CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 154 JUSTICE

Chun Shan stood by, combing Princess Jiahui’s hair, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Princess Jiahui asked, "What are you afraid of?"

Chun Shan replied, "Might someone make things difficult for you because of Song Min’s people discovering you?"

Princess Jiahui laughed, "So many people like me, and there are quite a few who wish I’d speak for them before the Emperor. It’s well-known, after all. Is it possible that every time something happens to them, they have to involve me?"

Thinking this over, Chun Shan’s furrowed brows immediately relaxed.

Princess Jiahui said, "You’re just overthinking it." She hadn’t spoken to Song Min, merely relayed a few messages through others; even if Song Min revealed it, there was no evidence.

After saying this, the smile in Princess Jiahui’s eyes suddenly vanished. Whether Song Min lived or died, she didn’t care in the slightest. She just disliked the North being in Song Xian’s hands.

She still remembered over a year ago, meeting Song Xian in the North, gently lifting the curtain to reveal half a profile, her brows relaxed, a slight smile on her lips.

She knew when she looked her best, feigning nonchalance as she gently waved the silver bell on her wrist when the carriage slowly passed before Song Xian.

All military generals are highly alert to sound and movement; even the slightest noise would pique his interest. She knew Song Xian would surely glance over.

This glance meant whether she could win over this chess piece.

As Song Xian passed by her carriage, his gaze did indeed fall on her, yet there was a cold, harsh chill amidst that stare, making her unconsciously withdraw her smile.

Then Song Xian left without the slightest pause.

With someone like him in the North, it became challenging for her to employ her strategies.

Princess Jiahui, as if speaking in a dream, displayed an almost pitiable loneliness on her face, "I am the last bloodline of Prince Guangyang. I only wish to reclaim what is mine. Why does everyone make it difficult for me?"

Chun Shan softly replied, "They shouldn’t."

After a brief pause, Chun Shan continued, "Didn’t the Emperor promise you, Princess, that your husband would become the Military Governor of the Northwest Guangyang Prince’s territories once they are reclaimed?"

Princess Jiahui said, "The Emperor did say that, but do you believe it? In this world, nothing is gained for nothing, unless I achieve great merit in reclaiming those territories."

Chun Shan said, "With your intelligence, Princess, you will surely succeed."

Having lost one battle, the subsequent moves must be taken slowly.

Princess Jiahui asked, "Who exactly is the person helping prepare medicine in Chen Family Village? My father mentioned that Princess Guangyang was engrossed in medicine, seeking medical texts from the previous dynasty. Knowing how useful those texts could be, should I have sought out doctors who benefitted from Princess Guangyang’s favor back then?"

Chun Shan replied, "You’ve already done exceedingly well, finding quite a few of Guangyang Prince’s former subjects. Fortunately, they are willing to assist you in reclaiming the territories from the remnants of the previous dynasty."

Princess Jiahui nodded, "I hope they don’t disappoint me, and don’t bring shame to Prince Guangyang."

Chun Shan finished arranging Princess Jiahui’s hair bun and then brought over a bronze mirror.

Princess Jiahui lifted her eyes and saw the charming beauty in the mirror, nodding in satisfaction.

Chun Shan complimented, "Princess, you are truly beautiful. Don’t worry about the matters in the North. In your charming presence, anything is possible."

Princess Jiahui nodded; if anything was worrisome, it would be Song Xian; others, such as Chen Family Village frequently mentioned by Li You after arriving in the Capital City, were merely Song Xian’s tricks.

Without Song Xian, Chen Family Village is nothing.

Princess Jiahui fiddled with her gown’s sash, thinking Song Xian might take another province, but it must not be easy for him.

Song Xian is far in the North; with mountains and rivers stretched between, she is indeed at a disadvantage, yet in the Capital City, Song Xian is no match for her. She would also make someone spark a fire, making Song Xian swallow a fish yet choke on a bone.

At the very least, pinning Song Min’s death on Song Xian would mean the Song family father and son would never find peace, and seeds of suspicion would offer an opportunity to others.

