Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 666: Choice (Part 1)
Early the next morning, Cui Du went to Jingyang Palace to pay respects, and incidentally, being a good brother-in-law, went to play with Prince Ping.
Jiang Shaohua held a small court meeting in Jinluan Palace.
Minister Dai was the first to step forward and report: "The case of rebellion involving the Prince Gaoliang Mansion and Prince Dongping Mansion has been thoroughly investigated. Please, Your Majesty, issue the decree for sentencing."
The funeral arrangements for Emperor Taihe were completed, and the new emperor had officially ascended the throne. Now, it was also time to free up resources to deal with this major rebellion case.
Jiang Yi, the princely heir to the Prince Gaoliang, who was the mastermind, was killed by Jiang Shaohua with a single shot. The Prince Dongping and his son committed suicide by poison in prison a few nights ago — regardless of where the poison came from, the masterminds were basically all dead.
Only the dim-witted Prince Gaoliang remained, confined within the Prince Mansion. Additionally, the women, children, and the elderly of the two mansions were to be implicated, and confiscation of their properties was a justified action.
There wasn’t much to say about this. Jiang Shaohua quickly issued an imperial decree, instructing the Ministry of Justice to select a date for execution, and all members of the Prince Gaoliang Mansion and Prince Dongping Mansion were to be beheaded and displayed. Then, the Imperial Guards were sent to confiscate properties.
The matter truly worthy of discussion was how to deal with Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an.
Vice Minister Yang stepped forward and presented the self-defense memorials from Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an.
Jiang Shaohua ordered Secretary Wang to read them aloud in public. Wang Jin nodded in response, stepped forward two paces, and read the two memorials aloud.
In the memorial, Prince Huaiyang tearfully stated that he had mistakenly trusted wicked advisors and employed villains, resulting in betrayal and accusations from those he trusted. He had absolutely no intention of rebellion and firmly supported Her Majesty’s ascent to the throne. He now requested to be demoted to commoner status and offered all the assets of the Prince Huaiyang Mansion to the court to replenish the national treasury.
The memorial from Prince Wu’an expressed a similar sentiment. However, there remained hints of resentment between the lines, and it was far less eloquent than that of Prince Huaiyang’s, sounding somewhat unpleasant.
After Jiang Shaohua listened, she withheld her comment, instead, asking the ministers: "What are your thoughts on these two memorials? Please, feel free to express your views."
Minister Dong, unhesitating, immediately spoke up: "On the day at the Imperial Mausoleum, there were only over a hundred rebels, all of whom have been executed. Wu Wei and Si Wu’s statements in prison were inconsistent; at first, they said they were instructed by Prince Huaiyang, then later claimed it was Prince Wu’an’s instruction. I believe their words are not reliable for testimony."
"However, both Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an have suspicions of rebellion. Although they are exempt from the death penalty, they cannot escape punishment. For the stability of the nation, please, Your Majesty, decree to strip Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an of their titles."
Minister Zhang, accustomed to voicing opposing views, immediately stepped forward: "Minister Dong, your words are wrong. The Emperor, upon ascending the throne, cannot act based on personal preferences; he should adhere to the laws of the court. Since the statements of Wu Wei and Si Wu are not credible, the rebellion charges against Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an are not established. How can we convict two vassal kings on unsubstantiated charges? This matter cannot set a precedent, or else, there will surely be unfavorable remarks about the Emperor among officials and the public!"
On the surface, this argument also seems reasonable.
In reality, it was about protecting Prince Huaiyang, thereby also protecting Prince Wu’an, creating obstacles for the new emperor, perhaps hoping for a chance to regain favor in the future.
Vice Minister Yang immediately retorted in a deep voice: "The true origin of those over a hundred death warriors, whether from the Prince Huaiyang Mansion or Prince Wu’an Mansion, has never been concluded. However, to claim both vassal kings are innocent is utterly laughable. Minister Zhang and Prince Huaiyang are relatives by marriage, and it’s clear he wishes to absolve Prince Huaiyang. Such personal bias, are you not afraid of others’ ridicule?"
Vice Minister Yang aggressively attacked, hitting Minister Zhang where it hurt.
Minister Zhang, flushed with shame and anger, glared: "I, as Minister, stand for impartiality, not personal bias. Vice Minister Yang, do not malign me!"
Vice Minister Yang coldly countered: "The power of the vassal kings is the root of disaster for the nation. The rebellion by Prince Gaoliang’s Heir and the father and son of the Prince Dongping Mansion sets the best precedent. This is now the best opportunity to curb the vassal kings."
Most of the former Prime Minister Faction officials remained silent.
Most of the officials Minister Zhang secretly allied with were mid-to-low ranking officials; only one or two had the qualifications to attend the small court meeting. On the other hand, Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang were members of the Emperor’s Faction, in addition to Acting Minister of War, Vice Minister Ding, and the former followers of the Grand Empress Dowager, who now considered themselves part of the Emperor’s Faction as well.
With limited support, Minister Zhang immediately appeared awkward.
Minister Dai coughed and sought to mediate: "We are currently discussing how to handle the two vassal kings, and since opinions differ, let us rely on the Emperor’s wise decision."
Ultimately, it depended on how the Emperor decided.
If Jiang Shaohua did not want to let them go, she could very well have them quietly executed in prison. Just like the Prince Dongping and his son, whether by poisoning or sudden illness, once dead, what more could the ministers say?
Now that it was being brought up in court, at the very least, the two vassal kings’ lives would be spared.
All ministers turned their gaze towards Her Majesty, the Empress, seated on the Dragon Throne.
Finally, Jiang Shaohua spoke: "Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an are suspected of rebellion, but due to lack of concrete evidence, with only testimonies that contradict each other, the matter shall be lightly dealt with."
"From this day forward, Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an shall be stripped of their titles, demoted to commoners, and exiled from the capital."
"The properties of the Prince Huaiyang Mansion and Prince Wu’an Mansion shall be confiscated by eighty percent, leaving twenty percent for the people of the mansions to subsist on."
...
This decree quickly reached Jingyang Palace.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng snorted coldly: "Such benevolence and mercy will surely lead to future troubles."
Mr. Zhao cautiously chimed in: "The Emperor is compassionate and magnanimous. In the end, that is a good thing."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng snorted again but said no more.
Released from the Heavenly Prison, Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an finally saw the bright sun. Standing in the sunlight, Prince Huaiyang was at a loss for words, his eyes reddening.
Without their titles, with their properties to be confiscated by eighty percent, they could only shrink back and live a humble life in the future. Prince Wu’an, filled with indignation and anger, wanted to curse but, recalling the cold bodies of Prince Dongping and his son, swallowed his words.
Behind them were their respective sons.
Prince Wu’an had only one heir, while Prince Huaiyang had as many as five sons.
Prince Wu’an sarcastically remarked: "I have few descendants, and with twenty percent of the property, we can barely make ends meet. Your thriving descendants may not even have meat to eat in the future."
Prince Huaiyang took a deep breath of fresh air: "It’s far better than losing one’s head."
One sentence stifled Prince Wu’an.
According to protocol, the two still had to go to Zhaohai Palace to express their thanks before departing the court. Whether or not they could see them depended on Her Majesty’s mood.
The two vassal kings, under the watchful eyes of the Imperial Guards, arrived outside Zhaohai Palace.
After a while, Chen Sheren came out: "The Emperor is reviewing memorials and has no free time. You may express your gratitude outside the hall and then depart."
Without a word, Prince Wu’an kowtowed three times and left without looking back.
Prince Huaiyang, however, knelt long without rising: "Please, convey to Chen Sheren, I will wait here for the Emperor’s summons."
