PCTG Chapter 114

Chapter 114

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On the tenth day of the first month of July, General Xie Xun abruptly brought up an old case during the imperial court meeting.

As this old case involved numerous officials and caused a sensation in the capital region, it immediately stirred up a major controversy, further complicating an already complex political situation.

The military officers were particularly incensed and passionately petitioned for a thorough investigation. This old case had become a thorn in the hearts of the military officers of Bei’an.

Years ago, the case of treason involving General Ni Yan had concluded, resulting in the punishment of many military officers. Since then, the ranking of military officers in Bei’an was not allowed to exceed the third rank. The court’s emphasis on civil officials over military officers grew stronger, and as a result, the influence of this case prevented any offspring from prominent families from emerging.

Ni Yan, despite his humble background, had risen through the ranks due to his military prowess and eventually became the commander-in-chief of the northwestern camp. During his military career, he not only secured the Hexi Corridor but also expanded the territory of Bei’an into the Western Regions, achieving extraordinary feats. Despite his lowly origins, his impressive military achievements earned him the title of Marquis Wuwei. However, in the eleventh year of the Chuwu era, Ni Yan unexpectedly colluded with external forces and handed over the sixteen southern provinces to the Southern Zhao Kingdom. When news of this reached the capital, Emperor Mingde was furious and ordered Marquis Zhenbei, Sima Ji, to investigate the matter. Subsequent evidence confirmed the allegations, and Ni Yan was executed on the spot. All male members of his family over the age of sixteen were killed, while those below were enslaved in the imperial palace for life. Female relatives were sent to serve in the Jiaofang Division.

Ni Yan was highly respected among military officers, and as such, many officers felt he had been wronged. They protested fervently, even risking their lives and reputations. The situation escalated to the point where Emperor Mingde grew infuriated, leading to a cycle of executions until the bloodstained steps of the Wumen Gate had quieted the cries of injustice.

The precedence of favoring civil officials over military officers in Bei’an worsened after this incident, creating an environment where civil officials held greater power than their military counterparts. As years went by, the case slowly faded into history.

Now, this old case of treason has been brought to light once again. Various pieces of evidence indicated that General Ni Yan had been unjustly accused, and Marquis Zhenbei, Sima Ji, who was in charge of the trial, bore significant responsibility.

In the interest of fairness, the case was brought before the Supreme Court for a public trial. With the emergence of more and more solid witnesses and evidence, the truth of the matter became clear: Sima Ji had framed innocent loyalists and leaked the defensive plans of the sixteen southern provinces to spies from the Southern Zhao Kingdom. This led to the defeat of Bei’an’s forces against the Southern Zhao cavalry and ultimately resulted in the unjust execution of General Ni Yan under the charges of treason.

While the case had been clarified, the aftermath remained uncertain. Daily court sessions came to a halt due to the controversy.

Public opinion grew restless. Ni Yan, as a military officer from a humble background, was the only member of the nobility in Bei’an since its establishment. He had been wrongfully accused and his son, Ni Lie, who inherited his father’s achievements, faced consistent suppression from the Sima faction in the court. Every detail of the case added layers of meaning, and many offspring of noble families began to speak out. A surge of suppressed ambitions swept through from the bottom up.

Even the court couldn’t suppress the demands for punishment against corrupt officials and the restoration of justice. By late July, Emperor Chao Yuan ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Censorate to expedite the handling of the case.

In early August, the case of Ni Yan’s treason finally reached a conclusion, but the imperial court withheld the announcement.

Kneeling before the Wumen Gate were numerous individuals, led by Ni Lie. The voices of the petitioning nobles grew louder, the capital city saw several incidents of violence, intensifying the situation.

With each passing day, the situation in the capital grew more precarious. By mid-August, as tensions reached their peak, the imperial court finally issued four edicts.

The first edict was to strip Sima Ji of his title as Marquis Zhenbei, detained him temporarily at the Grand Judicial Palace, and called for a public trial after a three-tier review of the case’s documents.

The second edict reinstated Ni Yan’s title as Marquis Wuwei, to be inherited by General Ni Lie, his son, who was also to restore their ancestral surname. Thousands of households were given titles of nobility, and Ni Yan’s daughter, Ni Ying, was bestowed the title of Princess Qinghe, placing her on equal footing with imperial princesses.

The third edict ordered the Ministry of Rites to revise the ranking system for military officers, abolishing the old rule that military officers could not exceed the third rank.

The fourth edict was to appease the various poor throughout the realm, the old system of imperial examinations is abolished. From now on, all subjects of Bei’an, regardless of status, are eligible to participate in the examinations, and social barriers will no longer be set. To demonstrate the imperial court’s commitment to reform, Emperor Chao Yuan was willing to marry Ni Lie, a scion of the poor and the Marquis Wuwei becoming the emperor’s husband in a dual-gender marriage to secure the support of the poor people. Due to the passing of the late Emperor not reaching three years, the marriage ceremony was postponed.

