LOT – Chapter 220 She Even Took Away Her Mother’s Boy Toys

Lin Mo marched to Censor Chen’s residence with a troop of six people behind her, all aggressive and full of momentum.

The gatekeeper of the Chen residence felt his heart jump to his throat the moment he saw this little ancestor show up.

Had his master committed some crime?! He hadn’t heard anything!

But if his master hadn’t, why would this little ancestor show up at their door?!

Lin Mo said angrily to the gatekeeper, “I’m looking for Lord Censor. Hurry up and report.”

When Censor Chen heard that Lin Mo had come, he nearly fell off his seat. His first thought was: What trouble have I caused recently?!

Could it be that some piece of gossip had reached him?! Even the matter of finding a match for his daughter had become gossip now? Surely the entire court didn’t follow her here, right?!

After he invited everyone in, Censor Chen, utterly anxious, had his servants serve snacks and tea immediately.

Lin Mo got straight to the point. “Lord Censor, I’d like to report someone for improper behavior. The daughter of County Lady Cheng’an—Liu Biyao—has no respect for law or discipline. She kidnapped a candidate who came to the capital for the imperial exam, throwing him into a dark alley. Had I not been there at the time, who knows what misfortune would have befallen this candidate?”

“County Lady Cheng’an’s conduct has always been outrageous. As a royal county lady, she should set an example for the people of the capital, but every single thing she does is without rules or propriety. So I’m here to report them!”

Bai Xiao: 【Report them! Impeach them!】

The six people behind her all looked very serious. Especially Jian Zhizhi—he recounted his entire ordeal in detail. Censor Chen’s expression grew more and more severe.

“Outrageous. Absolutely outrageous! Do they really think the capital belongs to them?!”

“Previously, when County Lady Cheng’an separated from her husband, the Grand Academician of the Imperial Academy, I already thought it improper. Then she even dared to speak rudely to the Pingnan Marquis couple. We only let it go because she was an orphan. Who would’ve thought that after giving birth to a daughter, she would become even more excessive?!”

“Lord Xiao Lin, don’t worry. Our Censorate doesn’t just sit around!”

Bai Xiao: 【Momo, the Censorate is very powerful. They can impeach anyone for anything. If they want to target you, the moment your left foot crosses their threshold they’ll impeach you. Not only do civil and military officials find them annoying, the emperor finds them the most annoying.】

Lin Mo: 【They’re that annoying?】

Bai Xiao: 【Exactly. Their ranks aren’t high, but their power is.】

Censor Chen: …

Is it really appropriate to discuss this in front of me?

I know the Censorate isn’t popular, but you don’t have to say it so directly, right? We do things based on law and regulation—we don’t fabricate accusations out of thin air!

The next morning, Censor Chen and the other censors all submitted impeachment memorials against County Lady Cheng’an. Some even listed out all of her absurd deeds throughout the years.

When Emperor Xuande heard all this, his face turned pitch-black.

As for this distant cousin, he never had any real feelings. Back when the previous emperor was alive, that branch of the family had already been marginalized, leaving only this one descendant.

He showed leniency only because she was the last of her line. But he didn’t expect her to become more and more presumptuous.

And she even allowed her daughter to harm a candidate coming to the capital for the imperial exam. These examinees were future pillars of the nation—how could she be allowed to bully them?!

“Pass down Our decree: Strip County Lady Cheng’an of her title. Liu Biyao is to be sent back to the Grand Academician of the Imperial Academy and taught properly.”

“As for you, Grand Academician—this third daughter of yours must be strictly educated. If you truly cannot discipline her, then keep her confined. If anything else happens, you alone will bear responsibility.”

The Grand Academician hurriedly knelt to thank the emperor. He had no affection for County Lady Cheng’an, but Liu Biyao was still his biological daughter. He feared the emperor would convict her of a crime.

Being confined was still better than losing her life.

Lin Mo was grinning ear to ear. 【Not bad, not bad. Without the county lady title, let’s see how those two still stir up trouble.】

Bai Xiao: 【Exactly. They’ve harmed so many people—finally resolved. It’s just a pity for the Grand Academician… Bringing that girl home means the house will never know peace.】

At that moment, the Cheng’an County Lady’s residence was in chaos. Especially the county lady herself—she was completely stunned.

“How is this possible?! I’m a royal county lady! How could His Majesty strip me of my title?!”

“I want to see His Majesty! I’m his cousin! I have imperial blood!”

County Lady Cheng’an panicked and rushed out, but the eunuchs stopped her.

“Madam, please stop making trouble. Even if you go, what’s the point? You’re lucky His Majesty didn’t repossess the county lady residence. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even have a place to live.”

“As for Young Lady Liu, she’ll be escorted back to her father’s household. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves. You offended the wrong person and don’t even know it.”

Everyone in the capital knew who should never be provoked. These two still dared to defy common sense.

And they kidnapped an imperial exam candidate? That’s practically suicide!

Anyone able to come to the capital for the exam has at least the rank of juren. They are not commoners—commoners must even address them respectfully as “sir.” What were these two thinking? Did they think it was still decades ago? Even back when Prince Qingping was around, no one dared act with such absurdity.

After morning court, Lin Mo specially came over to watch the commotion. Seeing carts of belongings being carried out of the county lady residence, she looked utterly amazed.

“Why are they carting away so many things? Isn’t it just the title being revoked?”

Bai Xiao whispered, “Without the title, she loses all the privileges. These items were imperial rewards—royal-use goods. They all bear special royal seals. Once you’re no longer part of the imperial family, they must be reclaimed.”

Lin Mo shook her head and sighed. “Serves them right.”

Soon, the residence was sealed, and County Lady Cheng’an was confined inside, unable to leave.

When Liu Biyao walked out, she was crying. She was actually quite pretty, but her way of leaving was a little… too clean.

Her mother had been confined, yet she didn’t even spare her a glance. And what was with that group of handsome men trailing behind her…? Was she taking the servants away with her?

Sensing Lin Mo’s confusion, Bai Xiao explained:

“That’s her mother’s male concubines. She thinks it’d be a pity to leave them behind, so she took them with her.”

Lin Mo: …

What a filial daughter. Your mother is imprisoned, and you’re not sure she’ll ever be free again, yet you take away her only source of joy.