The so-called Three Departments refer to the Ministry of Punishments, the Metropolitan Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review. Getting a joint trial by these departments implies either an important court official is involved or the case is a significant scandal.
Song Jiyun was momentarily baffled upon hearing this.
Was her case really so complicated?
She instinctively felt something was amiss.
Since it was an imperial appeal, the Emperor should have first referred it to the Metropolitan Censorate or the Court of Judicial Review for investigation. Why would he, without saying a word, have the three departments jointly review it? Moreover, who had filed the imperial complaint, and how could they assert with certainty that her family’s sacrificial porcelain included added human ashes?
It is known that any kind of porcelain follows a specific recipe. As long as she presented the formula, such false accusations would naturally disprove themselves.
Unless someone was preventing her from defending herself.
Jiyun felt a sudden tension grip her heart, though her expression remained calm and composed as she ordered Zheng Quan, "Fetch a cushion for me." She also asked the two eunuchs, "Sirs, should I arrange an incense table? This is my first time receiving such a decree, and I am unfamiliar with the protocol. I need your guidance in this matter."
Ordinary people would indeed never "enjoy" such treatment in their lifetimes.
The two eunuchs, evidently not expecting her to be so composed, exchanged a quick glance, one of them then affectedly said, "Thunder and rain are all from the Emperor’s grace. The way decrees were received in the past is naturally how they should be received now."
Jiyun thanked them and directed Zheng Quan to arrange the incense table.
Wang Hua, seizing the moment, pulled aside one of the eunuchs and slipped him a red envelope, whispering, "Brother, what exactly is going on? You have to tell me the details. Even if I’m going into the palace to make arrangements, I need to know whom to approach, right? Please help me. I will remember your kindness."
The eunuch, likely aware of who Wang Hua was and probably preferring not to get involved, did not rely on bureaucratic talk. Pinching the red envelope in his hand, he whispered, "It’s Prince Ning. He learned from craftsmen in Jingde Town that the Song family’s sacrificial porcelain made for the Imperial Kiln Factory had human ashes mixed in." The eunuch shuddered at this, his face paled, "It was then that the Emperor became furious, demanding the Song Clan be arrested for a thorough re-investigation."
Wang Hua immediately cried foul, saying, "Who’s making up these wild stories? Aren’t the Supervisor of Pottery and craftsmen at the Imperial Kiln Factory supposed to be knowledgeable? Can’t they tell what the sacrificial porcelain is made of? Who is framing our Miss Song? If you hear anything, brother, please let me know at any cost. I’m grateful for your help!"
The eunuch was silent for a while, then glanced at Jiyun, lowering his voice, "They say it was Miss Song’s own cousin. That’s why everyone believed it without question."
"Song Tao!" Jiyun exclaimed in shock, "How did she get involved with Prince Ning?"
Didn’t she realize the potential consequences if their plot failed?
Jiyun had Zheng Quan go find Hong Xi, "See if he can find out what situation Song Tao is in now."
Zheng Quan delegated the task of setting up the incense table to He Dazhi and others before darting off.
After receiving the imperial decree and pretending there was no silver at hand to offer as a tip, Jiyun asked He Dazhi to give red envelopes to the two eunuchs, while she said to Wang Hua, "You’re familiar with some channels in the Capital City. The key to this matter is to convince the Emperor. Being a woman, is there any possibility of arranging for nobles from the palace to supervise me, or to confine me in the Imperial Ancestral Temple or a monastery?"
This way, she would at least be able to meet with people from the palace, find a way to defend herself, and get her message into the palace.
Wang Hua’s eyes brightened as he listened, saying, "The Empress oversees all Imperial Appointed Female Servants. When one of them commits an offense, it’s possible for a noble from the palace to take charge. Although you’re not an Imperial Appointed Female Servant, we can figure out a way."
Jiyun nodded, "While you’re at it, send a message to Immortal Baoguang as well, see if he has any contacts."
