The first was to eliminate the Imperial Heir. Before his daughter became the Empress, he would never allow any consort to give birth to an heir. Now that his daughter’s health had been restored, it was even less tolerable to let other consorts steal a march on her.
Second was to restore his daughter’s control over the Harem, excluding Xu Rongying. If this couldn’t be achieved, what future, what grand scheme could there be to speak of?
The third was to bring Xu Hu down from his horse, which was the most crucial point of all. Presently, only Xu Hu could suppress the armies. If he were removed, the stable situation would unravel in an instant, with discord sown among the troops, creating an opportunity to exploit.
But bringing down Xu Hu was easier said than done. Xu Hu had glorious achievements and meritorious service; minor issues couldn’t touch him, only a most grave accusation would suffice.
And plotting against the Imperial Heir was just the accusation needed. This was the eagerly awaited heir that those who loudly proclaimed themselves loyal subjects had longed for—whoever plotted against the Imperial Heir would face universal condemnation. Even if the Emperor wanted to shield Xu Hu and Xu Rongying, the court officials would not compromise.
To impeach Xu Hu, an ordinary person wouldn’t do—you needed someone seen as neutral and influential to present a memorial, and Zhao Zhong, the Assistant Deputy Censor-in-chief of the Imperial Censorate and a Third Rank official, was ample in weight and thus the best candidate.
A faint smile appeared in his eyes. He had received news last night that everything in the palace had been taken care of. The rest could be left to those "loyal officials" to coerce Yuchi Zhao into punishing Consort Xu De and Xu Hu.
He had done all he needed to do; now he just had to wait for the outcome.
"The Imperial Heir meets with mishap, yet Master Xue can still smile?" a voice bellowed in Xue Ping’s ear.
Xue Ping winced and frowned subconsciously, turning his head to the side.
Following the sound, he saw Minister Fan of the Ministry of Rites being supported by others, having arrived beside him at some unknown time.
This shout drew several gazes his way.
He touched his face; when had he smiled?
Thinking he hadn’t heard, Minister Fan bellowed again, "Court has recessed; Master Xue seems quite pleased.
The crowd of court officials, who had been dejected and restlessly trailing behind His Majesty without seeing him, turned their full attention to the sound.
It was as if they’d been reminded, and among them was the straightforward military general from the Ministry of War, with his long strides coming towards them.
General Xu was confined to the General’s Mansion. He and the others had wanted to vouch for him and clarify matters to His Majesty, but they couldn’t even catch a glimpse of His Majesty, feeling extremely distressed.
And now to see someone over here actually cheerful? This was preposterous! Aside from His Majesty, no one else, not even a heavenly figure, could dismiss them—they would resort to force rather than idle chatter, these civil officials were too sharp-tongued. The Great General had said to play to their strengths and avoid weaknesses; it just so happened that they excelled at fighting.
Before he even arrived, the direct military general’s booming voice began interrogating, "Master Xue, what the hell do you mean by this?"
The rest of the military generals from the Ministry of War followed suit.
Xue Ping quickly denied in a loud voice, "Minister Fan, you are mistaken; I did not smile."
Minister Fan cleared his ears, "Master Xue, what are you laughing at?"
"You heard wrong, I did not laugh!" Xue Ping shouted back, inwardly cursing—this old man was the worst of them all!
Seeing the military general approaching, Xue Ping hurried down the stairs, heading towards where the Vice Minister of Revenue was, coincidentally the same direction Zhao Zhong had headed.
As he hurried along, he called out the Vice Minister of Revenue’s name, "Wen Bin, I have some thoughts on the autumn harvest procedure I’d like to discuss with you..."
Could he afford not to divert their attention?
A Scholar meets soldiers, a proper argument avails nothing.
These brutes were simple-minded and quick to anger, itching for an outlet for their frustration. He wasn’t foolish enough to admit to smiling, even if he had; otherwise, being beaten by this bunch would cost him half his life if not kill him.
Even if he was right, now that the Emperor isn’t seeing anyone, he has no way to appeal for justice.
Optimistically speaking, if he really does manage to present his case before the Emperor, the law does not punish the masses; at most they would only whip those brutes, but his delicate and precious body, how can it compare to their thick-skinned roughness?
If someone with ulterior motives were to accuse him of being pleased with the Imperial Heir’s misfortune, claiming that his heart deserves to be condemned, then he would be utterly ruined.
The gazes of the crowd all followed Xue Ping’s, and someone with sharp eyes immediately exclaimed, "Zhao Zhong is over there!"
When the crowd looked in that direction, they saw Zhao Zhong and several civil officials who had attacked them in the hall quietly slipping out, having already walked quite a distance away.
Someone said, "If we can’t find His Majesty, let’s go have a word with these curs."
In an instant, the focus shifted, and Xue Ping smoothly escaped. He watched with his own eyes as those military generals with long arms and legs went after Zhao Zhong and the others, with some civil officials following suit, intending to catch Zhao Zhong and the others to ask for clarity, to inquire whether the Imperial Heir was beyond help.
He took a deep breath, almost missing Xu Hu.
Military generals have always been notoriously hard to control; ordinary people cannot prevail over them, either by beating them into submission or by vanquishing them in battle; otherwise, they cannot be managed, and they naturally dismiss civil officials.
Without Xu Hu to control these people, and with the Emperor absent, these military generals would definitely dare to assault court officials on the spot!
They witnessed Zhao Zhong, who had been solid and resolute, speaking strongly and forcefully at the court conference, trip over a stone mysteriously thrown at him, fall face-first, and quickly get caught up to.
"How brazen, to come to blows right at the palace gates, utterly lawless. I shall report this to His Majesty, I shall impeach you all!..."
"Then go on and report it, do it now, if you can see His Majesty, I will kneel and kowtow to you."
"Stop beating him, let me ask a few questions."
"Master Zhao, now you are the only one aware of the Imperial Heir’s condition. I ask you, how is the Imperial Heir at present?"
"I am the Assistant Deputy Censor-in-chief of the Imperial Censorate, charged with challenging all departments, you all... Ah, my official hat..."
Xue Ping felt a sweat break out on his forehead, knowing that the military generals dared to strike was one thing, but witnessing it was another matter entirely. He didn’t dare to imagine what it would be like if it happened to him—not only would his reputation be entirely destroyed, becoming a laughing stock, but he would also suffer a dose of physical torment.
As if hearing his thoughts, a voice nearby said, "Indeed, if it had been my aged self, these old bones would have been dismantled completely, but Master Zhao is young and strong, he can withstand it."
Xue Ping turned his head and saw the Minister of Rites, that old man, as persistent as a specter.
He felt a blockage in his chest and managed to say, "Master Xue takes his leave."
With a flick of his sleeve, he left directly.
Behind him, the Minister of Rites’ voice could still be heard, "Why is Master Xue leaving? Who were you saying you were looking for just now?"
"Was it Master Zhao you were looking for? Shall I call him out for you?"
"Don’t go, my ears are a bit dull lately; it seems I heard wrong, didn’t see you laughing, right?"
The more the Minister of Rites spoke, the faster Xue Ping walked, and soon his figure was no longer in sight.
Minister Fan looked in the direction Xue Ping had left, then at where the court officials were, stroking his beard, his eyes brimming with sharpness.
Fight, go on and fight, this is a matter tacitly approved by His Majesty, what a rare opportunity.