Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1720: Chapter 1720: Pardon

Ye Zongshen’s eyes were red now. He forced himself not to collapse.

Even if he had to crawl, he must attend court now.

Housekeeper Ye looked at the Marquis, knowing what a huge blow this was to him.

Within half an hour, all the officials had arrived.

Qi Wen accompanied the Emperor out with Meng Po; the matchmaker was still smiling brightly, sending a message to everyone below that these two had surely cut ties with the Ye family, perhaps even hoping for its downfall.

They were close ministers of the Emperor, understanding his thoughts thoroughly. The Ye Marquis Mansion was doomed.

Everyone shouted long live the Emperor.

Eunuch Wan immediately announced that Ye Wang was to come to the hall.

Lord Bai followed behind, the two knelt but were not allowed to rise.

No one could discern the Emperor’s expression or his mood.

Lord Bai sensibly knelt and reported the incident. ”The Marchioness obstructed our execution.”

Mrs. Wang was very scared in her heart, but there was also a kind of excitement. It was rebellious, wanting to see Ye Zongshen’s anger.

She kept her head down. ”Your Majesty, I wish to use the Ye family’s Death Exemption Token to save my son.” She presented the token after speaking.

Eunuch Wan took it and presented it to the Emperor.

The ministers were curious. The Ye family’s Death Exemption Token was unique, many had not seen it, it was obtained by Ye Zongshen’s grandfather and had protected the Ye family.

Ye Zongshen’s face was ashen, the Emperor evidently had this thought, otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed Eunuch Wan to take it over.

The court was eerily silent. After a long moment of reflection, the Emperor spoke.

”Ye Zongshen, Marquis Ye, what is your opinion?”

Ye Zongshen stepped forward. ”Your Majesty, the Death Exemption Token was exchanged for by my grandfather’s life. It represents the honor and glory of the Ye family.

If it were truly used in this way, it would disrespect my grandfather, thus I absolutely disagree.

I am willing to return the Death Exemption Token to Your Majesty as a restraint on the rest of the Ye family. They should not harbor lucky thoughts; as for Ye Liangkun, let the law decide, I have no objections and I agree.”

Everyone thought Ye Zongshen was truly smart, his words and action were retreating to advance, just waiting to see how the Emperor would handle it.

Mrs. Wang sharply raised her head, glaring at him with hatred upon hearing Ye Zongshen’s words.

Although Ye Liangkun was bad, he was her only hope, and this was cutting off her own hope.

The Emperor looked at the Death Exemption Token, still expressionless.

Ye Zongshen stood respectfully, bowing in the grand hall.

He was holding on with one breath, fearing he’d collapse without such an occasion.

After a long while, ”What do the ministers think?”

In truth, those who understood knew the Emperor’s intention.

This was undoubtedly an unmanageable matter during the Emperor’s reign, naturally hoping to resolve it.

Frankly, if the Ye family were to return, they’d be an unease whenever a Death Exemption Token lived on.

Using it for such insignificant matters was advantageous, but Ye Zongshen’s beautiful words could not be trifled with public opinion.

Indeed, Duke Lu stood up for this matter.

”Your Majesty, the minister believes consideration should be given to the Marchioness’s wishes.

Though Ye Liangkun was abhorrent, he was still the Marchioness’s support.”

Several others stepped out with the same sentiment. Minister Wang had no choice but to side with Duke Lu.

Meng Po lightly chuckled. ”Marquis Ye is indeed valiant in justice over kinship.

We brothers agree to pardon Ye Liangkun without further investigation.”

Ye Zongshen gritted his teeth below, these two beasts were watching the Ye family’s demise.

Nothing could be said now.

Everyone knew now that the two from the Ye family represented the Emperor’s wishes.

Those understanding the situation promptly stepped out to agree with Duke Lu.

Ultimately all officials agreed.

Ye Zongshen realized it was over, from now on the Ye family would fall, and it would happen at his hands.

He felt a metallic taste in his throat, forcibly swallowing the blood, determined not to show it in court.

”Since everyone agrees, Bai Yingjie should immediately conduct a public opinion survey.”

Lord Bai kowtowed in response and left immediately. Ye Zongshen swayed slightly, enduring with difficulty.

Qi Wen looked at Tan Shaoting and Ye Zongshen with a bit of sympathy.

He was cold, but it was to protect the Ye family; he was the only one striving while others dragged him down.

Such people are the most exhausted. In truth, he should unite the entire Ye family, being too arrogant.

The Emperor waited here, unbothered by the annoyance.

Only he sat while others stood, Meng Po clearly observing the officials below.

After about an hour, Bai Yingjie returned, holding the public opinion survey. Meng Po knew it was all prearranged.

Over sixty percent of the public supported using the Death Exemption Token for Ye Liangkun.

In fact, could ordinary citizens know what a Death Exemption Token was?

”In that case, Ye Liangkun is pardoned. However, given the severity of his actions, he is disqualified from inheriting the marquisate, from taking the imperial exams, and cannot leave the Ye Mansion.”

Qi Wen sat down to begin recording; this needed documentation.

Meng Po envied her sister. She could sit with the Emperor; her body was genuinely weak, standing for over an hour was unbearable.

Mrs. Wang, still kneeling below, repeatedly kowtowed, expressing her gratitude to the Emperor.

This was the best outcome. Despite being confined at home, what did it matter? He was alive, could marry and have children.

After court, the two followed the Emperor out. The officials left according to their ranks.

Only Ye Zongshen remained. He dared not move, afraid of falling, of becoming a spectacle.

Only after everyone had left did he turned and slowly departed, not giving a glance to the woman watching him.

He had made up his mind earlier, he would divorce her when he returned.

Afraid of losing hope, he’d make her completely despair.

Who would have thought the Ye family would fall at the hands of a woman, it was an immense irony.

Ye Zongshen walked very slowly, his steps a bit disordered.

Housekeeper Ye rushed over when he saw his master emerge, feeling the Marquis’s body was cold, leaning heavily like a lump of flesh.

In this setting, nothing could be said. It was best to hurry back.

After getting into the carriage, Ye Zongshen coughed up blood, alarming Housekeeper Ye.

”Marquis...”

”Do not spread this, just take me home.”

He leaned back against the carriage wall with his eyes closed.

Minister Wang had been outside, but hadn’t met with Ye Zongshen earlier; women with shortsighted views couldn’t comprehend what the Death Exemption Token meant, but he did.

Without the token, the marquisate could only decline; earlier he was too ashamed to face his son-in-law.

Yet his daughter hadn’t come out, no matter what, she was still his daughter.