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Openly Breaking a Hidden Trap
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu Lingxin suddenly recalled a personal letter of his that she’d seen before in the past life. Following the train of thought in it, she tried asking, “So, his Highness had this matter directly confessed to his Majesty?”
Xun Che nodded in satisfaction, “Changchun Palace excel at being quick and ruthless in handling things. Since his Highness has lost the initiative, then there absolutely won’t be the opportunity to back out in one piece. Under this kind of circumstance, the only way to turn the tables halfway is just by being quick. That’s why, he must rush back to the palace within the shortest amount of time to beg for forgiveness. Even if getting reproached by his Majesty, still need to rush to meet with his Majesty before Zhu-shi and the Shangwu Bureau make a move.”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but reach out and caress Xun Che’s left cheek that got hit previously, lightly sighing, “This ‘quick’ speed didn’t come easy either. However, shizi, your face is really quite useful. One slap just broke Changchun Palace’s scheme that they’d spent don’t know how much capital on.”
Although the vermillion umbrella matter appeared as if it was merely just switching out the items, but in reality, this was an offense that may result in getting beheaded, or even execution of the entire clan. After this matter, regardless of how the empress and Qin Wang will end up, Zhaoyang Hall, Jingning Palace, and the Shangwu Bureau certainly will go through a purging. For Changchun Palace, regardless whether it’s training a spy, or bribing someone, don’t know how much energy was spent. After this matter, perhaps will have to start all over again.
Xun Che grasped her hand, his lips carrying a bit of self-mockery, “When his Highness appeared before me with Renshun Crown Prince’s old umbrella, this was already a slap to my face, no difference in receiving one more.”
He paused for a moment, and then said, “I originally had already coordinated with his Highness, during the birthday banquet that day, appear as if having failed to reconcile. At first, when Jinrou came out to make a scene, his Highness had even thought that it was my arrangement, just wanting to appear as if thoroughly having a falling out. Once the problem of the ceremonial weaponry was pointed out, we had no choice but to use extraordinary means to let his Highness quickly leave the banquet and return to the palace.”
Recalling the force of that slap back then, Yu Lingxin was still somewhat apprehensive. It was truly unable to compare with that time Ming Huayue had hit him previously. Although she knew that it’d been a day and a half since, she still couldn’t help but somewhat heartache, instinctively tightening her arm that was embracing him.
Xun Che lightly stroked her back, also having Qin Wang’s confession towards Xuan Emperor briefly summarized and explained.
To put it simply, it was just confessing his guilt on his own, misusing Renshun Crown Prince’s ceremonial vermillion umbrella, overstepping his place and being disrespectful. This bit was unable to be excused, and also unable to shift the blame. He can only make clear towards Xuan Emperor that he was extremely terrified, voluntarily asking to be stripped of his nobility and reduce in rank, getting punished severely to make up for his mistake. The rest, he didn’t say a single word more of.
This was just advancing by retreating. Although when Xuan Emperor heard that the matter involved Renshun Crown Prince’s ceremonial weaponry, he was very furious, but seeing the young Qin Wang gallop back to the palace in the wind and rain to ask for forgiveness, he also very quickly realized that this certainly wasn’t Qin Wang using on his own accord. At the same time, he also realized that Qin Wang, who was currently still less than nineteen, might not recognize that ceremonial umbrella from forty years ago.
And the more Qin Wang deferentially expressed that he was willing to shoulder the responsibility of this matter alone, the more Xuan Emperor felt that there was something fishy behind this matter. Regardless of how this old umbrella that should be deeply stored in the Shangwu Bureau’s storeroom got misused, or how the young Qin Wang detected this matter, thus hurriedly rushing back, each and every bit all had hidden implications.
Regarding the former, Qin Wang naturally had nothing to say. Even if well aware inside that only Changchun Palace’s Noble Consort Zhu had the power and resources to scheme this, as well as benefit from this matter, without any evidence at this time, no matter what was said, it was all just empty words.
As for the latter, Qin Wang was still able to directly answer Xuan Emperor’s question, “Wen’an Marquis’s heir, Xun Che, made out the vermillion umbrella’s problem, presumptuously commenting on this matter, saying that someone had set up a trap, possibly involving the womenfolk of the palace. This son naturally didn’t believe, and in a moment of anger, struck Xun Che, then returned to the palace to ask for forgiveness. This son deserves death!”
Reaching this step, Yu Lingxin finally fully understood. If Qin Wang had directly said to Xuan Emperor that he’d gotten framed by Noble Consort Zhu, without any evidence or proof, Xuan Emperor certainly will think that Qin Wang was just shifting the blame, carelessly accusing.
