CH 36.1

Chapter 36 Part 1- Empress Dowager

Second Master Liao?

That is her father.

Liao Qing Qing asked anxiously, “What happened to Second Master Liao?”

He Xiang stammered, “Say… Say it’s—”

“It’s what?” Liao Qing Qing unconsciously raised her voice.

“That the Second Master is corrupt, takes bribes and that he engages in factional activities in pursuit of personal gains.”

Corruption and bribery?

Engages in factional activities in pursuit of personal gains?

Liao Qing Qing possessed the original owner’s memory and knew Second Master Liao’s character very well. They were weak, incompetent and afraid of the Eldest Master Liao. However, they were not greedy people.

Last year, when Noble Lady Liao lost proprietary in front of the Emperor, Eldest Master Liao approached them. They tried to intercede for Noble Lady Liao through her, and they wrote to her right away.

They wrote three letters consecutively.

And sent a silver cheque.

After she firmly refused, they did not intercede for Noble Lady Liao again.

The silver cheque was deliberately returned to Eldest Master Liao.

If the Emperor had not given the Second Master Liao a promotion, Ji Shi would not have written to her, and the content of this letter was all for her sake, thanking the Emperor for his kindness.

It was apparent that they were content with their life ahead of them.

How could they be corrupt and take bribes?

How is it possible to engage in factional activities for personal gains?

So why are there charges of corruption, bribery and factional affiliation?

Someone framed them?

Yes!

Someone framed them!

The purpose of the false accusation is… her?

Liao Qing Qing’s body shuddered, and she looked at He Xiang in disbelief.

He Xiang said, “I heard that the Second Master has been taken into custody.”

“Taken into custody?”

“Yes.”

“Who arrested him?”

“This maidservant doesn’t know.”

“Where is the Second Madam?”

“This maidservant doesn’t know.”

Liao Qing Qing was a little flustered. She put down her brush, got up and walked out of the study. She saw Chang Momo from Empress Dowager’s palace coming over when she reached the corridor.

Chang Momo?!

Liao Qing Qing’s heart tightened.

Empress Dowager has heard about the matter of Liao manor, right?

She suppressed the fluster in her heart and received Chang Momo.

Once she knew that Empress Dowager had summoned her, she hurriedly changed into a plain dress and followed Chang Momo to Shouxi Palace. As she stepped into the Empress Dowager’s hall, she turned her head to find the Empress Dowager offering incense.

Her feet automatically stopped.

Chang Momo said, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, wait here for a while.”

Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

Chang Momo left.

Liao Qing Qing remained at the same spot and looked at Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager inserted an incense stick into the incense burner, placed her hands together and worshipped the Buddha incense again. Then, she turned around to look at Liao Qing Qing and said, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, you’re here.”

“Yes.” Liao Qing Qing very naturally went forward to help the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager glanced at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing’s head slightly lowered.

“Sit.” Empress Dowager walked towards the hall, pointed to the chair and said, “Have some tea.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

Liao Qing Qing sat opposite Empress Dowager as she usually did.

But she didn’t feel any relaxed. All she could think of was the matter of the Second Master Liao.

Empress Dowager was leisurely drinking tea and slowly said, “Have you heard about your father’s matter?”

Liao Qing Qing was shocked in her heart and said, “This imperial concubine has heard about it.”

“Where did you hear about it?”

“When this imperial concubine’s palace maid went out to pick flowers, she heard it in the garden.”

Empress Dowager nodded and asked, “What do you have to say?”

What do I have to say?

That I am wronged?

I was framed?

Liao Qing Qing remained silent for a moment and then spoke, “Replying to Empress Dowager, this imperial concubine has just heard about this matter. So I don’t know what the truth is.”

Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said, “This grieving one[1] doesn’t know what the situation is either. When the Emperor comes over later, we will know what is going on.”

“His Majesty is coming over?” Liao Qing Qing was surprised.

“If you are not in Lisheng Pavilion, he will naturally have to come over here.”

Liao Qing Qing did not answer and felt anxious.

Outside the hall, as expected, Fu Sheng’s announcement sounded, “His Majesty has arrived—”

Then Emperor Jing Li came in with large strides.

Liao Qing Qing immediately paid respects to Emperor Jing Li.

“You may rise,” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing slowly got up and raised her eyes to look at Emperor Jing Li. There was no distinctive expression on Emperor Jing Li’s cold face. However, she could sense that Emperor Jing Li was a little unhappy.

She could understand this point.

Emperor Jing Li spent eight years breaking down the various factions in the dynasty.

All he wanted was for the people of Wei to have a good life.

In his life, he hated faction affiliation, corruption and bribery.

In the end, he single-handedly promoted the Second Master Liao, who was involved in these.

Can he be happy?

Liao Qing Qing remained silent.

Emperor Jing Li respectfully bowed to Empress Dowager.

“Have a seat.” Empress Dowager said.

Emperor Jing Li sat down, and Liao Qing Qing followed suit.

The Empress Dowager then asked, “Emperor, this grieving one heard that Liao Shi Wen, Magistrate Liao, was corrupt, took bribes, and he is affiliated in a faction?”

Emperor Jing Li did not answer.

Liao Qing Qing’s hands trembled slightly.

Empress Dowager spoke again, “This grieving one heard that the Emperor promoted Liao Shi Wen from the county magistrate to a judge because he is upright and not greedy for wealth. He is under the governor in charge of food transportation, water conservancy, and overseeing the responsibilities. How can he be corrupted?”

Emperor Jing Li said, “This matter is not yet clear.”

Empress Dowager said unhurriedly, “How did it spread in the imperial harem?”

“It was probably spread by someone with a motive.”

Upon hearing that, Liao Qing Qing froze and raised her eyes to look at Emperor Jing Li.

The expression on Emperor Jing Li’s face wasn’t pleasant.

She looked at Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager nodded and calmly said, “Since it was spread by someone with an intention, then uncover that person.”

“This son understands,” Emperor Jing Li responded.

“How is Magistrate Liao doing now?”

“He’s temporarily taken into custody.”

“What about his family?”

“In the Liao manor under the watchful eyes of officials.”

“Until things are cleared, no one should be hurt.”

“Queen Mother is right.”

“Ay. It really does not let one be spared from worries.”

Empress Dowager sighed softly and turned to look at Liao Qing Qing.

[1] 哀家(āijiā)- This grieving one/ I (self-referring by a widowed empress etc, used in historical novels and operas)