Chapter 89 Condemnation
89 Condemnation
His words enlightened the n.o.bles present and they nodded repeatedly in agreement. So this was what Kang w.a.n.g was after. He really had ulterior motives!
The Eemperor stroked his beard in thought and asked slowly, with the demeanor of a benevolent ruler, “What do you think, Duke Wei?”
Duke Wei naturally felt that Kang w.a.n.g deserved punishment, but how to punish him was also a difficult problem.
Chu Yi, who was sitting at the bottom, asked indifferently, “There are serious punishments. I wonder how the British Crown Prince’s injury is?”
“…” Duke Wei was stunned.
How could he know how injured Fang Mingfeng was? He only heard the British Duke crying that his son had been stabbed and was bleeding profusely, causing his fate to be unknown.
However, the Eldest Prince’s words reminded him that there were serious punishments.
Duke Wei’s old eyes lit up and he made a decision. He said seriously, “The old Emperor said that if an imperial family has broken the law, the crime will be increased by one level. Since Kang w.a.n.g stabbed Crown Prince Fang, let Crown Prince Fang stab him back twice, and we’ll consider it even.”
The other n.o.bles looked at each other, all in high spirits. They felt that Duke Wei’s idea was simply amazing.
They couldn’t wait to agree and were extremely united.
The officials led by w.a.n.g Kangyin were all dumbfounded. They immediately felt that the situation was not good and could not be bothered to mention how the late Emperor had praised Kang w.a.n.g.
“Your Majesty, you must not. If we really do as Duke Wei said, I’m afraid Kang w.a.n.g’s safety will be unpredictable after these two slashes. This is too harsh a sentence…”
The British Monarchy probably already hated Kang w.a.n.g. If Fang Mingfeng stabbed Kang w.a.n.g twice, Kang w.a.n.g’s life would probably be in danger!
However, before he could finish, he was interrupted by the rough voice of a burly middle-aged n.o.ble. “He’s just stabbed twice. He didn’t say anything about gouging his flesh!”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
“The old Emperor also said, ‘Who doesn’t get stabbed when they’re in the pugilistic world?’ Since he had the ruthlessness to stab someone, he has to know the feeling of being stabbed!”
“…”
The n.o.bles spoke one after another, each louder than the last.
The Great Jin Dynasty had only been established for 50 years, and most of these n.o.ble t.i.tles had only been pa.s.sed down for two to three generations. Usually, those aristocratic families would secretly mock them for not washing the mud off their legs.
However, when these people stood in a line, their power was also astonishing. Anyone who put in a good word for Kang w.a.n.g would be scolded by them.
Neither could convince the other, and sparks of animosity flew in the air.
Amidst the commotion, Chu Yi sighed softly. “Two slashes are too heavy. It’s not good to exchange blood for blood.”
His clear and calm voice was like a clear spring.
When the officials of the aristocratic families heard this, it was as if they had obtained a treasure. They echoed with joy, “Yes, yes, yes. The Eldest Prince is right.”
Chu Yi elegantly put down the blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand and looked at Duke Wei and the others. He said, “However, the evidence of the Seventh Imperial Uncle’s crime of a.s.sault is conclusive. If we don’t pursue the matter, it will also violate the old Emperor’s legacy.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” The n.o.bles responded repeatedly.
Chu Yi gently knocked the knuckles of his right hand on the coffee table twice. His warm gaze turned to the Emperor at the head of the table and he said gently, “Then demote him.”
After that, there was silence in the East Warm Pavilion.
Before the others could react, the Emperor raised his hand and slapped the table, echoing, “Alright. Let’s lower his rank to the Prince of the Second Rank.”
Duke Wei was stunned at first, but then he thought about it. That’s right. It would only hurt for a while if Kang w.a.n.g was stabbed twice, and he would probably forget about the pain after his scar healed. How could it be as satisfying as being demoted?
Wonderful! It was a wonderful punishment!
It was also to prevent Kang w.a.n.g from having designs on their n.o.ble t.i.tles. He would let Kang w.a.n.g suffer first.
“Your Majesty is wise!” Duke Wei was the first to shout, beaming with joy.
Since Duke Wei had agreed, the other n.o.bles were not dissatisfied. They all shouted, “Your Majesty is wise,” their voices as loud as thunder.
Some people were happy, and some people’s expressions were stiff as they looked at the curtain embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon behind them.
Kang w.a.n.g, Chu You, who had been summoned by the Emperor, was standing in front of the curtain. His face was as calm as water, and his entire body exuded a cold aura.
Before Kang w.a.n.g could speak, the Minister of Revenue, w.a.n.g Kangyin, answered first, “Your Majesty is wise. Punishments should be given to those who have made mistakes.”
w.a.n.g Kangyin was not stupid. He could tell that the Emperor wanted to demote Kang w.a.n.g’s t.i.tle this time.
With these n.o.bles here today, if they did not lower his rank, the Emperor would probably take advantage of the situation and let the British Duke stab Kang w.a.n.g twice.
In this situation, Kang w.a.n.g could only blame himself for being too impulsive and insisting on offending the n.o.bles.
w.a.n.g Kangyin gently pinched his sleeve and nodded imperceptibly at Chu You, indicating that he should lower his head to the Emperor.
“Seventh Brother,” the Emperor looked through the crowd at Chu You behind him and asked indifferently, “Do you have any objections to my decision?”
“…” Chu You’s ears buzzed, and monstrous anger surged in his narrow eyes.
At this moment, he wanted to leave angrily, but a trace of rationality told him that he could not leave.
If he left just like that today, he would offend all the n.o.bles.
And the current him could not afford to offend them!
Chu You clenched his fists tightly. His tall figure was straight like a spear, and his heart was fighting fiercely.
His mood was extremely complicated, and a thick fishy sweetness filled his mouth. He felt as if an invisible pusher was pushing him into this dilemma step by step!
He told himself that in ancient times, there was Gou Jian and Han Xin. Those who achieved great things would endure a moment of humiliation!
Even Emperor Taizu had once been despised by others when he was young and even said a heroic phrase, “Don’t bully the poor.”
…
For a long time, Chu You did not move and stood rooted to the ground.
The silence spread and the atmosphere grew oppressive.
After an unknown period of time, he said with difficulty, “I accept the decree.”
...
He lowered his head to hide the deep anger in his eyes and suppressed it.
As the words fell, the dust settled.
Chu You walked out of the East Warm Pavilion with a dark expression, his entire body exuding a forbidding aura. He held his breath and continued walking out of the palace in large strides.
The weather in the capital today was gloomy, and the wind was strong.
After leaving the palace, Chu You rode straight back to Prince Kang’s Manor. He spurred his horse and ran around in circles against the cold wind…
He urged his horse around three or four times. A pageboy came running at full speed, panting and shouting.
“Your Highness, the Emperor has sent someone to issue an imperial edict.”
“They, they still want to tear down the door of the mansion!”