Chapter 846: Chapter 843: Bribery

Marquis Dongxiang and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice rode horses with a group of people through the streets towards Duke Chong’s Mansion.

The commotion was indeed quite significant.

People on the street made way, whispering among themselves, and discussing animatedly.

Mobilizing so many people, they wondered who was being surrounded this time.

Especially with Marquis Dongxiang personally leading the team, whoever was involved was certainly no minor character.

Some guessed it might be Duke Chong.

After all, the only person Marquis Dongxiang relentlessly pursued was Duke Chong.

Marquis Dongxiang sat tall on the horseback, as straight as an ancient sword piercing through the mountain peak.

A glance at him left people speechless with awe.

Old Madam Ji Bei, who was out strolling with her grandson, felt proud of her son.

Young Master Su, who brought his grandmother out for a stroll, felt proud of his father.

Young Master Su secretly vowed.

He was determined to surpass his father in the future.

Marquis Dongxiang spotted Old Madam Ji Bei and Young Master Su.

His brows furrowed for a moment, then he understood.

As he passed by, he threw a meaningful glance.

Young Master Su moved closer to Old Madam Ji Bei, watching as Marquis Dongxiang rode away, shivering a bit as he said, “It’s over, my father is going to punish me when we get back.”

Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince insulted inwardly: Serves you right.

They had advised him against bringing Old Madam Ji Bei along for the stroll, yet he insisted on doing it.

Despite having been on many street outings, they hadn’t seen any Old Madam out for a stroll before, so if he doesn’t get himself into trouble, who will?

Duke Chong’s Mansion.

Duke Chong had just learned that the tribute issue was brought up again by Marquis Dongxiang, and Marquis Dongxiang had his mansion surrounded.

Duke Chong was so furious that he gritted his teeth and left his study.

At the main gate of Duke Chong’s Mansion, Manager Wang and the servants blocked the entrance, preventing anyone from searching the mansion.

Marquis Dongxiang remained on his horse when Duke Chong emerged, not even dismounting.

Duke Chong’s face was cold, “Marquis Dongxiang, who gave you permission to surround my mansion with people?!”

Marquis Dongxiang dismounted, stepping up the stairs and pressing the Emperor’s decree he held against Duke Chong’s chest, “See for yourself.”

In truth, the golden-yellow silk didn’t need further inspection to know what it was.

Duke Chong’s body went cold for a moment and said, “The Emperor must have been deceived by you into issuing this decree!”

Marquis Dongxiang chuckled, “Oh, is Duke Chong planning to defy the decree?”

“Do you know of the crime of defying the decree?”

Marquis Dongxiang’s expression practically shouted: If you’re not afraid to die, why don’t you try and see if I dare to execute first and report later.

Defying a decree was a capital crime, no exceptions, not even for Duke Chong.

Of course, ordinary people wouldn’t dare say such things, but Marquis Dongxiang was an exception.

Duke Chong, trembling with rage, still had no way to counter Marquis Dongxiang holding the imperial decree.

Marquis Dongxiang moved forward, forcing Duke Chong to step aside.

“Search the place!”

“Do not damage anything in Duke Chong’s Mansion.”

The mansion would eventually belong to Su Chong, so anything damaged now would be things belonging to his son.

The Ministry of Justice officials were well aware.

Marquis Dongxiang stayed there, right next to Duke Chong.

A quarter of an hour later, the porcelain items on the blueprint were found.

One piece…

Two pieces…

Three pieces…

A total of more than thirty pieces.

And even so, it was only half of what was on the blueprint.

The other half couldn’t be found, no matter how thoroughly Duke Chong’s mansion was searched.

However, even this half was enough to convict Duke Chong.

Duke Chong stood there, not panicking at all because he had someone to take the fall, someone who couldn’t testify.

Duke Chong insisted that all the porcelain pieces were gifted to him by Elder Yong Cheng.

