Chapter 78: Please, Your Majesty, Issue the Edict of Self-Blame

Qin Zheng’s words were too direct; anyone could tell he wanted to arrange a marriage between himself and Ye Jingchuan.

However, Ye Chutang was not only exceptionally talented and beautiful, but her calligraphy could be sold for ten gold coins. Which family wouldn’t want such a daughter-in-law?

As a result, officials with sons of marriageable age all began to offer proposals.

“Old Ye, if you want to marry off your daughter, you must first consider my son.”

“My son is a better match. Not only is he the same age as Miss Ye, but he’s already entered the service.”

“Entering service is nothing. My son had a pleasant conversation with Miss Ye today.”

These words, when they reached Qi Yanzhou’s ears, were nothing short of tarnishing Ye Chutang’s reputation.

He cast a cold glance.

“Lord Xu, if I am not mistaken, it is your son who is too dull to properly engage with Miss Ye, isn’t it?”

This was the truth, and Lord Xu felt his face flush from the embarrassment of being questioned so bluntly. He coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness.

“It is my fault for not being clear and for being too forward with Miss Ye.”

Qin Zheng held great admiration for Ye Chutang and did not want her to be treated like a commodity, fought over by everyone.

“Enough of the arguing. Let’s hear what Minister Ye has to say first.”

Ye Jingchuan, of course, wanted to see Ye Chutang marry Qi Yanzhou. However, neither of these two were within his control.

He didn’t want to offend any officials because of Ye Chutang.

“Although the matter of marriage is decided by the parents, Chutang has already suffered a lot. I will not interfere with her choice of husband. She will choose for herself.”

This response was unexpected, and everyone was somewhat shocked.

To put it bluntly, wasn’t this an arrangement made in private?

However, no one dared criticize Ye Chutang.

After all, she had fame and wealth. Whoever she married would be a lucky family!

“From what it sounds like, only the scholars who frequent the Poetry Hall will have a chance to marry Miss Ye.”

“Who says that? As long as Miss Ye attends various banquets, our sons will still have a chance.”

Someone asked Ye Jingchuan.

“Minister Ye, Miss Ye will attend the Princess An’s birthday banquet, won’t she?”

Ye Jingchuan nodded, “Naturally.”

He then walked towards the Golden Throne Hall.

“It is nearly time for the morning court. Everyone, hurry up.”

Upon hearing this, the officials quickly adjusted their court attire and headed to the Golden Throne Hall.

Qin Zheng walked quickly to Qi Yanzhou’s side and whispered, “It seems that His Highness cares a lot for Miss Ye.”

Officials who were nearby immediately stretched their necks, eager to eavesdrop.

Qi Yanzhou knew that Qin Zheng was testing him.

He straightened his face and replied, “Lord Prime Minister, if you had seen the poems Miss Ye composed and heard the tunes she plays, you wouldn’t say that.”

“A woman who excels in everything, not losing to any man, deserves my respect!”

Qin Zheng noticed that Qi Yanzhou was annoyed and quickly apologized.

“Your Highness, I was narrow-minded.”

Then, he excitedly added, “Your Highness is familiar with Yun’er, so you should know his feelings for Miss Ye. Since you have more interactions with Miss Ye, could you help make an introduction?”

Qi Yanzhou turned his head to look at Qin Zheng. “Is this Yunxuan’s suggestion?”

“No, that kid thinks he’s not worthy of Miss Ye and is sulking at home.”

If it weren’t for the fact that his son genuinely liked Ye Chutang, he wouldn’t have discussed marriage with Ye Jingchuan.

What a mess!

“Please tell Lord Yunxuan, if he likes her, he should pursue her himself.”

Qi Yanzhou said, then quickly entered the Golden Throne Hall.

The officials knew that today’s morning court would be filled with tension, and the Golden Throne Hall was eerily silent.

After a while, the emperor and the eunuch, De Gonggong, finally arrived late. The emperor, having learned that the elixirs he had been taking were made from body parts used in cultivating medicinal herbs, had been vomiting nonstop.

