Chapter 299 My Empress is a Treasure of the World...
The Dali Temple's public hall was solemn and dignified.
Today's joint trial by the three judicial departments is particularly unusual because it involves the damage to the tribute and the Empress's attention.
Above the main hall hangs a plaque that reads "A Clear Mirror Hangs High," with the main seat below it empty. To the left and right sit the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censor of the Censorate.
The most eye-catching feature was a beaded curtain set up on one side of the courtroom, behind which a graceful figure could be vaguely seen sitting upright, her phoenix-like demeanor subtly revealed – it was none other than Empress Shui Xian, who was ordered to supervise the trial.
She was not dressed in elaborate court attire, but in a simple palace dress, yet she possessed a dignified and serene presence.
The narcissus behind the curtain seemed oblivious to the murmurs coming from outside.
She knew that as the empress, interfering in court affairs was tantamount to stepping on the heads of those old-fashioned people.
But no one knew better than Narcissus that in order to help more people, she had to step out of the palace and stand in a position where she could make decisions and influence the court!
Soon after, the craftsman Zhao Shi was brought into the hall.
He looked haggard, but a glimmer of hope had appeared in his eyes upon learning of the Empress's involvement.
Qiao'er was allowed to listen in from below the hall, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly and nervously looking towards the beaded curtain.
The official in charge of the case from the Ministry of Justice spoke first, sticking to the same old argument: "The evidence is conclusive, and Zhao Shi neglected his duties."
The chief eunuch sent by the Imperial Household Department chimed in, speaking arrogantly and attempting to define the nature of the matter.
Behind the beaded curtain, Narcissus did not speak immediately.
She simply turned her head slightly and whispered a few words to Shui Xiu, who was standing to the side dressed as a female official.
Shui Xiu accepted the order, stepped forward, and her voice clearly echoed throughout the courtroom: "Your Majesty the Empress has a question: The records of the warehousing state that many glasswares from the same period had defects, so why is the record of the inspection of this cup so vague? Where is the official in charge of the inspection at that time? Has he been summoned?"
The Vice Minister of Justice was taken aback, and stammered, "This... is a minor flaw, not related to the overall situation, and the official in charge at the time has already been transferred elsewhere..."
"Can we disregard this simply because someone is transferred elsewhere?"
Shui Xiu's voice remained steady, subtly revealing the elegance of her older sister.
"Your Majesty asks again: Since there are witnesses who mentioned that this cup had a hidden crack when it was put into storage, why not check the original order? Why not summon the original warehouse manager for questioning?"
The chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department couldn't help but interject, his tone revealing a panic he himself was unaware of.
"Your Majesty, you are wise. The former steward was dismissed for unclear accounts, so his words are not credible! The so-called inventory list is utter nonsense!"
"Oh? Nonsense?"
Behind the beaded curtain, Narcissus's clear voice finally rang out, not loud, but instantly silencing all the noise in the hall, "Then please, esteemed gentlemen, see for yourselves!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Tinglu led the two of them forward.
One of them was the former warehouse manager, whose face was filled with fear yet also showed a desperate expression.
The other person was holding a copy of the crucial private recording, as well as a record of Zhao Shi's eye examination provided by Pei Jichuan.
"Present this physical evidence to the three presiding judges for their review. The witnesses will truthfully recount what happened that day!"
Narcissus's voice, filtering through the beaded curtain, carried a faint chill.
The Empress witnessed this firsthand, and realized that even those who wanted to protect each other should consider the possibility of losing their own lives!
With witnesses and physical evidence, the truth has come to light!
Behind the beaded curtain, Narcissus slowly rose. Although her face was not visible, her overall demeanor made everyone in the courtroom hold their breath.
"The case is now clear."
Her clear and melodious voice resounded throughout the courtroom: "The craftsman Zhao Shi is truly innocent! It was the relevant officials of the Imperial Household Department who colluded to cover up the mistakes in the procurement and acceptance process, and even the possible acts of embezzlement, to conceal the flaws and then frame the innocent craftsman, attempting to ruin his family!"
"His actions are despicable, and his heart is wicked!"
Her gaze was like lightning, as if it could pierce through the beaded curtain and fall on the officials whose faces were ashen.
"According to the laws of the Great Qi, those who falsely accuse others and are punished for dereliction of duty or abuse of power shall be severely punished without exception! Do the three gentlemen know how to render a judgment?"
The Vice Minister of Justice, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censor of the Censorate exchanged glances, all seeing the shock in each other's eyes. They said in unison, "We understand! We will punish him severely according to the law and restore Zhao Shi's innocence!"
The official involved immediately collapsed to the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy.
However, Narcissus did not sit down.
She stood behind the beaded curtain, her voice calm.
"Although this case is closed, I think that similar injustices are probably not isolated cases. The punishment of confiscating property and registering it as a lowly status is too harsh. It often leaves those who have made unintentional mistakes with no chance of redemption, and it also gives those who intend to frame them an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
She paused slightly, sensing the subtle commotion among the officials below and the dismissive glances of some conservative officials, before continuing, her tone growing increasingly firm.
"Therefore, I hereby petition Your Majesty that, from this day forward, all cases involving the confiscation of innocent citizens into the status of lowly, regardless of their size, shall be subject to review by the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate, with an independent investigation procedure established to ensure the accuracy of the facts!"
