Chapter 19: Taking the Blame First

“Someone delivered a paper to the Censor?”

Fei Yan’s expression immediately turned cold. He didn’t press Guard Cheng for details right away but ordered, “Return to the residence first.”

The General’s estate wasn’t far from the Prime Minister’s residence—only about fifteen minutes away.

As soon as Fei Yan returned, someone reported the matter to Dong Xinrui.

She hurried to the study to find him, but this time the guard outside the study blocked her path.

“Madam, the Prime Minister is attending to important matters right now.” The guard, though hesitant to stop the official lady of the house, had to fulfill his duty—especially since the Prime Minister favored her greatly.

Dong Xinrui didn’t insist on barging in. She glanced at the closed doors of the study and turned away, prompting the guard to breathe a sigh of relief.

Back in the inner courtyard, Dong Xinrui dismissed all the servants.

She spoke softly to Nanny Huang, “Nanny, tell me—should I arrange a good marriage for Tang Chaoyang?”

Nanny Huang replied, “Madam, that’s a splendid idea. A woman like her, divorced and with a tarnished reputation—if she could secure a good match, it would be her fortune.”

Dong Xinrui smiled faintly. There was no rush. She’d start by picking out a man for Tang Chaoyang.

—

In the study, Guard Cheng was reporting his findings to Fei Yan.

“That slip of paper was brought back to the Censor by his fifth son. We don’t know exactly what was written on it.”

“But not long after that paper appeared, the Censor sent people to investigate Second Master in Tiancheng County.”

Fei Yan’s eyes darkened.

Clearly, there was a manipulator behind the scenes. This wasn’t just a simple coincidence—someone was deliberately using the Censor to target him.

“You didn’t recover the paper?”

“No, we couldn’t find it. It might’ve been burned.”

“Keep investigating,” Fei Yan said coldly.

“Yes, Master.” Guard Cheng saluted and left the study.

Fei Yan disliked being passive in these matters. He began mentally filtering through the people who might want to harm him.

—

In the Imperial Palace, Imperial Study

A shadow guard knelt and presented both a file of freshly gathered intelligence and a small box.

Just as Fei Yan suspected a hidden instigator behind the Censor, so did Emperor Ling Gurong.

Ling Gurong didn’t rush to read the documents. He first opened the box and found a single slip of paper inside. Lifting it, his face remained expressionless.

It was plain hemp paper with messy handwriting—but the content was striking.

The corner of his lips quirked into a smile as he set the paper down and turned to the dossier.

Whoever sent this paper had some brains—rather than delivering it straight to the Censor, they had given it to one of his illegitimate sons.

As for who had passed it to the son, unless that young man was captured and interrogated, there would be no way to trace it.

Ling Gurong silently speculated: was this the grudge of a personal enemy of Fei Yan’s? Or were court factions setting him up?

As long as it didn’t affect the state, the Emperor had no interest in meddling in ministerial squabbles—he wasn’t that idle.

“No need to investigate further,” he said lazily.

At his command, the shadow guard immediately withdrew.

After all, Fei Yan was not a man without capabilities—he’d figure it out himself.

—

The more informed ministers all knew by now that Fei Yan had been impeached by the Censor yesterday.

That morning, they stood outside the Golden Throne Hall, waiting to enter.

“Prime Minister Fei, you were punished just yesterday, yet you still made it to court today?” came a mocking voice.

The speaker was Minister Wang of the Ministry of Justice—Fei Yan’s most well-known political rival.

Fei Yan’s face remained unreadable as he responded calmly, “Thank you for your concern, Minister Wang. It’s not like I’m on my deathbed—I can still attend court.”

The ministers around them sensed the hidden barbs and watched the exchange with interest.

Minister Wang smiled and shifted topics.

“The Ministry of Justice recently handled a case. A man who married into his wife’s household tried to seize her property and even poisoned her with slow-acting poison. After her death, her son reported the father for murder.”

He turned pointedly to Old General Su.
“General Su, don’t you think such a man is loathsome?”

Everyone understood the subtext—this was a jab at Fei Yan.

After all, news had already spread that Tang Chaoyang had gone to the prefecture to accuse the Prime Minister’s residence of seizing her dowry.

