The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 470 - 438: Third Son Takes Action, a Price Must Be Paid (Part 1)
"Silence!" Emperor Guangxi interrupted Song Wei, his face dark, "What do you know?"
Song Wei spoke calmly, "When the Emperor entrusted the coal mine case and the bandit suppression case to me, I dared not slack off. On the way to Ningzhou, I read many books about the laws of Great Chu. I cannot say that I have mastered them completely, but at least I understand the most basic Chu Law."
Knowing Song Wei is a tough nut, going hard on him won’t work, Emperor Guangxi softened his tone, "Not everything in this world is as black or white as you think. Your stubborn nature will one day lead you to stumble."
Song Wei was silent for a moment.
Emperor Guangxi thought he had gotten through to him and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, Song Wei suddenly spoke, "I always thought that the Emperor chose me in Ningzhou because of my candid nature. But was I wrong all along? If the Emperor prefers flattery, then from this day forth, I will refrain from speaking any words that might displease the Emperor. Whatever you love to hear, I shall say.
However, should it happen that the prisoners condemned in jail realize they could assassinate the Imperial Family without consequence, feeling unfair and causing riots? Or if departmental officials start sheltering and abetting those close to them in crimes? The government office might not be able to manage it, and I hope the Emperor can personally intervene and suppress them with imperial might."
As Emperor Guangxi fell into silence, Song Wei added, "Wanwan always knew why her parents were demoted to Ningzhou to guard the spirits of miners. If she knew that they could have been pardoned simply by finding a scapegoat, that her brother need not have been exiled, she wouldn’t necessarily be pleased to have gained an uncle."
These words were akin to the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Emperor Guangxi’s fingers in the golden sleeves clenched and unclenched, restraining the unspeakable guilt towards his sister.
Song Wei no longer looked at him, "I take my leave."
Just as he was about to step out the threshold, Emperor Guangxi’s voice suddenly came, "Three days."
Song Wei paused in his step.
The Emperor made a decision, "Three days later, I will make the Liang Family pay."
Song Wei did not turn back, his clear and powerful declaration of "The Emperor is wise" was heard by all the palace attendants and eunuchs standing outside.
...
After Song Wei left, Emperor Guangxi ordered a visit to Yonghe Palace.
Princess Consort Duan knelt on the ground to greet him.
Emperor Guangxi did not call for her to rise, looking down at her, "Was the assassination attempt on the Eldest Prince related to you?"
Princess Consort Duan straightened her body, her face calm, "If the Emperor trusts me, it has nothing to do with me. If the Emperor does not trust me, then I am guilty."
Emperor Guangxi sat on the main seat, his gaze carried a hint of reluctance, "I certainly hope it has nothing to do with you, but the Ministry of Justice has obtained conclusive evidence that it was your family who acted. If it weren’t for your approval, how dared they?"
Princess Consort Duan did not defend herself, only said, "Ever since entering the palace, they have never asked me what I want or like, always forcing upon me what they think is best. If I had the right to choose, I’m afraid..." I’m afraid I wouldn’t have entered the palace even for a step back then.
Emperor Guangxi felt uncomfortable hearing these words, "Enough, I understand."
Princess Consort Duan was not entirely uninformed of palace affairs; she knew servants and masters had been cursing her behind her back these days, "Given the situation, as a member of the Liang Family, I cannot escape blame. Whatever punishment the Emperor decides, I accept."
The more she behaved this way, the more Emperor Guangxi’s heart softened, "You..."
Looking at Princess Consort Duan again, she had already bowed down, without shedding a tear, without uttering a single grievance, without saying a word for herself or the Liang Family.
Emperor Guangxi closed his eyes and summoned Cui Fuquan, "Effective immediately, Princess Consort Duan is demoted to Princess Consort Duan. She will no longer be the primary position at Yonghe Palace, moved to Linlang Pavilion, additionally punished with six months of confinement. Without my decree, prohibited from stepping out of Yonghe Palace."
Mr. Cui asked softly, "And the Liang Family..."
"Elder Liang indulged his son in committing crimes, I allow him to retire due to his age over seventy. As for Liang Ying, removed from his position in the Ministry of Personnel, handed over to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Whether it results in penal servitude or execution, follow Chu Law strictly, no favoritism!" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Just as Mr. Cui was preparing to leave, Emperor Guangxi spoke again, "Moreover, issue a proclamation from the Cabinet, effective immediately, any attempt by external relatives to harm imperial heirs, successful or not, will result in the execution of nine generations."
...
In just three days, Princess Consort Duan was demoted to Princess Consort Duan, her father Elder Liang was expelled from the Cabinet, and her brother was sentenced to execution.
The Liang Family’s power was virtually dismantled, leaving only Prime Minister Yang Zhen to rely on.
When Lady Liang cried to her brother for help, Yang Zhen hesitated while looking at the Emperor’s issued edict, only advising her to mourn in advance.
——
Xianfu Palace received the news immediately.
Princess Consort Qi was greatly elated, looking at the little eunuch who delivered the news, "Is the Liang Family truly finished?"
"Every word I said is true." The little eunuch replied, "Princess Consort Duan has already been demoted, and a new chief consort position at Yonghe Palace has been assigned to Consort Xian. I also heard that Liang Ying, the elder brother of Princess Consort Duan, has been causing a commotion in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, shouting his innocence. Lady Liang went to plead with Chief Minister Yang but was harshly reprimanded. The good days of the Liang Family are now truly over."
Princess Consort Qi’s face was full of joy, "Delightful, truly delightful! Dare to harm my son, they should pay such a price!"
With that, Princess Consort Qi sighed softly, "It’s a pity that wretched Princess Consort Duan made contributions by bearing children for the Emperor and was only demoted. It still doesn’t soothe the hatred in my heart."
Gu Yu said, "Your Highness is a Princess Consort, and she is now just a mere consort. For Your Highness to deal with her is as simple as squashing an ant. Moreover, with the incident involving the Liang Family, the Emperor will not favor her again in the short term to appease public anger. Making things difficult for her is just a matter of a word from Your Highness."
The little eunuch glanced at Princess Consort Qi’s expression and hesitated, "There’s one more thing."
"What is it?" Princess Consort Qi recollected her thoughts and looked at him.
The little eunuch stammered, "Consort Qing in our palace has been promoted to a concubine position, restoring her green badge. The eunuch conveying the decree should arrive soon."
"Consort Qing?" Princess Consort Qi squinted her eyes.
"Chief Xue died protecting His Highness, and the Emperor noted this merit upon Consort Qing, thereby elevating her to a concubine position."
Gu Yu frowned, "The Xue Family can really sacrifice. Who knows if this is truly a tactic by Consort Qing to gain favor, sacrificing a life for a concubine spot..."
"Shut up!" Princess Consort Qi interrupted her, "No matter what, Chief Xue did save my son. It’s just a concubine position, I’m certainly not going to engage in petty jealousy with her over this."
"But Your Highness..." Gu Yu did not like Consort Qing, nor did she like Xue Yinhuan ascending as His Highness’s concubine. She always felt it was a ruse by the Xue Family to elevate Consort Qing.
Princess Consort Qi did not let her continue, "Prepare, let’s go to Yutang Palace."
The little eunuch hurriedly said, "Your Highness, His Highness is not in the palace at the moment."
"Not in the palace, where has he gone?"
"I heard that Minister Song assisted in solving the case, His Highness must have gone to the Divine Soldier Bureau to see Minister Song."
Princess Consort Qi nodded, "Once the Eldest Prince returns, have him take a trip to Xianfu Palace."
——
Zhao Xi did not know how Song Wei persuaded his father to overturn the case. Upon hearing that Elder Liang was dismissed and the main conspirator Liang Ying was sentenced to death, he felt it was necessary to formally thank Song Wei.
At this moment, Zhao Xi and Song Yuanbao were standing outside the gates of the Divine Soldier Bureau.
This place is a mysterious government office, and without the Emperor’s permission, even as a Prince, Zhao Xi couldn’t enter.
The messenger was quick, and before long, Song Wei came out.
These past days, he was busy with matters at hand, unable to find time to inquire about the Liang Family situation. However, upon seeing Zhao Xi, Song Wei understood everything.
"Your Highness."
Song Wei greeted him with a bow.
"I should thank Minister Song properly for this matter." The young prince looked at him with boundless admiration.
Song Wei smiled, "Your Highness is the future hope of Great Chu, protecting you is my duty, thanking me is unnecessary."
Listening to Song Wei’s steady tone, Zhao Xi voiced his curiosity, "I’m very curious, how did Minister Song manage to change my father’s mind and agree to overturn my case in such a short time?"
Zhao Xi knew well the stubborn nature of Emperor Guangxi. Especially in recent years, as time in power increased, he became more and more autocratic. In the past, he would listen calmly to what Zhao Xi said, accepting good suggestions and advising against bad ones. Nowadays, out of ten suggestions, the Emperor might only listen to one.
Thus, Zhao Xi was deeply impressed by Song Wei’s ability to persuade his father.
Of course, Song Wei dared not say it was because he had anticipated the Emperor’s mindset and understood his temperament, which is why he said those things. He only told Zhao Xi that he was like a blind cat finding a dead rat, and with ironclad evidence, the Emperor naturally could not ignore it.
Zhao Xi could tell Song Wei was keeping something from him, but he didn’t press further, "I have already reserved a private room at the restaurant, and after Minister Song ends the Lower Court, someone will come to pick you up. I hope Minister Song can honor me with a drink."
Song Wei smiled, "I will certainly attend punctually."
