Chapter Thirty-Four: Standoff at the Golden Palace
The Emperor's gaze was as deep as a cold pool, slowly sweeping over everyone in the hall. The invisible pressure made the light and shadow on the blue brick floor seem to freeze.
He did not immediately lash out, but simply raised his hand to signal the head eunuch beside him to hand over a teacup. His slender fingers held the blue-and-white porcelain tea lid and gently scraped away the foam. His movements were calm and unhurried, but they caused Wen Shichang, who was kneeling on the ground, to break out in a fine sweat on his forehead. His casual clothes on the back were already soaked with sweat.
"Wen Shichang," the emperor said after a moment, setting down his teacup. His voice was calm and composed, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Do you have any evidence to support your accusation that Shen Rulan disguised herself as a man and deceived the court?"
Wen Shichang's body trembled violently, and he lowered his head even further, his voice trembling with tension: "Your Majesty, I...I have a witness! Wang Wu, the groom who was expelled from the Shen family, personally witnessed Shen Rulan's words and actions behaving like a woman! Moreover, I have secretly ordered my confidants to go to Yangzhou to investigate thoroughly, and soon I will have conclusive evidence such as household registration documents and neighbor testimonies to prove that Shen Rulan is indeed a woman!" As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the emperor's expression. Seeing that the emperor's expression remained calm, he became even more flustered and could only brace himself to speak more confidently.
"Oh?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly, turning his gaze to Su Moqing beside him. His tone was unreadable. "Painter Su, you have been staying at the Shen residence for many days and have a close relationship with Shen Rulan. What is your opinion on this matter?"
Su Moqing took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and slowly raised her head.
Morning light streamed through the latticed windows of the palace gate, illuminating her face and revealing a clear, unwavering gaze in her eyes, devoid of any panic. "Your Majesty is wise. During my stay at the Shen residence, Young Master Shen lived and behaved according to the proper etiquette for men—his hair was tied back and he wore a martial arts outfit during morning martial arts practice, and he drank and discussed matters with the salt merchants. Everyone in the household, from the steward and servants to visiting guests, addressed him as 'Young Master,' and there was never the slightest hint of anything amiss. If, as Steward Wen claims, Young Master Shen is a woman in disguise, could the entire Shen household of over a hundred people have conspired to deceive you? Or perhaps…"
She paused, her voice carrying just the right amount of doubt, and her gaze swept lightly over Wen Shichang. "Does Master Wen think that the Prefect of Yangzhou, the Governor of Jiangning, and other seasoned officials, as well as the salt merchants and canal gang leaders who have been associated with the Shen family for many years, are all so blind that they can't even distinguish the gender of the people around them?"
These words, seemingly mild, were in fact like a subtle knife, cleverly redirecting the criticism towards the entire Jiangnan officialdom. If Shen Rulan was truly a woman, then wouldn't all the civil and military officials in Jiangnan be considered fools kept in the dark?
Everyone present was quick-witted and immediately understood the crux of the matter. Consort Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and Noble Lady Rong also nodded in approval, finding Su Moqing's words truly ingenious.
Wen Shichang's face darkened, and he said urgently, "Your Majesty! This woman is clever and eloquent, deliberately confusing right and wrong! I request that the witness Wang Wu be summoned immediately so that he can confront the former servant of the Shen family in person, which will surely expose the lies!"
The Emperor tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the armrest, pondered for a moment, and slowly nodded: "Granted."
The chief eunuch loudly proclaimed the imperial decree, and soon after, a thin man dressed in coarse cloth shorts was brought in by two guards.
As soon as the man entered the hall, he was so frightened by the imposing atmosphere that his legs went weak. He knelt down with a thud, his body trembling like a leaf: "This lowly, lowly Wang Wu, kowtows to Your Majesty... Long live Your Majesty... Long live Your Majesty... Long live Your Majesty..."
