0p0 Chapter 212: Interference in Politics
Chapter 212: Interference in Politics
With the arrival of August, the intense heat of midsummer gradually faded, and the weather began to become pleasant. During the day, the sun was still blazing, but the intensity had subsided considerably compared to earlier times. Golden sunlight poured down upon the earth, draping everything in it with a gentle, warm veil. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, shimmering with tiny specks of light, as if telling the story of summer's end.
At night, a subtle cool breeze can be felt from all directions. A gentle breeze brings a refreshing touch, lifting one's mood. In this tranquil atmosphere, one can also feel the quiet change of seasons and welcome the coming of autumn.
In the Diligent Administration Hall, Yongzheng sat behind his desk, his face solemn as he pointed at the mountain of memorials before him. His voice was low and forceful: "This is the report of the three courts on the case of Prince Dun's treason. He is charged with eight major crimes: contempt for the monarch, betrayal of the late emperor, forming a clique for personal gain, disrupting government affairs, blocking the flow of speech, assaulting ministers, harboring disloyal intentions, and abusing his military prowess. These crimes are truly heinous. I have always treated him with such kindness. He is simply an ungrateful person who can never be tamed."
The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Yongzheng slammed the imperial desk with a slap in his face, and the anger in his eyes seemed to be bursting out.
Zhen Huan stood nearby, grinding ink as she slowly replied, "These are all true, and he wasn't wronged. Now that he's dead, I wonder what the Emperor will do."
Yongzheng narrowed his eyes slightly, gently fiddling with the beads in his left hand, and slowly spoke, "I have ordered the removal of his imperial certificate, stripping him of his royal family status, and burying him with the rites of a commoner. As for his family members..."
Having said this, Yongzheng paused for a moment, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.
Seeing this, Zhen Huan gently advised, "Your Majesty is wise. Although Prince Dun has committed many evil deeds, he now deserves his punishment. As for his family, why don't you be lenient with them?"
Recalling the last time she summoned Prince Dun's wife to address the incident involving Prince Dun's assault on the censor, Zhen Huan felt a sense of having found a soulmate. The dignified and graceful woman sat before her, tears streaming down her face as she softly recounted the loving memories of her past with Prince Dun. Her eyes were filled with longing and memories, and every word was suffused with affection, as if recounting every moment of their shared support over the years. Listening to this deeply moving account, Zhen Huan couldn't help but feel like she had found a soulmate.
Hearing this, Yongzheng stopped what he was doing, slowly raised his eyes, looked at Zhen Huan with deep and sharp eyes, and asked, "Oh, why?"
"Your Majesty, Prince Dun is, after all, the descendant of the Holy Ancestor, your brother. If Your Majesty were to be accused of 'discordant brothers', wouldn't that be more harm than good?" Zhen Huan bowed slightly, her eyes firm and clear. "If Your Majesty forgives his family, it would show that you care about your brotherly love. All these things are due to the heinous nature of Prince Dun's crimes."
Her voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the hall, and every word was filled with well-thought-out wisdom and strategy.
After hearing what Zhen Huan said, Yongzheng raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said approvingly: "What Huan Huan said is very reasonable."
After a brief silence, Yongzheng seemed to have suddenly thought of something. He looked at Zhen Huan again and asked, "Then, in your opinion, how should I handle this matter most appropriately?"
Zhen Huan thought for a moment, then gently opened her rosy lips and replied, "Your Majesty, please grant Hongxuan a title, so that they can live out the rest of their lives in peace and comfort. This will not only demonstrate your majesty's grace, but also prevent others from gossiping and accusing you of neglecting family ties. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"Okay, I will issue an order immediately."
Su Peisheng, who was waiting on the side, had a slight look in his eyes. He went to the side hall and brought tea and snacks. "Your Majesty, please have some tea. The imperial kitchen has sent over a few plates of snacks. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
"Well, bring it up!"
Yongzheng pulled Zhen Huan to sit on the soft couch, picked up a piece of lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, handed it to her, and said with a smile, "You have been with me for so long, you must be hungry, try it!"
This is her favorite cake.
Zhen Huan took it and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After eating a few pieces of cake, Yongzheng continued, "Your father and the people from the Censorate have put in a lot of effort to wipe out Prince Dun's followers this time. He has always been loyal, upright, and incorruptible. I have issued an edict to promote him to the position of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Censorate. Are you satisfied?"
Zhen Huan quickly stood up and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Get up, get up, you're still pregnant!" He stroked Zhen Huan's belly and said, "How have you been these days?"
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "I'm fine. I heard from Sister Mei that she often had restless fetal movements when she was six months old, but I don't feel that way!"
"Well, it shows that this child is sensible and knows how to feel sorry for you."
After Zhen Huan left, Yongzheng looked at the memorials on the table thoughtfully.
Su Peisheng cautiously entered the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, the Mid-Autumn Festival tribute from Zhejiang and Jiangsu has arrived. Please review it."
Yongzheng took it and flipped through it casually: "Pick out some interesting ones and send them to the Sixth Prince, Princess Shuhe, and Princess Wenyi. The rest will be sent to the Imperial Household Department and have Concubine Hui supervise the distribution to the various palaces."
"Yes!"
When he arrived outside the Qinzheng Hall, Su Peisheng straightened his hunched back.
Xiao Xiazi quickly stepped forward, handed him a cup of tea, and asked, "Master, does the Emperor have any errands for you?"
Su Peisheng ignored him and stood in the corridor thinking carefully.
In Xianyue Pavilion.
An Lingrong widened her eyes, which lit up instantly like bright stars. She stared at the box of golden melon seeds shining with golden light. She swallowed unconsciously and her mouth was almost dripping with saliva!
"Sister, what are you doing?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly and replied softly, "Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. This is a reward for the servants below!"
Hearing this, An Lingrong was startled and stood up from her seat with an expression of disbelief on her face. She stammered, "You...you...are you taking this as a reward?"
Shen Meizhuang nodded slightly. "I have just taken over the Six Palaces, and my foundation is not yet stable. If I want the servants to work wholeheartedly, I will naturally have to reward them with a lot of silver. These are all necessary expenses."
An Lingrong nodded after listening to this, but she couldn't help but sigh and smack her lips, "Sister, what you said makes sense, but it's really heartbreaking...tsk tsk tsk tsk..."
"Okay, these are for you, you can use them to reward others!" Shen Meizhuang took out another box and pushed it in front of An Lingrong.
An Lingrong's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the pile of golden sunflower seeds. She reached out impatiently, grabbed a handful, and held it tightly, feeling the weight and texture of the seeds. Then, she slowly released her fingers. There was a crackling sound, and the seeds fell like raindrops, colliding with the seeds in the box, creating a series of crisp, melodious sounds.
"Wow! There's probably no more beautiful sound in the world! I can't bear to give them away to others. I want to keep them and listen to this wonderful sound every day." An Lingrong smiled excitedly, her face filled with satisfaction and happiness.
Seeing her money-obsessed look, Shen Meizhuang laughed out loud and asked, "You don't like antiques, calligraphy and paintings, jewelry, jade, hairpins and rings, and jewelry, so why do you only like gold?"
"Sister, this is gold!"
She couldn't appreciate antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and she was used to seeing fake jewelry and jade in her previous life, so she had no feelings for them anymore. Hairpins and rings were too cumbersome, and how could they compare to these golden things in terms of beauty!
"You shouldn't be short of money now, so why are you still so obsessed with money?" Shen Meizhuang's tone was full of doting.
"Who would complain about having too much money?" An Lingrong's answer was straightforward.
"You!" Shen Meizhuang shook her head helplessly, but her eyes were full of tenderness and love.