Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 156 Cause and Effect
Zichen Palace.

The huge vermilion pillars stand tall, solemn and dignified.

Several ministers knelt on the golden bricks in the hall, whispering to each other, their official uniforms already soaked with sweat.

After waiting for a long while, Xiao Song finally saw the emperor enter the palace. He immediately performed a great salute and knocked his forehead heavily on the ground.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to speak. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince locked up the transport officer from Jiangzhou this morning, and in the afternoon he led his troops to surround the Ministry of Revenue and forcibly took Lord Luo away. Lord Luo is an official appointed by the court. To detain him privately without a joint trial by the three courts is truly a disregard for the law..."

Before Xiao Song finished speaking, Yuan Qili, the Minister of Personnel, spoke indignantly.

"Your Majesty, the detention of officials above the fifth rank must be approved by the emperor. The prince has acted like this. Where does the law of our ancestors stand?"

Zheng Yan, the Minister of the Imperial Court, also bowed his hands. "The Crown Prince disregarded the precedents of our ancestors, openly criticized the three courts for being lazy and incompetent, and arbitrarily announced the so-called evidence of guilt, misleading the people..."

Yuan Qili looked straight at the emperor, his voice very excited, "The prince also claimed that he held the imperial sword and obeyed the order of His Majesty..."

Emperor Chongzhao slowly moved his body, found a more comfortable position to sit down, raised his hand to his lips, and began to cough heavily.

The hall was silent.

Everyone held their breath.

After the emperor finished coughing, Wang Chengxi hurried forward, bent over, and respectfully offered the teacup with both hands. The emperor raised his hand to take it, took two sips, and then slowly smiled.

"My dear ministers... ahem..."

His eyes were calm as he slowly swept across several close ministers in the hall who had different expressions on their faces, with a barely perceptible scrutiny in his eyes.

"The Crown Prince is young and full of energy, lacking experience, so it is inevitable that he will act rashly. In terms of seniority, you are also his elders, so how about you bear with him a little more?"

"Your Majesty, this is a matter of great importance to the safety of the country..."

Yuan Qili's eyes widened and he spoke with great sorrow.

Emperor Chongzhao leaned back slightly, leaning on the dragon chair, and said in a calm voice, "If the Crown Prince has solid evidence, he should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others. If there is no solid evidence, let Minister Luo clarify the rumors, and that's it..."

He spoke beautifully, but this word "that's it" sent a chill down the spines of several important officials in the hall.

The emperor is clearly indulging the prince.

He killed Xiao Zhengyuan and dealt with Xiao Jing. Now he has found Luo Huan and is going to lead troops to search the Prime Minister's Mansion. Who knows what he will do next?
The lips and teeth are interdependent. These people have been officials for many years and are shrewd and have their own ways of dealing with the game in the court.

They were not afraid of Li Huan's gentle and generous style of governing, but they were afraid of a madman like Li Zhao who did not follow the rules.

Several ministers kowtowed in unison.

"I am risking my life to make this report. This matter is of great importance. It should be examined by the three courts and investigated by the six departments, in accordance with the ancestral system..."

"Your Majesty, please understand that the laws of our ancestors cannot be abolished. If the Crown Prince makes arbitrary decisions and disrupts the rules of the court, it will surely cause unrest in the court and the country, and make the country unstable!"

"The government's orders are out of order, which will chill the hearts of all officials!"

"Your Majesty! Do not deal with this hastily..."

Each of them had a voice as loud as a bell and spoke with righteous words.

Emperor Chongzhao's mind was as clear as a mirror.

The ministers each have their own interests, and the abacus beads are clacking.

"Your loyalty... ahem... I understand."

After he said that, he started coughing again. His face turned red and the veins on his neck bulged slightly.

The hall suddenly fell into deathly silence.

Everyone raised their heads slightly, their eyes fixed on the emperor.

Emperor Chongzhao's body was tense from coughing, but his voice was very gentle.

