“What a difficult situation,” Xue Sheng shook his head, half lamenting and half mocking, “Jing Guo Gong, heaven’s will is such. Don’t blame this official for sending you on your way.”
The next day, Xue Sheng entered the palace for an audience, presenting the letters of correspondence between Ying Guo Gong Fu Ting Yi and the Southwest to the Long Zhi Emperor.
“Good… good!” The Long Zhi Emperor repeated the word twice, his facial muscles seemingly uncontrollable, looking grotesquely distorted. He trembled while holding the letters, suddenly standing up and sweeping all the brushes, ink stones, and tea cups off the table, gnashing his teeth and roaring: “Rebellious traitor! How you have deceived me!”
The eunuch outside, hearing the commotion, carefully pushed the door open a crack, just as caught by the Emperor’s glance.
The Emperor grabbed a goat’s fat jade brush and smashed it towards the door, furiously shouting: “Get out!”
After a loud noise, the room fell silent. Xue Sheng stood calmly amidst the mess, advising: “Your Majesty, please calm down.”
After a moment, the Long Zhi Emperor collapsed into his chair.
His face was purple, his chest heaving violently, muttering: “Two national lords in one family… with high official positions, they’ve raised such heartless, unfilial sons…”
Xue Sheng saw how angry he was and stepped forward, respectfully saying: “Your Majesty, this subject has something to report.”
The Long Zhi Emperor emerged from his daze, saying: “Speak.”
Xue Sheng lifted his robe and knelt in the center of the great hall: “The Duke of Ying, Fu Tingyi, colluded with the southwestern rebel official Duan Guihong to harm the Grand Emperor and endanger the state. The Duke of Jing, Fu Shen, knew about this but did not report it, instead covering up the matter and having close ties with Duan Guihong. These three have treacherous intentions that are clear as day. If not eliminated, they will surely rebel in the future.”
“Given the current situation, this subject requests that Your Majesty consider the future generations and make a decisive decision, thoroughly purging the Fu clan’s treacherous faction to prevent future troubles.”
The Changzhi Emperor barely recovered, wearily asking: “What do you suggest I do?”
