Chapter 203

Two hundred and ten, The Jade Arch

"It seems I am quite famous."

Ouyang Rong set down the documents and the token, looked around at his surroundings, and said with a smile. He then wore an apologetic expression:

"It is only a pity that I do not recognize you, my lady. My apologies, my apologies." "A lowly palace woman, not worth a mention."

"With such a grand display, you do not seem like a mere lowly palace woman." "I am simply here on orders; how could I compare to the renowned Magistrate Ouyang?"

Mistress Miao Zhen nodded and said:

"To remonstrate with the Princess and enrage His Majesty, yet still live well—Magistrate Ouyang, your name as a 'gentleman of integrity' has spread throughout the world. Who in the capital's court does not know of it? I have heard a thing or two even within the palace."

"You flatter me, you flatter me." Ouyang Rong smiled embarrassedly and waved his hand.

"Heh, what a sharp tongue. Since Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen is so good at guessing the Saint's will, why don't you guess what gift is in that box?"

Wang Lixian realized what was happening and nodded repeatedly. His originally pale complexion regained some color after hearing Su Guoer's eloquent rebuttal just now.

He turned his head and cupped his hands toward Wang Lixian:

What truly made the Prince of Yang behave was the birthday gift the Emperor sent to this little granddaughter named Guoer. "To gift someone an arch—in most cases, does it not signify a resolution, a sign of severing ties!"

He glanced at the midday sun overhead and added warmly: "It's all going to be over sooner or later."

"How would I dare to guess the Saint's heart? From beginning to end, I have only firmly believed one thing: the Saint is a wise monarch who cares for the common people. Having eaten vegetarian meals and chanted Buddha's name all these years, he must be compassionate."

"That day at the morning court, you were caned and imprisoned. The Emperor was in a fit of rage and intended to execute you directly, but upon hearing the Princess's words, he flicked his sleeve and left behind the remark: 'The coffin is already prepared? You want to leave your name in history? I will not grant this fool's wish. You want to be Bi Gan? I am certainly not King Zhou!'"

"So, my lady, you must be careful. Do not use your old way of thinking to misinterpret the Saint's will and recklessly seek fame. If you ruin the Saint's important affairs and destroy his reputation as a wise ruler, I would find it difficult to help you explain it."

The Prince of Yang suddenly stepped forward and interjected:

"Why won't morning or evening work?"

The Prince of Yang nodded: "You guessed right. We will report back truthfully. Perhaps even the Saint will look at you with new eyes. Won't imperial favor come then?"

A moment later, another palace attendant in green robes held up a long gift box and stepped forward respectfully. Su Guoer's body swayed slightly, but she remained standing.

Seeming to understand the cold joke Su Guoer was hinting at, the Prince of Yang stared at this young magistrate with a half-smile for a while, then suddenly asked:

He took out a long scroll. "Does my lady think so?" Su Guoer nodded calmly.

"Princess Changle said, 'This fellow is slandering the monarch to sell his integrity,' and 'He is a hypocrite.'" The crowd looked curious.

The Prince of Yang looked at Su Guoer's expression and remained silent for a good while. She suddenly said: "The Saint's gift is a pure white jade arch!"

She stared without blinking, as if she would not let a single subtle detail pass.

The Prince of Yang snorted coldly, ignored him, and turned to instruct the palace attendant behind her calmly:

If she really wanted to take action, how could she, a dignified Grade 8 Qi cultivator, be stopped by a weak scholar? Even if the latter had the title of a "gentleman of integrity" known throughout the world, and a sharp, eloquent tongue that she found incredibly annoying yet had to admit made sense, at most, she would only be hesitant.

"You answer me first."

It was milky white and lustrous, yet there was a small notch on the round jade body. Clearly, the young magistrate's seemingly careless words had at least guessed more than half of it correctly.

Ouyang Rong also smiled, looked at Mistress Miao Zhen, and realized the Grade 8 female official was indirectly insulting him. "As you wish, my lady."

Mistress Miao Zhen smiled: "It's not funny, a bit cold, but it is the truth." "It is not!"

