Zuo Chenming frowned, his gaze sweeping over the upper and lower floors, his expression troubled.
With the matter unclear, it was difficult to assign blame to either party.
"This matter concerns Mu Xi. May I ask Your Excellency to hear Mu Xi's words?" Mu Xi spoke, and everyone fell silent.
Zuo Chenming saw her, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes. "Please, young lady, speak."
Mu Xi pointed at Su Yunmo and said softly, "That official wanted to force Mu Xi. The two young masters and ladies had already made an appointment with Mu Xi."
Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Mu Xi.
Mu Xi returned her smile.
Wang Dong's face turned green. "You stinking woman, what do you mean by saying that! Are you asking for trouble?"
Zuo Chenming frowned, displeased. "Lord Wang disregarded the agreement first and then resorted to violence. You should accompany me." xxs壹贰
Wang Dong was unwilling to go with Zuo Chenming.
His elder brother had already spoken with the Minister of Personnel about transferring him to a new official post. If something went wrong at this time, his promotion would likely be in jeopardy!
He gritted his teeth and looked at the madam. "Who said they had an appointment? That dead girl clearly barged in. Madam, you tell them!"
The madam turned her face away and remained silent.
She didn't know, she didn't see.
Wang Dong was furious!
The surrounding people were already dissatisfied with Wang Dong's attempt to monopolize Mu Xi, and now they were all pushing him down.
Zuo Chenming no longer wanted to listen to his excuses and took him away directly.
The madam exchanged a look with Mu Xi and then resumed greeting her guests.
Mu Xi moved aside to let them into the room and said to the two, "Thank you both for helping Mu Xi out today. Please come in."
Su Siqi stopped and did not move. He grabbed Su Yunmo and said, "It's too rushed today. We'll come another day to ask Miss Mu Xi to play and sing."
He then strode out.
Su Yunmo looked back at Mu Xi, seeing the unfathomable smile on her lips, her eyes flickering.
This courtesan was not simple.
The mute servant stopped the carriage. Su Siqi threw the child in his arms onto the carriage and said to the coachman, "Return to the General's Mansion, quickly!"
It was still time to pack and return to the academy for safety.
The carriage quickly arrived at the entrance of the General's Mansion.
Before the two could even step through the main gate, Steward Liu came to stop them, saying that Su Qingtian was waiting for them in the study.
Su Siqi glanced at the child beside him and rubbed his temples with a headache.
As expected, he had taken something, so he had to help.
The two children were invited into the study.
Su Qingtian sat in his chair, looking at the two little brats opposite him with burning anger.
"Are you two trying to anger me to death? Did you think I beat Third Brother too lightly last time?"
He was on leave today, intending to have a quiet day. Before the day was even over, the Prefect of Jingzhao sent word that these two had gotten into a fight with a fourth-rank official in a brothel.
They were too young to learn good habits. If this was not managed, they would be unstoppable tomorrow!
Su Yunmo thought for a moment. Her mother was visiting the Xie family today, and no one could save them. They could only save themselves!
She fiddled with the hem of her clothes, her eyes full of tears as she looked at Su Qingtian, her expression pitiable. "Daddy, it's not Mo Mo's fault. It's Second Brother..."
Su Siqi suddenly knelt down with a thud, his voice so loud that even Su Yunmo was startled.
"I brought Mo Mo. If Father wants to punish someone, punish me!" Su Siqi interrupted her, bravely taking responsibility.
Both of them looked at him.
Su Siqi straightened his back, his eyes full of regret and remorse.
"As an elder brother, I should guide my younger siblings and not spoil them. Even if my sister begged me to take her to a brothel, I should not have compromised. So, it's all my fault!"
Su Yunmo: "??"
Good heavens, she was preempted!
Su Qingtian took a deep breath, his molars grinding with a click. "You go out. I have something to say to your sister."
Su Yunmo's back felt cold. "Daddy!"
"Father can punish me however he wants. Sister is weak. Please don't hit her!" Su Siqi tried to persuade him.
Su Yunmo: "..."
You are truly my good second brother. If you hadn't mentioned it, Father wouldn't have thought of hitting someone.
Su Qingtian silently took out the sole of his shoe. "Get out!"
Su Siqi gave Su Yunmo a troubled look and had no choice but to stand up and leave, looking back repeatedly.
He also closed the door on his way out.
Su Yunmo swallowed and turned to meet Su Qingtian's face, which was so dark it looked like it could drip water. "Daddy... be gentle, okay?"
Su Qingtian gritted his teeth. "No!"
A moment later, screams echoed from inside the house.
Su Siqi stood on the steps and heard the crying and begging from inside, smacking his lips.
There was no need to pack now.
The next day, Su Yunmo did not go out to play or enter the palace.
She lay on the bed, her bright red little bottom exposed, recuperating.
Zi Yuan reported on Wang Dong's matter. "His Majesty learned of this incident and suspected his character. He sent people to investigate, and indeed, it was found that all his political achievements over the years were due to connections."
"His Majesty was enraged and demoted him to commoner. Wang Chun was also implicated and demoted. Minister Chen should also be unable to sit still."
Luo Luo placed an ice towel on Su Yunmo's little bottom to cool it down, listening intently to their conversation.
Zi Yuan: "Chen Guoxing is stubborn. Do you think that based on this matter alone, he will truly turn back and abandon his support for Prince Lian?"
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes. "He certainly won't do it on his own, but someone can persuade him."
Meanwhile, in the study of the Chen residence.
Chen Xiucheng earnestly advised, "According to propriety, I should not speak much about the choices of elders, but at this point, I must advise Father that it is not too late to pull back from the brink!"
Initially, he had agreed to persuade his father at Su Yunmo's request because he owed her a favor. But now, he understood the matter of Wang Dong.
What those people asked his father to do was at the risk of implicating the entire family.
If this matter had occurred before Wang Dong took office, it would have been fine. Fortunately, his father had not recommended this person to His Majesty, so he was not responsible.
But if this matter had occurred after Wang Dong took office, then what authority would his father, the Minister of Personnel in charge of official appointments, have in the court?
And would His Majesty still trust him?
Chen Guoxing sat behind his desk, his face tense. "How old are you? How much do you understand about court affairs? Get out!"
Chen Xiucheng clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "Perhaps I am not as good as Father, but I know what a loyal minister and a brave heart are, and these are things you taught me."
Chen Guoxing's heart sank, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing down on him.
Chen Xiucheng bowed. "Father, Xiao Mo has just recovered from his illness. I implore Father not to destroy the hard-won stability he is about to have."
Chen Guoxing's body suddenly tensed, and his tone became much heavier. "I know. You may go down now."
Chen Xiucheng looked at him deeply, turned, and retreated.
The study door closed.
The breath that Chen Guoxing had been holding in his chest suddenly loosened, as if his spirit and energy had been completely drained.
How could he not understand what Xiucheng said? But it was too late now!
Although he had not had time to participate in the Wang Dong matter, he had been ordered by Prince Lian to transfer officials and promote them on multiple occasions before.
In the past, he only thought that these officials were truly talented but unrecognized, as the Prince had said. But now, upon careful consideration, it was truly chilling.
Some of these people had been transferred as early as seven or eight years ago. They had already taken root in the court. If he wanted to withdraw now, how could Prince Lian agree!
It was ruined.
He had ruined the Chen family's reputation, and even the Chen Mansion!
But he had taken the wrong path. Even if he deserved death a thousand times, his children were still young. What would happen to them in the future!