Chapter 298: Return to the Capital

Chapter 298: Returning to the Capital

As Wu Zhongzi erupted in fury, over a dozen officials immediately stepped forward to echo him in unison:

"Venerable Wu is absolutely right! Censor Cheng has been eliminating traitors for the nation and speaking for the people!"

"The officialdom of Chengping has been plagued by deep-rooted abuses for too long; only severe punishment can bring order to such troubled times!"

"You are so eager to convict Lord Cheng—could it be that you are implicated with those corrupt elements?!"

These people were mostly colleagues of Cheng Ge from the Censorate, united by a shared outrage at this moment.

Their faces were full of fury as they confronted the officials of the Second Prince's faction tooth and nail, yielding not an inch.

Seeing this, the officials of the Second Prince's faction intensified their pressure.

Because of the incident at the Mid-Autumn banquet, they had long regarded Cheng Ge as a thorn in their side. Now that they had such a "handle," how could they easily let go?

"Your Majesty! Cheng Ge has indeed killed without cause! He has indeed paralyzed the prefectures and counties! If such conduct is not severely punished, how can we command the people's obedience?

How can we pacify the hearts of all officials? If this continues, the kingdom will no longer be a kingdom, Your Majesty!"

An old minister knelt down, weeping and wailing, as if Cheng Ge had committed the most heinous crime.

"I beg Your Majesty to issue an immediate decree to apprehend Cheng Ge and bring him to the capital to face judgment!"

More people followed suit and knelt down, their voices rising into a force of pressure bearing down on Zhou Mingqi.

Zhou Mingqi sat upright on the dragon throne, his face as dark as still water, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold dragon scales on the armrest.

He looked at the kneeling officials below and listened to their words that seemed loyal to the throne and patriotic but were actually full of factional selfishness. A surge of pent-up resentment churned in his chest.

Zhou Mingqi finally spoke, his voice low but carrying an unassailable authority.

Instantly silencing all the quarrels, he said, "Are you trying to force My hand?"

The kneeling officials trembled and quickly kowtowed: "We dare not, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please calm your anger—"

But while their mouths said they dared not and begged for the Emperor's calm, they still pressed forward relentlessly.

"Your Majesty, even if Cheng Ge is in the right, his methods are too harsh. If he is not punished slightly, it might dishearten all officials in the realm..."

"We shall discuss it later!" Zhou Mingqi suddenly stood up, flung his sleeve, his face ashen, and said, "Court is dismissed!"

Having said that, without waiting for the ministers' reaction, he turned and left the Golden Throne Hall directly.

Back in the Imperial Study, the suppressed anger in Zhou Mingqi's chest had not dissipated.

On the desk, memorials impeaching Cheng Ge had piled up like a mountain, continuously arriving like snowflakes, all demanding severe punishment for Cheng Ge to uphold national law.

He casually opened a few, and the more he read, the darker his expression became. He paced to the window, gazing at the bleak winter scene outside, his mind full of tangled and troubled thoughts.

He understood all too well that Cheng Ge had gone too far this time, giving political opponents too many grounds for attack.

The balance in the court had been broken. If he forcefully shielded him, it might spark even greater backlash.

Zhou Mingqi paced in the Imperial Study for a long time. Outside the window, dusk was settling in, casting an uncertain, grim light on his face.

He walked to the desk and rapped his knuckles sharply on the memorials impeaching Cheng Ge, finally making a decision.

"Summon a shadow guard."

A shadowy form appeared silently, like a specter, in the corner of the Imperial Study, kneeling on one knee: "Your Majesty."

Zhou Mingqi whispered some orders to him, and the shadow guard acknowledged and departed.

Yuanzhou, a cemetery on the outskirts. The cold, bleak wind was whipping up the unmelted snow.

Cheng Ge, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, knelt before the joint grave of Shen Chongzhuo and Su Wanyun. The ashes of burning spirit money swirled in eddies.

His face was so pale it seemed almost translucent, his eyes vacant as he stared at the two names side by side on the tombstone.

A dull ache in his chest, he turned his head, covered his mouth with his sleeve, and stifled heavy coughs several times, his shoulder blades moving visibly beneath his thin clothes.

"Young master, it's time to go back. The wind is strong outside." Funiang, her eyes red-rimmed, came forward and carefully helped him up.

Cheng Ge's legs were already numb. With Funiang's help, he rose unsteadily.

Lü Rou silently pulled a hood over him, concealing his bloodless face and cracked lips.

He looked at the tombstone, stood frozen for a moment, and then turned to leave.

Ling Feng, gripping his sword hilt, scanned the surrounding withered woods with hawk-like eyes, not letting his guard down in the slightest.

The remnants of Lian Wujing's forces were like mad dogs; assassination attempts had come in waves in recent days, so no slack was allowed.

The carriage reached the gate of the Censorate. Before it had come to a full stop, Ling Feng's eyes suddenly sharpened.

He saw two rows of guards standing solemnly at the Censorate gate, wearing ceremonial swords at their hips, completely different from local constables.

Outside the guards, many commoners who had heard the news had gathered, buzzing with whispers.

A guard clad in a qilin robe saw Cheng Ge disembark and immediately strode forward, saluting Cheng Ge with clasped hands respectfully, his voice loud and clear: "Are you Lord Cheng Ge?"

Cheng Ge cast a glance over these uninvited guests, already having an inkling of their purpose. His expression calm, he nodded slightly: "I am."

The guard chief said no more, stepped back, turned solemnly to face the crowd, produced a scroll of bright yellow silk from his bosom, and announced loudly: "Cheng Ge, receive the imperial edict—!"

As the sound spread, the surrounding commoners immediately knelt down in a wave, and even Ling Feng, Lü Rou, and others knelt at once.

Cheng Ge adjusted his robe, lifted the hem, knelt down calmly, and bowed his head to listen.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Imperial Inspector Cheng Ge, by imperial order, inspected Chengping, investigated maladministration, and set laws and discipline in order. His merits are evident.

However, his actions were extreme and his methods harsh, causing an uproar of criticism both in court and among the people.

To clarify the rule of law, he is hereby suspended from all duties and ordered to return to the capital immediately for investigation. Respect this decree—"

The wording of the edict left some room, even acknowledging his achievements.

But the eight words "suspended from duties" and "return to the capital for investigation" still pierced deeply into everyone's hearts like ice-cold awls.

Yet Cheng Ge's face showed no ripple, as if he had long expected this moment.

He slowly raised his hands, took off his black gauze hat, and placed it aside.

Then, with both hands raised steadily above his head, his voice was calm, without a trace of emotion.

"Your servant, Cheng Ge, receives the edict."

Just then, the guard bearing heavy shackles stepped forward, his intention clear.

This scene instantly ignited the pent-up emotions of the commoners, and the crowd erupted into a deafening roar of grief and anger:

"What crime has Lord Cheng committed!"

"Are you blind! Lord Cheng killed only those who deserved to die!"

"You can't arrest Lord Cheng! He is our only hope!"

"Wicked officials! You're the ones who should be arrested!"

The crowd surged forward like a bursting dam, trying to protect Cheng Ge.

The guards' faces changed, and with the sharp ringing of steel, their gleaming sabers were drawn in an instant. They barked harshly, "Step back! Anyone who charges the imperial escort will be slain on the spot!"