EMHTC -Chapter 8 Hey! This Censor’s Elder Brother is Playing with Male Prostitute!

Silence.

Utter silence.

An overwhelming stillness.

Even the old emperor’s furious wrath had paused, his gaze fixed oddly on Cui Yi’s face.

Some ministers who knew Cui Yi well wanted to speak in his defense, but they couldn’t find the right words and were left silent. At the same time, their minds involuntarily thought—

No wonder when they visited his house, his wife had rejected them, claiming he was too ill to receive guests. It turns out he wasn’t even home at that time!

The Minister of War looked at the stunned Minister of the Household beside him and whispered, “I remember after his sick leave, Cui Yi came to court with his left eye blackened, his right cheek scratched, his mouth cut, and his right wrist bruised.”

The Minister of the Household gave him a surprised look.

This person really has a good memory—he remembers exactly where Cui Yi was injured from half a month ago.

After the surprise, he eagerly joined the discussion, “That’s right, he said a brick had fallen at home and scared the family’s raccoons, which caused them to scratch his face. In a panic, he stepped wrong and ended up bruising his face.”

The Minister of War: “I didn’t expect it to be…”

The Minister of the Household: “A domestic tiger.”

The two exchanged knowing glances, then laughed together, full of mischievous glee.

Meanwhile, Cui Yi, after being struck by Xu Yanmao’s inner voice, maintained a calm expression.

“Thirdly—”

He spoke firmly and decisively, as if he had planned to say this all along: “However, the royal dignity must not be violated. I believe that although others may escape death, Lui Yi must be executed to warn the world!”

His words were righteous, steady, and thunderous.

Xu Yanmao was in awe—

【So this is the kind of ability it takes to reach the fourth rank! He’s excellent at adapting to the winds!】

In the face of subtle gazes and occasional disdain from other censors, Cui Yi remained unfazed.

What adaptation? Is there such a thing? As for being despised…

Cui Yi silently ground his teeth and sneered.

Just wait, soon enough, it will be your turn!

“Your Majesty!”

Another censor, raising his head like a serpent, disdainfully glanced at Cui Yi before stepping forward, his words full of pointed implications: “I cannot keep secrets from others!”

Xu Yanmao scratched his cheek, feeling strangely uncomfortable with this statement. It didn’t quite fit the scene they were in.

How did it suddenly go from Cui Yi being a weathered opportunist to “I cannot keep secrets from others”?

【I understand now!】

Xu Yanmao inwardly clapped his fists, a look of realization in his eyes.

【Earlier, when I wasn’t paying attention, the old emperor must have hinted to Cui Yi that he had something on him. Cui Yi must have been coerced!】

【And this new censor, having noticed Cui Yi was threatened, stepped up to show the emperor he wasn’t afraid of such threats!】

Cui Yi: “…”

The process is correct, but the target is wrong.

The old emperor: “…”

What does that have to do with me! You’re the one with the crime to bear! Don’t just blame others! There’s never been a case where a subject makes the emperor bear the guilt!

A series of thoughts surged through his mind, almost turning into a barrage of comments.

The new censor, though respectful in behavior, spoke with a very strong tone: “I believe that although the princess is noble, after being married, she should not abuse her father’s power over her husband. As the saying goes, man is yang, woman is yin, man is strong, and woman is gentle. The husband should be revered, the wife subordinate, which is the traditional way.”

“Don’t you see, in the past, the Taizong Emperor loved his daughter Princess Fangling, who took many male lovers and humiliated her husband. When it came to light, those lovers were either executed or exiled, and the princess was imprisoned.”

“Don’t you see, 500 years ago in the Chu Dynasty, the Empress Dowager chose the husband for Princess Danyang, a famous general, but she didn’t like him and refused to sleep with him for half a year after their marriage. The emperor, hearing of this, believed it went against the rules of a wife and ordered their divorce.”

“The previous emperor at least understood that a princess should follow the rules of a wife, be virtuous, gentle, respectful, and manage the household well. Is Your Majesty now worse than the feeble emperors of the past, meddling in marital disputes and punishing the husband for disobeying?”

As soon as the words fell, an amazed voice rang out—

【Wow!】

The old emperor, about to rise and slap the censor, paused when he heard the familiar voice and leisurely sat back down.

…

After the new censor spoke, Xu Yanmao poked the Minister of War again: “Who is this person?”

