Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"Why has the Imperial Censor come to visit us?" Jiang Zhao asked.

"Qi Heng is visiting mainly to ask Elder Jiang for advice on something."

Qi Heng looked puzzled and said seriously, "Given the Empress's crimes, does she really deserve to be deposed after just one offense?"

"The Empress has made mistakes, but she has also made contributions. She has shared hardships with the Emperor and even gave birth to a prince. To depose her in one fell swoop, without any warning, shows a complete lack of respect for propriety, morality, and social order."

He strongly disapproved of the decision to depose the empress.

As he spoke, Qi Heng looked over.

Even though Jiang Zhao was not present in the court, it did not prevent the civil and military officials from knowing the identity of the mastermind behind the scenes.

Jiang Zichuan!

There is absolutely no need to question Jiang Ge Lao's reputation.

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Did the Imperial Censor come to question me?"

Qi Heng nodded solemnly.

Jiang Zhao was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh heartily.

The next moment, his voice suddenly turned serious: "Does the Imperial Censor know of the saying that there is such a thing as being talented but not appreciated, and having one's ambitions thwarted?"

Coming to their door to confront them? That's ridiculous!

Given his official position, he could easily demote Qi Heng with the slightest sign of displeasure.

Alternatively, through the pageboy Hesheng, they could have Hesheng and the close servants of the high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel express their dissatisfaction, thus demoting Qi Heng in the same way!

There is never a shortage of people in the world who want to improve.

Qi Heng's expression changed slightly, but he quickly replied firmly, "The laws and social norms cannot be ignored. Even if I am demoted because of this, it will be worth it!"

Jiang Zhao stared into the past.

After a few breaths, he asked, "When I entered the border, and the Empress was sowing discord, where was the Imperial Censor?"

At that time, he held the rank of eighth grade official and was unable to attend court.

Qi Heng said solemnly, "However, I have submitted several memorials impeaching the maternal relatives."

In short, his integrity was not limited to the matter of deposing the empress.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhao's expression softened slightly.

"That's it!"

After pondering for a few moments, Jiang Zhao shook his head and said, "Imperial Censor, entering officialdom doesn't necessarily mean following your ideas."

"Hesheng, let's see the guests out." Jiang Zhao stood up, looking like he didn't want to talk.

Qi Heng's expression changed.

"Imperial Censor, please." He Sheng said, extending his hand.

Qi Heng had no choice but to bow and slowly retreat.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it a few times and sighed silently.

How could a high-ranking official like himself be easily angered?

In an instant, the almost non-existent desire to suppress completely vanished.

Sometimes, the imperial court needs upright people like Qi Heng.

Not only does the imperial court need it, but he needs it too!

Being in a high position means that those around you are destined to be flatterers.

If there are upright people who are always vigilant, that would be an excellent thing!

Chapter 219 Reactions from All Sides! Old Mrs. Wang: Watch my masterful planning!

The Empress of a nation, a model of virtue for the world, and in charge of the six palaces.

Examining their titles and positions, they uphold the order of Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, align with the Way of Heaven and respond to the virtue of Earth, above to carry on the sacrifices of the ancestral temple, below to set an example for the customs of the four seas, truly being the embodiment of rites and laws, and the entrustment of the state.

However, even such an incredibly valuable entity could be impeached one day!

In less than a day, the controversy surrounding the Changchao Court had spread throughout the capital region and, at a remarkably rapid pace, throughout the entire country.

In an instant, the people were shaken and the crowd was in an uproar.

The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

The central hall features a hanging scroll, with primary and secondary elements arranged in order.

Below the self-seat, each person has a chair and a small wooden table about a foot in size, on which fruits, pastries, and tea are placed.

The Duke of Qi, Princess Pingning, Qi Heng, and Lady Shen gathered together.

"what?"

Madam Shen was startled and clutched her handkerchief tightly: "My lord made a special trip to question Grand Secretary Jiang?"

Qi Heng nodded.

"Heng'er," Princess Pingning called out, her face filled with worry.

That's Grand Secretary Jiang!

During the reign of the late emperor, that man was an unparalleled favorite minister who practically orchestrated the succession to the throne.

The secret method of establishing an heir and the words "good grandson" all demonstrate his influence on the succession to the throne.

Subsequently, he accomplished the remarkable feat of expanding the territory by two thousand miles, earning him a place in history and a lasting legacy.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, his glory and favor have remained undiminished.

To enter the cabinet at the age of thirty, one must not only have outstanding political achievements and merits, but also the trust and respect of the monarch.

Such a person was actually confronted and questioned by someone.

If Heng'er were to become dissatisfied and harbor thoughts of suppression, his career would be completely ruined.

"The Empress has not committed any major wrongdoings. She has given birth to a prince and has shared hardships with the Emperor. To depose her on this basis would be too inhumane."

Qi Heng solemnly said, "The principles of propriety and social order must not be acted upon recklessly."

