Chapter 1576: Gathering of the Gods in the Heavenly Mansion

Editor: Henyee Translations

“I can’t help but feel sorry for these children. What wrong have they done? Their father laid down his life for the Great Qin Empire, and yet his son has to endure such humiliation, picking up discarded vegetables and fruits! Elder Brother Zheng, I harbor so much resentment towards him!”

“This is far from over! Far from over!”

Onlookers seethed with anger, unleashing a torrent of curses.

“This is inhumane! Is he even human?”

“Bullying the less fortunate! Is this the way of the world? It’s disheartening! The virtuous never seem to get what they deserve.”

“Without General Zheng and others risking their lives to defend against foreign enemies, how could people revel in luxury and indulge in drunkenness? The Imperial Court’s treatment of them and their families is excessively callous and heartless!”

“Who would dare to enlist in the army in the future? Who would willingly go to the battlefield? Certainly not me! I won’t allow my son to go either.”

“Indeed. I’d rather take out loans than subject myself to that.”

“Why would His Highness the Fourth Prince appoint such an individual to a crucial position? It’s beyond comprehension!”

“Heh, like master, like servant.”

“Quiet down; watch your words. Trouble may arise from your loose tongue.”

…

Head Steward Wen could no longer maintain his confident composure. His expression reflected defeat, and cold sweat adorned his forehead. In his heart, he lamented, “It’s over, it’s over!”

Wen Fuxin covered his face, still nursing a sense of injustice.

His countenance betrayed embarrassment, fear, and confusion.

Even at this moment, he couldn’t fathom the situation. Why was his uncle so apprehensive about these destitute individuals?

“So what if he’s a general? What kind of nonsense general behaves like this? No one would suspect he’s a beggar by the roadside!”

Head Steward Wen tossed aside any concern for his dignity or reputation. A forced smile stretched across his pallid face as he offered profuse apologies to Zheng Sangge. Disgust and anger had long consumed Zheng Sangge and the others; they paid little attention to the steward’s attempts at remorse.

Wu Guan, boiling with rage, had already stormed out, hurling curses as he seized a horse from the Heavenly Mansion and galloped straight to the Ministry of Justice to seek justice.

Before long, representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel arrived. Delegates from the Great Justice Temple followed suit. General Sun personally made his way to the scene. Soon after, emissaries from the palace joined the gathering. The Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, and other princes arrived in succession, turning the once serene Heavenly Mansion into a chaotic assembly of high-ranking officials.

Given the circumstances, a public trial was out of the question. All involved parties were ushered to the back hall.

The Crown Prince and the other princes took their seats, while the rest stood. Lord Qin, initially handling the case, positioned himself at the rear, his face betraying palpable nervousness.

Zheng Sangge and his companions stood on the sidelines, observing the unfolding events. Meanwhile, Head Steward Wen and his nephew knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

The swift escalation of the case to the palace owed much to General Sun’s intervention. As Consort De’s younger brother and the current head of the Sun family, General Sun owed his life to Zheng Sangge’s past heroics. Zheng Sangge, in turn, had amassed numerous accolades and rewards from the court, including praise and recognition from the Emperor himself.

The documents previously submitted by Zheng Sangge to Lord Qin showcased a litany of Imperial Court notices, highlighting countless military merits and honors earned through his dedicated service.

General Sun had consistently held Zheng Sangge in high regard, envisioning him as a potential trusted aide to be cultivated. However, upon his return to the capital from the northern regions, Zheng Sangge found himself at odds with the bureaucratic intricacies of the capital and disapproved of the Sun family’s conduct.

Adding to his challenges, Zheng Sangge was acutely aware that his act of saving General Sun’s life had forged an indelible connection in the eyes of the public. He was seen as inherently associated with General Sun. Beyond his reliance on General Sun, he recognized that establishing himself independently would be an uphill battle.