"Wang Wu," the Emperor's voice pierced through the silence of the hall, carrying a certain penetrating force, "Master Wen said that you once worked in the Shen residence and knew that Shen Rulan was actually a woman. Is this true? Tell me the truth. If there is even a single falsehood, I will not spare you."
Wang Wu turned pale with fright, his eyes darting away from Su Moqing. He stammered, "I...I was originally a stable boy at the Shen residence. Because...because I stole some silverware from the manor in a moment of confusion, I was expelled by Young Master Shen...I...I did see Young Master Shen...She...she sometimes cries alone at night, and...she even secretly embroidered a woman's purse..."
"Nonsense!" Before Wang Wu could finish speaking, Su Moqing suddenly interrupted him sharply, her voice clear as a bell, "Wang Wu! You were expelled for stealing from the manor and harbor resentment. Now you dare to fabricate lies to slander your former master! Tell me, where did Young Master Shen shed tears late at night? Where is that purse hidden? You are a stable boy responsible for feeding the horses and cleaning the stables. You can't even get close to Young Master Shen's study on a regular basis. How would you know these 'private matters'? Do you have clairvoyance or the ability to walk through walls?"
A barrage of questions was fired like a machine gun, leaving Wang Wu speechless. His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time. He was a rogue who had been bribed by Wen Shichang with money, and his story had been taught to him beforehand by Wen Shichang. Now that Su Moqing had exposed his flaws in public, he panicked, and cold sweat streamed down his face, soaking his front.
Seeing this, Wen Shichang knew something was wrong and quickly stepped forward, kowtowing to the Emperor and saying, "Your Majesty! Wang Wu is just a rough man, clumsy with words, and cannot explain himself clearly in a short time! I have a witness! Granny Liu, a former servant of the Cao family in Yangzhou, stayed at the Shen residence for half a month and personally saw Shen Rulan's personal maid doing her hair and makeup, using only women's ornaments! This woman is meticulous and will surely be able to explain the details!"
"Minister Wen," the Consort, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of coldness, breaking the tense atmosphere in the hall, "I have a question for you—the Cao family was convicted of embezzling salt taxes and smuggling government salt a couple of years ago, and the entire family was executed, with only a few elderly and weak servants exiled to the frontier. The 'former servant of the Cao family, Granny Liu,' whom you mentioned, is a servant of a convicted official and should, according to the law, be among those exiled. How did she suddenly appear in the capital and become your witness? Using the testimony of a convicted official's servant to convict someone is probably unreasonable and undermines the dignity of the court's laws, isn't it?"
These words struck Wen Shichang like a blow to the head. He had only been thinking about finding a witness who had "seen the appearance of Shen Rulan," but he had forgotten the sensitive nature of his status as a former servant of the Cao family. Now that the Imperial Concubine had exposed him in public, his face turned ashen, and his lips moved, but he could not find a single word to refute her.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Moqing kowtowed again, her voice earnest: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have a question and humbly request Your Majesty's clarification. Chief Steward Wen keeps demanding punishment for the Shen family's deception of the Emperor, yet he remains silent about the contributions the Shen family has made to the court over the years—the Shen family contributes 30% of the annual salt tax to the court from Jiangnan; last year, when the Yellow River breached its banks, the Shen family voluntarily donated 200,000 taels of silver for disaster relief; when the Imperial Household Department procured Western clocks, glass, and medicinal herbs, the Shen family tirelessly opened up maritime trade routes to ensure the timely delivery of tribute. Are all these merits, in Chief Steward Wen's eyes, less important than a mere charge of 'questionable identity'?"
She raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, yet stubbornly refusing to let them fall. Her voice carried a hint of grief and indignation: "Though I am but a commoner, and have never read the classics, I know the principle of 'clear rewards and punishments.' If the entire Shen family is to be punished based solely on a few baseless rumors and a few dubious witnesses, wouldn't that chill the hearts of merchants who serve the court? Who would dare to share the burdens of the court and seek benefits for the people in the future?"
These words were spoken with sincerity, every sentence focusing on the "credibility of the imperial court." Even Consort Qing, who was standing to the side, showed a moved expression and secretly exchanged a glance with Noble Lady Rong. Both of them had a look of agreement in their eyes.