But, he just said that he’d heard that this matter might involve the womenfolk of the palace, and moreover, expressed that he didn’t believe this. This both pointed out the fishiness of this matter in front of Xuan Emperor, while also leaving some leeway for self-preservation. Xuan Emperor will only be even more suspicious, and certainly will summon Xun Che into the palace immediately.
Some explanations that Qin Wang was unable to say himself, Xun Che can just explain in his place, including why Qin Wang didn’t immediately discover that vermillion umbrella’s problem when leaving the palace, as well as after the fact, who will be sure to benefit, who might have participated in it, who has guilt, who has responsibility, and so on.
After he finished reporting his lengthy theory before Xuan Emperor, Xun Che’s final words were just similar to Qin Wang’s attitude, lifting his gown and bending his knees, confessing towards Xuan Emperor his guilt of having presumptuously commented on the matters of the imperial family.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
This was just the so called openly breaking a hidden trap. Noble Consort Zhu’s tricks were all in the dark, and appear to have very serious consequences. If Qin Wang and Xun Che were to cover up or try to escape from the blame, the aftermath will only be even more unsightly.
That’s why, the way to break out of this predicament was to just use the quickest speed to have this matter flipped onto the surface.
The result of this was practically just as Xun Che predicted.
In the imperial study at the time, Xuan Emperor didn’t say anything, just falling silent for an entire cup of tea’s time. Shortly after, he issued a decree, punishing Qin Wang to forfeit three months of his official salary, and reprimanding him for his failure to detect the violation of the regulations.
The next morning, also when Yu Lingxin was asleep from the cold yesterday, through the public decrees issued by the inner court, this case was swiftly brought to a conclusion.
The Vice Director of the Shuangwu Bureau that had only hastily submitted a memorandum an hour after Qin Wang had entered the palace was currently removed from this position, waiting to be sentenced. All the palace servants that were involved in this matter will be interrogated without exception. The head eunuch that had accompanied Qin Wang out of the palace to the Wen’an Marquis Manor on the twentieth of the tenth month that day got beaten to death for his negligence. All the attendants and palace maids inside and outside of Jingning Palace were rigorously interrogated.
Empress Wen of the central palace, as the master of the six palaces, she also had responsibility in this matter, thus got ordered to reflect behind closed doors for ten days, a small punishment to prevent bigger mistakes in the future.
If to say that pursuing to this degree can be considered punishment towards Qin Wang for misusing Renshun Crown Prince’s old umbrella and walking ten steps, then it was still conforming with the normal standards.
However, the two imperial orders afterwards just made others deeply contemplate.
Wu Wang and Wei Wang who had accompanied along that day on the twentieth of the tenth month each had an accompanying eunuch by their side in charge of supervising the rites. Their respective eunuch each got beaten with the rod twenty times and expelled out of the inner court.
Gong Concubine Nie-shi got promoted to a zhaoyi[1], and together with Noble Consort Zhu, assist the empress in managing the internal affairs of the six palaces.
“His Majesty has produced suspicions towards Changchun Palace?” While thoroughly feeling relieved, Yu Lingxin was also somewhat excited.
Xun Che nodded, “His Majesty is kindhearted and benevolent, but it’s not like he has never seen conflict in the imperial harem. The state of affairs in the past was different, and Zhu-shi was also steady in her conduct, so even if slightly having some tiny ideas, his Majesty also won’t mind. However, the Nie family, aside from having Nie Yuzhi, this one cabinet minister, during Xiang Emperor’s reign, at present, they are merely just hovering between the third and fourth rank. Nie-shi’s imperial favor is also average, so it’s not considered anything major. His Majesty is just trying to warn Changchun Palace.”
As he spoke, his long brow slightly perked up, “What’s important is actually still borrowing the negligence over the ceremonial weaponry this time to evoke his Majesty’s dissatisfaction towards the empress. From now on, Jingning Palace’s authority can return to his Highness’s hands. In other words, in this matter, Changchun Palace can also be considered to have gotten half their wish fulfilled.”
“Then what about you?” Seeing his elated expression, Yu Lingxin kept feeling that this wasn’t all of it. Last time, he endured a whipping from his father, and just initiated the changes between the entire inner palace and imperial court. This time, receiving that heavy of a slap in public, how much interest should be collected?
Xun Che smiled, deliberately putting out an indifferent and calm attitude, “Your husband isn’t talented, just using this slap to exchange for a mere Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat position. After returning from the Liu province, I will need to go serve before Ganyuan Hall.”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him——–what a ‘mere’ Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat!
That was a high fourth rank close minister of the emperor’s inner circle. In the past life, Xun Che had also taken up this post. At the time, he was just twenty years old, already overly young in the eyes of the court officials.
However, in this life, he took up the position practically a year and a half earlier, won’t it make others even more shocked?
Thinking to here, although Yu Lingxin was happy for him, she still somewhat worried, “Then, you better be careful. In the past, you were already at the center of the storm, and now, it’s just even more so.”