"I certainly know that a jade arch has that meaning—to sever ties with an arch, and to reconcile with a ring. But hasn't the Empress long since declared that she severed the mother-son relationship with the Prince of Xunyang? They have not interacted for over a decade."

Wang Lixian stared blankly at the jade arch lying quietly on the wool velvet in the box. "Su... commoner Wang Lixian, why don't you open the gift box quickly and thank the Emperor for the honor." His brow relaxed immediately.

Su Guoer's expression remained unchanged. She turned to the Wang Lixian couple, who were staring at him in a daze, and said solemnly:

"I naturally will not delay the Saint's important affairs. Everything is done according to the law, in full view of everyone. How could I act on my own initiative, and how could I misinterpret the meaning? The Saint's meaning is my meaning; I will execute it resolutely."

"You answer me first!"

The cold-tempered woman in palace attire grew darker in the face the more she heard Su Guoer's words. She scolded: "Fine, fine, fine."

Wang Lixian didn't think much and walked to the front of the green-robed palace attendant, grabbing his sleeve to wipe his hands secretly.

"The deposed Prince of Xunyang's family are the Saint's own flesh and blood. Even if the son was unfilial in the past, as a mother, the Saint is still magnanimous. Sending people thousands of miles to deliver a congratulatory gift—if this isn't maternal love, what is? I truly cannot understand it. Perhaps my lady has another interpretation? If so, you could tell everyone."

Pushing aside his elder brother Su Dalang who was blocking his way, Ouyang Rong covered his face with thin gauze and walked out of the Su Fu gate alone, facing the crowd's gaze calmly.

"If you don't even understand the Saint's intentions, it's a pity you serve by the Saint's side. I suggest you don't serve the Saint in the morning or evening in the future; try to do it at noon."

"Does Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen think so?"

"Oh? Is that so? But why did I hear a different, less auspicious interpretation?" Mistress Miao Zhen paused, her tone slightly more tactful:

"If I delay the Saint's affairs, I cannot bear the responsibility. But if you accidentally misinterpret the meaning and ruin the Saint's affairs, can you bear the responsibility?"

"But now, the Saint suddenly gives a gift, sends a jade arch, and emphasizes the meaning of severing ties again—what is the point?"

"Hmm, the Saint now chants Buddha's name and is compassionate, cherishing his reputation—this is a wise monarch known to all under heaven."

"That does not match Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen's wit and strategy just now. Was it intentional, or accidental?"

Princess Changle, whom he had remonstrated with, had turned around to help him escape, stopping the Empress's murderous intent... If Su Guoer nodded to accept the favor and agreed with the Prince of Yang's interpretation, wouldn't that further confirm that he was a hypocrite, a crazy dog that didn't know how to behave?

The Prince of Yang looked sideways: "Why is Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen shaking his head and sighing?"

With his back to Su Guoer, in a place where the latter could not see, the Prince of Yang lowered her eyes. The aggressive, pressing expression from before had vanished without a trace.

"Fine, the Magistrate seems to understand the Saint better than I, who have accompanied the Saint for years. Then we will follow the Magistrate's interpretation, but..."

Wang Lixian's pupils shrank, and the open gift box in front of him became the focus of the entire scene. Even though there was no wind, the Prince of Yang's dress fluttered, and a faint aura emerged from her body.

The Prince of Yang pointed it out and questioned him in public.

He faced north toward Luoyang, bowed slightly, and said:

"Then my lady, please hurry. Take advantage of the fact that it is just past noon and not yet morning or evening." He felt a bit unable to hold back his laughter... Damn it, he was going to resign and run away anyway; he wasn't serving anymore. What else could they do to him?

"It was thanks to the Princess speaking in riddles and several old officials in the court submitting petitions to plead for mercy that Magistrate Ouyang was able to escape disaster. That reputation is truly not easy to earn."

The Prince of Yang's face fell, and she looked coldly: "Is it funny?"

I don't know if it was psychological, but the latter blocked the space between me and Mistress Miao Zhen like a mountain, resisting the invisible pressure from before.

