It just so happens that there is a grand court assembly the next day; I'll have Yan Yingyuan stay behind to chat later.
Listening to both sides leads to clarity; if there truly is a problem, he can also remind Fu in a timely manner.
Thinking about it this way, Fu was actually entering the imperial court for the first time. Although Zhu Yousong had granted him a marquisate, he had been a man of leisure and wealth, had not had much contact with the affairs of the state.
The only explanation was likely that Fu had long harbored rebellious intentions, which was why his subordinates also formed a miniature imperial court; otherwise, there was no way to explain how he was so much in his element.
Zhu Ci had thought well, but the next day, when the imperial carriage was only halfway there and had not yet reached Wuying Hall, an eunuch rushed over and knelt on one knee: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the various officials have started fighting in the plaza."
Huh?
Zhu Ci was so incredulous at this news that he even asked, "What did you say?"
The Eunuch repeated what he had just said, Zhu Ci paused for a moment before saying, "Let's go and take a look."
By this time, they were already very close to Wuying Hall, though according to Zhu Ci's usual route for attending court, he would not be going to the front plaza.
After taking a detour, he had not yet seen anyone when he heard a few sounds. By the time he arrived, he saw Fu just as he took off his hat, put on his sunglasses, rolled up his sleeves, delivered a very dashing punch to the Right Vice Censor's face.
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Hmm, the Grand Secretary is actually quite cool when he beats people up. An evil kitty took advantage of the chaos to stomp on the Right Vice Censor's foot. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 165
Zhu Ci gasped and immediately shouted, "Jiang Quan, quickly pull them away! Be careful not to hurt the Grand Secretary!"
Someone had just spotted the Emperor's carriage, just as they were about to warn their colleagues, they heard those words, suddenly felt completely overwhelmed.
Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please look closely! The Grand Secretary is striking people, you're telling me not to hurt the Grand Secretary?
What's the matter? Is the Grand Secretary your precious darling, while the rest of us are just weeds by the roadside?
Jiang Quan led the Jinyi Guard to quickly separate everyone. Zhu Ci stepped down from the imperial carriage, walked over, gave everyone a cold, sweeping glance before looking at Fu and saying, "We'll talk once we're inside."
Fu's hat had been removed during the scuffle just now, at this moment, his face was only partially shielded by small eyeglasses; in just this short time, Fu's face had already become sunburnt.
Everyone followed silently into Wuying Hall. Zhu Ci walked at the front, as he turned, he glanced at Wu Xia.
Wu Xia immediately understood and quietly withdrew. By the time Zhu Ci sat upon the dragon throne, Wu Xia had already brought a box of Cooling Ointment and presented it to Fu.
Those who were busy straightening their clothes felt like closing their eyes and simply fainting right then and there.
Even if everyone knew very well that the Emperor was biased toward the Grand Secretary, he couldn't be so blatant about it in front of them, could he?
Zhu Ci knew that given Fu's temperament, for him to have resorted to physical violence, the other party must have been extremely excessive.
Most importantly, he saw that Zhu Ci had also taken action, that he was standing with Fu.
Setting everything else aside, if the civil and military officials were divided into two sides, with Fu and Zhu Ci on one side and everyone else on the other, Zhu Ci would definitely side with Fu and himself.
Once everyone had straightened their clothes and hats, Zhu Ci asked very calmly, "What exactly has happened?"
No one responded.
This was strange. It was one thing for Fu and Zhu Ci not to step forward and speak, but even the people from the Censorate failed to say anything.
Zhu Ci said directly, "Grand Secretary, you speak."
Fu stepped out from the ranks and bowed with his hands clasped. "Your servant acted out of sudden indignation; I ask for Your Majesty's punishment."
Zhu Ci closed his eyes. "I asked you to tell me what happened. Whether or not to punish you is something I will decide after I have heard it."
His eyesight was excellent, he clearly saw that Fu's hand had already turned red.
Fu lowered his head and said, "It was just a minor quarrel, nothing of great importance."
Zhu Ci raised his voice: "Are you trying to fool me?"
The others immediately trembled.
It's over. Even the Emperor's heart and soul has been insulted; won't people start dying again in a moment?
They had essentially summarized the pattern: once the Emperor lost his temper, several people had to die before the fury could be appeased. Last time, when the Emperor was so enraged that he struck someone, the result was wave after wave of executions at the execution grounds; it would not be an exaggeration to say that rivers ran red with blood.
Fu bowed his head and confessed his crimes, Zhu Ci looked at Prince of Ning and said, "Prince of Ning, you speak."
After all, Zhu Ci's expression was also very difficult to look at.
However, Zhu Ci also stepped out of the line and knelt on the ground to ask for punishment.
Zhu Ci had a thoughtful expression on his face. "It seems to be something that is difficult to say aloud."
He looked around and asked, "Who will speak? Or shall I simply send someone to investigate?"
The Right Vice Censor stepped out from the ranks and knelt on the ground, removing his black gauze cap once more as he said, "Your servant has spoken inappropriately; I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
The Right Vice Censor was in a pitiful state at this moment; two patches on his face were already bruised, clearly showing that Fu had not held back.
