Jiajing Chengming

Chapter 157 This is a serious matter, the whole family of the thief will be sent to jail!
Ministry of Rites.

Tang Chang was here participating in the review process of the Ministry of Rites for selecting a royal consort.

The official in charge of this matter was Wu Yipeng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Wu Yipeng was born in Changshu, Suzhou, Nanzhi.

When he was reviewing the candidate for son-in-law Tang Chang, he first asked Tang Chang to read a passage from "The Great Learning".

Tang Chang actually had a fairly good level of education, so he read fluently.

"You have a Wu accent, you're not from Beizhi!"

"Who told you to pretend to be a citizen to choose a prince consort?!"

But when Tang Chang was reading, Wu Yipeng suddenly interrupted him and asked in a stern voice.

Tang Chang was stunned for a moment.

Because he had already given money to the Ministry of Rites in advance.

The officials around Wu Yipeng were also surprised.

He also didn't expect that this young master would take the initiative to do bad things.

"answer!"

But Wu Yipeng remained very serious.

Tang Chang didn't know how to answer.

"come over!"

Wu Yipeng didn't ask any more questions, but just waved to Tang Chang.

Tang Chang then walked closer to Wu Yipeng.

Wu Yipeng ordered: "Stick out your tongue."

Tang Chang also stuck out his tongue.

"Hand out!"

Wu Yipeng gave another order.

Tang Chang then stretched out his hand.

Although Wu Yipeng was a civil servant, he also had some knowledge of medicine, so he decided to examine it himself.

"Your kidney qi is seriously deficient."

"Not like a child from a clean and wealthy family."

"How could the Imperial Household Department allow someone like you to pass the selection? The people at the Imperial Hospital are really unreliable!"

After Wu Yipeng said this, he instructed the officials of the Ministry of Rites, "Remember him. Also, send a letter to the Censorate to accuse the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Hospital of dereliction of duty!"

At this time, Tang Chang hated Wu Yipeng very much.

Because Wu Yipeng doesn't follow the rules.

But Wu Yipeng has his own considerations.

There are now very few officials above the rank of vice minister who came from the Nanzhi aristocratic families.

He did not want to be dismissed from office for another mistake, which would not only cause his own family to lose wealth, but also lead to a power gap among senior officials of the entire Nanzhi gentry.

Therefore, he knew that he could not have any other thoughts now and needed to cater to the emperor's needs during this period of time in order to consolidate and even elevate his position.

He also guessed that the emperor attached great importance to choosing a son-in-law for his sister because the emperor issued an edict only to select a son-in-law from Beizhi.

natural.

He had secretly decided not to be careless about this matter, so he did not intend to just go through the motions, but to screen it carefully personally.

Even though he knew that by doing so he might offend some of his fellow villagers who also intended to find out the inner court's details by manipulating the selection of the prince consort.

Next.

Wu Yipeng started to check other princes-in-law.

"You have an average appearance, how did you get selected?"

Wu Yipeng asked about Wu Jinghe at this time.

Wu Jinghe did not answer.

Wu Yipeng asked Wu Jinghe to read chapters and sentences from "The Great Learning".

Wu Jinghe suddenly turned around and left, just sneering at Wu Yipeng.

Wu Yipeng was greatly shocked and angry when he saw this.

But soon.

Wu Yipeng understood what was going on, so he stopped other officials from the Ministry of Rites who wanted to reprimand Wu Jinghe, and continued to investigate other princes-in-law.

Lu Bing quietly came to the Ministry of Rites and saw this scene while hiding under the corridor without informing anyone on the mission.

This made him secretly say: "There is something wrong with Cui Wen!"

Simultaneously.

Lu Bing also looked at Wu Yipeng with admiration and decided to tell Zhu Houcong everything he saw today.

Let’s talk.

At this time, Cui Wen was in Renshou Palace reporting to the two empress dowagers and Empress Zhuangsu about the selection of the royal consort.

Cui Wen smiled and said, "Your Majesties, the most talented and beautiful among them are Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe."

"is it?"

Empress Dowager Jiang asked with a smile and turned to look at her eldest daughter.

Princess Yongfu, who was staying here with Princess Yongchun, couldn't help but blush again.

Younger sister Yongchun smiled and said, "Sister is shy!"

