The playboy county magistrate

"Housework?"

"Li Xuanjing's corruption, abuse of power, oppression of the people, and disregard for human life constitute violations of national law. Can this be considered a family matter?"

"He deliberately plotted against the Lady of the Imperial Family, disgracing the dignity of a noble family. This is causing chaos in the court; how can it be considered a family matter?"

"My father, as the Earl of Cheng'en, was a noble and honored official. Yet he knowingly broke the law and condoned his children's evil deeds. He couldn't distinguish right from wrong and distorted the truth. Not only was he incompetent in managing his household, but he also failed to live up to the Emperor's grace!"

A series of rhetorical questions left Li Dehai speechless.

Yes!

Minor family squabbles can be considered family matters.

Corruption harms the people and frames officials; these are all heinous crimes that cannot be tolerated by the law!

The emperor's eyes were icy as he slowly spoke, his words sealing the deal.

"I value filial piety most, but I value justice and the law even more."

Filial piety is about mutual support and mutual respect, from parental love to filial piety. It is absolutely not about one person taking advantage of their age or using their power to oppress others!

After those words were spoken, no one dared to say another.

The emperor's gaze swept over the disheveled Li Dehai and the limp Li Xuanjing, his tone filled with disappointment.

"Li Dehai, you are the Earl of Chengen, a noble and honorable man. Yet you have failed to manage your household properly and have misjudged people. You have allowed your eldest son to commit wrongdoings for many years without reporting it, choosing instead to protect and condone him."

"Knowing he was wrong but showing no remorse, instead bringing his son into the palace to distort the truth and frame loyal officials, he is truly incompetent and derelict in his duty!"

Li Dehai trembled, cold sweat instantly soaking his back, and dared not utter another sound. He repeatedly kowtowed, "This old minister knows his crime! This old minister knows his mistake! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

But by then it was too late to realize the mistake.

The emperor's gaze returned to the dossier, his voice cold and authoritative.

"Li Xuanjing was guilty of dereliction of duty, corruption, oppression of the people, disregard for human life, and deliberately framed an imperial edict. He was punished for multiple crimes."

"Immediately demote him to a commoner, exile him three thousand li away, and never allow him to return to the capital!"

"The property of the Marquis of Cheng'en's family will be confiscated and used to compensate the affected farmers, as a warning to others!"

"No—! Your Majesty! I'm innocent!"

Li Xuanjing instantly broke down, frantically kowtowing and crying out, his forehead slamming heavily onto the cold floor tiles, quickly becoming a bloody mess from which blood seeped out.

He had studied diligently for many years, and maintained a respectable life for just as long. His entire life of wealth, honor, and future was utterly shattered in that instant!

Exiled three thousand miles away, never to return to the capital, it's no different from a death sentence!

But in the imperial study, no one sympathized with him, and no one wanted to plead for him.

Everyone knows that he deserved what he got, and he was not wronged in the slightest!

The emperor looked at Li Dehai again, his tone indifferent.

"Li Dehai is hereby fined three years' salary and ordered to reflect on his actions in seclusion for one year."

"The Cheng'en Earl's Mansion has become corrupt and morally deficient. Effective immediately, all its privileges and titles will be reduced, and some special privileges will be revoked. This is to rectify the family's conduct and uphold the order of the court!"

Although his title was not stripped, his due share and treatment were all downgraded, which was already a great humiliation and punishment.

As a long-established nobleman, he was publicly reprimanded by His Majesty for his family's moral decline and for being incompetent and derelict in his duties. From then on, he could no longer hold his head high in the circle of nobles in the capital!

Li Dehai was ashen-faced, limp, and collapsed to the ground, his aged face filled with regret and despair.

He finally felt a belated sense of regret.

If only we hadn't favored the eldest son, hadn't been so harsh and scheming towards Li Xuanzhi, and hadn't indulged Li Xuanjing's evil deeds.

Wouldn't we be spared today's fate of being separated from our families, having our homes destroyed, and losing all face?

But there's no going back in life.

The emperor finally looked at Li Xuanzhi, who stood tall and composed, and his expression softened instantly.

"Minister Li, you have endured for many years, performed your duties diligently, and have never made a mistake."

"The accusation of disobedience and heartlessness is a complete fabrication. Today, I will publicly clarify the matter for you and restore your reputation."

"Your relationship with the Marquis of Chengen is weak, and you have been repeatedly persecuted. The break with them is truly out of necessity. I grant your wish. From now on, you are no longer bound by clan ties. You can focus on your duties and serve the country."

From this day forward, Li Xuanzhi was truly and completely freed from the shackles of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion.

No longer bound by so-called filial piety and clan, completely free!

It's no longer about the surname "Li"; even if they no longer have any contact on the surface, they still care about the honor of the Li family.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Li Xuanzhi calmly kowtowed, a huge weight lifted from his heart.

The ministers, witnessing this scene, exchanged glances several times, each understanding the situation perfectly.

From now on, no one can use his family background, filial piety, or clan to manipulate Li Xuanzhi.

The way everyone looked at Li Dehai and his son was full of disdain, mockery, and pity.

He was a worthy son of a prominent family, and his noble lineage was completely ruined by his own favoritism and malice.

Li Dehai helped the disheveled and nearly insane Li Xuanjing out of the main hall, his steps faltering and his condition utterly miserable.

He turned to look at Li Xuanzhi, who stood tall and was surrounded by ministers offering congratulations and asking after his well-being, and all he could see in his eyes was endless bitterness.

In the end, he chose to push away his most outstanding and promising son, while protecting his most wicked and incompetent son.

Ultimately, they reaped what they sowed and lost everything.

Everyone present could see clearly that Li Xuanzhi, despite his seemingly gentle and unassuming appearance, was not a pushover to be easily manipulated.

I will not offend others unless they offend me; if they do offend me, I will eliminate them completely.

Even if his own father and brother dared to scheme against him, he would confront them in public and settle scores without showing any mercy.

"Alright, you should go back and keep your wife company. Later, I will have the Empress send some small gifts to calm her nerves."

Li Xuanzhi left with profuse thanks. As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, he saw someone whispering something in Tang Zheng's ear. A moment later, Tang Zheng walked back in his direction.

"My lord, Li Xuanjing has been taken away by the Imperial Guards and will be exiled immediately. No one will have the chance to pull strings with him, and he will never be able to return to the capital in this lifetime."

"The Chengen Earl's residence has been sealed off, and everyone is in a state of panic."

Li Xuanzhi continued walking, his tone calm and indifferent. "Understood."

There was no joy, no sorrow.

From the moment Li Dehai and Li Xuanjing repeatedly tried to kill him and Pei Qingyuan, the ending was already predetermined.

You reap what you sow; you cannot escape punishment.

Looking at his master's aloof and indifferent appearance, Tang Zheng couldn't help but ask another question.

"Should we continue to send people to keep an eye on the Earl's residence?"

"No need." Li Xuanzhi shook his head slightly, his voice cold.

"Those who merely cling to life cannot stir up any trouble. From this day forward, the life, death, honor, and disgrace of the Earl's mansion will have nothing to do with me."

Once kinship ties are severed, all ties are completely severed.

No more hatred, no more resentment. Even a second glance, a single extra thought, feels superfluous.

……

Meanwhile, inside Li Xuanzhi's residence.

Pei Qingyuan was restless all morning, sitting quietly by the window, gazing at the path outside the courtyard.

Although she had complete faith in Li Xuanzhi's abilities and knew that his plans were meticulous and he would never lose.

But the thought of Li Dehai and his son turning black into white and resorting to any means necessary still makes my heart clench.