Chapter 117 - 116: The Substitute Bride Eldest Miss 32

Chapter 117: Chapter 116: The Substitute Bride Eldest Miss 32

Chu Qingyun gently gathered Yu Ze into his arms, patting him soothingly. "Yu Ze, my son, you must know that in this world, if you want to truly deal with someone, you can’t act on impulse and anger alone. You need to understand them deeply, to know what they think and what they’re plotting. ’Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will emerge victorious from a hundred battles.’ Do you understand the principle behind this?"

Yu Ze blinked his bright eyes and replied earnestly, "Your son understands. For Imperial Censor Liu to criticize the Empress so recklessly, he must have a reason. Your son needs to investigate this thoroughly, and then find a way to stop him from ever running his mouth again."

Chu Qingyun nodded slightly, his expression growing serious. "Yu Ze, we are the Royal Family. The world is in our hands. It’s true that if we want to silence someone, a single word might be all it takes. But there are countless people in this world; how can we possibly gag every wagging tongue? If we suppress every opponent with brute force, it will only breed resentment, and in time, we will lose the hearts of the people. That is why we must use wisdom and strategy, distinguish right from wrong, and handle matters with justice to win them over completely. Only then can we ensure the long-term stability of the Royal Family and the security of our nation. Do you understand the difficult lesson I am trying to teach you?"

Yu Ze pondered for a moment before nodding firmly. "Father Emperor, I understand. I will take your teachings to heart, refrain from acting impulsively, and learn to solve problems with wisdom and strategy."

"Good. I’m glad you understand my intentions."

Having said that, Chu Qingyun summoned a eunuch.

"Have You Yi go beat up all of Imperial Censor Liu’s sons. And remember to put sacks over their heads."

Yu Ze’s eyes went wide in disbelief.

"Father Emperor, but didn’t you just say we shouldn’t use force?"

"He dared to speak ill of your Mother Empress. Are you saying we’re not allowed to blow off some steam? Imperial Censor Liu may be old, but his sons are young and in their prime. I’m sure they can take a beating. Understanding him is important, yes, but so is venting our anger. The dignity of the Royal Family cannot be challenged. We must make them understand the consequences."

Yu Ze agreed completely. "Father Emperor, can I go watch?"

"Of course not. If you go in person, you’ll be giving them leverage against us."

"Fine..."

That night, wails of agony rose and fell from the various courtyards of the Liu Mansion, like the cries of ghosts in the dead of night, shattering the former tranquility.

When Imperial Censor Liu was startled from his sleep and scrambled out of bed to see what was happening, he found all eight of his sons—from both his wife and concubines—looking as though they had been savagely beaten.

Each and every one of them was bruised and swollen, some with trickles of blood at the corners of their mouths, and their clothes were torn to rags.

Imperial Censor Liu stared, his eyes wide with disbelief and rage.

He pointed at his injured sons with a trembling hand, his voice a hoarse roar. "What in the world is going on? Who would be so audacious as to attack someone in my Liu Mansion?"

Several of the sons whimpered and cried, but none could clearly say who was responsible.

Imperial Censor Liu trembled with fury, pacing back and forth in the courtyard. In an instant, the entire Liu Mansion was thrown into a state of panic and confusion.

This went on for several days. Imperial Censor Liu’s sons were repeatedly beaten until they were barely breathing. It was only then that the Censor realized the number of beatings his sons had received was exactly equal to the number of times he had slandered the Empress.

At this point, how could he not understand?

Knowing the Empress’s temperament, she wouldn’t have cared about those who criticized her. But the Emperor... he was another matter entirely.

Looking at his half-dead sons lying in their beds, tears streamed down the old Censor’s face. That very day, he removed his official’s hat and knelt at the gates of the Imperial Palace to plead for forgiveness.

To prove that his praise for the Empress’s virtues was well-reasoned and sincere, he even composed a special essay.

"Your humble subject has now observed the Empress’s virtue and finds her a true paragon among women. She established medical clinics for women, allowing them to learn medicine and save lives—an act of the highest benevolence. She opened schools for girls, enlightening their minds—a deed whose merit will last for a thousand years. Moreover, she advised Your Majesty to repair the official roads, which benefits the people’s travel and promotes the flow of commerce, bringing prosperity to all. My previous words were reckless, and my shame and regret know no bounds..."

The sprawling essay was a thousand words long, and Imperial Censor Liu recited it aloud three times.

By now, a large crowd of onlookers had already gathered at the gate of the Imperial Palace.

There were street vendors and laborers, scholars and scribes, and even high-ranking officials and nobles.

An old man dressed in coarse linen said, "Well, Imperial Censor Liu is speaking the truth for once. The Empress’s work in opening clinics and schools is an act of immeasurable merit."

A young, scholarly-looking man chimed in, "Yes, the Empress’s deeds will be celebrated by later generations. The fact that Imperial Censor Liu has come to his senses shows he isn’t completely clueless."

A lavishly dressed noblewoman added, "The Empress carries the world in her heart. A person of such virtue deserves the admiration of all her people. It shows he’s not a complete fool that Imperial Censor Liu can finally recognize the Empress’s quality."

A small merchant couldn’t help but pipe up, "I don’t get all the high-and-mighty talk, but I know the Empress is doing good things. For Imperial Censor Liu to admit his mistake, he must have some conscience left."

A middle-aged scholar remarked with feeling, "The Empress’s benevolent deeds are a blessing to all people. For Imperial Censor Liu to repent so thoroughly, it shows he has some integrity left."

A young master from a wealthy family said, "The Empress is so virtuous. Imperial Censor Liu must have been blind not to see it before. Good thing he’s finally seen the error of his ways."

A man who looked like an official nodded. "The Empress’s accomplishments are plain for all to see. Imperial Censor Liu admitting his mistake and offering praise is a case of ’better late than never,’ I suppose."

An old woman wiped a tear from her eye. "Thanks to the Empress, we women can get an education and see a doctor. It’s good that this Imperial Censor Liu finally gets it."

A young woman said with a smile, "The Empress is a role model for all women. It’s only right that Imperial Censor Liu praise her."

A burly street performer declared loudly, "The Empress’s good deeds command respect! It’s not too late for Imperial Censor Liu to admit he was wrong!"

As Imperial Censor Liu listened to the crowd’s chatter, he felt a storm of resentment brewing inside, but he could only suppress it. He even had to force a smile to his face, feigning an attitude of humble acceptance.

Just then, a eunuch sent by the Emperor hurried over and announced loudly, "His Majesty acknowledges that Imperial Censor Liu has seen the error of his ways and is sincerely repentant, and that you now deeply appreciate the Empress’s virtue. Therefore, past matters will not be pursued further. His Majesty hopes that in the future, Imperial Censor Liu will assist him with an impartial heart and strive for the prosperity of the nation."

Imperial Censor Liu immediately fell to his knees to express his gratitude. "This subject will serve His Majesty with my life to repay this immense kindness!"

The eunuch continued, "The Empress is magnanimous and has graciously bestowed a fine medicine, which she ordered me to bring to you, Imperial Censor Liu. Her Majesty said that your eight sons need only take this medicine as prescribed, and they will be fully recovered within half a month."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Liu was moved to tears of gratitude, saying over and over, "The Empress’s great benevolence! I shall never forget this kindness for as long as I live!"

The crowd of onlookers, too, sighed in admiration at the Empress’s magnanimity and compassion.

He took the medicine home and gave it to his eight sons, and indeed, they began to improve almost immediately. It was only then that Imperial Censor Liu found himself being chased around and beaten with a cane by his own mother.