137 Shaking the court, losing hats

Inside the court the temperature was heavy, emperor with a dark face after reading the information passed by qinwang who was investigating.

Some legs were already trembling with chest beating loudly like a drum. Thin sweat on their forehead and back.

Emperor finally not able to hold his rising anger slams that thick stack of papers "so all these years Zhen was being fooled, tricked, schemed making a fool out of zhen..hmm?"

Not a word was uttered for they didn't know whose list had been prepared, just all the people kneeled begging for mercy beside qinwang" emperor.. calm your anger... mercy"

Seems like Zhen has been too soft, okay Zhen will show you all what it leads to when playing with Zhen "head minister of imperial clan Fan ju's official position is ceased, penalty of five hundred thousand taels of gold for the bribe he had been taking and misleading the people below.

His sons are exempted from taking this years court examination, his daughters are not to be married within any imperial families.

All the 5 concubines who were in cahoots with him are to be demoted directly to palace servants in laundry service for 5 years after that are to be send to monastery of pu Shan where they will remain their life as lady monks atoning for their sins.

The paternal family of these 5 clans will have their title relinquished if bestowed, though not extermination and slaving still will be punished by their sons not allowed to give court examination, their daughters not allowed to marry into imperial clan or first rank dukes and marquises family.

Though still belonging to imperial clan Fan Ju will not be allowed to enter the palace or any of the royal banquets.

Head minister of household Bai Qi for playing deaf and dumb for the happening under him will be demoted to assistant minister relinquishing his current post. Will have the same amount to pay as the penalty.

The servants admissioned by him during his 5 years will face capital punishment. His sons of age are to be withheld from taking examination. If found any mishaps later then Bai Qi will face not just demotion but will be have his entire clan face capital punishment with him. Zhen is giving you second chance as your deeds are small in compared to Fan Ju.

Minister of Justice Cao Teng for the same reason as Bai Qi will face the same punishment and penalty like Bai Qi. With same warning Zhen has given to Bai Qi.

Noble consort Mu for her atrocious behavior towards late consort shi, ping and lian is to be demoted from Noble consort to concubine. Having beared a prince for Zhen is avoided from being a monk or killed but will still be punished to go under seclusion in pu Shan mountain for 3 months starting today where she will pray and atone her sins after wards is to reside in cold palace. She will be guarded by royal guard at all times not allowed to bring any servants.

Her servant and mama for not being to able to guide her master rather encouraging and being daring to help to accomplish such animal acts is to face capital punishment this very afternoon.

Third prince seeming to not have any involvement is to be released from his house arrest with the condition to never have any contacts with such disgusting woman of a mother. As not to let him stray from good path he will avoid any contact with concubine mu or her paternal family. If found to be going against Zhen's edict third prince is to be under house arrest till uncertain time.

Duke Mu wen beacause of not having educated his daughter properly. Even assisting concubine mu now and then failing both as a father and official of Zhen is hereby punished by demotion to the third rank Marquis from first rank duke.

Will not be allowed to enter inner court along with his son. The rank of marquis inherited by Mu wen will not be passed as inheritance rather only after discussion will be taken care. Both of the sons are to be demoted and shuffled from their position.

Eldest son mu wei will be demoted from assistant minister of work to official of ministry of rites. Second son mu yin is to be demoted from assistant minister of war to the official of ministry of catastrophe.

Gransons of Marquis mu wen like others will be exempted from the examination this year, while their daughters are not be married in royal household including imperial branches or to any dukes clans.

All the ladies both wed or unwed will not be allowed to enter the palace on any occasion. While Marquis mu wen is to avoid any contacts with concubine mu in future. If found Zhen will think it as a rebelling act exterminating the entire mu clan with capital punishment.

For the past services Zhen has only handed light punishment to all of you in comparison to your deeds behind Zhen. Hoping this will serve as a warning and pull you back to path of goodwill and righteousness.

If not taken these chances to prove yourself as a good official and again dare to brew trouble behind Zhen then it will be exterminating the entire clan.

Zhen also punishes the imperial censors faction for not being honest and turning blind and deaf, failing to report informations known to all beside Zhen. Each person from the faction is to write self reflection letter to Zhen along with penalty of 10 thousand silver each to state treasury.

Further failures will not be tolerated resulting in harsher punishments. Under any conditions plea for today's convicted persons will be seen as rebelling against Zhen leadings to immediate capital punishment.

All the punishments will be handled by qinwang and edicts will be handled by state advisor and head of royal scholar.