Xun Che had her held even tighter, softly whispering something by her ear with a smile.
Yu Lingxin’s elegant face instantly just turned red, “You just don’t have anything proper to say!” Yu Lingxin reached out, wanting to push him again, yet Xun Che already smilingly lowered his head for another kiss.
In the end, the proper and improper words piled together, all getting submerged in the limitless love and affection.
Outside the horse carriage, Bai Chuan was already rigid all over like a dead person, peeking at Chen Qiao from time to time.
Chen Qiao was just much more composed, adeptly directing Bai Chuan how to steadily take detours. In any case, shizi and the future young madam have already received permission in front of the madam, so can mess around however they want. It was merely just arriving at the Jin Duke Manor a few minutes later. Everyone should already be used to shizi’s shameless—–cough, cough, used to shizi’s change of plans.
Fortunately, after about another two cups of tea’s time, the familiar secret signal came from inside the carriage. Bai Chuan relaxed a big breath, hurriedly having the horse carriage turned back onto the right path, rushing towards Jin Duke Manor.
After arriving at the Ming manor, Xun Che directly went to look for Ming Jincheng to discuss matters. After all, he will soon leave the capital. There are still many matters to arrange. Yu Lingxin was also very familiar with Ming Jinrou’s Qinghong Pavilion, following the leading servant girl over on her own.
Just, because of having gotten held up for some time on the way, by the time Yu Lingxin arrived in Ming Jinrou’s boudoir, Ming Huayue and Xun Ying had already visited Ming Jinrou, so directly went to talk with the old Jin Duke couple.
Yu Lingxin inevitably felt a bit embarrassed. Clearly, they’d said to visit together, yet she’d gotten held up for that long on the road. Ming Jinrou, however, didn’t really mind. Although having a cold, her spirit actually still appeared pretty good, just her throat was uncomfortable, continuously coughing.
However, even this cough couldn’t stop her from teasing Yu Lingxin, “Haha, it’s nothing, merely just got held up on the road, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, we, cough, cough, all understand.”
Yu Lingxin hurriedly poured a cup of loquat juice for her, “My little ancestor, why don’t you tease me a few words less, already coughing like this, yet still not settling down.”
Ming Jinrou drank the beverage, soothing her throat and sighing, “Actually, I’m fine, just hurts when coughing. It’s okay when not coughing. Yesterday, I’d slept for an entire day, so not that feverish anymore. Just, my older brother insist that I stay in bed.”
“At the time, you’d gotten drenched by the rain that thoroughly. Your older brother really worried to death.” Yu Lingxin recalled the circumstances at the time, still having a bit of lingering fear, “It’s also my fault, letting you go out to block all of a sudden. You better not rely on your good foundation and just not rest properly. At present, the weather is getting increasingly cold. If you leave behind any complications, it will be my sin.”
“Cough, cough.” Ming Jinrou although was coughing, she was still unconcerned. “How is it that serious, just got drenched by the rain. My brother, in the army camp, even if getting drenched in the rain, still need to do the drills. In the frontlines, it can’t be that because of the rain, just won’t go into battle, right?”
Yu Lingxin helplessly laughed, “Although these words aren’t wrong, it’s not like you’re really going onto the battlefield.” However, recalling the scene at the time, it was actually also somewhat similar to war, especially since it was also for Qin Wang. Yu Lingxin dryly coughed, slightly lowering her voice a little, “At present, this can also be considered winning a battle for ‘him’, right? Did your brother tell you about the matters outside?”
Ming Jinrou slanted her mouth, “Who’s doing it for him, merely just afraid that it will implicate older cousin and paternal aunt’s whole family. I still rather wish for older cousin-in-law to remember my favor.”
At this time, they suddenly heard the servant girl outside report that the imperial physician came over to examine Ming Jinrou again, asking Yu Lingxin to step out outside for some tea first.
Hearing this, Yu Lingxin also didn’t think too much of it, nodding her head and getting up to go out the door.
However, when she met face-to-face with that ‘imperial physician’ personally led in the door by Ming Jincheng and Xun Che, her entire body immediately quivered. Shortly after, she quickly lowered her head and bowed, hurriedly retreating to two steps to yield the way.
That ‘imperial physician’ also swept Yu Lingxin a glance, and then, directly entered Ming Jinrou’s room.
Ming Jincheng personally closed the door outside, while Xun Che went over to hold the stunned Yu Lingxin’s hand, leading her over to the east warm room, lowering his voice to the point where it practically couldn’t be heard, “This move of his Highness is what’s called having a sudden impulse.”
[1] Just know that it’s one of the ranks of an imperial consort. Because the imperial harem ranking system is different for every dynasty, it’s pretty difficult to list the ranks for a fictional setting without more context.
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