The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 117 - 116

Chapter 116

The Empress Dowager’s appearance was like a tidal wave, significantly affecting the emotions of many present. Shin Wang’s people felt a slight sense of relief, while Zhao Chundi’s men and the virtuous officials frowned deeply with concern.

Everyone knew that Shin Wang was the Empress Dowager’s favorite nephew. Hence, her sudden visit was undoubtedly to aid Shin Wang!

While many were surprised by the Empress Dowager’s appearance, Chen Feng Yue, sitting on the throne, remained unmoved. His handsome face under the bead curtain was as calm and emotionless as ever, his eyes briefly displaying a strange look as he gazed at the unexpected guest.

"Empress Dowager, you have certainly surprised Zhen. What urgent matter brings you here personally?"

"Ai Jia[1] merely heard that there was a misunderstanding during this morning’s court session. Anxious to resolve it, Ai Jia had to come personally,"

The Empress Dowager responded with a faint smile. She glanced at the officials around her for a moment before her gaze briefly rested on Zhao Chundi and then met the eyes of the person on the throne without fear.

"Ai Jia hope Your Majesty does not mind..."

Chen Feng Yue’s lips curled into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. "What kind of misunderstanding has caused you such anxiety, Empress Dowager?"

"It concerns Shin Wang...Ai Jia heard there was an investigation into some unaccounted-for funds," the Empress Dowager immediately addressed the issue that brought her here.

Earlier, Chancellor Gu had secretly sent a eunuch to her palace to inform her of the situation, which had greatly alarmed her. She never expected the situation to turn out this way.

How could the ledgers in the Investigation Bureau’s possession be suspicious?

Didn’t Shin Wang submit the fake ledgers?

If it wasn’t a fake, it was possible someone had switched it with Shin Wang’s real ledgers!

If that were true as guessed, Shin Wang was in grave danger!

After pondering how to handle the crisis and reduce the severity of the situation, she realized she had to come to the throne room personally and intervene as the Empress Dowager to find a way to help Shin Wang avoid further persecution...

Chen Feng Yue listened to the Empress Dowager without responding, secretly exchanging a glance with Mu Gongzhen. They shared a mutual understanding known only to them before Chen Feng Yue’s sharp eyes briefly revealed a hint of amusement.

"What the Empress Dowager just said...is undeniably true,"

Chen Feng Yue nodded before pausing for a moment, his expression growing slightly more serious. "However, Zhen thinks it would be better to discuss this matter after the court session is over."

"No need to trouble Your Majesty to repeat yourself. Since we have yet to reach a conclusion, discussing it together now would be more appropriate," the Empress Dowager quickly responded, her face still wearing a smile, unchanged, making it difficult to gauge her thoughts.

However, as soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Zhao Chundi immediately objected, his voice cold and filled with pressure.

"Empress Dowager, I fear your presence here violates the regulations of the inner palace. Please return to the inner palace, Your Majesty!"

"Master Zhao, you speak too harshly,"

The Empress Dowager cast a sharp glance at the old official beside her before letting out a soft laugh. "Ai Jia holds the authority of the inner palace. Does Ai Jia need Master Zhao to teach me the inner palace regulations?"

"If the Empress Dowager knows them well, then I must insist you return. The morning court session is still in progress, and women should not interfere, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Chundi replied sternly, his gaze as unyielding as a towering stone, unshakable by anything.

The reason for the Empress Dowager’s presence was not hard for Zhao Chundi to guess. Since even the Empress Dowager felt compelled to intervene, he had to expedite the process to have the Emperor issue an edict to revoke Shin Wang’s authority for an investigation!

"Your Majesty, regarding state affairs, no woman should interfere, no matter who she is. Even in times when the Emperor was young, the Empress Dowager had no right to involve herself in state affairs and had to appoint a regent instead," Zhao Chundi said seriously to the Emperor, deliberately ignoring the Empress Dowager standing beside him.

"The investigation into Shin Wang is a major issue concerning the peace of the land and cannot involve women. Your Majesty, please send the Empress Dowager back to her palace!"

"Your Majesty, please send the Empress Dowager back to her palace!"

The virtuous officials knelt in unison, their voices echoing loudly. Their actions to expel the Empress Dowager were all observed by Chen Feng Yue.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s face darken as she seemed on the verge of anger, Chen Feng Yue couldn’t help but feel a sense of inner satisfaction. Previously, the power held by the Empress Dowager and Shin Wang prevented him from openly confronting them. But now, he would use the pressure from the royal court to suppress his enemies and weaken their power...

"Master Zhao, you are too presumptuous to dare to expel the Empress Dowager. Your actions also violate the regulations, showing disrespect to the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager decided to punish you now, it would be justified," Chancellor Gu, sensing the situation deteriorating, spoke up coldly.

