"Your Majesty is wise!"
Several people had already been killed by the imperial envoy, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
So many people were implicated, and if anyone in the court dared to speak up for them now, they would likely be the first to be sacrificed.
Therefore, they could only praise His Majesty and then keep their mouths shut according to the rules.
The best they could do was to avoid being implicated in this matter.
"Minister Bai and Minister Feng have worked hard this time. You two deserve the highest merit for purging the corruption in the Grand Canal Administration. Minister Bai is currently in the southwest assisting with disaster relief. Rewards will be given after everything has settled. As for Minister Feng, your elder brother also dedicated his life to serving the country and unfortunately died in Qingzhou. The Feng family has conducted themselves admirably. Convey my decree: posthumously promote your elder brother to Vice Minister of Works, bestow upon him the plaque of loyalty and integrity, and you shall serve as the Prefect of Jinling City. Assume your post after the New Year and ensure Jinling City is governed properly for me!"
This announcement stunned all the court officials.
To be promoted from a county registrar in Jinling City to a prefect was a leap of four ranks.
A mere seventh-rank minor official had now become a third-rank high official. This news was no less significant than the arrest of so many people in the Grand Canal Administration.
Feng Jinlin was also quite surprised when he heard this, but the arrow was already on the string, and there was no turning back. Refusing at this moment would not be a good thing.
He had already thrown Jinling City into chaos, so it was only fitting for him to "clean up" the mess.
However, his assumption of office after the New Year sent alarm bells ringing in his heart.
It was now close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there were still several months until the New Year. What was he being kept in the Eastern Capital for during these months?
Could it be that they had other plans for him?
Everything else was manageable, but he was most afraid of them arranging a marriage for him. Therefore, proposing to the Xu family had to be arranged as soon as possible.
But his elder brother's "death notice" had only just been released. Rushing to propose marriage at this time would only give people something to talk about.
He found himself in a dilemma.
After the court session, everyone looked at Feng Jinlin with intense gazes. Those with eligible daughters were eager to send them to the Feng family immediately. Those without suitable daughters immediately began searching within their clans for a suitable match.
Although Feng Jinlin had caused trouble before, he had never flirted with women or lingered in places of ill repute, so his preferences were somewhat unfathomable to them for the moment.
Elder Xu, however, looked at Prime Minister Bai with a smile and said happily,
"Look, we'll be attending your family's wedding banquet again before long."
After saying this, he suddenly remembered what the Feng couple had said earlier. His smile remained on his face, but his eyes began to scrutinize the ministers around him who were eager to form a connection, feeling a million disdainful thoughts.
His granddaughter had also returned yesterday. He would have to ask her why she had returned with the Feng siblings.
At the Xu residence, Mingyue was currently talking with Old Madam Xu.
She had left home at the beginning of the year to attend Wenjin Academy and had only now returned after more than half a year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was a time for reunion, and now that she was back, the three of them – grandmother, grandfather, and granddaughter – were truly reunited.
As they were talking, Elder Xu returned from court.
It had been almost dark when he arrived home yesterday.
Fearing that his granddaughter had not rested well, Elder Xu had not disturbed her. Today, he naturally wanted to have a good talk with her.
Her grandfather, whom she had not seen for many days, seemed much more vigorous.
However, his health had always been well-maintained, so Xu Mingyue had felt at ease leaving the Eastern Capital to pursue her own path.
"Mingyue greets Grandfather."
"Get up, get up. You returned too late yesterday, and I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I forgot to ask. How long can you stay this time?"
"Granddaughter was transferred to Wenjin Academy in Jinling City over a month ago. I estimate I'll have to return after the festival. The students there are waiting for classes."
Coming and going in such a hurry, if Xu Mingyue were a man, he would worry less.
As a young lady, the arduous journey made him feel somewhat reluctant.
"Alas, I should not have agreed to let you go to the academy. Traveling so far makes it difficult to see you."
Old Madam Xu was advanced in age. After losing two sons, her only hope was this beloved granddaughter.
If Elder Xu were not required to remain in the Eastern Capital, she would have wanted to go to Jinling with her.
That place was the most suitable for living. At their age, all they wanted was a peaceful and smooth life, being with their family at all times.
However, the affairs of the court still kept Elder Xu from putting his mind at ease, otherwise, he would have retired long ago.
Xu Mingyue patted Old Madam Xu's hand comfortingly and said,
"Grandmother, if you have nothing else to do, why don't you come with me? We can play for a few months and then return."
"Really? Will it interfere with you?"
"What interference could there be? Granddaughter's classes are not every day. Besides, the climate in Jiangnan is good for one's health. Grandmother, hasn't your throat been uncomfortable? It might get better in Jinling City."
This was true. Places near the sea were mostly humid.
The dry air of the Eastern Capital could not compare.
Old Madam Xu was quite tempted, but Elder Xu began to huff and puff.
"You two grandchildren have quite a plan, leaving me here alone. What if I stumble in the dark at night and there's no one to look after me? You can just wait to collect my body when you return."
"Bah, bah, bah, what nonsense are you spouting, you old scoundrel!"
Since Elder Xu had entered the Eastern Capital, he had rarely heard his wife call him an old scoundrel.
Normally, she would address him as "Master" or "Sir," and under the influence of the ladies of the Eastern Capital, she had become very proper, but also a bit dull.
Being called an old scoundrel brought back many memories of their younger days.
He couldn't help but sigh at the swift passage of time.
Then, looking at Xu Mingyue, he knew that if he didn't say some things now, he might not have the chance later.
So he began to probe indirectly, asking,
"Mingyue, I heard you returned with the Feng siblings this time. Did you meet them on the road?"
"No, we set off from Jinling City together."
"Oh, what a coincidence."
Elder Xu wanted to ask something, and Xu Mingyue understood perfectly.
Ever since she agreed to give Feng Er a try, she had never hidden anything.
She was like this with outsiders, and even more so with her family.
So she sat up straight and said to the elders,
"Grandfather, Grandmother, your granddaughter and Feng family's second brother are deeply in love. We hope you two elders can fulfill our wish."
Old Madam Xu was quite surprised when she heard this.
She didn't know Feng Jinlin well, but she had met Feng Jinyao and Madam Feng a few times, and they seemed like a respectable family.
However, she wondered how they had reached the point of being in love before speaking to them.
Then she thought that being so far apart was indeed a disadvantage.
She didn't even know her granddaughter's feelings, let alone what would happen in the future.
Elder Xu, on the other hand, felt as if he had been tricked by the entire Feng family.
Feng Hai and his wife had first hinted at things to him, and then Feng Jinlin had been quick to capture his granddaughter.