The crowd looked over upon hearing this, only to see Su Guoer's expression unchanged, dealing with it calmly:

"I finished checking long ago. It's just that I was having such a pleasant conversation with you that I lost track of time. How would I dare to disobey the imperial decree?"

"My lady, you are in the capital of Luoyang. Haven't you noticed that since I left the capital safely, there have been more outspoken officials in the court, and they have begun to remonstrate with the Saint?"

The Prince of Yang lowered her eyes and said: "Magistrate, don't put high hats on me... Have you finished checking? Are you blocking the way here because you don't want to obey the imperial decree?"

The crowd held their breath. "I'm asking you."

"After the emotional resolution, sending a jade arch is more of an encouragement to the Prince of Xunyang to have the qualities of a gentleman. At the same time, it emphasizes the previous severing of family ties, emphasizing that it is unforgivable. This is the meaning of 'hating that iron cannot become steel,' while also containing the Saint's parental love."

Mistress Miao Zhen suddenly narrowed her eyes: "Speak." "I am asking you too!"

Su Guoer walked with his hands behind his back, pacing leisurely back and forth in front of the Prince of Yang, the Wang Lixian couple, and the entire crowd, lifting his chin slightly and saying:

Unlike his father Wang Lixian's hesitation, Ouyang Rong opened the long gift box without a word.

"Congratulations, Your Highness. The jade arch is an object for a gentleman. Ancient sayings say, 'When a Confucian is given an arch, it means the matter is resolved!' The Saint gifting you a jade arch is very likely implying that after you wear it, you should be decisive in all things and have the spirit of a gentleman. I hope Your Highness will not forget the teachings!"

Mistress Miao Zhen suddenly felt the pressure disappear.

The Prince of Yang frowned slightly: "Why do you say that?"

It looked like an empty scroll. She said word by word:

This woman didn't know what was in the gift box either!

"I am sighing that it is no wonder you are only a Grade 8 female official. It seems you will stop here in this life. I just feel it is a pity."

Su Guoer suddenly said: "My lady, if you think so, then hurry and execute the decree you think exists." Faced with the burning, pressing tone, Su Guoer seemed to have a very good temper; he wasn't angry at all, but instead nodded happily:

She unfolded the scroll in public, only to see... the scroll was empty, without a trace of ink. Su Guoer glared coldly: "I dare not."

However, Su Guoer didn't even look. His back, which had already been quietly soaked with sweat, had his gaze cast toward Mistress Miao Zhen's face at the first opportunity.

Ouyang Rong frowned slightly and said to the Prince of Yang, who looked calm:

"How would Princess Changle want to protect me? Luxurious banquets and competing with the people for profit—these were originally self-smearing tactics to keep the excessive favor I had in the court. But I took it seriously and reported it to the Emperor, which made it known to the world and gave me a bad reputation. The Princess probably wants to skin me alive. No matter how you look at it, that scolding was sincere."

"If the Saint really wanted to kill someone, who in this world could stop him? Can a provocation work? Princess Changle just knows the mother's heart better than anyone, understanding the Saint's intention to protect someone, so she offered a ladder for the Saint to step down."

Wang Lixian cast a look full of gratitude toward Su Guoer. "This is..."

After a pause, Su Guoer said to the entire crowd:

He reached out his hand. Su Guoer shrugged: Su Guoer shrugged:

But after seeing the gift clearly, his brow furrowed.

Su Guoer withdrew his attention and quickly walked to Wang Lixian's side, looking into the carved brocade box. The scene immediately fell silent.

"Magistrate, are you so confident that you are in the Emperor's heart, that the Saint cannot bear to kill you? That you have such imperial favor? Could it be that you have become muddled from being an official in this remote place and have developed some hallucinations?"

The Prince of Yang suddenly turned around and left a sentence: "Because it's all going to be over sooner or later."

Su Guoer ignored this killing-with-praise remark, bowed toward the northern sky, and said calmly:

"As for you, Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen, heh, I heard that when you were caned and imprisoned by the Saint, many old officials in the court pleaded for you. Later, it was such a coincidence that you came to Longcheng County to be an official. It seems Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen also has some connections, and now you just happened to appear here..."

