Emperor Jingming was indeed good-natured. Compared to his predecessors of the Great Zhou Dynasty who were obsessed with alchemy, blacksmithing, or sneaking out of the palace to visit brothels, he could be considered an enlightened ruler.
However, even the most even-tempered person has their limits. Now that the Wumiao had repeatedly provoked him, it finally ignited this emperor’s desire for revenge.
“Han Ran.”
“Your servant is here.”
“Send a message to our people remaining in the south. Order them to spread a piece of news.”
Emperor Jingming’s seriousness caused Han Ran to lower his gaze respectfully as he listened.
Pan Hai also grew tense.
Lately, the Wumiao had been causing a lot of trouble. What did His Majesty plan to do in retaliation?
Emperor Jingming picked up his teacup and took a sip. He handed the cup to Pan Hai and said calmly, “Just say that the Holy Maiden has been in seclusion for years without emerging. She’s not in seclusion, but has already passed away!”
Since the Wumiao valued their Holy Maiden so much, and they had nothing better to do than to stir up trouble in Great Zhou, he might as well give them something to worry about.
Han Ran was startled, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Pan Hai quickly echoed, “Your Majesty is wise.”
The Holy Maiden of Wumiao had not shown herself for a long time, which had already caused unrest among the Wumiao people. Once this news spread, there would be quite a spectacle to watch.
“Go now,” Emperor Jingming waved his hand, having lost interest.
“Your servant takes his leave.”
After Han Ran left, Emperor Jingming went to Kunning Palace.
The Empress came to greet him, smiling, “Your Majesty has come at this hour, could it be that there’s news from Prince Yan’s wife?”
Emperor Jingming sat down and told her about Jiang Si throwing wine at Magistrate Liu.
The Empress’s mouth hung open for a good while before she sighed, “Prince Yan’s wife is truly unique…”
Since she was disguised as a maid, wasn’t this action a bit reckless?
Emperor Jingming nodded, “Indeed, our seventh son’s wife is quick-witted. This way, Han Ran could naturally take them away without arousing anyone’s suspicion.”
The Empress silently twitched the corner of her mouth.
Sure enough, when you like someone, everything they do seems perfect. His Majesty’s perspective was unique as well.
However, thinking about it, although Prince Yan’s wife’s action was rash, it didn’t cause any trouble.
Could it be that Prince Yan’s wife had planned it all?
The Empress had to admit that after all these incidents, Jiang Si had become increasingly mysterious in her mind.
Emperor Jingming changed the subject, “By the way, how are Fuqing and the Fourteenth Princess doing at the Empress Dowager’s place recently?”
The Empress smiled, “It’s their good fortune to be able to accompany the Empress Dowager. The two girls are very happy.”
Emperor Jingming nodded, “They are indeed fulfilling some of our filial duties.”
The Empress Dowager held great importance in Emperor Jingming’s heart, and the Empress smiled in agreement.
“Fuqing and the Fourteenth Princess are not so young anymore, are they?” Emperor Jingming asked again.
“The two girls are about the same age, both seventeen now.”
Emperor Jingming was somewhat surprised, “They’re already seventeen? I always thought they were still little girls.”
The Empress laughed, “Time flies indeed.”
Emperor Jingming sighed, “Yes, we’re all getting old. Empress, since the two girls are not so young anymore, we should start paying attention to their marriage prospects. If you see anyone suitable, let me know.”
“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will keep an eye out.”
Great Zhou didn’t have a tradition of using princesses for political marriages. They were usually married to families of ministers the emperor wanted to win over. Emperor Jingming saying this to the Empress was a subtle promise that he wouldn’t use Fuqing and the Fourteenth Princess’s marriages for political gain. Otherwise, he wouldn’t need the Empress to keep an eye out; he could simply arrange the marriages directly.
The Empress wasn’t surprised that her daughter received this promise.
