Don’t Argue with Logic—Play the Victim!
Qiao Shi quickly grasped the situation. The Emperor intended to suppress the Weiyuan Marquis Estate because, twenty years ago, three generations of the Marquis Weiyuan’s family had donned armor together. With three generals from one household guarding Xiongguan, their military achievements were illustrious, and their prestige shook the realm. Compared to the Emperor on the throne, the common people had greater faith in the Weiyuan Marquis Estate to safeguard the stability of the nation and protect their peaceful lives.
Thus, what the Emperor feared was the Marquis Estate’s military accomplishments, not the conduct of the women in the inner quarters.
Soon, the Huimin Princess’s Phoenix Carriage arrived at the palace gates. She presented her token to request an audience with the Emperor and also sent a name card to summon the Imperial Physician.
Jiang Xianian was awakened by the chorus of voices paying homage to the Emperor. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the opulent and magnificent decorations of the hall and quickly realized she was already inside the palace.
After the courtesies were completed, the Emperor’s voice sounded weary as he said, “I have yet to fully understand this matter. Who can explain it to me clearly?”
Zheng Shi sobbed and was about to speak when the Huimin Princess interjected, “Your Majesty, I am quite familiar with this matter. Allow me to recount it to you.”
The Emperor nodded. “Very well, Sister, proceed.”
Thereupon, the Huimin Princess narrated the entire sequence of events: how Wang Xingyun of the Guogong residence schemed to lure Jiang Qiaonian to the back hills of White Horse Temple but failed, then devised another plan to drug the vegetarian food in an attempt to incapacitate and assault her in her room. However, the vigilant Qiao Shi and her daughters turned the tables on him.
“Although I did not witness these events myself, I apprehended two monks from the temple who assisted Wang Xingyun, a bribed maid from the Weiyuan Marquis Estate, and Wang Xingyun’s personal servant. After interrogating them separately, I arrived at this conclusion. These individuals are still detained. If Your Majesty has any doubts, you may summon them for further questioning,” the Huimin Princess added.
As soon as the Huimin Princess finished speaking, Qiao Shi immediately pulled Jiang Qiaonian down to kneel and pleaded, “Your Majesty, please grant justice to your subject’s wife/daughter!”
The Emperor looked at the mother and daughter with disbelief. These seemingly delicate and frail women had actually managed to inflict such a heavy loss on Wang Xingyun. Truly, one should not judge by appearances.
Overhearing the Emperor’s thoughts, Jiang Xianian snorted proudly: [The Emperor underestimates my mother. She’s extremely protective of her cubs! Anyone who dares to mess with us, she goes straight into berserk mode!]
Qiao Shi: …
This “berserk mode” didn’t sound like a compliment.
The Huimin Princess nearly laughed aloud. When she first saw Wang Xingyun’s miserable state, she had been equally stunned.
Jiang Yucheng also knelt and implored, “Your Majesty, please grant justice to my humble wife and daughter!”
Zheng Shi immediately protested. Though she dared not be too unrestrained in the Emperor’s presence, she wept as if her heart were breaking: “Your Majesty, please grant justice to my son! Although my son Wang Xingyun can be somewhat unruly, he is a filial and kind-hearted child. These two vicious women have harmed him so grievously! I beg Your Majesty to punish them severely and restore my son’s honor!”
Zheng Shi’s pleas were melodramatic, her tone as theatrical as an opera performance, making listeners’ skin crawl.
Jiang Xianian couldn’t resist commenting: [She’s a Guogong Furen, yet she speaks like she’s performing in an opera? Is she trying to win the Emperor’s sympathy and favor by playing the vulnerable woman? But she’s already a grandmother—using the same tactics as a young girl is hardly appropriate, is it? A delicate white flower might evoke men’s pity, but an old white flower only disgusts them!]
Huimin Princess, Qiao Shi, Jiang Yucheng, and the others couldn’t help but feel a chill run down their spines.
