The Emperor coldly snorted and interrupted, "After over a decade of diligent study, you've developed a heart of stone? There's no need to say more. This judgment is already considering the difficulty of your studies."
Wei Mingze wanted to argue further, but two Imperial Guards stepped forward and dragged him out.
Madam Zhao and Wei Tian also wanted to plead for mercy, but before they could speak, they were also dragged out.
Before leaving, Wei Mingze cast a pleading gaze towards Duan Zhenzhu.
Duan Zhenzhu lowered her eyes, not even lifting her head.
Birds of a feather flock together, but when disaster strikes, they fly apart. Besides, they weren't even married, and she was in no position to help herself.
The Emperor quickly passed judgment on the Duan family father and daughter.
"Duan Gehong is incompetent in raising his daughter and indulged his family in abusing their power. He is dismissed from his position as Minister of War and demoted to Director of the Ministry of War. He will be fined one year's salary and must immediately step down to reflect."
"Duan Zhenzhu, your engagement to Wei Mingze is canceled. You are to copy the 'Nu Jie' a thousand times. You unleashed your dog to injure someone; although no serious injuries were sustained, you must compensate Su Xiuer one hundred taels for her child's medicinal expenses and personally visit her to apologize."
Duan Zhenzhu stiffened all over. Like Wei Mingze, she was willing to bear all the blame, but she absolutely refused to apologize to Su Xiuer.
Su Xiuer, a lowly commoner, wasn't even worthy of licking her shoes, let alone deserving of her apology!
Duan Zhenzhu's chest filled with anger. Just as she was about to make another move, she was stopped by a sharp glare from Duan Gehong.
Duan Gehong was the first to accept the decree and express his gratitude.
Although being demoted was difficult to accept, it hadn't fundamentally harmed him. This was the best outcome under the circumstances.
When it was Yang Daji and Fang Qing's turn, the Emperor also issued their respective punishments.
"Yang Daji, although you did not succeed in your actions under someone's instigation, you will receive ten board beatings and a fine of five taels to compensate Su Xiuer. Fang Qing, as an accomplice, will receive fifteen board beatings and be released to go home."
Although the Emperor's punishments seemed lenient, each one struck at the core of their offenses.
Wei Mingze lost his academic achievements, Duan Gehong lost his power and influence, Duan Zhenzhu lost her engagement and had to bow her head to apologize to the commoner she despised most, and Madam Zhao and her son were exiled.
Only Su Xiuer truly received justice.
Su Xiuer knelt on the ground, listening to the satisfying verdict, her heart at ease.
She felt the Emperor on the Dragon Throne was increasingly wise and mighty. Her earlier cry of "Mother" hadn't been in vain.
She kowtowed three times, her voice sincere and clear, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise!"
By this time, everyone in the hall had dispersed, leaving only Su Xiuer still kneeling.
The Emperor leaned forward slightly, meeting Su Xiuer's bright eyes. With an unreadable expression, he let out a cold snort.
"Su Xiuer, it seems your body is exceptionally resilient. To still have such a loud voice after receiving sixty board beatings."
Su Xiuer's body flinched. She secretly reviewed herself, feeling she hadn't gotten carried away and revealed anything.
The Emperor's words were either a bluff, or he already knew someone had gone easy on her.
But no matter which it was, as long as he didn't directly state it, she would play dumb.
Su Xiuer continued to kneel, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. My mother and I butcher pigs daily at home. I am a bit stronger than ordinary people and healthier than average."
The Emperor thought of the confessions from Yang Daji, Fang Qing, and Duan Zhenzhu just now and couldn't help but laugh.
To be able to break someone's ribs, lift them up and slam them to the ground, and disembowel a vicious dog – that was described as being only a little stronger than ordinary people and healthier than average?
This young lady, seemingly carefree, was actually watertight. Her skill at playing dumb was quite amusing.
A sudden inspiration struck the Emperor. He remembered the moment Su Xiuer was kneeling outside the hall, and he had a fleeting vision of his Eldest Princess. He couldn't help but ask, "Who else is in your family?"
Su Xiuer blinked, unable to understand why the Emperor would suddenly inquire about her family.
However, she had lived in Taolin Village since birth and had nothing that the Emperor could scheme for.
Perhaps the Emperor was seeing commoners from remote areas for the first time and wanted to understand their situation?
Su Xiuer carefully considered and answered truthfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have my widowed mother and my four-year-old adopted son at home."
