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

Chapter 272 The Big Bosses Behind Su Mo Make Their Appearances!

Su Mo was completely baffled.

Not long after transmigrating, Su Mo was given a lecture by his third uncle, an old clerk. In his mind, he already regarded the ancients as old foxes and never underestimated anyone.

If even the lowly servants in the yamen are treated this way, one can only imagine how the Wang family, a family with a thousand-year history, fares.

How could they not have noticed such an obvious flaw?

Could they be keeping some kind of backup plan or trap in mind?
Thinking of this, Su Mo's mood immediately soured.

Damn it! The ancients were so hard to deal with!

Fortunately, he had the Empress and Princess Baicheng as backup plans, so no matter what, he was sure he wouldn't have to worry about his life.

As long as he still had value to the Empress, even if he couldn't see any favor from her, Su Mo believed that the Empress would never completely abandon him!

As for official positions and wealth, Su Mo really didn't care much about them!

Despite holding multiple positions, his highest rank was only a centurion, a sixth-rank official, and he was an official within the Embroidered Uniform Guard system, not a position of real power.

Restaurants, soap shops, bicycle shops, and so on—these businesses could generate a fortune daily, but there were limitations; the upper limit was set.

They haven't even brought out their real trump card yet!
Leaving aside paper and such, the cement being manufactured at Gufeng Mountain alone is of immeasurable value.

If that doesn't work, I'll go make glass!

This is the real killer weapon!
Without any external limitations, turning sand into glass can turn waste into treasure, essentially generating profit without any initial investment, and the profit can be enormous!
Also, don't forget about Lonely Peak Mountain and the Su Residence!
It also hides an ultimate artifact that could truly affect the stability of the entire Great Wu Kingdom!
Thinking of this, Su Mo was too lazy to think about what other schemes and tricks the Wang family and the He family might have up their sleeves.

In the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are paper tigers!

It's simply a matter of dealing with whatever comes our way, like soldiers coming and water coming.

No matter which way they come from, I'll just go one way—concentrate on spreading their rumors.

Su Mo's Dao Heart is at peace, time to go to sleep!

He was sleeping soundly in the Empress's carriage when she suddenly woke him up, and he hasn't closed his eyes since.

The world is vast, but eating and sleeping are the most important things!
The small cubicle will definitely be reserved for Liu Siyun and Yin Rou.

Su Mo slept on the outer bed, and after a while, snoring began to fill the air, as if he were on vacation in Dali Temple Prison.

The old man next to me...

Liu Siyun...

Yin Rou...

Inmates in other cells...

Su Mo slept soundly, but the yamen runners of the Dali Temple had all left, while the three chief officials remained in the yamen to work overtime with gloomy faces.

Such a case involves many aspects, and the Dali Temple must first set a tone.

Zhang Yu looked at Hu Ye and Tian Guan with a serious expression, and without beating around the bush, went straight to the point: "His Majesty demands that this case be concluded within three days!"

What are your thoughts on this case?

Hu Ye and Tian Guan exchanged a glance, and finally, Hu Ye, the Left Vice Minister, frowned and said, "His Majesty just summoned the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Was it for this case?"

Zhang Yu nodded slightly.

Hu Ye and Tian Guan felt increasingly bitter!
His Majesty summoned Zhang Yu immediately because of Su Mo.

As everyone expected, His Majesty would not hesitate to throw out the Jinyiwei centurion to quell public anger.

This also shows the status of this treacherous minister in the Empress's heart!

"Has the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices discerned His Majesty's intentions?" Hu Ye hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask again, "The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices should know who is backing the He family!"

Zhang Yu gave a wry smile: "Tomorrow, Lu Su, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Nangong Sheyue, the left commander of the Phoenix Cry Division, will be present in court for the trial!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Ye and Tian Guan immediately gasped in shock!
A court hearing is not as effective as a joint trial by the three judicial departments. Lu Su and Nangong Sheyue only have the role of supervisors, not the right to participate in the judgment.

However, Su Mo has a dual identity as both a member of the Fengming Division and a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

What does His Majesty mean by having Lu and Nangong attend the trial?!
Tian Guan frowned even more deeply, looking at Zhang Yu in confusion: "Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, what exactly is going on?"

"Just who is that guy?"

"With the Wang family's intervention, coupled with scholars gathering at the Meridian Gate to petition and put pressure on His Majesty, why does His Majesty still insist on protecting this person?"

Zhang Yu remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head: "To be honest, I've only known the name Su Mo for about two months!"

"All that is known is that this man is the commander of the Fengming Division and a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He is deeply favored by His Majesty, and has been granted a tiger-patterned robe. He has also been successively appointed as the baron and viscount of Gufeng Mountain County!"

