Chapter 298 A Wife's Duty
Shui Xian did not make a big fuss just because Emperor Zhaoheng tacitly approved. She knew that this matter required careful analysis and a decisive strike.
First, she asked Pei Jichuan, using his identity as a royal physician, to examine Zhao Shi, who was being held captive, under the pretext that "the palace needs to be investigated to prevent disease."
When Pei Jichuan returned, he reported: "Your Majesty, although Zhao Shi is nearly fifty years old, he has been engaged in fine glassmaking for many years, and his eyesight is not as bad as the Imperial Household Department said."
"Your Majesty tested it with silver needles. His eyesight is so sharp that he could identify the number of needles even in dim light. There is absolutely no way he could have missed the obvious dark crack inside the glass cup, unless..."
He paused for a moment, then voiced his guess.
"Unless the crack is extremely well hidden, or was temporarily concealed by someone with superb skills before he took over, it will completely collapse when subjected to external force."
Pei Jichuan's words easily refuted what the Imperial Household Department had said: Zhao Shi's old eyesight was failing, and his negligence led to the damage of the glass tribute.
Meanwhile, Shui Xiu used her authority as a female clerk to organize old files, and after finishing her work each day, she would study late into the night, carefully checking the recent purchase and storage records of glassware from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Persistence pays off. Shui Xiu discovered that among another batch of glass ornaments that were put into storage at the same time as the damaged glass cup, there was a record mentioning that some of the items had defects such as firing bubbles and occasional uneven glaze color.
The person in charge of inspecting those items was a trusted confidant of the current Deputy Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department.
Even more coincidentally, the confidant was later transferred due to "work oversight," and the person who took over some of his work was none other than the current warehouse manager who is now vehemently accusing Zhao Shi of wrongdoing.
The clues are becoming clearer, but a crucial link is still missing...
Narcissus must directly prove that there was a problem with that glass cup when it was put into storage.
After many twists and turns, Tinglu and Shuixiu finally managed to find the former warehouse manager who had been marginalized and was feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.
At first, he was hesitant and dared not say much.
It wasn't until Tinglu hinted that the matter had attracted the Empress's attention and that if he could provide the truth, he might be able to redeem himself through meritorious service that he finally relented. After much hesitation, he produced a copy of the inventory list that he had privately transcribed, which differed slightly from the official records.
As Tinglu flipped through the pages, she saw the key information, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes.
really!
She took the account book and hurried back to report to the Empress.
——
The night was deep, and the imperial study was brightly lit by candlelight.
Emperor Zhaoheng had just finished reviewing several urgent memorials, and his eyes were a little tired.
He rubbed his temples, and just as he was about to ask Feng Shunxiang to turn the candlelight brighter, he saw Shuixian walk in carrying a stack of files, her skin still slightly damp from the night dew.
After entering the imperial study, Shui Xian turned her head to dismiss the palace servants and gently placed the scrolls on a corner of the imperial desk.
When Emperor Zhaoheng's slightly weary gaze met hers, Shui Xian calmly turned to the topmost file...
Shui Xian presented Pei Jichuan's medical examination records, the contemporaneous files that Shui Xiu had found, and the crucial copy of the original steward's private record to Emperor Zhao Heng.
Her voice was clear and cold, and her words were logically rigorous. Her calm and composed manner made it seem as if she were handling an ordinary palace matter rather than requesting a retrial of a serious case.
Emperor Zhaoheng initially listened quietly, his hands folded in front of him, his index finger gently stroking the side of his other hand.
After Narcissus finished speaking, he raised his eyes and looked at her with deep eyes.
"Xian'er, you have investigated very thoroughly. These pieces of evidence... I admit that there are indeed suspicious points in this case, and Zhao Shi may very well be wronged."
Emperor Zhaoheng paused, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the mountain of memorials piled up on his right.
Emperor Zhaoheng knew what lay beneath that pile of memorials.
The Empress Dowager interfering in politics... Emperor Zhaoheng originally absolutely did not believe it, but he thought that since Shui Xian had asked him to release Zhao Shi, that was enough...
She found so much in such a short time.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at the documents laid out in front of him, and even though he didn't want to, he couldn't help but think about the words in the memorial.
He pursed his thin lips and sighed, "This case has already been jointly tried and convicted by the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Justice. If it is easily overturned because of the Empress's intervention, where is the law of the court? How will we restrain our officials in the future?"
"Is it worth causing such a commotion for the sake of a craftsman?"
He even tried to persuade her, his tone carrying a sense of aloofness that he himself was unaware of, befitting a person in a superior position.
"Xian'er, you are now the Empress of the Great Qi, the mother of the nation. You should have a broader and longer-term vision. These... trivial matters will be handled by the relevant authorities according to the law."
"emperor!"
Narcissus interrupted him, something she rarely did.
She didn't understand why Emperor Zhaoheng's attitude had suddenly changed; he had clearly promised her before...
Narcissus knew in her heart that she shouldn't have any expectations of Emperor Zhaoheng, but she really thought... she really thought...
She raised her eyes, and those eyes, which were always calm and serene, were now burning with a scorching light.
"For you, this is a matter of weighing the pros and cons and considering the gains and losses in government affairs."
