The historian’s mouth is the most formidable, with Wang Yi on the verge of being labeled a traitor and written into the annals of history.
He quickly apologized to Bai Xilie, saying that it was all a misunderstanding.
From then on, no matter how much he hated it, Wang Yi didn’t dare to confront Historian Wang.
Finally, three days later, Bai Xilie "complied" with the historians’ suggestion and sentenced the Master to a cruel execution, while the Second Master and his entire family were exiled, never allowed to return to the capital.
The Third Master, who was not captured, couldn’t escape the calamity either.
He was sent to the distant, harsh land of Miasma to help build the defense lines at the border.
The Emperor ordered the Xiuluo Guard to carry out the execution.
Bai Xilie’s methods were thunderous, and those who had previously pleaded for mercy were all warned with penalties.
Perhaps out of fear of being implicated, those civil servants in the court dared not object any longer, only watching as Mingyang Academy completely came under Bai Xilie’s control.
An academy that could send officials to the court every year was firmly held in the Emperor’s hands.
Although there were still some residual family powers allowing their children to study at Mingyang Academy, to Bai Xilie, this was his first successful step in seizing control of the court’s affairs.
Everyone thought this matter would end with the teachers being killed or demoted.
But to their utter surprise, the families who initially conspired to cause trouble, like the Li Family, Wei Family, and Zhang Family, got into trouble again!
The people in these families were found to be at least indulging in inappropriate behavior, with numerous mistresses, or indulging in indulgence, embezzlement, and bribery.
At worst, they fell from horseback and broke bones or suffered from sudden life-threatening illnesses. Worse still, some were suddenly caught in a house fire at night, with more than half of their residence burned down.
These incidents happened suddenly, without any traces to find the wrongdoers.
For a time, all the ministers felt anxious and apprehensive.
Those with guilty consciences privately believed that although the Emperor only punished the teachers on the surface, he secretly retaliated against those noble families that bullied Princess Cui Cuo, sparing none of them!
From then on, it spread privately within the court.
Princess Cui Cuo, Bai Zhi’er, is more formidable than Marquis Wan himself; if you provoke her, King Yan might let you live until the fifth watch, but the Emperor would have you dead by the third watch!
The past five days, the turmoil gradually subsided.
In a teahouse, Historian Wang and Feng Fuce sat opposite each other, sipping tea.
Feng Fuce gently lifted his cup, his gaze calm, yet there was a distinct deep and proud presence about him.
"Lord Wang lets this Marquis see you in a new light. The last time I visited your residence, just a slight hint, and you understood how to make the right choice in court."
Historian Wang hurriedly cupped his hands, gratitude evident in his words: "Fortunately, the Marquis reminded me, or I wouldn’t have realized that my elder brother at home was already so blinded by greed, straying down the wrong path."
"I, Wang Lang, rely on my conscience to be an official and person. If one cannot be loyal to the emperor and the country, what’s the use of reading these saintly books?"
After speaking, Historian Wang downed the tea in his cup.
He gently wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled: "However, the Marquis truly surprises me. I remember before, the Marquis would never actively involve himself in court affairs, so why this time..."
Feng Fuce just smiled without answering.
He put down his teacup and got up to leave.
As he reached the door, the young man slightly turned his head; his features were distinct, his ink-black hair tied high, giving off an imposing aura that couldn’t be ignored.
"Historian Wang, if the Princess were bullied, what would you do?"
Historian Wang thought for a while: "Though the Princess is young, she treats people well. Despite my past offenses, she never blamed me. If she’s bullied, I would be the first to defend the Princess to the end."
Feng Fuce raised an eyebrow, his thin lips curving into a slight smile: "Though my methods differ from Lord Wang’s, our goals are similar."
Bai Zhi’er was dissatisfied with the current state of Mingyang Academy.
So he helped to break all the unjust situations and then reconstructed her rules.
After all, the presence of the little rascal was quite important to him, and he couldn’t just eat her things for free.
Seeing Historian Wang deep in thought, Feng Fuce merely smiled and then lifted his boot to leave.