Marquis Dongxiang laughed, “They say that accepting someone’s money means resolving their troubles. Elder Yong Cheng gifted you so many fine things, and yet you exposed him?”

“Even if these were merely gifts from Elder Yong Cheng, the crime of accepting bribes is enough to ruin you!”

“Take him away!”

The officials from the Ministry of Justice indeed wouldn’t dare arrest Duke Chong, but Marquis Dongxiang brought his people.

Duke Chong had no choice but to comply.

Marquis Dongxiang personally escorted Duke Chong to the Ministry of Justice Prison.

Being pushed into the cell, Duke Chong said coldly, “Marquis Dongxiang, do you think a charge of bribery alone can bring me down?!”

Marquis Dongxiang looked at him, “Failing to catch Prince Qi was negligence, but do you think I would let you escape as well?”

“Once you’re in the Ministry of Justice Prison, I have no intention of letting you leave.”

Duke Chong’s face turned livid, his clenched fist making a creaking sound.

Marquis Dongxiang had other matters to attend to, so he instructed people to keep a close watch on Duke Chong before riding back to the mansion.

He returned with a brocade box.

Marquis Dongxiang stepped into his mansion, and Young Master Su rushed over to wrap himself around his leg, saying, “Father, I know I was wrong.”

Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.

Because when Marquis Dongxiang lifted his leg to shake off Young Master Su, who was clinging to his leg, he failed.

“Get up,” said Marquis Dongxiang.

“Father, can you not punish me?”

“Punish you for what?” Marquis Dongxiang frowned.

Young Master Su looked at him, “I took Grandmother out for a stroll.”

The Ninth Prince and Young Master Shen exchanged looks.

They never expected Marquis Dongxiang hadn’t even remembered and questioned why he had to be reminded.

Marquis Dongxiang said, “I won’t punish you, but from now on, accompany your grandmother for a walk once or twice a month.”

Young Master Su, “…???”

Young Master Su was dumbfounded.

What was going on?

Not only was he spared from punishment, but he was also instructed to have his grandmother accompany him for strolls?

“Father, are you joking?” Young Master Su asked warily.

Being so agreeable, nine times out of ten, something was fishy.

Who doesn’t know their own father?

Marquis Dongxiang, with a dark expression, said, “It’s good for health to move around more when getting older, but each outing shouldn’t exceed half an hour.”

Knowing that Young Master Su had brought Old Madam Ji Bei out for a stroll, Marquis Dongxiang had initially intended to give his son a good lesson upon returning.

But on the way to Duke Chong’s Mansion, he saw many elders of Old Madam Ji Bei’s age out for shopping and selling things.

Their health seemed even better and more energetic than Old Madam Ji Bei’s.

Moving more keeps people spirited.

Moreover, the streets were lively, and Old Madam Ji Bei always remained within the mansion, except for worshipping Buddha, seldom going out.

Going out for a change wasn’t a bad thing.

However, it was rare for a lady of Old Madam Ji Bei’s status to leisurely wander the streets.

That Young Master Su could persuade her was actually quite surprising to Marquis Dongxiang.

“Father, I came to the same conclusion as you, and that’s how I convinced Grandmother,” Young Master Su released his grip and stood up, smiling with eyes shining.

Marquis Dongxiang walked away with a look of disdain.

Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince approached, incredulous, “So you didn’t get punished.”

Young Master Su dusted the dirt off his brocade robe and glanced at them both, “Were you hoping I’d get punished?!”

“We were concerned about you!” The Ninth Prince retorted angrily.

Having avoided a beating, Young Master Su felt happy yet pensive, “My father’s thoughts are hard to predict.”

“Why bother guessing your father’s thoughts?” the Ninth Prince asked incredulously.

“The Military Book says, knowing oneself and the enemy ensures a hundred battles without loss.”

“Let’s go brag to my mother.”

“….”

Having just escaped a spanking, he was already looking for trouble again.

Does he not get a good night’s sleep unless he takes a beating today?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep