Chapter 68: Imprisonment
At Wei Qi's request, the Court of Judicial Review and the Imperial City Guard acted swiftly. On one hand, they found experienced old clerks and master calligraphers to examine the handwriting in the letter; on the other, they searched the entire city for the witness Xiao Xian had mentioned. The former confirmed the letter was not written by Gao Yunqu herself, while the latter found no one. Wei Qi then proposed during the court session that Xiao Xian had made a false accusation. She ordered the relevant authorities to investigate thoroughly, declared Gao Yunqu innocent, and stated she should depart as soon as possible.
As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Songnian immediately stepped forward to object. He said that a censor fabricating evidence to slander a high-ranking minister was a serious offense and should be severely punished. If Gao Yunqu were allowed to leave the capital before the false accusation was thoroughly investigated, it might make people think she had a guilty conscience. How could Gao Yunqu face the court in the future? The assembled ministers, regardless of their faction, all felt his words were reasonable and voiced their agreement.
Wei Qi's expression turned ugly. Lu Songnian then used this opportunity to suggest changing the candidate for the Chuzhou New Policies. This would allow Gao Yunqu to clear her name in peace, which would also be a display of magnanimous imperial grace. He then proposed two replacement candidates, one from the Reformist Faction and one from the Conservative Faction, making him appear open and loyal.
Wei Qi's bellyful of rage was choked back by his rhetoric, her face dark and clouded. After a moment's thought, she said in a cold voice, "Imprison Xiao Xian. Xinyang."
Wei Zhi, suddenly called upon, hurriedly stepped out from the ranks and bowed. "Your subject is here."
"You will take charge of this case. Interrogate him thoroughly for Us! We want to see who is playing tricks in Our court!"
"Your subject accepts the decree."
After the court session ended, Wei Qi summoned Wei Zhi, who was completely bewildered.
"Elder Sister, what is the meaning of this?" She was a member of the imperial clan; by rights, she should have avoided getting involved in court politics.
"Lu Songnian deserves to die!" After cursing, Wei Qi sighed. "It has been a long time since We have been pushed into such a corner. A'zhi, you are to interrogate that Xiao Xian. Be quick, and use any means necessary."
"Elder Sister, you mean..."
"A'zhi, I'm afraid you will be wronged in this. We will have Cui Miao accompany you. Act as the situation demands."
"Yes, your subject understands."
After leaving the palace gates, Wei Zhi took Cui Miao to the Imperial City Guard's prison. The Imperial City Guard had already brought Xiao Xian back. Wei Zhi interrogated him briefly. Seeing that Xiao Xian couldn't give a coherent account, she directly ordered him to be tortured. Xiao Xian's face changed drastically. He was, after all, a court official. For Wei Zhi, a member of the imperial family, to arbitrarily torture an official should have been a major taboo. He had not expected Wei Zhi to be so bold. Wei Zhi sneered and signaled the guards on either side to begin the torture.
Xiao Xian could not endure the torture and, as expected, revealed his accomplice. But this person's name gave Wei Zhi and Cui Miao pause.
"Who did you say?"
"It was... it was the Ministry of War Secretary, Fang Jian. She gave me the letter!"
Only then did Cui Miao realize something was wrong. She spoke up, "Lord Xiao, you have already falsely accused a third-rank official. Are you now going to drag someone else down with you? You had better think carefully before you speak."
"She did not hand it to me in person. Instead, she threw the letter into my residence's courtyard."
"Then how did you know it was her?"
"When she was outside my house, Minister Lu's second grandson, Lu Qian, saw her."
Lu Qian was also a good-for-nothing who spent his years carousing. When Fang Jian was a magistrate in the Jingzhao Prefecture, she had arrested him several times. He had learned his lesson the hard way and was naturally no stranger to Fang Jian's face. Wei Zhi pulled Cui Miao out to a secluded spot to discuss how to proceed. Cui Miao was also alarmed. She forced herself to calm down and said to Wei Zhi, "Your Highness has already used torture under the accusation of abusing your power. This is now unavoidable. We can only bring Linshen over first. Your Highness need not worry about me; just do as you see fit."
The Imperial City Guard caused quite a stir when they went to find Fang Jian and Lu Qian. News that Wei Zhi had tortured a court official also spread. The court officials were in an uproar, believing Wei Zhi was acting arrogantly and tyrannically, relying on her status as an imperial relative. Almost the entire court was impeaching her. Wei Zhi was a member of the imperial clan, and the relationship between the imperial family and the officialdom had always been delicate. Wei Zhi's action had undoubtedly stirred up a hornet's nest. Both factions treated her with cold indifference, and there were even memorials demanding she be immediately sent to her fiefdom. Wei Qi said nothing and held back all the memorials. Wei Zhi swallowed her anger and sped up the investigation.
