So what? The charges they painstakingly gathered before were far more serious, and the evidence was irrefutable, yet they couldn't bring down the Grand Tutor, whom the Emperor favored. Do they really think this trivial matter will convict him?
That's wishful thinking!
The King's vague expectations were dashed, and he casually fiddled with the few pieces of paper.
You Tong continued, "Your Highness has been competing with Grand Tutor Xu for two years, and you must have figured out his temperament. He may not be very ruthless in court, but because of his reputation, he is admired by civil officials and trusted by the Emperor. He has not committed any murder, robbery, or factionalism in his household, so it will not be easy to punish him under the law."
Seeing that the King of England looked up at him, knowing that he had taken his words to heart, he asked, "Your Highness, what do you think is the foundation of his position?"
“A good reputation,” the King of England said in a deep voice.
Neither he nor Xu Chaozong had capable military generals by their side. One tried to win over Wei Jian, and the other tried to win over the Fu family. In the capital, they could only rely on the favor of the Six Ministries and the emperor. He had the emperor's favoritism and had an advantage in the harem, while Xu Chaozong had the eloquent and highly respected Grand Tutor Xu, which gave him an advantage in the court. In this back-and-forth, Xu Chaozong took full advantage of the Grand Tutor's reputation.
You Tong then asked, "What does His Highness value most?"
That would naturally be a matter of reputation. The King of England's brow twitched slightly as he glanced at the few thin sheets of paper on the table.
A moment later, he looked up at You Tong again and felt that her eyes were calm and firm, as if she had a plan in mind, which was different from his previous impression of her.
He glanced at her twice and raised his hand to indicate that she should not stand on ceremony.
You Tong then stood up and said, "Back then, the Xu family stirred up trouble, doing everything they could to spread rumors and slander, trying their best to smear me and get everyone in the city to curse me. At first, I thought they wanted to use rumors to force me to commit suicide so as to avoid future troubles. But then I thought, if the Xu family wanted to kill me, they might have other ways. Why make such a big fuss and put me, Prince Rui, and Xu Shu on the spot?"
The King of England was also puzzled by this, but he didn't pay much attention to the rumors about their private affair and didn't think about it in detail.
He casually asked, "Have you figured it out?"
"Grand Tutor Xu established himself on his reputation, and what he feared most was any damage to it. Xu Shu was his prized granddaughter, who married Prince Rui and was known for her virtue. Yet this granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, a woman of noble birth, betrayed her friend and stole her lover. If it were anyone else, they might not care, let alone make a fuss about it. But Grand Tutor Xu went to great lengths to smear me and protect his granddaughter. This shows how much he values his reputation."
That made some sense, and the King straightened up slightly. "So?"
"His reputation is both his sword and his Achilles' heel. Your Highness, imagine if this matter were to become known, and the discussions of two years ago were to resurface. Would Grand Tutor Xu, who values his reputation so much, be able to bear it? I wonder if Your Highness has heard the story of how a few words can kill an old treacherous minister? At that time, my father will find an opportunity to question him in public. Given Grand Tutor Xu's age, what do you think Your Highness will do?"
This method was unexpected by the King of England.
He had previously focused his efforts on the imperial court and had never considered these unorthodox methods.
Thinking back now, even when Grand Tutor Xu was full of confidence during the debates in the court, he often argued until his face turned red. Now that he has done something despicable, if he is condemned by everyone and scolded by thousands, and then publicly cursed by Wei Sidao, even if he is not so angry that he dies on the spot, he should be so angry that he feels depressed and can barely survive.
That reputation for benevolence and virtue will likely crumble without a fight.
The King of England picked up the few pieces of paper, looked at them several times, and then said, "You want me to help you?"
"If this matter succeeds, it will be able to avenge my old grudges. Your Highness will also enjoy great favor and will have one less formidable enemy in the court. However, Prince Rui and Grand Tutor Xu are very powerful. With the Wei family's strength, it will be difficult to clear the name of the wronged, and the Jingzhao government may not dare to investigate the case. I only ask that Your Highness can order the government to conduct a fair trial and spread the news after the witnesses have confessed."
That's not difficult; the Prefect of Jingzhao was someone he had promoted, and he had influence in the Prince of Ying's mansion.
As for spreading rumors, that's a trivial matter. The storm he can stir up will be a hundred times more exciting than the one the Xu family caused back then.
