Chapter 30 This humble woman wants to report this!
Everyone was stunned.
Grand Tutor Liu covered his burning left cheek, completely stunned.
He turned around in disbelief to look at his wife, who had just been looking at him with concern.
"Madam, you..."
He hadn't even asked the question yet.
Another resounding slap landed hard on his right cheek.
This time, the old lady used all her strength.
Grand Tutor Liu was so badly hit that he almost fell to the ground. His cheeks swelled up at a visible speed, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"You've gone mad!" Grand Tutor Liu exclaimed, both shocked and furious.
The old lady gave him no chance to react, and with both hands, slapped him like raindrops.
The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the Golden Palace, sending chills down the spines of all the officials.
Soon, Grand Tutor Liu's old face was slapped into a colorful, swollen mess.
"Okay, okay!"
The old lady finally stopped, her chest heaving with anger, her well-maintained phoenix eyes filled with boundless fury.
"Liu Cheng! Is this how you treat me?!"
"I bore you children and managed this vast family business! Our son, though lame since childhood, is exceptionally talented. He achieved the highest rank of Tan Hua (third-place scholar) through his own abilities, bringing glory to our family!"
"Our daughter is a renowned talented woman in the capital, knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle, and virtuous!"
"I ask you! What have I, the Wang family, done to wrong you? Why do you deceive me, humiliate me, and lie to me like this!"
Grand Tutor Liu was completely stunned by the beating.
He covered his face, which was swollen like a pig's head, feeling wronged and confused.
What on earth is going on?
While he was still in the imperial court, his wife suddenly acted like a madwoman, hitting and scolding him.
Could it be...?
A sudden inspiration struck him.
Could it be that the Wang family of Langya has already turned around and supported that young girl behind his back?
That's impossible!
He is the rightful son-in-law of the Wang family! What is that little empress anyway! Why would the Wang family turn against him for her sake?
He just couldn't understand it! He really couldn't understand it!
Wang Tonghua raised her hand and slapped him again: "What are you doing here making a fool of yourself? Get out of here with me right now!"
Grand Tutor Liu, who was already confused by the repeated beatings, lost his temper and shoved his wife.
Wang Tonghua was over fifty years old and her health was not good to begin with. When her husband pushed her like that, she fell to the ground and looked over in disbelief: "Liu Cheng, how dare you lay a hand on me?"
Liu Cheng was furious and flung his sleeve, saying, "Why can't I take action? It's one thing for a woman to appear in the court, but to act so recklessly here, what about the dignity of the entire court? What about the fate of my Great Yu dynasty?"
Yu Zhaoning, who was swinging her short legs on the dragon throne and watching with great interest, heard this.
He quickly leaned his little head closer and quietly communicated with the system in his mind.
[Oh dear, what's going on? This is a live broadcast of a family drama! How did it get dragged into the affairs of state?]
[Why did they suddenly start fighting? Did Old Liu's wife find out what he was doing?]
[I knew it! You can't hide something like this forever! The truth will always come out!]
[Furthermore, the Empress Dowager said that domestic violence either happens zero times or countless times; the old lady must not compromise!]
Yu Zhaoning shook her head like a little adult, and finally gave her judgment.
[I bet Old Madam Wang's sudden intrusion into the Imperial Palace today wasn't out of concern for her husband fainting; she just wanted to take advantage of the entire court to deliver a fatal blow to that scumbag!]
She was just saying it casually.
Unexpectedly, His Highness's wife soon made her next move.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the pain in her eyes, turned to face the dragon throne, and knelt down decisively.
He straightened his spine, each word dripping with emotion, his voice trembling.
"Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager!"
"Your Majesty, I have urgent business to report!"
"This humble woman wishes to report the Grand Tutor of the court, Liu Cheng, for deceiving the emperor, corrupting the palace, embezzling public funds, and forming cliques for personal gain!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked up.
Everyone's eyes were wide open, like saucers!
Why the sudden reporting? The old lady is as brave as ever!
