Capítulo 1309: Chapter 1304: Losing One’s Life Is No Small Matter
Bai Qingyan deliberately added Sima Ruodan at the end of the imperial edict, to remind Sima Yan and also Xue Renyi.
If Xue Renyi cares about his fiancée, he should take note of Sima Ruodan when he sees this na, as it is indeed uncommon.
If Xue Renyi doesn’t mind who his wife is, then it’s fine, as Bai Qingyan noticed A Qi seems to take care of this Sima Ruodan as well.
Regardless, it’s important to reveal the truth to those involved at the ti.
Moreover, Bai Qingyan had already investigated the wrongful case of Sima Ruodan’s maternal family from years before, which was similar to what happened to Jian Congwen at the hands of Consort Tong, being removed for obstructing her path.
Therefore, irrespective of whether A Qi and Sima Ruodan beco a couple, just for the rit Sima Ruodan earned in the capture of Yecheng Pass, it’s enough for Bai Qingyan to clear her mother’s na, and restore Sima Ruodan’s reputation.
This act of issuing the imperial edict led to many visiting Sima Yan with congratulations, everyone knowing that Sima Yan had an adopted daughter nad Sima Ruodan. Earlier, Bai Qingyan ntioned Sima Yan’s adopted daughter’s marriage to the new Top Scholar Xue Renyi in the royal court, followed by the edict appointing Sima Ruodan as Princess Xiangxie. The uninford court officials assud that Princess Xiangxie Sima Ruodan was Sima Yan’s adopted daughter Sima Ruodan.
However, many wondered how Sima Yan’s adopted daughter, who was clearly in Dadu City, could have assisted the Zhou army in securing Yecheng Pass and how she achieved first rit to be granted the title of Commandery Princess.
Sima Yan, already anxious in recent days, nearly lost his breath upon hearing that the Emperor appointed Sima Ruodan as Princess Xiangxie. He barely managed to entertain and see off his colleagues, vaguely offering that it might be a common na, and that Princess Xiangxie certainly wasn’t their family’s adopted daughter.
Once his colleagues left, Sima Yan, pale-faced, leaned on the armrest of his chair and sat down tremblingly, pondering what remained unclear to him.
Sima Yan’s wife was so shocked by the news she collapsed onto the couch in the backyard. Without hesitation, she had a maid assist her to the front yard. Seeing her husband’s distressed face, she didn’t appear flustered, which gave her so reassurance. She waved the maid aside, lifted her skirt hem, and stepped through the main door threshold: “Husband, what’s going on here?”
“Mother has caused a big disaster this ti!” Sima Yan, still able to maintain his composure, looked up at his wife, “The Emperor has ordered a reinvestigation of the case involving Sima Ruodan’s mother Mrs. Cai’s family from back then. Now tell … who is this Princess Xiangxie?”
Sima Yan’s wife swallowed, recalling the day her husband ntioned the Emperor inquired about the marriage between Xue Renyi and their adopted daughter at court. Initially, she thought it was rely the Emperor showing concern for the newly appointed Top Scholar. Now it seed not just concern, but that the Emperor was probing.
Sima Yan’s wife also leaned on the arm of the chair and sat down, her voice trembling slightly: “No wonder… no wonder the Emperor inquired about Xue Renyi’s marriage that day! The Emperor… knows everything! Husband, what are we to do?”
Sima Yan closed his eyes, angrily smashing the cup beside him: “I, Sima Yan, since entering the Imperial Censorate, rising to Imperial Censor without ever erring, always censoring others, now find myself censoring my own affairs!”
He should never have relented when his mother threatened suicide, enabling this situation…
Whatever one does, either don’t do it, or ensure it’s foolproof, a principle he understood since childhood.
But he believed his mother when she said she had sent soone to deal with Sima Ruodan, and yet, Sima Ruodan suddenly reappeared at Yecheng Pass, becoming the key figure in aiding the Zhou army to take Yecheng Pass.
Sima Yan controlled his temper, knowing now was not the ti for anger, but to find solutions.
The first step is to imdiately plead guilty to the Emperor, a most urgent matter. Secondly… he also owes Xue Renyi an explanation, though Xue Renyi has yet to be assigned a position. However, Xue Renyi is genuinely talented, otherwise wouldn’t have been appointed the Top Scholar this ti. Talents like Xue Renyi will certainly be heavily utilized by the Emperor in the future, as inferred from the “Zhou Official Assessnt Guidelines” written by Transmissionton Dong Tingzhen. The next step for the Emperor is likely to boldly employ young talents.
Realizing this, Sima Yan dared not delay, inford his wife, then changed into his official attire and hurried to the palace to confess to Bai Qingyan.
Sima Yan’s wife Mrs. Li, unlike Sima Yan, didn’t remain calm, internally cursing Sima Yan’s foolish mother. After Sima Yan left, she headed to Madam Sima’s residence.
Mrs. Li recounted the entire incident to Madam Sima, who turned pale with shock, slumping into the couch, incredulously looking at Mrs. Li, her voice involuntarily rising: “You’re saying… Sima Ruodan isn’t dead! She’s beco a ritorious figure in the capture of Yecheng Pass and was nad a Commandery Princess?! Are you sure it’s that Sima Ruodan?”
Mrs. Li sat on the embroidered stool, hands folded over her lower abdon, maintaining the sa respectful deanor towards her mother-in-law as always: “Indeed, the Emperor also decreed to re-investigate the case of Sima Ruodan’s mother Mrs. Cai’s family. Think carefully, Mother… this is likely to exonerate Sima Ruodan and legitimize her status.”
Madam Sima nearly fainted, supporting herself to sit upright again, she asked, “And A Yan?”
“Responding, Mother, my husband has already changed into official attire and gone to the palace to confess.” Mrs. Li gritted her teeth, speaking softly, “But if he admits to such a thing as Imperial Censor, he surely can’t retain his position. Whether he can survive having conspired to murder is still uncertain…”
Mrs. Li raised her eyes, casting a resentful glance towards Madam Sima: “Mother, for the sake of a concubine’s daughter at ho, ignored the counsel of your husband and daughter-in-law, insisting on this marriage swap affair. Now… the family’s destruction is imminent, Mother… are you satisfied?”
Taken aback by her normally respectful daughter-in-law’s words, Madam Sima looked towards her, yet understood her anger.
Madam Sima, usually strict with her daughter-in-law, sat in silence, contemplating how to rectify the situation.
“I’ve heard that the concubine’s daughter just left, claiming an appointnt with her betrothed. Does Mother know why Xue Renyi would ask to et her now?” Having said this, Mrs. Li stood, paid respects to her mother-in-law, “Husband is Mother’s only son, my children’s father. I understand him! He will bear all responsibility before the Emperor for Mother’s sake. To lose position is small, to lose life grave! Whether my husband can be saved depends on Mother!”
Reviews
All reviews (0)