Chapter 20: The Empress Dowager's Summoning
"I'm not making excuses or disrespecting you ladies; I'm just following the rules." Pei Zhiwei's clear eyes slowly swept over the people in front of her.
"Just now, when the sisters were talking about Madam Qin, they kept mentioning 'etiquette' and 'rules'."
Now they're forcing me to break the law and leak official secrets—isn't that another form of 'disobedience'?"
A few words left those people speechless, their faces flushing red and then turning pale, extremely embarrassed.
The woman in the light blue dress was so angry that she was about to retort when she caught a glimpse of a female official in palace attire standing not far away.
The female official had a calm demeanor and was quietly watching this side. Her eyes were calm, but they exuded an aura of authority that made people dare not act rashly.
The noble ladies immediately fell silent, their previous arrogance completely dissipated, leaving only unease on their faces.
The female official walked over slowly, first nodding slightly to the noble ladies, then turning to Pei Zhiwei in a gentle tone.
"Madam Pei, the Empress Dowager has summoned you to come with me to the Phoenix Palace for a talk."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only did the faces of the noble ladies change drastically, but even the gazes that were secretly cast over from the surroundings were instantly filled with surprise and scrutiny.
The Empress Dowager has always lived a secluded life, and in recent years even the concubines in the harem have rarely seen her. Why would she suddenly summon the daughter of an outside official?
Pei Zhiwei's heart tightened, but she didn't show it on her face. She stood up steadily and said respectfully to the female official, "Thank you for leading the way, Aunt."
She then turned to the ladies whose expressions were shifting, her tone flat and unchanging: "Ladies, please excuse me."
As she turned to follow the lady-in-waiting, her mind raced. The Empress Dowager's summons at this time could not possibly be just for idle chatter.
Although Feng Chao's case has been closed, it involves too many people and things. Although His Majesty issued an edict to define the nature of the matter, the face of the royal family has ultimately been damaged.
Was the Empress Dowager's summons intended to appease her? Or was she trying to get some answers? Or perhaps... she had some other motive?
Stepping out of the bustling Imperial Garden and onto the long corridors of the deep palace, the atmosphere suddenly quieted down, even the wind seemed to have softened, exuding a solemnity that calmed the mind.
The female official leading the way moved silently, with only the soft rustling of her skirts and the clear sound of Pei Zhiwei's own heartbeat.
Fengyi Palace is not luxurious, but it possesses a dignified air that has been refined over time. The palace is filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, rather than the sweet scent that is usually preferred by the ladies of the palace.
The Empress Dowager did not sit in the main seat, but leaned against a pillow on a heated couch by the window, holding a book in her hand.
She was dressed in casual clothes, her temples already streaked with silver, but her eyes were clear and sharp, without any cloudiness.
"Your subject, Pei Zhiwei, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years." Pei Zhiwei bowed in accordance with etiquette.
"Rise, no need for formalities." The Empress Dowager's voice was calm, with a hint of weariness that was barely perceptible. "Please take a seat. Lianxing, serve tea."
The female official who had led Pei Zhiwei there silently withdrew and soon brought over a cup of tea.
"Try it. This is jasmine tea that I made myself in the palace. You can't get it anywhere else." The Empress Dowager spoke as casually as if she were greeting a junior member of her family.
Pei Zhiwei picked up the teacup as instructed, took a gentle sniff, and found the tea to be elegant and the jasmine fragrance to soothe her soul, which eased her tension slightly.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. The tea has a delicate fragrance and a mellow taste; it is truly excellent tea."
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and put down her book: "I heard from the Emperor that you played a significant role in the case of the Qin family girl."
They've arrived.
Pei Zhiwei put down his teacup and lowered his head.
"This humble woman dares not take credit; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's wisdom, Prince Rui's and my father's diligent investigation, and the concerted efforts of the entire Dali Temple that the truth has finally come to light. This humble woman has merely done her duty in a small way."
"A humble and unassuming duty?" The Empress Dowager repeated softly, her gaze fixed on her with scrutiny.
"Being able to find that half-shoe print on the carpet in the Qin residence, insisting on conducting an investigation despite His Majesty's conclusion of 'suicide,' being able to spot the inconsistencies in the autopsy records, and even detecting signs of forgery at the scene of Zhang Erlang's assassination..."
"Lady Pei, your humble but dutiful duty is anything but insignificant."
Pei Zhiwei's heart tightened; the Empress Dowager knew so much about her actions in this case.
"This humble woman... has simply been influenced by her father since childhood, and has paid more attention than others."
"Yes, Pei Lin has raised a good daughter." The Empress Dowager's tone was inscrutable. "However, it's a pity to keep someone with your abilities and temperament in the inner chambers."
Pei Zhiwei was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.
The Empress Dowager then changed the subject: "I called you here today for two reasons. First, I wanted to see what kind of person this girl is who has been mentioned to me by my arrogant youngest son time and time again."
Xiao Yunzhan... mentioned her examination techniques in front of the Empress Dowager?
Pei Zhiwei frowned, still somewhat bewildered, and looked up, only to meet the Empress Dowager's smiling eyes. Her ears suddenly burned.
"Secondly," the Empress Dowager's expression became slightly more serious.
"Although Feng Chao has been brought to justice, this case has ultimately torn a hole in the dignity of the royal family."
The emperor punished those families who concealed the truth, which was a public reprimand.
But I want to know, in your opinion, where exactly does the root of this tragedy lie?
This question was far more incisive and profound than any criticism Pei Zhiwei had anticipated.