Amidst this ongoing turbulence that lasted for days and disrupted so much, no one found Emperor Chao Yuan’s resolution to be shocking or outrageous.

On the day that the announcement was made within the palace, representatives of the poor people rushed to the capital to express their gratitude. Joyful smiles could be seen on every street and alley, and the atmosphere was even more festive than during any festival.

Following the three trials, the charges against the Marquis Zhenbei, Sima Ji, for treason and framing loyal subjects were confirmed. With the tide turned against him, Sima Ji intended to rebel, but he was exposed by the Deputy General of the Zhenbei Army, Huang Yan. Emperor Chao Yuan was furious and sentenced him to the punishment of “lingchi,” a slow and painful execution, followed by a public procession to serve as a warning to others. Thus, the entire faction of Sima was eradicated, the fate of his son, Sima Yu, remained unknown as he disappeared without a trace.

The autumn of the first year of the Jihe era was destined to be a season of turbulence.

In the blink of an eye, another month had passed, and the weather gradually grew colder. The tumultuous autumn gradually subsided, giving way to a more orderly path.

However, for Li Yuanmin, a new turning point was about to occur in his life. Few people knew that their Emperor was about to give birth to an imperial heir.

Inside the palace, no one without an imperial decree was allowed to enter. Layers of Imperial Guards stood guard, and everyone present held their breath.

Dressed in ceremonial attire, Ni Ying entered the grand hall with a few trusted palace maids. She noticed Doctor He coming out from the inner chamber.

“How is it?” Ni Ying asked anxiously.

He Yunyi reassured her, “His Majesty’s condition is still favorable, but it will take a few more hours.”

Feeling slightly relieved, Ni Ying let the palace maids wait outside the hall and stepped into the inner chamber.

Inside, a few palace ladies were present, all of them bowing their heads and maintaining silence. They waited on the side, while a few skilled and reliable midwives, who had been carefully chosen by the Wuwei family, stood nearby.

Despite the presence of these people, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. A semi-transparent screen depicting intertwined dragons concealed the view of the Dragon Throne, all that could be heard were faint whispers behind the screen.

Their esteemed Emperor, at this moment, leaned weakly against the embrace of Ni Lie, the Marquis of Wuwei. His ebony hair was soaked, and his once radiant face was now pale, dampened with moisture.

Ni Lie’s chest was also drenched, his imperial robe clinging to him. The Emperor, who was usually dignified and composed, behaved like a petulant child. He refused to let Ni Lie go anywhere and demanded that he remain by his side.

Ni Lie understood the fear hidden beneath his vulnerability. He held him tightly, bowed his head, and whispered soothing words to him. It seemed like he was gently comforting him.

Ni Ying had never seen her elder brother exhibit such tenderness, nor had she seen her Highness Gege display such vulnerability. Yet, their interaction was surprisingly harmonious.

The two of them seemed to radiate a certain aura that no one else could penetrate.

Watching from a distance, Ni Ying felt a warm and comforting sensation in her heart, although her eyes were gradually filling with tears.

She quietly gave some instructions to a nearby palace maid and left the scene with light steps.

After enduring pain for a day and a night, Li Yuanmin finally gave birth to the child who had caused him immense suffering and embarrassment. As he looked at the baby’s lower body, resembling that of a normal male infant, Li Yuanmin burst into loud wails.

The attending midwives and the palace maids by his side were baffled by the Emperor’s reaction and were scared, their faces turning pale.

Ni Ying composed herself, sent them away, and as she turned around, tears were visible in her eyes. Despite her emotions, she restrained herself, gently placing the swaddled and plump baby beside Li Yuanmin.

In a hoarse voice, she said, “Your Majesty, he’s looking at you.”

The newborn baby wasn’t particularly attractive, with his entire face red from crying and his skin wrinkled. He looked somewhat like a small monkey. Yet, the moment Li Yuanmin saw him, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if something deep inside him had finally come to a resolution.

With tears in his eyes, he kissed the baby’s rosy cheeks and gazed at him for a moment before lowering his head again. He tenderly pressed his lips against the baby’s soft and delicate face. The baby stopped crying and opened his mouth, curiously observing the person in front of him.

Large tears fell from Li Yuanmin’s eyes, but his lips curved into a broad smile.

No one restrained him from such an unrestrained display of emotions. The Ni siblings, without any prior agreement, let their emotions flow freely.

From this moment on, an unbreakable bond was formed between them, a bond that would last for eternity.

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