Сhарtеr 14: Dеаling with Lin Zhао
Just as Cui Jin had аntiсipatеd.
The nехt mоrning during соurt, thе Impеriаl Сensоr-in-Chiеf opеnlу impеaсhеd Хiaо Lin fоr allоwing his соnсubinе tо fаlselу aссuse the Princеss Cоnsort аnd fоr tаmрering with an imрerial gift.
Uроn hеаring this, Xiаo Lin’s еxprеssiоn shiftеd slightlу.
Вut aftеr obtaining Emреrоr Yоnglоng’s permission, thе Imреrial Сensоr-in-Chief hаd аlrеаdy summonеd thе witnesses fоrward.
Onе wаs thе imрeriаl рhysician who had witnessed Lin Zhаo’s “sеlf-dirесtеd рerfоrmance” thаt daу, and thе othеr three were a well-dressed family—the parents and elder brother of Lin Zhao’s personal maid, Qiuming.
“Imperial Physician An personally witnessed how Secondary Consort Lin took poison to falsely accuse the Princess Consort and tampered with the imperial gift of the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus. Qiuming’s family can also corroborate—Qiuming had mentioned to them how the secondary consort framed the Princess Consort, waiting for the matter to succeed so that the Princess Consort would be punished before His Majesty, after which they were ordered to spread rumors about the Princess Consort’s improper conduct.”
The witnesses were all present, but physical evidence was lacking.
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief bowed and requested Emperor Yonglong to search Prince Xin’s manor to find the evidence.
“No need.”
Xiao Lin lifted the hem of his robe and knelt to plead guilty: “Recently, due to the Princess Consort’s entry into the manor, the secondary consort felt uneasy and momentarily strayed onto a wrong path… Fortunately, the truth was uncovered early, and the Princess Consort was not wrongfully accused. I did not wish to disturb Your Majesty’s peace with family matters, so I punished the secondary consort and suppressed the matter.”
He paused, then said solemnly: “The secondary consort once saved my life, and she did not know that the snow lotus was an imperial gift. Moreover, the Princess Consort is unwilling to pursue the matter further. I was momentarily confused… I beg Your Majesty to punish me!”
Emperor Yonglong’s expression darkened, and he remained silent for a moment.
Prince Jin chuckled: “With Fourth Imperial Brother protecting her, the secondary consort remains unscathed even after tampering with an imperial gift. It’s just a pity for the Princess Consort, who was falsely accused and nearly had her reputation ruined, yet must swallow her grievances and forgive the culprit.”
Scholar Meng immediately added: “I’ve heard a saying among the common people—‘Rather believe the tears of an outsider than the suffering of the lawful wife’… Perhaps Prince Xin is just like that.”
The factions of Prince Jin and Xiao Lin began to argue, which only angered Father Cui, who was present in the hall.
No matter how much he disliked Cui Jin, she was still a daughter of the Cui family. For Xiao Lin to treat her so disrespectfully was nothing short of a slap in his face.
He snorted inwardly, putting on a worried expression as if concerned for his daughter, seemingly forgetting to plead for Xiao Lin.
Xiao Lin lowered his head, his tone earnest and remorseful: “This matter was indeed my oversight, and I have wronged the Princess Consort. I will certainly make amends, and I also beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
Emperor Yonglong’s expression remained cold.
He had just instructed Xiao Lin to treat the Princess Consort well, and now Xiao Lin had turned around and disrespected him, even causing a scene in the imperial court and bringing shame to the Cui and Xie families… All of this for the sake of a woman?
Just as he was about to announce his decision, Prince Jin suddenly exclaimed in surprise: “Look at this family—they have no manners, yet their clothing and accessories are all of the finest quality. Could it be that Fourth Imperial Brother bestowed these upon them?”
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief said: “I was just about to report this matter. Qiuming’s family, relying on the support of the Prince’s Manor’s secondary consort, seized fertile land and oppressed the common people. I have already gathered both witnesses and evidence for this case.”
Xiao Lin clenched his fists slightly and hurriedly pleaded guilty once more.
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief was upright and would not falsely accuse anyone… This matter was true.
…How many things had Lin Zhao done behind his back that he didn’t know about?!
Emperor Yonglong’s eyes turned cold. After dealing with Qiuming’s family, he immediately declared: “Secondary Consort Lin Zhao, with her unworthy character and disregard for propriety, shall receive thirty strokes of the cane, be removed from the imperial jade register, and be ordered to copy the ‘Great Zhou Laws’ one hundred times!”