Empress Dowager Zhang couldn't help but smile, and asked Cui Wen, "Where are these Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe you mentioned from? What are their family backgrounds and personalities like?"

"Go back to the Queen Mother."

"This Tang Chang was from Wujin, a Confucian scholar. His father was a doctor of the Imperial Academy, his grandfather was a tutor at the Imperial Academy, and his great-grandfather was a Jishan at the Prince of De's Palace."

"After talking to him, the servants all felt that he was gentle and refined, had a scholarly air, and was extremely frugal. Even now, he has no maids at home."

"And Wu Jinghe was from Wanping, and was a member of the Jinyiwei. His father was the general flag of the Jinyiwei, his grandfather was a centurion of the Jinyiwei, and his great-grandfather was an officer of the Jinyiwei."

"After talking to him, we feel that he is a man of great stature and integrity, and can handle heavy tasks with ease."

Cui Wen smiled and said, "I also asked them to present their poems."

Because the Nanzhi nobles behind Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe paid the most bribes here, Cui Wen especially admired these two people and took the initiative to help them increase their favorability with the two Empress Dowagers.

"is it?"

"Show it to us."

Empress Dowager Jiang spoke first at this time.

Cui Wen then took out the poem from his sleeve.

After Empress Dowager Jiang looked at it, she handed it to Empress Dowager Zhang and said, "Sister, take a look too."

Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said, "Not bad. Although it cannot be said to be very good, it is still pleasing to the eye."

Empress Zhuangsu Xia smiled and said, "In that case, the prince consort must be one of these two."

As Xia spoke, she couldn't help but look at Princess Yongfu.

Princess Yongfu's face was getting redder and she just pulled Princess Yongchun to go out.

Empress Dowager Jiang stopped her and said, "Ning'er, take a look yourself. It is said that one can tell a person's character by his writing. Take a look at their poems and see whose you like better."

"Yeah, let's see."

"That way we can decide for you when the time comes."

Queen Mother Zhang said.

Xia also smiled and stood up, pushed Princess Yongfu back onto the stool, and straightened her loose hair.

Princess Yongfu responded in a low voice, then took the poem and said to Cui Wen, "Thank you, Eunuch Cui."

Yongfu has always been gentle and polite, and treats his subordinates in a friendly manner.

Moreover, she was also worried that Cui Wen, the person who was directly responsible for choosing a prince consort for her, might not be devoted to her because he had grievances against her, so she became even kinder to Cui Wen.

But she was not very worldly-wise and therefore she underestimated the despicable nature of human beings.

"The slaves dare not!"

Although Cui Wen kowtowed and saluted with a look of fear on his face, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Princess Yongfu looked at these poems carefully.

Since Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe were candidates for the title of imperial son-in-law, they naturally made some cultural preparations.

Therefore, everyone can write poems.

While Princess Yongfu was reading, Princess Yongchun was also watching and said, "Sister, I think Wu Jinghe's is more imposing."

Princess Yongfu said, "Otherwise, this Tang Chang is obviously more experienced."

Empress Dowager Jiang and Empress Dowager Zhang couldn't help but smile at each other.

Half an hour later.

Cui Wen left Renshou Palace and went straight home, calling his family member Cui Ping.

"Go and tell Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe to pay attention to him recently. The two palaces are very satisfied with him."

"Especially Tang Chang. The princess prefers her poems. She should make sure he doesn't make any mistakes during this period."

Cui Wen smiled and spoke to Cui Ping.

But Cui Ping did not show any joy, but said to Cui Wen with a sullen face: "Master, the Ministry of Rites has rejected Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe!"

Cui Wen stopped smiling after hearing this and asked seriously, "What's going on?!"

"Minister Wu said that Tang Chang had a Wu accent and was not from Northern Zhili. He also said that he had a hidden illness, which was why his kidney qi was weak."

"As for Wu Jinghe, he refused to be reviewed and left the Ministry of Rites. Minister Wu thought he was arrogant and disrespectful, so he dismissed him."

Cui Ping replied.

When he thought of the benefits given to him by the people behind Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe, and that he had already paved the way for these two people with the two Empress Dowagers, and had also given their poems to the princess.

At this time, the Ministry of Rites suddenly did this.

Bang!
Cui Wen immediately slammed the table and shouted, "What on earth does Wu Changzhou want to do!"

Cui Ping could not help but remain silent.

after awhile.

