Chapter 651: The Jade Ruyi

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is here!" In the Kunming Hall, the personal female attendant ran excitedly to the elder Lady Fu and said to her.

The elder Lady Fu was seated on the couch, personally sewing a fur-lined robe. She was not skilled at needlework, so although her hands were slender, her movements were not nimble, but her beautiful eyes were fixed on her work, and every stitch seemed to carry her feelings.

"If he comes, he comes. Why so giddy? What a lack of decorum!" The elder Lady Fu cast a faint glance.

Sensing the Empress's expression, the attendant immediately resumed a proper bearing, though a trace of hesitation showed on her pretty face: "It's just—"

"Just what?" The elder Lady Fu raised her head, casting a puzzled look.

"His Majesty is storming in with fury, as if in a bad mood!" said the attendant.

Her phoenix brows lightly knitted, the elder Lady Fu thought for a moment, then instructed: "I see. You may withdraw!"

Lately, perhaps out of a sense of guilt, the Emperor had been visiting the inner palace more frequently, and only the Kunming Hall at that—as if casting aside all other consorts like worn-out shoes, favoring the Empress alone.

His steps carried a gust of wind, making the palace eunuchs and maids in the Kunming Hall more cautious in their greetings. But the Empress remained perfectly calm and composed throughout. He strode straight into the inner chamber, only to find his Empress sitting serenely on the couch—neither rising in salute nor uttering a word, merely bent over, focused on threading her needle. Liu Chengyou was taken aback for a moment, then gave a light cough as a reminder.

Finally, as if sensing someone's awkwardness, the elder Lady Fu at last raised her head and asked softly: "Who has such audacity as to dare provoke His Majesty's anger?"

The Empress's words carried a barb, but Liu Chengyou's anger seemed to dissolve in an instant. He paced a few steps before the couch, pointing toward the Guangzheng Hall: "Who else but Fan Zhi! That man grows more stubborn by the day, clinging to his own views, speaking insolently—he hardly regards me as Emperor anymore!"

Seeing Liu Chengyou's aggrieved tone, the elder Lady Fu's delicate brows lifted slightly, and she said calmly: "I know Chancellor Fan. Though his temperament is somewhat impetuous and he often argues on principle, he is not one to make unreasonable scenes. How could he speak insolently or show disrespect to Your Majesty?"

Meeting the elder Lady Fu's calm, placid gaze, Liu Chengyou said: "The Grand General of the Left Yulin Guard, Meng Hanqing, privately collected straw tax, and his field officers harassed the people, taking excessive surcharges. I wanted to execute him to uphold the nation's law and warn others against similar offenses. But Fan Zhi would not permit it, arguing before me that Meng Hanqing's crime did not warrant death..."

"Such vermin—if we do not kill them, what use is keeping them? Fan Zhi gave me not a shred of face, saying outright that I may kill Meng Hanqing, but if I refer the matter to the proper authorities, he will refuse to countersign the edict! Tell me, is this not deliberately opposing me?"

"On the Dunqiu magistrate matter, I already gave him face once. And now this again. He compiled a 'Criminal Code,' and now he uses it to make trouble at every turn—it's simply outrageous!"

What Liu Chengyou referred to as the Dunqiu magistrate matter was something from this spring. A granary clerk in Dunqiu had embezzled a hundred bolts of silk, and the case was exposed by a report. The clerk was a relative of the Dunqiu magistrate, and when Liu Chengyou heard of it, he wanted to have the magistrate executed along with him.

In the end, Fan Zhi stopped him, saying in his words that Liu Chengyou was resorting to cruel punishment and collective guilt—which infuriated Liu Chengyou to no end. But that time, Liu Chengyou took a step back and let the Ministry of Justice investigate and handle it themselves.

Hearing Liu Chengyou's account, the elder Lady Fu seemed lost in thought, yet she understood the situation. Her reaction remained unruffled as she asked calmly: "If we follow the criminal law of the Great Han, should Meng Hanqing be sentenced to death?"

At the question, Liu Chengyou opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Seeing his silence, the elder Lady Fu said: "The 'Criminal Code' was revised at Your Majesty's behest, personally reviewed and approved by you, and promulgated throughout the realm. I recall that Your Majesty said at the time that it embodied the authority of the Son of Heaven, and that all subjects within the four seas must obey it. Chancellor Fan argues according to the law—he is not being unreasonable or showing favoritism. How can you blame him?

"His words may be sharp and displeasing, but with Your Majesty's breadth of mind, can you not tolerate that? A state with remonstrating ministers will not perish. To have such an upright and outspoken minister—is that not a blessing for the nation and for you?"

Though the Empress's words did not have the effect of a sudden awakening, the anger on Liu Chengyou's face had completely dissipated. He had been standing a few steps before the couch, but now he naturally moved closer, carefully sitting on the edge of the couch, and sighed:

"It's not that I don't understand the reasoning—I'm just angry. Angry at these lawbreaking vermin, and angry that Fan Zhi doesn't understand my heart! When I establish laws to execute corrupt officials and eliminate the wicked, in his eyes it's collective punishment and cruel torture!

"It's not that I kill indiscriminately—it's that lately, from the central government to the localities, cases of corruption keep surfacing. The Great Han has been founded for less than ten years, the realm is not yet unified, the four borders are not yet restored, yet the court's officials and clerks have already lost their vigilance, using public office for private gain and lining their own pockets.