He took a deep breath and then said, "I really don't know the reason behind this."

"This person seems to have appeared out of nowhere, and then inexplicably gained His Majesty's favor. It's really strange and hard to fathom!"

Tian Guan's expression suddenly changed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he looked around and then went to close the main hall door himself.

He then lowered his voice and said, "I've heard that Su Mo, though young, is tall and imposing, with an extraordinary and handsome appearance..."

"His Majesty is not yet married..."

Zhang Yu and Hu Ye's expressions immediately changed: "What does Lord Tian mean?"

Tian Guanwei nodded without noticing.

“That’s not right!” Hu Ye suddenly said in a deep voice, “There are quite a few women in Su Mo’s house, and he has even made an agreement with the daughter of the magistrate of Tianchang County to take her as a concubine.”

"Furthermore, this man is a low-ranking official and a lackey of the court. How could His Majesty possibly..."

Tian Guan sighed: "But as far as I know, although this man has many women in his household, none of them are married, nor has he ever taken a concubine!"

"As for his status, isn't it up to His Majesty to decide? Isn't he still just the registrar of Tianchang County?"

Hu Ye's expression froze for a moment.

Tian Guan continued, "Think about it, if it weren't for this, would His Majesty have made such an exception, allowing Su Mo to be promoted one after another and hold multiple positions in just half a year?"

"He was also exceptionally granted the rank of Tiger of the Upper Third Grade and bestowed the title of Viscount of Gufeng Mountain County!"

Hu Ye was about to say something when Zhang Yu suddenly waved his hand and said with a solemn expression, "I think... Lord Tian's words make a lot of sense!"

Hu Ye was taken aback.

Zhang Yu lowered his voice and asked, "Why isn't Su Mo afraid of the Duke of Anguo and the Wang family?"

"How could an ordinary sycophant not be afraid of a powerful relative like Zhang Shouning!"

He took a deep breath: "The Wang family sent He Heng to accuse Su Mo of having an affair with his wife. Regardless of whether it's true or not, the Wang family probably guessed this and deliberately did this to try to make Su Mo lose the emperor's favor!"

Hu Ye was silent for a moment, then finally said with a wry smile, "If that's the case, then it'll be even more troublesome!"

"How can we explain to the Wang family and the literati if Su Mo is found innocent!"

"If Su Mo is found guilty, how can the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division remain indifferent, and what about His Majesty's side as well..."

Hu Ye didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Tian Guan hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "The key to adultery cases lies in the evidence!"

"In cases like this, without concrete evidence, it's difficult to convict someone!"

"The He family did not catch them in the act, nor did they have any witnesses or physical evidence. We can't just convict Su Mo simply because they say that Yin Shi had an affair with Su Mo!"

Zhang Yu nodded: "Don't forget, both of you, the Yin family are also members of the Phoenix Cry Division."

"She works under Su Mo, and although she spends a lot of time in Su Mo's fiefdom, the artisan battalion is also in Lonely Peak Mountain!"

"He Heng said that his wife often went to the Su residence to meet with Su Mo in private, and Su Mo could also argue that it was just ordinary work reporting!"

Clearly, Zhang Yu was inclined to find Su Mo innocent.

Tian Guan suddenly had an idea. He first carefully observed the expressions of Zhang Yu and Hu Ye before saying, "I have an opinion, but I don't know if I should say it."

Zhang Yu frowned: "At this point, what's there to hide?"

"Don't think that I'm the only one taking responsibility for this case!"

"If anything goes wrong, both of you will be implicated!"

Tian Guan nodded and lowered his voice, saying, "Although I don't know what grudge the Wang family has against Su Mo."

"But the He family didn't catch them in the act and have any evidence, and the Wang family probably didn't expect this charge to be able to pin Su Mo down!"

"Spreading rumors about Su and Yin's affair everywhere is nothing more than an attempt to ruin Su Mo's reputation!"

"Once your reputation is ruined, the emperor's favor will naturally disappear!"

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "We might as well acquit Su Mo!"

"His words suggest that Su Mo did indeed have an affair with the Yin family, but since there is no concrete evidence to prove Su Mo's guilt, he has no choice but to be found not guilty!"

Zhang Yu and Hu Ye were stunned and looked at Tian Guan in astonishment.

It must be said that Tian Guan's idea was truly a stroke of genius!

In this way, not only would they avoid offending the Wang family, but they could also explain themselves to His Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Phoenix Cry Division, leaving no room for criticism of the Dali Temple.