The Minister of War wiped his tears. “Xu Lang, on account of me informing you, don’t forget to erect a tombstone for me in the future.”

Xu Yanmao blinked in confusion.

The Minister of War eagerly leaned in and smiled. “This old man’s name is Wen Xingyi, and his brother is a Prince Attendant. His son married His Majesty’s eighteenth daughter.”

Xu Yanmao’s shoulders moved slightly, nodding.

【Now it makes sense.】

With this level of detail, it’s even easier to access the gossip in the system.

【Wow!】

Xu Yanmao’s eyes brightened as he pretended to focus on the court proceedings, but in reality, he was enjoying the gossip.

【No wonder this person keeps stressing that the princess must follow the husband’s authority; it’s because Princess Xiangyang never gave him face.】

The previously disgruntled Princess Wanshou stared blankly at Xu Yanmiao.

After returning from the Prince Consort’s manor yesterday, after much thought and observation, se realized that the voice Xu Yanmiao was making wasn’t ventriloquism but his inner thoughts.

Now, his inner thoughts had brought up her Eighteenth Sister.

“Xiangyang…” The Princess Wanshou thought of Empress Dou.

Princess Xiangyang was the youngest daughter of the Empress, loved and pampered by both the emperor and empress since her childhood. Her four older brothers and two older sisters cherished her like a precious jewel. Naturally, her personality was different from theirs, and she was particularly proud.

When Xu Yanmiao mentioned Princess Xiangyang, Wen Xingyi, the previously imposing and unyielding Imperial Censor, flushed red in the face. Those who didn’t know would think that the place where the imperial court was being held was seriously lacking in oxygen.

He noticed that the civil and military officials around him were all ears, seemingly far more interested in his family matters than in whether the Prince Consort of Princess Wanshou should be imprisoned.

Thus, his face turned even redder, likely with his blood pressure soaring to 180.

The old emperor, observing his expression, narrowed his eyes and sneered.

Since you like to watch royal family secrets, why not let others watch your family matters as well?

Xu Yanmiao leisurely flipped through the system, thoroughly enjoying the gossip.

【Let me take a look, let me look, as soon as the princess entered, Wen Xingyi demanded that she follow the custom of a regular wife, bathing and changing clothes on the second day after marriage, and performing rites to show respect to the husband’s family elders to gain their approval.】

【Then, Princess Xiangyang turned around and left, intending to return to the princess’s manor, which scared the Wen family. They were afraid that the old emperor would find out about this and begged Princess Xiangyang to get back in the carriage. Only after her uncle and aunt performed the ceremonial rites did they manage to appease her and make her reluctantly calm down.】

The officials: Wow!

Then what happened, then what happened?

Who would’ve thought… Xu Yanmiao was right, people always emphasize what they lack the most. The Wen family was no different. When they encountered a powerful princess, they criticized her for not being obedient enough.

Tsk, tsk.

【And then, after her husband’s death, the wife should observe three years of mourning, whereas the husband only needs to mourn for one year. The same applies to a princess’s death. But three months ago, Princess Qiyang passed away, and Princess Xiangyang went to her prince consort’s house, demanding that he observe three years of mourning for her sister.】

【Wen Xingyi knew about this and tried to use his position as her father-in-law to criticize Princess Xiangyang for tarnishing her sister’s virtue, claiming that she should not rest in peace after death. Princess Xiangyang immediately countered, saying not to worry, that if she were to die, she would not make her prince consort observe three years of mourning, but would instead take him with her.】

【Hahahaha, wow, this princess is amazing, Wen Xingyi was completely shut down and couldn’t say a word.】

The officials: Wow! Wow!

The gossip about someone else’s family was just so interesting, it was impossible to stop listening.

Who would’ve thought that this old conservative would actually be scared? Why was he so tough with Princess Wanshou?

Isn’t this typical of bullying the weak and fearing the strong?

The officials’ teasing glances all drifted toward Wen Xingyi, whose neck was almost completely red, yet he still held his face stiff and his neck high.

He had thought that the matter with Princess Xiangyang would be exposed, but only when he faced the situation did he realize how unbearable it was to be the focus of all those whispers, curious stares, and pointed comments.

