Chapter 153: Son-in-law In The Imperial City
The quiet night quietly passed.
With the sun high in the sky, accompanied by the eunuchs’ drawn-out announcement of the court’s dismissal, all the civil and military officials kowtowed in unison to respectfully see off the Emperor.
The last grand court assembly before the festival ended, and the holiday rest began.
The officials leaving court showed no sign of relaxation, gathering in twos and threes, walking while discussing in low voices.
“…It seems this time it’s not about pleading guilty…”
“…Such an absurd matter, what guilt is there to plead!”
Last night Marquis Yichun entered the palace; almost all the officials knew about it, but at the grand court assembly the Emperor did not mention the matter, only reiterating once more that the White Horse Town case must have a resolution, the rampant mountain bandits must be eliminated, letting the Lu County civilians have a good festival.
In other words, the Emperor did not take to heart the words of Ji Ying’s servant accusing Marquis Yichun.
“…Yeah, this is too absurd; how could Marquis Yichun go slaughter White Horse Town.”
“…A few servants fighting in the prison cell and talking nonsense; the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review shouldn’t have reported it; he’s the absurd one.”
“…Can’t blame the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for being absurd; after all, there’s that Miss Yang in White Horse Town…”
Amid the discussion, a sudden remark popped up, making everyone else look over.
Miss Yang.
Oh, everyone also remembered that among the White Horse Town victims was Duke Ding’an’s younger sister.
However, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was still too absurd; even if Duke Ding’an had died there, it would be worth his fuss, but a younger sister of Duke Ding’an who had been married off for many years…
In the previous chaotic times, families were scattered, married daughters cut off contact, blood ties faded, and after the new dynasty, statuses among relatives were vastly different; it was very common.
In the countryside, a peasant woman might have a relative who was some high official in the capital city; nothing unusual about it.
Duke Ding’an’s younger sister really wasn’t that important.
But after a few people said such things, those around them no longer chimed in, instead showing complex expressions with flickering gazes.
“That one?”
“Mm, that one.”
“Sigh.”
The officials who had spoken earlier were somewhat confused.
“Hey!”
“Which one?”
“What’s up with Duke Ding’an’s younger sister?”
But those few did not answer, only saying it was nothing, nothing, then walked away.
The officials left behind certainly didn’t believe it; seeing that those few officials were all military generals, and all old subordinates who had campaigned with His Majesty…
This Duke Ding’an’s younger sister who suddenly popped up must have some past that everyone didn’t know!
That definitely needed investigating.
……
…….
“Your Majesty.”
Marquis Yichun waited in the Hall of Diligent Governance for the Emperor and respectfully paid respects.
The Emperor smiled and said, “Father-in-law, you could have waited for Us at A Feng’s place; We were also going there. Such a cold day, no need to come and go.”
Last night Marquis Yichun entered the palace; after speaking, the Emperor didn’t let him go back, as coming and going was too tiring, so he rested in the palace.
After daybreak, the Emperor went to court, and Marquis Yichun went to see the Empress.
“I saw the Empress to explain things clearly to her, lest she come quarrel with Your Majesty again.” Marquis Yichun smiled and said, bowing, “This action of mine will inevitably cause much discussion among many, troubling Your Majesty; this subject takes leave now.”
The Emperor was somewhat helpless: “Father-in-law, no need for such courtesy.” His expression then turned regretful, “We were thinking of discussing this year’s palace banquet with A Feng, and also wanted Father-in-law to join in the discussion.”
Marquis Yichun said, “It’s Your Majesty’s palace banquet; Your Majesty decides.” With that, he took leave again.
The Emperor did not detain him, letting the eunuchs see him out.
The hall quieted down; the Emperor stood in place without moving for a long time; the eunuchs around held their breath in silence, then heard the Emperor chuckle lightly.
Marquis Yichun indeed had not come last night to plead guilty.
He first asked if the Emperor had seen the confession from the Ji family servant sent by the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, then asked if it was because the Court of Judicial Review couldn’t go to his home to inquire, so they sent Wei Jiao and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to spy?
The Emperor admitted seeing the confession but made clear he didn’t take it seriously, told the Court of Judicial Review to investigate strictly but not recklessly, then harshly scolded Wei Jiao, cursing that if he himself couldn’t sleep, he had to make others unable to sleep too.
After hearing the Emperor’s explanation, Marquis Yichun nodded, then shook his head.
“Your Majesty.” He looked at the Emperor, his expression grave, “That Lady Yang isn’t worth me taking action.”
Thinking of this, the Emperor chuckled again and nodded.
