Chapter 247: Clear Day Chapter 224: Please Re-try

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Shaowei

Liu Qi

At first, not many ministers focused their attention on the words of this brand-new heir apparent, taking it as a routine memorial presentation.

Entering the winter month, yang qi sank below and yin qi rose above to close and solidify; charcoal basins burned inside the great hall, and the ministers knelt in order. Amidst the rising heat, some officials were still recalling the matters just discussed—

The Yellow River flood control matters were advancing in order; the feudal lords joining forces to attack Liang might soon bring victory news to the capital; the various princes and marquises were leaving the capital one after another, and the Crown Prince Rui's remnants were being thoroughly investigated and purged, no longer able to stir up great storms.

There was also the matter of Nan Yue; the Emperor rejected the proposal for large-scale conquest, temporarily focusing on political pacification measures, and had already sent an imperial messenger to offer amnesty—this almost brought tears to the eyes of Advice Daifu Shaoyan, who believed that the memorial that had "accidentally" fallen before the Witch God's eyes that day had taken effect again, and thus secretly resolved to cultivate this "evil technique" to the end.

And from this could also be seen that, since the autumn hunt, the current Emperor, who years ago had been determined to exterminate the Xiongnu, finally had an attitude shift toward pausing military killings and letting the nation rest and recuperate.

Many officials clearly felt that the autumn hunt was like a special node, like the bleeding after a large excision of rotten flesh, and after that, many falling things began to show an upward trend in forced replacement, except that the Emperor's body still showed no improvement...

In any case, this year they could probably spend New Year's Day in peace, warming themselves by the charcoal basin; some officials' attention wandered, thinking about what New Year's goods and wine to prepare.

The minds of all were unusually relaxed, and without guard, upon hearing the words of this brand-new heir apparent's memorial request, it suddenly exploded like thunder out of season:

"Reporting to Imperial Uncle, recently the Brocade-Clad Guards interrogated the rebel Guo Shi, and unexpectedly learned from his mouth that there are unclear doubts in both the past Witchcraft Rebellion case of Deposed Crown Prince Liu Gu and the Ling Ke treason case—"

Countless gazes were shaken by this sudden thunderclap, and in an instant all shot toward the source, but saw that person unmoved, his voice solemn and clear: "If these two cases have grievances, then it is treacherous villains deliberately obscuring the heavenly hearing, causing my Imperial Family to bear the pain of flesh and blood devouring each other, causing my court to suffer the humiliation of the loyal and good being wronged. Not only does it shake the foundation of the state, but it also makes the land and grain suffer dust—"

"Therefore, your child minister dares to beg Imperial Uncle to issue an edict to re-investigate these two cases, clear away the treacherous and evil, cleanse the mist, to correct sight and hearing, and also to manifest Imperial Uncle's sagely brightness and benevolent virtue!" Liu Qi bowed and kowtowed, his distinctively jointed hands pressed against the cold gold bricks, the crown's hanging pearls on his head falling and trembling with it.

The Emperor's crown was also trembling, as if the king's stiff body was shaking, or as if heaven and earth were shaking.

The officials reacted, all withdrawing their shocked gazes, lowering them, looking at the ground before them; the dark-blue gold bricks were like the ice surface of the Abyss, suddenly chiseled with cracks by this thunderclap, the closed and solidified yin qi began to run wild, as if dead souls wanted to crawl out from the cracks.

No one dared to look directly at that astonishing heir apparent anymore, except the Son of Heaven at the head seat.

Though it could not be said to be very surprising, though he had long expected it in his heart, yet, the new heir apparent's robes were so impatient...

As if all the endurance of humiliation and bearing of burdens, life and death, schemes and calculations, finally put on this robe, was just for this moment.

The white jade pearl swayed before his eyes; the Emperor blankly recalled his own wavering all along the way—after Liu Fu died, after the Great Sacrifice of Drunk Gold, his wavering grew heavier, and he had once held a compromise idea: since things had come to this, perhaps he could fulfill this child's wish to re-investigate his mother and brother's old case; of course, this absolutely did not include the Ling Ke treason case with ironclad evidence beforehand... and use this as an exchange, trying to let this sharp son assist Liu Cheng.