Fuqing was the only legitimate princess of the current dynasty, so it was only right that she received some special treatment. After all, even the incompetent Crown Prince had managed to hold onto his position for so many years just because of his legitimacy.
However, the Empress felt somewhat rueful about the Fourteenth Princess receiving such good fortune.
She hadn’t expected Consort Chen’s daughter to be so lucky, to receive this promise from the Emperor, which was even better than most princesses.
Of course, while she felt conflicted, the Empress had no intention of causing trouble for the Fourteenth Princess regarding her marriage. As the mother of the nation, it was beneath her to quibble with a young princess.
Talking about their children’s marriages, the imperial couple had much to discuss. The palace maids quietly changed the tea cups and silently retreated.
In contrast to the pleasant atmosphere between the emperor and empress, Yu Jin had already kicked the small stool in his room twice. With a dark face, he ordered Long Dan, “Put a sack over Magistrate Liu’s head and give him a good beating!”
How dare he take advantage of A’Si, and A’Si didn’t even mention it when she returned. Fortunately, he had his people at the banquet, or he wouldn’t have known about it.
The more Yu Jin thought about it, the angrier he became. He walked to the study door, looked at the small stool lying there, kicked it once more, and left.
Long Dan silently set the stool upright and went to stake out near the Jinlin Guard headquarters.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Liu had sobered up and recounted his experiences in Wumiao several times. He finally left the Jinlin Guard headquarters, but before he had gone far, everything suddenly went black. Then fists and feet rained down on him like a storm.
Everyone at the small banquet had been paying attention to Magistrate Liu’s situation. When they received news that Magistrate Liu had been beaten half to death by unknown assailants who had put a sack over his head, they were dumbfounded. The next day, their gazes toward Han Ran, the Commander of the Jinlin Guard, changed.
This was too much, wasn’t it? Just for trying to touch a maid’s hand, being detained was one thing, but why beat him up? Did they think putting a sack over Magistrate Liu’s head would prevent people from knowing it was the Jinlin Guard’s doing?
Tsk tsk, who would have thought that the Commander of the Jinlin Guard so despised lecherous men? Did this represent the Emperor’s will?
For a time, even the business at the Jinshui River pleasure boats became sluggish.
Of course, that’s a story for another time.
Han Ran, the Commander of the Jinlin Guard, entered the palace to report to the Emperor with a heart full of innocence.
Upon hearing that Magistrate Liu had been beaten so severely that he could no longer perform his duties, Emperor Jingming was very satisfied. He immediately issued an imperial edict allowing Magistrate Liu to return home to recuperate.
He had already planned to dismiss Magistrate Liu from his position, and now he had a ready-made reason, saving him some trouble.
“Your Majesty, this wasn’t done by my subordinates,” Han Ran explained dryly.
“I know,” Emperor Jingming replied with a straight face, then turned to ask Pan Hai to summon Yu Jin to the palace.
If this wasn’t done by that rascal Seventh Son, he wouldn’t believe it!
Emperor Jingming didn’t suspect that Yu Jin had informants at the small banquet; he just assumed Jiang Si had mentioned it after returning home.
Soon, Yu Jin entered the imperial study.
“Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father.”
Emperor Jingming raised his eyelids to look at him and got straight to the point, “Did you have someone beat up Magistrate Liu?”
Yu Jin was stunned for a moment, then confidently replied, “Yes, I ordered someone to beat him.”
Emperor Jingming slammed the table, “You rascal! Can’t you handle things properly? Magistrate Liu is still an imperial official. How could you put a sack over his head and beat him?”
Yu Jin was silent for a moment, then asked, “So… Father’s meaning is… I shouldn’t have used a sack?”
Emperor Jingming faltered, his face darkening, “What nonsense are you spouting? You’re an imperial prince, you should be magnanimous. Don’t act like some street thug, resorting to dirty tricks at the slightest provocation.”
He had never done such things even when he was a prince!
“Go back and reflect on your actions. Your salary is suspended for half a year!”