Even scholars in the teahouses were discussing Fei Yan—some criticizing him, others merely envious.

Fei Yan had risen from humble beginnings to become Prime Minister at a young age. His former wife was a noble daughter of the Marquis of Yong’en, and his current wife the daughter of the Imperial Tutor—he was the textbook definition of a “winner in life,” fueling both admiration and jealousy.

Old General Su stroked his white beard and responded with sharp eyes,
“Are despicable men rare in this world?”

His words left the crowd awkward.

Wasn’t he a man himself?

Apparently, the old general saw himself as one of the rare good ones.

Minister Wang shut his mouth, silently cursing. Wasn’t Su supposed to be siding with me right now to mock Fei Yan?

“Court is in session!”

The heavy doors of the Golden Throne Hall swung open.

The ministers straightened their robes and filed in solemnly.

Emperor Ling Gurong walked to the Dragon Throne and sat. His gaze swept the assembled officials.

“Long live the Emperor!”

“You may rise.”

The ministers rose to their feet. Many were surprised to see the Imperial Tutor present—he only appeared on special days or for important matters.

Though many Imperial Tutors throughout history had met tragic ends, this one stayed clear of power, which earned the Dong family special favor from the new emperor.

After discussions on national affairs concluded, Fei Yan stepped forward.

The ministers perked up—was he going to retaliate against the Censor?

“Your Majesty, this minister has a matter to report.”

Ling Gurong adjusted himself on the throne, smiling faintly.
“What is it?”

Fei Yan was exasperated by the Emperor’s feigned ignorance.

“I wish to report: the third son of the Minister of Justice assaulted two students; the second son of Prince Cheng abducted a beautiful woman into his household; and the fifth son of the Censor…”

The hall fell into silence, the ministers’ faces darkening.

You brazen brat! they thought. How dare you!

Once Fei Yan finished his accusations, Ling Gurong feigned shock and turned stern.

“They dare to be so lawless—to fight, to kill, to steal women. My lords, you are supposed to cultivate yourselves, manage your households, govern the country, and bring peace to the realm. I offer you this phrase for self-reflection.”

The ministers were furious at Fei Yan.

They all knelt down.
“Your Majesty, forgive us! We will discipline our households and punish our unruly sons.”

In truth, they weren’t worried the Emperor would actually come down hard on their sons. The Emperor still needed them for state affairs.

Ling Gurong, seated on the throne, wore a faint smile. He could read their thoughts easily.

Old foxes, the lot of them.

After a moment’s pause, he spoke calmly.

“Yesterday, Prime Minister Fei was punished with twenty cane strokes for negligence. Today, for the same crime, you shall all receive the same.”

“I also decree the formation of the Embroidered Guards, under my direct command. As for these offending young lords—I don’t want to hear of them causing more trouble.”

Old General Su lifted his eyes. The young emperor’s approach was balanced and calculated. Tonight, everyone would be going home to curse Fei Yan.

Imperial Tutor Dong was the first to step forward in support.
“Your Majesty is wise.”

Fei Yan, facing a hall full of murderous glares, saluted.
“Your Majesty is wise.”

At least he wasn’t alone in being punished this time—they’d all be getting whipped like he had.

Right now, the Censor was the angriest of them all.

His illegitimate son had merely flirted with a girl on the street, and she happened to jump into a river and die. Why should he be caned?

After court was dismissed—

Fei Yan gave the Censor a faint smile.

The Censor angrily flicked his sleeves and stormed off.

As Old General Su passed Fei Yan, he spoke in his gruff voice to another general.

“Getting old—my arm’s going sore.”

He waved his arm, and the wooden tablet in his hand accidentally smacked Fei Yan in the back.

Fei Yan: “…”

“Oh no, Prime Minister Fei, my apologies! This old arm’s not as steady anymore,” said the general, whose strength as a military man was no joke.

He apologized and kept walking with his fellow general, chatting as if nothing had happened.

Fei Yan left the throne hall with a calm expression.

When Eunuch Feng later reported to Ling Gurong that Fei Yan had been “accidentally” hit by Old General Su, the Emperor only raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

General Su was indeed the type to fiercely protect his own.