So his words began to reveal wavering hints, letting this son propose "the rewards he wanted" to him; this child at that time said, at the latest considering until the autumn hunt ended, and now the autumn hunt had ended...

He finally saw clearly that this son of his, from beginning to end, wanted not the wavering he bestowed, but his having no other choice.

Shanglin Park saving the carriage with his body—not only saving the carriage, but also initiating the change, seizing from the change—forcing him to make a greater, no-other-choice exchange!

The Emperor looked at that kneeling figure; his eyes trembled along with the hanging pearls—in the bloody struggle of Shanglin Park, who was the true usurper of power: the dead patricidal rebel son, or the surviving carriage-saving filial son?

This matter had not been discussed privately with him, this Imperial Uncle father, nor had any explanation been made for that silent attitude shift... only the weak and subordinate need to constantly explain and persuade.

And this filial son known to all the world, the heir apparent chosen by Heaven's Mandate, at this moment in the silent Golden Hall, said again: "Your child minister Liu Qi, kowtows to Your Majesty! Issue an edict to re-try Deposed Crown Prince Gu's witchcraft rebellion case and Ling Ke's treason with the Xiongnu case!"

In an instant, the cracks on the invisible ice surface of the Abyss expanded again, then spread and branched: "When these two cases first showed signs, they triggered blood changes; all involved never had a chance to speak in their own defense, so there is likely indeed something not fully investigated... Therefore, over these years, within the palace and throughout the four seas, there have been private whispers speculating about the truth—now that doubts have appeared, your minister Zhuang Yuanzhi also begs Your Majesty to issue an edict to re-try these two cases, to cut off the people's doubts!"

After Zhuang Yuanzhi finished speaking, he kowtowed heavily.

After the old enemy died, that blade of political disagreement scattered like a stroke on the character "enemy"; the enemy lost that stroke, but became a regrettable old friend.

Moreover, the old friend's son had become the current ruler; as subjects, we should naturally speak for the ruler, voice this old grievance, and resolve this heart-knot.

Zhuang Yuanzhi's agreement awakened the ministers; as voices grew noisy, a figure at the very front had already lowered himself: "These two cases concern the foundation of the state; since Guo Shi has confessed, they cannot be avoided; your minister Yan Mian—also begs the Son of Heaven to issue an edict to re-try!"

The Xiang Gong's request carried great significance; immediately, officials who had recovered followed with kowtows.

"Beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to re-try these two cases of the Ling family!"

"Your ministers beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to re-try these two cases of the Ling family!"

"......"

More and more people kowtowed, either to follow the new heir apparent, or because the long-hidden grievance in their hearts finally had a chance to see the light of day.

The charcoal basin's fire sparks crackled like cracking ice; one kowtow after another made the cracks on the invisible ice surface more and more numerous, larger and larger; cracks wound, intertwined, surged; the ice surface shattered, turning into countless ice mirrors, each reflecting the old face of a dead soul, everywhere, unavoidable.

Winter official robes were dark; the officials lowering their figures hid their faces, like shadows drilling out of cracks; the Emperor saw this in his eyes; the white jade hanging pearls before him swayed more intensely; he struggled to steady his body, slowly looking toward outside the hall; beyond the hall where only one door was open, the sky was overcast, the north wind howled, and a snowflake drifted down slowly; that snowflake seemed like the remnant of that day's great snow, infinitely enlarged in the Emperor's eyes, burning out a tear, smashing out endless echoes.

A tear fell, indescribably mixed in emotion; the tense shoulders lowered with it; the Emperor trembled and closed his eyes; the voice floating back and forth in his throat finally hoarsely landed:

"Transmit my edict... effective immediately, re-try Deposed Crown Prince Liu Gu's witchcraft rebellion case, and his mother Ling Empress's treason case, and Ling Ke's treason case!"

