sbdcsierra Chapter 111 The Substitute Bride 27
Chapter 111 The Substitute Bride 27
Ji Xiaosong smiled slightly, looked calmly at her mother, and said slowly, "I appreciate Madam Ji's deep love for her daughter. However, I really cannot accept this phoenix robe."
She paused, then raised her voice, "As Empress, I should set an example and follow the rules. Although Lady Ji's actions were out of affection, they violated palace regulations. Considering this is your first offense and our past relationship, I will not pursue the matter this time. However, I hope that in the future, Lady Ji will think twice before acting and not be so impulsive again."
Then Ji Xiaosong looked at the wife of the Minister of Rites and said, "I would like to trouble you to handle this phoenix robe properly. I am confident that you will be able to handle it well."
Seeing Ji Xiaosong's resolute attitude, Ji's mother steeled her heart and said, "Your Majesty, I ask for nothing else but that you can provide protection for your two younger brothers. They will be taking the imperial examinations next year, so please have pity on your mother and help them."
"Madam Ji is joking. The imperial examination is the foundation of the nation. How could it be something that I, as an empress, can control?"
Ji Xiaosong, with a solemn expression, continued, “As Empress, I bear the responsibility of upholding the law and justice. The imperial examination is a fair way to select virtuous and capable people for the country. How can personal feelings interfere? If I were to protect my two younger brothers because of my relationship with you, what would that say about the students who have studied hard throughout the country? How could I live up to the Emperor’s trust in me, and how could I explain this to the common people? Madam Ji, please do not mention such things that violate the laws and regulations of the country.”
With tears streaming down her face, Ji's mother cried out in anguish, "Your Majesty, how can you be so heartless? They are your own brothers!"
Ji Xiaosong's gaze was firm, and she said in a resounding voice, "I am not heartless, but I uphold justice. If they are truly talented and virtuous, they will naturally stand out in the imperial examinations. Why should I help them through improper means? If I were to agree to your request today, I would be putting them in an unjust position, and I would also ruin my reputation and the dignity of the royal family. Madam Ji, if you truly care about them, you should teach them to earn their success through their own abilities, rather than trying to take such crooked paths."
After saying that, she looked at Zixi and said, "Madam Ji is tired today, so why don't you go back to your residence to rest? Zixi, please see her off."
Upon hearing this, Zixi bowed slightly, walked to Madam Ji, and said respectfully yet firmly, "Madam Ji, please."
Ji's mother was filled with resentment, but Zi Xi half-pushed her away.
Upon reaching the palace gates, Zixi stopped, looked at Madam Ji, and said solemnly:
"Madam Ji, you have heard Her Majesty the Empress's words. The rules in this palace are strict, and Her Majesty has already done more than enough. You should stop arguing and go back to properly instruct your two sons. Earning their future through their own talents and abilities is the right path. Do not try to take shortcuts by using Her Majesty's connections, otherwise, you will not only harm your two sons but also bring trouble to Her Majesty. You should also see reality clearly. Her Majesty is now the incomparably noble Empress, and she must safeguard the dignity of the royal family and the justice of the world."
Ji's mother trembled, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.
She knew perfectly well that only through genuine talent and learning could she find a good future, but because of the King of Wu, her two sons were now too afraid to even leave their homes.
Ji's father was truly talented and willing to teach, but his two sons felt hopeless about their future and were unwilling to learn at all.
Seeing that Madam Ji had not yet left, Zi Xi continued, "There is something that Madam Ji may never know. When you gave birth to the Empress, you were already poisoned. If the Empress hadn't drawn life force from hundreds of flowers, herbs, fish, and insects, Madam Ji wouldn't be alive today. Although many years have passed, it should still be possible to find out about this. Granny Chen is still alive, and I will bring her to the palace in a few days. Madam Ji can ask her then."
Upon hearing Zixi's words, Ji's mother was filled with disbelief. Her eyes widened, and her lips trembled as she said, "This... how is this possible?"
Her body swayed, as if she had suddenly lost all her strength.
All the past mistreatment he had caused Ji Xiaosong kept replaying in his mind, and endless regret and guilt welled up in his heart.
"I...I actually treated her like that..."
Ji's mother's voice choked with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes again.
Zixi looked at Madam Ji and sighed softly, saying, "Madam Ji, that is the truth. Her Majesty the Empress repays evil with kindness and has not held your past transgressions against you. You should take care of yourself and not cause Her Majesty any more trouble."
Ji's mother stood there blankly for a long time before turning away, utterly dejected, muttering to herself, "I'm sorry to her, I'm so sorry to her..."
Inside the hall, the tea party continued, and no new discussions arose because of the Queen Mother.
She was just a wife who had lost all real power, and none of the other children in the family were willing to befriend her.
The Empress's attitude today will determine her future attitude, so there's probably nothing to fuss about.
There are only so many positions in the court. If the Ji family occupies them, no one else will be able to rise to the top.
It would be better to just push out one of the Ji families, which would allow other families to share more of the benefits.
Ji Xiaosong's first tea party with the Imperial Noble Lady as Empress was a complete success. Next, she needed to pave the way for her son's future.
There are many things a queen can do if a country wants to develop.
The retired emperor and empress dowager no longer interfere in state affairs, and occasionally leave the palace to visit various places to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
In order to facilitate their travel and to make travel between the prefectures more frequent in the future, Ji Xiaosong suggested to Chu Qingyun that more official roads be built.
Chu Qingyun sighed upon hearing this.
"Song'er's idea is good, but the national treasury is empty and the funds and grain are scarce. It is really difficult to support such a huge project."
Ji Xiaosong pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Perhaps we can refer to the methods of other dynasties to resolve this predicament. I have heard that when other dynasties built highways, they often took many measures. One could be to invite wealthy merchants to provide financial assistance, promising them the right to operate the highways for a certain number of years or other suitable returns;"
Secondly, they issued special bonds to raise funds from the people, promising to pay interest in the future;
"Thirdly, we should consult with the prefectures along the pipeline route and ask them to contribute some funds and manpower to help. Once the pipeline is completed, its benefits should be prioritized for the people. By pooling the resources of the people, we may be able to solve the problem of insufficient funds."
After listening, Chu Qingyun stroked his chin and pondered, "Although Song'er's proposal is novel, I fear there are many uncontrollable aspects to soliciting funds from the people and issuing vouchers. If there is any mishap, the consequences will be unpredictable. Moreover, the prefectures are already short of funds, so it will not be easy to get them to contribute funds and labor."
"The Second Prince and the Third Prince have had nothing to do since their marriage. Let them handle this matter. Divide the responsibilities among the different prefectures and I believe they will be able to resolve it well."
Chu Qingyun's eyes lit up, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He nodded repeatedly and said, "This is a brilliant move! In this way, we can not only resolve this matter, but also enable the two princes to make achievements. It is truly a win-win solution."