To Be A Virtuous Wife

97

At Court, as the speaker recited the contents of the investigation, the officials listened with wide eyes and gaping mouths. They didn't think Rui Wang would have committed so many crimes.

"Rui Wang, do you have anything to say?" He Heng calmly looked at He Yuan standing below, "When fuhuangwas alive, he was extremely good to you. Why did you have to commit such major crimes?"

"If Emperor wants to kill subject-di,then do as you wish. There's no need to talk so much," He Yuan did not beg for mercy. His face was full of scorn as though He Heng, sitting at the top, was just a joke, "If fuhuang really cared for me, then I wouldn't be standing here today. By saying this much, you just want to proclaim me disloyal and unfilial."

"Zhen has never thought that way," He Heng sighed, "We were almost born at the same time, and had played together as children. Zhen doesn't bear to kill you. Even more so, many of the acts were committed by your subordinates, and aren't seriously connected to you."

He Yuan furrowed his brows and then sneered. He wanted to see how He Heng would deal with him.

The officials looked at the expressions of the two brothers. On one hand, they were moved by the feelings of the Emperor, on the other, they felt helpless at Rui Wang's arrogance. Rui Wang had been arrogant and despotic in Jing for many years. Even now, with such undeniable evidence, he was still so unmanageable.

"Pass zhen's decree. Rui Wang exhibited unruly behavior, and forfeits his salary for five years. He allowed his subordinates to smuggle salt, and buy and sell official posts and titles. Zhen hurts at heart but as xiandi once told zhen to hold fraternal affection, zhen doesn't bear to but still has to punish. From this day forth, Rui Wang cannot enter court, is demoted from Qin Wang to Jun Wang, deprived of his salary for five years, and will write a list of his own crimes to be posted on the city gates of all the regional capitals of Jiang Nan. The wealth that was seized from the Jiang Nan case will not be taken into the Treasury. Zhen will personally send it to Jiang Nan so it can be used to fix roads and construct bridges in order to benefit the people of Jiang Nan." He Heng had a disappointed face as he stood, "Qing can all leave."

"The Emperor is wise, this subject asks to be excused," Everyone knelt to send the Emperor off, becoming even more respectful of the new Emperor.

The Emperor did not take Rui Wang's life, did not erase him from the Imperial House's lineage. That was due to fraternal love. The Emperor punished Rui Wang, used the wealth seized to construct infrastructure for Jiang Nan, and asked for him to write his own apology letter to post on the gates of Jiang Nan's cities, it was so the Emperor didn't want to fail the people. It really was a win all around, with no flaws.

This move seemed to look as though it was protecting Rui Wang, but on reflection, it was actually stomping Rui Wang to the ground. A wang yewho couldn't attend court, a wang yewho wrote his own crimes to present to the world. He wasn't a risk, and would become a blemish in history. In the future, people would most likely praise the Emperor for being loyal and righteous.

A ruler with such cunning, as subjects, they naturally had to be more cautious in their work. If they made the Emperor angry, even in death, they may not have a good name.

He Yuan quietly stood in the empty Grand Hall. The Emperor on the dragon chair had left, the officials beside him had also left. He looked calmly at the surroundings. A long time later, he smiled lightly: "To kill without a trace, as expected of my good brother."

"Your Highness," The little taijian who guarded the Great Hall carefully walked in front of him and informed in a small voice, "It's closing time."