Chapter 156: Karma
Zichen Hall.
Giant vermilion pillars stood tall and imposing, solemn and majestic.
Several officials knelt on the golden bricks of the grand hall, whispering to each other, their official robes already soaked with sweat.
After waiting for a long time, they finally saw the Emperor enter the hall. Xiao Song quickly performed a grand bow, his forehead heavily striking the ground.
“Your Majesty, please hear my plea. The Crown Prince locked up the Jiangzhou transport official this morning, and in the afternoon, he led troops to surround the Ministry of Revenue office and forcibly took Minister Luo away—Minister Luo is an official appointed by the court. Detaining him without a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices is a blatant disregard for the law…”
Before Xiao Song could finish speaking, Yuan Qili, the Vice Minister of Personnel, spoke with great indignation.
“Your Majesty, the detention of officials of the fifth rank and above requires an imperial decree. How can the Crown Prince act in such a manner, disregarding the ancestral laws?”
Zheng Yan, the Grand Master of the Palace Gate, also cupped his hands, “The Crown Prince disregards the established precedents of our ancestors, openly denounces the Three Judicial Offices as incompetent and sluggish, and unilaterally publishes so-called evidence of guilt, misleading the public…”
Yuan Qili looked directly at the Emperor, his voice filled with emotion, “The Crown Prince even claims to hold the Imperial Sword and to be acting on Your Majesty’s orders…”
Emperor Chong Zhao slowly shifted his position, finding a more comfortable spot to sit. He raised his hand to cover his lips and coughed heavily.
Silence fell upon the hall.
Everyone held their breath.
After the Emperor finished coughing, Wang Chengxi quickly stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully offered a teacup with both hands. The Emperor took it, took two sips, and then slowly smiled.
“My beloved ministers… *cough cough*…”
His gaze was calm as he slowly swept over the ministers, his trusted advisors, who had various expressions on their faces. There was a hint of imperceptible scrutiny in his eyes.
“The Crown Prince is young and impetuous, lacking experience, and it is inevitable that his actions will be rash. In terms of seniority, you are all elders to the Crown Prince, so perhaps you could be more understanding?”
“Your Majesty, this is a matter of grave importance concerning the safety of the state…”
Yuan Qili’s eyes widened, and he spoke with deep distress.
Emperor Chong Zhao leaned back slightly against the Dragon Throne, his voice calm, “If the Crown Prince has irrefutable evidence, then he should be severely punished to serve as a warning. If there is no irrefutable evidence, then letting Minister Luo clarify the rumors will suffice…”
Although his words were pleasant, this single word “suffice” sent a chill down the spines of the important ministers in the hall.
The Emperor was clearly indulging the Crown Prince.
After the death of Xiao Zhengyuan, the punishment of Xiao Jing, and now the investigation into Luo Huan, with plans to search the Prime Minister’s mansion, who knew what he would do next?
Like lips and teeth, these officials, having served for many years and being cunning and experienced, possessed their own methods for navigating and maneuvering within the Imperial Court.
They were not afraid of Li Huan’s gentle and benevolent governing style, but they feared Li Zhao, a madman who acted without regard for rules.
Several ministers prostrated themselves, their movements synchronized.
“Your subject ventures to implore, this matter is of great consequence. It should be jointly tried by the Three Judicial Offices and investigated by the Six Ministries, in accordance with ancestral law…”
“Your Majesty, please discern, the ancestral laws cannot be abolished. If the Crown Prince acts arbitrarily and disrupts the court’s discipline, it will inevitably lead to turmoil in the court and country, destabilizing the state!”
“Disorder in governance will chill the hearts of all officials!”
“Your Majesty! We must not act rashly…”
Each voice boomed like a bell, speaking with righteous indignation.
Emperor Chong Zhao understood everything in his heart.
The ministers each had their own interests, their abacuses clicking away—
“Your loyalty… *cough cough*… I understand.”
He spoke and then began to cough again, his face turning red, veins bulging slightly on his neck.
The hall fell into complete silence.
Everyone raised their heads slightly, their eyes fixed on the Emperor.
Emperor Chong Zhao’s body tensed as he coughed, but his voice remained gentle.
