As the noblewoman left, her eyes were filled with shock and pleading.
Chu Chen turned to look at her retreating back and said, "The cause of today is the effect of yesterday. I promised to bring your husband back, and that promise has been fulfilled. How Dali Temple will judge him is not for me to interfere with."
The noblewoman, being escorted away, heard these words and tears streamed down her face, unseen by Chu Chen.
So, it was merely to bring her husband back for their family to reunite.
So, Prime Minister Chu actually looked down upon her, a faded flower.
So, the ledger was Prime Minister Chu's true objective. His lecherous and greedy demeanor was merely a disguise, meant to make her willingly hand over the elusive ledger!
At this moment, the noblewoman was filled with immense regret. Why hadn't she destroyed the ledger the moment trouble arose?
If she had destroyed it, would everything be different?
Chu Chen was unaware of her thoughts. Having concluded his work matters, Chu Chen left his post immediately.
He found a room at the Zhang residence, changed out of his official robes into casual wear from his Qiankun Ring, and went out with Princess Xin Yue to eat, drink, and have fun.
The next day, at the morning court.
Numerous officials gathered outside the Hall of Political Deliberation, awaiting the start of the court session.
At this moment, Chu Chen arrived, drawing the attention of the officials, their gazes complex and varied.
The civil officials looked at Chu Chen with fear, while the military officials were more solemn and even more conflicted.
But without exception, as soon as Chu Chen arrived, the previously chaotic discussions suddenly quieted down, and everyone waited in silence.
"Esteemed civil officials, let us enter the court together as I lead," Chu Chen called out. He adjusted his official robes and led the way into the Hall of Political Deliberation.
This was his first time leading the civil officials as the Second Prime Minister.
The military officials had Wei Zi to manage them and were not under Chu Chen's jurisdiction.
As they watched Chu Chen's retreating back, their fear was mixed with envy, jealousy, and hatred. This was because Chu Chen was too talented, which led to his rapid promotion.
In less than a year, he had climbed from the seventh rank to the first rank as Second Prime Minister. How could this not evoke envy, jealousy, and hatred? Especially since he held this position at the young age of twenty-three!
A short while later, the Empress arrived at the Hall of Political Deliberation and took her seat on the dragon throne.
After the customary salutations between the ruler and subjects, before Chu Chen, the Second Prime Minister, could speak, the Minister of Revenue, Qian Jieren, was the first to step forward.
He knelt directly in the center of the hall and, with immense grief, cried out, "Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Second Prime Minister Chu Chen!"
"Impeach him for what?" the Empress asked, puzzled.
She inwardly admired these people's fearlessness. Had they not yet realized they could not defeat Chu Chen?
"Your Majesty! Second Prime Minister Chu Chen, without cause, ordered the apprehension of Wu Sheng, the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official. Last night, Wu Sheng, feeling concerned, went to Zhang Guojin's residence to personally oversee whether the proceedings were just and impartial. However, he was arrested by the Imperial Guards, at the behest of Second Prime Minister Chu!"
"Several Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the guards protecting them were also arrested. They have all been missing since last night! They are likely still in the secret prison of the Imperial Guards!"
"I impeach Second Prime Minister Chu Chen for abusing his power and acting recklessly!"
After listening to Qian Jieren's words, Chu Chen was truly impressed by his ability to twist facts. He had managed to make black appear white.
If he hadn't informed the Empress in advance yesterday, or if the Emperor had been more foolish, wouldn't he have been in trouble?
These people, corrupt and bribe-takers, were masters at distorting facts and were highly capable but did no actual work. They were utterly damnable!
"Chu Chen, is this true?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, it is true, but it is entirely different from what Minister Qian has stated."
Chu Chen quickly stepped forward and explained the entire sequence of events.
He concluded by saying, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, the Son of Heaven is subject to the same law as commoners. Even a Minister who obstructs official duties must be punished."
"I did not do anything to them. I only executed a few of their household servants who dared to attack a court official with swords. They themselves were merely detained in the Imperial Guards' office, well-fed and treated, with no torture or humiliation inflicted."
"So that's how it is. When do you plan to release them?"
The Empress nodded, indicating she understood. She shot Qian Jieren an displeased glance and then asked.
Chu Chen pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, according to our dynasty's public security laws, those who obstruct official duties are generally detained for three days and fined one tael. During special periods, the penalty is doubled."
The Empress frowned. Such a penalty was not unreasonable, as it was based on existing laws. However, these were a Minister and several Vice Ministers. If they were detained for a week, the entire Ministry of Rites would likely cease to function.
She then said, "They have already been detained by you for one night, so the punishment is sufficient. Let their families pay four times the fine, and then release them."
Chu Chen did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, is this a special pardon for Wu Sheng and the others?"
The Empress was stunned. Chu Chen was not planning to release them even with her personal request? She was somewhat annoyed. This was not part of the script they had discussed yesterday.
Her expression turned cold, and she asked, "If it is, so what? If it is not, so what?"
The surrounding officials looked up, gasping in unison, and stared at Chu Chen.
They all believed Chu Chen was ruthless, as even the Empress's plea for Wu Sheng and the others was ineffective, and he had directly confronted her in court.
Impressive!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, as the saying goes, the state has its laws, and the family has its rules. Actions... *cough cough*, actions between individuals must have boundaries to maintain order.
"For the affairs of a nation, from the highest to the lowest, only by governing according to law and having laws to follow can we achieve lasting peace and prosperity for a hundred generations, and the eternal stability of the court.
"Therefore, I dare to ask Your Majesty if you intend to grant a special pardon to Wu Sheng and the others. If it is a special pardon, then by law, Your Majesty, as Emperor, has the imperial prerogative to pardon, and it would be without issue. Conversely, if it is a personal plea, which is not permissible by law, and Your Majesty insists, I will still release them, but the consequences would be unimaginable.
"It would be inevitable that the nation would disregard its laws, the law would lose its ironclad authority, and no one would fear it."
Chu Chen explained to the Empress in one breath, emphasizing the importance of the law.
The Empress fell silent, contemplating Chu Chen's words.
Soon, she understood, and her expression became slightly complex as she looked at Chu Chen, realizing his intentions.
She then said, "The Ministry of Rites cannot temporarily do without Minister Wu Sheng and the other esteemed officials. I shall grant them a special pardon, is that acceptable?"
"Since it is Your Majesty's special pardon for criminals, regardless of their status, it is the imperial prerogative. I shall certainly obey your decree and accept the order!" Chu Chen cupped his hands and bowed.
The Empress nodded, and then, as usual, began to discuss state affairs with the ministers, as if the incident of being confronted had not happened.
However, the ministers sensed an unusual shift. They knew that in the Yunyue Kingdom, from now on, those who engaged in corruption, bribery, and lawlessness would have a difficult time.
Especially in this court!
Chu Chen, as the Second Prime Minister, dared to confront the Empress because she had not clearly stated whether she was releasing Wu Sheng and the others based on law or personal favor. He had confronted the Empress over this.
And the Empress did not show displeasure afterward, which meant that from now on, Yunyue Kingdom would usher in an era of governing according to law, from top to bottom in the court.