Chapter 273 Mastering the Emperor's Heart
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is solemn and majestic, with nine dragons coiled around the pillars.
Today's morning court session was more somber than usual, like the stillness before a storm.
The civil and military officials lined up on both sides, many with their heads bowed, but their eyes occasionally darted to a few officials in the queue whose expressions were faintly excited.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat high on the dragon throne, his face calm, only the fingertips resting on the armrest occasionally tapping very lightly, revealing a hint of his inner coldness.
Sure enough, after a routine government meeting was concluded, a censor with a goatee, who had once been a favorite student of Grand Tutor Liu, suddenly stepped forward.
He held a seemingly old scroll in his hand, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, yet deliberately raised, resounding throughout the hall:
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present! I recently obtained secret documents from the previous dynasty, and... I also have witnesses and physical evidence to identify them. This matter concerns the legitimacy of the royal bloodline and the very foundation of our Great Qi Kingdom. I... have no choice but to risk my life to present this memorial!"
Before he finished speaking, a low murmur rippled through the hall.
Several officials who had been in cahoots immediately stepped forward to echo his sentiments, speaking earnestly as if they were truly concerned about the fate of the nation.
Seeing that the time was ripe, the Imperial Censor's face flashed with smugness. He raised the scroll high with both hands and said loudly:
"This is a handwritten document from the Empress Dowager! It proves that Your Majesty's bloodline is not that of the late Emperor! The late Emperor's sudden death was likely related to this scandal! Such acts of confusing the royal bloodline are intolerable to Heaven! Your Majesty, please abdicate immediately to set the record straight!"
These earth-shattering accusations caused an instant uproar in the imperial court!
Even some officials who were mentally prepared were stunned by this blatant framing.
However, just as those few remnants of Liu's faction thought victory was assured and were waiting to see Emperor Zhaoheng panic, a clear and righteous voice boomed like thunder:
"You audacious traitors! How dare you forge the Empress Dowager's letter in the Golden Palace, slander the Emperor's bloodline, and frame the Empress Dowager! Your hearts deserve to be condemned!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the person who stepped forward was none other than Lian Chenxi, the censor who had recently gained the emperor's favor!
His face was ashen, his gaze piercing as he stared directly at the Imperial Censor who held the "Empress Dowager's Letter," pressing him relentlessly: "You keep claiming to be acting in the interest of the nation, yet the so-called 'letter' in your hand is crudely imitated, and the seal is riddled with flaws!"
"Clearly, it was you who meticulously fabricated this, intending to frame His Majesty and undermine the foundation of the nation! How dare you use such clumsy tricks to deceive the emperor?!"
Before the other party could refute, Lian Chenxi suddenly turned around, faced Emperor Zhaoheng, took out a thick stack of documents from his sleeve, and held them high: "Your Majesty! Your subject, Censor Lian Chenxi, has investigated and ascertained the evidence of the crimes committed by the remaining members of the Liu clan!"
"These are their correspondence and secret ledgers from many years of forming cliques for personal gain, embezzling public funds, and framing loyal officials! They also contain a complete record of their schemes to spread rumors, bribe artisans to forge evidence, and even attempt to frame me and coerce officials into giving false testimony! With witnesses and physical evidence, I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"
As soon as he finished speaking, three more officials stepped forward, knelt down, and tearfully testified how the Imperial Censor and others who had just launched the attack had coerced and lured them into participating in the framing, and provided more evidence of the core crimes of Liu's faction.
No one expected that the situation would reverse in the blink of an eye!
The remnants of Liu's faction, who had been smug just moments before, now looked ashen-faced.
They stared incredulously at Lian Chenxi, at the incriminating evidence they thought had been destroyed or carefully preserved, and at their accomplices who had turned against them. They were completely dumbfounded.
Emperor Zhaoheng slowly rose from his dragon throne. He did not look at the slumped rebellious officials, but instead focused his gaze on Lian Chenxi, who stood tall and proud, holding irrefutable evidence. His gaze was filled with undisguised admiration.
"Good! Well done, Lian Chenxi!"
Emperor Zhaoheng’s voice was clear and resonant, carrying the majesty of an emperor: “Your loyalty is commendable, and you are both wise and brave! If it weren’t for your discerning eye for treachery and your secret investigation, I would have been almost deceived by this group of wolves with ulterior motives!”
Emperor Zhaoheng made no mention of the fact that much of the evidence Lian Chenxi possessed was sent over by his secret guards.
Lian Chenxi, a young man from a humble background who is not involved in any factional struggles, is now his best representative in the court.
His gaze suddenly shifted to the guards in the hall.
"Arrest these traitors who fabricated evidence, slandered the Empress Dowager, and wreaked havoc on the court! Imprison them in the Imperial Prison and interrogate them rigorously! Not a single person involved shall be let off the hook; investigate them thoroughly to the end!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The fierce guards immediately stepped forward and dragged away the pale-faced officials involved in the submitted evidence.
The sounds of pleas for mercy and wailing quickly faded away outside the hall.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat down again, looked at Lian Chenxi who was standing solemnly in the hall, and said loudly: "Minister Lian, you have eliminated treacherous officials and rendered meritorious service to the country. I am very pleased! You shall be richly rewarded!"
"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness!"
Lian Chenxi kowtowed deeply, his heart surging with emotion, yet clear as a mirror.