"Then I willingly accept the punishment, but I hope that Chancellor Gu will be a witness. Once the punishment is completed, the Empress Dowager should return to her palace, and we can continue discussing this matter," Zhao Chundi replied fearlessly, lifting his chin slightly like a scholar who refused to yield to anyone.

The Empress Dowager smirked briefly at the corner of her mouth before she took a deep breath to compose her expression. "What Master Zhao said is correct. It was Ai Jia who overstepped by involving myself in this matter."

"However...there is a reason Ai Jia intervened. The unaccounted funds in Shin Wang’s ledgers were actually provided by me,"

The Empress Dowager explained her prepared reason for Shin Wang’s case, hoping to divert the officials’ attention from the request for her to return to her palace.

As expected, upon hearing this, the virtuous officials began pondering Shin Wang’s matter instead, including Zhao Chundi.

"Empress Dowager, are you saying the truth, or is it merely an excuse to help Shin Wang?"

"Whether true or false, an investigation will reveal the answer," the Empress Dowager responded, looking at Zhao Chundi with a peculiar gaze.

Regarding evidence, simply fabricating it would not be a problem. What she needed now was to mitigate the severity of the situation. She couldn’t find an excuse for the unaccounted expenses in Shin Wang’s accounts, but for the source of certain funds, she could claim to have provided them and create supporting evidence.

This way, the accusation of embezzling state funds or illegal earnings could be lessened. When the investigation commenced, she would have enough time to devise a strategy to help Shin Wang with the questionable expenses or other suspicious issues in the ledgers.

Zhao Chundi furrowed his brows tightly, unsure whether he could trust the Empress Dowager’s words. Only by conducting his own investigation could he find the truth!

"Since the Empress Dowager has finished speaking, please return to the inner palace. The rest of us will continue the discussion with His Majesty. Please..."

Zhao Chundi urged, not wanting her to stay in the throne room any longer. However, the Empress Dowager remained steadfast, not moving an inch.

"Empress Dowager, the inner palace should not interfere with the outer palace. I hope you understand this regulation well," Zhao Chundi said through gritted teeth. Seeing her demeanor, it was likely that the Empress Dowager had no intention of leaving easily.

"Indeed, Ai Jia should not meddle in state affairs. However, Ai Jia is here not as the Empress Dowager but as a witness to vouch for Shin Wang’s innocence," the Empress Dowager stated with a relaxed manner, her eyes momentarily gleaming with cunning.

No matter how much he wanted to chase her away, she wouldn’t go anywhere!

If she left now, who knew how much the enemy would take the opportunity to attack Shin Wang...

While the throne room was caught up in the heated argument between the Empress Dowager’s faction and the virtuous officials, no one noticed the smile that appeared in the Emperor’s eyes. He did not intend to stop either side but simply watched the fierce debate with satisfaction.

These old virtuous officials usually liked to interfere with every decision he made, causing Chen Feng Yue some annoyance. However, these old men also had one quality he appreciated.

Which were their fearlessness and sharp tongues, biting and unyielding like tireless roosters.

This quality was what Chen Feng Yue planned to use to his advantage today. He knew that the Empress Dowager would inevitably appear to aid Shin Wang. As long as these fearless virtuous officials kept arguing, the Empress Dowager would not easily get her way, making it easier for him, as the Emperor, to follow through with his plans.

Plus, he could enjoy watching the intense drama unfold, adding to his amusement...

"Your Majesty, the inner palace should not interfere with the outer palace. This has been a long-standing rule that cannot be changed. The Empress Dowager claims to hold great power in the inner palace and should set an example for everyone. Please, Your Majesty, punish the Empress Dowager for breaking the rules!"

Zhao Chundi knelt and pleaded loudly with the Emperor, his expression more serious than ever before. The other virtuous officials followed suit, kneeling and pleading loudly.

"Your Majesty, please punish the Empress Dowager!"

"Your Majesty, I disagree with Master Zhao," Chancellor Gu, receiving a signal from the Empress Dowager, stepped forward to counter, immediately explaining his reasons.

"It is true that the Empress Dowager broke the rules by interfering with the outer palace. However, according to her statement, she is here as a witness to vouch for Shin Wang’s innocence and merely to explain the truth. She has not interfered with any decision-making or discussion in state affairs. Therefore, I believe the Empress Dowager should not be punished."

"Your Majesty, please consider this!"

Now, Chancellor Gu’s faction and Shin Wang’s faction knelt together, showing their agreement with Chancellor Gu, clearly dividing the throne room into two sides. One side demanded the Empress Dowager be punished, while the other opposed it.

As everyone awaited the Emperor’s decision, Mu Gongzhen, who had been silent for a long time, exchanged a glance with the man on the throne before stepping forward to address the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I believe the most important issue now is deciding on the investigation of Shin Wang. As for whether or not to punish the Empress Dowager, that can depend on her future actions. Currently, she is here only to state facts as a witness for Shin Wang and has not interfered in any discussions. Therefore, the Empress Dowager has not committed the offense of meddling in state affairs."

