Chapter 282 - 118: I Have the Emperor’s Protection
Aunt Che didn’t care at all what the Madam did. In any case, she already knew the news, so it didn’t matter whether the Madam told her or not. She said to her daughter, "It wasn’t easy to secure this marriage. It’s all thanks to the First Madam’s efforts. Have you finished the shoes and socks I asked you to make for her?"
"They’re finished," Song Jinxuan said quickly.
"After dark, take them to the First Madam quietly. Don’t let anyone see you, or else word will reach the Madam’s ears and stir up trouble again," Aunt Che instructed. "Also, tell your brother the news."
"I understand, Mother. Don’t worry," Song Jinxuan agreed to everything, then said with some hesitation, "Mother, do you really think it will be alright for me to marry into the Yang Family?"
Hearing her daughter’s words, Aunt Che’s heart ached. She gently patted her hand and said, "Don’t be afraid. Although you were born to a concubine, this marriage was personally arranged by Song Jieyu. The fact that the Yang Family dared to propose this match means they are prepared for your status. After you marry, you must be filial to your elders and live in harmony with your sisters-in-law. As long as you conduct yourself with integrity, if the Yang Family dares to bully you, I can ask the Master to seek justice for you."
Song Jinxuan nodded. That was easy to say, but she was still worried. ’Father Yang’s official rank is higher than Father’s, and Yang Shu is the legitimate heir. Although I’m not bad-looking, my own full-blooded brother has yet to make a name for himself. I just don’t have enough to stand on.’
’Even though Song Jieyu is my younger sister and the third-place scholar is my cousin, we aren’t close enough for them to back me up at every turn. I can only ask for their help in major situations.’
’Otherwise, favors wear thin with use, and I’ll just become a nuisance.’
As expected, the Yang Family soon came to formally propose the marriage. The First Madam came over as soon as she heard, so Mrs. Cai couldn’t very well turn them away in front of her. The First Madam didn’t interfere in other matters—if she were to meddle in things like the dowry, that would truly be overstepping—but with the Yang Family here to discuss the marriage, she couldn’t let Mrs. Cai bring shame upon the Song Family. Naturally, she had to be present to oversee things.
When Song Yunzhao learned of this later, she wasn’t surprised. ’That’s always been the First Madam’s character. She would never just stand by and do nothing.’
The marriages of Song Yexi and Song Jinxuan were settled one after the other. When the news spread, Song Jinxuan’s engagement was of little note, but Song Yexi’s drew a great deal of attention.
He Lan Yun came to speak with Song Yexi. "Someone even came to me to speak ill of you. What are they thinking?"
Song Yexi smiled, pressing her lips together. "They’re probably just jealous."
He Lan Yun was unconvinced. "What’s there to be jealous of? Besides, your family has a Concubine and a third-place scholar. My cousin is just a brute of a soldier. If you ask me, you marrying him is like a beautiful flower wasted on a pile of manure."
Song Yexi: ...
「Seven or eight days passed in a flash.」
The party returning from the disaster relief effort finally reached the Capital City. Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh of relief when she heard the news. ’They’re finally back.’
This mission wasn’t just about disaster relief; it also involved following up on the effectiveness of new policies previously implemented by the court. That day’s court session ran severely overtime, not adjourning until Noon.
The issue of merchants paying taxes across Prefecture and County lines alone was debated endlessly, not to mention the matter of the Xie family and other merchants providing support to the disaster area. The Minister of the Ministry of Justice had returned from this trip sharper and more incisive than ever. In court, he argued with the Left and Right Ministers without giving an inch.
The disaster relief effort had given the Minister of the Ministry of Justice many insights. Because he had gone deep among the common people in the disaster area, his words carried weight. He provided specific examples as evidence, every sentence packed with truth, leaving many nitpicking courtiers speechless.
This time, because Song Nanzhen was in charge of post-disaster resettlement and had made significant contributions, he was granted the honor of reporting directly in court. After decades as an official, this was his first time ever entering the court itself.
As the imperial envoy, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and his Vice Envoy, Song Nanzhen, showed perfect chemistry in court. They went on the offensive with full force. They spoke of the tens of thousands of afflicted people in the disaster zone, the tens of thousands of acres of farmland destroyed by the floods, and the countless collapsed homes. He mentioned the tattered-clothed common folk drinking life-sustaining relief porridge that contained no rice grains, only bran. As he spoke of these things, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice shed tears in the court.
His denunciation of the corrupt officials thundered through the hall, his words like daggers, tearing them to shreds. Song Nanzhen watched, utterly dumbfounded and wide-eyed. ’I’m learning so much! This is a master class!’
The courtiers being reprimanded turned pale with rage, their bodies trembling. Lacking any confidence or ground to stand on, they were unable to refute him.
"You are ignorant of the state of the nation and heedless of the people’s will! You are nothing but parasites warming your seats!"
"Local officials colluded with merchants to seize the people’s land and exploit them! Their evil deeds warrant execution!"
"As court officials, you knowingly broke the law! According to statute, you should be caned, stripped of your rank, and exiled to the frontiers as commoners! Those who knew but did not report, who aided these tyrants, must also be severely punished according to the law to appease the disaster victims!"