Censor Tie, still in plain robes and hair unbound, knelt on the ground and spoke righteously: “Your Majesty is a wise ruler! All these years, you’ve executed corrupt officials, flayed their skins, personally drafted laws, established schools for the people to study…”
“But no matter how much good you do, the common people know nothing of it!”
He panted heavily, overcome with fury: “And why is that? The root cause lies in these title-holding nobles who feast without merit—on one hand enjoying their hereditary privileges, and on the other hand, greedily hoarding more!”
Chu Bo gave a faint sigh.
Censor Tie was truly a good official.
He had grown up in hardship. His father died early, and his mother remarried, taking him along like baggage to her new husband’s household. Yet Censor Tie never forgot his roots. Every year on his father’s death anniversary, he would secretly buy paper offerings to pay respects.
Until one day his stepfather discovered it—and threw him out.
A child of seven or eight, he survived by herding cattle, washing clothes, babysitting for villagers… yet still never gave up on reading.
Every day, he would stand at the entrance of a school, watching all day long.
At first, the teacher tried to drive him away. But when he spoke to the boy, he realized Censor Tie had memorized everything being taught—on his own.
At that time, Censor Tie didn’t even own a proper outfit. His clothes were ragged, the skin on his back exposed and covered with frostbite sores.
The teacher, deeply moved, took him in as a student.
And Censor Tie never disappointed.
He passed the county-level exam, then the provincial, then the imperial examination, eventually entering the Hanlin Academy—and not long after, became a Censor.
Since then, he had worked tirelessly, a firebrand wherever injustice was found.
But he continued to live simply, only affording meat during holidays.
A man like this—some might say he was posturing or too rigid—but undeniably, he was respected.
That’s why Emperor Yongchang had always held Censor Tie in high regard.
Just then, Xiao Jingzhao suddenly knelt beside him: “Royal Grandfather! What Censor Tie says is right!”
“When I saw the field of bones, I wanted nothing more than to execute Tian Baoci on the spot, to avenge the people and bring them justice!”
He kowtowed hard, tears in his eyes: “Royal Grandfather, this empire is yours, and its people are your children!”
Tsk tsk… now the Eastern Palace is getting interesting.
Those with sharper instincts couldn’t help but eye Xiao Jingzhao carefully, secretly marveling.
While Xiao Yunting lived, he had overshadowed Xiao Jingzhao completely.
But now that he was gone, Xiao Jingzhao was shining brightly.
It looked like the fight for the Eastern Palace wasn’t over yet.
But that was a matter for the future.
Censor Tie turned to glance at Xiao Jingzhao, feeling slightly comforted.
After all, they were serving the Xiao family. If this prince could say such things, it showed the one in power still understood righteousness.
Emperor Yongchang took a deep breath and nodded: “Enough. I will not let this matter slide lightly. Now, rise.”
Xiao Jingzhao quickly stepped forward to help Censor Tie up.
The old man rose unsteadily with his help and quickly apologized: “How can I let Your Highness humble yourself like this? I am undeserving.”
Xiao Jingzhao replied smoothly and respectfully: “You are a pillar of state for my royal grandfather. Of course I should honor you.”
Emperor Yongchang gave Xiao Jingzhao another long look.
He found the boy remarkably sensible.
He had just instructed Prime Minister Chu Bo to meet with the cabinet to discuss how to handle the matter when Eunuch Xia noticed a little eunuch peeking nervously outside. He quietly stepped out, then returned moments later, looking troubled.
He whispered, “Your Majesty… the Empress Dowager has arrived.”
Emperor Yongchang’s face instantly darkened.
Censor Tie became agitated at once: “The Empress Dowager must be here to plead for mercy! This matter is too outrageous! If the Tian family escapes unscathed, what justice remains in this world? How can the commoners trust the court again?!”
He huffed, “I’ll go speak with her myself!”
Just then, Chief Eunuch Zhong Jinshui entered hurriedly and reported: “Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager is in plain clothes, barefoot, and kneeling outside Taiji Hall!”
What?!
Everyone was stunned.
Even Emperor Yongchang frowned deeply.
She wasn’t his biological mother. When he was sent to his fief, she had just become Empress. She was roughly the same age as him.
But regardless—in title, she was still his official mother.
Heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher—Great Zhou was governed through filial piety. He absolutely could not leave a stain on his record regarding filial duty.
So thinking this, he immediately went to receive her.
Censor Tie grunted, thoroughly displeased.
If not for the Empress Dowager’s backing, how could the Tian family have acted so brazenly?!
To put it bluntly—how many died in that dog pit?!
All of it—Tian family’s sins.
And the Empress Dowager’s hands were covered in blood by association.
He immediately followed the Emperor out, determined: If she dares use filial piety to pressure the emperor, I’ll go cry at the ancestral temple—I’ll kneel and weep at the Left Shun Gate if I must!
No matter what, I won’t let this be swept under the rug!
Emperor Yongchang, heavy-hearted, was still thinking about how to fend off the Empress Dowager and properly punish the Tian family, when he stepped outside—and sure enough—
There she was, kneeling at the base of the Hall’s steps, in plain dress, hair disheveled, hairpins removed—pleading guilt.
For a woman of the palace, this was an immense humiliation.
One by one, the ministers rushed forward and knelt down, crying: “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please don’t do this!”
Censor Tie fell to his knees with a thud, stared straight at the Empress Dowager, and scolded without courtesy: “Your Majesty! You must not use filial piety to threaten His Majesty! The Tian family has violated every law and incited public rage—they are beyond redemption! If His Majesty shows mercy now, it will be a disaster for the people!”
He pointed skyward, eyes blazing with righteous fury: “Heaven sees all! The Tian family has killed so many, Tian Baoci slaughtered innocents—how can you, Empress Dowager, still stand by and aid such wickedness?!”
Emperor Yongchang sighed, pained, and stepped forward to help her up himself: “Royal Mother, this matter is grave. It cannot be taken lightly. In Tongzhou, six or seven hundred people have gathered, demanding justice. I am not only your son—I am also the sovereign of this realm!”
He let out another mournful sigh: “Royal Mother… forgive me.”
Prime Minister Chu Bo also had to step up at this point: “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please don’t make things difficult for His Majesty. This case is simply too shocking. If we do not punish it severely, many will follow its example, thinking they can get away with it.”
One official after another joined in— Everyone just hoped the Empress Dowager would recognize the situation… and stop making things harder for Emperor Yongchang.
