Chapter 87: At a Loss

Chapter 87: At a Loss

Zhang Zhongguo carried out the summoning order.

Among the three, the first to arrive at Qinzhen Hall was Guo Wu, the Left Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, overseeing the departments of Personnel, Rites, and Punishment at the Ministry.

The last to arrive was Zhou Xuan, the Censor-in-Chief.

After Zhang Zhongguo led them in, he stood guard at the door. Soon, the emperor's questioning voice was heard from inside.

"I don't understand. How did the case of Chu Huang, which was trialed by the three ministries, become a wrongful conviction? Not to mention his collusion with the convicted traitor Chu Feifei, even as a Minor Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, how can he be innocent with such possession of five thousand acres of good land?"

In the emperor's eyes, the Chu family had taken advantage of their status as relatives by marriage, reaping the benefits but claiming no association when trouble arose, uttering nothing but lies.

"Oh, so you benefit from the connection, but disaster doesn’t touch you? Where in the world does such good fortune exist?"

"Who among you gave him the idea that he could escape from a conviction decreed by me?"

At this, all three were terrified and dared not remain seated. They stood up in unison, bowing and pleading innocence.

The emperor huffed, "The Ministry of Punishment drafts the laws, the Censorate oversees, and the Court of Judicial Review executes. You all have turned this into a mess. I told you before the new year to close the case early, but you insisted that executing people near the year's end is inauspicious and not a blessing for the country."

"Fine, I agree with you. Let's execute the criminals in February."

The emperor, tapping his fingers forcefully on the table, said sternly: "Alright, this delay has been perfect, so perfect that it almost led to a reversal of the verdict. I tell you now, anyone who suggests again that it's inappropriate to execute people during the first month, I'll start by executing them. Let's see if it's indeed possible to execute people."

After this outburst, the Grand Censor Zhou Xuan shrank back, daring not to utter a word.

Guo Wu, the Left Deputy Director overseeing the Ministry of Punishment, sighed inwardly.

He knew well that while the emperor seemed to be scolding them for past mistakes, the real intent was to silence them for the upcoming decision, especially since he had suggested postponing the Chu family's execution until February, after the new year.

"Executing people near the year's end is inauspicious and not a blessing for the country."

This was the excuse he had found: firstly, it was indeed a national tradition to avoid executions during the first month, and secondly, he didn't want to rush the case and create a wrongful conviction due to procedural errors. Although Chu Huang and his family were not innocent, the rest of the Chu clan was mostly implicated.

Little did he know that Chu Huang, even facing imminent death, still clung to a slim hope of survival.

And offered up an opportunity for corruption and bribery.

"Your Majesty, I am to blame for this oversight,"

Qiu Yuyang, the Minor Secretary of the Court of Judicial Review, knelt down to take responsibility. "I will immediately investigate the matter of the five thousand acres of good land. I will also re-examine the Chu family's case of treason to address any oversights or omissions."

"Accepted," the emperor nodded in agreement. "Start with the Judicial Commissioner Zhu. If necessary, I authorize you to bring him to your office for full cooperation in the investigation. The deadline is the 18th."

The emperor continued, turning to Guo Wu, "To avoid further issues, the criminals in this case will be executed on the 19th of the first month, right after the capital's Lantern Festival ends, so as not to disturb the public."

"I understand and will comply," Guo Wu bowed and accepted the order, no longer daring to object.

When Censor-in-Chief Zhou Xuan met the emperor's gaze, he felt extremely uncomfortable.

The emperor, irritated, said, "As a Censor, you should focus on major state affairs and the implementation of policies, not constantly nitpick over trivial matters. Matters like marital disputes are none of your concern. Don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the bigger picture."

"A great sea can contain all rivers; understand this well when you return."

The three officials left the Council Hall looking dejected and disheveled, departing the Qianyuan Palace.

Especially the Censor-in-Chief Zhou Xuan, who only dared to wipe the sweat from his forehead then, sighing with relief as if he had just survived a great ordeal.

Seeing Zhou Xuan's discomfited state, Left Deputy Director Guo Wu couldn't help but scoff, "Look at you, so brave when impeaching others, now scared like this. Guilty conscience?"

"Don't talk nonsense."

Zhou Xuan quickly retorted, "I didn't expect the Emperor to suddenly bring up my impeachment of Judicial Commissioner Zhu for his domestic affairs."

"We told you before, leave that matter alone, but you wouldn’t listen. The Emperor doesn't care about such trivialities. If you do your job well, even if you prefer men, the Emperor might not mind and could even reward you with male concubines. But if you perform poorly, no matter how faithful you are to your old wife, he'll think you're lecherous."

Zhou Xuan’s face twisted in discomfort, "Please, Left Prime Minister, stop mocking me."