He would be happy to see Grand Tutor Xu's hypocritical face torn off and that old scoundrel who deceived the world die of anger. If he could really hit Grand Tutor Xu's weak spot, he wouldn't even need Wei Sidao to step in; he could find a sharp-tongued censor to berate him until he was so enraged that he would die of anger.
There was only one thing the King of England couldn't understand—
"The Fu family is a stronghold in this region. If Fu Yu were to go to the capital, it wouldn't be difficult for the Prefect of the Capital to handle the case impartially. And you come to beg me for help?"
This is because they have doubts and fear that she might be trying to scam them.
You Tong chuckled to herself, “Your Highness is so sharp-witted and perceptive, surely you know that I have already divorced Fu Yu in Qizhou City.”
"Oh?" The King of England raised his hand to drink his tea. "He married you when you were in dire straits."
You Tong's face showed a mocking expression, "But he is also loyal to Prince Rui and is unwilling to fall out with him over such a personal matter as mine. After all, Grand Tutor Xu is Prince Rui's right-hand man. To be honest, Your Highness, I am a man who has died once, and my hatred runs deep. If I do not avenge this, I will not have peace in this life. My father has endured humiliation for two years in order to gather evidence. He will not give up until this matter is accomplished!"
Although the voice was not loud, it was firm and full of hatred.
His demeanor was dignified and composed, and it was by no means a willful fantasy—Wei Sidao had endured for two years and was able to find this evidence, which clearly showed that he had put in a lot of effort.
The King of England scrutinized You Tong, and after a long while, suddenly smiled.
It is said that hatred and death can temper one's character, and this seems to hold some truth in Wei Youtong's case. At least at this moment, her words, expressions, and demeanor are already different from the girl who only knew how to flirt with Xu Chaozong.
He had heard rumors about the Fu family's divorce, though he didn't know if You Tong's words were true or not, but regarding Grand Tutor Xu...
The Wei family was the ones who spearheaded the court battles and denounced Grand Tutor Xu. He only needed to give a heads-up and wait for the case to become clear before having someone spread the word. He didn't need to exert any effort.
If anything seems amiss, he can back down at any time.
The King of England examined the papers for a long time before saying, "You should send someone to the Jingzhao government office to file a complaint. If this matter is indeed true, someone will help you spread the word."
That means you're willing.
You Tong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, loosened her sweaty hands, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, you may simply wait for good news."
...
After You Tong left the mansion, Prince Ying sent someone to the Jingzhao government office to deliver a message, while also sending people to follow and keep an eye on her. He learned that there was no unusual activity in front of the Wei family's gate, and that Wei You Tong had only managed to return to the capital from Qizhou with great difficulty by relying on the escort of bodyguards and pretending to be a common woman traveling by roadside. He was somewhat relieved.
After making arrangements with the Jingzhao government, Wei Sidao personally delivered the petition with his servants.
He had previously consulted a colleague in the Ministry of Justice with whom he had a close personal relationship, and the indictment and evidence were all prepared thoroughly. The Jingzhao Prefecture accepted the case, and because the Prince of Ying had given instructions, they did not delay for a moment. Before the Xu family heard the news, they arrested the ringleaders of the rumors and interrogated them in court.
These people are all ordinary folks who make a living in the city. While they are well-informed, they are not necessarily all discreet.
Some vehemently denied the allegations, while others, unable to withstand the pressure, confessed and implicated one of Xu's stewards. Once this opening was made, the rest became much easier to uncover. The Jingzhao government summoned the Xu family steward, and after a thorough investigation, they even found evidence that the steward had bribed someone to keep quiet. Seeing an opportunity, the Prince of Ying ordered his chief secretary to provide some assistance, lest the Xu family interfere and ruin the plan.
The truth of the case came to light in just two days.
Needless to say, the Xu family steward and the person who spread the rumors were dealt with according to the law. However, outside the Jingzhao government office, this matter caused a great uproar.
The King of England's publicity was even more extravagant than the Xu family's initial display. Moreover, the case was heard in court, witnessed by many, and all those involved confessed and accepted their punishment—a verifiable and convincing outcome. The gossipy people of the capital still remembered the day Wei Youtong was scolded; now, with the King of England secretly fueling the flames, the story spread like wildfire, and the Xu family became the talk of the town.
