After speaking, he turned and asked, "Why are you here?"
"I’m here to tell you that the Imperial Censor Xie Zhang has accused you, and the memorial has been directly submitted to the emperor."
Xu Yin furrowed his brows: "Xie Zhang?"
"With such a commotion in Yongping, the emperor still showed mercy, only reducing her rank. Meanwhile, the Zhang family refused to give in, and the Shuntian Prefecture uncovered many wrongdoings by the servants from your house. So, Xie Zhang accused you too, blaming you for not managing your subordinates properly."
As Liang Chen spoke up to this point, his face darkened further: "You’ve always handled matters prudently and never erred. Why was there such a big oversight in your own household?"
What could Xu Yin say?
He didn’t show himself that day at all, mainly to avoid being involved with Yongping’s foolish actions.
Earlier, due to preparations for the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, Xu Yin frequented the Eastern Palace a few times, and Xie Zhang almost labeled him with the accusation of private meetings with the Crown Prince. Google seaʀᴄh novel·fiɾe·net
Who knew later Consort Yu would become involved with Yongping...
That day, Xu Yin was only concerned with the trouble Yongping caused her, and forgot that when Yongping did such things, she wouldn’t avoid the servants around him.
Xu Yin was the head of the Xu family, and Yongping’s servants were also his Xu family’s servants. Now that those servants were exposed to be involved, wasn’t it exactly what Xie Zhang seized as leverage?!
Fury surged through Xu Yin’s mind, buzzing without pause!
With Xie Zhang’s accusation, the emperor might not actually punish him, but whether his promotion would encounter obstacles was exceedingly uncertain!
He clasped his hands into fists behind his back and said to Liang Chen, "I appreciate you, Shaoyang, for specially coming this time. The Commandery Princess committed a major mistake in a moment of confusion, but she has always been my first wife, so I can’t say much now."
Liang Chen asked, "You’re not going back?"
Xu Yin replied, "Since it’s already been reported, let’s wait until they finish the investigation before acting."
Liang Chen looked at him: "But she’s your first wife."
"So what?" Xu Yin frowned, "She committed a crime, and she must bear the consequences. Even if I’m her husband, I can’t ignore principles and protect her."
"But you almost became my uncle." Liang Chen looked directly at him, "In these years after my aunt’s death, even though you’ve married and have children, you still maintain close ties with the Liang family.
"You always say you’re half a member of the Liang family. Nowadays, everyone knows Vice Minister Xu is known for his loyalty and righteousness, even becoming a noble steed of Prince Rong’s Mansion but still not forgetting his former fiancée.
"If you ignore Yongping, people will surely think your heart still belongs to my aunt, and the Liang family will bear some infamy because of you."
Liang Chen’s expression had already tightened, and there was some displeasure in his eyes.
Xu Yin’s heart suddenly sank.
Every word from Liang Chen was true.
Over the years, Xu Yin deliberately maintained relations with the Liang family to show the world his loyalty, but now he had no choice but to maintain this "loyalty."
He could let Yongping fend for herself and disregard Prince Rong’s Mansion, as neither had much use for him now.
But he couldn’t disregard the Liang family.
Liang Chen was the current Great General!
And beside him was Pei Zhan!
The combined power of these two could shake the world!
This time Yongping courted disaster, causing Pei Zhan to view them as enemies, and if he didn’t act, indeed, some people would question the truth of his "loyalty and righteousness," make speculations, and point blame at Liang Ning, even the Liang family.
He had lowered his stance to associate with the Liang family, but their response had always been lukewarm. If this time the Liang family heard idle gossip, Liang Chen would certainly choose to stand with Pei Zhan without a second thought and break off relations with him.
What virtue or capability did he have to become an enemy to the joint forces that had destroyed Dayue Country, these two formidable generals of the court?
Not to mention, at the moment, he was still just an Assistant Minister!
And all of this was brought upon him by Yongping!
"I understand," Xu Yin nodded. "I’ll tidy things up and address this immediately."
Liang Chen said, "Over the years, your unwavering remembrance of my aunt and the Liang family, we have all kept in our hearts and always regarded you as one of our own.
"Truth be told, regardless of whom you fall out with, internally I side with you. But it’s just that now it’s against Ming Zhi—if this matter can’t be resolved, and both sides become enemies, then I’d be the most troubled.
"I’ve said all that I can; it’s up to you now."
With that, he turned and left.
Xu Yin stood at the door, his face quickly turning cold. "Prepare the carriage!"