Now in the Ministry of Appointments, only the Left and Right Deputy Directors are appointed, making them the highest administrative officials, equivalent to Prime Ministers.

Thus, the Left Deputy Director can also be addressed as "Left Prime Minister."

Guo Wu shook his head, "I'm not mocking you. As fellow court officials, I'm just reminding you what to focus on. You missed the cues on Chu Huang's case, a serious lapse for the Censorate."

After saying this, Guo Wu left briskly.

He needed to return to his department and discuss this with the Ministry of Punishment’s Secretary and Undersecretary, who also seemed unaware of the situation.

Meanwhile, the Minor Secretary of the Court of Judicial Review Qiu Yuyang, just descending from the Qianyuan Palace, was stopped by Zhang Zhongguo, "Please wait, Minor Secretary Qiu."

"Eunuch Zhang." Qiu Yuyang paused and turned around.

"His Majesty instructed me to convey a message to you. Regarding Judicial Commissioner Zhu, as long as no torture is used, you have full authority to deal with him. Also, His Majesty requests that you properly discipline him so he learns his lesson and refrains from breaking the law knowingly."

Qiu Yuyang hesitated, then asked, "And the Imperial Consort from the palace…?"

"Rest assured, the harem does not interfere in state affairs. Moreover, the Imperial Consort disagrees with Zhu's actions. Later, someone from the palace will reprimand Judicial Commissioner Zhu." Zhang Zhongguo, always amazed by the Emperor's astuteness, quickly relayed his prepared message.

"I understand," Qiu Yuyang acknowledged.

Qiu Yuyang felt a weight lift from his shoulders. His usually stern face rarely showed a smile, "Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty for his trust."

Zhang Zhongguo acknowledged and watched him leave before turning back.

The Minister of Dali Temple, Fan Ning, had been continuously submitting resignation letters due to illness, seeking retirement, but the Emperor had not agreed.

The reason was not the Emperor’s desire to retain Fan Ning, but rather, he was waiting for Qiu Yuyang, until his experience was sufficient to smoothly take over the Minister’s position.

Despite the Emperor’s rebuke of Qiu Yuyang today, he still entrusted him with significant responsibilities.

Qiu Yuyang's status as a favored courtier remains intact.

——

Inside the Palace of Blossoming Splendor, it's quiet and peaceful.

The news that the palace's head eunuch, Lü Ping'an, was granted the official position of Middle Advisor initially brought joy and excitement throughout the palace.

However, upon discovering this, Empress Zhu immediately prohibited any celebrations.

"Everyone should continue with their duties and not celebrate this matter," instructed Zhu Yan to Qu Gu, then summoned Lü Ping'an to the Eastern Warm Chamber to discuss the issue.

A promotion is usually a happy occasion.

Yet, some matters require clear communication beforehand to avoid confusion or inadvertent mistakes in the future.

"Ping'an, what do you think about the Emperor bestowing upon you the position of Middle Advisor?" Zhu Yan inquired.

"I owe my official status to Your Highness's gracious favor. The chief eunuch also mentioned that the Emperor exceptionally granted me this position to facilitate tasks outside the palace for Your Highness, giving me the freedom to enter and exit the palace," replied Lü Ping'an.

"It's good that you understand this point,"

Zhu Yan was pleased that the chief eunuch had already explained everything, saving her the need for further elaboration, "I cannot leave the palace, so your role as Middle Advisor is to facilitate communication with the Zhu family on my behalf. Therefore, there won't be any further promotion, nor should there be any celebrations."

"If you ever leave my service in the Palace of Blossoming Splendor and still hold the position of Middle Advisor, I won’t hinder your career. I won’t stop you from celebrating either, and will even send you a congratulatory gift."

Hearing this, Lü Ping'an quickly affirmed his loyalty, "I don't wish to go anywhere else. My only desire is to serve in the Palace of Blossoming Splendor."

He was well aware that his average intellect had only allowed him to lead the servants in Fuhua Palace because he arrived there early. Now, with Fuhua Palace being highly sought after, numerous people were vying to get in without success. Only if he lost his senses would he consider seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Zhu Yan spoke plainly, laying things out clearly, "Traditionally, the servants in the consort’s palaces have no rank or official position. Hence, I expect you to remember one thing: do not meddle in the affairs of the Internal Affairs Department or any palace matters, nor take on the responsibilities of a Central Attendant in the Internal Affairs Department."

"Otherwise, I'll be the first to not spare you and will request the Emperor and Empress to dismiss you," Zhu Yan said, her face unusually stern.

"I will strictly obey Your Highness's command," Lv Ping'an hastily assured, frightened, "I am grateful for Your Highness’s grace."

"No need to thank me."

Zhu Yan waved her hand, having already made both the good and bad points clear. If Ping'an couldn't control himself, she could replace him as the Emperor had said, "Stand up. First, accompany me to Fengyi Palace to express gratitude to the Empress, then go to the Zhu residence in Shengye Fang on my behalf."

