The news that Di Renjie and the others were acquitted quickly caused a sensation in the court.
All along, none of the officials who had been caught and sent to the Imperial Envoy Station had been able to walk out safely. Although there was already Yang Fan before Di Renjie and the others, Yang Fan's special relationship with Princess Taiping had already spread far and wide. Everyone knew about it, so everyone treated him as a special case.
It wasn't until Di Renjie and the others were all acquitted that the officials began to take it seriously. Some of the more sensitive people felt that Lai Junchen, who had always been favored by the Emperor and relied on as an arm, might be out of luck. Some of the more knowledgeable people had already seen the distant future from this matter. They felt that the Empress's ruling policy seemed to have changed.
Wu Zetian had always dealt with matters swiftly and decisively. The next morning, during the morning court session, she officially announced the results of this matter. She also announced the appointment and adjustments of some of the important officials of the imperial court.
In the imperial edict, Wu Zetian said that Di Renjie, Ren Zhigu, Pei Xingben, and the others were closely associated with the Eastern Palace. As court officials, they befriended the Crown Prince. They were suspected of forming a clique for personal gain and had failed their duties as officials. This time, they were implicated in the Eastern Palace's petition case because they didn't know how to behave and left behind information that could be used against them.
Therefore, although it had been found out that the rebellion case had nothing to do with them, these officials should still be punished. She demoted Di Renjie to be the Magistrate of Pengze, Ren Zhigu to be the Magistrate of Jiangxia, Pei Xuanli to be the Magistrate of Yiling, Wei Yuanzhong to be the Magistrate of Fuling, and Lu Xian to be the Magistrate of Xixiang. These Prime Ministers, Ministers, and Assistant Ministers were all sent to be magistrates.
In addition, because the letters found in the manors of Prime Minister Pei Xingben and Provincial Governor Li Sizhen were found to ridicule the current politics and slander the Emperor, the two were convicted of disrespect. They were stripped of all their official positions and their families were exiled to Lingnan.
As for Lai Junchen, because of his simple and crude handling of the case of rebellion, using torture to extort confessions, violating the law while enforcing the law, in order to gain merit, he also connived with his subordinates to fabricate false evidence, for this reason he was removed from his position as the Left Minister of the Imperial Censor and demoted to Tongzhou Military Adjunct.
Soon after, Wu Zetian issued a few new appointments to the vacated positions of the demoted officials. Among them, the one that attracted the most attention was the position of the Prime Minister. However, the appointment of the Prime Minister was already known to everyone before the Emperor issued the edict. Now that they heard the edict, they knew that Li Zhaode would be the head of the Prime Minister. Yang Zhirou, Su Weiwei, and the others would be the assistants to assist Li Zhaode in presiding over the court.
As for the appointments of officials below the Minister and Assistant Minister level, the Emperor did not directly issue an edict in court. These matters were assessed and arranged by the Ministry of Appointments and reported to the Emperor for approval. It was precisely these positions that people were unable to predict in advance. Thus, when the morning court was dismissed, many officials began to make their own calculations.
Some wanted to find official positions for their children and nephews, some wanted to advance themselves, and some wanted to promote their own power. Thus, the officials in charge of the Ministry of Appointments immediately became busy. Those with high positions of power and authority began to beat around the bush, conferring titles and making wishes. Their colleagues who were of equal power began to express their goodwill and invite them to banquets. As for those with lower positions, they began to prepare greetings and gifts. Ren Zhigu, Pei Xuanli, and the other officials who were demoted and exiled could not help but hang their heads in dejection and silence. Some were happy, and some were sad.
Di Renjie was really broad-minded. Although he had been demoted from the Prime Minister to a small county magistrate in an instant, he was not shocked by the praise or humiliation. He was very calm. When some officials who were on good terms with him came up to him to express their condolences, he only smiled and responded, without the slightest hint of depression.
In this case of rebellion, there were too many high-ranking officials below the Prime Minister, Minister, and Assistant Minister level. Thus, very few people paid attention to how the main character, Yang Fan, would be arranged. In reality, with his fifth-level official position, although it was not considered small in the local area and could be on equal footing with a provincial governor, it was not considered large in Luoyang, where there were many officials in the capital. He was not on the list of officials to be appointed and removed by the Emperor in court, and he also had to wait for the Ministry of Appointments to appoint him.
The officials who were racking their brains for the vacant positions and currying favor with each other did not expect that at this time, Yang Fan was already standing outside Wucheng Hall, quietly waiting for the Emperor's arrival.
It was often said that only after experiencing women could a boy become a man. Marriage, on the other hand, would cause a man to quickly mature. Because he was the sole person in charge of the household, he had to play the role of his father and grow into a towering tree to shelter his family from the wind and rain. Then what about imprisonment?
The experience of narrowly escaping death and the torment of separation between life and death could cause a man to quickly grow up. Sometimes, there would be a rebirth, a change that was tantamount to a new life.
Yang Fan had just gotten married when he was arrested and thrown into prison. He was almost sentenced to be hanged. This series of experiences had already caused this young man, who had just turned twenty, to possess a valuable wealth that was very difficult for his peers to obtain. It was the tempering of his will, the growth of his character, and the maturation of his wisdom.
In the past, Yang Fan always had a sunny smile on his face. He stood there as straight as a spear, giving off a feeling that he was showing off his abilities. At a glance, people would notice this energetic, handsome, and confident young man.
