The playboy county magistrate

If his father intervenes, he might be able to turn the tables and severely damage Li Xuanzhi.

A ruthless glint flashed in Li Dehai's eyes as he coldly said:

"What's there to be afraid of? He has evidence, and I have the law of filial piety and propriety!"

"No matter how powerful he is, he is still my son, Li Dehai! The proper relationship between ruler and subject, and the ethics between father and son, are the greatest rules in the world!"

"Even His Majesty couldn't say anything!"

"I will personally write a memorial and bring it to the palace to see His Majesty! I will accuse him of being disobedient and unfilial, of betraying his clan, of being cold-hearted and heartless, and of abusing his power to oppress his relatives!"

Li Dehai was extremely resentful when the emperor had previously supported Zhang and allowed her to leave the Chengen Earl's Mansion and live separately from Li Xuanzhi.

Tell me, which emperor in the world meddles in the private quarters of his ministers?

At that time, Li Xuanzhi had just implemented a new policy and was in the eye of the storm, so he was unwilling to stand out and attract attention.

There was nothing they could do but let Li Xuanzhi take Zhang away. They also allowed Li Xuanzhi to stay away from the Chengen Earl's residence and ignore his own father.

So much time has passed; even if one is willful, there should be limits. After all, Li Xuanzhi is still Li Dehai's biological son!

As long as Li Xuanzhi still holds the title of the second legitimate son of the Marquis of Chengen, he must be treated like a father!

He was just biased, not stupid. The emperor was so unreasonable back then, but he didn't completely separate Li Xuanzhi from the Li family. Wasn't that because he wanted Li Xuanzhi to be qualified to inherit the Earl's Mansion and become the heir?

The reason why Li Xuanjing has not yet become the heir of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion is that Li Dehai feels that Li Xuanjing still lacks experience and that he needs to narrow the gap with Li Xuanzhi to gain the respect of the people.

Secondly, the final selection of the heir apparent was made by the emperor.

He could only report to the emperor which son he wanted to make heir apparent.

However, if the emperor rejects the proposal, the Chengen Earl's Mansion will either have no heir or be forced to watch helplessly as the position of heir falls into the hands of Li Xuanzhi, that rebellious son.

No matter how you look at it, it made Li Dehai feel terrible. As a result, the position of heir apparent remained vacant.

However, after Li Dehai said this, Li Xuanjing was completely relieved.

That's right! No matter how great one's power or how high one's official position, it cannot outweigh the importance of filial piety!

Once accused of filial impiety and disobedience, even if Li Xuanzhi possesses numerous pieces of evidence against him, he will gain nothing. On the contrary, he will face a backlash from public opinion at court, completely ruining his future!

Li Xuanjing immediately feigned deep worry and a dutiful, family-oriented demeanor, bowing and saying:

"Father, you have thought this through! However, this matter concerns the reputation of the Earl's Mansion and my second brother's future, so we must proceed with caution. I am willing to accompany you to the palace."

Meanwhile, inside Li Xuanzhi's residence.

Pei Qingyuan leaned against Li Xuanzhi's chest, unable to help but furrow her brows slightly.

"My lord, I bet Li Dehai is furious and might come up with some scheme to target us."

Li Xuanzhi looked down at her, his fingertips gently stroking her hair, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"I want to force him to take action."

Pei Qingyuan was slightly taken aback. "Huh? Why?"

"I had been holding back and yielding all along because I didn't want to give people any reason to criticize me or be accused of being unfilial."

"But if he were to take the initiative to make a scene in court and publicly frame his own son, it would be seen as him disregarding family ties as an elder, making a mountain out of a molehill, and only seeking to bully others by abusing his power."

"The emperor, his subjects, and the people all see clearly that he was biased and incompetent, and that he was the one who first allowed his eldest son to commit evil. I was forced to break with him, and had no choice but to retaliate."

"At that time, all the advantages of public opinion and reason will be on our side."

Pei Qingyuan's eyes lit up. "I understand! You deliberately tore off the mask of civility, forcing them to make mistakes on their own initiative, so that they would willingly hand over their weaknesses to you!"

Li Xuanzhi chuckled softly, lowered his head to touch her forehead, and spoke in a doting tone.

"This method is the most applicable and time-saving way to deal with hypocritical and selfish people who only follow rules and not reason."

"He tried to use filial piety to pressure me, so I made him tear apart the dignity of his own elders and ruin his own noble reputation."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Zheng quickly stepped inside and bowed to report.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Chengen is currently writing a memorial in his study. It seems he intends to enter the palace immediately to lodge a complaint against you with His Majesty!"

Although Li Xuanzhi had said quite a bit, Pei Qingyuan still couldn't help but feel a little anxious and worried after hearing this news.

"If this really escalates to the imperial court, won't it have a negative impact on you?"

Li Xuanzhi patted the back of her hand. "Impact? Just in time."

Turning to Tang Zheng, Li Xuanzhi said, "Prepare the carriage; we can proceed to the palace immediately." He slowly rose. "Since they're so eager to die, I will personally go to the court and publicly expose Li Xuanjing's crimes and the corrupt practices of the Cheng'en Earl's mansion!"

Inside the imperial study, sunlight streamed in through the carved windows as the emperor reviewed memorials as usual.

Just then, a eunuch outside the imperial study announced loudly:

"The Earl of Chengen and his eldest son request an audience before the Emperor!"

Besides the emperor, the ministers of various departments also discussed the most pressing national affairs in the Imperial Study.

The voice was extremely penetrating, and all six ministers turned their heads, secretly wondering what was going on.

It was well past the usual time for reporting to the emperor, and the sudden rush of the Earl of Chengen and his son into the palace indicated that something serious had happened.

On the dragon throne, the young emperor stood calmly, his expression serene, and said softly, "Summon."

Soon, Li Dehai, dressed in official robes, strode into the imperial study with a grim expression and a look of grievance.

Li Xuanjing, who followed behind him, kept his head down, with a barely perceptible smug look in his eyes, appearing submissive, aggrieved, and deeply persecuted.

As soon as the two entered, before they could even bow and stand properly, Li Dehai knelt down with a thud, his voice filled with grief and indignation, echoing throughout the entire imperial study.

"Your Majesty! This old minister risks his life to come before you today! I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice!"

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and astonishment.

The emperor's eyes darkened slightly, his fingertips lightly tapping the imperial desk, his tone steady.

"The Earl of Cheng'en rose to reply, 'What is the matter that has caused you such a panic, that you would risk your life to come to my court?'"

Li Dehai not only refused to get up, but instead kowtowed hard, tears streaming down his face, looking extremely grief-stricken.

"Your Majesty! This old minister has failed in his duty to educate his son, raising a rebellious, unfilial, and heartless son! Li Xuanzhi, relying on the Emperor's favor and high position, has no regard for his father, brothers, or clan, abusing his power to oppress his relatives and betraying all human ethics!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial study fell into a deathly silence.

The ministers' expressions all changed.

Li Xuanzhi is currently enjoying great influence and has won the Emperor's deep trust.

Even these true pillars of the court, these pillars of society, couldn't help but sincerely admire Li Xuanzhi's outstanding political achievements and efficient work. They wholeheartedly praised Li Xuanzhi as the most trusted and well-deserved successor to the throne.

No one expected that his biological father would actually come to the palace to accuse him of disobedience!