"...However, once Your Majesty and the officials begin discussing state matters and making decisions, if the Empress Dowager continues to interfere with the decision-making, then she can be punished for meddling with the outer palace. Whether she is guilty or not should only be decided after the discussion on Shin Wang is concluded, Your Majesty."

Mu Gongzhen’s voice was as calm as the surface of steady water, his demeanor and expression as cold as ever. His words were like a splash of cold water on the heads of many, reminding them not to get carried away in their arguments and forget the main issue.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Mu Gongzhen while pondering something. From his speech and demeanor, Mu Gongzhen appeared neutral, neither supporting her punishment nor advocating for her escape. He also brought the main issue back to focus.

His words were quite cleverly spoken...

While the Empress Dowager was suspecting Mu Gongzhen, she did not realize she had almost guessed the truth. His statement aimed to prevent the situation from dragging on further. If the Empress Dowager’s faction and Zhao Chundi’s faction continued arguing, the issue of Shin Wang would be delayed due to the commotion.

Arguments and verbal clashes were acceptable, but they needed to be moderate. Distracted the enemy, the Empress Dowager, slightly to seize the opportunity to bring the main issue back into discussion!

Zhao Chundi, regaining his composure, decided to let the matter of the Empress Dowager rest for now and refocused on the main issue at hand.

"Your Majesty, please issue a decree to strip Shin Wang of all his powers and confine him within the palace until the investigation is completed!"

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly before exchanging a knowing glance with Chancellor Gu, who promptly countered, "Your Majesty, I disagree. We don’t know the facts yet but want to strip Shin Wang of his powers and confine him; then, how his subordinates and the people perceive him? His reputation would be damaged as well."

"If the investigation proves Shin Wang’s innocence, it should be announced publicly, so nobody will have any doubts about him. However, if we do not strip his powers now, it would be like giving him a chance to erase evidence of his alleged crimes. The First Emperor said that even royalty must be punished if they commit a crime, just like commoners!"

Zhao Chundi retorted, unwilling to back down. If an argument was needed, he was ready to spend all day and night debating.

"Master Zhao, mind your words. There hasn’t been a thorough investigation yet. You cannot speak as if Shin Wang is already guilty. After all, Shin Wang was appointed by the late Emperor himself..." the Empress Dowager admonished sharply, her eyes beginning to cloud with rising anger.

Zhao Chundi met the Empress Dowager’s gaze for a moment, choosing not to argue back, knowing that he had inadvertently disrespected Shin Wang with his previous words. As an official, he could not disrespect Shin Wang without proof of guilt.

"Your Majesty, please make a decision,"

"Your Majesty, please consider,"

The officials in the throne room knelt again, pleading with the Emperor as they awaited his decision amidst the tense atmosphere. The Empress Dowager also remained silent, raising her head and meeting the Emperor’s gaze unflinchingly.

Seeing that it was time to end this farce, Chen Feng Yue feigned a troubled expression before announcing his decision to the court.

"This matter puts Zhen in quite a difficult position. To strip Shin Wang of his powers and confine him as Master Zhao suggests seems unkind. Shin Wang has always had an excellent reputation and has done much for the region. To say that the ledgers found indicate Shin Wang’s unappropriated intention...Zhen certainly doesn’t believe that."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately furrowed her brows. The enmity between her and Shin Wang’s faction against the Emperor was well known. Thus, the Emperor’s praise and confidence in Shin Wang made her suspicious and gave her a foreboding feeling.

However, when she heard the next sentence, she pressed her lips tightly, nearly wanting to curse the Emperor outright.

"For this reason, Zhen cannot allow rumors or doubts about Shin Wang to spread, to prove his innocence and prevent malicious people to create the rumors to attack Shin Wang later.”

“Zhen will allow the Investigation Bureau, in conjunction with the Secretariat, to investigate this matter. During the investigation, Shin Wang must return all his powers to the court to prevent any rumor slandering him that he might fabricate evidence to cover his guilts!"

"The Investigation Bureau and the Secretariat must provide Zhen with daily progress reports on the investigation. There must be no mistakes, as this investigation is to confirm Shin Wang’s innocence...Zhen will not allow Shin Wang to be wrongly accused!"

Chen Feng Yue’s words were like a divine decree, his tone decisive and unyielding like nothing could change his mind. His speech displayed his unwavering trust in Shin Wang and his desire to clear his name.

However, the Empress Dowager knew that despite the seemingly sincere words showing the Emperor’s concern and goodwill towards Shin Wang, the hidden intention was to push Shin Wang into the trap that had been dug in advance and seize all his powers back into the Emperor’s own hands.

His Majesty...was indeed a master of deceit! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

His words and demeanor were entirely an act!

[1] Ai Jia (哀家) is a first person pronoun employed by a widowed royal woman.

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