Just a while ago, Hong Xi had visited Immortal Baoguang, securing a thirty percent share for the Song family’s porcelain store in the Capital City, and told Immortal Baoguang, "How you distribute your twenty percent share is not our concern—I only trust you and prefer dealing directly with you."
At that time, Immortal Baoguang was thrilled, reassuring Hong Xi and Jiyun confidently, "I’ll stay at Dragon Tiger Mountain for no more than another year before returning. Then we can expand our ambitions together."
If she were imprisoned, Immortal Baoguang’s "ambitions" would be doomed as well.
Moreover, her case was very easy to clear of charges, and he should have helped.
Wang Hua also knew about this, he uttered an "eh" and hurried off.
Jiyun chatted idly with the two eunuchs, "I don’t recognize either of you. I’m not sure which palace you serve in. I’ve recently taken on a minor task for a noble person in the palace, and I often go there to pay respects to the nobles. Perhaps next time I enter the palace, I might bring something for the two of you!"
The eunuchs and palace maids in the palace rarely got a chance to leave, and they were usually pleased when someone brought them things.
Seeing the situation with the Song Family, the two eunuchs delivering the edict knew they had gone to seek help. Before any results came forth, they were even less willing to offend anyone. Knowing that Jiyun was stalling for time, both pretended not to notice and seemed to be waiting for a reward, conversing sporadically with Jiyun, "We both serve in the Qianqing Palace... You’re right, the Emperor ordered the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies to stamp it directly, and it hasn’t even been reported to the Department of Communications yet... Eunuch Qin, of course we know him..."
As they dragged the conversation, a shichen passed by, and even if they were slow, they couldn’t delay any longer there.
After receiving Jiyun’s red envelope, the two eunuchs looked at Jiyun and said, "Perhaps, you should accompany us to the Court of Judicial Review now?"
Jiyun was not prepared to be stuck in a prison cell.
She said, "Did you receive any news when you left the palace about the Court of Judicial Review? If they had, they should have arranged an exchange of assignments, right? Why do you two still need to personally escort me to the Court of Judicial Review?"
Upon hearing this, they indeed saw the sense in it.
Why hadn’t someone from the Court of Judicial Review come yet?
Jiyun smiled and said, "Could it be that the Court of Judicial Review hasn’t received the news yet? How about you two sit here for a while? I’ll send someone to inquire at the Court of Judicial Review. This won’t delay your mission, and it will save you the trip there personally."
After a few whispers, they felt that Jiyun made sense.
Jiyun then sent He Dazhi to make a run to the Court of Judicial Review.
But when He Dazhi left, she signaled him with her eyes to delay time.
He Dazhi nodded, understanding her intent.
Unexpectedly, just after she had sent off He Dazhi, he ran back, his expression solemn, and anxiously said, "Miss Song, there’s trouble. Someone claiming to be from the Court of Judicial Review has brought a group of government officials here. They say they have received orders to escort you to the Court of Judicial Review."
Jiyun’s expression darkened slightly.
A fierce blue-clad official with a white pheasant embroidered on his badge stormed in.
"Who is from The Song Clan?" he yelled as he entered, "Submit to your punishment immediately!"
It seemed Prince Ning had invested heavily.
The ones here to arrest her were all fifth-rank officials.
Jiyun scoffed coldly and walked out under the watchful eyes of the two eunuchs, composedly performed a courtesy, and calmly said, "I am from the Song Clan. May I know how the official addresses himself? Have you brought official documents stamped by the Court of Judicial Review to escort me?"
The official was taken aback by her, a unmistakable amazement flickering through his eyes. It took him a moment to resume his fierce demeanor, and condescendingly said, "Under the heaven of the son of heaven, in this clear and bright world, would we wrong you?"
He shouted, "Arrest her," and said, "Take The Song Clan into custody!"
The government officials that followed him surged forward.
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