In short, they believe the sentence was too harsh.

A queen, as a person of dignity, should not lack "tolerance for mistakes".

"This," the Duke of Qi said, stroking his beard and sighing helplessly.

This child still hasn't learned his lesson the hard way.

Being honest and upright is a virtue.

But if one is too upright and inflexible, that will bring disaster.

A mere seventh-rank official dares to come to the Grand Secretary's door to question him. Once he incurs people's displeasure, his career will truly be decided by a single word from others.

"I will write a letter and ask my father to mediate," Madam Shen said resolutely, biting her lip.

It concerned her husband's career, so she couldn't afford to be careless.

"No need."

Qi Heng waved his hand and said calmly, "With Grand Secretary Jiang's influence, if he wants to demote a minor official of the seventh rank, no one can stop him."

If Jiang Zhao really intended to demote him, even the Empress Dowager would be powerless to reverse the situation, let alone the Shen family.

On the one hand, the Empress Dowager was also a person deep within the palace, and it was impossible for her to interfere too much in court affairs.

On the other hand, if a high-ranking Grand Secretary has trouble being demoted to a minor official of the seventh rank, that would be a slap in the face.

Therefore, if Jiang Zhao is determined to demote him, he really can demote him!

The Duke of Qi and Princess Pingning exchanged a glance and frowned inwardly.

The more powerful and influential a family is, the more clearly they understand the power represented by the title "Grand Secretary".

Anyone with a strong will to suppress others could be killed instantly, let alone a seventh-rank official.

"But we can't just sit here and do nothing, can we?"

Madam Shen gripped her handkerchief tightly and said with concern, "Second Uncle Gu and Grand Secretary Jiang are friends. Why don't we let Second Uncle Gu mediate between them?"

Qi Heng shook his head: "No need!"

Compared to before, his tone was now more forceful.

In this lifetime, no matter who he asks for help from, he will never be able to get help from Gu Tingye.

After a few moments of silence, Qi Heng said, "It is not surprising that officials who submit memorials to the emperor occasionally offend those in the court and are demoted."

From the moment he came to question him, he was mentally prepared to be demoted!

Ningyuan Hou Mansion.

ancestral hall.

Dozens of memorial tablets, wiped clean and shiny.

"call!"

With a breath, Gu Tingye held three incense sticks, solemnly and thoughtfully, and placed them into the incense burner.

At the head of the incense burner were exactly five memorial tablets.

The spirit tablets of the late Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu Yankai; the spirit tablets of the late eldest son of the Gu family, Tingyu; the spirit tablets of the late wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu's mother, Qin; the spirit tablets of the late wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu's mother, Bai; and the spirit tablets of the late wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu's mother, Qin!

Gu Tingye lowered his hands and glanced at it a few times.

My father, my elder brother, Madam Qin, my birth mother Bai, and my younger sister Qin.

all dead!

Madam Qin, with her "compassionate heart," nearly poisoned her elderly father.

The elderly father felt guilty and ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it.

Ultimately, the task fell to him.

Little Qinshi unfortunately caught a cold and died despite treatment!

The specific time of her passing was around 100 days after her father's death, when she followed him to the afterlife.

After that, the emperor ascended the throne, his friend Jiang Zhao entered the capital, and he was ordered to "seize the opportunity" and go to the border.

In other words, after the deaths of two elders, he only observed the mourning period for about two years.

As for the eldest brother, Gu Tingyu?

That person truly passed away from illness, not just from catching a cold.

The old friend is gone.

The grand mansion suddenly felt deserted with the absence of three people.

On the prayer mat, Sheng Minglan stroked her belly, lit three incense sticks, kowtowed three times, and placed them in the incense burner.

"What did you ask for?" Gu Tingye asked curiously as he helped his wife up.

Sheng Minglan was taken aback.

"Of course, I pray for the safety of mother and child, and for the blessings of our ancestors!"

"I earnestly hope that you will not end up like the Empress, offending the Lord and being demoted to a concubine," Sheng Minglan said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

"The Empress deserved to be deposed." Gu Tingye's face turned solemn as he resolutely said, "The Empress, who is the mother of the nation, is spreading rumors and trying to interfere in the military and political affairs of the border regions, thus undermining the morale of the army."

"Those whose virtue does not match their position should be deposed!"

In border conflicts, the biggest fear is that civil officials who are not knowledgeable in military strategy will interfere recklessly and disrupt the overall plan.

Empress Gao recommended her relatives to enter the border region, intending to disperse military power and check and balance it. In reality, this was not much different from civil officials entering the border region to interfere in the military's plans.

Such an action would undoubtedly be extremely disliked by military generals.

"cough!"

Coughing lightly, his expression softening slightly, Gu Tingye teased, "If you don't want to be deposed, little lady, you'd better serve your husband well. Perhaps your husband is kind-hearted and will only have you for life."