...

Within the palace.

The Emperor sat on the throne, reading the memorial submitted by Li You.

The fifty-four-year-old Emperor bore deep wrinkles between his brows, with a clear scar on his forehead, a lasting mark from his youth spent campaigning far and wide.

Every time the ministers saw this scar, they recalled the Emperor’s contributions to Daqi.

The Emperor asked, "Li You is escorting the captives and will only arrive in the Capital City after half a month. Have all of you thought about how to handle this matter?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice first bowed, saying, "Collusion with external enemies is a grave crime that warrants punishment under Daqi’s laws."

The Emperor hesitated slightly.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice continued, "This matter is of utmost importance. Though the National Guardian General has done much for Daqi, the court must not be lenient in this case."

Everyone understood these words. Regardless of the reason, if the Emperor gave a lenient hand in this matter, what’s to prevent other Military Governors from acting similarly? Wouldn’t that lead to chaos in Daqi?

Among the officials, an Imperial Censor stepped forward, "Song Min is the offspring of the National Guardian General; General Song Xian is also the National Guardian General’s legitimate eldest son. Had Mr. Li not uncovered this case, General Song Xian’s fate would have been much worse. Truly considering the Nation’s service, justice must be observed."

After a moment of silence, the Emperor finally made up his mind, "Both the case of the Henghai Jiedu Envoy and Song Min’s case must be thoroughly investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice."

The officials responded in agreement.

The Emperor dismissed the officials and turned away from Guanghe Palace.

Sitting on the sedan chair, the Emperor suddenly recalled Prince Guangyang. After Li You went to Zhenzhou, he sent quite a few secret reports to the Capital City. Song Xian has managed Zhenzhou well and even opened the first Official Medicine Bureau there.

The villages in Zhenzhou also began collecting medicinal herbs, and the government office took steps to prepare documents for trade caravans.

Was this a sign of using conciliatory methods for governance?

It bears some resemblance to Prince Guangyang’s approach.

The Emperor had once greatly admired Prince Guangyang, only, later on...

The Emperor shook off the thoughts in his mind. Currently, the former territories of Prince Guangyang are still held in the hands of remnants of the previous dynasty, indicating that although Prince Guangyang’s political views were commendable, they proved ultimately useless.

"Send someone to meet Li You swiftly," the Emperor ordered, "Send some food and clothing to Mr. Li, and tell him he won’t be spending Lunar New Year’s Eve in the palace with me this year. I will remember his hard work."

The eunuch acknowledged the order.

...

The 29th of the last lunar month.

The children of Chen Family Village gathered to watch the slaughter of pigs and sheep.

Thinking about having meat to eat tomorrow, the children couldn’t keep their smiling mouths closed. As they saw their parents and siblings carrying the meat in bamboo baskets home, they immediately followed, asking, "Mom, is it tomorrow that we eat meat? Is it early in the morning or at noon? How much can we eat? Can we eat it all?"

The adults, questioned impatiently, each placed their hands on their hips and chased the children away.

Old Mrs. Chen, overhearing, advised, "It’s New Year’s, and no one is to hit the children; everyone must stay joyful."

"Understood," the women immediately replied with smiles.

Old Mrs. Chen continued to walk around inspecting; there was no need for her to watch over the meat as Chen Yuyu and the others were nearby, ensuring neither would be given less nor more.

It’s once a year, isn’t it?

Old Mrs. Chen decided not to be stingy with Silver Coins for the New Year, yet as she walked back to her own home, her expression changed.

There was a whiff of meat aroma wafting from the small courtyard, alongside sizzling sounds from the kitchen.

Xie Liangchen poked her head out and asked, "Grandmother, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? I’ve made noodles with meat sauce."

As Old Mrs. Chen was waging an inner battle with herself, Mrs. Gao entered the courtyard with several others, carrying a cloth bundle and smiling at Xie Liangchen.

"Miss Chen, come here," Mrs. Gao said, "We have something for you."