"The prince is young, and his intention to search the Prime Minister's residence is indeed a bit bold. I will admonish him. As for the matter of salt, iron, money and grain, since I have entrusted him with an important task and asked him to assist the Ministry of Revenue, I will grant him the power to handle the matter and not hinder him. This will show your magnanimity..."

After saying that, he waved his hands and said, "My dear ministers, cough cough cough... I have been busy with government affairs for days and I feel a little unwell. You can all leave..."

"Your Majesty!" Yuan Qili clasped his hands together and leaned forward. "If the officials are divided and the government's orders are not followed, there will be a disaster..."

The sound echoed in the hall, making people's eardrums hurt.

Emperor Chongzhao's face darkened slightly and his cough became even more severe.

"Are you questioning the prince, or are you trying to threaten me?"

The people below the stairs immediately fell to the ground: "We dare not!"
-
Inside the Puji Temple, there are towering ancient trees and shady green trees.

There is an ancient Zen table under the big banyan tree.

The breeze is blowing gently, accompanied by the faint fragrance of tea, which is very pleasant.

Several people sat around tea.

Xue Sui played with the red sandalwood Buddhist beads he had just received on his wrist, and listened to Xue Yuechen and Madam Luo talking in silence.

"It is said that the fourth son of your family, Mr. Guo, is filial and a good man with a pure character. I wonder if my eighth sister has such good fortune..."

Madam Luo smiled and put down her teacup, "Don't worry, Princess. I have a say in Silang's marriage."

Xue Sui smiled slightly and looked at the little monk sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard with peaceful eyes.

Guo Yunrong suddenly came over with a bright smile on her face: "Mrs. Ping'an, why don't you speak?"

Xue Sui raised his head slightly, "I'm looking at that branch. There's a magpie's nest on it."

Guo Yunrong opened her eyes wide, full of curiosity, "How did Madam know it was a magpie's nest?"

Xue Sui smiled, "I just saw a magpie fly in." Guo Yunrong's attention was drawn to it, and she stood up excitedly, "Quick, Liu'er, go borrow a ladder, I want to go up and take a look at the little magpie, I haven't seen it yet..."

Seeing her daughter making so much noise, Madam Luo couldn't help but shake her head and laugh, "This girl has been spoiled by me. She is like a naughty monkey and difficult to discipline. I wonder if she can be more restrained when she gets married in the future..."

"Mom!" Guo Yunrong's cheeks turned slightly red. She glared at her mother shyly, and quickly took the little girl to see the magpie's nest.

Xue Sui laughed when he saw this: "Miss Guo San is lively and straightforward. I like her personality."

Madam Luo smiled softly, "Madam Ping'an, what do you think of this marriage of Eighth Miss?"

Just now Xue Sui let Xue Yuechen speak and did not interrupt. When she heard Madam Luo asking her, she smiled gently.

"The birth dates of Fourth Master Guo and Eighth Miss match well. Even Master Jingkong said it was a match made in heaven. With the princess bringing them together, it is naturally a very good fate."

She gave the credit to Xue Yuechen without leaving any trace.

Madam Luo nodded in understanding: "With the kindness of Princess Duan, it is naturally the icing on the cake..."

Xue Yuechen glanced at Xue Sui and smiled at Madam Luo, "Sixth sister has put in a lot of effort. She is the matchmaker."

After saying this, she pushed the copied Buddhist scriptures on the table towards Xue Sui.

"These two volumes of scriptures should be offered to the Buddha by Sixth Sister herself to eliminate disasters and protect all living beings..."

Xue Sui responded with a smile and got up and left.

She stepped into the temple holding a Buddhist scripture. Master Jingkong was standing with his back to the door, beating a wooden fish. The hem of his cassock hung on the cushion, and his posture was upright and dignified.

"Meet the wizard."

Xue Sui walked forward lightly, knelt on the cushion, bowed respectfully, his movements were pious and focused.

