Klares Wasser und wunderschöne Berge

Kapitel 22

"Oh!" the princess exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. Then she pouted, looking quite annoyed. "I completely forgot to make a wish!"

The Emperor asked the princess to make a wish and try again, but Consort Miao said, "She's so muddle-headed and reckless. Who knows what kind of tricks she'll come up with if we keep trying? We might as well try something else."

Zhaorong was probably worried that the princess would find another ominous sign. The emperor nodded in agreement, but the princess was troubled again: "But we've already done everything we could do, what else is there to do?"

As I looked at the pair of copper coins still in her hand, I suddenly recalled Ouyang Xiu's line, "The coins are tossed in the hall, and people walk around below." A vague thought flashed through my mind.

“Princess,” I suggested to her, bowing slightly, “why not summon Lady Dong and have her play a game of tossing coins?”

The princess's bright eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, "Great! She's been busy preparing her hair lately and hasn't played the coin toss game with me in a long time... Call her over quickly."

I promised to go find Qiuhe myself.

Qiu stood alone by the railing on one side of the water palace, gazing at the closed lotus buds in the water, her eyes tender and a slight smile playing on her lips.

Unaware of the delightful pleasures that the flowing water beyond the railing held, her thoughts drifted away from the magnificent palace scenery around her. I called her three times before she finally turned around with a start. As if I had discovered some secret, she lowered her head shyly and, after hearing what I had told her, hurriedly went to the princess's side.

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the Emperor ordered the ladies to return to the garden to rest first. He then led the Empress, Consort Miao, the Princess, and several young ladies into the palace and ordered a jade mat to be set up under the throne for the girls to toss coins.

This time, the princess insisted on playing in groups. She would be in one group with Qiuhe, and the other group would consist of Miss Fan and Miss Zhou. The final result would be the combined score of the two girls from each group. The two girls objected, saying that Qiuhe was the most skilled and whoever was in her group would surely win. The princess readily admitted, "I just want to win! You usually win, but today is a festival, so please give me a break and let me get my revenge!"

Seeing that she said this, the girls smiled and agreed. The four girls each took a spot on one side and began tossing the coins.

Qiu He was undoubtedly the one who danced the money the best. Every toss and catch was as fluid as flowing water, drawing cheers from even her opponents. I knew she was the absolute protagonist in this game and would surely attract special attention from the onlookers.

The sound of tossing coins was pleasant, like the ringing of bells, and the girls chatted and laughed among themselves. I quietly observed the emperor and saw that he was indeed more concerned about Qiuhe. Even though the money was not in her hands, she sat quietly and composedly, and his gaze never left her.

I wasn't the only one who noticed this detail.

The court musicians, hidden behind the curtains in the palace, played music to entertain the guests. When the piece ended, a palace attendant came over and asked the Empress what piece should be played next. The Empress instructed, "Looking South of the Yangtze River."

I couldn't help but look up at her, only to find that she was also looking at me. Our eyes met, and she smiled calmly. I bowed my head and leaned back, feeling that she had seen right through me.

The Emperor kept glancing at Qiu He, seemingly not paying attention to the title of the piece the Empress had mentioned earlier. It wasn't until the music started that he gradually realized what was happening, sat up slightly, and his relaxed smile faded, probably because he was thinking about Ouyang Xiu.

The melody was clear and melodious, lingering in the air until the second repetition. As I listened to the music, I silently recited Ouyang Xiu's poem in my heart. When I reached the last line, "Moreover, even now," I suddenly heard the Emperor speak: "Zhaoming."

Wang Zhaoming immediately agreed and stood at attention to receive the order.

"You shall oversee the investigation of Ouyang Xiu's case," the Emperor said. He sighed and added, "Be sure to investigate carefully, lest anyone be wrongly accused."

Wang Zhaoming was startled, realizing he understood the Emperor's intention. He quickly knelt down to receive the decree and solemnly said, "Your subject will carefully supervise the investigation and dare not disgrace Your Majesty's command."

That night, the princess and Qiuhe won big. Miss Fan and Miss Zhou offered her their chips, but she refused, saying, "My father will give me a prize, you don't need to contribute."

Upon hearing this, the official laughed and said, "I won't give it to you. Although we won this time, it's not your achievement."

The princess then took the opportunity to recommend Qiu He for credit: "That's right, it was all thanks to Qiu He and me that we were able to win. Then Father, please reward her with more things."

The official nodded and asked Qiu He gently, "Qiu He, what do you want?"

Qiuhe simply lowered her head and said, "It is already a great blessing for Qiuhe that the princess is willing to condescend to play with this servant. How dare I ask for more credit or reward?"

