MCSCPM -Chapter 232 Military Command Authority

At this moment, Shangguan Qingyun arrived first at the imperial palace’s main hall.

Eunuch Sun said, “General Shangguan, the Emperor asks you to wait a moment.”

“Eunuch Sun, do you know why His Majesty suddenly summoned us urgently?”

“I’m not entirely sure, General Shangguan. Please wait a bit. I’ll inform the Emperor.”

Shangguan Qingyun, however, had already guessed—it was almost certainly because Ding Heng had reported something to the Emperor.

Yet while waiting, the Emperor did not appear—instead, Ding Heng arrived first.

Seeing Shangguan Qingyun, Ding Heng didn’t offer a friendly expression. He snorted coldly.

“What’s the matter with Lord Ding?” Shangguan Qingyun asked rhetorically, though he already knew.

“What’s the matter? General Shangguan, don’t you know? My daughter is still in bed! And it’s all because of your daughter!”

“Oh, so it’s about this? Just children playing around. Lord Ding, why take it so seriously?”

“Playing around?” Ding Heng’s tone rose, unwilling to yield. “General Shangguan, like father, like daughter. Your daughter taught her well! She wielded a whip recklessly. My daughter almost lost her life!”

Shangguan Qingyun had never been spoken to like this before and naturally got angry. He responded bluntly: “Lord Ding, watch your words. Careless speech brings disaster.”

“My daughter is nearly dead, and you still want me to speak politely?”

“Your daughter only got a single whip! She’s not that fragile, and now she’s fine, isn’t she?”

“You…” Ding Heng’s face turned red with fury. He forcefully swung his sleeve, turned away, suppressing his anger. “This is the main hall. Since the Emperor summoned us, it’s surely about this matter. Let the Emperor decide.”

Invoking the Emperor, Shangguan Qingyun restrained himself slightly.

At this moment, Chu Helian slowly entered. He seemed to have overheard the conversation between Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng and deliberately chose this moment to appear.

“You two ministers arrived so quickly, yet I am the one delayed by affairs,” Chu Helian said with a smile as he sat on the Dragon Throne.

Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng both bowed.

“Your Majesty, may we know why you summoned me and Lord Ding?”

Before Chu Helian could speak, Ding Heng jumped in. “Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for my daughter! You are a wise ruler. Shangguan Jiaoran struck cruelly and must be severely punished!”

“Enough. Ministers, I already have a stance. General Shangguan, your daughter indeed made a mistake. Lord Ding, I know about your daughter, but isn’t she fine now? I hear the divine healer cured her.”

“Yes, my daughter is indeed safe, thanks to the divine healer Prince Jing brought back. But this matter cannot be brushed aside. Your Majesty promised me an explanation,” Ding Heng said forcefully.

Chu Helian found himself in a dilemma. He glanced at Shangguan Qingyun, whose face darkened further at Ding Heng’s words.

“Lord Ding, I know you care for your daughter. This matter has caused quite a stir, but I hope you can make a minor matter out of it,” Chu Helian said, then turned to Shangguan Qingyun. “General Shangguan, your daughter acted rashly this time. It disappoints me. Those who err must be punished. Even the sovereign is subject to the law.”

“Your Majesty, Jiaoran accidentally injured Ding Ying. They are very close friends privately. How could Jiaoran strike her intentionally? There must be a misunderstanding. Your Majesty cannot just take Lord Ding’s side,” Shangguan Qingyun explained calmly. He knew the Emperor would not punish his daughter.

Chu Helian pondered the two sides carefully.

Seeing that the Emperor seemed inclined to favor Shangguan Qingyun, Ding Heng hurriedly interjected: “Your Majesty, this concerns life and death!”

“Enough, enough,” Chu Helian waved impatiently. “Lord Ding, I have been anxious over state affairs. This matter has passed. You do not need to pursue it further. Or should your daughter strike back with a whip?”

“So, Your Majesty means not to pursue it?” Ding Heng asked, furious but restraining himself.

“It’s not that I won’t pursue it. General Shangguan, what do you think?”

Shangguan Qingyun replied, “Your Majesty, my daughter knows she was wrong. She will be properly disciplined and made to apologize when we return.”

“No,” Ding Heng waved his hand decisively. “This matter cannot just be dismissed. If everyone acted like this, there would be no prisons or criminals!”

Ding Heng’s stubbornness came partly from concern for his daughter and partly from unwillingness to see the Emperor show favoritism.

“Lord Ding, shouldn’t children resolve matters among themselves? Do you want the Emperor to punish my daughter?”

