OBS Chapter 1201 Lu Jianglin knows he is cuckolded
Chapter 1201 Lu Jianglin knows he is cuckolded
Nangong Xuanyu tapped the secret report lightly with his fingertips, then turned his gaze to Shen Zhinian, who was concentrating on studying beside him, and said with a hint of consideration: "Accordingly, he should be rewarded."
Shen Zhinian's grinding movements were not at all chaotic, and the ink swirled evenly in the Duan inkstone.
Her eyelids were slightly lowered, and her eyes were calm under her long eyelashes, as if she had only heard the name of a strange official.
Nangong Xuanyu changed the subject, adding a hint of coldness to his tone: "But his wife, Lu Shen, intended to poison the imperial concubine. The evidence is irrefutable, and she has been executed and her head and body have been separated."
"And after investigation, it was confirmed that Shen Nanqiao had been having an affair with Liu Shixiu for a long time. Lu Jianglin is firmly cuckolded."
The emperor leaned back slightly on the bright yellow brocade cushion of the dragon throne, his knuckles unconsciously tapping on the smooth rosewood armrests.
This was his habitual action when weighing things.
"I've been busy lately, so I've put him aside for now."
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze grew deep. "Now that the dust has settled, Nian Nian wonders... how should we deal with this person?"
Although Shen Nanqiao has been executed, the Lu family is still a relative of the Shen family, and Lu Jianglin is Shen Zhinian's brother-in-law.
Shen Zhinian did not answer, but asked with a smile: "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The emperor pondered and said, "In terms of emotions, Lu Jianglin is indeed unaware of these things and can even be considered a victim."
At this point, his voice turned slightly cold: "Logically speaking, husband and wife are one, sharing honor and disgrace."
"Shen Nanqiao committed the heinous crime of treason and colluded with the rebels. As her husband, how can Lu Jianglin completely escape responsibility?"
Should he be promoted to a higher position to show fairness, or should he be imprisoned and punished to serve as a warning to others?
It all depends on the emperor's thoughts.
The ink stick in Shen Zhinian's hand finally stopped.
She raised her eyes, her charming fox eyes clear as day, meeting the emperor's considering gaze.
Shen Zhinian had long been indifferent to Shen Nanqiao's death.
That stupid and vicious sister only brought it upon herself.
As for Lu Jianglin...
The corners of Shen Zhinian's lips turned down ever so slightly, with an arc of undisguised contempt.
The man is cowardly, incompetent and indecisive.
Like a giant baby who can never leave his mother!
In her previous life, she spent all her efforts to support him to the position of prime minister, but in the end, all she got in return was suspicion!
Such a man, whether as a husband or as an official, made her feel disgusted from the bottom of her heart.
"His Majesty……"
Shen Zhinian's voice was clear and calm: "I believe that merits are merits and faults are faults."
"County Magistrate Lu certainly made contributions in suppressing the bandits in Xingyang and deserves a reward. However, his failure to manage his family properly led to his wife committing a heinous crime, tarnishing the reputation of his official position. This is also a mistake."
She paused slightly, her gaze falling on the silent Duan inkstone on the imperial desk. Her tone was calm, as if she was describing a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her: "The merits and demerits offset each other. This will not discourage local officials from serving the country, nor will it undermine the authority of the court's laws."
"I think we should let him continue to serve as the magistrate of Xingyang County and serve under penalty of punishment."
The merits outweigh the faults.
Continue to be his county magistrate.
Nangong Xuanyu's deep eyes lingered on Shen Zhinian's face for a moment.
A mere Lu Jianglin was indeed not worth his further consideration.
The hesitation in the emperor's eyes completely disappeared, replaced by the indifference of controlling the overall situation.
He nodded slightly and said with finality: "Niannian is absolutely right."
"Since his merits and demerits offset each other, this is already a special favor. Let him stay in Xingyang and serve as the magistrate."
As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor raised his red pen and wrote a few words in a flamboyant manner on the memorial about Lu Jianglin's handling.
Lu Jianglin's fate was casually determined in the heavy scent of ink in the imperial study.
His fantasy of promotion was shattered, and his fear of being thrown into prison also dissipated.
All that was left was the small quagmire in Xingyang, where he lived out the rest of his life trembling in fear.
It is not clear whether this outcome is fortunate or unfortunate for him.
……
Xingyang.
The house behind the county government office.
The festive atmosphere has not yet completely dissipated, and the smell of alcohol and firecracker smoke seems to still linger in the air.
Lu Jianglin sat in his slightly simple study, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement as he repeatedly stroked the copied official report.
The words in the official newspaper about him "assisting in suppressing the rebels" made him very happy!
A warm current surged in Lu Jianglin's chest.
The private soldiers raised by Liu Chongshan were actually hidden in Xingyang, which was under his jurisdiction!
This is simply a godsend!
He cooperated with the prominent Lord Jiang, and although he did not experience the swordplay himself, he also provided key clues.
According to the rules, officials who were sent out to other places had to serve for at least three years before they could be transferred back to Beijing.
This is a godsend for Lu Jianglin!
What three years of investigation, what remote and poor place.
He seemed to have already seen the mansions and luxurious buildings in the capital, and a bright future beckoning him.
Lu Jianglin's career is finally about to reach a turning point!
Promotion is just around the corner!
Lu Jianglin had even begun to consider whether to ask someone to find a better house in Beijing first, or to wait for the transfer order to come down before making any plans.
However... Lu Jianglin didn't feel happy for long before rumors started to emerge from somewhere.
It spread and fermented rapidly inside and outside the county government office and in the streets and alleys.
At first, there were evasive glances and whispers from a few yamen runners.
Then came several prominent local gentry, who, when they came to visit, seemed hesitant to speak, with strange expressions of sympathy or gloating.
Finally, a mentor who was usually quite capable could no longer hold back and fell to his knees, his face full of fear and embarrassment when Lu Jianglin excitedly mentioned "returning to Beijing" again.
"Master...you...you don't know...that...that thing that's been reported in the capital?"
Lu Jianglin's heart skipped a beat, and he felt an ominous premonition: "What's going on?"
The lawyer trembled, his voice as low as a mosquito: "It's... it's about Madam... Madam she... she..."
"What's up with her?!"
Lu Jianglin stood up suddenly, and the ominous premonition in his heart became stronger and stronger.
"Madam...she...has been having an affair with Liu...Liu Shixiu...the illegitimate son of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Master!"
The lawyer closed his eyes, as if he had used up all his strength to say these words that were enough to humiliate the man.
"And... and I heard... Madam... she was so audacious that she actually dared to... intend to poison Concubine Chen in the autumn hunting grounds!"
"Now...now it has spread all over the capital! They say that Madam has...has..."
boom--! ! !
It was as if a thunder exploded in Lu Jianglin's mind!
He only felt his eyes go dark, and his blood instantly rushed to his head!
"Adultery?! Poisoning the Imperial Concubine?!"