The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 646 - 608: Summons (Part 2)

Wen Wan heard from her foster father that she had a high fever at the age of three and lost her ability to speak after waking up.

If that was true, then what about Song Wei?

Before the age of three, she couldn’t remember, but after three, why did those who promised to take care of her never show up?

The more she thought about it, the more Wen Wan felt that her mother had trusted the wrong person.

Seeing his little wife’s gaze shift from doubt to annoyance, and then from annoyance to resentment, Song Wei suddenly felt an indescribable sense of powerlessness.

He wanted to explain that it wasn’t that he was unwilling to take care of her, but rather he was afraid to get close to her, yet he doubted she would believe such words.

Seeing he wouldn’t even explain, Wen Wan huffed and told him to leave; she wanted to be alone in silence.

So, Song Wei was punished by having to sleep in the study for three days.

During these three days, rumors about Wen Wan’s background spread all over the streets.

Although her origins were not entirely aboveboard, she was still Emperor Guangxi’s niece. While people talked, they did not dare to openly comment much.

The uproar at Duke Jing Mansion inevitably reached Emperor Guangxi’s ears.

Imperial Study Room.

Mr. Cui recounted with vivid detail, and Emperor Guangxi was reading a memorial while listening. By the end, he couldn’t focus on the document anymore and looked up at Mr. Cui, "Did Song Wei really say those words himself?"

Mr. Cui replied, "The servants below said Mr. Song merely repeated them; the original words came from the former Princess."

The words "former Princess" darkened Emperor Guangxi’s gaze.

Mr. Cui didn’t need to guess to know the Emperor was thinking about the Eldest Princess again, and he wisely chose not to speak further.

The hall was silent for a long time before Emperor Guangxi commanded, "Summon the Crown Prince."

Mr. Cui obeyed and hurried to Wenhua Hall. About two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Xi arrived outside the Qianqing Gate on a sedan chair.

Before entering, he paused, looking at Mr. Cui beside him, "Why does Father summon me?"

Mr. Cui lowered his eyelids, "I do not know."

Zhao Xi knew well that this Imperial Chief Steward handled matters diplomatically, especially in sensitive situations, and would never utter a word more, so he did not press him.

Emperor Guangxi had already moved from the Imperial Study Room to the main hall of the Qianqing Palace to drink tea. When Zhao Xi entered, he dismissed all eunuchs, leaving only father and son.

After Zhao Xi paid his respects, he asked, "I do not know what matter Father summoned me for?"

Emperor Guangxi was silent for a moment, "Have you heard the rumors circulating lately?"

Zhao Xi had indeed heard that the Song lady, whom he had only met a few times, was actually his cousin, Song Wei was his brother-in-law, and Yuanbao... Yuanbao was his nephew.

This sudden familial connection had frustrated Zhao Xi for several days.

Reining in his thoughts, Zhao Xi said, "That Mrs. Song turned out to be Aunt Changping’s biological daughter is indeed astonishing."

Emperor Guangxi inevitably sighed and lamented whenever his sister was mentioned.

He had never shown a guilty expression in front of Zhao Xi before, but at this moment, it all poured out as if a floodgate had opened.

"I owe your aunt too much in this life," he said. "But the coal mine case caused an uproar so great that even if I wanted to protect her, I was powerless against the civil and military officials."

Zhao Xi understood this feeling well. When he was not involved in politics, he didn’t feel it, but after being appointed Crown Prince and starting to handle state affairs, he increasingly realized how helpless the saying "acting against one’s will" really was.

In many matters, even if he believed he was right and that it should be done that way, if the officials’ opinions differed, he had to reconsider, re-evaluate, and even make concessions.

"My only chance to save your aunt lies in granting amnesty throughout the empire."

Emperor Guangxi brought up the old topic again.

When Su Qing and Xu Guangfu returned victorious to the capital and took office at Jinluan Palace, it was the Crown Prince who first opposed the idea of general amnesty.

Now, to make a breakthrough, he naturally had to start with the Crown Prince.

Zhao Xi insisted, "Please reconsider, Father."

"Do you still think it’s inappropriate?" Emperor Guangxi frowned, "There have been precedents for general amnesty throughout history; why is it not possible in my reign?"

"If it’s to grant amnesty for Aunt’s family, I indeed cannot agree," Zhao Xi coldly maintained his stance. "Father knows the great crimes Lu Yanqing committed. Over eighty lives were lost. Now, with family of the deceased still living, if the culprit is released, and someone becomes resentful and extreme, replicating the massacre of Mr. Wang’s family during Father’s first-year reign amnesty, how would we deal with it then?"

Emperor Guangxi’s forehead veins throbbed, "According to your reasoning, should I issue a decree to abolish the practice of general amnesty forever?"

Zhao Xi indeed had this intention.

General amnesty, heralding celebration across the land.

It sounds festive, like the wind of a prosperous era, but in reality, those released criminals cause panic and harm that those in power cannot see from afar.

Lu Yanqing, once released, who could guarantee that the relatives of the mining accident victims wouldn’t seek revenge against Aunt’s family out of hatred?

Even if they are mere commoners, if pushed to the brink where they don’t care for their own lives, there is nothing they would not dare do.

Emperor Guangxi thought Zhao Xi’s views were excessively extreme. The massacre incident indeed happened at his ascension, but it was an exception and couldn’t serve as a standard to limit general amnesty.

Zhao Xi steadfastly disagreed with Emperor Guangxi’s general amnesty proposal.

Their father-son stalemate resulted in Emperor Guangxi sending Mr. Cui to Taichang Temple to summon Song Wei.

When Song Wei arrived at the Qianqing Palace, seeing Emperor Guangxi’s displeased countenance and Zhao Xi standing aside, he could roughly guess what matter caused tension between them.

After saluting both the Emperor and the Crown Prince, Song Wei straightened, "I don’t know why the Emperor has summoned this humble official."

Emperor Guangxi looked at Song Wei, "The Western Expedition Army won a splendid battle for me, not only decisively defeating the enemy but also annexing West Yue into the Great Chu territory. Does Junior Minister Song think such a great event warrants a general amnesty?"