“General Shangguan, I know the Ding family is not powerful compared to your strength, but every father loves his daughter. If I don’t get an explanation, this matter is not over!” Ding Heng said firmly.

Shangguan Qingyun was furious. He had been deferential before the Emperor and Ding Heng, yet Ding Heng pressed aggressively.

“Ding Heng, don’t be so confrontational!”

“Confrontational? General Shangguan, you misunderstand. I only want justice for my daughter!”

The two refused to yield, arguing for a long time.

Chu Helian, observing as a third party, sought a full resolution—and had other motives as well.

“Ministers, stop arguing. This will only escalate matters. Lord Ding cares for his daughter, and General Shangguan for his. Let me decide,” the Emperor said.

The two realized continuing the argument would achieve nothing. “Very well, Your Majesty, we will follow your decision.”

Chu Helian continued, “Since this is a minor affair among daughters, and General Shangguan cannot bear to punish his daughter, let the Emperor intervene. How about this?”

“Your Majesty means?”

“I will temporarily take some of your military command as a form of punishment. How does that sound?”

“Military command?” Shangguan Qingyun was shocked. As a general, losing command was no small matter.

“Do not worry, General Shangguan. This is also to give Lord Ding an explanation. Once Jiaoran reflects on her mistakes, I will consider restoring your command,” Chu Helian gave him a way out.

However, this was clearly a show of authority.

Shangguan Qingyun had not expected such a trap. Now, he could only accept it.

“Very well, since Your Majesty has decided, I have no objections. I will discipline my daughter properly upon returning,” he said, clearly unwilling but resigned.

Chu Helian turned to Ding Heng. “And Lord Ding, are you satisfied?”

Depriving Shangguan Qingyun of part of his command was the greatest punishment. Though Jiaoran was not directly punished, Ding Heng was satisfied with the Emperor’s approach.

“Your Majesty is wise. I have no objections,” Ding Heng said.

“Very well. Since both ministers have no objections, you may leave. I have other matters. Eunuch Sun, see the ministers out.”

Sun escorted the two out.

Outside the hall, Ding Heng and Shangguan Qingyun still glared at each other. Shangguan Qingyun’s face was green with anger.

“Lord Ding, satisfied now? The Emperor using my military command as leverage is clearly a warning to me.”

Ding Heng sneered. “General Shangguan, you’re punished on behalf of your daughter. Consider yourself lucky; otherwise, it would have been your daughter facing punishment.”

“Don’t rejoice too early. The Emperor said he will eventually restore my command.”

“Really? General Shangguan, we’ve served the Emperor for decades. Surely we understand his mind?” Ding Heng mocked, then laughed and strode ahead.

Shangguan Qingyun realized Ding Heng was right. Now he understood the Emperor’s intentions.

---

Back at the general’s residence, Shangguan Jiaoran had been waiting. Seeing her father, she rushed over anxiously.

“Father, what did the Emperor say?”

Shangguan Qingyun remained silent, his face dark.

“Father, speak!” she shook his hand.

He sighed. “It’s fine. Your father promised you, nothing will happen to you.”

“Really nothing?”

“Yes.”

“See, the Emperor still favors me. The position of Prince Jing’s consort is mine.”

“Enough,” Shangguan Qingyun suddenly yelled, causing her to step back several times.

“Father, what’s wrong? Did the Emperor say something?” she asked anxiously.

Shangguan Qingyun shook his head and went inside to drink tea.

Jiaoran, worried, said, “Father, don’t hide anything. I’m concerned.”

He only said, “Nothing serious. Just argued a bit with Ding Heng in the main hall. The Emperor didn’t punish you. I promise, the position of Prince Jing’s consort is yours.”

Relieved, Jiaoran smiled. “That’s a relief.”

Then she frowned. “Ding Heng is so clueless, daring to argue with Father. And Ding Ying—just one whip! It nearly killed her. How deliberate.”

“Listen, Jiaoran, you cannot leave the residence these days. Any more incidents, and even your position as Prince Jing’s consort will be lost,” Shangguan Qingyun said sternly.

She nodded, obediently. “Father, I understand. For the position of Prince Jing’s consort, I can endure anything.”

Shangguan Qingyun knew his daughter well—could she truly restrain herself during this period?

“Go to your room now. Stop always thinking of swordplay. Read embroidery or similar books instead.”

“I will,” she said, turning to leave.

Shangguan Qingyun sighed. The Emperor had taken part of his military command. For now, it was partial… but in the future… thinking of this, he sighed repeatedly.