And…

It was Princess Xiangyang who was rude, my Wen family was merely adhering to the proper etiquette, so what’s the problem? The one who should be embarrassed is Princess Xiangyang, not my family! What’s wrong with these people? Shouldn’t they be criticizing her for not adhering to the duties of a wife?

Of course, the old conservative couldn’t stand it, but he couldn’t stop Xu Yanmiao.

—After all, if he yelled “shut up,” Xu Yanmiao wouldn’t even realize he was yelling at him. And if he shouted Xu Yanmiao’s name, several of the closest officials would probably rush to cover his mouth before he could finish speaking.

Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts were especially beneficial. For example, the news about the treason in Nanyue that had been exposed yesterday. Thanks to the advance warning, the traitors weren’t prepared, and the rebellion would surely be suppressed perfectly, with minimal casualties. Around ten noble families had already sent their sons and nephews to the military to gain some experience on the battlefield.

Wen Xingyi’s attempts to ruin everyone’s interests were useless.

What made Wen Xingyi wish he could die was that Xu Xianmiao’s thoughts still hadn’t stopped!

He was still digging up dirt on his family! And it was no longer just about the princess and the prince consort!

【Tsk tsk, there’s so much gossip in this family. His older brother, who’s the Crown Prince’s attendant, got an STD from frequenting male prostitutes.】

The officials: Oh?!

Who would’ve thought the Crown Prince’s attendant frequented male prostitutes? People truly can’t be judged by appearances!

Prime Minister Dou: “…”

After a while, he finally reacted, gasping in shock.

“Attendant Wen?!”

Wen Xingyi widened his eyes and mumbled, “But my older brother… he’s seventy-five!”

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, suddenly hearing about his family’s scandal, choked on his own saliva.

Cough, cough, cough! After coughing, he muttered, “Age is just a number, huh.”

This was more exciting than when his father, at sixty-three, was still very active.

Explosive! So explosive!

He liked it!

… But is this really appropriate?

The Crown Prince, rubbing his remaining conscience, remembered that he never liked this attendant, always spewing grandiose and pompous speeches, often getting all worked up while advising him, saying his behavior was too flamboyant and didn’t resemble that of a ruler.

Thinking this, he immediately tossed his conscience aside.

The gossip was too good, hehehe!

He always preached about being mild, respectful, frugal, and virtuous, but at least he didn’t mess around in bed!

The officials were eating up the gossip, and soon couldn’t hold back, discussing it openly in the court.

“Attendant Wen is too careless, contracting a disease.”

“I knew it! They always act so pure and high-minded, they must have some hidden scandal. And now someone dug it out!”

Pffft— “I’ve been waiting for the show, the Crown Prince’s attendant? Tsk, tsk, after today, who knows if he’ll even remain as the Crown Prince’s attendant.”

“Forget about the Crown Prince’s attendant, Princess Xiangyang might need to change her prince consort.”

Some curious officials sneaked a glance at the old emperor, and sure enough, his face was ashen, his expression especially foul.

Xu Yanmiao didn’t notice. He was still digging.

His eyes shone like flashlights.

The eyes of the royal family and officials were also shining like flashlights.

The old emperor said again, “But I think there’s some truth in what Wen Xingyi said. The husband is the head of the wife, a worldly standard. If I forcefully intervene, wouldn’t that be foolish?”

Cui Yi, after hearing this, made a smile: “If it were an ordinary family, the wife would naturally ruin her husband’s family, which is a serious matter of family ethics. But here, in the imperial court, in the royal family, what does that matter? Is it worth bringing it up in court?”

The old emperor slightly raised his eyebrows.

Cui Yi continued, “Moreover, as your subjects, we sit in the court, supported by the people, and enjoy the emperor’s grace. We should not be focusing on such trivial matters, whether a family can adhere to the husband’s dominance over the wife. It is absurd!”

He took a step forward, his voice thunderous: “If all we discuss in the court every day are such matters, wouldn’t the noble ministers be a laughing stock? They would become greedy for petty gains, creating positions where they are only filling empty seats!”

Xu Yanmiao almost slapped his thigh.

Brilliant!

Cui Yi really knows how to speak. His self-preservation is impressive.

He couldn’t help but feel regretful—why couldn’t he learn this? If only he could, he might be in the emperor’s favor by now.