The Emperor ran his fingers along the rim of the teacup, his gaze falling on Su Moqing. The scrutiny in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
After a moment's hesitation, the Emperor suddenly changed the subject, posing an extremely tricky question: "Su Moqing, I've heard that you have a very close personal relationship with Shen Rulan. If I verify that Shen Rulan is indeed a woman, what will you do?"
This question was a trap—if she severed ties with Shen Rulan, she would be heartless and admit that "a woman dressing as a man is a mistake"; if she continued to associate with Shen Rulan, she would be knowingly committing a crime and suspected of protecting her. Everyone in the hall held their breath, their eyes all fixed on Su Moqing, wanting to see how she would respond.
Su Moqing met the emperor's gaze without flinching, her voice calm yet firm: "Your Majesty, my friendship with Young Master Shen is not based on his status or gender, but on my respect for his integrity and trustworthiness, and my pity for his ability to single-handedly support such a large family business, navigating the cutthroat world of business while also caring for the elderly and infirm of his clan. It is truly no easy feat. Whether Young Master Shen is male or female, this respect and pity will not change."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the plaque inscribed with "Diligent in Governance and Love for the People" hanging in the hall, her voice growing clearer: "Furthermore, in my opinion, whether a person is loyal or treacherous, good or evil, has nothing to do with whether they are male or female. What matters is whether their heart is loyal to the court and whether their actions benefit the people. Take Fu Shanxiang, the female official during the reign of Emperor Taizong, for example. Although she was a woman, she was able to offer advice to the court and benefit the people; while some men, though holding high positions, are corrupt and lawless, bringing disaster to the country and its people. It is clear that gender is never a standard for judging a person."
These words were forceful and resounding, clearly stating his position while also referencing historical anecdotes from the previous dynasty. They were neither arrogant nor humble, and were both reasonable and justifiable.
Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he nodded slightly. Even the usually indifferent Consort smiled slightly.
Just then, a eunuch's urgent report broke the silence inside the hall: "Your Majesty! Zhang Mingyuan, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Zhou Qiyuan, the Governor of Jiangning, have jointly submitted an urgent memorial, saying that they have important matters to report to Your Majesty concerning the salt administration in Jiangnan!"
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes—Zhang Mingyuan was a well-known incorruptible censor, and Zhou Qiyuan had served in Jiangnan for many years and was deeply loved by the people. The fact that the two of them jointly submitted a memorial and used the 800-li express courier service meant that something big must have happened.
He immediately ordered, "Bring it here."
The chief eunuch quickly stepped forward, took the memorial, carefully brushed the dust off the cover, and then respectfully handed it to the emperor.
The Emperor unfolded the memorial, his gaze quickly sweeping over the words. His originally calm expression gradually turned serious, his brows furrowed, and his fingers gripped the memorial with increasing force, his knuckles turning slightly white.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to even breathe loudly, and lowered their heads, secretly guessing the contents of the memorial.
Wen Shichang knelt on the ground, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. Cold sweat broke out on his back again, and he gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with both hands, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
After a long silence, the Emperor closed the memorial, slammed it down on the table, and stared at Wen Shichang with lightning speed. His voice was filled with suppressed anger: "Minister Wen, do you know your crime?"
Wen Shichang trembled as if he had been doused with ice water, and hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I did not know... I have always served the court wholeheartedly and have never had the slightest disloyal thought. I do not know what crime I have committed!"
"Don't know?" The Emperor sneered, the chill in his voice seeming to drop the temperature in the hall. "Censor Zhang and Governor Zhou jointly impeached you, accusing you of colluding with the remnants of the Cao family and embezzling palace funds by abusing your power in the Imperial Household Department's procurement department, totaling 500,000 taels of silver! They also said that you repeatedly demanded salt permits from the Shen family, and after being refused by Shen Rulan, you harbored resentment and deliberately fabricated rumors to frame loyal officials! This memorial is written in black and white, not only containing your correspondence with Cao An, but also clearly recording the bank notes you used to receive the silver and the addresses of the banks where you hid the embezzled funds! The evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"
With a deafening roar, Wen Shichang was struck dumb, instantly collapsing to the ground, his face ashen, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word of explanation.