"Some of this is certainly the accumulated rot of the past three dynasties, but many have simply fallen into depravity. Regardless, this trend must not be allowed to grow. I want to apply strict laws and harsh punishments to warn the masses—it is truly not out of anger that I harbor killing intent..."

Hearing this confession from Liu Chengyou and noticing the weariness in his expression, the elder Lady Fu's somewhat stiff attitude finally softened, and her beautiful eyes gained a measure of understanding and pity.

Still, she said in a lukewarm tone: "I have already spoken too much today. Since this concerns matters of state and the governance of officials, Your Majesty should handle it yourself. I am but a woman of the deep palace—I should not speak recklessly!"

Noting Empress Fu's earnest yet cold expression, Liu Chengyou felt somewhat helpless, sitting there awkwardly, at a loss for what to say. The elder Lady Fu, meanwhile, withdrew her gaze and focused on her embroidery.

After a moment of silence, seeing the elder Lady Fu lower her head and gently bite the silk thread with her pearly teeth, Liu Chengyou took the initiative to break the awkwardness: "This robe—it's sewn for me, isn't it?"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, the elder Lady Fu did not respond at first, then set down her needle and thread, shook the garment out, and gestured to him, her voice much gentler: "Try it on!"

"Alright!" Liu Chengyou perked up at once.

He stepped forward and, with her help, put it on, complimenting directly: "Very warm, very comfortable, and beautiful too..."

A hint of a smile finally appeared on the elder Lady Fu's face as she asked: "You're not going to take it and immediately bestow it on someone else again, are you?"

This was something Liu Chengyou had done more than once. The garments and items the consorts made for him, full of their affection, were mostly given away by him to win people's hearts.

Seeing the Empress's face brighten, Liu Chengyou's mood improved as well, and he said at once: "Rest assured, this time I certainly won't!"

At that, the elder Lady Fu reached out to help him take it off, and seeing his reluctant look, said: "It's not finished embroidering yet. Besides, it's not yet time to wear such a thick robe."

Liu Chengyou only then realized, and obediently took it off. Seeing that the elder Lady Fu's attitude had softened somewhat, he couldn't help moving closer, wanting to take the opportunity to be affectionate, but she stopped him. Liu Chengyou was startled—it wasn't as if he was here for that...

The elder Lady Fu sighed: "Did you come to the Kunming Hall specifically to tell me all about this sovereign-minister conflict and the great affairs of state?"

At that mention, Liu Chengyou snapped back to attention, called out toward the door, and Zhang Dejun entered with utmost deference, holding a jade ruyi scepter in both hands. Liu Chengyou took it, stroked the handle, and said to the elder Lady Fu with a relaxed expression: "Zhebu Jiasi, the Military Governor of Liangzhou, has come to court and specially presented this ruyi. It is indeed a precious treasure of great weight. I want to bestow it on Liu Yang—keep it for him for now!"

With that, he handed the ruyi into the elder Lady Fu's hands. Seeing her somewhat dazed, Liu Chengyou lightly pressed her hand and said: "I came out to clear my head. There are still matters at the Chongzheng Hall—I'll head back first..."

Holding the ruyi in both hands, watching Liu Chengyou's departing figure, the elder Lady Fu knitted her brows in thought, her expression grave, yet a hint of relief flickered in her beautiful eyes.

As for Liu Chengyou, having made a circuit through the Empress's bedchamber, his mood had lightened considerably. Blowing in the early winter breeze, his mind felt much clearer.

His thoughts turned back to state affairs. After considering for a moment, he instructed: "Zhang Dejun, select some porcelain and brocade robes from the palace and bestow them upon Fan Zhi. Handle it personally and deliver them to his residence. Also, send some charcoal to the Fan residence for heating!"

"Yes!"

It seemed the Empress's remonstrance had been heeded by Liu Chengyou. Fan Zhi's temperament did have its flaws, but such a minister was still rare. If all the court's dignitaries were his yes-men, being this enlightened sovereign would be even more exhausting.

However, upon returning to the Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou's expression turned cold again. He summoned Zhao Yan and commanded directly: "Issue the edict—Meng Hanqing is to be granted death!"

Zhao Yan was startled at the order. He had been present on the side, listening to the dispute between Liu Chengyou and Fan Zhi over this matter. Though he dared not be negligent, he still carefully inquired: "Your Majesty, should it not be referred to the Ministry of Justice?"

"Did I not make myself clear enough?" Liu Chengyou shot him a glance and said coldly: "Send the edict to the prison and order him to take his own life! Additionally, draft an edict to be circulated throughout the realm, so that all officials and clerks, within and without, may take Meng Hanqing as a warning and not violate the nation's laws!"

"Yes!" Zhao Yan kept his head low.

Leaning lightly against the imperial desk, Liu Chengyou fell into thought again. Seeing this, Zhao Yan assumed he had further instructions and dared not leave. Sure enough, before long, Liu Chengyou spoke again: "Select for me, from the Three Institutes, the Ministry of Justice, Dali, and the Censorate, some men well-versed in the law!"

"Yes!"

"The law need not remain immutable, but it should be perfected according to circumstances..." Liu Chengyou's voice drifted lightly through the hall.