Chapter 323: The Matter of Pardon

Chapter 323: Chapter 323: The Matter of Pardon

“What do you mean it’s not a big deal, Sister Yuxian? I’m not stupid; how could I not see it?” Xiao Yuling said, seeing Xiao Yuxian hesitate. Xiao Yuling felt anxious; she couldn’t stand it when Sister Yuxian was like this, clearly having something to say but holding back.

She wanted to help but didn’t know where to start!

Xiao Yuxian gave a bitter smile, knowing it was time to speak. “You may not know this, little sister, but our life truly hasn’t been easy. Father and Second Uncle passed away one after the other, and then our cousins vanished from the Capital City. The Mu family has no one to rely on, and my husband is merely a low-ranking official.

“We haven’t been able to win favor with my mother-in-law, and the main branch of the family constantly puts pressure on us. Life is truly difficult. This year, Wan’er has come of age, but she has not yet been betrothed to anyone. I’m worried a poor match will wrong Wan’er, and we have no connections to high-ranking families. It’s making me sick with anxiety.”

Xiao Yuling nodded.

This aligns with what I’ve heard,

she thought. She just hadn’t expected Mu Wan’er’s betrothal to be unsettled.

But this is a good thing,

she mused. “These are all minor concerns. Let Yunjing address the issues regarding your husband’s career and your family’s situation. As for Wan’er’s marriage, don’t you worry either. She’s such a sweet and well-behaved child; as her aunt, I won’t let her be wronged. Rest assured, I will find a suitable marriage for Wan’er.”

“Then, Wan’er, quickly thank your Empress Dowager Aunt,” Xiao Yuxian said, overjoyed, immediately nudging Mu Wan’er.

Mu Wan’er was sitting between them and had heard everything clearly.

With the Empress Dowager Aunt’s promise,

she thought,

even if I can’t become a consort to my Emperor cousin, at least my future marriage prospects won’t be poor.

She immediately stood up, curtsied to Xiao Yuling, and said with a radiant smile, “Wan’er thanks you, Empress Dowager Aunt.”

Xiao Yuling helped her up and touched her head affectionately. “You and your mother shall stay in the palace tonight. It’s a good opportunity to meet Yunjing tomorrow.”

The mother and daughter were overjoyed. Xiao Yuxian nodded eagerly—this was exactly what she had hoped for. Mu Wan’er said shyly, “Then, thank you very much, Empress Dowager Aunt. Wan’er can stay in the palace and spend more time with you.”

“Such a considerate girl. Your Empress Dowager Aunt is very fond of you.”

Hearing Xiao Yuling say this, Xiao Yuxian and her daughter knew she intended to play matchmaker between Mu Wan’er and Xiao Yunjing. Mu Wan’er, in particular, felt a sweet anticipation, already daydreaming about how she would interact with Xiao Yunjing when they met the next day.

Laughter filled Happiness and Longevity Palace. Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Xiao Yunjing was still unaware that Xiao Yuxian and her daughter had entered the palace, or that these three women were already scheming with him in mind. At that moment, he was discussing matters with Gu Xicheng.

“Your Majesty, this subject has a suggestion, but I am unsure if it is appropriate to voice it,” Gu Xicheng said, rising and cupping his hands in a salute as their discussion drew to a close.

“Father-in-law, please speak,” Xiao Yunjing said, gesturing for him to proceed.

Gu Xicheng proposed, “Your Majesty, newly ascended emperors typically grant a general amnesty. Your Majesty has been on the throne for three days; perhaps it is time for such a gesture?”

“That…” Xiao Yunjing stroked his slightly stubbled chin.

To be honest, he hadn’t considered this. A general amnesty was out of the question. He had become Emperor through his own abilities; what did those condemned criminals have to do with it? They had committed heinous, unpardonable crimes—how could they be forgiven? If a true amnesty were granted, wouldn’t that treacherous General Liu escape death? What a joke! Pardoning someone who intended to rebel against him? Such a notion was utterly unthinkable.

