Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

Wu Weizhen's gaze was like a poisoned nail, firmly fixed on Jiang Sese's departing figure.

The woman was dressed in luxurious brocade, her hair adorned with jewels that shone like a swirling, vibrant red cloud. Her figure and eyes exuded the noble and fiery beauty of a peony. Only now did she truly witness the phrase "a beauty that could topple kingdoms and cities" and realize that the records in the classics were not untrue; such a beauty truly existed in the world.

This was completely different from the image he had heard from the servants of the Xie family before—that of a "second wife's niece who lived under someone else's roof and had no real power"!

Previously, Xie's second wife had intended to marry Jiang Sese to him, a promising scholar.

But let's not dwell on what happened next.

But who could have imagined!

The orphan girl he had previously discarded had transformed into the imperial-appointed Princess Chenjia and married Xie Jue!

Wu Weizhen clenched his fists tightly and hurried to find Xie Yao.

Inside the study, Xie Yao was lost in thought, staring at the ancient painting from the previous dynasty that the emperor had bestowed upon him.

Xunfeng came in and said, "Young Master, Wu Weizhen has arrived."

Wu Weizhen was a scholar who was observing mourning for his parents and needed to wait for the next provincial examination. So Wu Weizhen sought help from Tao Wennian. Tao Wennian appreciated his talent and, through his mentor's connections, wrote a letter recommending Wu Weizhen to Xie Yao's residence to serve as a guest scholar, helping to proofread manuscripts, organize books, and collect information about the court and the public.

Xie Yao instructed Xun Feng to invite the person in.

Regardless, we still have to give Tao Wennian face, and Wu Weizhen is indeed talented. It's better to offer help in times of need than to add to someone's already good fortune.

As Wu Weizhen entered, Xie Yao looked up and saw that Wu Weizhen's face was gloomy, but his eyes were unusually bright. He couldn't help but frown and ask, "What happened?"

Wu Weizhen cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, I learned some news by chance today, and after much thought, I realized it is of great importance and must be shared with you!"

"Speak." Xie Yao put down the scroll, his expression becoming serious.

"I suspect... that the true author of 'The Legend of the White Snake' and 'The Butterfly Lovers'... was none other than Lord Xie!"

"What did you say?!" Xie Yao suddenly stood up, looking at Wu Weizhen with an absurd expression, as if he had heard a joke: "You mean, my busy brother has returned to the Immortal Era?!"

Xie Yao couldn't help but laugh in anger: "Do you know what you're saying? How dare you speak such nonsense about the Grand Secretary?!"

He even thought Wu Weizhen was talented.

Wu Weizhen, however, did not back down. Instead, he met Xie Yao's disdainful gaze and said firmly, "Young master, please calm down! How dare I speak without reason?"

Xie Jue's dealings with the opera troupe were very secretive, but Wu Weizhen, who frequently visited Xie's home and was also very observant, still managed to uncover some clues.

"Moreover, as you should know, Lord Xie is deeply in love with her... cough, Princess Chenjia." When Wu Weizhen mentioned Jiang Sese, his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and his resentment deepened.

"There have long been rumors that Huixian wrote this book to win a smile from the beauty."

Xie Yao's expression kept changing.

As Wu Weizhen mentioned Jiang Sese, Xie Yao's gaze gradually turned cold.

"To win a smile from a beauty?" Xie Yao muttered to himself, a cold smile curving his lips.

Wu Weizhen said in a low voice, "Young Master! Lord Xie is the head of all officials and a role model for scholars throughout the land! Yet he privately wrote such a play and spread it around. How immoral and unbecoming! The upright officials of the Censorate have always hated such behavior the most."

"I am but a humble person with little influence, but I am deeply grateful for your hospitality and the respect you have shown me. I cannot bear to see your esteemed family's reputation tarnished! Therefore, I have dared to speak frankly."

Wu Weizhen was well aware that Xie Yao and Xie Jue were at odds.

But he couldn't very well say, "Quick, quick, let's use this opportunity to deal with your brother!" That would be suicidal!

There are artful ways to conduct oneself and to speak.

Sometimes, you don't have to tell the truth; saying the opposite can also achieve the same effect. In fact, it might even be more effective.

Xie Yao simply smiled, looked at Wu Weizhen, and asked, "Where's the evidence?"

Wu Weizhen was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Young master, rest assured, since I dared to speak out, I already have a plan in mind."

Xie Yao's eyes scrutinized Wu Weizhen's face with a sharp, knife-like gaze.

He knew Wu Weizhen's background.

There was a certain degree of sympathy involved.

"Alright." Xie Yao finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice. "Leave this to me. Remember, keep your mouth shut."

Wu Weizhen's heart skipped a beat. He quickly bowed deeply and said firmly, "This junior understands!"

A few days later, the censor Lian Jian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present to the throne, impeaching Xie Jue of the Grand Secretariat!"

His words caused an uproar throughout the court.

The Censorate had thirteen circuits of supervising censors, each a seventh-rank official. While their rank might seem low, their authority was terrifying. According to the laws of the Great Yong Dynasty, supervising censors could appear at any time to impeach or remonstrate, and to report on matters based on hearsay.

The reason why a seventh-rank official dares to criticize a first-rank official lies in this.

All the civil and military officials turned their heads in unison, and an undercurrent of tension instantly surged within the ranks.

Everyone knows that Xie Jue is the most trusted minister of His Majesty, and ordinary officials would avoid him like the plague, yet someone dared to impeach him in court.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Jingyuan's expression remained calm and composed: "Granted. Speak frankly."

Lian Jian bowed deeply, then raised his head and said, "Xie Jue bears the heavy responsibility of assisting in governing the country and should set an example for all officials by being upright and honest. However, I have heard rumors that the popular plays in the capital in recent years, such as 'The Butterfly Lovers,' 'The Legend of the White Snake,' and 'Mulan,' were all written by Xie Jue!"

"These plays have circulated throughout the nine cities, bewitching the common people, making wild claims about love and romance, and subtly satirizing social customs and officialdom!"

Lian Jian's tone grew increasingly vehement: "The Grand Secretary, instead of diligently assisting in governance, indulges in vulgar operas under an assumed name, privately revealing his thoughts and subtly shaping public opinion! This is not befitting a high-ranking official, it is morally reprehensible, and it is even more so, it is using entertainment to interfere in politics and confuse the public! If such behavior is not severely punished, how can we maintain order in the court and rectify official conduct?!"

A moment of deathly silence fell over the hall as countless eyes turned to the scarlet figure standing at the head of the procession.

Don't underestimate them just because they're only a seventh-rank official. They have the privilege of speaking out on rumors, and once you're involved, you can't get rid of that stinking dog shit!

These people don't need solid evidence; they can report to the authorities as soon as they hear a rumor.

If this is confirmed, he will gain a reputation as an upright official.

If the investigation proves that the allegations are baseless, they will not be severely punished.

The unfortunate ones are those who are impeached, who suffer unwarranted suspicion and damage to their reputation.

Emperor Jingyuan watched Xie Jue with the air of someone enjoying a good show: "The Imperial Censor Lian speaks with absolute certainty, does Minister Xie have anything to say?"

Xie Jue said calmly, "Street dramas have been passed down since ancient times and are not my invention. People love to read and listen to them, which reflects human nature and the myriad aspects of life. I have never written under a pseudonym, nor have I ever used drama to interfere in politics."

They directly denied it.

Upon seeing this, Lian Jian immediately raised his voice and pleaded again, "Your Majesty! The clues are conclusive, and there are testimonies from the opera troupe to corroborate them! I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter!"