The Prince of Yang's expression changed slightly. She stared at Su Guoer without blinking and said word by word:

Mistress Miao Zhen still held on: "The Saint gifted an arch, emphasizing the meaning of resolution again—doesn't it have the meaning of further severing ties?"

The Saint's heart is indeed difficult to guess, but these two gifts must be viewed together... While Mistress Miao Zhen was quiet, no one else spoke on the scene.

With a slight "click," the gift box opened.

Wang Lixian realized what was happening and quickly picked up the pure white jade arch, preparing to thank him for the favor. His brow relaxed immediately.

"Don't play tricks and delay time. If you have something to say, say it directly; don't beat around the bush. If you have nothing to say, move aside. If you delay the Saint's orders, you cannot bear the responsibility."

"Everything you said today, I will report to the Saint word for word." Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows. Before he could speak, Mistress Miao Zhen changed the subject and smiled slightly: Mistress Miao Zhen stood with her hands in her sleeves, not knowing why, and slightly avoided his gaze.

This made Ouyang Rong, Wei Mei, and others who were constantly watching him feel a little unfamiliar.

Mistress Miao Zhen was clearly talking to the Prince of Yang, but she looked sideways at the brocade box in the green-robed palace attendant's hand, showing a half-smile.

Su Guoer sighed, shook his head, and looked regretful.

"The Longcheng County government office is on this street. You brought people here with great momentum, yet you didn't enter the office and didn't even say hello. Naturally, I was suspicious and came specifically to verify your identities. If I hadn't arrived in time, it would have been a dereliction of duty."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Go and present the Princess's gift." He glanced at the sky and nodded calmly:

"Even I have heard that sentence. Magistrate Mistress Miao Zhen, you are a Metropolitan Graduate and a scholar of the Confucian school; how could you not know these meanings?"

An arch is a ring that is not complete. Mistress Miao Zhen smiled slightly. I don't know how much time passed.

Su Guoer didn't speak immediately. He handed the documents, token, and other items back to Mistress Miao Zhen, while pointing at them calmly:

Su Guoer smiled brightly, faced the crowd, pointed at the items in the brocade box, and said loudly:

"My lady, you actually don't know that the Saint now cherishes his reputation? He has long since passed the stage of being thunderously murderous in the past. If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself—are those famous cruel officials from when the Great Zhou was first established still active in the court?"

The scene fell silent, with only the sound of the young magistrate and the woman in palace attire confronting each other. After a pause, her tone was suggestive:

It was not an empty box, white silk, or a wine pot.

The crowd looked over, only to see the crimson-clad woman in palace attire, who had been pressing hard, standing still with her hands folded, her expression changing slightly as she fell into silence.

Su Guoer asked back: He smiled:

Su Guoer smiled embarrassedly and nodded: He answered fluently.

"It is said that one hires people with jade, asks scholars with jade discs, summons people with jade rings, and severs ties with jade arches, and reconciles with jade rings! What does this have to do with whether there is imperial favor? It seems you truly don't understand, and you aren't pretending."

"As for those officials who pleaded for me, heh, do you really not know, or are you pretending not to? I just happened to become the first bird to be shot by mistake, a barometer in the eyes of the court officials. As long as the Saint doesn't kill me, it shows that the Saint is indeed chanting Buddha's name with compassion and cares very much about his wise reputation."

Mistress Miao Zhen also looked sideways slightly.

Mistress Miao Zhen sighed again:

"If I want to thank someone, I thank the Saint for his grace. Why should I thank you?"

"Magistrate Ouyang, don't misunderstand. The Princess saying this in front of the Saint is to protect you." Mistress Miao Zhen quickly discovered a point: the Prince of Yang was also intently observing Wang Lixian's expression. Then she relaxed.

Mistress Miao Zhen said leisurely again:

A burst of laughter rang out faintly from the crowd, unable to be held back.

"Those who clearly opposed the new Great Zhou dynasty were killed or exiled; there is no need to use a sharp knife anymore."