After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1185 - 1167: Apology

The scene was momentarily at a standstill; the officials who started the commotion merely wanted to see a joke, but Shen Ruhui’s insistence made them seem like villains, putting them in a difficult situation.

As soon as the matter arose, the imperial guard immediately reported it to Zhao Hanzhang, who was reviewing documents inside the hall.

Upon hearing this, the Little Emperor was eager to try his hand.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, setting down her pen to stand with him at the front of the hall to watch.

From a distance, they couldn’t hear what was being said, but just by looking at the movements and expressions on people’s faces, it was clear that the mood wasn’t pleasant; although many were smiling, they barricaded Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu in the center, blocking their path.

The Little Emperor quietly tiptoed, craning his neck to see Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu’s expressions.

But after several attempts, he still couldn’t see clearly, so he turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face was very unsightly; while the Little Emperor couldn’t make it out, she could see clearly.

Recalling what Ji Yuan mentioned about the Zhao Family Army’s increasingly arrogant generals, who, although not yet causing trouble, frequently relied on her influence to inconvenience officials mingling with them.

Chang Ning, as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was tasked with accounting for the army’s agricultural yield; the officials he sent were continuously harassed, and even when Chang Ning personally attended, they spoke rudely and were consistently uncooperative, frequently causing troubles, significantly increasing the workload at the Ministry of Revenue.

From August to December was originally the busiest time for the Ministry of Revenue, especially from October to December when taxes from all over needed to be accounted for, but the Zhao Family Army added trouble, ultimately requiring Zhao Shen to intervene and suppress the military officers poorly.

Most of these people followed Zhao Hanzhang through trials and tribulations, many promoted from her own retinue, with deep bonds, and several times Ming Yu had tried to bring the matter before Zhao Hanzhang, only to be stopped by Ji Yuan.

He spoke to Ming Yu, "It’s not suitable for you to say, let me handle this."

He continued, "You joined halfway; both the Lady and I acknowledge your significant contributions, but you must understand, there are always fools in the world who only see the past, not the present, nor the future. If you confront them, you’ll only offend the military faction."

"They pride themselves on having followed the Lady through life and death, with unique bonds. If you step forward, they’ll despise you, though incapable of harming you immediately, remember, while catching thieves may not take a thousand days, there are those who will eventually harm you."

Ming Yu sneered, "Do they possess enough brains between the three of them to harm me?"

Ji Yuan shook his head, "You, you will eventually suffer at the hands of those you disdain. Many wise men from ancient times succumbed to these foolish individuals."

"Leave this matter to me, I’ll discuss it with the Lady," Ji Yuan said, "They accompanied the Lady through hardships, as did I from nothing to where she is now, left to her by the late Lord. They dare not disrespect nor resent me."

Thus Ji Yuan mentioned it to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang deliberately paid attention to the Zhao Family Army, and finding no abnormalities, temporarily set the matter aside, her daily workload overwhelming during this busy autumn, soon forgetting it altogether.

Seeing Li Tian and others taunting Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu, Ji Yuan’s complaints surged to the forefront of her mind.

Zhao Hanzhang suppressed her rolling anger, turning to the Little Emperor with a smile, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment, I’ll go down and take a look."

Seeing her smile, the Little Emperor involuntarily shivered.

How terrifying, it’s been a long time since he saw Zhao Hanzhang smile like this.

The Little Emperor was torn, eager to witness the spectacle yet afraid to intervene.

After hesitating for a while, he carefully stepped forward, determined to observe from the side without approaching.

Zhao Hanzhang quickly descended the steps; upon nearing, she heard them incite Shen Ruhui to punish Dr. Yu, "...You punish him first, and the Imperial Censorate won’t punish further."

Zhao Hanzhang sternly inquired, "Punish for what?"

Upon hearing her voice, everyone turned and saw Zhao Hanzhang standing behind them, immediately dispersing, and secretly glaring at those across from them.

The people standing opposite looked wronged; they hadn’t noticed, and by the time they did, Zhao Hanzhang was already close, and despite their best efforts to signal, they weren’t seen.

With Zhao Hanzhang’s face looking so severe, who dared to do anything overtly under her watch?

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over them; seeing them avoid her eyes and lower their heads, she asked emotionlessly, "So, no one can answer me?"

Shen Ruhui snapped back to reality, immediately stepping forward to explain, but Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to stop him, pointing at Li Tian, "Li Tian, you answer."

Li Tian gathered his courage and stepped forward, cupping his hands, "Dr. Yu knocked down Doctor Shen, then pinned him down, striking and kicking; we couldn’t bear to watch, so separated them, deeming Dr. Yu should be severely punished as a deterrent."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Your idioms are well-versed; Imperial Censor Lu, is that so?"

Coming from a prestigious family, Imperial Censor Lu wouldn’t speak with such obvious bias; stepping forward, he calmly stated, "I’m unaware of what happened before, only suddenly hearing cries and seeing Dr. Yu pinning Doctor Shen and unable to rise; we quickly stepped forward to assist them up..."

Zhao Hanzhang appeared indifferent, asking, "Imperial Censor Lu, do you believe Dr. Yu should be punished?"

Imperial Censor Lu replied, "Doctor Shen said Dr. Yu’s actions were unintentional and doesn’t wish to pursue it, but I believe whether intentional or not, he did harm Doctor Shen, and this occurred in the palace, with misconduct unbecoming, so punishment is deserved."

Zhao Hanzhang then turned to Li Tian, "And you think?"

Li Tian lowered his head, "Imperial Censor Lu is correct, punishment is justified."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Under what charge?"

Li Tian felt anxious, sensing Zhao Hanzhang’s displeasure, yet having spoken so far, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Palace misconduct."

"Palace misconduct," Zhao Hanzhang’s lips subtly curved, her voice harboring hidden anger, "that charge fits well; you all surrounded Doctor Shen and Dr. Yu, indulging in antics—what’s more than palace misconduct? I had you study and read, understand the law, yet it seems your learning’s gone to the dogs, hasn’t it?"

She sharply turned her gaze to Imperial Censor Lu.

Imperial Censor Lu’s face turned slightly pale; Li Tian and several military officials began studying recently, whereas he has been educated since youth—these words not only rebuked Li Tian and the others but also chastised him and the civil servants present.

All of them fell to their knees, bowed their heads, and pleaded guilty.

Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu quickly knelt down as well.

Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward to help Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu up, then looked down at those kneeling around, saying, "You’ve mocked your peers; according to law, you’ll be flogged five times, fined three months’ salary for palace misconduct."

Li Tian, dissatisfied, couldn’t help but shout, "General, we didn’t mock them, we were kindly reminding..."

Facing Zhao Hanzhang’s cold gaze, Li Tian immediately fell silent.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to ask Imperial Censor Lu, "Do you acknowledge this charge?"

Imperial Censor Lu blushed deeply, shamefully bowing, "I acknowledge it, I and the others know our mistake."

Zhao Hanzhang replied coldly, "It’s not about mocking me, there’s no need to apologize to me."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Lu rose and bowed deeply to Shen Ruhui and Dr. Yu, "I’m ashamed, we shouldn’t have mocked Doctor Shen and Dr. Yu; I deeply regret this."