Chapter 584: The Censorate Reorganized into the Censorate

Hearing this censor's words, Zhao Li couldn't help but cast a surprised glance at him, sizing him up for a few moments before saying, "You actually have such insight!"

Examining him, Zhao Li asked, "Since you had such concerns, why didn't you remind Lord Bian earlier?"

The censor moved closer to Zhao Li, pointing outward with his hand, and said in a low voice, "Lord Bian is incorruptible and upright, loathing corruption and evil, priding himself on loyalty to the state. But his temperament is too rigid and straightforward. Even with the purest of intentions, if he offends a taboo, I fear he will find it hard to be tolerated by His Majesty!"

Seeing Zhao Li's brows tightly furrowed, the censor lowered his voice even further, but his words remained clear as he continued, "Moreover, Lord Bian is a minister of the former dynasty. His Majesty admires his clean reputation and employs him, but he is ultimately not a trusted confidant. You, Vice Censor-in-Chief, are different — you were personally promoted by His Majesty, step by step to high position, entrusted with his confidence. You are a true right-hand minister.

This time, because of the Wude Office's chaotic governance, the court is abuzz with discussion. Yet at this point, given Chancellor Fan's biased and stubborn temperament, even he remains silent. If Lord Bian still wishes to speak up, he will only bring humiliation upon himself!"

"At that time, the Censorate will very likely have you, Vice Censor-in-Chief, at its head, managing the office..."

After hearing the man's analysis, Zhao Li's eyes slowly rolled a few times. He glanced at this censor and thought to himself, This man is a petty villain! However, what he said does have some merit.

"Return to your duties for now! Do not make further criticisms of state affairs. You must know — disaster comes from the mouth!" Zhao Li instructed.

The censor was startled. Observing Zhao Li's expression, he saw it as calm as an ancient well. After pondering for a moment, a look of sudden understanding crossed his face, and he clasped his hands in salute: "Yes!"

Zhao Li, meanwhile, showed no change in expression. He picked up the memorial submitted by the censor below and began to review it. But no matter how calm his face, his heart could not help but surge with emotion.

Back then, he had made his name through daring and direct remonstrance, catching the eye of the newly enthroned Emperor. From a mere censor of the Western Capital's branch office, he had risen step by step to the high position of Vice Censor-in-Chief. But people always change — becoming a high official inevitably means losing some of the boldness of low position, gaining more caution, and beginning to value one's own dignity.

Moreover, having already sat in the second seat, how could one not aspire to the first? Bian Guidang headed the Censorate while he served as deputy, suppressed for a long time. That he harbored some thoughts on the matter was hardly surprising.

Just as the censor had predicted, not a single word of Bian Guidang's remonstrance was heeded by the Emperor. Within two days, Liu Chengyou issued an edict, appointing Censor-in-Chief Bian Guidang as Judicial Commissioner of Huaixi.

Two days later, another edict — reorganizing the Censorate into the Censorate, intending to coordinate with the Daozhou Judicial Commission, reshaping the supervisory system, and eliminating the confusion and contradictions caused by years of institutional reform.

In reorganizing the court's discipline, Bian Guidang's purpose had been achieved, only he had reorganized himself out to the provinces. Zhao Li naturally rose to the occasion, becoming Chief Censor, overseeing all affairs of the Censorate.

"Congratulations, Chief Censor, on fulfilling your long-cherished wish and ascending to the head of the Censorate!" In the office, it was still that same censor, beaming with joy as he offered his congratulations to Zhao Li.

Zhao Li stood before a bronze mirror, wearing a brand-new set of purple robes, adjusting his official headwrap, as if trying to make himself look more presentable. Hearing the words, he said calmly, "To receive His Majesty's trust and be entrusted with such high office, I only fear my virtue is too shallow to match the position. It is like standing at the edge of an abyss — I can only fulfill my duties diligently to repay His Majesty's grace!"

"The Chief Censor understands righteousness deeply and is humble and open-minded. Your subordinate admires you!"

Hearing the flattery, Zhao Li turned around, looked at him, and said gently, "Now that the Censorate has been reorganized and restructured, there are countless matters requiring our devoted efforts. It is precisely men of ability like Censor Sun — experienced and adept — that we need. I think the position of the Capital Circuit suits your talents perfectly!"

The censor surnamed Sun, finally having his surname acknowledged, brightened at the words. He immediately stepped back, stood at attention, and clasped his hands: "Thank you, Chief Censor, for the promotion!"

"Has Lord Bian left the capital to assume his post?" Zhao Li asked.

"Word is he departs this afternoon!" Censor Sun replied.

"Lord Bian's virtue has always been something I admire. He was my superior before, and now that he travels far to Huaixi, we ought to see him off!" Zhao Li thought for a moment, then said, "Would you be willing to come along?"

"Naturally!" Censor Sun said, but still reminded him in a low voice, "If too many people go, and word reaches His Majesty's ears..."

Zhao Li said, "Though Lord Bian is going to Huaixi to take up his post, he is still our colleague. Seeing him off is proper in both reason and sentiment. We can do so with a clear conscience!"

"Yes!"