Xiao Lin instinctively spoke up: “Father—”
“Anyone who dares to plead for her shall be punished as an accomplice.”Emperor Yonglong said coldly, “You have indulged the Lin woman to disregard superiors and the law, just as I have indulged you to lose all sense of propriety!”
Xiao Lin’s heart skipped a beat.
The implication… Could it be that his father already harbored disappointment in him?
At the thought of this possibility, his heart sank.
…
Before Xiao Lin had even left court, the eunuch delivering the imperial decree arrived at Prince Xin’s Manor.
Cui Jin and Lin Zhao went to the main hall to receive the decree.
Seeing such a scene, Lin Zhao frowned slightly.
The moment Qiu Wen was taken away, she had a bad premonition… but she thought it wouldn’t implicate her.
Yet after the eunuch finished reading the decree, her expression changed drastically.
“Impossible!” she declared firmly, “I have shed blood for Great Zhou, repelled enemies for the nation and its people, and once protected the border people safe and sound. My father remembers my merits, he would not punish me like this!”
The eunuch nearly laughed.
He was from the imperial presence and a distant relative of the Noble Consort, never highly regarded. Being sent to deliver the decree today, it was clear Emperor Yonglong intended to reprimand Xiao Lin.
With no reservations in mind, his words were cutting: “The border people were safe because Prince Xin and the defending generals protected them effectively. The Secondary Consort merely offered a few strategies, and you already used those merits to request the position of Secondary Consort. How shameless must you be to claim credit for it again?”
“As for shedding blood for Great Zhou… that was for Prince Xin. If you think giving yourself to him doesn’t count as a favor, then go ask Prince Xin for repayment. Don’t try to extort our Great Zhou court and its people!”
Lin Zhao clenched her teeth, her face alternating between green and pale.
Being mocked like this in front of Cui Jin made the humiliation rise to her face, her chest heaving rapidly.
Soon, she was forcibly pressed onto a long board and publicly punished.
Thud after heavy thud of the board sounded, the pain causing cold sweat to bead on her forehead. She gritted her teeth to keep from crying out.
Since arriving in the capital, she had enjoyed nothing but glory and admiration, never before experiencing such utter loss of face!
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the thirty strikes were finally finished.
The eunuch smiled and glanced at Lin Zhao’s deathly pale face: “The Secondary Consort is highly skilled in martial arts, capable of holding off ten on the battlefield. How did thirty strikes nearly take half your life? I wonder how you endured that hundred military canes back when you delayed military intelligence?”
Lin Zhao’s expression shifted slightly.
It was Xiao Lin who secretly took the punishment for her, but this must never be known in the palace!
At this moment, the eunuch respectfully addressed Cui Jin: “His Majesty knows the Princess Consort has suffered grievances and has specially bestowed many items to soothe your shock.”
Cui Jin gratefully thanked the grace: “Thank you, Father, for the rewards.”
The eunuch’s eyes flickered, then he bid farewell.
Before leaving, he said meaningfully: “There are degrees of respect. Only the properly wedded Princess Consort may respectfully address His Majesty as ‘Father.’ The Secondary Consort, after all, comes from humble origins and lacks greatly in propriety.”
Lin Zhao clenched her fists tightly, her face dark with stormy clouds.
She hated most when others mentioned her lowly background!
Before being carried away by Qiu Wen’s order, she suddenly looked at Cui Jin, her eyes as if wanting to devour her: “All you know is how to borrow authority from others, but you underestimate the bond forged through hardship between the Prince and me… The worse I suffer today, the more he will pity me. You want to climb into bed and gain favor? Try again in your next life!”
What does it matter if my name is removed from the imperial jade records?
Once I build my reputation, once Xiao Lin advances further… I, Lin Zhao, will still be the general-empress who mothers the realm!
Cui Jin sighed: “The Secondary Consort truly speaks nonsense. How could I influence court affairs? You were punished today because you indeed committed wrongdoing.”
Lin Zhao frowned slightly, suspicion stirring in her heart.Cui Jin, a woman bound by feudal norms, likely lacked the ability to influence court affairs.
So who was plotting against her?
Upon returning to the Pearl Jade Courtyard, her face had already turned deathly pale from the pain, yet she still remembered to instruct Qiu Wen, “If the Prince returns to the estate, summon him immediately!”
Qiu Wen wiped away her tears and hurriedly agreed, personally waiting at the estate gate for Xiao Lin.
From afar, she saw him step down from the carriage, his expression grim, and her heart leaped with joy.
The Prince must have learned about the Secondary Consort’s punishment and was worried!
If he were to find out that Cui Jin had also taken advantage of her misfortune…