What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 269 Dare to touch my man? You're asking for death!
Wei Zhengguang and You Li were astonished to hear that Su Mo had returned to the capital and was even wearing a tiger-patterned robe on his way to the Dali Temple.

The Imperial Guard who returned with the news then handed over a letter: "This letter was sent by Su Mo to the two lords."

The messenger is still waiting outside the house.

Wei Zhengguang frowned.

Unexpectedly, just after receiving Liu Siyun's letter, Su Mo sent another one.

After receiving the letter and reading it, I was surprised to find that it was addressed to both Magistrate You and Commander Wei!

It was clearly written in Su Mo's unique dog-paddle style, proving that the letter was written by Su Mo himself—this dog-paddle style could not be imitated by anyone else.

"Does Su Mo know that I am with Lord You?"

"He didn't escape to anywhere?"

Wei Zhengguang didn't rush to open the letter, but looked at You Li with suspicion: "This matter has caused quite a stir in the city, how dare Su Mo show himself?"

"Does he really think that after something like this happened, and he angered the scholars, His Majesty would still protect him to the death?"

You Li also frowned.

Generally speaking, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was responsible for doing dirty work and solving troubles for the emperor, and also for taking the blame.

It's not meant to cause trouble for His Majesty!

Since this has happened, Su Mo should accept her bad luck and be prepared to be abandoned.

Of course, if His Majesty shows no mercy and throws out his henchmen who do the dirty work for him whenever something happens in order to appease public anger, the Embroidered Uniform Guard isn't stupid. Who would still work wholeheartedly for His Majesty?
In You Li's view, Su Mo's best option was to flee the capital directly.

So what if the Dali Temple issues a warrant for Su Mo's arrest?

Once outside the capital, if someone really needs to be arrested, wouldn't it be the Embroidered Uniform Guard who has to do it? Can the yamen runners from the Dali Temple really go to the local area to arrest Su Mo?

Would the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrest Su Mo?
His Majesty would not allow the Embroidered Uniform Guard to pursue Su Mo with all their might!

Once public opinion calms down, Su Mo can easily change his identity, become a wealthy man in the local area, or even become a local centurion.

You Li frowned and pondered for a long time before finally saying slowly, "Let's see what he says in his letter first!"

You and Wei opened the new seal and then looked at each other in bewilderment.

The newly sealed envelope contained only a blank sheet of paper, without a single word on it.

You Li frowned as he looked at Wei Zhengguang: "What does Su Mo mean by this? Is he trying to prove his innocence?"

Wei Zhengguang thought for a moment: "Aren't his men outside? We can call them over and ask them."

As members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they would certainly not mention the real important matters in the letter, so as not to leave evidence for others. The key to Su Mo's arrival should be the person who delivered the letter.

……

Donning the tiger-patterned robe and jade belt, Su Mo glanced expressionlessly at Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu, then said calmly, "I'm going to Dali Temple this time, and I won't be out for a while."

"From then on, everything depended on my uncle and Mr. Ding."

Wang Xiuzhi frowned: "Since you didn't commit adultery with the Yin family, why don't you try to clear up the rumors?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "The reason a rumor is a rumor is not because it is true or false, but because people want to believe it!"

"Even if His Majesty knows I am innocent, so what?"

Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu fell silent immediately.

After a long silence, Wang Xiuzhi said in a deep voice, "The Wang family is truly vicious!"

"Does this mean there's no solution?"

Ding Yu shook his head and sighed: "Difficult!"

"This is a calculated scheme by the Wang family!"

"Whether the old man walks into the trap himself or flees far away, it will be difficult to break this deadlock!"

After a pause, Ding Yu looked at Su Mo with a wry smile: "I think it would be best if you, sir, didn't go to the Dali Temple. Perhaps you should go somewhere else to avoid the storm and wait until things calm down before making any further plans!"

Both of them knew that the other party was using the charge of adultery against Su Mo, but did not really intend to take Su Mo's life.

It's nothing more than forcing Su Mo to stay away from the capital, or ruining Su Mo's reputation.

In ancient times, people valued their reputation most. Once their reputation was ruined, they could forget about continuing in officialdom.

The Wang family wasn't stupid; they discovered Su Mo's biggest flaw early on.

The reason why the Su family, a small and insignificant family with no roots or background, could thrive in the capital, a place teeming with powerful figures, is simple—the emperor's favor!
This is Su Mo's strength, but also his most fatal weakness!
Powerful families, like the Wang family, had their influence spread to every corner of the common people and even the imperial court.