Those who are insightful will immediately sense something amiss, and upon hearing this matter, they will understand even more clearly.
He immediately realized that Grand Tutor Xu was truly despicable. Not only did he gain the advantage of marrying into the royal family, but he also smeared the Wei family's daughter for no reason, ruining the reputation and honor of a teenage girl, driving her to the brink of despair and suicide. Even after she was saved, he still relentlessly slandered her. He was truly vicious and his heart deserved to be punished!
Although no one dared to curse Princess Rui, when they secretly discussed royal secrets, they all cursed Grand Tutor Xu as a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Seeing that the situation was very favorable, the King of England spread rumors that Grand Tutor Xu was a fraud and a charlatan, unworthy of being called a human being.
As the news spread like ripples, the Wei family's stewards and servants became unusually fond of going out these days. They would listen to the complaints about the Xu family in teahouses and taverns, and then excitedly relay them to You Tong upon their return.
Upon hearing this, You Tong merely sneered.
If Xu Shu had merely stolen Xu Chaozong's love and forced him into marriage, she might not have held a grudge so deeply, since it was Xu Chaozong's choice between love and the court. But the Xu family, having gained an advantage, refused to behave themselves, instead stirring up rumors throughout the city, driving the young original owner to the brink of suicide and still not letting her go, determined to wipe her out completely. That was reaping what they sowed, and they deserved to die!
I heard that on the day the case became clear, Grand Tutor Xu fell ill and was bedridden with anger. I wonder what will happen to him now that he is being condemned by the whole city.
As a princess, how would Xu Shugui feel as she watched her past ugly deeds resurface?
You Tong was really looking forward to it.
Chapter 92 So angry I could die
The Xu family has been extremely anxious these past two days, like ants on a hot pan.
When he first slandered Wei Youtong, Grand Tutor Xu had considered killing him to silence him and prevent future trouble. However, in the capital, under the emperor's nose, even killing an ordinary citizen might not escape the notice of the constables in the capital's yamen, let alone those spreading rumors who were influential figures from all walks of life. It was even more difficult to take action. If he angered them, they might become desperate and ruthless, revealing something that would only bring trouble to the Xu family.
At that point, Xu Chaozong had already gone all out by letting things go unchecked, let alone taking action to silence them.
After much deliberation, Grand Tutor Xu had no choice but to spend a large sum of money to keep quiet and to offer some benefits.
In the months that followed, Grand Tutor Xu remained on high alert, ordering his steward to keep a close eye on those individuals.
Fortunately, the other party kept their mouth shut and didn't leak a word. The Wei family, clearly aware of their weakness, didn't pursue the matter, only preparing a dowry and marrying their daughter off to Qizhou. Later, You Tong and Fu Yu returned to the capital. With the help of the Fu family's influence, they forced Xu Shu, as a princess, to personally admit that what they had said was all rumors, thus clearing the Wei family's name. After succeeding, they left triumphantly.
Grand Tutor Xu believed that the matter was now considered closed.
After all, the Wei family was using Fu Yu's matter as leverage, and since Fu Yu intended to get closer to Xu Chaozong, he probably wouldn't want to break off relations over such a small matter.
After Fu Yu left the capital, Grand Tutor Xu put the matter out of his mind. There were hundreds of things to do every day in and around the capital. With the Prince of Ying watching him closely, full of tricks and schemes, important matters kept piling up, and he really couldn't care less about such trivial matters.
Who would have thought that the Wei family would suddenly stir up trouble out of nowhere and bring up old grudges?
Moreover, with ample evidence and swift action, the matter was settled before the Xu family could even react.
When Grand Tutor Xu learned that his scheme had been exposed, he was filled with remorse for his initial negligence, which had allowed the Wei family to uncover the truth. He also feared that the matter would become public knowledge and make him a laughingstock. Overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, he fell ill and was bedridden. Afterwards, the whole city wentssip, condemning Grand Tutor Xu as a hypocrite and a fraud. These rumors pierced his heart like knives.
This happened so suddenly that the Xu family had no way to stop it. They tried their best to get people to refute the rumors, but it was all in vain.
What's even more infuriating is that one of the censors, who was at odds with Grand Tutor Xu, used this as an opportunity to impeach him. That man wasn't very capable as an official, but he was exceptionally talented in writing, and he was also sharp-tongued and adept at sarcasm. His memorial was written with great flair, using precise and clear language, employing parallel structures and quotations, and thoroughly impeaching and mocking Grand Tutor Xu.