As expected of the eldest daughter of the Wang family, who was famous throughout the entire Dayu Kingdom and was able to take up a spear and ride a horse to the battlefield to save her father!
Liu Cheng, who was reported, was struck dumb, as if by lightning.
I thought to myself, this woman must be crazy!
Doesn't she know that husband and wife are one? They share both glory and loss!
Reporting her? What good will that do her? This stupid woman, at her age, how can she still be so clueless!
Meeting her husband's shocked and angry gaze, the old lady merely curled her lips coldly and smiled mockingly.
Do you think I can't live without you?
"Do you think that I, Wang Tonghua, can only rely on you, Liu Cheng, and be your shadow?"
"I come from the Langya Wang clan, a family with a history of over a hundred years. For generations, my family has produced officials and scholars, and our disciples and former officials are all over the world. We have produced more kings and generals than you have ever seen rats!"
"Liu Cheng, you underestimate me!"
[Oh dear, the old man's getting anxious! He thinks he can still control the old lady!]
On the dragon throne, Yu Zhaoning's little feet swung even more enthusiastically.
[Naive! So naive! The old lady's family is the Langya Wang clan, a top-tier wealthy family! Even without you, you old scumbag, she's still a dignified legitimate daughter of the Wang family. Isn't it better for her to retire to her family home than to face your pig-faced face?]
Yuan Hua listened to his granddaughter's heartfelt words and nodded approvingly.
That's right!
Lin Xiang silently gave Madam Wang a thumbs up in his heart.
As expected of a daughter of the Wang family, her character and demeanor are truly extraordinary!
Looking into his wife's cold eyes, Liu Cheng finally felt fear.
All the fervor vanished instantly.
The Grand Tutor Liu, who had just been speaking righteously and sternly, suddenly collapsed to his knees and knelt on the ground, taking two steps toward Madam Wang.
"My lady! My lady, you must have misunderstood! You've misunderstood your husband!"
He burst into tears, sobbing and lamenting with great emotion.
"You've been with me for decades, don't you know who I am? How could I possibly do such a thing!"
"Quickly! Tell His Majesty and the Empress Dowager that you were just joking! We're family, how can you report on your own family? If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off!"
As he spoke, he tried to tug at Madam Wang's sleeve, but she shook him off.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, craning their necks, their eyes burning with gossip.
They were also very curious: did this Mrs. Wang really have some substantial evidence to back up her claim so confidently?
The Second Prince, Yu Jinghong, standing at the end of the line, was completely dumbfounded.
What exactly happened?
Why did the winds of change suddenly shift throughout the court?
Just a moment ago, weren't they fiercely attacking the little empress and trying to enthrone him?
How did it all turn into a family ethics interrogation of the old grand tutor in the blink of an eye?
Yu Jinghong shuddered, a series of terrifying thoughts rising in his mind.
Next, will it be his turn?
He subconsciously shrank his neck and quietly took small steps back, wishing he could squeeze himself into the shadow of the pillar.
Please don't involve me! Please don't involve me! I don't know anything!
On the dragon throne, Yu Zhaoning, who had been watching the show the whole time, finally sat up straight.
She cleared her throat, her small face serious, and spoke solemnly.
"Madam Wang, do you know what a serious crime it is to slander a veteran of three dynasties?"
"Since you say you want to report it, do you have any evidence?"
Although she spoke solemnly, her big, dark eyes kept darting around.
[Evidence! Evidence! Throw the evidence in his face!]
[My sunflower seeds, peanuts, and small drinks are all ready! Let's get started!]
Yuan Hua, standing on the platform, couldn't help but chuckle. He nodded to his granddaughter, signaling her to continue.
Encouraged by her grandmother, Yu Zhaoning stood up even straighter.
Lady Wang bowed deeply once more towards the dragon throne, her voice firm and resonant.
"Your Majesty, since I dare to speak in this imperial palace, I naturally have solid evidence!"
She turned her head and gave Liu Cheng, whose face was ashen, a cold glance.
