Those in the DPRK who were dissatisfied with Shen Hong's power seized this opportunity to impeach him. Wen Huaimin was determined to protect him.
Prince Rui's cronies stood aside with gloomy expressions, their eyes flashing with reluctance and anxiety. They knew that if Shen Hong fell, they would also lose their influence in the court.
And Shen Hong's power is the bridge between them and Prince Rui.
In this whirlpool of power struggle, all parties are looking for opportunities to occupy a more favorable position in the court.
A trace of displeasure flashed in the eyes of Jiang Aoyuan, the Minister of Rites, he slapped the dragon chair and said angrily: "Shen Hong, this thief, has really brought disaster to the country and the people! How can our government tolerate him!"
Officials from various ministries also stood up one after another. They listed Shen Hong's crimes one by one with righteous words. There was a chilling atmosphere above the court, as if even the air had solidified.
Wen Huaimin's face was ashen, and he knew in his heart that the impeachment of Shen Hong was inevitable. He stood up suddenly and said loudly: "I am willing to vouch for Shen Hong! He is definitely not a treacherous villain!"
Prince Rui's cronies looked at Wen Huaimin nervously, knowing in their hearts that at this moment, Shen Hong's life and death was closely related to their interests.
They all prayed in their hearts, hoping that Wen Huaimin could turn the tide and save Shen Hong's life.
After all, how many people can escape alive if they fall into Jiang Yubai's hands? Even if he comes out alive, Shen Hong will definitely be a loser like his son in the future!
In a corner of the court hall, Jiang Yubai's figure was looming. He watched this game of power with cold eyes, a sneer on his lips.
In his eyes, those courtiers who fought for their own interests were just pawns, and Shen Hong's fate was already doomed. Jiang Yubai glanced at the nervous cronies of Prince Rui, and was secretly amused.
He knew what these people were afraid of. They were afraid of Shen Hong's downfall, their own interests being damaged, and even more afraid that Shen Hong's son would become a new threat.
He waited silently, waiting for an opportunity to defeat his opponent in one fell swoop.
The atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense, as if a tight string was about to break at any time.
Jiang Yubai went to someone's house and beat his concubine and grandmother half to death. He detained the people from Tai Hospital in the house without permission. He even refused to give her any medicinal materials and even used harsh words to provoke her.
Wen Huaimin and other forces opposed to Jiang Yubai seized this opportunity to condemn Jiang Yubai's behavior and tried to use this incident to weaken his influence.
"Why don't you just burn a junior to death? I am the mistress of the Shen family. It is not the turn of an outsider to teach a junior to punish a junior, right?"
Jiang Aoyuan was not accustomed to the style of this group of people. "Master Wen was surprised by what he said. Isn't the life of the younger generation not life? What's more, the Shen family is full of loyal people. Although the woman and child were the mistress of the Shen family, she was just a county magistrate. My daughter, with the power of the Shen family, Mr. Shen exchanged military merit for her a second-grade imperial title, and she is still not satisfied!"
Jiang Aoyuan's words were like a sharp knife, piercing the dullness in the court hall. His words seemed to light a fuse, causing the originally tense atmosphere to explode instantly.
Wen Huaimin's face changed slightly, and he thought to himself: "This Jiang Aoyuan has always been arrogant, and today he dares to provoke me in public. He really doesn't know how to live or die."
He took a deep breath and tried to calm down the anger inside him.
"It seems that you adults have not understood what I mean. Shen Zhiyi is my disciple. If anyone dares to touch a hair on his head, I will cripple him."
Emperor Jing was also shocked by Jiang Yubai's words. He felt that Jiang Yubai was very dangerous and difficult to control. However, the regent's efforts to protect him made him lawless in the court!
After going back and forth, Emperor Jing was a little confused by the noise. He had just stayed in the princess palace for a long time, and when he looked at her, she looked more and more like the late empress. He couldn't help but have some hallucinations. The eldest prince was about to return to the palace, and Emperor Jing didn't know yet. How to face him.
In anger, he and the queen were moved to guard the imperial mausoleum. They stayed away for twelve years.