Finally, it can also establish a good reputation for Dali Temple in upholding justice!
While not perfect, it is indeed the best way to break the deadlock in the current situation.

Zhang Yu couldn't help but become wary, never expecting Tian Guan to be so capable.

Just as the three chief officials of the Court of Judicial Review had reached a conclusion, a yamen runner suddenly announced loudly, "Your Honor, Minister of War Zhong Yin has sent a visiting card..."

Zhang Yu and the other two were immediately taken aback.

Zhong Yin, Minister of War?

The Ministry of War and the Court of Judicial Review have never had much connection.

Zhong Yin, the Minister of War, was a rigid and serious man. He had few close friends in the court and not much personal relationship with Zhang Yu and the other two.

Why did someone suddenly send a visiting card?

The three exchanged glances, each seeing suspicion in the other's eyes.

Zhang Yu could only order someone to invite the visitor into the main hall.

"I am Zhong Lun, the steward of the Zhong family. I greet you, esteemed gentlemen."

The man, around thirty years old and dressed as a steward, respectfully presented Zhong Yin's name card with both hands.

Zhang Yu took the visiting card, looked at it, and then frowned and asked, "May I ask, Minister Zhong, what brings you this visiting card?"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is a third-rank official, while Zhong Yin, the Minister of War, is a second-rank official. Regardless of rank, reputation, or power, Zhong Yin is superior to Zhang Yu.

The fact that a visiting card was delivered proactively, especially by a steward who was born into a family, suggests that it was no small matter.

Zhong Lun explained, "Replying to you gentlemen."

"I was ordered by my master to deliver a visiting card to Su Mo, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, at the Su residence. When I arrived, I learned that Lord Su had been imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison."

"Upon learning of this matter, the master sent me to inquire what crime Lord Su had committed to warrant being imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison."

Zhang Yu and the other two's expressions changed simultaneously!
Zhong Yin came here because of Su Mo's matter?

He even sent someone to Dali Temple to inquire about this matter?
Su Mo's crime had already spread throughout the city, how could Zhong Yin not know?
The purpose of sending someone here is singular: to personally support Su Mo!
The question is, how could a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard be involved with Zhong Yin, the Minister of the Six Ministries? And how could Zhong Yin be allowed to directly intervene in this case?

This is something that ordinary relationships could never achieve!
Zhang Yu subconsciously swallowed.
If it's said that Su Mo, this treacherous minister, deceived the young empress, and that the empress favored him greatly, it's somewhat understandable.

But Zhong Yin is different!
He was known for his unyielding integrity and outspokenness; he would even dare to contradict the Empress to her face if anything displeased him.

Zhong Yin would never personally stand up for Su Mo just to curry favor with the Empress!

What exactly was the reason that made Zhong Yin disregard his reputation as an upright official and risk offending the Wang family and the second-in-command of the cabinet to get involved in this case?
Zhang Yu, Hu Ye, and Tian Guan looked at each other in bewilderment.

Finally, Zhang Yu could only give Zhong Lun a brief account of the situation and ask him to report back to Zhong Yin. Then, he had someone escort Zhong Lun out.

We were about to discuss this case again with Hu Ye and Tian Guan.

Suddenly, another yamen runner came to report: "Reporting to Your Excellency, the Princess of Baicheng has sent someone to deliver a message."

"The trial of Su Mo will be held tomorrow, and Princess Baicheng will personally attend as an observer!"

Zhang Yu......

Hu Ye and Tian Guan...

The three of them exchanged another glance, and then suddenly felt a chill run down their spines...

Leng Li, Marquis of Dawu Town, Pillar of State, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Frontier Army, and Princess of Baicheng.

Another high-ranking official of the imperial court, holding the rank of second grade!
Furthermore, because of her special background, status, and power, she was in no way inferior to Zhong Yin, the Minister of War!
Princess Baicheng has the Qi Prince's Mansion behind her!

The current King of Qi seems to be detached from worldly affairs and politics, spending his days composing poems, appreciating flowers, and discussing the moon with scholars and poets.

But a prince is a prince, and no one dares to underestimate the influence of the Prince Qi's mansion!

Sweat beaded on the foreheads of Zhang Yu and the other two!

Oh shit!

What the hell is going on here!

It's just a Hanlin scholar accusing a clerk of adultery with his wife, isn't it?
How did so many high-ranking officials in the imperial court get involved?
Second Grand Secretary Wang Hao, Minister of War Zhong Yin, and Princess Baicheng, a Grand Pillar of State...

The person Dali Temple is interrogating this time is definitely a ninth-rank clerk of Tianchang County, not a high-ranking official like one of the six cabinet ministers or the six ministers of the government, or a regional governor.
Just as Zhang Yu was completely bewildered.

