Chapter 112 - 111: The Substitute Eldest Miss 27

Chapter 112: Chapter 111: The Substitute Eldest Miss 27

Ji Xiaosong smiled faintly. Her gaze fell calmly on Mother Ji as she spoke slowly, "I appreciate your heartfelt love for your daughter, Mrs. Ji. But I truly cannot accept this phoenix robe."

She paused, then raised her voice. "As the Empress, I must lead by example and adhere to the rites and laws. While your actions, Mrs. Ji, stem from love, they violate palace regulations. Considering this is your first offense and in light of our past relationship, I will not pursue the matter this time. However, in the future, I hope you will think twice before acting so impulsively again."

Next, Ji Xiaosong looked at the wife of the Minister of Rites and said, "I must trouble you, madam, to handle this phoenix robe appropriately. I trust you will know what to do."

Seeing Ji Xiaosong’s resolute attitude, Mother Ji steeled herself and said, "Empress, this servant asks for nothing else. I only beg that you secure some protection for your two younger brothers. They have the imperial examinations next year. Please, take pity on your mother and help them."

"You must be joking, Mrs. Ji. The imperial examinations are the foundation of our nation. How could they be something I, the Empress, can influence?"

Ji Xiaosong’s expression turned solemn as she continued, "As the Empress, I bear the responsibility of upholding the court’s order and promoting justice. The imperial examinations are a fair path for selecting talented and virtuous men for our country. How can they be subject to personal interference? If I were to grant your sons my protection because of our relationship, what would that say to all the poor scholars across the land who study so diligently? How could I face the trust His Majesty has placed in me? How could I answer to the common people? Mrs. Ji, do not mention such matters that violate the laws and discipline of the state again."

Tears streamed down Mother Ji’s face as she cried out sorrowfully, "Your Majesty, can you truly be so heartless? They are your own brothers!"

Ji Xiaosong’s gaze was firm, and her voice rang with conviction. "I am not being heartless; I am upholding justice. If they truly possess talent and virtue, they will naturally distinguish themselves in the imperial examinations. Why would they need my help through improper means? If I were to agree to your request today, it would be to lead them down a path of unrighteousness, and it would destroy my own reputation and the dignity of the Royal Family. Mrs. Ji, if you truly have their best interests at heart, you should be teaching them to earn their accolades through genuine ability, not scheming to take such a crooked path."

Having said her piece, she looked at Zixi. "Mrs. Ji is tired today. It would be best if she returned to her residence to rest. Zixi, please see her out."

Upon hearing this, Zixi gave a slight bow, walked up to Mother Ji, and said respectfully, yet firmly, "Mrs. Ji, if you please."

Resentment was written all over Mother Ji’s face, but her body was already being half-pushed toward the exit by Zixi.

Once outside the palace gates, Zixi stopped and looked at Mother Ji with a serious expression.

"Mrs. Ji, you heard what the Empress said. The rules in this Imperial Palace are strict. For Her Majesty to have acted as she did is already the height of benevolence. You should stop pestering her. Go back and teach your two sons that earning a future through their own true abilities is the proper path. Do not scheme to take shortcuts by relying on Her Majesty’s connections. Otherwise, you will not only harm your sons but also bring trouble upon the Empress. You need to see reality for what it is. Today’s Empress is a noble and supreme figure. She must consider the dignity of the Royal Family and justice for the entire realm."

Mother Ji’s body trembled, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

How could she not know that a good future could only be secured through genuine ability? But because of the matter with King Wu, her two sons didn’t even dare to leave the house now.

Mr. Ji had real talent and was willing to teach them, but his two sons felt their future was hopeless and refused to learn.

Seeing that Mother Ji hadn’t left, Zixi continued, "There is something you may have never known, Mrs. Ji. When you gave birth to the Empress, you were already severely poisoned. If Her Majesty had not drawn the life force from a hundred flowers, a hundred herbs, and even from fish and insects, you would not be alive today. Although this was many years ago, I imagine the story can still be uncovered. Nanny Chen is also still alive. In a few days, I will be bringing her to the Imperial Palace. You are welcome to ask her about it then."

Hearing Zixi’s words, Mother Ji’s face filled with disbelief. Her eyes widened, and her lips trembled as she stammered, "That... That’s impossible!"

Her body swayed as if she had suddenly lost all her strength.

Memories of all the ways she had mistreated Ji Xiaosong flooded her mind, and endless regret and guilt washed over her.

"I... How could I have treated her like that..."

Mother Ji’s voice choked with sobs, and fresh tears streamed from her eyes.

Zixi looked at Mother Ji and sighed softly. "Mrs. Ji, that is the truth. The Empress has returned your malice with virtue and has never held the past against you. You should conduct yourself well from now on and stop causing trouble for Her Majesty."

Mother Ji stood there, dazed. After a long while, she turned and shuffled away, utterly dejected, muttering to herself, "I wronged her... I wronged her..."

Inside the hall, the tea party continued. Mother Ji’s presence had not sparked any new discussions.

She was, after all, just the wife of an official with no real power anymore, and no one was interested in befriending the children of the Ji family.

The Empress’s stance today reflected her stance for the future, so there was really nothing to fuss about.

There were only so many positions at court. If someone from the Ji family took one, it would mean one less for everyone else.

It was better to just push the Ji family out. This would allow the other families to carve up more benefits for themselves.

Ji Xiaosong’s first tea party with the titled ladies as Empress was a resounding success. Next, she had to pave the way for her son’s future.

For a nation to develop, there were many things an Empress could do.

The Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager no longer interfered in court affairs. They would occasionally leave the Imperial Palace to travel and admire the beautiful landscapes of the realm.

To make their travels more convenient, and also to foster closer ties between the various State Mansions in the future, Ji Xiaosong proposed to Chu Qingyun that they build more official roads.

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyun sighed.

"Song, your proposal is good, but the national treasury is empty, and we lack funds and grain. It is truly difficult to support such a massive project."

Ji Xiaosong pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Perhaps we can look to the methods of other dynasties to solve this predicament. I have heard that when other dynasties built great roads, they often employed various fundraising strategies. First, they would invite wealthy merchants to contribute funds, promising them operational rights for a number of years or other suitable returns."

"Second, they would issue special-purpose bonds to raise funds from the common people, promising to repay them with interest in the future."

"Third, they would negotiate with the State Mansions through which the roads pass, asking them to contribute a portion of the funds and manpower. Once the roads are complete, the benefits of the convenience would naturally reach them first. By gathering the strength of the many in this way, we might solve the problem of insufficient funds."

After listening, Chu Qingyun stroked his chin and mused, "Song, your proposals are novel. However, as for inviting private capital and issuing bonds, We fear there are many uncontrollable elements. The slightest mistake could lead to unforeseeable consequences. Furthermore, the State Mansions are already financially strained. Getting them to contribute funds and labor will likely not be an easy task."

"The Second Prince and Third Prince have had nothing to do since they married. If we give this matter to them and clearly delineate the responsibilities for the different State Mansions, I believe the two of them will handle it well."

Chu Qingyun’s eyes lit up, a delighted expression appearing on his face. He nodded repeatedly and said, "A brilliant move! This way, we can not only solve this problem but also give the two Princes something meaningful to do. It is truly a plan that kills two birds with one stone."