The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 469 - 437: How Can You Be Lazy Without a Full Stomach? (Fourth Update)
As shocked as Wen Wan was, so was her mother-in-law.
Granny Song was dumbfounded from the moment Mr. Cui read the imperial decree. Her legs went weak, and she attempted twice to stand but failed. It was Old Song who helped her finally stand up properly, with "shock" still written all over her face.
Wen Wan didn’t know how to start a conversation with her mother-in-law in this state, so she simply didn’t step forward and directly instructed someone to prepare a red envelope to reward Mr. Cui.
All other gifts could be declined, but this kind of monetary reward, laced with good luck, must be accepted no matter the amount, for good fortune’s sake.
So, when the maid brought the red envelope, Mr. Cui accepted it with a cheerful smile.
Song Wei knew he still had tasks to handle in the palace, so he didn’t hold him back for tea and personally saw him off.
Before leaving, Mr. Cui stood outside the main gate and quietly told Song Wei, "The Emperor’s intention, Song Sicheng should understand. Yiren is now a titled lady, so if there are any banquets in the palace that she can attend, Song Sicheng should try to bring her along."
This message indirectly indicated that the Emperor wanted to see his niece.
Song Wei understood well the Emperor’s inconvenient position in not being able to publicly acknowledge his niece and nodded, "I understand."
Mr. Cui appreciated this kind of intelligent person, smiled with satisfaction, got into the carriage, and left.
Song Wei turned to see Wen Wan standing not far away, looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
He walked over and asked her, "Why aren’t you going in?"
"Waiting for you."
When Song Wei didn’t respond right away, she tilted her head to look at him, "Husband?"
"Hmm?"
"What did Mr. Cui just tell you?"
"Mr. Cui said that the Emperor’s intention in giving you the title is for me to bring you to the palace more often in the future."
Wen Wan wasn’t foolish; she understood the implication in one go, pursed her lips, and said nothing.
Song Wei wasn’t planning to pressure her, "If Wanwan doesn’t want to acknowledge this uncle, then just use not feeling well as an excuse to refuse when the time comes."
"Mom and Dad have acknowledged it, why wouldn’t I acknowledge an uncle?" Wen Wan suddenly laughed, "I’m just thinking, suddenly having an emperor uncle, what benefits should I ask for to make it worthwhile?"
Song Wei reached out and tapped her forehead, "Little money-grubber."
Wen Wan rubbed the spot where he’d tapped, "After all, it’s not like you’re just finding out today that I’m a money-grubber."
Song Wei took the imperial decree from Wen Wan’s hand and held it himself, offering her his other hand for support.
Jinbao, who had already walked a bit ahead, turned back when he saw his father supporting his mother as they walked over, and he ran back, wrapping his little arm around Wen Wan’s.
A rare burst of enthusiasm from her son made Wen Wan ask him, "Weren’t you supposed to go inside with Grandpa and Grandma first, why did you come back?"
Jinbao looked up at his mother, "Yun Cai said, Mom is having a baby, where?"
Wen Wan’s face turned a bit dark, "That little girl, instead of learning good things, she teaches you this kind of stuff."
Jinbao called out again, "Mom～"
"Hmm?"
The little guy straightened his back and asked, "Which one, brother or sister, will compete with Jinbao for delicious treats?"
Wen Wan: "..."
Song Wei said, "Whether it’s a brother or sister, once you’re the elder brother, you must learn to protect them and be accommodating to them. This way, you can show the grace of a little gentleman."
"Jinbao is not a little gentleman." The little guy’s voice was as lazy as he was, "Elder brother is, let him protect them, and protect me too while he’s at it."
Song Wei: "..."
Wen Wan said that his thinking was wrong and that he would be laughed at.
The little guy snorted, "Let them laugh, anyway, I’m too lazy to argue with them."
Wen Wan poked him twice, "How come you’re never lazy when it’s time to eat?"
Jinbao answered confidently, "If I don’t fill my stomach, where will I get the energy to continue being lazy?"
Wen Wan was choked by her son’s powerful logic and couldn’t find the words to reply.
The couple exchanged a look, and simultaneously felt a mutual sense that "he doesn’t take after either of us."
Back in the room, Wen Wan sat down to catch her breath and began to educate her son, "In a few months, Jinbao will be four years old. According to the age your father started teaching, the family will invite a teacher for you then. You can’t be lazy anymore, understand? Otherwise, you’ll anger the teacher to the point of leaving."
Jinbao lazily replied, "Oh," and continued to play with the Lu Ban Lock.
Wen Wan continued, "Your brother was even lazier than you. He slept during the exam, yet he still got top marks. Jinbao also needs to work hard, or else you’ll fall behind your brother in the future."
Jinbao didn’t know what it meant to be the top scorer, but he remembered Yuanbao’s words, "Brother accumulated a year’s worth of sleep just for that day. Brother said he was too busy to sleep regularly."