“The Crown Prince is young, and his intention to search the Prime Minister’s mansion is indeed a bit audacious. I will admonish him. As for the matters of salt, iron, money, and grain, since I have entrusted him with important responsibilities and asked him to assist the Ministry of Revenue, I should grant him the authority to act and not impede him, so as to show the magnanimity of a ruler…”
He waved his hand, “My beloved ministers, *cough cough cough*… I have been working tirelessly on state affairs for days and feel slightly unwell. You may all withdraw…”
“Your Majesty!” Yuan Qili clasped his hands and leaned forward, “If the officials are alienated and policies are not implemented, great disaster will surely follow…”
His voice echoed through the hall, hurting people’s eardrums.
Emperor Chong Zhao’s expression darkened slightly, and his cough worsened.
“Are you questioning the Crown Prince, or are you coercing me?”
The officials below immediately prostrated themselves: “Your subjects dare not!”
–
Within Pu Ji Temple, ancient trees towered, and lush greenery provided shade.
Beneath a large banyan tree, an ancient Zen table was placed.
A gentle breeze blew, accompanied by a faint tea fragrance, creating a serene atmosphere.
Several people sat around the table, drinking tea.
Xue Sui played with the sandalwood prayer beads she had just acquired on her wrist, listening silently as Xue Yuechen and Madam Luo spoke.
“They say your esteemed household’s Fourth Young Master Guo is filial and a good young man of pure character. I wonder if my Eighth Sister has such good fortune…”
Madam Luo smiled and put down her teacup, “Princess Consort, please rest assured. I do have a say in Fourth Son’s marriage.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly, gazing at a young Sami sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard, her eyes serene.
Guo Yunrong suddenly leaned closer, a bright smile on her face, “Madam Ping’an, why aren’t you speaking?”
Xue Sui looked up gently, “I’m looking at that tree branch. There’s a magpie’s nest on it.”
Guo Yunrong’s eyes widened with curiosity, “Madam, how do you know it’s a magpie’s nest?”
Xue Sui smiled, “I just saw a magpie fly into it.”
Guo Yunrong’s attention was drawn, and she excitedly stood up, “Quick, Liu’er, go borrow a ladder! I want to go up and see the baby magpies. I’ve never seen baby magpies before…”
Seeing her daughter’s boisterousness, Madam Luo couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle, “This girl is spoiled by me, like a little monkey, difficult to control. I wonder if she’ll be able to restrain herself when she becomes a wife…”
“Mother!” Guo Yunrong’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she shyly chided her mother before quickly taking her maid to see the magpie’s nest.
Seeing this, Xue Sui smiled, “Third Miss Guo is lively and straightforward. I quite like this personality of hers.”
Madam Luo smiled gently, “Madam Ping’an, what do you think of the marriage between Eighth Miss and him?”
Earlier, Xue Sui had let Xue Yuechen speak, and she hadn’t interjected. Hearing Madam Luo ask her, she smiled gently.
“Fourth Young Master Guo and Eighth Miss have compatible birth dates. Even Master Jing Kong said it is a divinely ordained match. With the Princess Consort’s matchmaking, it is naturally an excellent destiny.”
She subtly gave the credit to Xue Yuechen.
Madam Luo nodded in understanding, “With the esteemed Princess Consort Duan’s good intentions, it is naturally adding splendor to the brocade…”
Xue Yuechen glanced at Xue Sui and smiled at Madam Luo, “Sixth Sister put in a lot of effort; she is the true matchmaker.”
After speaking, she pushed the copied Buddhist scriptures on the desk towards Xue Sui.
“These two scrolls of scriptures are meant for Sixth Sister to personally offer before Buddha, to avert disaster and protect all living beings…”
Xue Sui smiled and agreed, then got up to leave.
Holding the scripture scrolls, she stepped into the Buddhist hall. Master Jing Kong was facing away from the door, striking a wooden fish. The hem of his kasaya draped over the cushion, his posture tall and solemn.
“Greetings, Master.”
Xue Sui walked forward lightly, knelt on the cushion, and respectfully bowed her head, her movements devout and focused.
