Chapter 305: Punishment
The steward who was beaten, upon investigation, was found to be from a declining minor noble family, and was a collateral member of the family.
Zuo Zhikang, as the governor of Yunyang City, discovered the truth, but was unsure of how to pass judgment.
Helpless, he could only write a report and submit it to the court.
The steward himself was at fault, but the mistake was clearly not one warranting death.
Oh, right, this steward did not die, but he was beaten to the point of being unable to care for himself. According to the joint diagnosis of several doctors in the city, it would take him at least half a year to recover.
"Trying to win over the people’s hearts, but ending up counterproductive, does such a matter require me to decide?"
Emperor Xia was displeased when he saw the memorial submitted by Zuo Zhikang.
As an emperor, nothing was more annoying than subordinates using various methods to curry favor with the populace.
Compared to the Yuan Family, these people’s motivations were too selfish.
"The people of my Daxia are pure and kind. As for these self-righteous noble offspring, they should be severely punished!"
Several thoughts flashed through Emperor Xia’s mind, and he decisively made a judgment.
The commoners were blameless!
The minor noble was stripped of his title.
As for that unlucky steward, one could only sigh that he brought this upon himself.
If he hadn’t been reckless, he wouldn’t have invited this disaster, nor caused his master family to lose their title.
One must know, although his family had declined, as long as they held a title, they were still nobles, and such status was extraordinary.
But now, everything was over!
This steward, who was originally expected to recover in half a year, ultimately met his end the day after Emperor Xia’s decree was issued.
The official explanation was that his injuries were too severe to treat.
As for the actual circumstances, no one was concerned anymore.
However, the occurrence of this incident sounded an alarm for many nobles in Daxia.
Some things, either don’t do them, but once done, they must be done well, otherwise, it would only bring misfortune to the family.
Especially those who followed the Yuan Family’s lead, providing free frozen mung bean soup, who could only continue these good deeds at all costs.
...
"Be cautious with words and actions!"
Upon learning about the fate of the minor noble family in the city, Old Yuan immediately called his two sons to his side to give them some admonitions.
Their family, this was sudden prosperity.
Moreover, this incident with the frozen mung bean water, their family was the origin point, and those noble families forced to continue doing good deeds might end up resenting them.
"Father, rest assured, we know!"
In fact, without Old Yuan’s advice, Yuan Pandi and Yuan Zhaodi were already aware of the necessity to be restrained.
In truth, neither of the brothers was flamboyant. Yuan Pandi was naturally like an old farmer, hardworking and diligent, akin to an old ox. Yuan Zhaodi had a content personality, and even when he was a steward, he caused no trouble, and now, that would not change.
"I am not talking about you two, I mean your wives!"
Old Yuan glanced at his two sons and spoke calmly.
He knew very well what kind of people his sons were.
His only concern was his two daughters-in-law.
The incident with Sheng Xueyi in the past was instigated from behind by his eldest daughter-in-law, hindering progress, which led his eldest grandson to his current state. Moreover, the fourth daughter-in-law was thoughtless; when they had not yet separated the family, she was obedient and sensible, but after the division, her true nature was exposed, and she squandered a good hand.
With such two daughters-in-law, how could Old Yuan not be worried?