Your servant seconds the motion

"I would like to ask, who raised him to be of such character? Who is his patron? Who made him believe he could bring ruin to the Earl of Suiping's Residence's family, who share the same title as his father? The answer is obvious, everyone knows it is his father, Jia Songlin. A son's misbehavior is the father's fault. I impeach the Earl of Zhongqin son to commit violence, oppress the people, humiliate the daughter of a noble family, disregard national laws and regulations, and show contempt for imperial authority..."

At this point, Censor Pan raised his voice, which became loud and passionate. "Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty strip Jia Songlin his title of Earl and remove him from his Palace Guards."

At Jia Songlin was nervously thinking about how to deal with the censor and how to phrase his words, but after hearing the last few sentences, his mind went blank, his face turned as pale as paper, and large beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.

It's over, it's over, he's completely finished.

After hearing Censor Pan's words, everyone was waiting for Jia Songlin refute them. But to everyone's surprise, he just stood there in a daze.

The person standing Jia Songlin had a decent relationship with him and couldn't help but nudge him with his official tablet.

Jia Songlin realized what had happened and hurriedly stepped forward, kneeling down with a thud. He cried out, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! My son is indeed disappointing, but young men are bound to make some flirtatious remarks when they see pretty girls. The words 'family ruined and people killed' were just harsh words he uttered when he was angered by Fifth Miss Zhao's insults; they should not be taken seriously. What child isn't mischievous and outspoken like that? How could it be considered disregarding national laws and imperial authority? I have failed in raising my son. I admit that my unfilial son insulted the young lady of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, and my son and I are willing to apologize to the Earl of Suiping's Residence. But my son and I absolutely did not intend to disregard national laws or imperial authority. Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"

As he spoke, he kowtowed three times with a loud "bang, bang, bang".

The palace halls were paved with gold bricks, which were extremely hardened bricks. If Jia Songlin were to kowtow forcefully, his head would definitely be covered in blood.

He was willing to bleed for his life and future.

But fearing he would be dragged out by the Imperial Guards for disrespect in front of the palace, he controlled his strength, only causing a little blood and swelling before stopping. At this level, the bruises would be quite noticeable tomorrow. But now, nothing seemed amiss.

He was pleading his case, kowtowing forcefully. Meanwhile, the ministers with vested interests were exchanging knowing glances.

The ministers, especially those of the Third Prince's faction, were extremely anxious.

This development has been so rapid that it has caught people off guard.

Last night, Kang Shilin sent Kang An to the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence. It wasn't late then, but Kang An went without alerting anyone. Jia Songlin, however, was hoping to get away with it and minimize the damage. He sent gifts and asked a few friends not to tell anyone. He didn't even have time to go to the palace to apologize.

Those who could come to his house for drinks were either his close friends or people eager to flatter him. Therefore, they all kept their mouths shut and did not reveal what happened last night, so others naturally could not find out.

Later, when the Princess of Zhennan sent someone over, it was already very late, when everyone was asleep, and the palace was locked up.

Jia Songlin led his son to the palace gate to plead guilty, partly to gain the upper hand in front of the emperor by accusing the guilty party first, and partly to send a message to the Third Prince in the palace. That way, if someone impeached him today, the Third Prince could also get someone to speak on his behalf.

But he arrived too late. Except for the crown prince, none of the princes were married yet and they all lived in the palace, so the message couldn't get through, and all his efforts were in vain.

This morning, everyone had to get up for court before dawn, and they only had time to wash up and have a quick snack before rushing to the morning court. So the news didn't have a chance to reach the Third Prince's ears.

At this moment, the Third Prince made no move, and everyone was unsure whether they should step forward to protect Jia Songlin.

Jia Songlin was a general in the Palace Guards, which was Palace Guards emperor's army and was extremely sensitive to anyone trying to interfere. Therefore, Jia Songlin's factional affiliation was a closely guarded secret. Once they came forward to protect him, the secret that Jia Songlin belonged to the Third Prince's faction would be exposed.

But if they couldn't keep his position, and it seemed Jia Songlin was about to lose his post in the Palace Guards, everyone felt it was a pity.

It's incredibly difficult to plant a truly useful pawn within the Palace Guards. They spent seven or eight years selecting and training Jia Songlin, and then placing him in this position—it took an immense amount of effort. Jia Songlin is greedy for money and power, timid, and easily controlled, but he also possesses some ability, making him an ideal candidate. It would be a great loss to lose him.

While the Third Prince's faction was anxiously hesitating, the other factions didn't think so much.

Since Jia Songlin wasn't part of their faction, they didn't need to think too much; they just needed to eliminate dissidents.

Then a minister stepped forward and refuted Jia Songlin's previous statement, finally saying, "I agree with Censor Pan's statement, and I second Censor Pan's proposal."

Several ministers immediately stepped forward, bowed to the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, we second that proposal."

"I second that opinion."

Jia Songlin a cold sweat and couldn't help but turn to look at the prince.

He hoped the Third Prince could arrange for someone to save him.

The princes stood in a single file, with the Crown Prince at the head, followed by the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and finally the Fifth Prince, Xiao Lingyan.

The Third Prince stood in the middle, and whatever he did would be seen by the Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince behind him. The Emperor, sitting high in the Golden Palace, could see every little movement of the people below.

Therefore, he dared not move at all, for fear that people would discover his connection with Jia Songlin.

Losing a well-placed pawn was certainly a pity, but if his father found out he had bribed the Palace Guards, he would likely be completely out of the game and forever barred from the throne. He could clearly distinguish which was more important.

Furthermore, he initially thought Jia Songlin's son was stupid, but now he realizes Jia Songlin himself is also stupid. Instead of avoiding suspicion at a time like this, he's glancing this way – utterly foolish. A person like that should just die and be reincarnated, so as not to drag him down.

At this moment, he was extremely grateful that the princes were standing together, a bit far from Jia Songlin. Jia Songlin was looking in their direction, but it was impossible to tell who he was looking at.

Fortunately, Jia Songlin had only acted rashly and quickly realized this. He knew that if he were punished, he would at most be dismissed from his post or demoted, but if the emperor found out that he was from the prince's faction, he might be beheaded. Therefore, he quickly lowered his head and kept arguing and protesting his innocence.

Xiao Ge had always known the censors' nature; they could use even the most trivial matters as grounds for attack.

Although the matter involved Kang Shilin and his young apprentice, as well as the reputation of the Prince of Zhennan's Residence's Mansion, he would certainly punish Jia Songlin and his son. However, he did not intend to replace the commander of his Palace Guards just because of a few words between two children.

But Jia Songlin's glance just now aroused his suspicion.