The Emperor's fury was palpable, and everyone below trembled.
The entire hall was filled with kneeling palace servants, each fearing for their lives. However, Consort Shu, standing nearby, heard the Emperor's words and felt a desire to do the Bai family a favor.
She was new to the court and had already offended the Wei faction due to Consort Wei. If she could gain a sliver of favor from the centuries-old prestigious Bai clan, her path in the palace would be smoother.
"Your Majesty, such villains must be severely punished. Otherwise, what becomes of our Great Jin's laws and honor? When I was in Qingli, I heard of Prime Minister Bai's achievements. The elder has served Your Majesty diligently for many years, and now he has collapsed before the throne. Yet, someone takes this opportunity to destroy his family's lineage. Such actions are utterly inhumane."
"My beloved consort speaks wisely. Wang Yu, summon the Bai family to the palace. I shall see justice done for them."
"Yes."
Wang Yu hurried to call the few people kneeling at the palace gates inside. Upon seeing Lu Yuanfeng, whose hand was severed, he frowned.
"Is this the villain who abducted the Bai family?"
"Eunuch Wang, it is indeed him."
"His Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs and cannot bear to see such lowly individuals. Lord Bai and Lord Lin may enter the palace to face His Majesty. As for this person, let the Imperial Guards handle him."
"Everything is as Eunuch Wang commands."
Bai Dalang glanced at his younger brother and brother-in-law, knowing that this journey meant a complete break with the Wei family, with no turning back. Hesitation was not an option. Even if they couldn't drag the Wei family down completely, they had to strip them of some of their skin.
"Enter the palace."
His gaze was resolute, surpassing all else.
In Zichen Palace, Emperor Qi met with the two sons of the Bai family and Lin Wang.
He could understand the Bai family lodging a complaint, but why was Lin Wang present?
"Why is my beloved minister Lin also here? Are you here to bolster your brother-in-law's courage?"
To outsiders, it sounded like a jest, but Lin Wang, having served Emperor Qi for many years, understood the underlying meaning.
It was essentially asking if he was unrelated to this matter, or if the Capital Garrison, which he commanded, was unrelated.
The warning was clear, and only Lin Wang understood it.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This minister is here to confess my guilt. The Bai family has suddenly lost their daughter, and the whereabouts of the villain are unknown. This minister mobilized the Capital Garrison to seal the four city gates and conduct thorough investigations. This matter was not reported to Your Majesty. Even if there were reasons, it was my misuse of authority. Therefore, I have come to confess my guilt, begging Your Majesty to dismiss me from my post and banish me from the capital."
Lin Wang was two years older than Bai Dalang, but due to his background as a military general, he appeared more energetic, and his voice was loud, giving Emperor Qi a headache.
"Hmph, I appointed you Commander of the Capital Garrison to protect the security of the imperial city, not to seal the city gates without cause. Lin Wang, you have great audacity. Have these years of my leniency made you forget what you should and should not do?"
He was somewhat displeased by the Bai family's loss of their beloved daughter.
But the Capital Garrison's unauthorized actions were truly provoking the tiger!
If this crime was not severely punished, how could his anger be quelled? Just as he was about to decree punishment, Bai Dalang seized the opportunity to present his memorial.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The reason Lord Lin mobilized the Capital Garrison was entirely due to our Bai family's plea for help. It was our Bai family that forced him into a situation where loyalty and duty were in conflict. If Your Majesty wishes to punish, punish our Bai family alone. No one in the Bai household will have any complaints. However, before Your Majesty passes judgment, I implore you to look at this confession from the villain. It directly implicates the Duke of Wei. My father and the Duke have never had any enmity. I do not know why the Duke would wish for my Bai family's extermination!"
The Bai family having no sons had already severed their lineage. However, as long as the Bai daughters remained, their ancestral incense could still be tended. But if Bai Siruo was also lost, the Bai family would truly have no hope, which was no different from extermination.
Emperor Qi was startled. How could this matter involve the Duke of Wei? Was it not said that the villain was a kidnapper? Could it be someone from the Wei family?
He took the confession and memorial and read them carefully, temporarily setting aside Lin Wang's dereliction of duty.
The documents clearly recorded how Lu Yuanfeng met Bai Siruo, how he deceived and misled her, and how the Wei family's steward contacted him, promising benefits to lure Bai Siruo out of the capital. Every detail was included.
As Emperor Qi read, his expression grew increasingly grim. What was the Duke of Wei's intention in doing this?
Was it truly to suppress the Bai family's influence?
Since his ascension to the throne, Prime Minister Bai had indeed assisted him diligently, serving as both a wise mentor and a loyal minister. However, the tangled web of noble families was complex. Sometimes, a few court officials united could even suppress him, which was a humiliation to imperial authority.
Therefore, he had secretly supported the Wei family to contend with old officials like Prime Minister Bai and Grand Secretary Xu. Consequently, he had turned a blind eye to some of the Duke of Wei's methods of suppressing them.
Even the matter of the Liang family and Xu family breaking off their engagement, the unpleasant reputation was borne by the Wei and Liang families, while Grand Secretary Xu's arrogance was significantly diminished.
However, this matter this time was truly too much. If it was indeed the Duke of Wei's doing, he needed to be admonished.
"My beloved minister, please do not be agitated. It is merely the ramblings of a madman. If it harms the harmony between the Bai and Wei families, it will not be good for Great Jin. I am aware of this matter and will certainly provide a response to your Bai family, but it will require time to investigate thoroughly."
This statement was clearly an attempt to smooth things over. Bai Silang, naturally wanting justice for his daughter, was about to speak out.
Unfortunately, before he could speak, Emperor Qi addressed Lin Wang, "As for my beloved minister Lin, considering the circumstances, you are fined half a year's salary as a warning. If you dare to misuse my Capital Garrison again, I will have your entire family executed!"
His tone was fierce, but he had shown leniency. If he had waited until the next day when the officials erupted in protest, even dismissal would have been a light punishment.
This was considered appeasing the Bai family. Bai Silang wanted to say something but was pressed down by Bai Dalang beside him. He then spoke loudly to Emperor Qi, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for the Bai family! We shall await your response at home."
Seeing Bai Dalang's understanding and tact, Emperor Qi inwardly thought that he had underestimated this eldest son of the Bai family. He had previously thought him weak and timid, but he was surprisingly resilient and capable.
Lin Wang's visit to the palace not only saved his life but also spared his official position. A mere fine was an excellent outcome.
However, to quell public opinion and "share the burden of the ruler," he had to say, "Your Majesty, this minister has indeed made a grave mistake and dare not defend himself. This minister fears that the Censors will trouble Your Majesty tomorrow. Perhaps, Your Majesty could decree that I be beaten with a board, so that all the esteemed officials may witness Your Majesty's sagacity and impartiality."
He had seen those rushing to seek imperial favor, but this was the first time he saw someone rushing to get beaten.
Wang Yu opportunely remarked, "Lord Lin truly thinks for His Majesty," and then fell silent.