CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 429: MEDDLING IN POLITICS

Duke Chong’s Mansion.

After Duke Chong fainted, a doctor was hastily summoned to the mansion to check his pulse.

The doctor repeatedly instructed Duke Chong to remain calm and peaceful, as anger harms the liver; it would be best for him to rest in bed.

Duke Chong indeed found it difficult to hold on any longer.

The Duchess of Chong had the maid light incense beneficial for sleep, so Duke Chong could get a good rest.

Yet, just as Duke Chong fell asleep, the Emperor’s summons arrived.

Under normal circumstances, the Duchess would surely have rejected it on Duke Chong’s behalf, but the Emperor demanded Duke Chong roll into the palace.

Duke Chong held immense power over the court, and the Emperor’s command showed how furious he was.

Refusing the Emperor now would undoubtedly be adding fuel to the fire.

Though distressed for Duke Chong, the Duchess had no choice but to wake him.

Before Duke Chong even left the mansion, he already knew why the Emperor was summoning him.

His face was so somber it seemed ink could drip from it.

What kind of useless bunch had he raised?!

He tasked them with investigating a matter, and they caused such a massive blunder!

If not for the eunuch waiting outside with the summons, Duke Chong might have started a killing spree.

Seeing Duke Chong’s pale complexion, the eunuch conveying the decree paused, never having seen Duke Chong like this before.

Duke Chong entered the palace with a deathly pale face.

The Emperor saw his complexion and furrowed his brow into a twist.

Yet, the Emperor did not dwell on it too much, knowing with Duke Chong’s power, he must be aware why he was summoned.

Having committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor, how could he not be afraid?

But now, it was too late to be afraid!

The Emperor slammed the memorial he was holding onto the Dragon Desk.

He unleashed a torrent of criticism at Duke Chong.

Duke Chong did not retort.

He really lacked the energy.

But since he knew why the Emperor summoned him, he must have devised a strategy to respond.

When the Emperor paused to catch his breath, Duke Chong opened his mouth to pin the blame on Old Duke Chong.

He claimed that over the years, he had not supported the families of the Flying Tiger Army.

But everyone knew that the Flying Tiger Army was completely annihilated back then, with not a single survivor.

Moreover, among the eight thousand Flying Tiger Army, who but Duke Chong’s Mansion had the financial capacity to support them?

So he suggested it must have been Old Duke Chong who offered the aid.

This explanation had some plausibility.

But the Emperor was even more enraged.

Old Duke Chong was sick in bed and unable to speak.

The son had erred, was unrepentant, and dragged his elderly father down with him.

Though Old Duke Chong could not speak or move, he could blink his eyes, and if properly questioned, he could answer.

Whether Duke Chong had supported the Flying Tiger Army families or not, if asked, could Old Duke Chong choose not to reply?!

In his rage, the Emperor nearly ordered someone to drag Duke Chong away and execute him.

At this moment—

The Empress Dowager arrived.

Without prior announcement, the Empress Dowager stormed in.

The Emperor’s face darkened, "Why has the Empress Dowager come?"

"If I hadn’t come, I’m afraid Duke Chong would have died here in the palace," said the Empress Dowager.

The Emperor’s brows furrowed.

He was indeed angry at Duke Chong, even eager to end his life.

But after all, he was Duke Chong.

Ending his life so easily was impossible?!

"The Empress Dowager should be careful with her words!" the Emperor said coldly.

The Empress Dowager had Nanny Li help Duke Chong to his feet.

Duke Chong knelt on the ground, and Nanny Li alone couldn’t quite lift him.

After getting up, Duke Chong, due to exhaustion, knelt back down.

His knees hit the stone floor, and those who heard it felt their own knees ache.

Duke Chong’s forehead twitched, and he fainted.

Eunuch Fu was startled and quickly summoned the Imperial Physician.

The Emperor’s brow twisted again.

He hadn’t yet punished Duke Chong, so why did he faint?

"What exactly is going on?" the Emperor asked.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and said, "Didn’t the Emperor hear about the fire set at Duke Chong’s Mansion a few days ago?"