The old emperor was satisfied. He waved his hand, interrupting Cui Yi’s further declaration of loyalty: “Since that’s the case, the decision on the Duke Song’s family will remain unchanged. You’ll report to the Ministry of Revenue later and serve as the Minister’s Assistant. By the way, Princess Wanshou is also in the Ministry of Revenue, serving as the Ministry’s assistant.”

Cui Yi hadn’t noticed that Princess Wanshou was also present in the court. Upon hearing the emperor’s words, he barely suppressed his derogatory words about women in office. He carefully embraced his nine generations of ancestors and said cautiously, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”

Then, he added, “So His Highness is the Ministry of Revenue’s Assistant, responsible for handling incoming and outgoing documents?”

He then made a respectful bow toward Princess Wanshou from a distance and said, “I hope to receive more guidance from Your Highness in the future.”

Cui Yi was no naive scholar; he understood the meaning behind the emperor’s words.

— It meant he would support Princess Wanshou in the Ministry of Revenue. Alright! He would support her!

The old emperor was even more satisfied.

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao continued pestering his colleague: “What rank is the Ministry of Revenue’s Assistant?”

The Minister of War’s Official numbly replied, “Fifth rank.”

Xu Yanmiao, naive and foolish, said, “From the fourth rank to the fifth rank, it’s not such a big drop.”

The Official replied, “You can’t say it like that. The position of the imperial inspector is very special; they have the privilege to report rumors without evidence. The Ministry of Revenue’s Assistant, on the other hand, is rather plain.”

Xu Xianmao nodded eagerly, 【I see! So it’s like falling from heaven to the mortal realm.】

The clerk, exasperated, thought to himself, “That’s not entirely wrong.”

The rest of the court session passed without much of note, and soon the assembly was dismissed.

— Many officials were a bit disappointed, hoping Xu Yanmiao would reveal some other explosive news.

The old emperor, riding his palanquin to the Wuying Hall to review documents, was in a very good mood after his great victory in the court that day.

His eyes glued to the documents, he said without raising his head to the chief eunuch, “How come no one has any awareness? Why hasn’t the empress’s soup been brought to me yet?”

After an awkward silence, the chief eunuch, somewhat clumsy, replied, “Your Majesty, there… there’s no soup.”

The old emperor suddenly looked up, his eyes widening. “Impossible! The empress always brings me soup after court.”

The eunuch hesitated, but then said, “Your Majesty, there really is no soup.”

The emperor raised his voice, emphasizing, “Impossible! It must still be on its way. You old servant are too lazy to go check.”

The eunuch quickly acknowledged and left, and the emperor, satisfied, returned to reviewing documents. After a while, the doors were pushed open again, and the emperor looked up, only to see the eunuch return empty-handed.

“Where’s the soup?”

“Your Majesty, I went to the empress’s palace, but Her Highness said…” The eunuch was sweating, unable to wipe it off, stiffly continuing, “Her Highness said, if Your Majesty wants soup, you should ask the kitchen.”

The emperor slammed the table, furious, “She—”

“How dare she!”

The emperor, enraged, shouted, “Is she ignoring me just for a lowly concubine who’s gone astray?”

He continued grumbling, “I’ve been too lenient with her!”

The emperor clenched his pen, “Let’s see how long she can stay in her palace without me visiting!”

He lowered his head to review the documents, and an hour later, raised his head again. “Has the empress come to apologize?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.” The emperor nodded indifferently and continued with his work.

Two hours later.

“Has the empress come to apologize?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…” The emperor moved his legs, stretched his hands, and glanced out the window.

Three hours later.

“The empress—” The emperor paused, placing his pen on the table with a “thunk,” stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back. “Let’s go! To the Jiaofang Hall! I want to see if she’s truly gone mad!”

…

Princess Wanshou, holding the official seal, entered the palace. She had planned to discuss government matters with her father, but finding that he wasn’t in the Wuying Hall, she nervously asked the guards, “Where is my father? Hmm? Jiaofang Hall? I’ll go there, you don’t need to follow me.”

She walked to the Jiaofang Hall and found it strange that there were no guards at the door.

Confused, she approached the door and faintly heard her father’s voice inside.

“Don’t be angry, if not execution, can we just exile her?”

“Alright, alright, no exile, no exile, we won’t exile her, let her go to the Yeting Palace…”

“Okay, okay, no Yeting! You’re right, you’re right. After she has the baby, she can go to the temple to meditate. We’ll be magnanimous, we won’t argue with her!”