Chapter 1014: Chapter 1014: Dragged Out by the Imperial Censor for Attention
Princess Consort Ji was not mistaken. Whether it was Song Ci or Song Zhiyuan, neither would care about the venting words of a mere maid, let alone resort to any tricks because of it.
As Song Ci put it, that girl would naturally encounter her own hardships in the future, and it would be enough to watch then; why bother to teach a lesson?
She was just so magnanimous.
But what she didnât expect was that while she was magnanimous, some people feared nothing more than chaos in the world, and actually reported her.
Oh no, she was impeached by an Imperial Censor in a memorial.
The content of the memorial accused Song Ci of using her seniority to oppress, forcing Madam Ji to swallow gold and commit suicide, which was considered an injury to harmony and other such nonsense.
When the memorial was presented, Song Zhiyuan, holding the bamboo tablet, felt a twitch in his brows, opened his half-closed eyes, and turned his head slightly.
He needed to see which fool, with nothing better to do, decided to impeach over such irrelevant matters.
At a glance, he withdrew his sight.
Ah, itâs you again, Imperial Censor Zhu!
Indeed, besides you, who else would be bored enough to do this?
All the officials were somewhat speechless. It wasnât the first time, after all. Why was Imperial Censor Zhu always fixated on Prime Minister Songâs family, seeming as if he wouldnât rest without grabbing hold of some compromise? Could it be that when Prime Minister Song served as Minister of Personnel, he blocked Imperial Censor Zhuâs merit evaluation?
They looked towards Prime Minister Song and saw his old and serene demeanorâno matter how you shout, he would act as if he didnât hear, remaining steadfast.
Truly worthy of Prime Minister Song.
Song Zhiyuan remained silent, while Song Zhiqing stepped forward with his bamboo tablet, a face full of indignation as he said, "Your Majesty, please discern clearly, Lord Zhu is slandering my mother with fictional accusations, tarnishing her reputation. I ask Your Majesty to punish him severely."
"Lord Song, the words of Madam Song were indeed witnessed by someone at the time, how could I slander?" Imperial Censor Zhu raised his chin slightly, speaking arrogantly.
Song Zhiyuan laughed angrily, "May I ask, Lord Zhu, what exactly did my mother say?"
Imperial Censor Zhu: "This..."
"Indeed, my mother merely sang praises of the Emperorâs virtues and lauded the prosperity of the Great Qing. Is that wrong? Is singing praises for the Great Qing forcing a woman to die?" Song Zhiqing chuckled, "Then you must at all costs keep the women of your household from appearing in front of my mother, lest they feel disgraced by being in her presence when she praises our Great Qing and turn back to swallow gold."
All the officials: So itâs not just Prime Minister Song who has a sharp tongue!
"You!" Imperial Censor Zhuâs face turned blue with anger.
Song Zhiyuan withdrew his gaze, only glancing at the faction group, immediately someone stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have a report to present..."
The farce ought to end.
Song Ci quickly learned this news from the internal information chain, and it was more astounding than hearing that Madam Ji had died.
"Imperial Censor Zhu? I remember I didnât offend his family, right? And itâs not the first time heâs impeached me, right? Did I desecrate his ancestorsâ graves, so he must frequently drag me out for display?"
Nanny Gong replied, "Imperial Censor Zhu is someone who wishes to impeach every trivial matter of each family. Itâs said that even when Princess Anping had a few more dishes for breakfast, he impeached it as lavish wasting, while many poor people canât even have full meals."
"And the Emperor doesnât care?" Song Ci was speechless.
Nanny Gong chuckled lightly, "Imperial censors are there to dare to speak, dare to act, and dare to face it boldly. Why would the Emperor intervene? In court, sometimes such officials are necessary, and indeed, some officials also need such impeachments."
Song Ci was moved, thinking, itâs about court politics again, about how water thatâs too clear has no fish. A noble family with only a good reputation and no flaws isnât beneficial for long-term development. After all, the Emperor will keep an eye on it; one canât be too perfect, otherwise whatâs the point?