Emperor Tianqi stood up, walked to Madam Yun's side, helped her up, and said, "What crime has Madam Yun committed? Get up quickly!"
After Emperor Tianqi helped the old lady up, he told the others to rise.
Upon hearing this, the others expressed their gratitude and stood up.
Emperor Tianqi returned to his throne and sat down before speaking, "Guards, bring me a seat!"
Soon enough, someone brought over a chair.
Emperor Tianqi said to the old lady, "Please sit down, Madam!"
The old lady didn't refuse; after expressing her gratitude, she sat down directly.
She began, “I returned to the capital today, and as soon as I arrived home, I felt as if the sky had fallen. Her Majesty the Empress actually issued an edict reprimanding my daughter-in-law, saying that she was fierce and jealous. Her Majesty the Empress clearly did not know the truth and was deceived by someone with ulterior motives, which is why she issued this edict. Therefore, I would like to ask Her Majesty the Empress to rescind the edict!”
Emperor Tianqi nodded slightly and said to Sun Jiasheng, "Go and invite the Empress over!"
Sun Jiasheng readily agreed and then left.
The Empress had clearly heard the news and was on her way. Therefore, Sun Jiasheng had only been gone a short while when he accompanied the Empress back in.
Empress Wang knelt before Emperor Tianqi and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Tianqi looked at Empress Wang, but did not tell her to stand up. He simply asked, "Does the Empress know her crime?"
Empress Wang's face darkened upon hearing this; from just one sentence, she knew the Emperor's stance.
That imperial edict was indeed issued by her.
She never imagined that an imperial edict would cause such a huge uproar.
At the time, she felt that, apart from Madam Yun, no one could refute her imperial decree.
Therefore, she went downstairs with complete peace of mind.
Because she felt that she was helping Yun Xian, and the old lady was Yun Xian's birth mother, so no matter what, she would not refute the imperial decree for He Ning's sake.
Who would have thought that the old lady would do such a thing!
She still doesn't understand why this happened.
Now, she doesn't have time to figure it out!
She began, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. But I still want to explain that I heard that Lady Yun forbade Lord Yun from taking a concubine, and even physically bound him, which is why I issued this imperial decree. I did it all for the sake of harmony and peace in the Marquis's mansion!"
The old lady spoke up, "Then I must thank Your Majesty for your concern. However, it was I, not Ning'er, who forbade the Marquis from taking a concubine! As for the claim that Ning'er kidnapped the Marquis, that's utter nonsense! The guards of the Marquis's residence only obey my orders. The reason they kidnapped the Marquis was because he was too outrageous. I forbade him from taking a concubine, yet he still brought her into the Marquis's residence—it's simply outrageous!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress frowned and her face turned grim.
She never expected that the old lady would take all the blame upon herself in order to protect He Ning.
He Ning's refusal to allow Yun Xian to take a concubine stemmed from jealousy.
The old lady forbade Yunxian from taking a concubine, and everyone praised her for being considerate of her daughter-in-law.
Knowing she had no chance of winning, she said, "Your Majesty, I was indeed wrong in this matter! I am willing to accept punishment!"
Emperor Tianqi looked at the old lady and asked, "What does the old lady think should be done?"
The old lady spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress reprimanded my daughter-in-law without verifying the facts, which is far too frivolous! I beg Your Majesty to retract the decree and issue a new one, acknowledging your mistake and apologizing to my daughter-in-law!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes widened: "Old Madam, isn't your request going too far?"
If she were to issue such an imperial edict, wouldn't she lose all face?
The old lady's face darkened: "This old woman doesn't think it's excessive! The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. If Your Majesty the Empress makes a mistake, shouldn't you admit it? Shouldn't you correct it? Your Majesty, you are the mother of the nation, a role model for all women. You should understand that admitting and correcting mistakes is the greatest virtue. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"
Empress Wang was speechless, unsure how to refute the old lady.
She simply looked at Emperor Tianqi and said with a wronged expression, "Your Majesty!"
Emperor Tianqi's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He said, "The Empress has made a mistake and should correct it. Let's do as the old lady says!"
Empress Wang's face turned pale. She wanted to refuse, but she knew she had no room for negotiation.
She could only kowtow and say, "Your Majesty, I obey!"
Emperor Tianqi continued, "Who misled the Empress? Why don't you tell us all at once!"
Empress Wang gritted her teeth, and after a moment, she finally spoke: "It was Marquis Yun who asked the Crown Prince to plead with me, and that's why I issued the imperial decree!"
Being in the inner palace and involved in the affairs of the court will surely displease His Majesty.
She had no choice but to involve the Crown Prince; there was nothing she could do about it.
Moreover, it was indeed the Crown Prince who told her about this.
Furthermore, Yun Xian.
This whole thing started because of him, so he's not innocent.
Furthermore, since the old woman is protecting He Ning, then she'll let the old woman's son suffer and see if she really doesn't care!
Emperor Tianqi's face was grim. He turned to Sun Jiasheng and said, "Have the Crown Prince kneel outside the palace. He may rise again when he has come to his senses! Also, Marquis Yun shall be given twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others. You shall personally lead the executioners to carry out the punishment!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Jiasheng immediately agreed and left.
Empress Wang looked at Old Madam Yun, trying to see the fear and astonishment on her face at her son's punishment.
However, to her disappointment, the old lady was not frightened; on the contrary, she seemed quite happy!
Empress Wang was so angry that she gritted her teeth.
Yun Chu lowered her head slightly, unable to suppress a chuckle to herself.
Yun Xian had just been beaten thirty times; if he were to be beaten twenty more times now, he would likely be crippled if not killed!
Emperor Tianqi frowned slightly when he saw the calm old lady. He asked her, "Are you satisfied with this outcome, old lady?"
The old woman stood up, knelt before Emperor Tianqi, and said, "This old woman thanks Your Majesty!"
Emperor Tianqi raised his hand: "Rise. If there is nothing else, all of you may leave!"
Upon hearing this, the others all took their leave.
Emperor Tianqi glanced at Yun Chuwei and said, "Lingtai Lang, stay here!"
Yun Chuwei did not move. Only after everyone had left did she bow and ask, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Tianqi glanced at Yun Chuwei and asked, "What happened?"
Yun Chuwei's eyelids twitched slightly as she heard Emperor Tianqi continue to ask, "What happened between Old Madam Yun and your mother?"
It was clearly unreasonable for the old lady to place He Ning before Yun Xian.
He thought back carefully and realized that the old lady had never really liked her son.
This made him think more deeply.
Yun Chu pursed her lips, pondering how to respond.
Emperor Tianqi looked at Yun Chuwei, his expression slightly darkening: "Are you having trouble saying it, or do you not know?"
Yun Chuwei knelt down and said, "This matter may be suspected of deceiving the emperor."
Emperor Tianqi's face darkened: "Just speak! With you and the Gu Yin Sect here, I won't touch the Marquis's residence! Stand up and speak!"
Yun Chuwei stood up and said, "I examined the faces of my grandmother and mother and felt that their relationship was special. They should not be mother and daughter-in-law, but mother and daughter!"
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