Seeing that Emperor Jing was a little tired, the regent went off personally and said, "My lords, Governor Jiang must have made it very clear that the Shen family is at fault for this matter. Even if Governor Jiang really did something wrong, it is Shen Hong's fault. Mr. Shen, your concubine provoked this."
"Prince Regent! Your Majesty! Please be more careful. I have no harmful intentions!"
Wen Huaimin was so angry that he almost fainted. The regent, who was the biggest stumbling block for his nephew to ascend to the throne, dared to protect Jiang Yubai like this in front of all the ministers.
Lu Mingcheng, Prince Rui's close confidant, the Minister of Punishment, also couldn't stand it. Prince Rui and Prince Hengyuan would not be able to ascend the throne unless the regent's influence was eliminated.
The one they want to get rid of most is Jiang Yubai, who is in charge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies.
Meng Deming, the imperial censor in Beijing, was the most virtuous. He had long been dissatisfied with Jiang Yubai's villainous behavior, and now he used his apprentice as an excuse to show off his power in the court.
If you don't care, then what's the point of going against the grain?
Wen Huaimin looked at each other and stood up one after another to punish Jiang Yubai, "It is certainly wrong for Luo and Mrs. Shen to try to burn Shen Zhiyi to death, but this matter should be left to the people of the Yamen to judge, not you, the governor." You can intervene!"
"Both gentlemen, do you want to impeach this governor over this matter?"
"So what if you are impeached?" Wen Huaimin straightened his chest and responded without fear, "Although you, Jiang Yubai, are the governor, you cannot act arbitrarily and violate laws and disciplines. As an official of the imperial court, I have to eliminate harm for the people. Why not?"
Jiang Yubai smiled coldly, his tone full of disdain: "Mr. Wen, you are really a good person. That Luo family has evil intentions, but you speak for her, it is really shameful."
"That's nonsense!" Wen Huaimin retorted righteously.
"Don't you know why the princess was injured like that by Luo Shi, Mr. Wen?"
"Because the Luo family crossed the line and wore the phoenix hairpin without permission. The late queen personally gave it to my disciple, but the Luo family stole it and put it on her own head. How can such behavior go unpunished!" Jiang Yue Bai's retort was sharp and his expression was cold and arrogant.
It is ridiculous to say that Shen Qinghe, a concubine of the Shen family, who did not know the status of the family, took the hairpin of the first empress and even a concubine of hers tried to tarnish the dignity of the royal family.
Shen Qinghe dedicated the hairpin he received from Shen Zhiyi to the Luo family in an attempt to expand his power by forming an alliance with the Luo family.
The two of them were just blinded by stupidity and greed. One of them closed the door, but they didn't expect someone from the royal family to break in.
Shen Qinghe finally entered the palace and dressed up at the banquet in an attempt to attract the attention of a certain prince or grandson, so she put the royal gift on her head.
"Presumptuous! How can you, a governor, be so arrogant?" Wen Huaimin angrily shouted, "Luo's move not only offended the princess, but also violated the dignity of the royal family! This matter must not be let go!"
"Hmph! So what if I'm arrogant?" Jiang Yubai said proudly, "I am the governor appointed by the emperor himself. I hold great power. Who dares to disobey? And you, Wen Huaimin, have what qualifications do you have to tell me what to do?"
A trace of anger flashed in Wen Huaimin's eyes: "The emperor breaks the law and is guilty of the same crime as the common people! What's more, you, Jiang Yubai, are just a minister, how can you be above the law? Today I will eliminate harm for the country and the people!"
The quarrel between the two became more and more intense, while Emperor Jing silently observed all this.
"Come here!" As soon as Emperor Jing said this, several guards rushed out, "Take Master Shen Hong's concubine into a cell and hand it over to the Criminal Department for punishment!"
Stay late, I will never let anyone bully our children again.
"Shen An, the sacred objects I have given you cannot be worn by just any cat or dog. Shen Qinghe and Luo Shi made exactly the same mistakes. I really don't know how you manage your house!"
"I will fine you half a year's salary and take back the military power of Xuanwu Camp. I will take charge of it for you temporarily."
"I accept the punishment." Shen An responded in a low voice.
