Chapter 121 Play Him

Chapter 121: Impeach Him

Cheng Ge sleepwalked onto the carriage and caught some more shut-eye inside.

The timing for the morning court session was simply inhumane—you had to get up at three and start by five.

At this hour, even Dahuang hadn’t woken up; forget about people, even the resentment of ghosts couldn't even be suppressed.

Cheng Ge shook his head, slowly got off the carriage, and yawned big behind his sleeve.

He'd barely steadied himself when he heard a familiar voice from behind: “Hey, if it isn’t Cheng Xiezhi!”

Cheng Ge turned around and saw Wu Zhongzi striding over all fired up.

“It really is you! I was gonna drop by your place in a few days, but I never expected to run into you today.

What a great honor for me, Wu, to serve in court alongside Lord Cheng!”

Cheng Ge gave a start, quickly raised his sleeve to wipe the moisture from the corner of his eye.

Smiling, he cupped his hands and said, “You flatter me, Lord Wu. To work alongside you is also my honor.

That day, thanks to Lord Wu’s protection, I barely managed to survive. I am deeply grateful.”

As soon as Cheng Ge was done with the pleasantries, many people quickly gathered around, exchanging pleasantries.

“Lord Cheng is truly as handsome and extraordinary as the rumors say!”

“Indeed! Indeed! The very same official robe, when worn by Lord Cheng, takes on such elegance.”

Compliments were flying in from all sides, and Cheng Ge immediately got a big head.

Looking smug, he waved his hand and said, “You guys flatter me, it's nothing special!”

Of course, where some wanted to be friends, others couldn't stand him.

Suddenly, a cold laugh rang out from the crowd: “Just a brute dressed in official robes—a monkey in a cap.”

Cheng Ge’s expression darkened, and he slowly turned his head.

He wanted to see who made him have to slap someone when he was happiest.

The official who spoke looked about thirty, wearing a bluish-black official robe.

His eyes were full of undisguised contempt as he looked at Cheng Ge.

Cheng Ge raised his eyes and stared at the man for several seconds, confirming he didn't know the guy.

A nearby official whispered, “This is Xie Mingyuan, Vice Minister of the Dali Court, one of Liu Xianyue's protégés.”

Cheng Ge suddenly got it—so that's how it was. The corners of his mouth curled up, showing a mischievous grin.

He stepped forward two steps, stood in front of Xie Mingyuan, and deliberately leaned in closer.

He looked the man over like he was checking out a giant monkey.

This shameless staring made Xie Mingyuan really uncomfortable, and he instinctively took two steps back.

Pretending to stay calm, he asked, “What do you intend to do? Don't tell me you're about to start a fight?”

Cheng Ge, seeing this, chuckled lightly. He clasped his hands leisurely behind his back.

A cynical smile spread across his face as he drawled, "I'd like to ask you, Your Excellency, what rank of official are you?"

Xie Mingyuan was somewhat confused and instinctively replied, "I'm a sixth-rank Assistant Minister of the Dali Court. Do you have a problem with that?"

Cheng Ge's expression instantly turned stern. He straightened up and scolded sternly.

"If you are a Sixth-Rank official, why didn't you bow to me in salute! And you don't even call yourself 'your subordinate' in my presence—do you treat the court's ritual laws as nothing?"

Xie Mingyuan's face changed drastically. He had not expected Cheng Ge to suddenly invoke ritual law against him.

The surrounding officials also fell silent, all eyes turning to Xie Mingyuan.

Xie Mingyuan gritted his teeth. Though furious, he dared not defy the ritual laws.

Reluctantly, he bowed to Cheng Ge and said stiffly, "Your subordinate greets Lord Cheng."

Seeing this, the gathered officials quickly bowed to the high-ranking officials around them, completing the neglected courtesies.

A smirk played at the corner of his mouth, Cheng Ge circled Xie Mingyuan twice.

"Your official cap is askew, your belt is loose, and the left cuff of your court robe has a brown oil stain."

Cheng Ge leaned in and sniffed him, and said, "You reek of alcohol and a foul smell.

A proper appearance upholds court discipline. Lord Xie, coming before His Majesty in such a state—are you showing no regard for the Emperor at all?"

"I..." Xie Mingyuan's heart sank, and he began to defend himself.

Yet Cheng Ge gave him no chance.

"Lord Wu! This man who shows no regard for protocol between ruler and subject—you and I must submit an impeachment against him before His Majesty today!" Cheng Ge said to Wu Zhongzi.

On hearing this, Wu Zhongzi perked up, eager for action and loudly agreed: "Lord Cheng speaks truly! Such conduct is intolerable. I will join you in impeaching him!"

"Impeach him!!!"

"We must impeach him!!!"

When the officials of the Censorate heard the word "impeachment," they became as excited as if they'd had a shot of adrenaline and chimed in passionately.

Xie Mingyuan's face turned pale, cold sweat pouring from his forehead—he was already drenched in sweat.

He had never imagined that Cheng Ge would be so difficult to deal with, cornering him with just a few words.

He had only wanted to take a jab at him to vent for his teacher.

But instead of gaining anything, he came out the loser—publicly reprimanded, with both face and dignity stripped away.

At that moment, he wished the ground would swallow him up.

Such cases of disheveled attire leading to impeachment were not rare; the severity varied.

In the former dynasty, Grand Tutor Xiao was impeached for appearing before the Emperor with a loose cap and belt, charged with disrespect, and eventually dismissed from office.

During the reign of Emperor Taizu, Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of War, who came to court drunk and vomited on the imperial steps, was impeached by the Censorate, given thirty strokes of the cane, and dismissed.

In the tenth year of Longde, a director from the Ministry of Personnel, still groggy upon waking, put his black gauze hat on backward. The current Emperor immediately rebuked him on the spot, calling it 'an upside-down hat, a great disrespect,' and dismissed him from office.

If you really wanted to make a big deal out of it, you could get anything from a slap on the wrist to losing your job.

Some officials had originally wanted to help Xie Mingyuan deal with Cheng Ge, but upon seeing this scene, they immediately shut their mouths.

That Cheng Ge guy is way too reckless.

And now with that old troublemaker Wu Zhongzi backing him, no one could be sure he wouldn't come after them for something.

Cheng Ge, seeing that Xie Mingyuan didn't dare say another word, got even cockier.

"Look! The celestial dog is eating the moon!" Cheng Ge shouted, and everyone immediately looked up at the sky.

While everyone was distracted, Cheng Ge quickly flipped him off and whispered, "Loser."

Xie Mingyuan: "!!!"

"Where? Where's the celestial dog eating the moon? I don't see it!"

Cheng Ge patted the other's shoulder and said, "Ah! The celestial dog was in a bad mood today, so he puked the moon back up."

All the officials: "..."

Just then, a sound from a distance signaled that roll call and ID check were about to start.

Everyone immediately put on a serious face, adjusted their robes and hats, and walked toward the left gate.

Cheng Ge shot a triumphant glance at Xie Mingyuan and swaggered along with the procession.

After waiting in line for a while, it was finally Cheng Ge's turn. He handed his ivory nameplate to the inspecting guard.

The guard took the nameplate, glanced at it, and immediately looked up at Cheng Ge.

As if sensing something, Cheng Ge looked toward the other. When he recognized the face, his eyes immediately lit up.

There was a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Ah, you got promoted too? What a coincidence!"