He couldn’t sleep and kept waking up from nightmares.

After a single night, he looked haggard, with deep circles under his eyes.

As he sat on the dragon throne, he asked hoarsely, “What do you all think about the ‘Blood Letter from the People’?”

The officials understood that by asking this, the emperor was implying that they should blame Zhang Tianshi for everything.

However, even if the emperor had been deceived and was a victim, he still had the responsibility to investigate.

After all, hundreds of lives were at stake. The people would never let this matter slide!

But if they spoke the truth, it would surely upset the emperor.

So, except for Qi Yanzhou, all the officials lowered their heads in silence.

The emperor, already in a bad mood, grew even angrier seeing their behavior.

He glanced at Qi Yanzhou, then his gaze fell on his favorite flatterer, Ye Jingchuan.

“Minister Ye, what is your opinion?”

Ye Jingchuan felt a tightness in his scalp—he had to divert the blame.

“Your Majesty, regarding the ‘Blood Letter from the People,’ the three Censors should have more to say.”

The Censors: “…”

“Minister Ye, the emperor asked you to speak. Why are you passing the responsibility to us?”

“Intentionally not answering—is this a refusal to obey the imperial order?”

Seeing the Censors accuse him of disobeying the emperor, Ye Jingchuan could only stiffen his neck and stand out.

“Your Majesty, I believe the people were forced to write the letter because they don’t know the truth. As long as the truth is revealed to the public, the people will understand that it is because of Your Majesty’s support for the Daoist reforms that the country has been peaceful and prosperous.”

Although he said this with a guilty conscience, he would say whatever it took to make the emperor happy. If it meant making the emperor believe in a lie, he would do so.

Opposing the emperor was the Censors’ job; he wouldn’t join in.

The emperor knew that Ye Jingchuan was just flattering him, but it did lift his mood slightly.

“The three Censors, what do you have to say?”

The role of the Censors was to supervise the officials, advise the emperor, and speak frankly.

The three of them exchanged glances and decided to tell the truth.

After all, the Prince of Chen had contacted them privately and promised to protect them.

“Your Majesty, Zhang Tianshi’s crimes are severe. His death is not enough to atone for his sins.”

“Although Your Majesty was unaware, it was your support for the Daoist reforms that allowed Zhang Tianshi to take advantage of the situation.”

“Your Majesty, you have a responsibility to investigate. Please, reconsider your thoughts on Daoist reforms and reflect on your actions.”

Hearing this, the emperor was furious.

“Preposterous!”

Qi Yanzhou immediately stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, although Zhang Tianshi is the main culprit, it is also true that hundreds of children died because of Your Majesty’s Daoist reforms. Please, issue the Edict of Self-Blame and give the people an explanation.”

The words “Edict of Self-Blame” shocked everyone.

They all felt that the Prince of Chen had gone mad!

The emperor’s face turned dark, and he wished he could immediately issue an order to execute Qi Yanzhou.

“Prince of Chen, do you know what you are saying?”

The Edict of Self-Blame was something an emperor issued only when he had committed an unforgivable crime!

What wrong had he committed for the sake of the people and immortality through the Daoist reforms?

Qi Yanzhou faced the emperor’s anger head-on, “Please, Your Majesty, issue the Edict of Self-Blame!”

“How dare you, Prince of Chen! Do you think your achievements make you untouchable, that I dare not punish you?”

“Your Majesty, the water that carries the boat can also capsize it.”

The emperor was beyond furious and shouted, “Guards! The Prince of Chen has defied imperial authority. Drag him out and give him thirty lashes!”

Although he could not kill the Prince of Chen, he could make him suffer!

The Imperial Guard stationed outside the hall rushed in immediately.

Qin Zheng was in a cold sweat, about to plead for Qi Yanzhou, when an urgent report came from outside the palace.

“Report! An emergency from Suzhou!”

Hearing this, Qi Yanzhou’s eyes gleamed with a determined smile.