Study Room at the Imperial Censor’s Residence
A subtle scholarly fragrance permeated the elegant, classical study. Behind the writing desk, the current Imperial Censor’s usually refined and serene expression was uncommonly gloomy as he stared thoughtfully at a letter on his desk.
“Qingfeng, tell me what you think the Virtuous Dowager Consort means by this?” After a while, the Imperial Censor finally looked up and asked.
Not far from the desk, a handsome young man stood at attention, frowning in thought for a moment before responding, “Your son is dim-witted, but could it be to save face for Prince Ding’s residence, therefore…” Imperial Censor Xu shook his head and said, “In your father’s view, the imperial family’s move is slapping Prince Ding’s residence in the face, giving a sweet date after a slap. Such tactics might work on ordinary officials, but they’re useless against Prince Ding’s residence.” Xu Qingfeng’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed, his expression indignant as he said, “However the imperial family treats Prince Ding’s residence, they shouldn’t sacrifice Cousin as a pawn.” The Xu family had few daughters for several generations. In the previous generation, there was only Ye Li’s mother, and in Xu Qingfeng’s generation, both direct branches of the Xu family had only sons. Having lived in the capital all along, Xu Qingfeng was very protective of his cousin Ye Li, whom he had often seen in childhood.
Imperial Censor Xu sighed lightly and said, “In the eyes of the imperial family, who besides themselves isn’t expendable? Moreover, since your aunt’s death, Li’er rarely appears in the capital society, and her reputation has been nearly ruined by that vicious woman in the Ye family. Naturally, Prince Li was unwilling to marry Li’er.” Xu Qingfeng snorted coldly and said, “Your son thinks Cousin is right not to marry Prince Li. Even before marriage, he takes things from his fiancée’s shop without paying – is this also how the imperial family behaves? If Cousin had married him, I fear even the dowry left by our family and Aunt would have been used up by him.” Remembering what Qingshuang had mentioned when she came, Xu Qingfeng’s anger rose from multiple directions, and his opinion of Mo Jingli grew increasingly worse.
Imperial Censor Xu stroked his fine beard and nodded, “Indeed, Prince Li is not a good match for Li’er. Li’er has always been decisive; I think she probably didn’t fancy Prince Li much either, or she wouldn’t have allowed that mother-daughter pair from the Ye family to act as they did.” Remembering when his younger sister passed away, he had wanted to take his seriously ill niece back to the Xu family to raise but was prevented by that old woman from the Ye family. Li’er, even while ill, had sent her wet nurse and elderly maid back to Yunzhou, living alone in the unsupportive Ye residence. Although Madam Wang had tried to harm her several times, she had still managed to avoid the dangers. Now it seemed his niece not only had his sister’s intelligence but also possessed strength and sharp perception that his sister had lacked, which made Imperial Censor Xu quite proud.
“But Prince Ding…” While Prince Li was unsatisfactory, at least he was physically whole. The Emperor’s current marriage decree not only insulted Prince Ding’s residence but also wasted the Xu family bloodline.
“Hmph! Compared to Prince Li, I have more faith in Prince Ding’s residence’s upbringing. That Prince Ding was, after all, raised by the old Prince Ding himself.” As he spoke, Imperial Censor Xu lit the candle on the desk and burned the letter to ashes before telling his son, “How is your investigation of Prince Ding’s residence going these days? When your mother visits the Ye family in a few days, have her tell Li’er as well.” Xu Qingfeng replied somewhat helplessly, “Everything else about Prince Ding’s residence is easy to learn about, except that Prince Ding rarely associates with others. In recent years, the people who have seen him could be counted on one hand. We couldn’t find much useful information. There’s only one thing – they say Prince Ding brings death to his wives. Several of his previous fiancées allegedly died because of him. One who entered the household died of fright on her wedding night.”
