Chapter 989: Emperor Xuan’s Anger

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Additionally, Emperor Xuan pointed to the memorial and ordered someone to summon Strategist Shao from the Hanlin Academy. He intended to personally interrogate him.

Officer Tian and his a.s.sociates felt a pang of unease, their hearts skipping a beat.

The fact that the Emperor said “please” indicated that the Primus held significant importance to him.

They were all perplexed. Emperor Xuan had been in power for over 40 years, and a new Primus was appointed every three years—it was nothing out of the ordinary. True, this young man was handsome, and people naturally paid attention to him, but what was the purpose behind all of this?

They had a.s.sumed that the Emperor would harbor disdain for Shao Yunduan and strip him of his position. However, now he was planning to personally interrogate him.

Ministers who had a cordial relationship with Officer Tian couldn’t help but reproach him for his pettiness. They had already let the matter go, so why did he continue to bear a grudge?

As a first-cla.s.s officer of the imperial court, he had made a mistake due to his family’s actions. Yet, the Emperor had attempted to reconcile the situation, but Officer Tian persisted, incessantly hara.s.sing Editor Shao. How narrow-minded he was!

Others became even more cautious. The Tian Family’s pettiness served as a warning to tread carefully when forming alliances with them in the future. Who knew when they might unintentionally offend them and incur their lasting enmity?

Shao Yunduan arrived at the court and gracefully performed a kowtow.

Emperor Xuan couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction upon witnessing this.

Just as Shao Yunduan stood up, Censor Liu glared at him and snapped, “Shao Yunduan, your immorality, disrespect towards your elders, and lack of decorum are an affront to all scholars. Confess now and seek the Emperor’s forgiveness, or else you shall persist in your obstinacy!”

“How dare you!” Emperor Xuan erupted in fury. He seized one of the memorials and hurled it towards Censor Liu’s head, shouting, “I haven’t uttered a word, yet you have the audacity to flaunt your authority! I specifically stated that I would personally conduct the interrogation, and now you seek to p.r.o.nounce judgment! Who do you think you are? How dare you override me!”

The courtiers were left in a state of shock, their heads bowed low and their breath held in antic.i.p.ation.

Censor Liu was taken aback, his mind reeling and his face drained of color. Cold sweat drenched his back.

“Your Majesty!” Censor Liu collapsed to the ground, his voice trembling. “I-I don’t dare… I am innocent! I simply couldn’t bear what he and Editor Shao were doing, I couldn’t bear it any longer. That’s why I spoke up, Your Majesty, please!”

“You’re lying!” Emperor Xuan remained unmoved by his explanation. He delivered a fierce kick to Censor Liu and sneered. “You’re merely bullying him because he is young and inexperienced. You’re trying to intimidate him into admitting fault without offering a defense. Do you think I’m a fool? You must have a death wish to play such a petty trick in front of me!”

“Your Majesty, I beg you, I would never dare…” Censor Liu nearly crumpled to the ground. Fear had rendered his voice hoa.r.s.e and trembling. He continued to kowtow, the resounding thuds echoing through the silent throne room.

The courtiers were seasoned political players, adept at reading between the lines. Censor Liu’s intention had been to catch Shao Yunduan off guard by attacking him before he could gather his bearings. However, the Emperor saw through his scheme, laying it bare for all to witness.