"But for Qiao'er's family, this 'trivial matter' was enough to bring about their destruction and ensure they would never be able to recover!"
The usually calm Narcissus, for some reason, no longer cared about Emperor Zhaoheng at this moment, and her voice even revealed a hint of anger.
"The power of the law lies in its impartiality and fairness, which convinces the people of the world to obey willingly! It does not lie in its harshness and severity, which forces people into silence out of fear!"
"If a vast and enlightened world is built upon the grievances and tears of countless families like Qiao'er's, Your Majesty, is this truly the prosperous era you desire?"
As she finished speaking, her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes reddened slightly.
She remembered herself in her past life, struggling in a brothel, crying out to heaven in vain...
"Empress!"
Emperor Zhaoheng never expected that Shui Xian would suddenly say such a thing.
When his authority as emperor was questioned, Emperor Zhaoheng almost reflexively shouted out in rebuke!
Interfering in politics within the harem! How could she do such a thing!
However, when Emperor Zhaoheng's anger met Shui Xian's tearful eyes, it was as if the foundation of a solid building had been emptied, and an instant sense of unease surged up.
Each time, Narcissus would respond to his anger with gentleness and consideration.
But today, Narcissus gave him a deep look, and without saying a word, she pursed her lips and turned to leave.
Emperor Zhaoheng was stunned.
Just as Shui Xian was about to step out of the Imperial Study, Emperor Zhaoheng didn't think twice and quickly stepped forward to take her hand.
The brocade sleeves gently brushed against their clasped hands, and swayed violently as Narcissus struggled, bringing an even more subtle itch.
"I have misspoke."
At this moment, Emperor Zhaoheng not only forgot about the memorial that accused Shui Xian of interfering in politics, but he also forgot the simple fact that an emperor should not bow down to anyone.
Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze fell on a single tear hanging down Shui Xian's cheek. His tone softened, and he sighed softly, as if defeated by Shui Xian.
For some reason, Narcissus doesn't want to feel wronged anymore today.
When she turned to leave, she had no scheming or plotting; she simply wanted to distance herself from Emperor Zhaoheng.
However, to her surprise... Emperor Zhaoheng hesitated for a moment and then softened his tone.
"It is I... who have become accustomed to sitting in this position, weighing the pros and cons, and calculating gains and losses, but have forgotten... that beyond the law, there is also human sentiment and the principles of heaven."
This was not just his apology, but also a rare instance of a high-ranking emperor bowing down to her.
“…Xian’er, you know more than I do, and you do better than I do.”
This was the first time he had so directly admitted his shortcomings to her and acknowledged that he had been persuaded by her ideas.
Narcissus stared at him blankly, her eyes still moist, but his words stirred up a huge wave in her heart.
Emperor Zhaoheng took her hand and led her to the desk, pointing to the files she had just brought, his tone already different.
"Come, tell me in detail. The evidence is as it is. What do you intend to do with it?"
Narcissus suppressed the turmoil in her heart, composed herself, and felt the coolness of her tear-stained face.
"Your Majesty should issue an edict ordering the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate to reopen this case and conduct a public trial. The evidence should be presented in court, and relevant witnesses should be summoned for cross-examination."
“In this way, the procedure is proper and no one can criticize it. As for me… I humbly request to supervise the trial from behind the curtain, not to interfere, but only to ensure that no one dares to deceive or cheat during the trial and to ensure a fair outcome.”
When Emperor Zhaoheng heard that Shui Xian wanted to sit behind the curtain, his eyes flickered.
But he was moved by the sincerity of the narcissus, and Emperor Zhaoheng no longer hesitated. He immediately spread out the bright yellow imperial edict, picked up the vermilion pen, and personally drafted the decree.
After writing, he put down the vermilion brush, picked up the jade seal, and solemnly stamped it on.
Then, he handed the imperial edict to Shui Xian, his gaze deep and firm: "I approve this matter. Do as Xian'er wishes."
This was the first time since his ascension to the throne that he had explicitly changed his stance on specific political matters because of a woman's insistence on her benevolence towards the people.
With the important matters settled, the tense atmosphere in the Imperial Study instantly eased.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at the narcissus under the lamp, her eyes slightly red but exceptionally bright because she had just cried, and at her cheeks, which were even more radiant with emotion.
The respect he felt for her dedication to speaking out for the people quietly transformed into another, even more fervent emotion.
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, his arms encircling her slender waist. He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her face.
"Tonight, Xian'er spoke out for the people with great eloquence, but did she realize that she had neglected her husband who was worried about her?"
Narcissus hadn't expected him to change the subject so quickly. The serious atmosphere from their earlier discussion of politics hadn't completely dissipated, and her hand instinctively pressed against his chest.
"Your Majesty! We just finished important business, why are you doing this again..."
Before she could finish speaking, Emperor Zhaoheng swept her up in his arms, eliciting a soft cry from her.
He carried her in his arms and strode towards the chaise lounge behind the imperial study, his deep laughter trailing off in a hoarse tone.
"The affairs of state are settled, and I have already witnessed Your Majesty's eloquence. Now, it is your duty as a wife to reward your husband..."
The candlelight flickered gracefully in the breeze, illuminating the room with a sudden burst of enchanting spring colors.
This time, Emperor Zhaoheng did not yield to Narcissus's tears...
......
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