RPAGF Chapter 192 Kneeling, when will you be forgiven, and only then can you stand up?
Chapter 192 Kneeling, when will you be forgiven, and only then can you stand up?
The group set off from Cining Palace in a grand procession. As soon as they stepped into the Imperial Study, they heard the loud voice of General Weiyuan.
"Your Majesty, this whole disaster was caused by the maids in my household leading us astray. I have already executed those two maids to uphold the family law, and I had no intention of deceiving Your Majesty."
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression unreadable. When he saw the Empress Dowager enter, he quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Mother, what brings you here?"
The Empress Dowager waved her hand and walked straight to the chair next to her, where she slowly sat down.
"The Feng family has caused such a commotion, how could I not come?"
The Empress Dowager sneered, "General Weiyuan, what a display of your official power! You executed someone so quickly?"
"Pushing out two maids to take the blame, General Weiyuan, do you think I'm too old and easy to fool?"
The Empress Dowager's voice was not loud, but it struck General Weiyuan and his wife like a heavy hammer.
General Weiyuan slammed his forehead heavily on the ground. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I would never have dared to deceive you like that. Those two maids almost committed a grave mistake. I executed them to avenge the Crown Prince’s wife.”
Madam Feng followed up, saying, "Your Majesty, we are utterly loyal. If we truly intended to instruct the maid to frame you, we are willing to be torn to pieces."
Chu Ruohan raised an eyebrow. This couple kept crying foul, their acting skills were quite superb.
She stepped forward and said, “The Empress Dowager is the most kind-hearted person. She devotes herself to Buddhism every day and would not even step on an ant. It is truly lamentable that General Weiyuan treats human life as worthless!”
Despite cursing under his breath, General Weiyuan maintained a humble and fearful demeanor and crawled forward a few steps.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I am a rough and uncultured man. I only know how to lead troops. I have no idea about these intricacies."
“In the military camp, anyone who makes a mistake must be severely punished. Otherwise, where is the authority of military regulations? I was confused at the time and only thought about dealing with the person who made the mistake according to the rules of the army.”
As General Weiyuan spoke, he secretly glanced up to observe the expressions of the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
He constantly talks about his military achievements, and he really is, as he himself says, a clumsy and simple-minded person.
Throughout history, emperors of all dynasties have been wary of those whose achievements overshadow their own, let alone a general who holds military power.
This is the perfect time to add fuel to the fire...
"It seems that the general also treats soldiers arbitrarily without distinguishing right from wrong in the military camp. Does the general think that because he holds military power, he can act recklessly and disregard the laws of the country?"
Gu Junze's cold voice, carrying a hint of accusation, echoed in the imperial study.
As expected, the emperor's face darkened.
"I absolutely did not mean that..." General Weiyuan was in a state of complete panic.
A young eunuch hurriedly entered the imperial study, knelt down to pay his respects, and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Lord Guan from the Censorate is requesting an audience."
Besides the Marquis of Anyang's family, there is another victim in this matter!
The Emperor was well aware of this matter; if it was not dealt with seriously, his desk would be piled high with impeachment memorials from the Censorate the next day.
The Emperor did not summon Lord Guan. After a moment, his voice rang out coldly.
“General Weiyuan, as a high-ranking official of the court, you should set an example and abide by the law. However, you acted rashly, privately executed a maid, and even tried to deceive me and the Empress Dowager. I will not tolerate this today.”
General Weiyuan trembled all over, lowered his head even further, and cold sweat soaked his back.
He knew in his heart that this time he was probably doomed.
"I have decided to demote you three ranks as a warning to others!" The Emperor's words were firm and unquestionable.
General Weiyuan was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale. He struggled to raise his head and said, "Your Majesty, I...I know my crime. I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance. I will definitely redeem myself through meritorious service."
The Empress Dowager sat to the side, nodding slightly in approval of the Emperor's decision.
"General Weiyuan, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have always trusted you, yet you have acted in this way. This punishment is already lenient; you should take heed of your actions."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan exchanged a glance. Although they felt the punishment was too lenient, they understood that the Emperor had his reasons for doing so.
After all, General Weiyuan held military power, and a sudden severe punishment might cause unrest in the army.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for my wife," Gu Junze said, bowing respectfully to the Emperor with his hands clasped. He then changed the subject, "However, Madam Feng is also implicated in this matter."
Madam Feng raised her head in horror. Since the two maids were already dead, she was determined to deny it to the death.
"Your Highness, you can't wrong me! Your Majesty, I am guilty of oversight, but..."
The Empress Dowager stood up immediately. She had spent her entire life in the palace and had seen all sorts of despicable tricks.
He still wanted to argue under her nose.
"Feng, I can tell you've lost your mind and your head is not clear. Go kneel in front of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion. You can only get up when Ruohan forgives you."
"Your Majesty, spare me! I truly know I was wrong. Please have mercy and don't make me kneel in front of the Marquis of Anyang's residence. If word gets out, how will I ever face anyone again!"
She cried and kowtowed, and her forehead soon became red and swollen.
The Emperor was already in a state of agitation, and Lady Feng's crying and fussing only made things worse for him.
He waved his hand impatiently: "Enough! What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing like this!"
Then, he turned to look at the chief eunuch beside him.
"Ma Fuhai, keep an eye on her. If she dares to slack off in the slightest, or get up halfway through, I will hold you responsible!"
Ma Fuhai immediately accepted the order and respectfully replied, "This servant obeys the decree!"
After saying that, he quickly walked to Madam Feng's side, bowed slightly, and said, "Madam Feng, please."
Feng was still unwilling to give up. She raised her tear-streaked face and looked at General Weiyuan with pleading eyes.
"General, please save me!"
"emperor……"
Seeing that General Weiyuan still had the nerve to plead for mercy, the Emperor slammed his hand on the table and said, "If you also want to kneel down, I will grant your wish."
He was also in dire straits, so he lowered his head, gritted his teeth in secret, and was filled with regret...
With the matter settled, Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan did not leave the palace directly. Instead, they had dinner with the Empress Dowager and left before the palace gates were locked.
The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's mansion. Madam Feng knelt upright. The Emperor had sent people to watch over her, so how could she dare to relax her guard?
She truly became the laughingstock among the ladies of prominent families in the capital.
By this time, he was filled with deep regret.
The carriage curtain fluttered slightly, and Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze stepped down from the carriage one after the other.
"This old servant greets the Prince and the Princess." Ma Fuhai stepped forward and bowed.
"Thank you, father-in-law."
Ma Fuhai quickly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. This is all within my duty. I will do my utmost to fulfill the Emperor's orders and will not dare to slack off in the slightest."
Madam Feng cried out urgently, "Madam, Madam, I really know I was wrong, please forgive me!"
Chu Ruohan acted as if she hadn't heard anything and walked straight into the Marquis's residence.
The indifference in her eyes made Feng's heart sink to the bottom.
How long is she going to keep kneeling...?