“Does the female benefactor know what is meant by ignorance leading to action?” Jing Kong suddenly spoke, the sound of the wooden fish tapping rhythmically within his words.
Incense smoke curled gracefully in the Buddhist hall, elegant and lingering.
Xue Sui clasped her hands together, looking devoutly towards Buddha.
“Ignorance is foolishness and lack of knowledge. From ignorance comes attachment. From ignorance comes anger. From ignorance comes delusion. Ignorance transforms into action, action gives rise to consequences, and the cycle of reincarnation continues, unable to be broken…”
Jing Kong nodded slightly, his eyes filled with compassion and wisdom.
“The world only sees mandarin ducks in brocade, never the sandalwood ash. All phenomena are impermanent, and true fulfillment is difficult to achieve.”
“Please enlighten me, Master?” Xue Sui bowed slightly.
“Amitabha—” Jing Kong said slowly, his voice deep and peaceful, “All sentient beings have ignorance in their hearts. It is better to distance oneself from it, to find purity and freedom…”
Xue Sui bowed deeply again, her forehead touching the cushion.
“Thank you, Master, for your guidance!”
–
A gentle breeze blew, and cicadas chirped.
Madam Luo took a sip of tea, put down her teacup, and looked in the direction of the Buddhist hall, “This Sixth Miss from the Princess Consort’s family has more composure than a legitimate daughter.”
Xue Yuechen’s fingertips brushed over the teacup, and she smiled faintly, “You flatter me, Madam. Sixth Sister was raised outside for ten years, yet she hasn’t lost her intelligence; she is truly blessed. Therefore, the act of offering to Buddha and accumulating merit naturally falls to her…”
Madam Luo said, “I believe that arranging a good marriage is more meritorious than offering to Buddha.”
Xue Yuechen exchanged a glance with her, smiling at the corners of her eyes, “Madam speaks the truth. I also wish to accumulate more merit and move heaven, so that it may grant me a son, fulfilling my long-cherished wish…”
Madam Luo understood her concern and was surprised that she mentioned it so frankly. She smiled and comforted her, “A woman’s pregnancy depends on fate. When fate arrives, blessings will follow. However, your sisters’ harmonious relationship is truly enviable. Unlike my maternal sisters, who have long gone their separate ways…”
The two women chatted happily.
At that moment, a servant boy ran in, panting, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
“Madam!” The servant boy prostrated himself, his sleeve cuffs soaked with sweat, “Master Luo was taken by the Right Imperial Guard at the Ministry of Revenue office. It is said… it is said that Yongfeng Granary caught fire, and they need to examine the Ministry of Revenue’s records.”
Luo Huan was her father.
Madam Luo stood up abruptly.
“If they are examining records, why take Master away?”
The servant boy scratched his head, “This servant does not know the specifics, but this case seems to involve the Prime Minister’s mansion as well. Perhaps there were some financial dealings, which is why Minister Luo was taken for questioning?”
Madam Luo asked, “Who gave the order?”
The servant boy hesitated for a moment, “I heard it was an order from the Eastern Palace.”
Xue Sui walked over, just in time to hear this sentence.
She hadn’t expected Li Zhao to act so quickly. After spending just one day at Pu Ji Temple, the situation in the Imperial Court had already taken a drastic turn, with Li Zhao causing utter chaos.
“Heavens!” Madam Luo murmured, her legs feeling weak, her face filled with worry and fear.
“Is the sky about to change?”
Xue Sui stepped forward to support her arm and gently patted her back.
“Madam, please do not panic. Being questioned does not mean being convicted. Perhaps there is still room for maneuver.”
Madam Luo weakly supported her forehead, speaking impulsively in her distress.
“Madam Ping’an did not grow up in the capital and does not know how arrogant the Crown Prince is. If one falls into his hands, they will not fare well…”
Xue Sui said nothing further.
Behind her, the sound of Master Jing Kong’s wooden fish continued, one after another. Recalling Jing Kong’s words from earlier, a fine layer of sweat broke out on her palms.
Li Zhao: Now everyone knows why my alias is “Li the Great Thief,” right? Such a bold thief!
Xue Sui: Causing such a ruckus, are you very proud?
Li Zhao: I am proud!
