HNYWEF -Chapter 133 Troublesome Affairs

In the fourth year of Zhenguan, the fifth day of the tenth month.

In the Taihe Hall, all officials stood in solemn silence.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial throne. His complexion was slightly better than a few days ago, but there were still dark shadows under his eyes.

“I have a memorial to submit.”

A voice rang out from within the ranks.

Li Shimin’s gaze shifted over.

It was Zhang Huairen again. Dressed in a blue official robe, he walked to the center of the hall and knelt down.

Li Shimin’s brow twitched slightly.

“Speak.”

Zhang Huairen straightened his body, his voice even louder than last time.

“This minister impeaches the founding Marquis of Jiuyuan County, Zhou Xiong.”

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Li Shimin did not speak.

Zhang Huairen continued, “Marquis Zhou has recently been indulging in excessive drinking and causing disturbances within the marquis’s residence. He injured his colleagues, causing General Cheng to suffer a head wound and remain injured even while attending court today. I believe that for a noble of merit to behave in such a manner brings shame upon the court. I request Your Majesty impose strict punishment as a warning to others.”

He finished and remained kneeling, waiting.

Li Shimin’s gaze shifted to the side.

Cheng Yaojin stood in the ranks with a white cloth bandage wrapped tightly around his head.

The bandage wound from his forehead to the back of his head, tied in a knot, with one end sticking up in a rather comical way.

Cheng Yaojin’s face was tense, expressionless.

Wei Zheng stood in his place, his brows faintly furrowed. He glanced at Zhang Huairen, then lowered his eyes.

He neither moved nor spoke.

After a breath of silence, Zhang Huairen, seeing no response from the throne, added,

“Your Majesty, Marquis Zhou is the father of an imperial son-in-law. If such conduct is not punished, it may be difficult to convince the court.”

Cheng Yaojin’s brows tightened.

He stepped forward.

Just one step.

“Zhang Huairen.”

Zhang Huairen raised his head and saw Cheng Yaojin’s darkened face—his heart skipped a beat.

Cheng Yaojin walked up to him and stopped.

“What the hell were you spouting just now?”

Zhang Huairen’s face turned pale.

“General Cheng, this official merely—”

“Merely your ass!”

Cheng Yaojin’s voice exploded through the hall, echoing loudly.

“Who gave you the right to come crying for me? Do I not know who smashed my damn head?”

Zhang Huairen knelt there, trembling.

Cheng Yaojin stepped closer.

“What are you? A seventh-rank censor, some nobody official, and you run here impeaching this one and that one? You addicted to impeachments or what?”

He pointed at the bandage on his own head.

“See this? I took the hit myself. I accept it. I’m not wronged. And you come out here dragging him into it—are you trying to make me even more embarrassed?”

Zhang Huairen opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

Cheng Yaojin pressed forward again.

“I’m asking you—are you trying to humiliate me?”

Zhang Huairen leaned back, nearly collapsing.

“I… I would not dare…”

“Not dare?” Cheng Yaojin glared at him. “Then why the hell did you do it? The person involved hasn’t even spoken, and you outsiders are running your mouths like you’ve got tails wagging behind you!”

He was breathing heavily, chest rising and falling.

“I’m telling you, this ends here! Anyone who keeps bringing this up is making an enemy of me! I don’t care what censor you are—push me far enough and I’ll come to your house myself for tea!”

Zhang Huairen’s face was pale as paper, sweat pouring down his forehead.

Cheng Yaojin turned toward the throne and cupped his hands.

“Your Majesty, I know how I handle this matter. Lord Xiong was only drunk that day, not targeting me. I will not pursue it, and no one else should pursue it on my behalf. Anyone who keeps digging into it is slapping my face!”

Li Shimin watched the scene from the throne.

He glanced at Zhang Huairen.

Then at Cheng Yaojin.

Finally, he spoke.

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

“Zhang Yushi.”

Zhang Huairen trembled.

“This minister… is here.”

Li Shimin said, “What did I tell you last time?”

Zhang Huairen lowered his head, sweat dripping onto the floor tiles.

“I…”

Li Shimin answered for him.

“I told you not to interfere in Marquis Zhou’s matter.”

He paused slightly.

“You didn’t listen?”

Zhang Huairen opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Li Shimin looked at him.

“Dock his salary for six months. Leave.”

Zhang Huairen froze.

He looked up at the throne.

Li Shimin was already looking away.

“Court dismissed.”

The eunuch called out the decree.

All officials bowed and filed out in order.

Zhang Huairen remained kneeling for a long time without getting up.

Cheng Yaojin passed by him and glanced down.

“Next time I see you poking around Xiong the Bear again, I’ll teach you what real ‘tea’ means.”

Then he strode out.

Wei Zheng passed as well, pausing briefly to look at Zhang Huairen.

He said nothing.

And continued walking.

The hall emptied.

Only Zhang Huairen remained kneeling there.

He slowly struggled to his feet, his knees weak, almost collapsing again.

He steadied himself and walked out.

At the entrance, he couldn’t help but glance back at the throne.

It was empty.

Li Shimin had already left.

He withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and limped out step by step.