Chapter 59 (1/2)
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Chapter Fifty-Nine: A Suspicious Good News
The case between the Zhou and the Hua Family allowed many people to see a good performance of how to favor the concubine and neglect the wife. The rumors were so powerful that in this recent while, no one dared to enter a marital relations.h.i.+p with the Zhou Family.
There were some people who sourly said behind Hua Xi Wan's back that she was meddling in the affairs of her paternal family as a woman who had married out, but people quickly objected.
”If she did not act when her own sister endured so, then she would truly be a woman with a poisonous heart. Xian w.a.n.g Fei is a magnanimous person.”
Everyone talked about about Hua Xi Wan's good qualities—half of the people did so because they agreed with her actions, and the other half only did so because of Hua Xi Wan's status which they wanted to curry favor with. So they wanted to say that she was perfect all around. People were so and avoided dangers to them. Everyone knew that a.s.sistant Minister Zhou had been removed from the position of examiner in the civil service examination because of Zhou Family's ugly matter of favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife. He was also attacked in court by a share of officials, causing him to lose his position as a.s.sistant minister, and was sent off to a poor place to be a local official.
Originally, a.s.sistant Minister Zhou had a chance to become the Minister, but everything was gone now. It could be seen from this just how important it was to teach one's children well. Many families in Jing sent away their concubines because of this matter, afraid that someone would accuse them of favoring the concubines and neglecting the wife.
Just as this matter settled, waves occurred again at the Judicial Office because of the a.s.sa.s.sination of Lin Ping Junma. After the complete investigation by the Judicial Office, this matter seemed to be connected with the Crown Prince and Lin Ping Junzhu.
Lin Ping Junma was someone on the Crown Prince's side. Why would the Crown Prince want to kill him? Lin Ping Junzhu was his wife. Why would she want to kill him? There had to be something else going on.
As the case progressed, there were even more parts that were suspicious. Many people in Jing were found to have a connection with the case. The case of the two red-light district women was cleared up. It was because Zhou Yun Heng had been flirting with these women, causing a concubine in his home to feel jealousy who sent someone to harm these women. Out of fear, she purposefully had the people leave behind clues relating to Sheng Junw.a.n.g that would muddy the trail.
As to why she had to use things that were related to Sheng Junw.a.n.g Fu, it was because Sheng Junw.a.n.g had a position in the Judicial Office. The concubine thought that Sheng Junw.a.n.g would suppress this case because he would be wary of it. She did not know that the Xian w.a.n.g couple discovered the matter that same night, which caused the entire city to learn of the matter. Thereupon, it was impossible to be kept secret.
Since the matter was cleared up, the concubine was arrested. Zhou Yun Heng was also affected by the matter and sentenced to three years in prison.
”This case has ended like this?” Hua Xi Wan lazily leaned back on the chaise. There were two soft cus.h.i.+ons at her back. ”A little concubine from the Zhou Family dares to kill people in Jing—she is very daring.”
”Who knows what kind of people the Zhou Family has?” Hong Ying was kneeling in front of the chaise as she kneaded Hua Xi Wan's knees. ”It is fortunate that the miss left that pit, otherwise, she would also be affected by the Zhou Family.”
”Calamity and auspiciousness often come together. Who knows if it is good or bad.” Hua Xi Wan had a junior servant girl get an embroidered stool for Hong Ying to sit on. Then she said, ”I will nap for a while. If w.a.n.g Ye comes, wake me up then.”
Hong Ying responded in a small voice. Shortly after, she saw Hua Xi Wan fall into a shallow sleep. After putting a light blanket on Hua Xi Wan, she lightly retreated into the outer room. Seeing a young servant girl wiping the objects in the room, she said, ”Be careful—do not disturb w.a.n.g Fei.”
”Yes.” The young servant girl curtsied and then became even more careful in her movements. Hong Ying saw that there was nothing to do, so she started to embroider a handkerchief. The silk threads were brightly colored, and the cloth felt very good to the touch. This high quality cloth was just for the w.a.n.g fei to wipe her hands.
After about an hour, Hong Ying heard footsteps come from outside. There seemed to be the voices of servants making greetings. She hurriedly put down the things in her hand. When she walked to the door, she saw w.a.n.g Ye walking towards where she was. She hurriedly bowed her head and walked out the door before standing with bent knees beside the door.
”w.a.n.g Fei is asleep?” Yan Jin Qiu glanced at Hong Ying. Just as he asked, Hua Xi Wan's voice came from the room.
”Originally asleep, but I was woken up by you.”
Smiling when he heard this, Yan Jin Qiu strode into the room. Seeing Hua Xi Wan leaning back against the chaise and appearing lazy, he walked to sit on the chaise. ”If you are awake, sit with me.”
”It is so tiring to sit.” Hua Xi Wan leaned her upper body on Yan Jin Qiu. ”How come you returned so late today—you didn't even eat the noon meal in the fu.”
”It is because of Lin Ping Junma's a.s.sa.s.sination.” Yan Jin Qiu put a hand at her waist and said in a cool tone, ”The Judicial Office has found that the Crown Prince is connected to the matter, and caused the Emperor to be angry. He lectured the people of the Judicial Office.”
Hua Xi Wan used her hand to cover her mouth in a yawn. ”Isn't the Crown Prince still inside the Heavenly Prison?”
”Two days ago, the Emperor said that he wanted to release the Crown Prince, and then put him under house arrest in the Crown Prince's fu. Who knew that the Judicial Office actually said at court today in front of all the officials that the Crown Prince is connected to the a.s.sa.s.sination of Lin Ping Junma and should not be released. How could the Emperor not feel embarra.s.sment?”
”The people of the Judicial Office… are really daring.” Hua Xi Wan felt that this was too much of a coincidence, but she cautiously did not state this. ”The Emperor did not punish the Judicial Office.” Since this occurred in the morning, some people already heard this. Hua Xi Wan had heard someone report about this matter before lunch.
”Even if the Emperor has the intentions to punish, he cannot do that unless he wants to leave behind the name of tyrant and despot in the history books.” Yan Jin Qiu's smile carried some disdain. ”If the Emperor had another son, he would probably unhesitatingly give up on the Crown Prince.”
Hua Xi Wan did not respond. With Qilong Emperor's personality, he probably did not have any more good feelings left for the Crown Prince. But he only had this one son—it really was both pitiful and humorous.
If he really thought for the good of his people, he would depose this useless, brutish and l.u.s.ty crown prince and adopt an outstanding child from the Imperial House. At least, he could guarantee the peace and prosperity for the people for at least a few more decades.
It was a pity that there were not many emperors in the world who were so generous.
”w.a.n.g Ye, this one has something to report.” Mu Tong's voice was slightly careful as though what he was going to report would not make Yan Jin Qiu happy.
”Come in.” Yan Jin Qiu's eyes were icy, but his hand at Hua Xi Wan's waist was still as gentle as before.
”This small one greets w.a.n.g Ye, w.a.n.g Fei. People from the Crown Prince's Fu have come to report that the Crown Princess has had good news for two months.”
”The Crown Princess is pregnant?” Yan Jin Qiu's tone was strange as he looked at Mu Tong. After staring at Mu Tong for a long while, a sliver of a smile appeared on his face. ”This is a joyous matter; our Great Zhao Dynasty will quickly have a crown grandson.”