"Female donor, do you know what ignorance and karma are?" Jingkong suddenly spoke, and the sound of wooden fish rang out in his words.

The sandalwood incense in the Buddhist temple is lingering, elegant and long-lasting.

Xue Sui clasped his hands together and looked at the Buddha devoutly.

"Ignorance is stupidity and ignorance. Ignorance leads to greed. Ignorance leads to anger. Ignorance leads to stupidity. Ignorance leads to actions, actions lead to results, and the cycle of reincarnation cannot be cut off..."

Jingkong nodded slightly, his eyes filled with compassion and wisdom.

"People only see mandarin duck brocade, but never sandalwood ash. All things are impermanent, and it is difficult to achieve perfection."

"Master, please tell me clearly?" Xue Sui bowed.

“Amitabha—” Jingkong said slowly, his voice low and peaceful, “There is ignorance in the hearts of all living beings. It is better to stay away from it and be quiet and free…”

Xue Sui kowtowed deeply again, his forehead touching the cushion.

"Thank you for your advice, Master!"
-
The breeze is blowing gently and the cicadas are chirping.

Madam Luo took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and looked towards the direction of the Buddhist temple. "The sixth daughter of the princess is more disciplined than the legitimate daughter."

Xue Yuechen's fingertips brushed across the teacup and smiled faintly: "Madam, you are too kind. Sixth sister has been raised outside for ten years, and she has not lost her wisdom. She is blessed with great fortune. Therefore, this matter of offering to Buddha and accumulating virtues must be hers..."

Madam Luo said, "I think that it is more meritorious to say that it is a good marriage than to offer sacrifices to Buddha."

Xue Yuechen looked at her with a smile in his eyes: "Madam, what you said is very true. I just hope to accumulate more merits and move the heavens to give me a son and fulfill my long-cherished wish..."

Madam Luo knew what was on her mind, but she didn't expect her to bring it up so openly. She smiled and comforted her, "A woman's pregnancy depends on fate. When fate comes, there will be blessings. But you sisters live in harmony, which is enviable. Unlike my sisters from my mother's family, they have already gone their separate ways..."

The two women had a pleasant conversation.

At this time, a servant ran in panting, with cold sweat on his forehead.

"Madam!" The servant knelt down in front of him, his sleeves soaked with sweat. "Master Luo was summoned to the Ministry of Revenue by the Right Guard. They said...they said that the Yongfeng Warehouse was flooded, and they wanted to check the Ministry of Revenue files."

Luo Huan is her father.

Mrs. Luo stood up suddenly.

"Let's check the files, but why did you take the master away?"

The servant touched his head and said, "I don't know much about this either, but this case seems to involve the Prime Minister's Mansion. Maybe there is some account transaction, so I brought Lord Luo to question him?"

Madam Luo asked, "Who gave the order?"

The servant hesitated for a moment and said, "I heard that it was an order from the East Palace."

Xue Sui walked over and happened to hear these words.

She did not expect Li Zhao to act so quickly. After just one day in Puji Temple, the situation in the court had changed drastically, causing Li Zhao to make a huge fuss.

"Oh my God!" Mrs. Luo murmured to herself, her legs going weak and her face full of worry and fear.

"Is this going to change?"

Xue Sui stepped forward, held her arm, and patted her back gently.

"Madam, don't panic. Questioning does not mean conviction. There may be room for maneuver."

Madam Luo held her forehead with her hand and spoke without thinking in a hurry.

"Madam Ping'an didn't grow up in the capital, so she doesn't know how arrogant the crown prince is. If she falls into his hands, there will be no good for her..."

Xue Sui said nothing more.

Behind her was the sound of Master Jingkong's wooden fish, one after another. Thinking of what Master Jingkong had just said, a thin layer of sweat could not help but seep out of her palms.

Li Zhao: Now you all know why I am nicknamed "Li Zeida"? It means bold and daring!
Xue Sui: You're causing chaos in the whole neighborhood. Are you very proud?
Li Zhao: I am so proud!