Chapter 50 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
At the sign-in area, someone called out, "President Zhou of Chongwenguan, and President Xiao are here."
Zhang Xiaojia's heart warmed, and she asked Baizhi to invite them, but she didn't expect that they were willing to come.
Zhang Xiaojia looked at the ladies who were guarding the body. With one look, everyone stood up and went forward to greet him.
"President Zhou, President Xiao, best wishes." Everyone greeted
Dean Zhou and Dean Xiao nodded without saying anything. They went straight to the incense burning area, took the incense handed to them by the maid, and burned incense for Princess Anguo.
Dean Zhou walked over, patted Zhang Xiaojia on the shoulder and said, "Jiaer, I'm so sorry! What happened?"
Zhang Xiaojia burst into tears and choked up as she said, "Madam Hengguo said Sister Yue had committed the seven offenses for divorce and she still wanted to light the eternal lamp."
Dean Zhou said sternly, "Madam Guo's claim that the princess committed the seven offenses is completely groundless.
The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty were strict, and the seven grounds for divorce were all aimed at the faults of women. However, conclusive evidence was required before a conclusion could be reached.
Now that the princess has unfortunately passed away and the truth has not yet been ascertained, the Queen Mother has falsely accused her of a crime, which is truly unfair.
When the princess was alive, she was dignified, talented, and respected by everyone. When she was in Kyoto, the princess and her husband lived in harmony and treated each other with respect, without any immoral behavior.
Of the seven grounds for divorce that Lady Guo mentioned, which one is it?
Furthermore, as the heir of the Anguo clan, the princess held a distinguished position, and her every word and action affected the state. If she was truly guilty, the court would have to decide the matter according to the law. How could she allow the queen to slander her based on her one-sided words?
As scholars, we should distinguish right from wrong and uphold justice.
The princess's death is shrouded in mystery. We should first investigate the truth and give her justice, rather than listen to rumors and falsely accuse her. I hope Madam Guo will think twice before acting, and not let rumors mislead the public and tarnish the princess's innocent reputation."
The wife of Duke Heng narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing through her eyes. She spoke slowly, "Thinking back to those days in the bustling capital, the princess and my son were truly in love and deeply in love! They often played the zither, the music lingering like the sounds of nature; they also respected each other and treated each other with courtesy. It was truly a harmonious couple, treating each other with respect like guests! Back then, the princess was kind-hearted and well-mannered, and she never did anything immoral.
However, who could have predicted that after arriving in Langya City, far from the capital, perhaps feeling that the emperor was far away and no one could control her, this Princess Anguo actually began to act recklessly, committing many heinous and unbearable evil deeds! It is truly shameful!
Upon hearing this, Dean Xiao frowned slightly and refuted firmly, "Madam Hengguo is wrong. When the princess was in Kyoto, she was in the royal family, and her words and actions were the focus of everyone's attention. Her good character and outstanding talent were obvious to all.
And now, the Madam is accusing the Princess of behaving promiscuously in Langya. Isn't this absurd? Langya, while far from the capital, is under the jurisdiction of Duke Heng and is the Princess's husband's home. Who would behave promiscuously in their husband's home, under their husband's watch?
I hope Madam will think twice before speaking and not let the rumors continue to spread, so as not to hurt the princess's spirit in heaven."
Dean Xiao's words were clear and logical, and everyone present nodded in agreement. Lady Hengguo was momentarily speechless, her face slightly changing, but she had no way to refute them.
Dean Zhou and Dean Xiao are both fair and strict people. Their words can reduce the rumors after the death of Princess Anguo.
The wife of Duke Hengguo accused, "No matter what, Princess Anguo is still my daughter-in-law. Princess Jing actually asked my daughter-in-law to hold her funeral in her Lin'an County Princess's residence. How can this bring shame to my family?"
Zhang Xiaojia said weakly, "This morning, I went to see Sister Yue. She was actually in the deserted courtyard. Sister Yue was still breathing, and only two maids were by her side. In her last moments, she wanted to see peach blossoms, so I took her to see plum blossoms. She passed away in my arms, so..."
Dean Zhou took over the conversation in a steady and powerful voice: "Madam Hengguogong, the Princess Lin'an arranged for the princess's funeral to be held at the Princess Lin'an residence for various reasons. For example, the wife of the Prince Hengguogong actually lived in a deserted courtyard. I think Lin'an believes that the Duke Hengguo is not capable of arranging the princess's funeral. We should understand and respect this arrangement.
What we should focus on is how to properly handle the funeral and give the princess the honor she deserves, rather than arguing over these trivial details.
As for the issue of face that the lady mentioned, I think that real face is not external pomp and false reputation, but inner justice and kindness.
If Madam can treat this matter with fairness and remember the princess with kindness, she will win the respect of the world. Why worry about losing face?
Jia'er, what you've described is heartbreaking. The princess's desire to see peach blossoms before her death might have been a lingering remembrance of a better life. We should respect her wishes and let her rest in peace.
As for the specific arrangements for the funeral, Jiaer, you did make the decision on your own. How could you despise the deserted courtyard of Duke Heng?
It was shabby and disrespectful to the royal family, but Jiaer just wanted to give her sister a decent burial."
Dean Xiao also added, "Madam Hengguo, the deceased is gone, and this is not the time to argue. Jia'er did take it upon herself to organize a decent and solemn funeral for the princess."
Don't worry, after the funeral, Jia'er will be at your disposal, you can beat her or kill her as you please."
The wife of Duke Hengguo knew that she could not get the body of that bitch back, but if she really did an autopsy, her son would be finished and her daughter would not be able to be the queen. She was so angry that she fainted.
Zhou Panni shouted, "Please call the imperial physician. The wife of Duke Hengguo is so sad about the death of Princess Anguo that she has passed out."
Zhang Xiaojia asked the maid to carry the wife of Duke Hengguo into the yard and call the imperial physician.
Dean Zhou and Dean Xiao, they can't stay here for too long, Zhang Xiaojia sent the two teachers away.
Dean Zhou said earnestly, "Jia'er, tell everyone you know that Princess Anguo's courtyard is shabby and desolate. You just want to give your sister a proper funeral. You will accept the punishment after the funeral. No questions asked."
Xiao Yuanzi slapped Zhang Xiaojia on the head and scolded him, "You pig-brained fool, why don't you take Princess Anguo to the royal family's mourning hall and see if Duke Hengguo dares to make trouble again? Now go to Duke Hengguo's mansion in person and apologize in front of the mansion. Cry out loudly what Zhou Yuanzi taught you. Call the Duke Hengguo's son over and put Duke Hengguo in a trap first."
Zhou Yuanzi gently touched her head and said, "Jia'er, don't think about paying blood debt with blood. Let him be exiled to Qiongzhou. Your senior brother is the governor there. I guarantee that the prince of Hengguo will spend his whole life paying for his blood debt."
Dean Xiao snorted coldly, "Listen to what Dean Zhou says. Don't be stubborn, Jia'er. Officialdom isn't just about white and black, there's also gray. Don't be so stubborn. You're the only sister the Emperor recognizes, and you're also the Princess Consort. Besides the concubines, you have the highest status among all the women outside the harem. You're putting the Emperor under pressure. You need to give the Emperor a way out. If you take a step back, no one will say anything about you even if you torture the Prince of Hengguo."
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