Yeah, she’s nowhere near worthy of Marquis Yichun dealing with her personally.
Marquis Yichun just needed to move his mouth, and the Yang Family people would fearfully retreat and act for him.
The Emperor withdrew his gaze and returned to the desk, looking at the scattered confessions on it.
The testimony of Ji Ying’s servant was indeed absurd; he had never believed it to begin with.
But…
When Marquis Yichun knocked on the palace gate in the middle of the night and mentioned Lady Yang, the Emperor felt as if he had returned to over a dozen years ago.
So many years had passed; not only was Lady Yang unworthy of Marquis Yichun’s personal action, in Marquis Yichun’s eyes he, Deng Shan, was still Deng Shan.
The Emperor reached out and threw the confessions on the ground.
“Burn them.” he said.
The eunuchs in the hall hurriedly picked them up and put them into the brazier; a faint smell of smoke and fire filled the hall, and the Emperor’s voice came from behind it.
“Call Wei Jiao.”
……
…….
“Your Majesty, I’ve already seen the imperial physician and am having him prescribe medicine for me.”
Wei Jiao, summoned in, said with a serious face.
“The kind that makes you sleep like the dead, so you won’t suffer from insomnia and go out diligently working, accidentally passing by certain untouchable figures, bringing trouble to Your Majesty.”
“Rest assured, this medicine is very potent; one dose and even the Lord of Heaven couldn’t wake me.”
The Emperor glared at him; this Lord of Heaven also included the Emperor, right?
Also, what untouchable figures, what diligent work; the Emperor didn’t believe he accidentally passed by Marquis Yichun’s Mansion; it was deliberate! Stirring up trouble, wishing for chaos!
But just because the Embroidered Uniform Guard spied outside the door, he flew into such a rage.
The Emperor looked at Wei Jiao, stopping his nonsense, and said flatly: “There’s something for you to do; once done, go eat your sleep-like-dead medicine.”
Wei Jiao straightened up: “Please give your orders, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor glanced at the border defense map nearby: “Investigate the Border Army’s movements over these two years.”
The Border Army stationed in the northeast was commanded by General Gaoyang Chai Du.
Chai Du was Marquis Yichun’s second son.
After over a dozen years since ascension to the throne, General Gaoyang Chai Du was the one the Emperor trusted most, never having secretly spied on him before.
But after the Emperor spoke, he heard no reaction of shock or praise from Wei Jiao and so on; puzzled, he looked over and saw Wei Jiao seeming lost in thought.
……
…….
To think…
That dog thing, with his rambling nonsense, really made His Majesty suspicious of Marquis Yichun’s family?
Wei Jiao thought to himself.
So straightforward?
“Wei Jiao.” The Emperor called irritably, “Did you hear?”
Wei Jiao lifted his head and murmured: “I heard; Your Majesty wants to investigate the Chai Clan.”
The Emperor kicked him: “Not the Chai Clan, the Border Army, you bastard; that’s Our Border Army; can’t We inquire?”
Though lost in thought, Wei Jiao nimbly dodged the Emperor’s foot and hurriedly replied: “You can, you can.”
He looked at the Emperor again.
“This subject receives the order.”
But he did not turn and leave, instead looking at the Emperor and suddenly stepping forward.
“Your Majesty, I accuse my father of plotting rebellion.” he said.
Wasn’t it just rambling nonsense? He could do it too.
The Emperor was stunned, then kicked him again: “Get out!”
……
…….
Wei Jiao rolled out of the Hall of Diligent Governance but didn’t go far before hearing Princess Pingcheng’s call; he turned, beaming a smile at the approaching Princess Pingcheng.
Princess Pingcheng did not smile, her face slightly tense: “Wei Jiao, has my grandfather left?”
Wei Jiao nodded: “He has.” At this, he stepped forward, “Princess, His Majesty is wronged; I was just wandering around everywhere; others can curse me behind my back, but why does the Marquis come blame His Majesty…”
Princess Pingcheng already knew the Ji family servant had accused, and knew her grandfather had entered the palace last night; she also felt her grandfather was making a fuss over nothing; such an absurd matter, Father Emperor wouldn’t believe it; her grandfather shouldn’t have specially entered the palace.
She was about to ask something, but Wei Jiao bowed.
“I’ll go first.” he said, lifting his head with a bright smile, “I’m going to see my junior sister.”
Junior sister; Princess Pingcheng was stunned, watching Wei Jiao turn and retreat.
Just like before, graceful as a dance.
But now as she watched, there was no prior pleasure.
