Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Discussion in Cining Palace, His Majesty Doesn’t Want to See You
Ji Qingwu asked, "What happened to Father?"
’Her mind raced with possibilities.’
’Mrs. Qiao and Mr. Ji had lived apart for years. Could there be a problem with their relationship?’
’Just the other day on the street, she’d overheard people talking about the head of the Xie Family in Wushui Lane. After serving as an official away from the capital for several years, he had recently returned with a mistress and two children in tow, which made his official wife so angry she fell ill.’
Ji Qingwu carefully studied Mrs. Qiao’s expression.
She asked cautiously, "Is Father coming back?"
"Come back? To make me sick with anger!"
The mere mention of Mr. Ji gave Mrs. Qiao a throbbing headache.
Ji Qingwu moved behind her and began to massage the pressure points on the back of her neck.
"Mother, please calm down. What good will it do if you worry yourself sick?"
The pressure from her warm fingertips was perfect, and her knowledge of the pressure points was more precise. It felt even more soothing than when Chunhua did it.
Mrs. Qiao patted her arm. "Your father has offended someone again."
’Again?’ Ji Qingwu keenly sensed that her father must offend people on a regular basis.
Mrs. Qiao continued, "When other officials are posted far from the capital, far from the Emperor’s watch, they... well, even if they don’t line their own pockets, they’re at least treated to the finest food and drink. Especially him, in charge of a lucrative post like salt transport."
"But him? Not only are his hands clean, but his sleeves are so empty they’re practically full of holes! He’s always meddling in things that don’t concern him. And look where it’s gotten him! He’s offended some high official and been thrown in custody."
Ji Qingwu’s fingers faltered. "Who exactly did Father offend?" she asked, stunned.
Although Ji Bo Lian’s official post wasn’t among the highest in the court, he was still a third-rank official. He held the crucial position of Salt Transport Envoy in the salt-producing south, and salt, like grain, was the foundation of the people’s livelihood.
Besides, Ji Bo Lian was the Empress Dowager’s own brother. Who would be so audacious as to detain an imperial relative?
Seeing how distressed Mrs. Qiao was, Ji Qingwu knew. ’The one behind this must be someone very powerful.’
Just as Mrs. Qiao was about to speak, Nanny Li hurried in from outside. "Madam," she said urgently, "the Old Madam requests that you accompany her to Cining Palace."
Ji Qingwu squeezed her mother’s hand. "Mother," she said firmly, "I’ll go with you."
*
In the carriage, Old Madam Ji’s expression soured when she saw Ji Qingwu climb aboard.
She had already heard about the discussions in court today regarding the celestial phenomenon.
Because of the omen of Mars lingering over Antares, no one dared to seek Ji Qingwu’s hand in marriage anymore. Not only was the match with the Li family about to fall through, but now, even Ji Qingyuan’s marriage prospects had been hindered.
Old Madam Ji closed her eyes, as if the very sight of the girl vexed her.
Ji Qingwu didn’t know how she had managed to offend the old madam this time. Shrugging, she quietly sat down next to Mrs. Qiao, keeping her distance from Old Madam Ji.
「At Cining Palace.」
Aunt Fanghua was waiting for them at the palace gate.
She spoke with a steady voice, "Old Madam, Madam, Fifth Missy, the Empress Dowager is waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."
Upon entering the hall, no matter how anxious they were, they couldn’t forget protocol. The group first paid their respects to the Empress Dowager.
When the Empress Dowager saw that Ji Qingwu had come along, a complicated look crossed her face. She had clearly heard about the recent turmoil at court.
’She couldn’t understand how such a seemingly delicate girl could stir up major incidents time and again, causing trouble that spilled from the inner palace into the Imperial Court.’
But she said nothing. Right now, Ji Bo Lian’s situation was more important.
The Empress Dowager’s hand rested on the armrest of the Queen’s throne. She looked at them and said, "You should already know why I have summoned you."