Gao Yunqu received news of Fang Jian's imprisonment early in the morning. She did not know what Fang Jian had planned, but she could not bear to stand by and do nothing. So, after the court session, she went to Yong'an Palace and knelt.
Wei Qi had also received Wei Zhi's report. She knew of the teacher-student relationship between Gao Yunqu and Fang Jian, and now, she found Fang Jian completely insufferable.
"Hmph, how long has she been kneeling?"
The Head Eunuch replied, "It must be about an hour."
"Heh, Lord Gao certainly has a lot of free time. Let's not waste it. Head Eunuch, take these memorials from the Ministry of Works to Lord Gao. She can deal with them right here for Us," Wei Qi said sarcastically.
The Head Eunuch did as she was told. Gao Yunqu truly remained kneeling in the hall, her body bowed, and conscientiously began to handle official business.
Seeing this, Wei Qi felt another wave of irritation. She let her be for a while longer before finally walking over to her and asking, "Are you truly not angry? Your student framed you. If it were Us, We would want to kill her on the spot, yet you are here kneeling and pleading for her?"
Gao Yunqu set down the memorials, then straightened up and cupped her hands toward Wei Qi. "It is precisely because she is my student that I know her character. She would never do such an ungrateful thing. There must be a hidden reason."
"Gao Yunqu, oh, Gao Yunqu, you should know that the only thing on Our mind right now is Chuzhou. Why don't you give Us an idea? How can we quell this situation quickly so you can leave the capital, and also ensure your 'good student' isn't implicated?" Wei Qi tucked her hands into her sleeves, lightly tapping the back of one hand with the forefinger of the other as she spoke slowly.
"Your subject can leave the capital today, traveling to Chuzhou in disguise. Your Majesty's decree has already been issued. As long as I am not dismissed, I remain the imperial envoy for a day. To depart immediately is also my duty."
Hearing this, Wei Qi put a hand to her forehead. "Have you no care for your reputation? Although Lu Songnian was aggressive, what he said wasn't wrong. If you leave at this juncture, what will others say? That you were scared? That you fled the capital to lie low?"
Gao Yunqu did not answer, merely bowing low.
Wei Qi sighed. "You really want to protect her?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"No matter what she has done?"
"...Yes. Even if she truly did frame me, I ask Your Majesty to spare her life."
"Why go to such lengths?"
"A teacher's negligence is to blame for a student's poor education. She is my student; if she has done wrong, it is because I failed to teach her well. I will trade all the imperial favors I have received for her life. Besides, I still believe she would not do it."
"We understand. Get out. Leave the capital quietly tonight."
"Your subject kowtows in thanks for Your Majesty's immense grace."
In the prison, Wei Zhi also found Fang Jian's situation strange. She had heard Cui Miao vaguely mention Fang Jian's feelings for Gao Yunqu and could not imagine how this matter could be related to Fang Jian. She had intended to show some leniency, but Fang Jian remained silent, merely talking in circles with Wei Zhi.
Wei Zhi grew anxious. "Young Lord Fang, why must you do this? The torture in this prison is hardly pleasant."
"Has Your Highness forgotten what my previous post was? I am perfectly aware. Please, Your Highness, proceed."
"Guards, apply the torture. Choose something decent; don't make a bloody mess," Wei Zhi said with a frown.
After a short while of this, Cui Miao arrived. She whispered something in Wei Zhi's ear, and Wei Zhi called a halt, waving for everyone else to withdraw.
She pointed at Fang Jian and said to Cui Miao, "You talk to Young Lord Fang. Don't make things difficult for me."
Cui Miao stood before Fang Jian and said, "Lord Gao has already left the capital for Chuzhou tonight."
Fang Jian had been squinting and panting for breath. At these words, her eyes flew open. "Where did you get this information?"
"I am Her Majesty's Secretariat Drafter," Cui Miao replied.
"She is still... that same Gao Yunqu, after all..." Fang Jian sighed.
Cui Miao was shocked to hear this. "So it really was you? Are you insane?"
"Of course not," Fang Jian said, as if it were obvious. "It's just that when I entered this prison, I had a misguided thought, believing I could delay her departure from the capital."
"Fang Linshen, are you sick in the head?" Cui Miao was exasperated and cursed at her, but she also breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Fang Jian's wretched state, her eyes reddened.
Fang Jian averted her gaze, not daring to look at her. She turned to Wei Zhi and said, "Your Highness, I have a grievance to report. Are you prepared to listen?"
"Speak."
"She really said that?" Wei Qi's mind raced as she listened to Wei Zhi's report.
"Yes. Fang Jian requests a joint trial by the three judicial agencies, with Your Majesty presiding personally." Wei Zhi replied.
Wei Qi thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "This student of Gao Yunqu's is really nothing like her. Very well, as she wishes. We will try her tomorrow during the morning court session, in front of all the civil and military officials. Let's see if she can give Us a surprise."
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