Zhu Ci looked around and said, "Forget it. Since no one will speak, let's just act as if this matter never happened. Carry on with your duties as usual."
Today was a grand imperial assembly, the Grand Secretariat, the Censorate, the main officials of the Six Ministries had a massive argument. Now that the Emperor was asking about it, everyone remained tight-lipped, clearly because there were many things that could not be known by the lower-ranking officials.
Zhu Ci simply stopped pressing for answers and continued discussing state affairs.
However, the grand court assemblies were generally just a formality; many matters had already been discussed during the small court meetings.
After the calm and peaceful grand assembly concluded, Zhu Ci rose and left directly.
Yan Yingyuan could not help but glance at the Emperor's back and then at Fu and Zhu Ci. This matter.. was it just over like this?
However, Fu and Zhu Ci exchanged a glance, knowing that this matter was by no means over. If it were truly brushed aside, given the Little Emperor's temperament, he should have criticized them both during the grand court assembly; for him to say nothing now, as if nothing had happened, simply did not suit his character.
Zhu Ci said to Fu with concern as they walked out, "If His Majesty finds out, I fear he will be enraged again."
Fu sighed softly, "His Majesty will certainly find out about this; just wait for His Majesty to summon you."
He finished speaking and looked at Zhu Ci. "You.."
Zhu Ci said calmly, "It matters not; such a trifle will no longer affect me."
Just as Fu and Zhu Ci were preparing to be summoned, Zhu Ci knocked the Four Treasures of the Study off the desk in the Imperial Study.
Of course, he didn't throw them on purpose; he had simply moved too abruptly and collided directly with the table, causing all the stationery on it to crash and shatter across the floor.
Wu Xia and Jiang Xueyan were startled. Wu Xia reflexively knelt down immediately, while Jiang Xueyan stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, please be careful not to hurt yourself."
Jiang Xueyan said while steadying the writing desk, "They are nothing more than rumors. If anyone dares to speak of them again, they should be beaten to death. It is not worth Your Majesty's anger."
Wu Xia immediately ordered people to come in and clean up, every palace attendant who entered was trembling with fear, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Wu Xia heard Jiang Xueyan's words and thought to himself that these were no ordinary rumors; they were far too vile.
One moment they say the Grand Secretary has an improper relationship with His Majesty because of his looks, the next they say the Prince of Ning was once utterly humiliated by the Tartars; the people spreading these rumors truly have malicious intent!
Zhu Ci's expression was extremely grim. After a long silence, he sat down and said, "Summon the Grand Secretary and the Prince of Ning."
The Eunuch was just about to take his orders and depart when Zhu Ci suddenly spoke again, "Wait, summon only the Grand Secretary."
The eunuch repeated the command before withdrawing.
Not long after, Fu arrived at the Imperial Study.
By this time, Zhu Ci's expression had returned to normal, he was even reviewing documents with a red ink brush.
However, Fu knew that the Little Emperor must be very angry right now.
After all, in the past, whenever he arrived, Zhu Ci would always look up and give him a smile first.
He had no expression on his face today; he was likely suppressing his anger.
After Fu took a seat, Zhu Ci asked, "Have you found out where the news originated?"
Fu replied, "The investigation is underway."
Zhu Ci was rarely angry, but now he was: "Why are you only starting to investigate now? Had there been no rumors before?"
Fu was about to explain, but Zhu Ci said for him, "Forget it, I suppose no one would dare speak of such things in your presence."
Fu still said, "Your Majesty, there truly were no signs before."
Zhu Ci narrowed his eyes: "No warning signs at all, yet officials have already heard the rumors?"
Fu said, "Your Majesty, the source of the rumors can be uncovered sooner or later; for now, the only thing to be done is to suppress the matter."
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while before asking, "Is the scope of its spread wide?"
Fu said, "It is only circulating sporadically within the Capital."
Zhu Ci sat there for a long time without saying a word. Dealing with rumors was the most troublesome task; one careless mistake could lead to the exact opposite of the intended effect.
As the saying goes, it takes only a mouth to spread a rumor, but a lifetime of running to debunk it.
Especially when it comes to scandalous matters, they are the most intriguing yet the hardest to prove.
How could he prove that he had nothing to do with Fu? And how could he prove that Zhu Ci had not been humiliated by the Tartars?
Zhu Ci asked, "What do you think should be done?"
Arrest them," Fu said decisively. "While there are few people around, we shall kill a chicken to warn the monkeys.
However, after he finished speaking, he hesitated slightly: "It is just that this action will damage Your Majesty's reputation."
After all, the Emperor had once said that no one would be punished for their words.
Zhu Ci looked completely indifferent. "Since when have I ever cared about reputation?"
There is no need to be so constrained by something that does not exist.
Fu Qingsheng said in a pleasant tone, "Your Majesty, do not say that; the common people still hold gratitude toward Your Majesty."
The Little Emperor received mixed reviews from scholars, but he was highly supported by the common people.
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while before saying, "Arrest them, when the time comes, judge them for infringing upon their right to reputation."
Fu Weivei was stunned. "Infringement of reputation? That.. I don't believe that exists in the Great Ming Code."
Zhu Ci looked at him warmly: "Now we do."
Fu..
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