The Regent's Manor
Xue Wenjie looked at Grand Tutor Lin, and truthfully, he harbored killing intent. With this, he was confident of victory in tomorrow's Tri-Ministerial Court Review.
However, he never expected that Grand Tutor Lin's legitimate son would get into an argument and even fight with someone in the palace, angering the Empress.
Considering Lin Yan's frail health, the Empress invoked the principle of "a father's fault for not teaching his son" and personally ordered Feng Yin to carry out the punishment.
Now, if he insisted on killing Grand Tutor Lin, the Tri-Ministerial Court Review tomorrow would likely be postponed. Faced with a choice between Grand Tutor Lin and Hua Yunjin, he would still choose Hua Yunjin, who posed the greatest threat to him.
"Grand Tutor Lin, do not do anything foolish during tomorrow's Tri-Ministerial Court Review," Xue Wenjie said with a cold laugh before leaving.
Grand Tutor Lin collapsed onto the ground like a puddle of mud. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve, his sweat soaking the cuff.
"My lord, allow me to help you up," Cui He said, entering from outside and quickly assisting Grand Tutor Lin.
Grand Tutor Lin rose and said in a low voice, "Return to the manor."
Cui He nodded. "Yes."
As he stepped out of the room, a gust of evening breeze hit him. Grand Tutor Lin realized that his back was drenched in sweat.
He knew he had narrowly escaped death. He clearly felt the Regent's desire to kill him.
"Young master, they don't know about this yet, do they?" Grand Tutor Lin asked.
Cui He's gaze faltered, and he lowered his eyes guiltily. Grand Tutor Lin frowned at this. "Did you tell the young master?"
Cui He quickly said, "My lord, it is my fault. Please punish me!"
Grand Tutor Lin sighed upon hearing this. "Even if you didn't say anything, he would have found out."
Cui He was stunned, not entirely understanding Grand Tutor Lin's words. However, as a subordinate, it was safer not to know too much.
Grand Tutor Lin's punishment of thirty strikes in place of his son spread overnight.
However, another decree from the Empress soon caused a great uproar.
The Empress declared that all in the harem were to be treated equally. Consequently, all within the harem received thirty strikes.
Suddenly, everyone in the harem lived in fear, and murmurs of discontent arose.
Yan Palace
Seeing the fresh wounds on his young master's fair back, Yan Yi was furious. While applying medicine to Yan Zhao, he cursed, "What a foolish empress."
"Such loose talk," Yan Zhao said lightly.
Yan Yi retorted, "Young master, am I wrong? Lin Yan's fight with Li Chenxuan has nothing to do with you."
"Aren't all those in the harem beaten?" Yan Zhao asked.
Yan Yi nodded. "Even so, this is clearly an undeserved disaster."
"Since it's equal treatment, what more do you have to complain about?" Yan Zhao raised his eyes, his tone casual.
Yan Yi smacked his lips in dissatisfaction. "What equal treatment? Didn't you also have to kneel for several nights? If it were truly equal treatment, everyone should kneel for several nights; that would be real equal treatment."
Yan Zhao then asked, "Are there any movements from the Regent's Manor?"
Yan Yi replied, "Yan Er went to inquire. He should be back soon."
Before Yan Yi finished speaking, Yan Er hurried in from outside.
Yan Yi announced, "The young master was just asking about you."
Yan Er approached Yan Zhao and whispered, "The Regent intended to kill Grand Tutor Lin."
Yan Zhao's gaze paused. "Did he succeed?"
Yan Er shook his head. "No, the Empress intervened with a decree."
"What decree?" Yan Zhao asked with interest.
"A father's fault for not teaching his son," Yan Er replied.
Yan Zhao's dark eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance, like a galaxy in the night sky, dazzling and resplendent.
Yan Yi, standing nearby, asked in confusion, "A father's fault for not teaching his son?"
Yan Er explained, "Earlier, when Young Master Lin and Young Master Li fought, Young Master Li was punished with thirty strikes. The Empress, citing Young Master Lin's frail health, transferred these thirty strikes to the Grand Tutor's manor, to be borne by Lin's father."
Yan Yi's eyes lit up. "Young master, the Empress's strategy is brilliant!"
Yan Er nodded. "Indeed. Moreover, this decree was personally executed by Feng Yin. The Regent could not possibly have killed Grand Tutor Lin with Feng Yin present."
"It seems this Empress is not entirely a pushover," Yan Yi remarked.
As Yan Er was about to agree, he noticed the wounds on his young master's back and was taken aback. "What happened to your back, young master?"
Hearing Yan Er mention his young master's back, Yan Yi replied indignantly, "Isn't it because of the Empress's order?"
"What order?" Yan Er asked, somewhat confused.
"Everyone in the harem was beaten thirty times," Yan Yi stated angrily.
Yan Er responded, "It seems the intention behind this action is unclear."
"You may withdraw!" Yan Zhao said calmly.
Yan Yi and Yan Er exchanged a glance and retreated.
What intention? Was it not personal vengeance?
Yan Zhao's mind conjured the image of that beautiful and refined face. A subtle smile curved his lips, revealing a meaningful expression. He found it quite amusing.
The day of the Tri-Ministerial Court Review arrived. Today, the Ministry of Justice welcomed three officials: Grand Tutor Lin, Censor-in-Chief Li, and the Minister of Justice, Zhu Keyu.
Minister Li looked at the limping Grand Tutor Lin and laughed with schadenfreude. "Grand Tutor Lin, how did those thirty strikes feel? Can your body withstand it?"
Grand Tutor Lin merely cast a cold glance at Minister Li and replied coldly, "Thank you for your concern, Minister Li. This Grand Tutor is quite well."
Minister Li said meaningfully, "Grand Tutor Lin, the wise know when to adapt. Opposing the Regent will lead to no good end."
"Instead of worrying about this Grand Tutor, you should focus more on yourself, Minister Li!" Grand Tutor Lin said coldly, then unceremoniously walked to a chair and sat down.
Minister Li snorted, thinking that the man was still defiant even facing death, truly wishing for his own demise.
Minister Li also took his seat.
Zhu Keyu was the last to be seated. Just as he was about to speak, someone announced from outside, "The Regent has arrived!"
Zhu Keyu quickly rose and went to greet him. Xue Wenjie, clad in a dark brocade robe, entered with a frosty demeanor.
"Your Highness, please take a seat here!" Minister Li stood up and offered his seat to Xue Wenjie.
Xue Wenjie merely glanced at Minister Li, then walked up to Grand Tutor Lin and said with a cold smile, "Grand Tutor Lin, how do you feel about me taking your seat?"
Grand Tutor Lin looked up to see Xue Wenjie standing before him, radiating an immense pressure.
"Grand Tutor Lin, why don't you rise and offer the seat to the Regent?" Minister Li interjected.
Grand Tutor Lin looked at Minister Li and replied with a smile, "This is the Tri-Ministerial Court Review, the seats for the three ministers. If I were to yield my seat, where would I sit then?"
"You refuse?" Xue Wenjie raised an eyebrow, his tone icy and displeased.
"Uncle, why bother with Grand Tutor Lin? I have personally brought two excellent chairs that will surely meet Your Highness's satisfaction."
A clear and melodious voice cut through the air.
Xue Wenjie turned around. At the doorway, a slender and tall figure appeared.
The maiden was dressed in a bright yellow robe adorned with eight dragons playing with a pearl, and she walked slowly towards them.
Her steps were steady, and her posture was erect. Every movement exuded the aura of a ruler.