Chapter 1004 - 1006 Elder Jiang Ge Faints from Anger_1
Jiang Yichun had returned to the Capital City and would have to attend the morning court sessions every day, but as a fifth-rank officer, his standing position was quite at the back.
When he heard that someone was accusing him, he raised his eyebrows indifferently. If it were some other matter, he might have cared a little, but regarding Yang Hongwen’s issue, he really did not want to blink an eye.
The Emperor on the Dragon Throne uttered an "oh" and asked, "Officer Jiang, is there truth to this matter?"
Below, Yang Tianhua felt incredibly smug. Wasn’t Jiang Yichun bold enough to beat his son? Today, he would see how Jiang Yichun could stay arrogant.
Jiang Yichun stepped forward from the ranks of the military officials, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "This subordinate has only struck a braggart who spoke nonsense. I did not wish to bother the Emperor with such a trivial matter, as the Emperor deals with thousands of state affairs and should not be distracted by such trifles. But since the Imperial Censor has reported me, I can only report back against the son of the Yang Residence, Yang Hongwen, for his unruly and domineering behavior in the Capital, including bullying men and women, and even snatching others’ wives."
"Is there really such a thing?" The Emperor’s voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of inquiry.
Yang Tianhua hastily stepped out, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "Emperor, do not listen to Jiang Yichun’s sophistry. He caused internal injuries to my foolish son, and now he has the audacity to frame him. This is utterly unreasonable."
Jiang Yichun spoke unhurriedly, "That Divine Doctor happened to be passing by and kindly treated the injuries of my foster father’s coachman, but Young Master Yang instead saw it as an opportunity to harass her. Tell me, should the wives of soldiers who fight to the death to protect our country be harassed by such prodigal sons? If I do not teach him a lesson, would it not fail to uphold the morale of my comrades-in-arms?"
He again bowed to the Emperor, "Emperor, Yang Hongwen is not a first-time offender. He has bullied men and women numerous times before. The Emperor may order the prefect of the Capital, Lord Fan Li, to investigate, and he will know whether my words are true."
After finishing his speech, he pulled out a silk handkerchief from his person and unfolded it for the Emperor to see: "This subordinate happens to have a piece of evidence here, which could be provided to Prefect Fan Li for his investigation."
The Emperor commanded the eunuch by his side to take the silk handkerchief and examine it carefully. It turned out to be a blood letter written by a woman, who lamented that she had a husband but was captured and played with by Yang Hongwen, who dishonored her purity. She only wished for justice, pleading for someone to stop Yang Hongwen from harming other women.
Prefect Fan Li was sweating profusely at this moment. He knew that his son Fan Siniang had always been at odds with Yang Hongwen, but it was just minor squabbles among youngsters. However, if he were to really investigate Yang Hongwen, it would mean offending the Yang Family severely.
Despite his seemingly glorious status as the prefect of the Capital, those in the know were aware that his position was not easy to hold. Where were the most officers found under heaven? Naturally, it was in the Capital City, where the officials were so numerous it scared one to death, and the relationships between families were intricate and complex. He had to play nice, trying not to offend anyone, but now it seemed he could not avoid getting involved.
If he had known earlier that this Lord Jiang was not easy to scheme against, he would have seriously rebuked his mischievous son!
The Emperor handed the silk handkerchief to the eunuch by his side, "Take this to Fan Li. Let him handle this investigation."
He looked towards Fan Li, his narrow eyes emitting a sharp light, "Minister Fan, investigate this matter thoroughly, do not disappoint Us."
Yang Tianhua cried out in aggrievement, but the Emperor glanced at him sharply, "Minister Yang, wait until the prefect has made his investigation clear. If it’s unjust, your son’s innocence will naturally be restored."
At that moment, the Minister of Rites from the ranks of the civil officials, Bai Guanghe, stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Officer Jiang’s wife is a Divine Doctor who has treated many soldiers in the Northwest Main Camp, earning great respect from the troops there. If anyone dares to insult Officer Jiang’s wife, I fear it would indeed chill the hearts of our soldiers in the Northwest."
Jiang Yichun was taken aback. He had no contact with the Minister of Rites, Bai Guanghe, so why would the latter speak up for Ruozhu?
Soon he remembered that when he and Ruozhu went to Jiangnan to participate in the Eight Academy Competition, Ruozhu met a maiden with the surname Bai, who must be a lady from the Bai Family.
With this thought, Jiang Yichun became proud again. Look, his wife had such good relations with others, something that others envied but could not achieve.
Back then, Jiang Yichun led two hundred elite soldiers to cause a disturbance at the Eight Academy Competition arena in Jiangnan, which was impeached by the imperial censor, but in the end, it was stated that Mrs. Jiang was highly respected by the soldiers, and the soldiers had sought justice for Mrs. Jiang spontaneously.
At that time, people in the Capital City could see that the Emperor was favoring Jiang Yichun, and after he later foiled Prince Duan’s rebellion, the court ministers were even less likely to conflict with him.
Yang Tianhua’s precious son really got himself into trouble this time.
Just then, Elder Jiang Ge, standing at the forefront, cleared his throat and, paying his respects to the Emperor, said, "Your servant has a word of advice for Colonel Jiang: control your wife. Women should not always seek the limelight, or how else would they attract unwanted attention?"
Everyone was stunned. What did Elder Jiang Ge mean? Wasn’t Jiang Yichun his own grandson? Even if Jiang Yichun was unwilling to return to the Jiang Family, it wasn’t right for Elder Jiang Ge to embarrass his grandson like this, was it?
Jiang Yichun’s face immediately turned cold, and he clenched his fists tightly. Every time he saw this old man, he could hardly control his emotions.
"According to Elder Jiang Ge’s logic, if you are assassinated when you go out, is it your fault for going out unnecessarily and giving the assassin an opportunity? Is the fault all on you?" Jiang Yichun grit his teeth.
"Nonsense! How can you compare the two, murder is a serious crime!" Elder Jiang Ge, furious, raised his voice in protest.
"Harassing a chaste woman is also a crime. Despite being well-read, you can’t even understand the law clearly. It would be better for you to retire and return to the countryside!" Seeing Elder Jiang Ge’s anger, Jiang Yichun instead became calm.
"You, you miscreant!" Elder Jiang Ge pointed at him, his beard quivering with rage, and then abruptly collapsed to the ground.
Yang Tianhua secretly cheered and, feigning panic, shouted, "Disaster! Elder Jiang Ge has fainted! Colonel Jiang, how can you treat your own grandfather this way? This is truly unfilial!"
The Emperor, feeling disdainful, glanced at Yang Tianhua and with a sweep of his sleeve, said, "Quickly summon the Imperial Doctor to treat Elder Jiang Ge. That will be all for today; the rest of you may leave the court."
Jiang Yichun looked at Elder Jiang Ge lying unconscious on the ground without a hint of concern, turned around, and was about to leave. The Emperor silently sighed and had him called to the Imperial Study Room.
"Achun, can’t you just pretend to care before leaving? Do you want to leave the Palace and have everyone cursing you for being unfilial?" the Emperor sighed and asked.
With a gloomy face, Jiang Yichun said, "He has nothing to do with me. I’m not a member of the Jiang Family, where is the unfilial part?"
The Emperor, not wanting to say more, had someone bring a chessboard, "Come, play a few games of chess with me."
Jiang Yichun’s gaze flickered; he knew the Emperor was worried about him and was using chess to keep him there.
The Emperor was still as kind-hearted as when he was young, willing to consider the people around him.