Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 232 Impeachment by Officials, Su Jinxiu Navigates the Situation

Taking advantage of this, some ministers in the court who were jealous of Xiao Ling submitted memorials to impeach him, listing many fabricated charges in an attempt to suppress him.

Memorials rained down on the emperor's desk like snowflakes, each one vehemently condemning Xiao Ling as a treacherous and usurping traitor. As the emperor read these memorials, his suspicions deepened.

Upon learning of the impeachment proceedings from the court officials at the Marquis's residence, Xiao Ling was furious, but he knew he couldn't act impulsively at this moment. Su Jinxiu comforted him, and the two decided to calmly deal with the situation and find a way out.

They began secretly investigating the backgrounds and motives of the impeaching ministers, discovering that most of them had intricate connections with powerful figures. These powerful figures had long coveted the Marquis's wealth and status and wanted to use this opportunity to bring down Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling decided to use a strategic retreat, and he proactively submitted a memorial to the emperor to plead guilty, sincerely expressing his willingness to accept an investigation to prove his innocence. Seeing Xiao Ling's humble attitude, the emperor's resolve wavered slightly.

However, the impeaching ministers did not give up. They spoke passionately in court, demanding that the emperor immediately punish Xiao Ling severely. The emperor was caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, he did not want to easily punish a meritorious official, and on the other hand, he was worried about the pressure from his ministers.

Su Jinxiu, meanwhile, was active among the noblewomen of the capital, attempting to use their influence to plead for Xiao Ling. Several noblewomen with good relations with the Marquis's household whispered in their husbands' ears, urging them to remain neutral in court or speak on Xiao Ling's behalf.

Meanwhile, some of Xiao Ling's former subordinates and friends were secretly gathering evidence to defend him. They discovered that most of the charges against him were fabricated out of thin air and had no basis whatsoever.

During a court assembly, Xiao Ling's friend stood up to defend him, presenting the evidence he had gathered to the emperor. The emperor, after reviewing the evidence, became gloomy and expressed his displeasure with the ministers who had impeached him.

But the ministers were not satisfied, and they devised an even more insidious scheme. They sent people to spread rumors in the capital that Xiao Ling had secretly colluded with foreign enemies and was preparing to rebel. The rumors spread quickly, causing panic among the people.

Xiao Ling decided to personally refute the rumors. He delivered a speech in the bustling city center, demonstrating his loyalty to the people. Moved by his sincerity, the people expressed their belief in him.

However, this move angered the ministers who were impeaching him. They once again advised the emperor that Xiao Ling's actions were an attempt to win over the people and that his intentions were despicable.

The emperor wavered again and ordered Xiao Ling to be imprisoned to await trial.

Su Jinxiu was extremely anxious, and she ran around seeking help from all sides.

At this critical juncture, a mysterious figure appeared and provided Su Jinxiu with crucial evidence that was enough to expose the conspiracy of those impeaching ministers.

Su Jinxiu skillfully navigated the powerful figures in the capital, seeking support and allies for Xiao Ling and striving to resolve the crisis.

Dressed meticulously, carrying gifts and a smile, Su Jinxiu entered one powerful mansion after another. She knew that every step was fraught with danger, but for Xiao Ling's sake, she had to bravely move forward.

At Minister Li's residence, Su Jinxiu chatted warmly with Madam Li, subtly mentioning Xiao Ling's achievements and loyalty, which aroused Madam Li's sympathy. Although Minister Li did not explicitly state his opinion, Madam Li promised to whisper in his ear and persuade him to help.

Upon arriving at General Wang's residence, Su Jinxiu earned his praise with her insights into military affairs. General Wang indicated that he would speak up for Xiao Ling at the appropriate time, but also reminded Su Jinxiu that the situation was complex and she should not be careless.

However, not all visits went smoothly. At Prime Minister Zhao's residence, Su Jinxiu was met with a cold reception. Prime Minister Zhao, who had close ties with the ministers who had impeached him, was wary of Su Jinxiu's arrival and not only offered no help but also hinted that she should mind her own business.

Undeterred, Su Jinxiu changed her strategy and began to win over some young officials. These officials, though not powerful, were filled with a sense of justice and indignant at Xiao Ling's plight. At Su Jinxiu's urging, they decided to jointly petition for justice for Xiao Ling.

Meanwhile, Su Jinxiu also used various social occasions to spread news favorable to Xiao Ling, attempting to change the direction of public opinion. She held a poetry gathering, inviting talented men and women from the capital to participate, and inadvertently mentioned Xiao Ling's injustice, sparking discussion and sympathy among the crowd.

However, her actions attracted the attention of the ministers who were impeaching her, and they began to suppress and threaten Su Jinxiu. Someone arranged for assassins to kill her on her way home, but fortunately Su Jinxiu was prepared and escaped unharmed.

Knowing that time was of the essence, Su Jinxiu intensified her efforts. She discovered some conflicts and contradictions of interest among the powerful and influential, and cleverly used these conflicts to persuade them to support Xiao Ling for their own benefit.

Thanks to her efforts, more and more people began to side with Xiao Ling. However, the emperor still showed no intention of releasing Xiao Ling, and instead became dissatisfied with Su Jinxiu's activities.

Just when Su Jinxiu was feeling desperate, a eunuch who had once received favors from Xiao Ling revealed an important piece of information to her: the emperor had recently developed a strong interest in an ancient book.

Su Jinxiu immediately understood the deeper meaning. She searched everywhere for this ancient book and made some annotations within it, implying Xiao Ling's loyalty and innocence. Then, she sent the book to the emperor through a eunuch.

After seeing the ancient books and annotations, the emperor fell into deep thought.