Cui Wencai said, "Go to the Ministry of Rites and ask what's going on. It would be best if you could meet with someone close to Wu Changzhou and ask him what he means. I have to go to the Imperial Household Department immediately and suppress this matter before the Emperor finds out!"

Cui Ping agreed and left.

Cui Wen said this and walked quickly into the palace.

From this moment on.

He really started to panic, and his heart was in turmoil, like seven or eight monks drawing water with buckets.

Cui Wen immediately went to the Imperial Household Department, met Huang Jin, and said to Huang Jin: "Eunuch Huang, Wu Changzhou from the Ministry of Rites is provoking our inner court!"

"He dares!"

Huang Jin, who was drinking tea, heard Cui Wen say this, and hurriedly put the teacup heavily on the tea table, stood up, and asked Cui Wen: "How did he provoke?"

"He rejected the candidate for the prince consort selected by our eunuchs."

Cui Wen replied.

Huang Jin was slightly startled after hearing this, and then immediately instructed a eunuch beside him, "Go ask the secretarial office if there is a copy from the Ministry of Rites!"

"Yes!"

Cui Wen continued to say to Huang Jin: "Wu Yipeng said that Tang Chang, whom I strongly recommended, had a weak kidney qi, and Wu Jinghe was so strong and upright that he simply did not run for the election. He was judged as arrogant and rude."

"This involves the princess's selection of a consort, so we must be careful."

"Since the Ministry of Rites has doubts, we can just have someone review it. At least we have to report it to the Emperor."

Huang Jin said.

Cui Wen broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this.

then.

Cui Wen suddenly shouted loudly: "Eunuch Huang!"

Huang Jin couldn't help but look at him and asked solemnly, "Eunuch Cui, do you have anything else to say?"

"Wu Changzhou is from Nanzhi. You and I both know that the emperor is trying to reform Nanzhi and teach the Nanzhi nobles a lesson. If we report this to the emperor, he will think that we in the inner court are afraid of Nanzhi, so he will be furious!"

"Eunuch Huang, this is a serious matter!"

"So, we can't be careless!"

Cui Wen said anxiously.

"Eunuch Huang, there is a draft from the Ministry of Rites, which has just been drafted by the Cabinet."

At this time.

The eunuch who came back from the secretariat came back and gave the book to Huang Jin.

Huang Jin took the book, read it carefully, and then said to Cui Wen, "Eunuch Cui, you should explain what you said in front of the emperor yourself when the time comes."

"Eunuch Huang, no, this is a serious matter!"

Cui Wen was stunned after hearing this.

Huang Jin took the book and went to Qingning Palace.

Cui Wen fainted on the ground.

"Put Cui Wen and his entire family in jail!"

"That Tang Chang and Wu Jinghe, as well as the people behind them, should all be arrested together!"

"In addition, an imperial decree is issued to commend Wu Yipeng, promote him to the position of Crown Prince's Guardian, and reward him with fifty silver coins!"

Zhu Houcong had already received the information found out by Lu Bing. He learned that the old woman and several other women had indeed slandered Shen Xueli under the instigation of Tang Chang. He also learned that Wu Jinghe's selection was indeed the result of the manipulation of clerks behind the scenes.

In addition, there is the memorial from the Ministry of Rites sent by Huang Jin.

Zhu Houcong also issued a new order and told Huang Jin: "First, you will concurrently serve as the seal holder of the Internal Affairs Bureau, re-select the imperial consort, and notify the unsuccessful imperial consorts to come back for another election."

Huang Jin said yes.

After that.

Zhu Houcong left Qingning Palace with a gloomy face. He wanted to go and explain to Princess Yongfu and the two palaces in person.

Saying.

Shen Xueli doesn’t know yet that the emperor has ordered a re-election. He has just learned that he was eliminated from the Internal Affairs Bureau.

This made him quite disappointed.

Because he had made up his mind to become a royal consort, and because Yuan Zonggao had mentioned Princess Yongfu's temperament, he had once dreamed of the princess.

Although he only saw the back of her in his dream, he felt that he was suffering from lovesickness.

But now, he was eliminated.

This made Shen Xueli hide in the Imperial College for a period of time and study hard.

But on the next day.

Shen Xueli had been reading all night and was sleeping at his desk when he heard a eunuch's voice outside the cell: "Is Shen Xueli here?"

(End of this chapter)