Chapter 259 People's Petition
Just as the empress broke down and lost her composure, and the court was in chaos.
Shui Xian, who should have been imprisoned in Lihe Palace, brought Pei Jichuan to the front of the palace.
Upon entering the hall, Pei Jichuan knelt before Emperor Zhaoheng.
"Your Majesty, following the Empress's instructions, I have reviewed all the medical records and medication records from the Imperial Hospital concerning Your Majesty's injuries sustained in the army and the period following your return to the palace."
Everything about the royal family is recorded; if you want to look it up, you can do so with a little effort.
However, the fact that the empress's evil deeds have not been exposed over the years is enough to show that no one doubts this seemingly weak and kind empress.
Pei Jichuan continued, "Your humble servant has secretly investigated and found that a physician named Hu, who once served in the army, received a large sum of money of unknown origin shortly after retiring from his post. This sum was enough to purchase hundreds of acres of fertile land."
"In terms of timing, it vaguely matches a large expenditure by the Empress's maternal family at that time."
Although no direct written evidence has been found, scattered clues are enough to prove that the Liu family also played a role in the plot to harm Emperor Zhaoheng.
Before Grand Tutor Liu could refute, Xiao Lizi brought a bound middle-aged man into the hall.
Xiao Lizi bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, this man is Yi Xingyao's trusted bodyguard. After interrogation, he confessed that during Yi Xingyao's escape, he secretly contacted the steward of the Liu family, the Empress's maternal family, accepted a large amount of gold and silver, and was instructed by him to instigate Yi Xingyao to go to the capital to frame the Imperial Noble Consort and the prince."
The guard, his face ashen, knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, recounting in detail how he contacted the Liu family, how he relayed messages, and how he instigated Yi Xingyao.
Now, the whole truth is revealed!
Yi Xingyao's so-called "testimony" appears so pale and self-defeating in the face of the shocking crime of the Empress being given a drug that would kill off her offspring, as revealed by Consort De!
He was nothing more than a pawn used by the Empress and her family to confuse the public and make a last-ditch effort!
Emperor Zhaoheng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with an icy resolve.
He slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the ashen-faced Grand Tutor Liu and his cronies below, finally settling on the Empress who was weeping uncontrollably.
His voice restored the emperor's composure, yet carried a chilling intensity capable of freezing everything.
"Empress Liu is vicious and her crimes are irrefutable. She is unworthy of her position. Effective immediately, she is hereby deposed and reduced to a commoner, and banished to the Cold Palace!"
"Liu and his cronies, in collusion with a criminal woman, framed the imperial heir and disrupted the court. They are hereby stripped of all their official positions and titles, their property confiscated, and all those involved shall be handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for joint trial and severe punishment without leniency!"
"Yi Xingyao, for deserting his post and framing the imperial concubine and prince, is guilty of heinous crimes and shall be executed by slow slicing!"
A series of imperial edicts, like thunderbolts from the heavens, crashed down, completely announcing the demise of the Empress's faction!
"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"
The vast majority of court officials, whether out of genuine concern or fear of the emperor's power, knelt down in unison and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
Consort De remained prostrate on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, awaiting her judgment.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her, his gaze complex, and finally waved his hand: "Consort De... although she was coerced, her actions are ultimately guilty."
"Considering that she ultimately made a contribution in exposing the truth, she is spared the death penalty, demoted to the rank of concubine, and moved to the royal Taoist temple to spend the rest of her life in solitude with only the light of a lamp and the sound of Buddha."
This was the most merciful solution he could offer.
Consort De kowtowed deeply: "This guilty concubine... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness..."
Her voice carried a sense of relief and sorrow.
The Empress was deposed, and the aftershocks of the downfall of the Liu faction had not yet completely subsided when another imperial edict quickly spread throughout the palace:
Imperial Noble Consort Shuixian, virtuous and intelligent, was wronged and suffered injustice. Now that the truth has come out, all her honors and honors are restored, and she is reinstated to the Phoenix Seal and assists in managing the six palaces!
Now that the Empress has been deposed, Consort De has been demoted from Consort to Consort and moved to a Taoist temple outside the palace.
Everyone knows that the Emperor's decree not only restored Shui Xian's honor, but also represented the Emperor's will.
The rear seat, which has only been vacant for a short time, is likely to welcome a new owner!
On the morning of the reopening of the Lihe Palace, Shui Xian wore an apricot-colored palace dress symbolizing nobility, with intricate seasonal patterns embroidered in silver thread on the hem, which shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight as she walked.
Her hair was adorned with a newly bestowed phoenix hair ornament made of red gold and kingfisher feathers, with pearl tassels held in the phoenix's beak swaying gently with her steps, dazzling in their brilliance.
Emperor Zhaoheng held her hand tightly as they walked side by side.
Wherever he went, the palace servants all knelt on the ground, their attitude one of unprecedented awe and obedience.
Those who once criticized or even kicked someone when they were down have now turned into deep fear.
Emperor Zhaoheng accompanied her throughout the entire morning meeting.
This was his way of making up for the grievances she had suffered during this time. Emperor Zhaoheng was using his actions to declare to the entire harem that Shui Xian's status was so high that he cherished her and that everyone in the harem had to look up to her.
The morning assembly ended and all the concubines withdrew.