Wen Wan asked, "When did he say this? How come I didn’t know?"
Jinbao remembered it had happened, but was too lazy to think about it, so he simply shook his head.
——
Song Yuanbao found out about Zhao Xi’s case being carelessly overlooked and was somewhat displeased. He asked Zhao Xi, "Does Your Highness truly wish to let the culprit roam free?"
Zhao Xi revealed a sense of helplessness that Song Yuanbao had never seen before, "I cannot sway my father’s resolve," nor can I sway his love for Princess Consort Duan.
Song Yuanbao gritted his teeth, "I only ask you one question, do you want to seek justice for yourself?"
"Don’t stir things up pointlessly, it’s useless."
"Want, or not want?"
Zhao Xi raised his eyes.
This was probably the most serious and solemn moment since Song Yuanbao entered the palace. His eyes and expression were not joking.
"I want," Zhao Xi answered spontaneously.
"Good! With just those words from you, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish."
...
Based on the clues provided by Chu Xu, the Ministry of Justice gradually found evidence of the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Industry embezzling three thousand taels.
Since the matter involved two ministers, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice dared not make a private judgment and went into the palace to see Emperor Guangxi, explaining the general situation before finally asking if he intended to protect the two ministers or bring them to justice.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Guangxi wanted to express his anger immediately, "Embezzlement is a serious crime, especially three thousand taels. You’re a senior official in the Ministry of Justice; don’t you even have this basic knowledge? Since I’ve already handed the case to you, naturally you should follow procedures. Why would you come to ask whether to protect them? Am I, the Emperor, capable of favoritism and injustice?"
After listening, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice replied, "Just two days ago, someone delivered solid evidence of a murder case to the Ministry of Justice. Upon examining it, I found the case had been closed long ago by the Shuntian Prefecture. I had doubts, which is why I took the opportunity of the embezzlement case to ask the Emperor if the Ministry of Justice should act according to the law.
The Emperor is the ruler of a nation and a model for all under the heavens. You mentioned you would not bend the law for favoritism. Thus, the Ministry of Justice follows suit, won’t wrong any good person, and certainly won’t spare any criminal."
Emperor Guangxi’s forehead veins bulged; he wasn’t foolish enough not to realize what case that was. He gritted his molars and asked, "Who gave you the evidence?"
"The Divine Soldier Bureau, Minister Song Sicheng."
Not only the evidence, but Song Wei orchestrated today’s palace visit and the conversation with the Emperor.
Originally, Song Wei couldn’t control such a high-ranking official like the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, but it was coincidentally convenient that they were of the same mind, not tolerating impurities or superiors having double standards on cases, ruining reputations. Thus, after verifying the evidence, the Minister came to see Emperor Guangxi at once, hoping the Emperor would awaken to acknowledge the assassination case involving the Eldest Prince.
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice was known among the populace as "Iron Yama," famous for his lack of human sentiment.
As an Emperor, Guangxi had his own dignity and couldn’t admit to the Minister in front of him that it was he who let the case slide, so he pretended he was unaware and angrily overturned the table, "The Shuntian Prefecture, those bunglers, dare to fool me with such an important case!"
Though aware the Emperor tacitly consented to the Shuntian Prefecture closing the case, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice still cooperated in the act with Emperor Guangxi, "Since the case has transferred to the Ministry of Justice, I will spare no effort to provide His Highness and the Imperial Concubine a complete account."
"Handle it well." Emperor Guangxi came down and patted the Minister’s shoulder.
After the person left, he immediately called in Mr. Cui, "Summon Song Wei."
Mr. Cui noticed the master’s face was very displeased. Not daring to delay, he immediately headed to the Divine Soldier Bureau.
...
Two cups of tea later, Song Wei followed Mr. Cui to Yangxin Hall.
Entering, he saw Emperor Guangxi sitting on the dragon throne with a dark expression. Song Wei cupped his hands and saluted, "May I ask why the Emperor has summoned me?"
Emperor Guangxi’s cold gaze swept down, "Was it you who provided the Ministry of Justice with the evidence?"
"Yes." Song Wei admitted frankly.
"Song Wei, do you intend to defy me?"
Song Wei smiled faintly, "I believe a ruler with ambitions to conquer the world wouldn’t be confined to mere harem politics, nor make decisions out of personal desires that would be criticized in historical records. Initially, due to Deng Zhaoyi’s scheme against the Eldest Prince, the Emperor sentenced her to the Cold Palace in a fit of anger. Why is it that when it’s the favorite concubine’s turn, she is continually forgiven?
Or does the Emperor wish to tell civil and military officials, tell the people of the nation, that as long as one is favored, no matter what they do, they will be pardoned without guilt? On one hand, the Emperor instructs the Ministry of Justice to investigate the embezzlement case thoroughly, yet on the other, shields someone guilty of the major crime of assassinating the Imperial Family. I’m unsure of the meaning of the imperial laws and hope the Emperor can enlighten me."