"Liu Cheng, you probably didn't expect this, did you? These past few days, all the letters you sent to officials who were suppressed or framed by you, denouncing you, have been secretly intercepted by me!"
"I originally intended to leave you with some dignity, and when you returned, I would burn all these things to the ground so you could live out your old age in peace!"
"What a pity..." Madam Wang sighed, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Since you were unkind first, then don't blame me for being unjust!"
Having said that, she called out to the outside of the hall, "Someone, bring the things here!"
Grand Tutor Liu's heart skipped a beat, and the last trace of color drained from his face.
He scrambled over to stop him, desperately trying to explain.
"Madam! I was wrong! I was blinded by greed! Please give me another chance! For the sake of the children..."
However, Madam Wang remained resolute and didn't even glance at him.
Soon, two guards from the Wang family carried a heavy nanmu wood box up into the hall.
Guided by the eunuch, the box was presented to the emperor.
Little Yu Zhaoning curiously poked her head out and opened the box herself.
[Wow! Ledgers! Several thick ledgers!]
[Huh? There's another roll of parchment? What's drawn on it? All winding and twisting... oh dear! Isn't this a map of our palace? And a encrypted one at that!]
[There are many small red circles drawn in vermilion ink above, with the times marked "Zi Shi" and "Chou Shi" next to them. What does this mean? Could it be...?]
[I get it! This old man's got some nerve! He makes these secret meetings like a spy rendezvous! This is a rendezvous route map!]
Lin Xiang's expression also changed, becoming serious.
If corruption, bribery, and forming cliques only ruined Liu Cheng's reputation, then the act of secretly possessing the imperial palace's secret passage map was a completely different matter!
The eunuch presented the evidence to the Empress Dowager for review.
The old lady stood tall, her words eloquent and clear, her voice resounding throughout the entire hall.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager! This box contains a map showing the secret passages through which my husband had affairs with several palace maids! It details the locations and times of their meetings!"
"There are also several ledgers here, all of which are irrefutable evidence of his years of forming cliques for personal gain, embezzling public funds, and selling official positions!"
Upon hearing this, the smiles and amused expressions on the faces of all the officials vanished instantly.
Everyone gasped in shock.
Is all of this really true?
This highly respected elder statesman, praised by the late emperor as a pillar of the nation, was actually such a hypocrite behind the scenes.
Yuan Hua quickly flipped through the ledger, his face growing darker with each page he read.
When she saw the detailed map of the palace's secret passages, which even marked the corners of the walls where there was a dog hole, her face instantly tightened, and a cold light flashed in her phoenix eyes.
She slammed the account books and maps heavily onto the imperial desk, making a loud noise.
"Excellent! What a splendid veteran of three reigns! What a pillar of the nation!"
The voice was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.
"I don't think they're the pillars of the nation, they're the termites of the nation!"
"Someone come here!"
"Seize this traitorous minister! Throw him into the imperial prison!"
The golden-armored guards in front of the palace immediately stepped forward and supported Grand Tutor Liu, who was already limp as a rag doll.
Just then, several officials who had close ties with Grand Tutor Liu stepped forward, trembling as they knelt down to plead for mercy.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Grand Tutor Liu, he..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yuan Hua grabbed an account book and threw it directly at their faces!
"Calm down? Open your eyes and see for yourselves!"
"Look at the kind of people you're all protecting! Look at the heinous crimes he's committed!"
The men were covered in dust and dirt, looking utterly disheveled, but they didn't dare utter a single word.
Yuan Hua slowly stood up, looking down at everyone in the hall. Finally, his gaze fell on the map, and his voice rose, filled with obvious killing intent.
"besides!"
"The map of the imperial palace's secret passages is the highest secret of our Great Yu Dynasty, never to be revealed to outsiders! Only emperors and empress dowagers of past dynasties have known it!"
"Liu Cheng! Tell me, where did you get this map?"
"What are your intentions in possessing such secrets?"
"Are you trying to rebel?!"