Inside the palace, Liu Chengyou was in Qiuhua Hall, keeping company with Noble Consort Gao. More than two months had passed, and Lady Gao had recovered from the grief of Gao Xingzhou's passing.

Her pregnant belly was now quite prominent. Her figure had always been full, and now it was even more ample. Though her silhouette was not as graceful and lithe as usual, it carried a different kind of charm — alluring, captivating, stirring the heart...

Liu Chengyou was rarely so indulgent, enjoying the beauty before him. But someone was not pleased — his third son, Liu Xi, ran up to him,

Lady Gao, seeing this from the side, could not help but scold, "Don't be rude! Someone, take him to change his clothes!"

Hearing this, Liu Xi was most unwilling. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou instructed, "Bring a chamber pot!"

As he spoke, he casually scooped up Liu Xi. Liu Chengyou laughed, "You have quite the face — making the Emperor hold you while you pee!"

Liu Xi was young and didn't quite understand, only finding it amusing, grinning at Liu Chengyou. As it turned out, small children are not suited for chamber pots. Liu Chengyou held him, making shushing sounds for a long while, but there was no response. Liu Xi's face crumpled: "Can't pee..."

Liu Chengyou was somewhat helpless. Then it splashed onto his hand — warm and wet.

Lady Gao and the palace attendants nearby all showed looks of alarm, but Liu Chengyou paid it no mind. Seeing Liu Xi's little face wear a comfortable expression, he couldn't help but pinch his nose, then waved the urine-stained hand in front of his face, trying to tease him.

Who would have thought the little rascal wouldn't dodge at all — instead he lifted his head up and licked Liu Chengyou's hand. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou quickly moved his hand away and said to Lady Gao, "This son of yours will lick anything!"

"Who told you to go and tease him!" Lady Gao complained to Liu Chengyou even as she instructed, "Take the prince to be cleaned up, and prepare hot water and a silk handkerchief for His Majesty!"

Meanwhile, Liu Xi's little face was scrunched up, smacking his lips, as if savoring the taste. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou asked, "How does it taste?"

He shook his head repeatedly, looking at Liu Chengyou with utter innocence: "Not as good as sugar water..."

Liu Chengyou laughed, waved his hand, and had someone take Liu Xi away — his clothes and trousers were all wet and needed changing.

After Liu Chengyou washed his hands, the Noble Consort called him over, holding an outer robe in her hands, and said softly, "Come try on this robe and see if it fits?"

This was sewn personally by Lady Gao. Liu Chengyou touched it — soft and comfortable, light yet warm. Liu Chengyou said, "You've been thoughtful!"

Lady Gao gave Liu Chengyou a gentle smile, stroking her pregnant belly. When he had put it on, she leaned softly against him.

When he returned to Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou suddenly remembered and asked Li Fang, "Bian Guidang — is he leaving the capital today for Huaixi?"

"Indeed!" Li Fang replied.

"There must be people seeing him off, I imagine?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Word is that Chief Censor Zhao and more than twenty other officials have gone to bid him farewell!" Li Fang answered.

"Lord Bian has long had a clean reputation — incorruptible, devoted to his duties, diligent in the king's service for many years. On this cold winter day, to let him depart in such bleak circumstances — my heart truly cannot bear it!" Liu Chengyou sighed, thought for a moment, then took off the cashmere brocade robe draped over his shoulders, ordered it handed to Li Fang, and instructed him, "Take this robe, and also a jar of imperial wine. Leave the palace and find Lord Bian, catch up to him, give him both items, and convey my wishes for his well-being!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's instructions, a hint of relief appeared on Li Fang's face. He replied, "Yes!"

After Li Fang left, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but remind him in a low voice, "Your Majesty, that brocade robe — Lady Gao spent a full month sewing it. To bestow it on Bian Guidang like this, I fear the lady might..."

"It's fine!" Liu Chengyou said. "I have already felt her sentiment. The cold wind is biting, but warmth of the heart matters more than warmth of the body!"

Outside the southern suburbs of Kaifeng, at the Pavilion of Ten Li, by the time Li Fang arrived, under the respectful farewell of Zhao Li and the other officials, Bian Guidang had already boarded his carriage and was heading south.

"Lord Zhao, has Lord Bian gone far?" Li Fang asked, seeing Zhao Li still drinking wine in the pavilion.

Zhao Li swept his gaze over Li Fang twice and asked in return, "Why has Mingyuan come?"

Li Fang said, "By His Majesty's order, I have come to see Lord Bian off!"

Zhao Li nodded, raised his hand and pointed south: "His carriage has been traveling south along this road for over a quarter of an hour!"

"I bear the sovereign's command — forgive me for hurrying ahead!" Offering a salute from horseback, Li Fang spurred his horse and, with two guards, galloped southward.

Seeing this, Censor Sun couldn't help but say to Zhao Li, "Chief Censor, it seems Lord Bian has not lost the Emperor's favor after all!"

Zhao Li also gazed at Li Fang's retreating figure heading south, and smiled faintly: "His Majesty is benevolent and generous, respecting old ministers and treating his officials well. That is a blessing for us as well!"

"Moreover, the sovereign's heart is hard to fathom — his intentions cannot yet be determined!"