Even if Wang Hao, the second-ranking official in the cabinet, is demoted to a commoner, it will not damage his true foundation, and he will make a comeback sooner or later.

Su Mo is different!
Once one loses the official position and the emperor's favor, all property and all power will naturally vanish.

Countless people are eyeing Su Mo's lucrative businesses, and Su Mo's position as a centurion alone is definitely not enough to protect them!
Not to mention top-level imperial relatives like Prince Rong and Zhang Shouning, even the Ning Gongguo Mansion, You Li, Wei Zhengguang, and others would probably not hesitate to sever ties with Su Mo and seize his assets!
The Su family's paper naturally fell into the hands of the Wang family.

The Wang family's open scheme has successfully provoked the anger of all scholars!
What the truth is is no longer important.

Even seasoned veterans like Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu felt that Su Mo was truly at a loss this time!

The two looked at Su Mo with wry smiles.

Su Mo scoffed, "You call this a calculated scheme?"

Su Mo sneered: "It's just a very basic rumor, it's too easy to debunk!"

Back then, his third uncle had planned to use such methods to deal with Ma Dianshi, and Su Mo had naturally thought about how to deal with it if the same thing happened to him.

Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu were taken aback upon hearing this: "What do you mean?"

In their eyes, such an open scheme is simply impossible to counter!

Su Mo said calmly, "To deal with rumors, you simply cover them up with an even bigger one!"

He paused slightly, then continued slowly and deliberately: "For example, Wang Yao of the Wang family had a penchant for homosexuality. He Heng, a Hanlin scholar, was actually Wang Yao's male lover. He was able to obtain the Jinshi degree through Wang Yao's efforts."

"The reason He Heng married but had no children was because he never slept with his wife; he merely used this to cover up the scandal of being a child predator of Wang Yao!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu were stunned and stared at Su Mo in shock!

Su Mo sneered: "Of course, to make the rumors seem more believable, it's best to mix truth and falsehood."

"That's why I sent Jiang Laoshi to meet You Li and Wei Zhengguang. They must have a lot of dark history about the Wang and He families."

Ding Yu stared at Su Mo with wide eyes.

Unexpectedly, Su Mo came up with such a ruthless method of fighting poison with poison.

However, he suddenly realized a problem: "Master Dong said that He Heng never slept with Lady Yin. If He Heng asks to test whether Lady Yin is a virgin, how should we respond?"

Wang Xiuzhi also said in a deep voice, "Mo'er, should we try to meet with Madam Yin first? Or send someone to the Dali Temple to find out the situation?"

Su Mo laughed and said, "Since no one has filed a complaint against He Heng, how can he demand an examination of the Yin family to prove his innocence?"

"Besides..."

Su Mo sneered: "Aren't they spreading rumors that I have committed adultery with Yin Rou?"

"Since she committed adultery with me, it's perfectly normal that Lady Yin is not a virgin."

Wang Xiuzhi...

Ding Yu frowned: "Doesn't this further confirm that the Master and Lady Yin have an affair?"

Su Mo blinked: "Where's the evidence?"

"Does the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review dare to say that because of rumors that He Heng was Wang Yao's male lover and never shared a room with Lady Yin, Lady Yin was not a virgin, or that she was having an affair with me?"

Ding Yu was speechless!

Su Mo's expression turned serious: "Wei Zhengguang and You Li shouldn't be so stingy as to not even give them this much face!"

"Once Mr. Jiang brings the documents back, Mr. Ding will immediately head to Gufeng Mountain to print the newsletter..."

"Tomorrow morning, I want everyone in the capital to know about Wang Yao and He Heng's scandalous affair!"

Ding Yu hesitated for a moment: "What if Wei Zhengguang and You Li don't lend a hand?"

Su Mo waved his hand: "I have also sent people to find Wen Yannian. Even if Wei Zhengguang and You Li remain uninvolved, Wen Yannian would certainly not dare to do such a thing!"

"If that doesn't work, just make it up!"

Ding Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Because of the investigation into Baofeng and Lifu Grain Stores, Wen Yannian has found it difficult to separate himself from Su Mo. Once Su Mo falls from power, his position as the commander of the Left Guard will be over.

Su Mo then turned to Wang Xiuzhi: "I'll trouble you to keep an eye on things at home, Uncle. If any villains come to cause trouble... kill them on sight!" Wang Xiuzhi sneered: "Don't worry, I know what to do!"

"You must be extra careful on your trip to Dali Temple, lest the Wang family take a desperate gamble!"

Su Mo waved his hand: "The Wang family wouldn't dare!"

After Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu left, a sharp glint suddenly flashed in Su Mo's eyes.

He now realizes that relying solely on personal connections is not enough to truly establish himself in the capital!

Those people need to know the consequences of angering me!

The Wang family was unable to do anything about it for the time being.

But that Hanlin scholar reviewer must not be allowed to live; his blood must be used to prove that he is not a weak and easily bullied person!
Others only know that he is favored by the Empress, but they don't know that behind him stands a Princess of Baicheng!
The simplest way to resolve this matter would have been to go find Leng Li.

She promised to shield herself from pressure from powerful families regarding matters involving wool trading!

Although the Wang family intervened because of the papermaking business, Su Mo was no longer able to make a living. Could the wool trade still continue? How could Princess Baicheng stand idly by!
However, my third uncle is right. You have to pay back the favor you get, and it's best to solve things yourself if you can solve them yourself.

Anyway, with the ruthless Princess Baicheng backing me up, I'm not afraid of anything getting out of hand!
As for the Empress, her status was special and she had too many concerns, so Su Mo never really relied on her.

As long as he can clean up the mess for himself, and no matter how fierce the battle with the Wang family becomes in the future, he will step in to save his own life, that's enough!
I went over my thoughts again, making sure nothing was missed.

Su Mo walked expressionlessly toward the Dali Temple!

Upon arriving at the gate of the Dali Temple, the gatekeeper sized up Su Mo and was startled to see that Su Mo was dressed in a tiger-patterned robe and had a jade belt around his waist. He quickly said, "Halt, sir! What brings you to the Dali Temple?"

Su Mo said expressionlessly, "I am Su Mo, the Hundred-Household Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Commander of the Phoenix Cry Division, and concurrently the Clerk of Tianchang County!"

"Isn't the Court of Judicial Review trying to arrest me?"

The group of Dali Temple yamen runners were immediately dumbfounded!

……

Imperial Palace, Lizheng Hall!

The Empress, now dressed in her dragon robes and crown, finished reviewing the case files sent by Nangong Sheyue with a dark expression, and then coldly said, "Summon the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"

Soon, Zhang Yu, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, entered the hall to pay his respects with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

The Empress took a deep breath: "Rise!"

After Zhang Yu straightened up, the Empress said calmly, "I have heard that He Heng, a Hanlin Academician, went to the Dali Temple to accuse Su Mo, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, of adultery with his wife. Is this true?"

Zhang Yu quickly replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."

"However, He Heng's accusation is against Su Mo, the clerk of Tianchang County, so I have no choice but to take on this case."

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard no longer wields the same overwhelming power as it did during the reign of the previous emperor.

However, if a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard commits a crime, it must still be handled internally by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Of course, He Heng was suing the clerk of Tianchang County, who was a proper official appointed by the imperial court, so it was reasonable for the Dali Temple to take on the case.

After Zhang Yu finished speaking, he secretly glanced at the Empress's expression, and then said, "If Your Majesty feels that the actions of the Dali Temple are inappropriate, please grant me an imperial edict so that I can transfer the case to the Southern Garrison Command for trial."

The Empress's face darkened slightly, then she said calmly, "Since the case involves the registrar of Tianchang County, the Dali Temple's actions are not inappropriate!"

Just as Zhang Yu was about to speak, the Empress suddenly changed the subject: "My dear minister, do you know what the crime is for making false accusations?"

Zhang Yu was stunned for a moment.

As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, this was his job, and he was naturally very familiar with the laws governing martial arts.

He immediately replied, "Your Majesty, according to the laws and regulations of the Great Wu, those who falsely accuse someone and are punished with flogging will have their false accusation punished two degrees more severely; those who are punished with exile, penal servitude, or caning will have their false accusation punished three degrees more severely."

"If the person who was falsely accused is sentenced to death and has been executed, the person who made the false accusation will also be executed."

The Empress nodded: "Falsely accusing someone of adultery? What should be done then?"

Zhang Yu took a deep breath: "Adultery offenders shall be punished with eighty strokes of the cane!"

"Those who falsely accuse others of adultery shall be punished three degrees more severely, and shall be sentenced to one hundred strokes of the cane and three thousand li of exile!"

The Empress said calmly, "Investigate this case thoroughly for me, my dear minister! Do not wrong an innocent person, nor let a guilty person go unpunished!"

He paused, then continued, "That Su Mo has a special identity. He is not only the clerk of Tianchang County, but also a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and at the same time, he also holds the position of commander of the Phoenix Cry Division!"

