The Treacherous Concubine’s Guide To Whitewashing

Chapter 8, Pt 2 - East China Sea King

The corners of Prime Minister Wei's mouth twitched. When did the nation’s military affairs need a woman to make the decision. He objected: "Your Majesty, the defeat of the Gu family involves the deaths of tens of thousands of elites at the border, not to mention that hundreds of thousands of people in the three border cities have been taken into slavery and innumerable valuables and goods have been destroyed. How can this crime be forgiven so easily."

Several officials one after another also stepped forward to respond.

Gu Liang Yong's defeat was indeed tragic. After each battle, he retreated step by step and several cities were occupied by the Beirong. He was completely failing to uphold the standard of a generation’s famous general. Then the follow-up reinforcements went through a bitter struggle only recovering a portion of the lost territory and the invaders still had not been completely driven out. If he hadn’t been killed in battle, even more officials would be clamoring to impeach him for colluding with the enemy.

Yuan Luo said: "Is there a general who always achieves victory in the world? Gu Liang Yong’s army was defeated and he died. Under the law, he is already seen as having been executed. As for the matter of the Gu family’s second son surrender for collusion, there is still not enough definitive evidence and he should not be convicted as a result. If in the future this were to be repeated, would not the court regret having reached that decision?"

Gu family’s second son, Gu Yi’s elder brother, was defeated and captured in his last battle. In order to rattle the border army’s hearts, Beirong deliberately released information regarding his return. After more than a year later, it was confirmed that this man was steadfast and unyielding and eventually died.

The two sides argued.

The Right prime minister of the imperial court, Tan Bo Han, stepped forward and said: "These so-called remnants of the party are all appointed by the court. They are not Gu Liang Yong’s personal soldiers. They cannot be lumped together indiscriminately. " This person had always been at odds with Prime Minister Wei. Even if he also disapproved of Yuan Luo, a woman who interfered in the government, he was still opposed the extermination of the Gu family.

Sikong Lin couldn’t bear such wrangling the most and was bored. To get the matter over with, he immediately waved his hand and said, "In that case, let’s do it like that."

Prime Minister Wei was so angry that he pulled his beard straight. However, thinking about it, the few remnants remaining were only 4th or 5th rank generals, who weren’t important figures, so he didn’t insist any longer.

The East China Sea king declined to abandon the issue so easily and suddenly said: "The last time the imperial concubine said that the Gu family remnants were guilty of terrible crimes. Why today has she suddenly changed her attitude? Is it because the young general of the Gu family happened to enter the palace to beg for mercy?"

He showed a subtle smile, "I heard that the Empress Concubine had Gu Yi stay in Zichen Palace and has carefully attended to him. I don’t know the condition of his injuries or how the the young General Gu may be doing now."

Yuan Luo looked at Sikong Yan’s expression and began to feel a chill. She had not imagined that he would mention this matter.

Although the cabinet minister didn’t interrupt, his expression was very subtle.

Sikong Lin opened his eyes wide. This was the first time he’d heard about this. Although he had said that he didn’t mind Yuan Luo finding a sweetheart, it was impossible not to mind that Shen Dong Liu's sour expression before.

Yuan Luo grinned angrily: "Before this palace had ordered the imperial doctor to provide critical care to Gu Yi, the details of the case were still in doubt and his family was facing possible extinction. If this were to spread, the case would damage the Emperor’s authority. Only, the prince is apparently very clear about affairs of the palace and I know not from where he obtained this information."

"Merely listening occasionally to a palace maid’s comments, which should not be taken seriously." The East China Sea king replied with a smile. Apparently it was an interesting thing to anger Yuan Luo.

Yuan Luo’s face became serious: "Speaking of palace maid’s comments, this palace also heard some news that several days ago the prince sent guards to the Gu family to take the Gu familiy’s widowed great madam back to the prince’s mansion. The pitiful madam, who was faithful and unchanging, could only hang herself to death."

She looked serious, as if there was really something happening. The officials in the palace were in an uproar.

The East China Sea king could hardly believe his ears and shouted angrily: "The imperial concubine should guard her tongue. This king has never even met Gu family’s Madam Gu. Above the court, how can you allow such slander!"

She chuckled. "If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. The law’s of Heaven are clear. There is no wall in the world where air cannot pass through." Yuan Luo spoke such nonsense with a deadpan expression.

She smiled at him once again: "Merely listening occasionally to a palace maid’s comments, which should not be taken seriously."

The East China Sea king was so angry he nearly exploded. His face became flushed and he stared at Yuan Luo. His natural inborn frailty made him most uncomfortable.

The important officials in the palace raised the idea that arguing with this kind of woman was simply inflicting insult on oneself.

Prime Minister Wei coughed, "Above the court, how can you tolerate such groundless accusations?"

Yuan Luo smiled: "To provide guidance to the prime minister, you must keep in mind the prince."

Prime Minister Wei: ...

East China Sea king: ...

Fearing another quarrel was about to begin, the Ministry of War high official promptly brought the topic back to the court.

Finally, the disposal of the Gu family remnants was denounced to the third-rank. Afterward the court rapidly moved to the next topic of discussion.

Yuan Luo at his side was listening to the court. It wasn’t surprising that Sikong Lin wanted to doze off. This was really too boring.

After discussing a few issues concerning the people’s welfare, the director of the Ministry of Rites mentioned matters concerning the sacrifice to heaven during the New Year festival.

Immediately after the beginning of winter, it was time to celebrate the Chinese New Year. From the imperial court to the people, it was necessary to make sacrifices to the ancestors. This was a major, annual event.

Yuan Luo’s spirits immediately rose, because she recalled what was supposed to happen at this year’s sacrifice.

The ceremony for sacrifices was to be held in Qitian Palace. The Emperor will lead the imperial clan and a host of officials to offer sacrifices together. This year, when Sikong Lin offered sacrifices, thunder suddenly erupted from the sky and, as luck would have it, the altar, on which so many people were focusing, was struck and split in two.

Because he was protected by imperial bodyguards, Sikong Lin was only a little frightened and didn’t sustain any injuries, but several of the court officials and palace servants in front were scorched and blackened. One even lost his life.

After that, there were continuous rumors in the capital. Some said that the Heavens were furious and that the Emperor’s Sikong clan ancestors also could not tolerate a fool as the Emperor. Still others said that Sikong Lin was simply not of royal blood and was merely used by a crafty person to usurp the throne.

During this era, sacrificing to Heaven was an extremely solemn ceremony and this kind of omen made the public anxious for a while.

As a result, many of the officials in the court who wavered between the two dynastic sides, gradually leaned toward the East China Sea king in their hearts. Along with the popular opinion among the common people, they also believed that the East China Sea king would be a more suitable monarch.

Yuan Luo lifted her head to take a quick glance at the East China Sea king as he spoke. The sacrificial ceremony was a huge undertaking that was jointly prepared by the Ministry of Rites and the clan’s people. Now that the East China Sea king was staying in the capital, he was one of the clan’s people giving orders as a prince.

The destruction of the altar should be this guy’s conspiracy. Otherwise, how could there be thunder and lightning during a great winter?