Thus, he stated, “A general amnesty is impossible. However, we can reduce taxes for the Daqian Kingdom and permit retrials for prisoners. Father-in-law, what are your thoughts on this approach?”

Gu Xicheng raised an eyebrow.

This Emperor son-in-law of mine is truly unconventional,

he thought. In truth, he didn’t approve of a general amnesty either.

Those death-row inmates in the imperial dungeons—which of them hadn’t committed monstrous, unpardonable offenses? To pardon them so readily would be a grave injustice to their victims. And who could guarantee that, once released, some wouldn’t resume their wicked ways and harm the populace anew? As for retrying cases, however, that was a sound idea. In Daqian, miscarriages of justice were not uncommon. Re-examining such cases, allowing the wrongly convicted a chance to have their verdicts overturned, would undeniably be a great service to the kingdom and its people. It would also reflect well on the new Emperor’s reputation, demonstrating him to be a discerning and compassionate ruler.

Gu Xicheng said, “Your Majesty’s proposal is excellent. Regarding the reduction of Daqian’s taxes, I believe it would be best to discuss this in court tomorrow. As for the retrial of wrongful convictions, this can be directly decreed to the Ministry of Punishments for nationwide implementation.”

Xiao Yunjing nodded. “That is also acceptable.”

A nationwide tax reduction would impact the state coffers. The Daqian Kingdom had already been thoroughly plundered by Qingchen and Chu Xiong; one might say the treasury was cleaner than his own face right now. Therefore, this matter certainly required deliberation in court. How to reduce them, by how much, and for how long—these were not decisions to be made lightly and would require careful consideration based on the circumstances. An empty treasury was no laughing matter. Should the nation face natural disasters or other calamities, funds would be desperately needed for relief.

Although he and Li’er possessed considerable private wealth, it was a drop in the ocean compared to the needs of an entire nation.

“Your Majesty, how is Li’er progressing?” Now that the day’s official business was concluded, Gu Xicheng inquired.

Xiao Yunjing replied calmly, “She’s almost there. Father-in-law need not worry excessively.”

Gu Xicheng breathed a sigh of relief. For the past few days, Ms. Su had been pestering him relentlessly about Li’er. If she hadn’t been preoccupied with receiving the wives of various dignitaries during the day, she would likely have stormed the Imperial Palace herself.

“That is good to hear. It is growing late, so this subject shall take his leave.” After Gu Xicheng excused himself, he departed from the Imperial Study.

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Once Gu Xicheng had left, Xiao Yunjing finally stood up and stretched his limbs. Dealing with these endless affairs in the Imperial Study day after day was truly more exhausting than waging war.

Just then, Liu Desheng entered to announce, “Your Majesty, Nanny An from Happiness and Longevity Palace requests an audience.”

“Let her enter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Shortly after Liu Desheng departed, a nanny entered. This was Nanny An, one of those recently promoted by Xiao Yuling.

Nanny An curtsied to Xiao Yunjing and said deferentially, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has sent this servant to inquire if Your Majesty is free this evening. If so, she requests your presence for dinner at Happiness and Longevity Palace.”

Xiao Yunjing frowned.

Didn’t We make it clear at noon? Why send someone to ask again?

“Are there visitors at Happiness and Longevity Palace?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it is Madam Yuxian and Miss Wan’er. They arrived at the palace this afternoon.”

“’Xiao Yuxian?’”

Nanny An nodded.

“Return and inform the Empress Dowager that We are occupied with the three young princes this evening and will not be free. We shall visit her tomorrow at noon.”

Having received his reply, Nanny An promptly returned to Happiness and Longevity Palace and relayed Xiao Yunjing’s message to Xiao Yuling.

Xiao Yunjing returned to Taiqing Palace, played with his three little ones for a while, and then had his evening meal.

Once the three little ones were asleep, he made his way to the exterior of Fengqi Palace. After dismissing the nearby attendants, he nimbly leaped onto the roof of Fengqi Palace. From that vantage point, he observed Gu Qingli pacing restlessly within.

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