He knew where this "great favor" originated.
It wasn't just Emperor Zhaoheng's high regard for him, but more importantly, the Empress's trust and support.
Lian Chenxi kowtowed deeply, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian...
......
After the court session, Emperor Zhaoheng arrived at Lihe Palace almost impatiently.
He walked with a brisk pace, his brows furrowed with a sense of exhilaration that had dispelled any gloom.
"Xian'er! Xian'er!"
He entered the inner palace before the palace servants had even finished announcing his arrival.
Shui Xian was reading by the window when she saw him like this. She put down her book and greeted him with a smile: "Your Majesty seems to have left court unusually early today. Is there some good news?"
Emperor Zhaoheng grasped her hand and vividly recounted the exhilarating scene in the court, especially how Lian Chenxi stepped forward at the crucial moment, produced irrefutable evidence, and wiped out the remnants of Liu's faction.
Narcissus listened quietly, and when he spoke of the treacherous officials being brought to justice, a genuine smile appeared on her face, a joy that radiated from within.
"Your Majesty is wise! Your swift and decisive actions have eradicated evil!"
Her voice was clear and melodious, filled with heartfelt admiration: "Now that these biggest parasites in the court have been eliminated, the political situation is clear and bright, which is truly a blessing for the country and the nation!"
She naturally changed the subject, her eyes filled with anticipation for the future: "I think His Majesty's previous plans to promote new policies to encourage farming and build water conservancy projects in various places, as well as to reduce some taxes, will be able to be implemented more smoothly without the obstruction and hindrance of these people."
"Only in this way can the people of the world truly have the opportunity to recuperate and live in peace and contentment, which is the most gratifying thing."
She once again cleverly steered a bloody political purge towards significant achievements in the national economy and people's livelihood.
Looking at her bright smile, Emperor Zhaoheng felt incredibly comforted.
His fairy was always so in tune with his heart, and all her thoughts and desires were for the sake of the country and its people.
Emperor Zhaoheng reached out and pulled her into his arms, sighing for the umpteenth time, "To have such a fairy is truly my greatest fortune."
Outside the palace.
Lian Chenxi's mansion became bustling with visitors overnight.
Many officials from humble backgrounds who were previously ostracized or who maintained an upright and honest character came to pay their respects.
This once insignificant censor has now become a new banner and leader for officials from humble backgrounds in the court.
Lian Chenxi responded appropriately, neither arrogant nor overly enthusiastic, but his mind was as clear as a mirror. He knew that this sudden honor and influence did not come entirely from the emperor's reward, but also from the guidance and secret paving the way for him by the empress in the deep palace.
Inside the Dengdi Inn, Zhou Yan and Yin Zhu looked at the secret report that had just been delivered, which clearly stated that the remnants of Liu's faction had been brought to justice and that Lian Chenxi had been rewarded.
The couple exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.
Zhou Yan raised his wine glass and addressed the core group of students from humble backgrounds seated around the table, as well as two young officials who had been quietly recruited but held key positions despite their low rank:
"Gentlemen, the dark clouds have dispersed, and the obstacles ahead have been cleared! The future belongs to us, who will strive to govern diligently, serve the court, and benefit the people! Let us drink this cup together!"
"Let's drink together!"
Everyone raised their glasses, their eyes sparkling with ideals and lofty aspirations.
It was night.
While Emperor Zhaoheng was taking a bath, Shui Xian went alone to the highest terrace of Lihe Palace.
A cool night breeze stirred her unbound black hair and elegant clothes.
She leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, her eyes looking beyond the layers of majestic and solemn palace walls.
Beyond the palace walls, countless lights spread out like scattered stars, tranquil and warm.
In her hand was a secret report, delivered by Tinglu, detailing the progress of the establishment of a girls' school in the community.
Several pilot programs have already shown initial success, with more and more ordinary women being able to enroll in school and learn to read and understand principles.
She recalled the "earth-shattering secret" concerning Emperor Zhaoheng's origins that Liu Simin possessed in the Cold Palace, and a faint, indifferent smile appeared on her lips.
These palace secrets, entangled in the authenticity of imperial bloodlines and confined to the honor and disgrace of a single family, were far less important to her than the report in her hand that recorded the potential to change the fates of ordinary women.
The true origins of an emperor are ultimately just a few words that might be debated in historical records, or a topic of conversation for people to enjoy over tea.
A wise and virtuous ruler, and an honest and upright court, can truly determine whether countless people in the world are hungry or well-fed, displaced or living in peace and prosperity, ignorant or given the opportunity to see a wider world.
She supported those from humble backgrounds, subtly influencing Emperor Zhaoheng's decisions, not only to consolidate her position as empress and protect herself.
Shui Xian hoped that, with the help of this man's unreserved trust and love for her, and with the power she could reach, she could slowly push this world, which he had entrusted to her and which she gradually came to regard as her responsibility, toward the ideal of peace and prosperity in her heart.
The road ahead is long, undercurrents still lurk, and perhaps it is not over yet.
But she had already grasped the most important piece—
The Emperor's Heart.
Under the clear moonlight, Narcissus stands alone on the terrace, her clothes fluttering, her figure slender yet upright.
Her gaze was calm as still water, yet it seemed to burn with a deep, dark flame, clearly illuminating the myriad lights in the far distance.
At this moment, she was incredibly happy...
......
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