Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 458
While Zhao Wangshu was dealing with the Deng sisters, the emperor, who had been recuperating for more than a month, appeared in the hall again. He had to face the censor's impeachment of Wu Nan, Wu Lin'er's father.

"Your Majesty, Wu Nan accepted bribes, abused his power, falsely reported military pay, and embezzled state funds. His crimes are notorious. I request Your Majesty to investigate carefully and punish him severely!" the censor said loudly.

Prince Zuo had previously wanted to promote Wu Nan to take over He Jiu's position, but Minister Li got there first.

He was planning to let Wu Nan work in the Ministry of War, but he didn't expect the censor to suddenly impeach Wu Nan.

Now, Wu Nan’s promotion is no longer a question, and even whether he can escape punishment is a problem.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne with a deep look in his eyes. He slowly glanced around the hall, and finally fixed his eyes on the censor. His tone was calm and majestic: "Everything requires evidence. Do you have solid evidence of Wu Nan's crime?"

The censor took out a thick stack of files from his sleeve and held it up above his head. "Your Majesty, I have collected evidence of Wu Nan's crimes, including a list of bribes he received, records of abuse of power, accounts of false military pay, and accounts of embezzlement of state funds. These evidences have been carefully verified by me and are absolutely not false."

Prince Zuo stared at the Censor with a bad look. Collecting evidence is definitely not a matter of one or two days. The Censor had already started planning and was waiting for this moment.

Apart from the four regent ministers, there would be no one else who could ask the censor to make the plan.

Do they really not want him to take that position?
The emperor is old and Eleven is still young. Apart from him, who else is qualified to sit in that position? These four ignorant bastards deserve to be killed.

"Present the evidence." The emperor said majestically.

The censor respectfully handed the file in his hand to the eunuch who came down from the jade platform.

The eunuch took it and presented it to the emperor.

The emperor opened the file and carefully reviewed it page by page. His expression gradually became solemn. "Wu Nan, do you admit your guilt?"

Wu Nan's face was pale at this time. His legs softened and he fell to his knees, saying in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I...I am innocent!"

"Injustice? The evidence is right in front of you, and you still dare to cry out for injustice?" the emperor said coldly.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to defend myself." Wu Nan glanced at his son-in-law, Prince Zuo, and said with forced calmness.

The emperor glanced at him and said calmly: "Okay, I will give you this opportunity."

"Your Majesty, I have served the court for many years and have always been diligent and dedicated to my work. I have never slacked off. This accusation is like a bolt from the blue to me, but I firmly believe that the truth will eventually come to light."

Wu Nan paused, then continued, "Your Majesty, these so-called evidences are nothing but carefully designed by some people to frame me. I have never done anything illegal or disorderly, nor have I ever accepted any bribes. I beg Your Majesty to send someone to conduct an in-depth investigation to find out the truth."

The more he spoke, the smoother he became, and the more he felt that he was innocent. "Your Majesty, my daughter had just married the Princess of Zuo County when someone started to make rumors and cause trouble. It is obvious that someone is jealous of my status and wants to use this incident to suppress me. I have every reason to believe that these people are openly targeting me, but in fact they want to deal with the Prince of Zuo County. I hope Your Majesty will be discerning and not be blinded by the treacherous people."

A minister came out to agree with him, "Your Majesty, what Lord Wu said is true. He has been in the court for many years and has always been diligent and conscientious. His contributions to the court are obvious to all. This impeachment is indeed puzzling and hard to believe."

"Your Majesty, I think it's just as Lord Wu said, someone wants to target Prince Zuo." Another minister who defected to Prince Zuo came out and said.

Of course, not everyone in the hall agreed. Some ministers also said, "Your Majesty, although Lord Wu has served in the court for many years and has made many contributions, his merits do not outweigh his faults."

"Your Majesty, although Lord Wu is the father-in-law of Prince Zuo, it has not happened for long. The crime he committed could not possibly involve Prince Zuo. Lord Wu said this, and I have reason to suspect that he is trying to get away with it."

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes like torches, scanning the ministers below, "Wu Nan, I have heard your defense, I do not think you are innocent, please explain this."

As he spoke, he motioned to the eunuch beside him to hand over the thick file to Wu Nan for review. The file detailed all of Wu Nan's crimes, including bribery, embezzlement, abuse of power, etc., each of which was accompanied by detailed evidence and witness testimonies.

Wu Nan looked at these files and was secretly surprised. How could they be so detailed?
Someone betrayed him!
Damn it, don't let him know who it is, otherwise he will never let this person go.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent. I have never committed any of the crimes listed in the files. I am loyal and dedicated to my duties to the court. How could I have done such a treasonous thing?"

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Wu Nan: "Oh? You have never done it? Then how do you explain these evidences, testimonies, and witnesses?"

Wu Nan quickly defended himself: "Your Majesty, someone must have framed me! I have devoted myself to the country and have never been corrupt or abused my power. These evidences must have been forged, and the witnesses must have been instructed by someone to make such false accusations. I can find the real witnesses to prove my innocence!" Wu Nan shouted anxiously.

The emperor looked at him coldly without saying anything, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more tense.

After a long while, the cold sweat on Wu Nan's forehead fell to the ground, and the emperor slowly said: "Wu Nan will be imprisoned temporarily. Dali Temple Minister, you will be responsible for hearing this case and make sure to find out the truth."

"I obey your order." The Dali Temple Minister stepped out and said, and Wu Nan was taken away by two guards.

"If you have something to report, please do so. If not, please dismiss the court." said the eunuch.

No one in the court said anything, apparently there was nothing to report. After the emperor stood up and left, the officials shouted, "Farewell, Your Majesty."

In the evening, Yun Hao returned home and talked about the affairs of the court during dinner. Zhao Wangshu commented on it, "Prince Zuo has somewhat ruined the Yue family."

The original princess' family was impeached and overthrown before the marriage.

The second princess's family was impeached not long after their marriage.

"It's because they are not upright that they have to endure this." Yun Hao never mentioned what he did in it.

Zhao Wangshu nodded, "Officials must be honest."

The couple talked about the affairs of the court for a while, and Zhao Wangshu talked about the Deng sisters. "Deng Hongying is a good person, but Deng Baoying is determined to be a demon and instigated Deng Hongying to seduce you."

Yun Hao took a sip of tea and almost spit it out. He swallowed the tea and said, "How can you have such dirty thoughts at such a young age?"

Zhao Wangshu continued: "Deng Hongying was unmoved, so she set her sights on Mr. Zheng."

“Cough, cough, cough.” Yun Hao still choked on the tea. “She is ten years old, and Mr. Zheng is already in his forties.”

"The bride is eighteen and the groom is eighty, with grey hair and red makeup. They sleep together in the same quilt, with the pear blossoms overshadowing the crabapple tree." Zhao Wangshu rolled his eyes, "A difference of thirty years, what does it matter."

"Madam, you didn't let her act so crazy, did you?" Yun Hao asked.

"She was stopped by the people I arranged. But she was so restless that I couldn't lock her up forever. I was thinking about sending her to the countryside to farm and temper her." Zhao Wangshu said.

"Listen to my wife." Yun Hao had no objection.

Prince Zuo's forces are beginning to be encircled and suppressed.