"The Yin family involved in this case is also a junior officer in the Fengming Division!"

"Therefore, I have decided that Lu Su and Nangong Sheyue shall be present in court to attend the trial!"

Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat. After taking a deep breath, he said respectfully, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will handle this matter impartially and without any favoritism!"

The Empress waved her hand: "Step down!"

As Zhang Yu raised his tablet, he secretly wiped his sweat. Just as he was about to take his leave, An Wu suddenly entered the hall: "Your Majesty, Su Xianzi has arrived at the Dali Temple, claiming to surrender himself to the authorities to prove his innocence!"

The Empress nodded slightly: "I understand!"

He paused, then looked at Zhang Yu: "This matter concerns the face of the court, and scholars have their own opinions. You need to investigate this case as soon as possible and announce it to the world to rectify the social atmosphere!"

"Su Mo has surrendered himself to the Dali Temple to prove his innocence. Minister Zhang, hurry back and send me the case file within three days for me to review!"

Zhang Yu felt a sudden pang of bitterness in his heart.

I originally intended to postpone the case until the 27th of the year, and then make further plans, but I never expected the Empress to close the case within three days.

This is even bigger trouble now.

He couldn't help but curse the Wang family and Zhang Heng in his heart, then bowed and left with a heavy heart.

After Zhang Yu left, the Empress looked at An Wu expressionlessly: "Go and summon Princess Baicheng to the palace for an audience!"

Unexpectedly, An Wu immediately said, "Princess Baicheng has arrived outside the palace and has something to ask of His Majesty!"

The Empress nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips: "It seems that I, the Princess of Baicheng, am quite concerned about Su Mo."

"That 20,000 taels of silver wasn't given away for nothing!"

An Wu hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "Your Majesty, many scholars are kneeling and gathering outside the Meridian Gate... their emotions are running high, demanding that the court severely punish Lord Su..."

The Empress's expression suddenly changed.

An Wu then added, "Grand Secretary Zhu Bi of the Eastern Pavilion is aware of this matter and has rushed to the Meridian Gate to dissuade the students. He has also asked this old servant to inform His Majesty!"

The Empress's expression shifted between light and dark, and after a long while, she gritted her teeth and sneered, "The Wang family is courting death!"

Her eyebrows immediately furrowed.

The Empress was also very troubled.

The rumors have already reached the ears of scholars, making this matter very difficult to handle.

Even if Zhang Yu closes the case and finds out that He Heng falsely accused Su Mo, will those scholars believe it?

Don't be fooled by Leng Liuxi's seemingly powerful and life-or-death authority.

In fact, there were enemy states, barbarians, and northern tribes causing trouble from the outside.

The country is plagued by natural disasters, and the people are suffering. Meanwhile, numerous warlords and powerful clans hold sway over wealth and power. Princes who should be on the side of the court are actually harboring ulterior motives and eyeing the throne covetously.

If we offend the scholars of the world, the people will lose all their support, and the very foundation of the court may be shaken!

The Empress's face grew increasingly grim!

I finally have Su Mo, who wholeheartedly assists me. Why can't those people see me doing well? Do they only want me to be their puppet?
Since that's the case, I won't let you have it easy!
Thinking of this, the Empress gave a heavy snort: "Although scholars have been misled and have misunderstood the court, I cannot blame them for it."

"Have someone keep a close eye on the petitioning scholars, ensuring they have enough to eat and drink, and tell them that as long as they are sincere, I will take notice..."

"Hmm... Let them kneel for three days first... Whoever leaves within three days is disloyal, and I will remember them all!"

After a pause, the Empress continued expressionlessly, "Summon Gou Nu to see me, and bring the royal family and their clansmen to be investigated together!"

An Wu was slightly startled. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed it back in the end: "This old servant obeys!"

Gou Nu, another commander of a thousand households in Fengming Division besides Nangong Sheyue!
Nangong Sheyue was primarily responsible for monitoring the Embroidered Uniform Guard and all civil and military officials.

Gou Nu was mainly responsible for monitoring powerful clans, local lords, and even members of the imperial family and relatives of the emperor!

The Fengming Division's Thousand-Household Office, which she was wearing a tie with, was an even more secretive entity than the Thousand-Household Offices under Nangong Sheyue's command. Even An Wu didn't know much about its inner workings!

An Wu had watched the Empress grow up since he was a child, but little did he know that the angrier the Empress was, the calmer she appeared!

The Wang family's actions against Su Mo have thoroughly enraged the Empress.

(End of this chapter)