This memorial was leaked and, due to its elegant writing and refined language, it was highly praised by scholars and literati.
As a result, not only did ordinary people gossip about the Xu family in their spare time, but even scholars and minor officials secretly mocked them.
Subsequently, some people dug up old stories about Grand Tutor Xu before he achieved fame and success, saying that he had abandoned his first wife to curry favor with the powerful and influential. Although he was well-versed in classics and history and possessed great learning, he was actually narrow-minded, ungrateful, and had climbed to power by stepping on his classmates and friends, just like his granddaughter. Whether these words were true or false is impossible to verify, but it was common knowledge that Grand Tutor Xu's current wife was not his first wife, which became a topic of amusement and circulated in teahouses and taverns.
After struggling for two days, Grand Tutor Xu's condition improved slightly. Upon learning of this, he couldn't catch his breath and collapsed onto his bed again.
...
When the same rumors reached the Prince Rui's residence, Xu Shu was furious.
She wanted to send people to suppress the rumor-mongers, but the discussions were boiling over, and people could talk all they wanted; how could she possibly silence the clamor? The Xu family's reputation had been tarnished, thrown to the ground and mocked. Not only was she humiliated, but she was also subjected to sarcastic remarks from several concubines. Enraged, she went to find Xu Chaozong, hoping to ask him to stop the rumors. But Xu Chaozong barely raised an eyelid before uttering words that infuriated her—
"I advised you against making false accusations back then, but you insisted on spreading slander and rumors, almost driving You Tong to her death. Now, I'm just bringing up the facts. Right and wrong will be judged by history. How can I stop you?"
This means they don't intend to get involved.
Xu Shu was so angry that she was speechless, and in her anger, tears fell from her eyes.
When Wei Youtong committed suicide by drowning, it became a laughingstock for the Xu family and a thorn in Xu Chaozong's side. After she married into the Prince Rui's mansion, although the couple could get along peacefully, Xu Chaozong's treatment of her was nothing like the intimacy he had shown Wei Youtong before—he married her for political reasons, and the only things they could talk about were politics, nothing personal.
Xu Shu choked for a long time before gritting her teeth and saying, "Does Your Highness hold a grudge about things from the past?"
“I value her in my heart, you know that best.” Xu Chaozong stood up with a flick of his sleeve, his face elegant and noble, but without a trace of tenderness or smile. He glanced at her and said, “Back then I couldn’t shut other people’s mouths, and now I’m powerless to do anything about it.”
This attitude infuriated Xu Shu. "Does it benefit Your Highness if my grandfather's reputation is ruined?!"
"Do you think the Xu family's reputation can be salvaged now that things have come to this?" Xu Chaozong was at a critical juncture in the struggle for the throne. Enraged by this, his voice suddenly rose, and he roared, "If it weren't for the evil deeds we committed that day, abusing our power and trying to wipe out You Tong, none of this would have happened! Even Father Emperor couldn't turn the tables and make the world turn around and defend the Grand Tutor! The most urgent matter is not empty fame, but the affairs of the palace!"
He rarely gets angry, and it's rare for him to reprimand someone so harshly, which clearly indicates that he has been harboring resentment for a long time.
Xu Shu stared at him blankly for a long time before she came to her senses.
Xu Chaozong had tolerated the Xu family's behavior back then because he was alone and weak, and needed the Grand Tutor's help; he didn't want his personal feelings to ruin his grand plan. But how could he not mind the Xu family's wanton trampling on his former sweetheart? Now, the Prince Rui's Mansion and the Xu family are one family, interdependent. He is the master, and the Xu family is the subject; he will no longer yield and indulge as before.
She suppressed her emotions and said, "Your Highness is turning a blind eye, and there's nothing I can do. But my grandfather has gone to great lengths for Your Highness and is utterly loyal. Does Your Highness not care about our past relationship?"
Xu Chaozong turned his head away, forcibly suppressing his emotions.
How can we really just sit idly by and do nothing?
Emperor Xiping is seriously ill and bedridden. He may summon his close ministers to the palace to entrust them with his affairs of state at any time. How could Grand Tutor Xu be absent from such an occasion?