"Furthermore, for minor offenses that are not heinous crimes, alternative punishments such as forced labor may be established as appropriate, giving unintentional offenders a glimmer of hope and demonstrating the benevolent and virtuous nature of the court!"
These words caused an uproar in the room!
This is no longer just about trying a case; it's about shaking the foundations of criminal law that have been in place for many years!
Several pedantic old ministers immediately showed displeasure and were eager to speak out in rebuttal.
Just as this controversy was about to erupt, a voice that should not have been heard suddenly rang out at the palace entrance.
"What the Empress said is insightful and far-sighted, and it is exactly what I think!"
Everyone turned around in shock, only to see Emperor Zhaoheng dressed in ordinary clothes, yet his regal bearing was undeniable, and he was already standing outside the courtroom at some unknown time.
He entered slowly, his gaze sharp as he swept over the kneeling officials and commoners below, ignoring the hesitant officials, and walked straight to the beaded curtain.
"The Empress is compassionate, insightful, and considerate of the people's plight. Her proposed reforms are excellent policies for the country and its people! I grant her permission!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the officials of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, his tone resolute.
"From this day forward, all cases involving the confiscation of lowly status must, as the Empress has stated, undergo rigorous review by the Three Judicial Offices, with an additional inspection procedure! Specific details of the legal revisions will be outlined..."
He looked at the beaded curtain again, his voice filled with complete trust: "The Empress shall have full authority to oversee this matter! The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review must cooperate fully in handling it without fail!"
The specific details of the legal revisions were entrusted to the Empress for full oversight.
What immense trust! What blatant favoritism!
Regardless of their inner thoughts, all the officials below could only bow and obey under the powerful pressure of Emperor Zhaoheng: "Your subjects obey the decree!"
With tears streaming down his face, Zhao Shi pulled his daughter Qiao'er and kowtowed repeatedly, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! This humble subject kowtows to thank the Emperor and Empress for their grace in giving us life again!"
The onlookers outside the hall were also deeply moved, their whispers filled with gratitude and reverence for the Empress.
After the event, Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian rode back to the palace together in the imperial carriage.
Inside the imperial carriage, the space was spacious, and Emperor Zhaoheng held Shui Xian's hand tightly.
The two had held hands ever since they left the courtroom.
Emperor Zhaoheng's blood was hot, and his palms were even hotter. Shui Xian could almost feel the pulse beating in his palms as he struck them repeatedly.
Shui Xian was able to sense Emperor Zhaoheng's turbulent emotions. Emperor Zhaoheng had entrusted her with the task of revising the detailed legal code, which was something Shui Xian had not expected.
For Emperor Zhaoheng to take such a step is a huge step forward, which shows his trust in her!
At this moment, Emperor Zhaoheng turned his head to look at her, his eyes shining brighter than ever before.
"Today, seeing you behind the beaded curtain, pleading for the people... I am deeply pleased, yet also... deeply ashamed."
Shui Xian looked up at him, somewhat puzzled: "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"
Emperor Zhaoheng held her slightly cool hand in his palm and said softly, "What pleases me is that my Empress not only possesses unparalleled beauty, but also extraordinary talent and a heart that cares for the common people. She is my treasure and a blessing to the world."
He paused slightly, a hint of bitterness in his voice, "I am ashamed to say that I once tried to dissuade you. My vision was once bound by the throne, unlike yours."
He gently stroked her fingers, as if to soothe them, or as if to draw strength from them.
"The emperor's responsibility is not only to balance the power in the court and stabilize the country, but also to be compassionate about the joys and sorrows of every citizen and to protect their most basic hopes."
As Narcissus listened to his heartfelt confession, the ice that had formed in her heart due to the trauma of her past life seemed to melt away completely with his burning sincerity, turning into a gentle spring stream.
Her nose tingled slightly, and she said softly, "If Your Majesty can understand and support me, then everything I have done has been worthwhile."
Emperor Zhaoheng sensed her emotion and his heart surged with love. He raised his hand and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look directly into his deep eyes.
It contains the majesty of an emperor, and even more so, the deep affection of a husband.
"Xian'er, listen."
His voice was deep and solemn, like a vow, "From now on, do whatever you want. This world is my responsibility, and from now on, it is also your responsibility."
Narcissus gazed at him, her eyes shimmering with tears, which eventually transformed into a smile as radiant as the stars. She nestled into his arms, hugging him tightly, a thousand words unspoken.
——
The craftsman Zhao Shi and his family were exonerated and spared the fate of being confined to the lowest social class. Moreover, because of Zhao Shi's superb skills, he was specially hired to work in the Imperial Workshop, where he was in charge of the repair and production of glassware.
Her daughter, Qiao'er, grateful for the Empress's kindness, and with her intelligence, passed the examination and entered the newly established women's official school, thus beginning a completely different life.
However, that's a story for another time.
That evening.
Under the lights of the Qianqing Palace, besides the emperor's figure conducting state affairs, there was also a graceful figure standing shoulder to shoulder with the emperor, discussing the details of revising the laws.
The memorial accusing Shui Xian of interfering in politics by the empress dowager has been lost somewhere by Emperor Zhaoheng...
......
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