Now, there would still be a smile on his face, but that smile was restrained and reserved. It was no longer as bright as the sun, but as gentle as the moonlight. His back was still straight, but he no longer showed off his abilities like a spear. Instead, he was like a sword, a sharp sword hidden in a sheath.
Wan 'er was handling memorials in the Hall of Martial Accomplishment. She should already know that Yang Fan was outside the door, but she did not use any excuse to come out and take a look. She also did not use any excuse to call Yang Fan into the hall to have a quiet chat with her, even though she very much wanted to …
Yang Fan also did not impatiently ask about her situation from the mouths of the palace maids and servants who came in and out. He had already learned patience. Sometimes, patience at the right time could lead to a longer reunion. He now understood this principle.
In the distance, the bell for the dismissal of the court rang out. Yang Fan turned around and faced the Divine Palace of Wanxiang. He didn't have to wait too long. The Emperor's procession quickly appeared under the escort of the guards of honor. The procession went all the way into the third courtyard before it was gently lowered. Wu Zetian stood from the procession. Yang Fan waited until Wu Zetian walked in front of him before he bowed and said, "Subject Yang Fan greets Your Majesty!"
"Wan 'er welcomes everyone!"
At this time, a soft and pleasant voice suddenly rang out beside him. Yang Fan's heartstrings suddenly trembled, but he didn't turn his head to look at her. Wu Zetian calmly glanced at Yang Fan and ordered, "Follow me in!" Finishing, she stretched out her hand. She had Wan 'er support her as she slowly walked into the Hall of Martial Accomplishment.
Yang Fan straightened his back and followed behind her. Only now did his gaze land on Wan 'er.
Wan 'er wore a moon-white man's robe embroidered with bamboo branches. Her long and beautiful neck was as elegant as usual. However, when his gaze landed on Wan 'er's waist, he found that her swaying waist was a bit too slender. The jade belt around her waist made it hard to hold it.
As the belt became wider, Wan 'er became thinner.
Wan 'er seemed to sense Yang Fan's gaze. Her back became slightly stiff. She supported Wu Zetian all the way to the imperial desk and then let go. Taking advantage of the opportunity when Wu Zetian leaned over to sit, she turned her head and quickly glanced at Yang Fan.
Yang Fan had been watching her the entire time. Wan 'er turned her head and met his deep gaze.
Yang Fan looked at those eyebrows that were like willow leaves, those eyes that were like red phoenixes, those cheeks that were like fresh lychees, that nose that was like goose fat, and that gaze that quickly moved away as if it was scalded. Yang Fan's heart ached slightly.
Wan 'er's lips, which were as fresh as preserved fruit, gently pressed together. She quickly turned her head and stood by the side of the imperial desk. She didn't dare to look too long. She was afraid that Yang Fan would see the sorrow in her heart.
Wu Zetian coughed softly and said to Yang Fan, "Yang Fan!"
Yang Fan quickly gathered his thoughts and stepped forward. With his hands hanging down, he said, "Your subject is here!"
Wu Zetian looked at Yang Fan. Her left hand reached out and gently took the cup of fermented rice that Wan 'er handed over. She brought it to her lips and gently took a sip. She slowly said, "You were falsely accused and imprisoned. Do you have any resentment towards me?"
Yang Fan quickly said, "Thunder and rain are all the benevolence of the monarch. I am Your Majesty's subject. How could I dare to have any resentment towards Your Majesty? The reason why I was unjustly imprisoned was because I was not virtuous enough. That was why I was taken advantage of by vile people. Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and clears my grievances. From now on, I will reflect on myself and serve the court. "
Wu Zetian smiled and said in a low voice, "The security of the palace cannot be relaxed for even a moment. When you were imprisoned, your position was taken by someone else. This general works seriously and is loyal to his duty. Even though it has been proven that you are not at fault, I cannot remove him from his position without fault. So … I will have to make other arrangements for you. "
Her fingers had been gently tapping on the table. After she finished speaking, she gently raised her eyes and looked at Yang Fan, who was standing with his head down. She smiled and said, "Princess Taiping's manor is still lacking a senior official. There has never been a suitable candidate. Are you willing to accept the position?"
When her fingers lightly tapped on the table, Shanghai Wan 'er's eyebrows involuntarily jumped a few times. Her hands in her sleeves suddenly clenched tightly. Her fingertips pierced into her palms, but she did not feel a trace of pain. She wanted to turn her head and give Yang Fan a stern warning. But she used all her strength and her neck was so stiff that she could not move at all.
It was not an easy task to express one's feelings in front of Wu Zetian.
Senior official of the princess' manor?
Why would the Emperor think of this position?
Yang Fan was very surprised. His heart quickly surged with a kind of bad premonition. Then, he saw Wan 'er's face. Wan' er was standing sideways. The lines of her beautiful face were very soft and beautiful. But he, who had skin to skin with Wan 'er, keenly felt the fear and nervousness hidden under that calm expression.
He immediately bent down and said in a low voice, "If Your Majesty has any orders, I will bow my head and obey. It is just that … it is not that I am belittling myself. In reality, the responsibility of the senior official of the princess' manor is too great. I am young and inexperienced. I am afraid that my ability is not enough and I will fail Your Majesty's expectations. So … I do not dare to accept orders! "
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