“Nonsense!” Imperial Censor Xu rebuked. As Imperial Censor, and with the Xu family patriarch having students everywhere, he naturally knew more than ordinary families. For instance, the timing of Prince Ding’s first fiancée’s death was suspiciously convenient. As for the second fiancée, she was chosen by the current Empress Dowager and was originally sickly – dying before coming of age wasn’t particularly surprising. As for the one who supposedly died of fright after entering the household, Imperial Censor Xu thought the possibility of death by fright was extremely low. When Prince Ding returned to court injured that year, he had caught a glimpse of him from afar. Though the scar on his face was somewhat fierce-looking, it was far from terrifying enough to frighten someone to death. “Enough, go see your mother. I’ll visit Prince Ding personally later. Now I need to write a memorial.”
“A memorial? Who is Father planning to impeach?” Xu Qingfeng asked curiously.
A cold smile appeared on Imperial Censor Xu’s lean face as he said, “I’m impeaching Minister Ye for failing to educate his daughter and allowing his Fourth Daughter to engage in improper relations with Prince Li before the engagement was formally dissolved.” The Great Chu Dynasty had an explicit rule that censors could not be punished. As long as a censor’s impeachment wasn’t fabricated slander, the Emperor couldn’t punish them no matter what they said. Who among the nobles in the capital didn’t know about Prince Li and the Ye family’s Fourth Young Lady? It was just that the Ye family didn’t manage it, so others naturally pretended not to know. Now that someone was openly submitting a memorial, those idle censors and upright scholars who couldn’t stand such behavior naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity. While the impeachment was nominally directed at Minister Ye, the ultimate target would be Ye Ying and Prince Li. Even Prince Li’s taking of his former fiancée’s property without payment would likely come to light.
“Won’t this create enemies for Li’er?” Xu Qingfeng frowned, expressing concern.
Imperial Censor Xu smiled faintly and said, “Does Prince Li’s behavior look like he feels any guilt toward Li’er? At least our Xu family’s stance needs to be made clear to Prince Li and His Majesty.” The Xu family was openly declaring their protection of their niece. “Since we can’t figure out the Virtuous Dowager Consort’s intentions for now, let’s give Prince Li’s residence something to worry about, lest they have too much free time to scheme against your cousin.” In Imperial Censor Xu’s mind, he couldn’t understand, no matter how he looked at it, why Prince Li would give up his niece to marry the Ye family’s Fourth Young Lady. Except for appearance, in terms of status, one was the eldest legitimate daughter while the other was born to a secondary wife. In terms of talent and virtue, someone like Ye Ying who only knew how to seduce with her beauty would have been punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall of the Xu family. Even in terms of dowry, the Ye family’s entire fortune might not match what the Xu family would give Li’er. The difference between newly rich upstarts and a centuries-old noble family was not small.
Hearing his father’s words, Xu Qingfeng couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Father thinks of everything. Your son takes his leave.”
Watching his son close the door and leave, Imperial Censor Xu sighed slightly and picked up his brush to write the memorial. He had sons of his own – his eldest, Qingrui, had returned to Yunzhou with his grandfather to learn and practice filial piety. His second son, Qingfeng, had grown up at his side. Although both he and his wife came from scholarly families, Qingfeng had shown talent in martial arts since childhood, with only average literary ability. Remembering Ye Li’s words when she came to pay New Year’s respects last year, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly: Could it be that the scholarly Xu family would produce a military general? After putting down his brush and thinking for a long while, Imperial Censor Xu finally got up and walked to the bookshelf, skillfully pulling out a book from the third shelf. He looked down at the vigorous calligraphy on the cover – “Founding Emperor’s Military Canon” – and called out, “Someone come.”
Quickly, the servant waiting outside pushed open the door and respectfully called, “Master.”
“Take this book to the Second Young Master, and tell him to finish reading it within this year. Also, send me an essay of his thoughts every month.”
The servant took the book without asking questions and respectfully withdrew.
Soon, Xu Qingfeng’s hearty laughter could be heard from afar, obviously having been caught up to by the servant before he’d gone far, “Son thanks Father, son accepts the command!”
“Unruly boy, so improper!” Imperial Censor Xu muttered though a relieved smile appeared on his face.