Moreover, compared to her previously overbearing attitude, her current pitiful appearance seemed utterly contrived.
Before the Emperor could respond, a eunuch announced: “Your Majesty, Duke Anguo and Marquis Weiyuan request an audience outside!”
The Emperor’s frown deepened. With these two involved, matters would become even more complicated, but he had no grounds to refuse them entry and could only permit them inside.
After Duke Anguo and the Old Marquis entered, the Emperor ignored Zheng Shi and Qiao Shi’s group, directly asking the two men: “Are you both aware of the full context of this matter?”
Duke Anguo and the Old Marquis affirmed in unison.
“What are your views on this, my ministers?”
Jiang Xianian felt exasperated: [Is this Emperor out of his mind? The parties involved have already stated their positions, yet he goes and asks the men of the family? Is he trying to gloss things over?]
Huimin Princess thought Jiang Xianian’s criticism was quite justified. She had already explained the entire matter clearly—why would the Emperor need to consult two seasoned bureaucrats? It must be because he inherently looked down upon women.
Hearing his granddaughter’s familiar voice, the Old Marquis immediately tensed. He hadn’t expected his eldest son to bring her before the Emperor.
They still hadn’t figured out why the Twelfth Prince could hear his little granddaughter’s inner thoughts—what if all members of the imperial family could hear them?
The Old Marquis discreetly glanced at the Emperor’s expression and, seeing no reaction, felt slightly relieved, though he couldn’t help cursing his eldest son again in his heart.
While the Old Marquis’s mind raced, Duke Anguo seized the initiative, feigning grief as he said: “Your Majesty, this matter… this old subject is ashamed to speak of it. But Xingyun is the youngest son of this old subject and my wife, and we have always doted on him. His nature is gentle and naive. To suddenly face such a calamity… this old subject… this old subject…”
Jiang Xianian scoffed inwardly: [This guy is quite the actor—I’ve never seen you discipline him much before! But you have to admit, this Duke Anguo knows how to manipulate the Emperor’s sympathies. He knows the Emperor favors the underdog, so he’s putting on this pitiful act. He looks genuinely distressed, but in reality, he’s scheming how to use this to attack and undermine my grandfather! Oh no, my grandfather isn’t nearly as cunning—he only wants to reason things out. The Emperor has been busy with state affairs all day; who has the patience for lofty principles? I’m afraid we’re going to lose out this time.]
Jiang Xianian’s words struck a chord in the Old Marquis’s heart, as if clearing away some of the fog before his eyes.
In a flash of insight, the Old Marquis immediately abandoned his prepared statement about “first hearing what the Imperial Physician has to say.” Instead, he wiped his eyes with his sleeve, putting on an expression of extreme anguish: “Your Majesty, have pity. This old subject’s eldest granddaughter has suffered a tragic fate. Her birth mother passed away shortly after she was born. Fortunately, my eldest daughter-in-law is kind-hearted and compassionate, taking her in to raise and educate her personally. After more than a decade of meticulous care, she has grown into the fine young lady she is today…”
At this, not only the Emperor and Duke Anguo but even Jiang Yucheng and the others looked at the Old Marquis in surprise.
The Old Marquis, coming from a military background, had always been straightforward and resolute in character, insisting on strength and dignity in both speech and action. He had never been one to show weakness or yield. Who would have thought that today he would resort to such a pitiful display?
Listening to the Old Marquis’s words, the Emperor glanced twice at Jiang Qiaonian standing quietly behind Qiao Shi. He hadn’t expected this girl to be born of a concubine? It was truly surprising that Qiao Shi would go to such lengths for a daughter not her own.
Duke Anguo felt as if a ball of cotton were stuck in his chest. He never imagined that today’s Marquis Weiyuan wouldn’t respond according to his planned script. Playing the victim and feigning misery, he actually appeared more genuine than himself!
