Chapter 332 Old Case Cleared
Inside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials stood on both sides, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Huo Lin sat upright on the dragon throne, his dragon robe making his face appear even more handsome and majestic.
Perhaps it was because of his short nap in the morning, but the fatigue between his brows was gone, his eyes were sharp and clear, and there was even a relaxed smile on his lips. He looked radiant and was completely different from his usual self.
This good mood made him exceptionally patient in handling government affairs, and he even showed more tolerance for reports that he would normally find tedious.
"...That's roughly the gist of the military report from the northern border. Thanks to His Majesty's divine might, the border is temporarily at peace." The Minister of War finished his report and returned to the ranks.
Huo Lin nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall, his voice calm: "This great victory in the northern border is the achievement of the soldiers and the people. Therefore, a general amnesty is hereby granted. Except for those who have committed the ten heinous crimes, all other prisoners will have their sentences reduced or be released, depending on the severity of their crimes."
A general amnesty is hereby granted!
The hall was silent for a moment, then a suppressed murmur broke out.
Amnesty is a rare grace, meaning that many minor offenders regain their freedom and many families are reunited.
Although amnesties were usually granted when a new emperor ascended the throne or when the country celebrated a major event, the emperor's sudden proposal today was still somewhat unexpected, especially since the emperor was clearly in a very good mood today, making it hard not to think about it.
Huo Lin's thinking was simple.
May the world be granted a general amnesty, accumulating merit and blessing Jiang Huan and her baby with peace and safety.
It would be best to dilute the bloody smell in the palace to avoid upsetting the pregnant woman.
If she knew, she would surely think he was a benevolent ruler.
If we go a step further, it would be to take advantage of the great victory in the North to win over a wave of loyal subjects.
With his newfound prestige, he can now finally set out to plan and execute many things without hesitation.
After the discussion subsided, Huo Lin continued, making a second decision that shocked everyone.
"In addition, I have another matter to discuss."
His voice calmed down: "Former Prime Minister Zheng Mingqing served as an official for decades and was known for his integrity and meritorious service to the country. Although he was imprisoned in his later years, after a thorough investigation by me, I found that the evidence in his old cases was insufficient and there were many doubts. He was truly wronged."
These words caused an even greater uproar in the hall than before.
A general amnesty is a universal blessing, but pardoning a sensitive former official, especially someone as influential as Zheng Mingqing, carries a very different meaning.
Is this an attempt to overturn the verdict? Is it a re-examination of past events?
Huo Lin took in everyone's astonishment and doubt, but his tone became even more resolute: "Therefore, I have decided to grant Zheng Mingqing and his family a pardon, release them from prison immediately, and restore their innocence."
"Your Majesty!" A censor couldn't help but step forward, "The case of Zheng Mingqing involves matters from the previous dynasty. Your Majesty's granting of such a pardon may invite controversy. Perhaps..."
Huo Lin glanced at him, and the censor immediately fell silent.
Couldn't he see that this was the prelude to "Don't think I won't kill you just because I'm in a good mood"?
"My mind is made up," Huo Lin said calmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "A general amnesty is an act of grace, and a pardon for wronged officials is a matter of justice. Do you perhaps think that I am acting unjustly?"
"Your subject dares not!"
"Court adjourned!"
Huo Lin said no more, rose and left in a huff, leaving behind a hall full of ministers with their own thoughts.
After the court session, Huo Lin did not return directly to the Imperial Study, but instead instructed Wang Degui, "Prepare the carriage, we're going to the Imperial Prison."
Deep within the prison, it was dark and damp, filled with the smell of mildew and an atmosphere of despair.
In a solitary cell, a middle-aged man with a pale face but a straight back was leaning against the wall, resting with his eyes closed.
He was the former prime minister Zheng Mingqing.
Although years of imprisonment had left him emaciated and haggard, the scholarly pride and composure between his brows had not been completely erased.
The heavy clanging of chains and footsteps startled him, and he looked towards the cell door.
When Zheng Mingqing saw who it was, he was shocked and his eyes flashed with disbelief.
He struggled to get up and bow, but his movements were unsteady due to his weakness and the weight of his shackles.
Huo Lin gestured to the jailer to open the cell door, then strode in and offered a hand to help him up: "Lord Zheng, there's no need for such formalities. I have already issued a decree of general amnesty, and you are granted a special pardon. I have investigated and cleared up your grievances. You have suffered all these years."
Zheng Mingqing looked at the emperor before him, who was completely different from the young prince in his memory, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!"
Huo Lin shook his head, his voice low: "Lord Zheng has protected my birth mother and cared for me during my childhood. I have never forgotten this kindness and affection. Today's matter is merely to clear Lord Zheng's name. There is no need for thanks."
Just then, a middle-aged woman, guided by palace servants, walked briskly over. She was dressed simply, and although her face was haggard, she could not hide her excitement.
She was Zheng Mingqing's first wife, Lin, and also one of Huo Lin's mother's few close friends during her lifetime.
When Madam Lin saw Huo Lin, tears streamed down her face before she could even speak.
Unlike her husband, she wasn't bound by the rigid etiquette between ruler and subject. She looked at Huo Lin more like a junior, feeling gratified and unable to hide her excitement.
"Lin-ge'er... no, Your Majesty... has grown up, really grown up. If the Empress were alive today, she would be so gratified to see you so wise and powerful."
Looking at Madam Lin, Huo Lin was filled with mixed emotions.
He stepped forward and said gently, "Madam Lin, you have suffered so much these years. The carriage is waiting outside. I will escort you back to your residence."
Just as Huo Lin personally escorted Zheng Mingqing and his wife out of the prison, settled them into their carriage, and prepared to leave, a palace attendant rushed over.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager says she has important business to discuss and requests Your Majesty's immediate presence."
Huo Lin frowned slightly, understanding in his heart that the Empress Dowager must have come to see him about Zheng Mingqing.
He instructed the guards to escort the Zheng family's carriage back to their residence, and then turned and walked towards the Cining Palace.
The atmosphere inside the Cining Palace was tense.
The Empress Dowager's face was covered with frost, showing no warmth whatsoever.
Upon seeing Huo Lin enter, she spoke coldly, "Your Majesty, I have heard that you not only granted a general amnesty today, but also pardoned the entire family of Zheng Mingqing, a criminal from the previous dynasty?"
Huo Lin said calmly, “The Empress Dowager is well-informed. I have ordered the secret guards to thoroughly investigate the Zheng Mingqing case again. The evidence is conclusive and it is a miscarriage of justice. Moreover, he was kind to my birth mother back then. Both morally and logically, I should clear his name.”
"Innocence?" The Empress Dowager's voice suddenly rose as if she had heard an extremely absurd joke: "Your Majesty, you are now the ruler of the country. How can you act so arbitrarily and disregard the consequences? You are bringing trouble upon yourself!"
She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Huo Lin: "What is Zheng Mingqing's identity? He was the prime minister of the previous dynasty. His case involves so many old stories from the past. You released him with a mere 'wrongful conviction,' but have you considered the huge storm this will cause?"
Huo Lin met her gaze, his tone remaining calm: "Precisely because I am the emperor, I am all the more obligated to distinguish right from wrong and to redress injustices. Moreover..."
He paused, his eyes turning slightly cold. "Since I dare to do it, I can naturally control it. There's no need for the Empress Dowager to worry."
"Control?" The Empress Dowager's chest heaved with anger, her voice trembling with agitation: "Have you forgotten how your mother died back then?!"
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