Chapter 1269: Return

When Fan Zijin was urgently summoned back, he thought that something big had happened in the court. But because he could not get an answer from the messenger, he was so anxious that he rushed back day and night without even drinking a mouthful of hot water.

Seeing how disheveled and haggard Fan Zijin was, Qi Xiuyuan felt a little guilty. After quickly updating him about the chaos in the court, he said, “Now, less than a quarter of the court supports the reform of the official system, and less than a third supports the reform of administrative duties. As the Emperor, it’s not a good idea for me to show an obvious bias. Therefore, I’m only relying on Rong Xuan and Little Treasure to hold the fort in the court now. Now that you’re back, you can share some of their burdens.”

Fan Zijin frowned and said, “Your Majesty, why were you so muddle-headed to let her spout nonsense in the court? The biggest impediment to a reform is impatience. Even if you desire a reform, you should take it slow.”

“I know.” Qi Xiuyuan hurriedly nodded and admitted his mistake. “I made a mistake.”

What he’d intended was for her to show up and take the two children with her. Who knew that she’d get herself involved, too?

Qi Xiuyuan looked at him eagerly. “That’s why you have to help me. I’ve already gotten someone to stall Haoran, but things seem to be progressing very smoothly on his side, so he likely won’t be delayed for long. We have to conclude the matter before he comes back. Otherwise, he’ll definitely cause a ruckus then.”

If he learned that Ah Ling and Little Bear had been bullied at the court meeting, he would definitely find an opportunity to get back at the courtiers. Considering the court was already chaotic enough, Qi Xiuyuan didn’t want the chaos to escalate.

Qi Xiuyuan pinned his hopes on Fan Zijin. Fan Zijin also threw himself into the battle with full fighting spirit, but the situation was actually more complicated than they had imagined.

The next day, the court officials quarreled again. This time, even the generals were involved. The civil servants and generals almost got into a physical fight.

Although Fan Zijin temporarily suppressed the other party, as long as the other party was unconvinced, it was useless to suppress the other party with words.

Instead, they became more united against the reform of the official system.

Among the government officials, other than the censors of the Imperial Censorate who were in support of establishing the Supervisory Ministry, the other officials were a little resistant and felt that the Emperor was being too distrustful of them by implementing this.

Even if the people from the Imperial Censorate agreed to the establishment of the Supervisory Ministry, it did not mean that they agreed to all the official reforms. For example, they objected to the removal of the restrictions on civilians suing officials and the increase in the punishment for corruption and bribery.

On the other hand, many officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs agreed with these two points. Yet, they did not agree with the establishment of the Supervisory Ministry either.

In comparison, the redrawing of administrative boundaries went much smoother. Through Fan Zijin’s reasoning and Rong Xuan’s persuasion, more than half of the people in the court had agreed to this proposal.

For the past two days, Fan Zijin had been shouting until his voice was hoarse, but he had not been able to convince them. Even worse, he nearly pissed off all the officials in the court and was drowned out by the opposing voices.

Fan Zijin asked Qi Xiuyuan angrily, “Must we implement the reform right away? Wouldn’t it be better if we wait a few years and plan slowly?”

Qi Xiuyuan shook his head and said with a dark expression, “Indecision will only lead to trouble. Since we’ve already brought up the subject, we might as well finish it in one go. Otherwise, it will be even more difficult to implement the reform in the future. Besides, since Great Qi is going to redraw the administrative boundaries, this is the best time to reform the official system.”

Qi Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes and said, “If we weren’t redrawing administrative boundaries, I wouldn’t mind waiting a few more years. But now that we’re going to redraw the administrative boundaries, we have to implement the official reform no matter what. Let’s try to convince them again. Failing that, I’ll directly order the reform. But as you can imagine, that will result in bloodshed.”

Fan Zijin’s expression was also a little heavy.

Historically, bloodshed was inevitable during reforms. They’d thought that they could avoid it by being careful, but who knew that they still could not avoid it?

No longer harboring any hope of persuading the officials, Fan Zijin left the palace dejectedly and went home.

At this moment, Qi Haoran had already rushed in from the west city gate with a few of his men. He did not go to the palace but directly brought them back to the King’s Residence.

Zhu Liang was shocked to see Qi Haoran and hurriedly went up to him. “Your Highness, why are you back?”

As Qi Haoran walked in quickly, he asked, “I heard that the Queen Consort was bullied in the capital.”

Zhu Liang looked embarrassed and said tactfully, “Your Highness, who dares to bully Her Highness in the capital?” It was already good enough if Queen Consort Rong didn’t bully others.

Qi Haoran snorted and threw the horsewhip in his hand to him. With a sneer, he said, “But I heard outside that some old and disrespectful officials first bullied the Prince and then the Queen Consort. Prior to leaving, I asked you to stay in the residence and take care of them. Is this how you take care of them? To think I have to find out from others that the Queen Consort was bullied.”

Zhu Liang could not voice his grievances and could only cry out, “Your Highness, Her Highness was indeed not bullied. If you don’t believe me, go to the garden and take a look. She is fishing in the middle of the lake with Fourth Young Master and the young princess.”

Qi Haoran glared at him. “You’re indeed useless. Is the Queen Consort the kind of person who cries in front of children?”

While Ah Ling was feeling heartbroken, he wasn’t by her side.

Qi Haoran gritted his teeth and turned to walk into the garden.

Zhu Liang wanted to cry but had no tears as he watched King Rong leave. He slapped himself hard. At this moment, no matter what he said, King Rong would just think that Queen Consort Rong was putting on a brave front. Why did he have to stir up trouble?

What an idiot!

Zhu Liang carried the horsewhip out of the inner courtyard and hurriedly called for a guard. He instructed, “Quickly enter the palace to fetch the heir back. Tell him that King Rong is back.”

Zhu Liang watched the guards leave with a worried expression, only hoping that the Emperor would quickly think of a way to stop King Rong. If King Rong confronted those old ministers at their homes, he was not sure if anyone would attend the court tomorrow.

Qi Haoran had yet to think of beating up those officials who bullied his wife. He only wanted to comfort his wife first.

However, the third wheel was always everywhere. Moreover, those were two third wheels that he could not get rid of.

Little Lion and Baozhu were almost hanging on their father’s body, each hugging him as they tried to climb up. As they climbed, they chirped, “Daddy, we missed you so much. Did you miss us?”

“Yes, yes,” Qi Haoran replied nonchalantly. He looked at Mu Yangling with concern and asked, “Ah Ling, are you alright?”

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Mu Yangling shook her head in confusion. “I’m fine.”

Qi Haoran’s heart ached even more. He pulled the two children off him and placed them on the ground before sitting beside her. As he held her hand, he said apologetically, “If you feel terrible, hit me and scold me. It’s my fault for not being by your side when you were being bullied.”

“I wasn’t bullied. Who did you hear that from?” Mu Yangling widened her eyes.

“Were you summoned to the main hall two days ago?”

Mu Yangling nodded and said in realization, “But I wasn’t bullied. Actually, I was the bully.”

Qi Haoran snorted coldly in disbelief and said, “You’ve always been kind and magnanimous. Would you bully them? They must’ve gone overboard for you to bully them. Do you think that just because I’m not at home, they can bully my wife and children?”

Mu Yangling was embarrassed. Just as she was about to explain, Little Leopard and Baozhu ran up to Qi Haoran and climbed on him again. As they climbed, they shouted unhappily, “Daddy, don’t just play with Mother. Do play with us, too. You guys keep forgetting about us!”

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