After the trembling words, the Emperor suddenly opened his bloodshot eyes, as if having made a true resolution, and loudly said: "All involved, investigate word by word! Any connection, dig inch by inch! —Must investigate clearly and transparently, announce it to the public, to uphold state law!"

This sound reverberated in the great hall; the invisible cracks underground spread in all directions with this sound toward outside the Imperial City; the officials inside the hall along with the eunuchs all bowed down.

After Liu Qi finished giving thanks, when he raised his head, the strings of crown hanging pearls lying on the ground were drawn back with his movement, leaving only one pearl-like tear, like a legacy and sacrifice, unable to be retrieved.

Outside the hall, the wind sounded louder, the snow heavier, as if to change the color of heaven and earth.

The Crown Prince's carriage drove out from the dense wind and snow, heading toward the Shrine.

The witches hurriedly welcomed him, and wanted to send someone to invite the Witch God, but Liu Qi stopped them: "No need to invite her; I will go see her."

In the past she never welcomed him; in the future there was no need to change. It was he who came to find her, so naturally he should go see her.

Liu Qi hurried through the snow to the hall where Shaowei was; he saw her standing under the corridor, one hand extended, catching a handful of drifting snow.

An ordinary hair bun, witch attire, not even a cloak tied; in her arms she hid a small bird, poking out half a small head, watching the snow with her.

Liu Qi slowed his steps, watching, thinking in his heart: even the most cold-fearing bird, protected by her pure yang body, could spend the winter well, and even enjoy the great snow like a natural enemy.

Her eyes looked over, somewhat surprised: "With such heavy snow, what are you coming here for?"

Liu Qi walked into the corridor; his black eyelashes were wet by melted snow; looking at Shaowei, he said: "The edict has been issued; it will be re-tried."

His voice was not heavy, his words simple; Shaowei nodded, making an "en" sound, and even more simply said: "After you finish your shift, come to my house; tonight Jiang Fu will definitely have Mo Li cook a pot; every year when the first snow falls she cooks a pot, and by the way celebrate for you."

A matter of heaven-shaking importance became as light as snowflakes, slowly falling with her words: "Do you know what cooking a pot is? Put water in a copper pot, season, add spices, boil it over charcoal fire, and scald all kinds of meat and vegetables and bean curd into it..."

Liu Qi seriously imagined according to Shaowei's words; by the time the sky was about to darken, the imagined pot became a real object, placed in the hall; the two still stood under the corridor, but it was now the corridor of the Ling Shu Hou Fu.

And a small figure, like Liu Qi at the morning court today, knelt and kowtowed.

Xiao Yu held tears in her eyes, choking but loudly said: "Xiao Yu kowtows to thank Uncle!"

She drifted through life in bewilderment, struggling to survive, yet there was someone who shouldered the fiercest wind and snow, determined to make this world return her original father and mother to her.

Xiao Yu was just about to kowtow heavily when a pair of long legs beneath dark robes stepped close, bent down, and held her small shoulders — not to help her up, but to turn her half a circle on the spot, laughing: "This first cry of 'Uncle' was correct, Uncle accepts it, but this kowtow of thanks was directed at the wrong person."

"You should kowtow to your Young Master; without her, there would be no today." Liu Qi straightened and, together with his niece, looked toward Shaowei.

Xiao Yu wiped her tears; she had originally found her uncle's meddling a bit annoying — she and the Young Master shared a master-dog bond, and she had already intended to spend her whole life repaying the Young Master, so why need such an outsider's fine distinction?

But on second thought, the Young Master had always taught her to be a proper person; being the Young Master's little dog was ultimately done quietly, but openly she could not neglect being human — therefore Xiao Yu kowtowed properly, offering the Young Master the thanks due a person.

Shaowei had been a bystander, suddenly pulled into the midst; she temporarily straightened her waist, barely mustering some presence, nodded with an "Mm," turned and returned to the hall, while urging Xiao Yu to quickly rise and go call Zhao Shu.