"Your Highness is personally going to Fengyi Palace?"

Qu Gu was quite surprised. Given the cold weather and Zhu Yan's poor health, she hadn't left recently, "Your Highness, why don’t I go for you? Whatever message you have, I can convey it."

"I must go myself," Zhu Yan said firmly, instructing Qu Gu to arrange a wind-protected palanquin.

Initially, when the Chief Eunuch Xing Zhongwei also oversaw affairs in Fuhua Palace, the Empress Liu had grown anxious.

To alleviate any further concerns from Empress Liu, Zhu Yan needed to personally clarify her stance regarding Lv Ping'an’s appointment as Central Attendant. She had no desire to meddle in palace affairs nor would she allow anyone around her to do so.

Although the Emperor had said he would speak to Empress Liu, she knew his approach – either sending someone with a message or just making a decision and informing her.

He didn't care how the other party felt, whether they accepted it or could accept it.

——

In Fengyi Palace's main hall.

Empress Liu, engaged in conversation with Su Cairen and Xu Guiren, was surprised to hear of Zhu Yan's visit. "She's here? Please bring her in quickly, it's cold outside... Wait, take her to the West Warm Pavilion. I'll be there shortly."

After speaking, Empress Liu added, "Ensure the West Warm Pavilion is extra warm. Add more coal."

Zhu Yan was known for her aversion to cold, compounded by her frail health.

It was said that recently, due to the cold weather, the charcoal fire in Zhu Yan's sleeping chamber was so intense that it became uncomfortably hot, prompting both her son and the Emperor to avoid staying there too long, though they dared not complain.

Empress Liu prepared to dismiss Su Cairen and Xu Guiren to their respective palaces.

Before she could speak, Su Cairen, rising to leave, quickly interjected with a smile, "Since Consort Zhu is here, Xu Sister and I should also go and pay our respects. Otherwise, it might seem impolite on our part."

Zhu Yan wouldn't mind your impoliteness.

That was Empress Liu's internal thought.

She knew Zhu Yan preferred not to meet unfamiliar people, and since Su Wanclear's entry into the palace, Zhu Yan hadn’t taken a liking to her.

Su Cairen added, "Since Consort Zhu returned to the palace as a consort, Xu Sister and I haven’t had the chance to pay our respects. It seems right to do so now." She said this while clutching Xu Guiren's arm, signaling their joint intention.

Xu Guiren, realizing Empress Liu's reluctance for them to join, found herself unable to decline due to Su Cairen’s insistence and her own timid nature.

Empress Liu couldn’t fathom why Su Cairen was so intent on meeting Zhu Yan. She felt it unnecessary to clarify, suspecting it to be trivial scheming, so she firmly refused, "No need. We all live in the palace and will meet eventually. Consort Zhu prefers peace and quiet. If you truly don’t want to be impolite, best not disturb her tranquility."

"Return to your palaces and take good care of your children. If you need anything, make sure to report it to Fengyi Palace promptly," Empress Liu instructed the two ladies, and then had Lady Liu personally escort them out.

Xu Guiren breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Su Wanclear, Su Cairen, felt disappointed. Empress Liu remained just as benevolent and kind as she remembered from her past life, except on matters of principle.

But regarding Zhu Yan...

Su Wanclear had pieced together information and concluded that the previous life's Noble Consort Zhu was not Zhu Yan, the eldest daughter of the Zhu family, but her younger sister, Zhu Qi.

In this life, however, the present Noble Consort Zhu was indeed the true eldest daughter, Zhu Yan.

The most compelling evidence was that the Noble Consort in her past life only summoned her birth mother, Lu Shi, to the palace, while the current Noble Consort summoned her stepmother, Mo Shi. In the Zhu family, the eldest son and daughter were raised by their stepmother and were closer to her, while the other children, raised by their birth mother, were closer to Lu Shi.

Thus, the 'switching identities' scandal she thought applied to Noble Consort Zhu in her previous life turned out to be about Zhu Qi, not Zhu Yan in this life.

Realizing this, Su Wanclear was extremely frustrated.

Especially after giving birth to the eighth prince and still remaining a Cairen without any promotion, she began to feel anxious. There were many things she couldn't do due to her low rank.

In the imperial harem, one either needed rank or the emperor's favor.

In her previous life, she had both towards the end, but now, she had neither. This anomaly, Zhu Yan, was nothing like the Noble Consort Zhu she knew. She felt at a loss on how to proceed.

How could sisters from the same mother be so different?

She was supposed to be the favored one, reborn with memories of her past life, destined to rekindle her romance with the emperor. How could Zhu Yan, this anomaly, suddenly emerge and disrupt her plans?

The author's note:

Today's additional update delivered! Muah!~