He found him to be stubborn, insisting on debating right and wrong here, which displeased him.
To contradict once made one a loyal official, but to contradict multiple times made one a tactless person. Keeping him in the Grand Secretariat would only cause trouble for himself, thus he felt a sense of aversion.
Just as he was about to speak, someone rushed in from outside, reporting that over a dozen censors were outside requesting an audience, claiming to accuse the Minister of Personnel of abusing his power, colluding with nobles, and blocking the path for scholars from humble origins!
Emperor Qi narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Elder Xu now carrying a hint of apprehension.
"Your Majesty, this is not something this old subject arranged. If I truly intended to escalate matters, why would I have brought Yin Canwen alone? Why not wait until the morning court to present it, which would surely be known to all?"
Elder Xu's response made Emperor Qi find some reason in his words.
Then where did these censors get their information? How could they have come to present their remonstrances so uniformly?
Before he could sort out his thoughts, he saw the censors waiting outside the hall, their heads held high like fighting cocks, with an expression of desperation.
Censors, by virtue of their official positions, were meant to remonstrate on important and minor matters alike. Fierce remonstrances were more favored by censors than gentle ones, and a censor who could offer a death-defying plea was considered a model.
Thus, the imposing presence of the group waiting outside the hall was no less than Emperor Qi's imperial might.
At this point, he was powerless to conceal it even if he wished, so he ordered that Wen Jingsong be summoned for a confrontation on the spot!
Upon hearing this, Yin Canwen and Bai Dalang's heavy hearts finally felt some relief.
They were not afraid of the matter escalating; they feared only that Emperor Qi might wish to suppress it, which would be truly troublesome.
Having received the decree, the censors who entered one by one were all filled with righteous indignation.
Most of them also hailed from humble origins, some with rather radical personalities, or never sparing in their words. Sometimes they would also take the opportunity to criticize powerful families, but on this matter, they all genuinely sought to champion the scholars from humble backgrounds.
Therefore, they began to remonstrate with Emperor Qi one after another in the hall.
Chirping and chattering, one moment they spoke of Wen Jingsong's audacity, the next of his disregard for the law, and then they dragged out several powerful figures for a round of scolding.
With over a dozen people speaking at once, it was not just Emperor Qi, but even Elder Xu and the other two listening nearby, who felt their ears ache.
Your Highness, this move is indeed ruthless.
With such a display, even if His Majesty intended to weigh the situation and protect the Ministry of Personnel, he could not silence these censors.
If they were punished, it was likely that before the rods even fell, rumors would spread throughout the Eastern Capital.
But if they were not punished, then their demands would have to be met, and the corruption within the court would have to be dealt with and purged.
Today, it was merely a matter of the imperial examinations, but tomorrow it might implicate a host of secrets of the noble families.
Who knew how long this wave of rectification would last?
Thinking of this, Emperor Qi felt a severe headache.
He truly loathed the person behind the scheme, grinding his teeth in anger.
Meanwhile, Prince Ke, seated comfortably in his residence, was immensely pleased with himself. He said to Princess Ke.
"This stratagem of using a borrowed knife to kill is truly brilliant, my dear. Not only did we secretly disseminate the news, but we also guided these censors to investigate. We have provided all our evidence and clues. This time, not only the Minister of Personnel, but the Wei family will also lose a significant portion of their influence! It makes me so happy to think about it! My dear Princess is truly my understanding companion."
Princess Ke, having received praise, was also overjoyed. She began to consider how to keep Wen Yuwei, who had devised the plan, to serve her effectively.
This person, who usually appeared gentle and weak, had unexpectedly shown great intelligence.
With this move, even if others investigated, they would not find their way to them.
They gained benefits, dragged the Wen family into the mire, and severed the Wei family's arm, truly achieving multiple objectives with one action.
Just as she was contemplating how to keep the person and have her serve her well, a messenger arrived from outside, reporting that the scholars from humble origins had now gathered at the palace gates, creating a huge commotion and demanding that Emperor Qi dispense justice for them.
Among them were those who were merely joining in the excitement, and those who genuinely sought a way out for the scholars from humble backgrounds.
As the news spread from one to ten and then to a hundred, the palace gates were filled with people, forcing the Imperial Guards to deploy ten times their number to block the entrance, fearing that an indignant citizen might incite the masses, leading them to storm the palace to seek justice, which would be a great trouble!
"Excellent! With such a display, I am sure Father Emperor will have to act swiftly and decisively to give the people of the world an explanation. The Wen family will await their confiscation and extermination!"
As the word "extermination" was spoken, he felt a gaze upon his back.
Prince Ke turned to see Wen Yuwei, her eyes teary, kneeling on the ground and tearfully pleading.
"I beg Your Highness and Your Highness Consort, in consideration of this subject's daughter's merit in reporting the crime, to spare the lives of my entire family, young and old. They are far away and know nothing of what Lord Wen has done, let alone participated in it."
Her words were well-spoken, and Prince Ke did not wish to chill the hearts of those who had pledged allegiance to him.
Therefore, he said, "Miss Wen, do not worry. This Prince will escort you into the palace. I believe Lord Wen will also be brought before His Majesty for questioning. Would you be willing to expose his wicked deeds face to face?"
This was something Wen Xinglu had predicted long before Wen Yuwei entered Prince Ke's residence.
Thus, having been mentally prepared, she was not at all afraid of entering the palace.
After all, at this point, if she did not bring down her uncle, she and her brother would likely meet their end. It was better to ensure her own safety by relying on her fourth uncle's family.
Moreover, did not their father and son always push them forward to take the blame in times of crisis?
Therefore, she resolutely raised her head. Although her eyes were still filled with tears, there was no trace of fear.
"This subject is willing to accompany Your Highness on this trip!"
"Good! Then prepare yourselves, and let us go to the palace!"
While Prince Ke's residence brought a witness, the Feng family was also not idle.
Yin Canwen had been in the palace with Elder Xu for quite some time, and the outcome was still unknown.
However, the escalating situation outside did surprise Feng Jinyao.
She was not foolish. After Elder Xu brought Yin Canwen into the palace, she gradually came to her senses.
The matter of the Wen family was something she had intended to expose.
But her plan was to first enrage Wen Mengsheng, making him harbor great animosity towards Yin Canwen, thus altering the examination results.
Then, through her eldest maternal uncle and the evidence she had prepared, she would drag the Wen family into trouble.
However, although it seemed as if she was in charge of all this, it was far more meticulous and grander than she had intended.
Regardless of borrowing Elder Xu's influence to enter the palace, the vehement remonstrances of the censors outside the hall and the disturbances of the scholars outside the palace were beyond her capabilities.
Therefore, the exposure of the Wen family's affairs must have had a divine being behind it.