Song Xizhi's next words were more like a death warrant, making everyone present, who harbored ulterior motives, feel uneasy:
"Furthermore, the vase I presented is of inestimable value, and this matter cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, I implore Your Highness Prince Ning and Consort Li to severely punish the offender, just as my sister said earlier, the law is impartial!"
Unbeknownst to others, Song Ruoan was completely stiff, her face deathly pale, and she even stopped breathing.
Because the official in charge of registering birthday gifts at the Ministry of Rites was none other than He Yunze…
It was precisely because He Yunze was in charge of registering the birthday gifts that she was able to so easily destroy Song Xizhi's birthday gifts by bribing an insignificant minor official under him without his knowledge.
But no one had ever told her that before sending the birthday gift, Song Xizhi broke with tradition and, with such confidence, opened it directly in front of so many people and showed it to the officials of the Ministry of Rites.
What exactly did she give as a gift? Isn't she afraid of being laughed at by others for showing it off like this?
Song Ruo'an felt guilty, but Princess Jingyue was completely unmoved by Song Xizhi's act. She stiffened her neck and sneered:
"Putting aside how your thing broke, your assertion that your vase is incredibly valuable is laughable."
After speaking, she beckoned to the palace maid beside her. As the maid approached, Princess Jingyue disregarded any objections and took a shard of the vase.
"This vase is made of simple materials and is of poor quality. It can be bought with a little money. It is a low-class item. Even I, the princess, would not look down on it, let alone my grandmother!"
Faced with Princess Jingyue's questioning, Song Xizhi merely shifted his gaze slightly upwards, looking at the shards of the vase in her hand:
"The vase has a price, but the sentiment is priceless. The calligraphy written on the bottom of the vase is Master Yuanhui's heartfelt wish for the Empress Dowager, which I personally obtained after overcoming numerous difficulties."
"But now, the calligraphy personally inscribed by Master Yuanhui was inexplicably destroyed on the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, which is indeed a taboo."
Song Xizhi's words startled everyone present, and Song Ruoan trembled violently.
Princess Jingyue's face stiffened, and her hand, which was clutching the shards of the vase, clenched inadvertently, causing blood to gush from her palm.
The once noisy scene fell silent. Everyone stared at Song Xizhi's face with incredulous eyes, including Liang Yongshu.
She actually gave him a piece of calligraphy by Master Yuanhui! She actually managed to get Master Yuanhui to give her his calligraphy?!
It should be understood that Master Yuanhui's calligraphy has not been seen in the world for more than ten years, making it extremely precious and invaluable.
If anyone else had said these words, Princess Jingyue would have already cursed them for being shameless. But since it was Song Xizhi who said them, it was indeed possible...
After all, everyone knows that on that day on Heyan Mountain, it was Master Yuanhui, who had been in seclusion for a long time, who personally came out and declared that Song Xizhi was the guardian deity of the dragon vein.
Princess Jingyue, who was always aggressive, suddenly softened her demeanor and became completely still.
Consort Liang, who was sitting upright, suddenly changed her expression. She quickly stood up and took a shard from the bottom of the vase to examine it carefully.
Sure enough, there was an inscription on it. Consort Liang had seen Master Yuanhui's calligraphy before, and she immediately recognized it as his work.
Everyone in the world knows what Master Yuanhui means to the common people, to the Empress Dowager, and even to the entire court.
Consort Liang gritted her teeth; even she, who was usually composed, went completely blank in an instant.
Song Ruoan and Zhao Qianlan, who were seated below, also noticed Liangfei's gaze. Their hopes, which had been hanging by a thread, sank completely at this moment.
The two were in a daze, their eyes flickering as they exchanged a glance, only to hear Song Xizhi's slightly cool voice ring in their ears:
"Princess Jingyue just said that this birthday gift is as light as a feather, but Master Yuanhui is as heavy as Mount Tai in my heart. I wonder what you all think about this matter."
Standing in the middle, Prince Ning glanced at Song Xizhi. Everyone else was in a state of utter shock, but Song Xizhi was completely relaxed, his lips curving upwards in an uncontrollable smile.
"This birthday gift contains the best wishes of Master Yuanhui and you. If nothing unexpected happens, the Empress Dowager will surely cherish it. Its value is immeasurable. I will certainly punish the criminals severely!"
No sooner had Prince Ning finished speaking than Consort Liang swiftly retorted, "Where are the officials from the Ministry of Rites who handled this matter? I must personally hold them accountable!"
After Song Xizhi sent out the birthday gift, the only people who had contact with it were the officials from the Ministry of Rites in charge of the matter and the palace maids serving Princess Jingyue.
Consort Liang's immediate reaction was to exonerate Princess Jingyue.
Song Xizhi's lips curled up slightly, and under Consort Liang's warning and pleading gaze, he followed her lead and said:
"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ning and Consort Liang, for upholding justice..."
As she spoke, she turned her deep eyes to look at Zhao Qianlan and Song Ruoan:
"I also thank my sister and stepmother for teaching me the principles of being a good person. My Song family is upright and has a strong backbone. We should not try to settle things peacefully just because we are afraid of trouble. We should dare to speak out and severely punish the real culprits who have committed the crime. Only in this way can we live up to our ancestors' expectations."
Song Xizhi's voice was gentle, yet it resonated throughout every corner of the pavilion: "Then may I ask, which official from the Ministry of Rites committed the offense?"
The attendant beside Prince Ning hurriedly investigated, then surveyed the surroundings with a complex expression. Prince Ning nodded, and then spoke:
"It is He Yunze from the Ministry of Rites. Lord He is in full charge of registering the birthday gifts today..."
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