The Emperor looked toward the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager continued, "Duke Chong fought the assassins and received a kick, vomiting blood on the spot."

"To think that Duke Chong’s Mansion could be invaded by assassins and he even took a kick, it was utterly disgraceful."

"The Dongxiang Marquis Mansion has been holding onto Old Duke Chong, not returning him, one reason being that Duke Chong’s Mansion is also unsafe, refusing Duke Chong to bring Old Duke Chong back for care!"

"For the sake of his dignity and to retrieve Old Duke Chong, even when ill, Duke Chong had to put on a strong front, not even daring to consult an Imperial Physician!"

"I have advised him more than once to take care of himself. He agreed that he would rest once Duke Zhen returned to the Capital with his army. As Duke Chong, not going to welcome him might raise suspicions among Duke Zhen and the officials, but who would’ve thought it would be the Flying Tiger Army being welcomed!"

"The nephew returned gloriously, but the uncle fell ill. If word got out, how would everyone view him?!"

"He had no choice but to keep holding on!"

"He’s been attending court while ill these past few days!"

The more the Empress Dowager spoke, the angrier she became, as though it were exactly the case.

Soon, the Imperial Physician arrived.

After checking Duke Chong’s pulse, the Imperial Physician said, "Duke Chong has indeed been ill for some days and needs proper rest for ten to fifteen days."

Being the Emperor’s confidant, the Imperial Physician’s words should hold truth.

The Emperor waved his hand, and the Imperial Physician withdrew.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and said, "I know the Emperor is angry, thinking Duke Chong has claimed Marquis Dongxiang’s accomplishments."

"But the silver used to support the Flying Tiger Army families came from looting the court’s treasury; ultimately, the money came from the court...."

The Empress Dowager had not finished speaking when the Emperor interrupted her, "Who told the Empress Dowager that the money supporting the Flying Tiger Army families came from the court?"

The Empress Dowager’s face stiffened.

Outside, Marquis Dongxiang entered and said, "From the Empress Dowager’s words, it seems there’s no opposition to the court funding this?"

"That’s perfect; even if I fronted those expenses over these years, it’s different now. No longer can the guise of a bandit cover things up, as funds are tight in an instant, but an extra hundred thousand taels would surely solve any shortage."

Eunuch Fu nearly choked on internal injuries.

Are Marquis Dongxiang’s merits so easily seized?

In someone’s hands, a simple fee request becomes a hundred thousand taels.

The Empress Dowager’s lips trembled with anger, remaining silent for a while.

The Emperor looked at Marquis Dongxiang and said, "Duke Chong claimed your merits; what do you think is a fitting punishment for him?"

Marquis Dongxiang smiled and said, "The Emperor troubles himself with how to punish Duke Chong, but asking the minister is asking the wrong person."

"I’ve lived on Qingyun Mountain for so long to play the foolproof bandit role; I’ve long forgotten most of the court’s laws."

The Emperor, "...."

Eunuch Fu, "...."

There was certainly a huge pit in that statement.

Marquis Dongxiang continued, "Now, the matter of Duke Chong claiming merits and deceiving the Emperor has spread throughout the Capital. If the Emperor punishes lightly, people would think the current ruler is weak and ineffectual."

"The Empress Dowager came to protect Duke Chong; if the Emperor punishes him harshly, the Empress Dowager would undoubtedly be displeased. If by chance she fell ill from anger, the Emperor might bear the reputation of unfiliality."

"In my view, it would be better to leave the decision of Duke Chong’s punishment to the Empress Dowager’s discretion."

"Although the harem shouldn’t interfere in politics, if the Emperor actively solicits the Empress Dowager’s opinion on how to suitably punish Duke Chong, it wouldn’t count as interference."

Marquis Dongxiang was certainly accusing the Empress Dowager of meddling in politics.

Though the accusation was quite subtle.

But subtle enough not to be overlooked.

Eunuch Fu took a secret glance at the Empress Dowager.

Seeing her face ashen, he was reassured.