The Emperor said, "To give birth to such an excellent daughter, your mother must also be very accomplished."
Su Xiuer thought carefully about her mother's actions and almost laughed.
Drinking, fishing, growing flowers, and bragging.
That had nothing to do with being accomplished.
Nevertheless, it was not easy for her mother to raise her alone.
Su Xiuer's kneeling posture unconsciously straightened slightly, and her voice became clearer than before.
"In my heart, my mother is indeed excellent. She leaves home before dawn to work and returns late at night. She endured hardships to raise me, managed the household frugally, and never bought herself new clothes all year round. I swear I will ensure she lives a good life."
A hint of sadness flashed across the Emperor's face.
Managed the household frugally, and couldn't bear to buy herself new clothes!
This style was not like his Eldest Princess at all. His Eldest Princess was pampered and lazy.
If it weren't for supporting him, she would have long ago retired to a life of leisure.
The Emperor suddenly felt rather foolish, perhaps he was truly missing his Eldest Princess so much that he was seeing connections to her in everyone he met.
Besides, his Eldest Princess had never even been married, so how could she be a widow? And that person was still alive and well.
The Emperor said to Su Xiuer with disinterest, "Su Xiuer, your grievances have been cleared today. Return home and live a peaceful life. If anyone bullies you in the future, you may seek help from the authorities with today's testimony."
The Emperor rose and left, his figure appearing exceptionally lonely.
Su Xiuer pursed her lips, her gaze involuntarily following the Emperor's steps.
For some reason, seeing the Emperor's loneliness, she felt a desire to comfort him.
She actually felt pity for the Emperor and found him approachable.
Perhaps she was truly going mad.
"Miss Su, congratulations on clearing your name. I will escort you out of the palace now." Zhou Chang appeared like a ghost, silently arriving beside Su Xiuer.
Su Xiuer turned her head to meet Zhou Chang's stern face and pretended to be weak, nodding, "Thank you... Hiss... Ouch..."
Zhou Chang also nodded slightly at Su Xiuer, scanning her from head to toe. He felt Su Xiuer was acting quite convincingly.
Whether Su Xiuer was injured or not, perhaps no one knew better than him.
Escorting a common farmer's wife, who held no official rank, out of the palace was not usually Zhou Chang's concern. However, remembering the personal instructions from the Princess Manor, he couldn't help but want to look after her.
"Miss, there's no need for politeness."
Zhou Chang signaled two young eunuchs to lift Su Xiuer onto a stretcher and personally accompanied her to the palace gates.
Along the way, Su Xiuer began to cry out again, maintaining her act from beginning to end.
On the tree-lined path, Chun Tao was closely observing everything. Seeing Su Xiuer emerge safely from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing Su Xiuer's unique cries, a smile involuntarily spread across her face, which rarely showed emotion.
"This child's personality is truly unique and clever. Watching her now, she seems like someone trained by Your Highness."
Chun Tao shook her head. Thinking of the clue from the Eldest Princess, she became impatient.
She had already taken her leave from the Empress Dowager. Fearing the Emperor's spies were everywhere in the Imperial Palace, she decided to leave first and wait for Su Xiuer at the palace gates.
Meanwhile, Su Jinghan had also been keeping a close watch on Su Xiuer. His position was closer to the Hall of Supreme Harmony than Chun Tao's, so he was the only one who heard the Emperor's conversation with Su Xiuer.
Su Jinghan poked his chin with his White Jade Bone Fan, pondered for a moment, and then walked towards Su Xiuer.
"First Prince!" Zhou Chang bowed and stepped aside. Two young eunuchs lowered the stretcher and knelt to greet Su Jinghan.
Su Xiuer lay on the stretcher, her clear eyes looking up at Su Jinghan. She then feigned panic, trying to get up to bow, but appearing unable to due to pain.
"Ouch... Hiss... Greetings, First Prince."
"Ha!" Su Jinghan looked at Su Xiuer's affected demeanor and suddenly burst into laughter.
He bent down, using his White Jade Bone Fan to prop up the stretcher, and carefully examined Su Xiuer's face.
Willow-leaf eyebrows, large clear eyes, a delicate and small aquiline nose, and naturally alluring lips. To make her act more convincing, her black hair, splashed with water, was still half-dry. She was truly a natural beauty, needing no adornment.
Something Su Jinghan hadn't understood before suddenly became clear.
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