Then another yamen runner came to report.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was getting a little exasperated. He interrupted the yamen runner impatiently and asked in a snort, "Who is it this time?"

The constable hurriedly said, "It's a servant from the Duke of An's household..."

"Hmm... People from the Ning Duke's residence have also arrived..."

"Master, you must go out and take a look!"

"The two dukes' mansions sent people, and they seemed to be at odds with each other, as if they were about to fight..."

Zhang Yu: "Damn it!"

Hu Ye: "Damn it!"

Tian Guan: "Damn it!"

The three of them cursed in unison. After a long silence, Hu Ye swallowed hard and finally couldn't help but make his suggestion: "How about we transfer the case to the Southern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Tian Guan nodded quickly: "It would be acceptable to petition His Majesty and request a joint trial by the three judicial departments!"

Zhang Yu......

I am merely the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a third-rank official!

He is not the Minister of Justice!

He wasn't even a second-rank Imperial Censor!

What is this?

How come so many powerful figures that I can't afford to offend have suddenly appeared?
He was one of the Nine Ministers, a third-rank official, and a truly important minister in the court!
In other people's eyes, I seem to be a big shot too!

……

In the Ziwei Palace, after the Empress bathed and changed her clothes, she inexplicably suffered from insomnia again.

I thought my insomnia had improved.

She couldn't help but summon An Wu and coldly asked through the screen, "How is Su Mo doing now?"

"Is he getting used to being in prison for the first time?"

An Wu quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Lord Su seems to be feeling well and went to bed early... however..."

The Empress asked calmly, "Speak!"

An Wu could only say, "Lord Su is imprisoned with Liu Siyun and Yin Rou... and next to Ye Wenshan. He just received a Great Heaven-Mending Pill from Ye Wenshan."

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but snort, though it was unclear what she was cursing. Then, she became curious: "How was he able to obtain the Great Heaven-Mending Pill from Ye Wenshan?"

An Wu explained, "Lord Su has guessed Ye Wenshan's identity."

"Therefore, Ye Wenshan said he would give Lord Su a great opportunity by first gifting him the Blood Soul Ring..."

The Empress was somewhat taken aback and couldn't help but interrupt Su Mo: "Ye Wenshan is willing to give the Blood Soul Ring to Su Mo? And what's the deal with the Great Heaven-Mending Pill?"

An Wu smiled wryly and said, "Lord Su seemed to look down on Ye Wenshan's Blood Soul Ring. Ye Wenshan was so angry that he said he would help Lord Su improve his cultivation level."

"Therefore, I present Lord Su with the Great Heaven-Mending Pill..."

The Empress was both amused and exasperated: "This Ye Wentian is really willing to go to such lengths!"

"A man over a hundred years old was actually fooled by this little fox, Su Mo!"

"Hmm... The Great Heaven-Mending Pill can increase one's cultivation level by at least five years."

"So, Su Mo has already advanced to the Divine Transformation Realm?"

As a True Person of the Heavenly Infant Realm, having spent day and night with Su Mo, he naturally knew very well the cultivation details of a Lesser Soul-Stabilizing Realm cultivator.

An Wu nodded and said, "Lord Su has indeed advanced to the Divine Realm."

The Empress snorted, then couldn't help but laugh, "This guy's luck is really something, he can even improve his cultivation level while in prison, it's infuriating..."

As they were talking, the Empress noticed An Wu's strange expression and was immediately taken aback: "What's wrong?"

An Wu smiled wryly and said, "Lord Su has indeed advanced to the Divine Transformation Realm, but he did not take the Great Heaven-Mending Pill!"

"His sudden advancement in cultivation level, and his claim that advancing to the Divine Transcending Realm was incredibly easy, infuriated Ye Wenshan..."

After a pause, An Wu said with a frustrated look, "This old servant doesn't know what to say either. Lord Su's cultivation... does seem to be very easy..."

In the end, An Wu could only sigh, "Lord Su must have read countless ancient classics like the Tao Te Ching. This old servant is truly envious!"

Empress...

Just as the Empress was speechless, An Wu suddenly said again, "Your Majesty, the Dali Temple just sent word that this old servant saw Your Majesty had gone to bed and dared not disturb you."

The Empress frowned slightly: "Speak!"

An Wu said in a deep voice, "Minister of War Zhong has sent someone to the Court of Judicial Review to inquire about this matter."

“The Duke of An and the Duke of Ning also sent people to the Dali Temple.”

"Furthermore, Princess Baicheng also said that she will go to the Dali Temple tomorrow to observe the trial."

(End of this chapter)