Wei Song knew the human relations in the palace best and knew that something was wrong. “I will take my leave.”
“There is something I want to ask you.” Concubine Yan did not let him leave. “I heard that an internal attendant from Fu An Palace called Zhi He has died?”
Wei Song answered carefully, “Yes. On that night when Fu An Palace was on fire, Zhi He was burnt to death.”
Yu He and Concubine Yan echoed each other, “When Zhi He was found, there were chains on his body. Things might not be so simple.”
Wei Song was calm. “Zhi He stole something from Fu An Palace and got caught. He was chained up because we were afraid that he would escape.”
Yu He snorted, “He is already dead. Is he a thief just because you call him one?”
When Wei Song heard this, he cursed in his heart. They were trying to accuse him. “With regard to Zhi He’s theft, we informed Court Lady Fu at that time. The Six Offices has a record. I did not make this up.”
Concubine Yan replied, “If there is a theft in the palace, they should be sent to the Managerial Department for questioning. Instead, you locked him up and dealt your own punishment.”
Wei Song replied, “I would not dare. I reported this to Imperial Concubine Wang and she said that this was a small matter and there was no need to bring it up. Fu An Palace could deal with it by ourselves. I was just acting according to Imperial Concubine Wang’s instructions.”
Concubine Yan chuckled coldly, “Do you have witnesses?”
Wei Song froze. “When...I reported this, only Imperial Concubine Wang was around.” Because their motive for catching him was not simple so no one else could be around.
Yu He laughed wickedly, “Imperial Concubine Wang has already passed on. That means you don’t have witnesses?”
Wei Song’s breath hitched. “You…”
Concubine Yan’s eyes showed no tolerance. “Wei Song, you were taught by the Empress for so many years yet you actually personally punished Zhi He. How could you live up to the Empress in heaven? You shall be caned a hundred times for giving out your own punishment. Men, take him away!”
Wei Song was restrained. “Ridiculous!”
Yu He shouted, “Drag him out. Cane him a hundred times.”
“Wait.” Concubine Yan added, “Wei Song is someone that has served the Empress for many years. Now that he is being punished, it cannot be left unknown. Call everyone over and tell them the reason why he is being punished. In the future, no one can complain that I am unreasonable.”
Chapter 91.1: Pardon
Fu Rou returned to the palace. In front of the palace guards, she personally carried Prince Qin, who was sleeping soundly, and brought him to his palace. When she ensured Prince Qin was settled down, she wanted to return to the Six Offices to handle some matters. However, when she walked past the Imperial Garden, she saw a lot of people looking in the same direction. She found out that Concubine Yan wanted to punish Wei Song and she rushed to Concubine Yan’s palace.
When Fu Rou arrived in the main courtyard, she saw Concubine Yan sitting in front of the palace door. A group of palace personnel surrounded her like they were revering her. Down the stairs, there were two lines of concubines and female officials. They all looked distressed. Although it has not been long since Fu Rou entered the palace, she had once been puzzled as to why Empress Zhangsun was so strict. However, as she saw Concubine Yan bossing everyone around, not caring about what was right and wrong, she finally understood Empress Zhangsun’s benevolence.
Yu He peered down from above haughtily. “Wei Song had personally punished internal attendant Zhi He, causing Zhi He to be unable to escape when Fu An Palace caught on fire and he was burnt alive. Concubine Yan will be punishing Wei Song with a hundred strokes of the cane according to palace rules. This punishment will be carried out in front of everybody.”
Wei Song was furious and shouted, “You want to condemn me, so you are making up a story!”
Concubine Yan ignored him. “There is a mix of good and bad people in the Six Offices and it should have been settled a long time ago. Today, I have invited my various sisters to be witnesses for me. Although Zhi He was wrong, Wei Song should not have carried out the punishment on his own.” She turned to look at Supervisor He. “Supervisor He, am I right?”
Supervisor He flattered her. “Your Highness is right. If anyone makes a mistake in the palace, they should be sent to the office to be dealt with. By locking him up, it means that they are punishing them according to what they deem fit. Wei Song should be punished.”
Concubine Yan looked around. “I am not someone that makes decisions without consulting others. If anyone has anything to say, please speak freely.”
“Your Highness.” Fu Rou walked up and was about to speak her mind.
Concubine Yan had already received the news. “Court Lady Fu, you have just returned and you are already joining in. Aren’t you tired?”
Fu Rou’s expression did not change. “I am in charge of the Six Offices and ensuring that people keep to the palace rules is part of my duties. Your Highness, please do not rush to punish anyone. According to the palace rules, before someone is punished, there is still one thing you have to do.”
Concubine Yan asked, “What?”
“Asking the accused.” Fu Rou asked Wei Song, “Do you admit to your crime?”
Wei Song spoke loudly, “I am the chief of Fu An Palace and I was ordered by Imperial Concubine Wang to deal with the thief. I did not do anything wrong. I do not plead guilty!”
Fu Rou said, “Since Wei Song said that he was acting on orders and Imperial Concubine Wang has passed on, there is no way to prove it. Your Highness should understand that there are things amiss with this. Since there are things that are amiss, the punishment should be withheld.”
“Court Lady Fu, you do not make sense.” Supervisor He was trying to get on Concubine Yan’s good side. “Since there are things amiss, nobles should make the decision. Amongst everyone, Her Highness has the highest status. Naturally, we would look to Her Highness to make the decision.”
“Her Highness does indeed have the power to make the decision.” Fu Rou’s tone changed. “However, I would like to remind Your Highness that everyone's watching to see whether your decision is fair and kind. Do think twice.”
Concubine Yan looked fierce. “I wanted to be kind. However, I cannot tolerate these people who dare to challenge the system. If I let them go this time, it will be a disaster in the future. I can only punish each one I catch severely. Wei Song took the liberty to deliver his own punishment and should be punished. Now, in order to escape the punishment, he is arguing and pushing the blame on Imperial Concubine Wang. To blame the soul of the deceased is yet another crime. With two crimes, he should be punished. His punishment shall now be changed to three hundred strokes of the cane.”
All the noble ladies were startled and started muttering amongst themselves.
Li Baolin murmured to herself, “I told you not to come but you refuse to listen to me. Now you are even arguing with Concubine Yan. Aiya, this is really making me so anxious.”
Fu Rou’s face fell. “Your Highness, you are using someone’s life to demonstrate your power.”
Concubine Yan was feeling happier and happier. “I manage the harem and I have the power. I made the decision to punish him. As a female official, what can you do? You are not that capable yet.” She had already lost out to Fu Rou when it came to talking. Today, they were setting a new score; a pity that Wei Song was the scapegoat.
Yu He took the opportunity to shout, “Begin!”
The internal attendants held heavy rods as they raised it up high. They prepared to punish Wei Song. Fu Rou yelled, “Wait!”
Concubine Yan became fierce. “Court Lady Fu, if you continue to obstruct, I will punish you for being impolite.”