Two pots bubbled away; Mo Li, Xiao Yu, and Que'er shared one table; Jiang Fu also assigned the non-drinking Shaowei to the children's side — Shaowei, who considered herself grown, took this as a kind of contempt, refused to comply, picked up bowl and chopsticks and forced herself to sit at Jiang Fu and the household servants' table.

Liu Qi followed Shaowei and sat down; otherwise, even if the Heir Apparent came to this Jiang Zhai, it would inevitably be reduced to sharing a table with children.

Mo Li saw the number at her table sharply reduced, and a look of relief overflowed her expression; she seriously put the meat into the pot.

At the adults' table, Liu Qi sat cross-legged and asked: "May I ask how the knight-errant's injuries are recovering?"

Zhao Qie'an gave a faint "Mm": "Not bad."

The household servant was injured while stealing the seal — one blade wound in the rear ribs, rather perilous; one arrow grazed the buttocks, many things hard to speak of.

But since nursing his wounds, he felt life was complete; as a knight-errant, he had stolen the Imperial Seal; as a slave, he received Jiang Fu personally preparing medicine and showing concern — to this point it could be said he had no regrets, truly not having come to this world in vain.

Besides that, there was a sensible child who, every day before going on duty, would look in on him twice. The only bad thing was that for the first ten days he was always wrapped in a quilt lying prone on the bed — such a prolonged posture once aroused Mo Li's suspicion that he was hatching chicken eggs, to the point of flipping the quilt to check.

This half month, Shaowei had almost daily followed a three-point line: before going on duty she visited the household servant, did tasks in the shrine, after going off duty she visited the similarly convalescing Grandfather — thus most of a half month passed, Shaowei roughly ran off two liang of flesh, while the household servants at both ends and Lu Hou each grew two jin of winter fat.

Yu Si Wu in the middle was once apprehensive; after the Shanglin Park affair the power of heavenly secrets grew ever more blazing, yet he still obediently came on duty, everything as before, causing the whole shrine to be flattered and astonished.

When the charcoal fire under the pot was about to go out, the snow outside had already accumulated a thick layer.

As they stepped across the hall gate, Xiao Yu quietly asked her uncle: "Last time, why didn't that cousin-uncle come sneak over together?"

Liu Qi: "He has to make a long trip, with many matters to prepare."

"Then when will he come back again?"

"Hard to say." Liu Qi answered: "Depends on when he finishes his business, when he wants to return."

Xiao Yu seemed thoughtful, raised her head to look at her uncle, followed behind the shadows of her uncle and the Young Master, passing the vermilion pillars.

In the Sixth Prince's Residence, Tang Jia leaned on a pillar gazing at the wind and snow with tears streaming, looking left and right, long watching in vain for the fierce bird to return to its nest — she could only raise her sleeve to wipe her tears, preparing to go back and rest, and nurture her tears, waiting to pour out her myriad feelings when they met tomorrow.

Something that had seemed impossible in his view had actually been accomplished step by step in such a perilous way; the worst outcome had not occurred — truly a heaven-blessed stroke of fortune.

Tang Jia thought this, and the corners of her eyes, just dried, welled up with tears again; reaching the steps, she tilted her head back toward the snow-falling night sky.

At a glance the gray snowflakes seemed cleansed by the wind along the way, allowed to fall in purity.

Great sheets of night snow interwove and fell, covering the tops of several carriages with a thin, crystal-bright blanket like silk.

The carriages stopped twenty li outside the city before a stretch of silent mountain forest; in front of one carriage stood three shadows, parting in the snow.

Yueyang and Yan Tian, who had already stepped forward to bid farewell and now retreated to a distance, both wore black cloaks, quietly watching those three youthful figures.

?? Thank you everyone for your companionship and support throughout the whole of November!

? Thank you everyone for the monthly tickets! Rewards! Comments!

? December will begin; wishing everyone smooth sailing in all matters!

? (Master ate the first hot pot of winter; I want December's first monthly ticket hehehehehe)