strictlysupreme Chapter 116 The Substitute Bride 32
Chapter 116 The Substitute Bride 32
Chu Qingyun gently held Chu Yuze in his arms and patted him tenderly, saying, "Yuze, you must know that in this world, if you want to truly deal with someone, you can never rely solely on momentary impulse and anger. Instead, you need to deeply understand him, to know his thoughts, his plans, and his schemes. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' Do you understand this principle?"
Chu Yuze blinked his bright eyes and said earnestly, "Your subject understands. There must be a reason why Imperial Censor Liu is so arbitrarily judging the Empress Dowager. Your subject needs to find out the truth and then find a way to prevent him from talking nonsense again."
Chu Qingyun nodded slightly, his expression serious, and said, “Yu Ze, as the royal family, we control the entire world. It's true that silencing someone might be as simple as using words. However, the world is vast, and the voices of the people cannot be easily silenced. If we suppress every dissent with force, it will only breed resentment, and over time, we will lose the hearts of the people. Therefore, we must use wisdom and strategy, discern right from wrong, and act justly to win their respect. Only in this way can we ensure the long-term stability of our royal foundation and the eternal prosperity of our empire. Do you understand your father's good intentions?”
Chu Yuze pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly and said, "Father, I understand. I will remember your teachings, avoid acting impulsively, and learn to solve problems with wisdom and strategy."
"Yes, I'm glad that Yuze understands his father's good intentions."
After Chu Qingyun finished speaking, he summoned the palace attendant.
"Have the one on the right go and beat up all of Liu Yushi's sons. Remember to put them in sacks."
Chu Yuze's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father, didn't you say we shouldn't act rashly?"
"How dare he speak ill of your mother! Aren't we allowed to vent our anger? Although this Imperial Censor Liu is old, his sons are young and should be able to withstand a beating. However, understanding him is indeed important, but venting our anger is not to be neglected. Our imperial dignity cannot be offended; we must make them understand the consequences."
Chu Yuze wholeheartedly agreed, "Father, may I go and watch?"
"Of course not. If you go there yourself, wouldn't that leave evidence against you?"
"All right……"
That night, wails echoed throughout the courtyards of the Liu residence, like the wailing of ghosts in the middle of the night, shattering the original tranquility.
When Imperial Censor Liu was awakened from his sleep in the middle of the night and got up to check, he found that all eight of his legitimate sons and illegitimate sons were in a terrible state, as if they had been brutally beaten.
They were all bruised and battered, some with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, and their clothes were torn to shreds.
Imperial Censor Liu stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief and anger.
With trembling hands, he pointed at his injured sons and roared in a hoarse voice, "What on earth happened? Who is so bold as to commit violence in my Liu residence?"
The sons whimpered and cried, but they couldn't explain who had done it.
Censor Liu was so angry that he trembled and paced back and forth in the courtyard. For a time, everyone in the Liu household was in a state of panic and chaos.
For several days in a row, Imperial Censor Liu's sons were beaten until they were barely breathing. Only then did Imperial Censor Liu realize that the number of times his sons were beaten was exactly the same as the number of times he had cursed the Empress.
Now, is there anything he still doesn't understand?
Given the Empress's personality, she wouldn't care about those who impeached her, but the Emperor was a different story.
Looking at his sons, who were half-dead on the bed, Imperial Censor Liu burst into tears. That very day, he took off his official hat and knelt at the palace gate to beg for forgiveness.
To demonstrate that his praise of the Empress's virtue was well-founded, he even wrote a special article.
"I now observe the Empress's virtues and find her to be truly a woman of exceptional wisdom and virtue. Her establishment of women's medical clinics, enabling women to learn medicine and save lives, is an act of immense merit. Furthermore, the opening of girls' schools has enlightened women's minds, an achievement that will be remembered for generations. Moreover, she has proposed that Your Majesty repair the official roads, facilitating the travel of the people, promoting trade, and bringing blessings to all. I have spoken presumptuously before, and I am filled with boundless shame and remorse..."
The lengthy document, totaling a thousand words, was recited aloud by Imperial Censor Liu three times.
By this time, a large crowd had already gathered at the palace gate.
There were peddlers, scholars, and high-ranking officials.
An old man dressed in coarse linen clothes said, "This Imperial Censor Liu has spoken the truth this time. Her Majesty the Empress's establishment of clinics and schools is truly a great merit."
A young man who looked like a scholar chimed in, "Indeed, Her Majesty the Empress's actions should be praised by future generations. Imperial Censor Liu's timely realization shows he has some insight."
A richly dressed noblewoman continued, "Her Majesty the Empress has the world in her heart. Such a virtuous person deserves the respect of all people. It is not foolish of Imperial Censor Liu to recognize Her Majesty's goodness."
A small vendor couldn't help but chime in: "Although I don't understand any grand principles, I know that Her Majesty the Empress did a good thing. It's good that Imperial Censor Liu was able to admit his mistake; he still has some conscience."
A middle-aged scholar remarked, "The Empress's good deeds benefited all the people. It is thanks to Imperial Censor Liu's repentance that he still has some conscience."
A wealthy young man said, "Her Majesty the Empress is so virtuous. Imperial Censor Liu was truly blind before. Fortunately, he has now realized his mistake and returned to the right path."
An official nodded and said, "Her Majesty the Empress's achievements are obvious to all. It is good that Imperial Censor Liu can admit his mistake and praise her. It is better late than never."
An old woman wiped away her tears and said, "Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress, we women can also have access to education and medical care. It's good that Imperial Censor Liu understands this."
A young woman smiled and said, "The Empress is a role model for us women, so it's only right that Imperial Censor Liu praises her."
A burly street performer shouted, "Her Majesty the Empress's good deeds are admirable, and it's not too late for Imperial Censor Liu to admit his mistake!"
As Liu, the Imperial Censor, listened to the discussions of the crowd, he felt extremely aggrieved, but he could only suppress it and force a smile on his face, pretending to humbly accept the criticism.
Just then, the emperor's eunuch rushed over and said loudly, "Your Majesty, considering that Imperial Censor Liu has realized his mistake and sincerely repented, and also deeply knows the Empress's virtue, will not pursue the past matter any further. It is hoped that Imperial Censor Liu will assist Your Majesty with a fair heart in the future and seek the well-being of the country."
Imperial Censor Liu hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness will be repaid with the utmost loyalty and sacrifice."
The eunuch continued, "Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted and has bestowed this excellent medicine upon us, instructing us to bring it to Imperial Censor Liu. Her Majesty said that your eight sons only need to take this medicine on time, and they will recover in half a month."
Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Liu was moved to tears and repeatedly said, "Your Majesty the Empress's great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten!"
The onlookers also marveled at the Empress's kindness and compassion.
After taking the medicine home, he gave it to his eight sons, and they immediately recovered. It was then that Liu Yushi was chased and beaten by his mother with a cane.