He never expected that Zhang Mingyuan and Zhou Qiyuan would suddenly submit such a memorial, and that they had investigated his crimes so thoroughly!
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" After realizing what had happened, Wen Shichang kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead hitting the blue bricks with a "thud," and blood quickly seeped out. "I was confused for a moment, blinded by greed, and committed such a mistake! I beg Your Majesty to spare my life for the sake of my many years of service! I am willing to hand over all the embezzled money in full, I only ask Your Majesty for mercy!"
The Emperor's eyes were icy cold. He stopped looking at him and turned to Su Moqing, his gaze softening considerably: "Painter Su, you have been wronged today. Your painting skills are superb, and what is even more rare is your integrity and insight. I hereby grant you permission to move freely within the palace and continue to paint for the Consort. If needed, you may report directly to the Chief Eunuch."
He then ordered the guards beside him: "Take Wen Shichang to the imperial prison and keep him under strict guard until he is sentenced! This case will be jointly tried by the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice. We must find out all those involved and show no leniency!"
"Yes, sir!" The guards responded in unison, stepped forward to lift the limp Wen Shichang from the ground, and dragged him outside.
Wen Shichang was still crying out, "Your Majesty, spare my life!" His voice gradually faded away outside the palace.
"Your Majesty is wise!" the entire hall shouted in unison, their voices filled with awe.
Su Moqing knelt on the ground, only then feeling all the strength drain from her body. Her back was already soaked with cold sweat, and her legs were numb and sore from kneeling for so long. She breathed a slight sigh of relief, the huge weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted—in this life-or-death struggle, she and Shen Rulan had finally narrowly escaped defeat.
However, as she slowly raised her head, preparing to express her gratitude to the Emperor, she inadvertently met the gaze of the Imperial Concubine. That gaze was deep and unfathomable, carrying a hint of inquiry, a hint of understanding, and a subtle scrutiny, like an undercurrent beneath a calm lake. This caused Su Moqing's heart to tighten suddenly, and her recently calmed nerves to jump again.
The Imperial Concubine walked slowly to Su Moqing, extended her well-maintained hand, and personally helped her up.
Her fingertips carried a cool warmth, and her movements were gentle, yet they made Su Moqing feel stiff all over, not daring to relax even for a moment.
Just as Su Moqing was about to express her gratitude, the Imperial Concubine suddenly leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"What a quick-witted girl! Not only is her painting skill excellent, but her ability to adapt to changing situations is also rare. However... do you think you can get away with it by bringing down Wen Shichang with just a few words?"
Su Moqing was shocked, her pupils contracted sharply, and she subconsciously looked up at the Imperial Concubine.
But the Imperial Concubine had already straightened up, her face regaining its usual gentle smile, as if she had never uttered those meaningful words. She turned to face the Emperor and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I find that this painter, Ms. Su, is not only highly skilled but also has a personality that suits my taste. I would like to keep her in the palace for a while longer so that she can paint a few pleasing scenes for me. I wonder if Your Majesty would grant my request?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor smiled and waved his hand, "If my beloved consort is pleased, then it is granted. I still have state affairs to attend to, so I will return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation first." With that, he turned and left Changchun Palace with the chief eunuch and guards.
Su Moqing stood there, watching the Imperial Concubine turn and leave. She felt a chill slowly rise from the soles of her feet, spreading up her spine and throughout her body, making her shiver slightly.
So... the Imperial Concubine already knew. She had known all along that Shen Rulan was a woman, and she had seen through her deception long ago.
Why did she defend herself against Wen Shichang just now? And why did she keep her in the palace? Countless questions swirled in Su Moqing's mind, making her relaxed mood heavy again.
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