After a moment of surprise, Jiang Xianian immediately cheered for her grandfather inwardly: [Grandfather reacted so quickly, actually grasping that we should play the victim! Fortunately, he didn’t try to reason with the Emperor – reasoning would mean trying to prove our innocence, and proving innocence means being led by the nose by others. Of course we shouldn’t follow others’ expectations, otherwise we’d always be trapped in their schemes.]
Having finished playing the victim, the Old Marquis noticed the Emperor’s unusually thoughtful expression and immediately agreed with his young granddaughter’s perspective.
In the past, he had been somewhat rigid in his thinking, which was why he had repeatedly suffered losses at the hands of that villain Duke Anguo.
Thus, the two senior officials competed in playing the victim before the Emperor, leaving His Majesty quite troubled.
Fortunately, the arrival of the Imperial Physician interrupted their performance.
The Imperial Physician carefully chose his words: “Young Master Wang’s injury will require some time to treat.”
Zheng Shi asked emotionally: “Physician, you can definitely cure my son’s injury, right? Give me your guarantee that you can heal him!”
Duke Anguo immediately scolded: “Silence! How dare you be so presumptuous before His Majesty!”
Turning around, Duke Anguo immediately assumed the appearance of defending his wife: “Your humble servant’s wife is overwhelmed with worry, leading to this breach of etiquette before Your Majesty. I beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Jiang Xianian curled her lips slightly. This Duke Anguo was indeed cold-blooded – facing his son’s injury, what concerned him most was actually how to use this situation to gain the Emperor’s sympathy and strengthen his own position.
Princess Huimin spoke up at just the right moment: “Guogong Furen, don’t make things difficult for the Imperial Physician. The physician has been entrusted with this important task by His Majesty and will naturally do his utmost. But matters of injury and pain are not something he can guarantee.”
Princess Huimin was subtly reminding the Emperor that Zheng Shi actually dared to demand guarantees from the Imperial Physician – this request was excessively arrogant and unreasonable. Zheng Shi’s unreasonable behavior showed how arrogant and unreasonable the Anguo Duke Residence usually was.
As for how much the Emperor would comprehend, Princess Huimin couldn’t be sure.
Seeing the Imperial Physician looking rather embarrassed under Zheng Shi’s pestering, the Emperor had no choice but to finally speak: “Since Wang Xingyun’s condition remains uncertain, it’s inappropriate to draw conclusions about this matter. Let’s end here for today. Qiao Shi and the eldest daughter of the Jiang family shall be confined to their residence, awaiting the outcome of this matter before further disposition!”
Duke Anguo and Zheng Shi were both very dissatisfied that the Emperor hadn’t punished the Weiyuan Marquis Estate, merely confining Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian to their residence. However, they didn’t dare disobey the imperial command and could only reluctantly accept the decree with great displeasure.
The Weiyuan Marquis Estate party all felt relieved – they had managed to escape this crisis unscathed.
After expressing gratitude for the imperial grace, the Emperor dismissed everyone from the hall.
Not long after the people from the Anguo Duke Residence and Weiyuan Marquis Estate had left, just as the Emperor was beginning to enjoy some quiet, he heard a voice shouting from the distance: “Is my sister here? Where’s my sister? Is my sister still with Father Emperor?”
Before long, after the eunuch announced their arrival, the Crown Prince entered the main hall holding the Twelfth Prince’s hand. The Twelfth Prince hastily paid his respects and then eagerly asked, “Father, where is the little sister from the Jiang family?”
Upon hearing that his sister had entered the palace, Xiao Bingxi was so excited that he immediately sought out his elder brother, the Crown Prince, to accompany him to see the Emperor.
The Emperor thought for a long while and, with the eunuch’s reminder, vaguely recalled that the Weiyuan Marquis Estate had indeed brought along an infant earlier. What kind of little sister could make his sons so concerned? He had forgotten to take a proper look at her—what exactly was so special about her?