“Your interaction with her is tantamount to being her teacher, instructing her in skills. How can you refuse such a reward?” the Emperor said, no longer listening to Qiu He’s refusals. He turned to the Empress and asked with a smile, “What should we reward her with?”

The Empress smiled and said, "Her tutor has always been devoted to the princess. I can't think of a good reward for her right now, and I'm afraid she won't like it. How about Your Majesty lets her say what she wants? If Your Majesty can do it, then you can help her fulfill it. Would that be alright?"

The Emperor repeatedly praised her, then asked Qiu He what her wish was. Qiu He hesitated, and finally whispered, "This servant has not yet thought of anything..."

“Then I will make this promise to you today,” the official said. “Tell me when you have made up your mind, and as long as I can do it, I will help you achieve your wish.”

Qiuhe raised her hand to her forehead and bowed solemnly to express her gratitude. When she stood up again, a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes, and her serene expression revealed a hint of unassuming joy.

I suspect she must have had a wish. With the emperor's promise, her future began to brighten.

I'm happy to see this result. A hopeful life is always joyful, and she should be happier in the future.

In August, Ouyang Xiu's case finally came to a conclusion. After reviewing the conclusions of the trials involving Su Anshi and Wang Zhaoming, and after consulting with the chief ministers, an imperial edict was issued, demoting Ouyang Xiu to the position of Imperial Drafter and Prefect of Chuzhou. At the same time, Su Anshi was also demoted to Palace Attendant and Supervisor of Salt Tax in Taizhou, and Wang Zhaoming was banished from the capital to supervise the wine tax in Shouchun County.

Soon after, news of the trial reached the palace: Wang Zhaoming went to the Kaifeng prison and saw that the case documents examined by Su Anshi all pointed to Ouyang Xiu's incestuous relationship with his nephew. He was horrified and said, "I am by the Emperor's side, and I have never seen the Emperor not mention Ouyang Xiu for three days straight. Now the provincial judge's investigation is to curry favor with the prime minister. If the Emperor is displeased in the future, my life will be in danger."

Su Anshi said that since the matter was true, the Emperor should not blame him. Wang Zhaoming then asked him whether Ouyang Xiu had confessed. Su Anshi replied, "He refuses to confess, so it's better to train him."

The so-called "training" refers to severe torture to force a confession. Wang Zhaoming shook his head repeatedly and solemnly said, "The Emperor ordered me to supervise the investigation so that I could handle the matter impartially and uphold justice. 'Training'? What kind of talk is that!"

Upon hearing this, Su Anshi was greatly frightened and dared not discuss the "nephew-stealing" incident again, but instead impeached Ouyang Xiu for using Zhang's funds to purchase land and establish a household. The Emperor then used this charge to close the case against Ouyang Xiu. Jia Changchao and others were naturally dissatisfied, but since the Emperor's mind was made up, they could not change it. Therefore, they insisted that the Emperor punish Su Anshi and Wang Zhaoming for their poor handling of the case. In the end, the Emperor compromised and made the aforementioned decision.

On the day Wang Zhaoming left the palace, I stood inside the Xihua Gate and watched him go.

Having stood at a bowed position for many years, his back could no longer straighten. He walked slowly towards the outside with his back bent, turning back every few steps, occasionally wiping away tears with his sleeve, his expression extremely sorrowful.

As he stepped out, the heavy palace gates slowly closed, and I realized it was time for the palace gates to close again. I looked up at the sky, watching the chaotic clouds chase the sunset, and crows fly by. For a long time afterward, my mood sank along with the dark red setting sun.

(to be continued)

The Lonely City Closes (The Princess Who Fell in Love with a Eunuch) Unwittingly Misled by the East Wind 18. Guanyin

Chapter word count: 4722 Update time: 08-08-21 16:04

18. Guanyin

When Qiuhe was fifteen, the Empress appointed her as the Palace Attendant, in charge of the Empress's hair and makeup. Previously, Consort Miao had told the Empress that Qiuhe had strongly advised her against buying jewelry, and the Empress exclaimed, "I only knew she loved reading national history, but I never expected her to care about the people's livelihood. Among the six palaces, there are very few women with her insight." Thus, she decided to promote her.

"Qiuhe, this girl, will definitely amount to something in the future," Miao Zhaorong asserted.

Upon hearing this, the princess asked her mother, "Sister, are you saying that Qiuhe might succeed Chu Shangfu and take charge of the Shangfu Bureau in the future?"

Miao Zhaorong smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.