She hesitated for a moment, knowing that in front of the Empress Dowager, any perfunctory words would be meaningless.
"Your Majesty, I believe the root cause lies in 'silence'."
"Oh?" The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. "Tell me in detail."
“Feng Chao’s evil lies in taking human lives, and his actions deserve to be punished. However, after reviewing the case files and questioning the witnesses, I deeply feel that those deceased women were already ‘silent’ before they ‘died’.”
Pei Zhiwei organized her thoughts, her voice gradually becoming calm and powerful.
"Wang Yulan cried out to no one, Shen Qingyuan resisted in vain, and even Qin Niangzi, her unwillingness and fear could only turn into a cry to her maid, but could not reach the ears of the emperor, and could not change anything."
"Their involuntary actions and their fears and struggles, in the face of family reputation and marriage alliances for mutual benefit, all became 'silent' things that had to be covered up."
It was this 'silence' that gave Feng Chao an opportunity, making him believe that his evil deeds could be forever covered up under the guise of 'hanging'.
It was precisely this 'silence' that led many families to choose to conceal the truth, thus placing even more women in danger without warning.
The hall was completely silent, save for the wafting fragrance of sandalwood incense.
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time, gazing at a withered crabapple tree outside the window, before finally letting out a soft sigh.
“What a wonderful ‘silence.’ I’ve spent most of my life in this deep palace, and I’ve seen far more ‘silence’ things than I have.”
She turned back, her gaze complex as she looked at Pei Zhiwei: "Then what do you think we should do to make this 'silence' into 'sound'?"
"This humble woman does not know," Pei Zhiwei said frankly.
"I only know that by clarifying this case, I can bring peace to the soul."
However, if the root cause remains unchanged, it is hard to guarantee that a Zhang Dynasty or a Li Dynasty will not emerge.
Perhaps... perhaps at least it will let the world know that a daughter's life should not be a bargaining chip that can be sacrificed at will to preserve the dignity of the family.
Their joys and sorrows, their life and death, deserve to be heard and valued, not easily concealed.
The Empress Dowager stared at her, her gaze seemingly trying to penetrate the depths of her soul.
After a long silence, the Empress Dowager nodded slowly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible appreciation.
"Pei Lin has taught you very well. You have sharpness, yet you are kind-hearted; you have insight, yet you are composed. Yun Zhan's judgment... is indeed excellent."
"I am very pleased to have summoned you to speak with me today." The Empress Dowager's tone softened.
"However, you need to understand that the criticism you receive in the Imperial Garden today will only increase in the future."
A woman venturing into criminal matters is seen as an anomaly by the world. Have you thought this through?
Pei Zhiwei took a deep breath, met the Empress Dowager's gaze, her eyes clear and firm.
"Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. To speak for the living and to defend the dead is my heart's desire, and I will not hesitate to stand up even if there is any criticism."
“What a fine ‘I dare not refuse’ statement.” The Empress Dowager nodded and took off a translucent jade bracelet from her wrist.
"This is a reward for you."
This isn't a reward for your solving the case, but rather for your willingness to "not refuse." If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you may bring this item to the palace to see me.
Pei Zhiwei was startled and quickly declined, "Your Majesty, this item is far too precious, I dare not..."
"Take this as a gift from me." The Empress Dowager's tone brooked no refusal. "I'm tired. You may take your leave now."
Pei Zhiwei could only kowtow in gratitude for the Empress Dowager's favor, carefully put away the jade bracelet that still carried the warmth of the Empress Dowager's body, and bow as she withdrew from Fengyi Palace.
It wasn't until she stepped out of the palace gates and was hit by the cool autumn breeze that she suddenly realized that her back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.
The danger of this exchange with the Empress Dowager was no less than that of facing Feng Chao with the silver needle at the Temple of the Matchmaker.
"Lady Pei." The female official Lianxing, who was leading the way, did not immediately take her back to the Imperial Garden, but instead turned onto another path.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has instructed that if you feel stifled at the banquet, you may come with me to the west side hall to rest for a while and have a cup of tea to calm your nerves."
Pei Zhiwei didn't want to go back immediately to face those probing and mocking gazes, so she readily agreed, "Thank you, Aunt."
The west wing was quiet and elegant. Lianxing poured tea for her, but did not leave immediately. Instead, she stood aside and said casually, "My lady, you don't need to take those gossips in the Imperial Garden to heart. They are just short-sighted people who can't stand others being better or more successful than themselves."
Pei Zhiwei was taken aback for a moment before realizing that the lady-in-waiting beside the Empress Dowager was trying to comfort her. Her heart warmed slightly, and she said softly, "Thank you for your understanding, Aunt. I understand."
"The Empress Dowager has rarely seen married women in recent years, let alone unmarried young ladies." Lianxing's tone was indifferent, but her words carried a hidden meaning.
“I specially summoned you here today, and even gave you my personal belongings as a reward. You are a smart woman, so think about it and you will understand. Those who were gossiping earlier may very well turn around and fawn over you in the future.”
Pei Zhiwei paused for a moment, holding the teacup, and instantly understood that Lianxing was giving her a hint.
The fact that the Empress Dowager was willing to summon him and bestow gifts upon him was itself a clear indication of her stance.
After this incident, her position among the noble ladies of the capital will change in a subtle and indescribable way.
Just as she was about to thank him again, she heard a slightly hurried footstep outside the hall, followed by a clear and familiar voice: "Is Madam Pei here?"
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