Old Madam Ji and Mrs. Qiao nodded with grave expressions.
The Empress Dowager continued, "My elder brother has held an important post outside the capital for many years without a single mistake. For that Governor of Two Rivers, Cao Hongtao, to detain him... truly audacious."
Mrs. Qiao said, "Your Highness, Cao Hongtao hasn’t even produced a formal charge for the arrest. There must be something suspicious going on. It’s possible he threatened the interests of certain officials, leading to this calamity."
The Empress Dowager was thinking the exact same thing.
Old Madam Ji’s face was etched with worry. "I’ve often told Bo Lian to be more tactful in his official duties, not to be so rigid. The unyielding are the first to break. But his nature is set in stone; he simply won’t listen."
A severe glint flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. "I believe this isn’t entirely my brother’s fault. Someone must be pulling the strings."
Seated at the very back, Ji Qingwu kept her head bowed, her gaze lowered. Her attention, however, was on the incense in the Empress Dowager’s palace. It was different from what she usually smelled here—a light fragrance with a deep, sweet note and an endlessly pleasant finish.
The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept over Ji Qingwu, noting her silence and bowed head.
She spoke up. "Qingwu, tell us your thoughts on this matter."
Caught off guard, she found both Old Madam Ji and Mrs. Qiao looking at her.
Ji Qingwu met the Empress Dowager’s gaze and spoke composedly. "Your Highness, I don’t know my father’s personality well. But he has been with the Salt Transport Department for many years, neither promoted nor demoted. Does Your Highness know why that is?"
The Empress Dowager had never considered it so deeply. She gave Ji Qingwu a surprised look.
The position of Salt Transport Envoy is appointed by the Prime Minister, but the post is unique. Any dismissal or promotion must be personally approved by the Emperor.
Ji Bo Lian had held this position for a long time without ever making a mistake. Though his personality was a bit aggressive, he had the Emperor’s complete trust when it came to his official duties.
’Since they couldn’t turn him into an ally, their only option was to uproot him completely.’
The Empress Dowager mulled this over for a moment. "You mean someone covets the position of Salt Transport Envoy, and they’re so jealous and impatient that they made a rash move."
"Otherwise," Ji Qingwu replied, "they would have no reason to target Father."
Her expression was serene as she added, "I just can’t figure out why they were in such a rush to detain Father without any conclusive evidence."
The Empress Dowager nodded, finding her analysis to be quite sound.
Soothed by her calm demeanor, the tense atmosphere in the hall eased considerably.
Just then, Shixi rushed in from outside the hall and whispered a few words in the Empress Dowager’s ear.
The Empress Dowager’s brow furrowed deeply. "They really found evidence?!" she confirmed.
"Yes, Your Highness," Shixi said. "An informant just sent word by swift horse. They say Mr. Ji has been thrown into the dungeons."
Everyone had assumed it was merely a temporary detention and that he would be released the next day for lack of evidence. But now he had truly been imprisoned.
Moreover, since Ji Bo Lian wasn’t in Lin’an, there was no way for them to get news immediately.
On the surface, Mrs. Qiao appeared calm, but her lips were pressed into a tight line.
Ji Qingwu took her mother’s hand and felt the sweat on her palm. ’She must be terrified and frantic inside.’
Old Madam Ji’s vision swam, and it took her a long moment to recover.
She cried out in anguish, "Nothing more can happen to Bo Lian! Your Highness, you must find a way to save your brother!"
It wasn’t that the Empress Dowager didn’t want to save him, but they were too far apart. Her influence didn’t extend all the way to Huainan.
She made her decision and rose to her feet. "I will go see the Emperor."
Old Madam Ji and Mrs. Qiao also stood. "We will accompany Your Highness."
Ji Qingwu rose as well.
The Empress Dowager frowned at her. "Qingwu, you should not come. The Emperor certainly won’t want to see you."
