desk. "Come, take this old fool and give him thirty lashes, dismiss him from his post, and expel him from the palace. From this day forward, he is forbidden to set foot in the palace again."
He could tolerate fools, but not foolish and malicious ones.
Jiang Yankun's eyes lit up. The emperor was actually… going to make Jiang Xinyue the empress?
Why hadn't Jiang Xinyue mentioned this? Was the emperor just speaking in anger due to Imperial Doctor Hu's stupidity?
Many believed that, given the Jiang family's status, Jiang Xinyue becoming the Imperial Noble Consort was already the pinnacle.
Even Jiang Yankun himself thought so.
Lady Ruan had been elevated to the status of a "co-wife," which literally meant a "co-wife," but in essence, she was still a concubine raised to the position of a secondary wife. Her origins as a dancer could never be changed.
Now, the emperor had declared his intention to make Jiang Xinyue the empress. Was he dreaming?
Director Lin closed his eyes, sweat pouring down his face, but his pride as a scholar prevented him from begging for mercy.
Moreover, he was already aligned with the Duke of Cheng.
Soon, Director Lin was also dismissed and, along with Imperial Doctor Hu after his punishment, was expelled from the palace.
Jiang Yankun seized the opportunity to suggest, "Your Majesty, regarding Zhu Qianyi, you wanted to appoint him but were unsure of the appropriate position. This official now has an opening. It is said that he is skilled in martial arts and would be well-suited for a role in the Ministry of Punishment."
In that brief moment, he had analyzed the situation. The emperor's intention to make Jiang Xinyue the empress meant that his current position as Minister of Punishment would not be sufficient.
Before elevating Jiang Xinyue to empress, the emperor would undoubtedly promote him.
Zhu Qianyi could be considered an ally, which was better than Vice Minister Song, who was always eyeing his position.
Once he left the Ministry of Punishment, Ma Yiyang would certainly follow him. That man was a staunch supporter of the Sixth Prince, firmly believing that the young prince would one day ascend the throne.
Such a loyal individual needed to be cultivated for the future benefit of the Sixth Prince.
The emperor weighed the situation for a moment, then reminded Jiang Yankun, "Zhu Qianyi can be kept, but he should not be appointed too soon. Don't forget, there is still the Fifth Prince in Dongshan."
The emperor's words pointed out the risks of prematurely appointing Zhu Qianyi.
The Sixth Prince was still young, and it would be at least a decade before he could inherit the throne. Once he was named crown prince, the risks would multiply a hundredfold.
Appointing Zhu Qianyi now, while he was full of youthful ambition and a desperate desire to save his family, could lead to him being overzealous and overshadowing his superiors.
Jiang Yankun didn't need subordinates who would steal his thunder.
Moreover, establishing Zhu Qianyi too early in the political arena could create a power base that might challenge Jiang Yankun's position a decade later.
The Fifth Prince was the son that the late empress had risked her life to protect. As the late empress's younger brother, supporting his nephew's ascension to the throne would be more beneficial for Zhu Qianyi.
Jiang Yankun didn't want to test human nature, as it was inherently fragile and unreliable.
A slight reminder from the emperor was all he needed to understand the correct approach.
He could give Zhu Qianyi some minor benefits to make him feel indebted, but he must not offer any substantial advantages.
It was all about painting a big picture.