Inside the Lihe Palace, Yinzhu led the palace servants to leave, leaving the main hall to Shuixian and Emperor Zhaoheng.
Shui Xian turned her head slightly and gave Emperor Zhaoheng beside her a gentle smile: "Your Majesty, you don't need to stay with me."
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her profile, which appeared even more stunning under the lamplight, and felt a surge of joy and affection at having regained what he had lost.
He squeezed her hand tightly and whispered, "I want everyone to know... From now on, no one will be able to make you suffer even the slightest grievance."
Emperor Zhaoheng gazed intently at her, whispering a promise, "You will eventually stand beside me, becoming my Empress. You should get used to it sooner rather than later..."
Narcissus lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, feeling Emperor Zhaoheng's hand slowly tighten around hers...
......
The ever-changing political landscape within the palace could not ultimately be completely isolated from its walls.
Especially concerning the Imperial Noble Consort who once practiced benevolent governance among the common people.
In just half a month, the public discussion has been extremely heated.
However, even among the more conservative and old-fashioned people who believe that a woman's reputation must be damaged and she must atone with her death, the majority of the people are happy to see the Imperial Noble Consort's injustice redressed.
Countless patients saved by Pei Jichuan, Ana, and later the imperial physicians who devoted themselves to providing free medical care in the countryside, some even wept because of Shui Xian's plight.
"Without the Imperial Physician Pei and the sorceress Ana sent by Her Majesty, I would have lost my life long ago! Fortunately, Her Majesty the Imperial Noble Consort is alright!"
"And my child, he was almost delirious with fever, it was Her Highness's medicine that saved him! The Imperial Noble Consort is such a kind person!"
On this day, just as dawn broke, groups of people began to gather outside the Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City.
They weren't causing trouble; they were simply standing quietly, their eyes gazing expectantly at the majestic palace gate.
More and more people gathered, from dozens to hundreds, and then to thousands... Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, noble and lowly, many of them even had their own eggs, coarse cloth and other insignificant items that represented their feelings.
They made no noise or commotion until the sun was high in the sky, when the crowd had gathered into a vast, dark expanse.
Someone exclaimed first, "Her Imperial Noble Consort is virtuous!"
This shout ignited the previously quiet crowd, instantly triggering a tremendous and overwhelming response!
"Her Imperial Noble Consort is virtuous!"
"Long live the Empress!"
"We beg Your Majesty to make the Empress the Empress!"
"Your Majesty is a living Bodhisattva! You should be Empress!"
...
The cries of the people, like rolling thunder in spring, pierced through the thick palace walls and clearly reached deep into the palace.
Several village elders, who had been elected, trembled as they approached the palace gate and solemnly handed a petition from the people, filled with hundreds and thousands of red handprints and imploring the emperor to make the imperial concubine empress, to the gatekeeper, requesting that it be presented to the emperor.
Emperor Zhaoheng was having breakfast with Shui Xian at Lihe Palace.
Feng Shunxiang strode in, bowed, and presented the situation outside the palace and the thick document of the people, reporting in a low voice.
Emperor Zhaoheng took the heavy book of the people, which carried the voices of countless citizens, and slowly opened it.
He stared intently for a long time, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
Narcissus sat quietly to the side, watching him without saying a word.
She knew in her heart that although the petition of the masses was fueled by her efforts, the genuine public support was something she had earned by sincerely working for the people based on her memories from her previous life.
Public support is one of her strongest backings.
After a long while, Emperor Zhaoheng closed the petition to the people and looked up at the narcissus in front of him.
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and tightly grasped Shuixian's hand, which was resting on the table. Shuixian could feel the heat of his hand; having read the Book of Ten Thousand People, his passion remained undiminished!
"Xian'er, did you see that?"
Emperor Zhaoheng raised the petition to the people in his other hand and said solemnly, "This is what the people want."
The man gazed into her eyes, as if trying to see into the depths of her soul: "In the past, it was my negligence that caused you to be questioned because of your birth, and caused you and your children to suffer great injustice."
"But from this day forward, I will not allow anyone, or any reason, to dare to question your position, or to despise you and the children in the slightest!"
He picked up the letter to the people, his tone resolute.
"This Empress's position is rightfully yours."
"I want the whole world to know that you, Shuixian, are the one I personally chose, the one the people have been waiting for, and the most rightful Empress of the Great Qi! Yongning is the most noble legitimate princess! Qingyan and Qinghe are my most noble legitimate sons!"
"I will welcome you into Kunning Palace at the grandest ceremony in the world!"
As Narcissus met his ardent and unwavering gaze, the frozen corner of her heart seemed to melt away somewhat from his intense affection and unconditional protection.
She gripped his hand back, her eyes glistening with tears, but this time it wasn't entirely a pretense.
Only she knows the hardships she has endured along the way.
Many things, even those that cannot be shared with one's spouse, must be kept forever in one's heart.
She nodded slightly. "Your Majesty, I thank you."
"To be treated so well by the Emperor and to be so loved by the people in this life, I... have no regrets even if I die."
Narcissus paused for a moment, then made her only request.
"However, I think Lihe Palace is very good. It is where His Majesty grew up, and I would like my children to grow up here as well."
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze softened even more as he held her hand tightly, as if he were holding his entire world.
"Xian'er".
"I agree."
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