The Gilded Cage

Settlement – I Plan to Hold Your Coronation Ceremony (1)

Because of Xiao Yu’s voluntary confession, the truth of an old case that had been discussed and suspected for three years was quickly revealed.

Not only the ruling and opposition parties were shocked, but even the common people talked about it endlessly.

The majestic Prince of the East Palace once had the intention of killing his father-in-law. In order to cover up all this, he did not hesitate to frame the other’s loyal and sincere courtiers. What was even more absurd is that afterward, he married the other’s daughter as if nothing had happened, and even got the favor of benevolence and righteousness because of it!

While everyone was stunned and disdainful, they felt a little sympathy for the former crown prince consort and the present empress, which on the contrary diluted the ambiguous speculation in the past.

A beautiful woman from a famous family was already eye-catching, but her fate was so ill-fated, she had become the object of discussion among ordinary people after dinner.

After the case was concluded by the third division, Xiao Kezhi personally reviewed the case file, which not only restored Chu Qianyu’s innocence but also made him the Duke of the State and his wife the Madame of the State in accordance with the usual practice.

As an empress, Chu Ning finally ceased to be the daughter of a criminal minister and returned to being a noble daughter in the past, so her status no longer had to be criticized by others.

In the prison, Xiao Yu committed a lot of crimes and was punished for several crimes. Naturally, he could not save his life, and he would be executed soon. However, he was already weak and sick, and now all thoughts were lost. Before waiting for the execution day, he didn’t live through the night, vomited blood, and died.

Xu Rong on the other side seemed to have sensed it, and two days later, he also died in the cell.

According to the guards in the prison, he was old and frail, and he died silently lying on a low couch in the prison in the dead of night. When he was found the next day, he was completely cold, his clothes were neatly dressed, and the hair on his head was not messy at all, just like it was before his death.

As for Zhao Yue, she pleaded guilty at the last moment. During the interrogation, she made it very clear. In the end, she was not sentenced to death, but her status was demoted, and she was sentenced to exile and hard labor. The same was true of her brother Zhao Lun.

When the news reached Taiji Palace, Chu Ning felt emotional for a while, but her heart gradually relaxed.

“It’s all over.” She smiled at Cuihe, and the two strolled together.

Over the past few days, she has roughly read the archives of the Sixth Bureau and also called the female officials to ask questions, gradually becoming familiar with the general affairs of the palace and managing them more and more smoothly.

Now it was the beginning of the month again. Seeing that the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, there would be another banquet in the palace, and there were many things to do. She presided over it herself, and she was always very busy.

Since knowing the truth, she had imagined in her mind countless times what would happen when her wishes were fulfilled one day. Maybe she would cry, maybe she would laugh, maybe she would be calm.

But when it really came to this time, unexpectedly, apart from comfort, there was more sense of loss.

Fortunately, she had regained the focus of her life and would not lose her direction because of the fulfillment of her previous wish.

“Yes.” Cuihe followed her, straightened her back, showed a relaxed smile, and said heartily, “Your Highness, just look to the future.”

The two went to Yeting Palace to have a look, asked some questions, and checked the progress of the banquet preparations. It was not until evening that they finished all matters and returned to Ganlu Palace.

When passing by the place where the handymen and maids were working, Chu Ning paid attention, stopped deliberately, and asked a few more questions.

“Who is in charge of the maids here? How many people are there? How is the daily arrangement?”

The female officer in charge hurried forward and answered one by one, explaining the matter clearly and concisely, and at the end, fearing that something might happen, she asked, “Does Your Highness have an order?”

Chuning smiled, shook his head, and said, “I suddenly remembered something, so I just asked casually.”

As she said that, she deliberately went in to have a look, picked out a few people to come over and ask a few questions, and then left after she knew what was on her mind.

Cuihe didn’t know, so when they arrived at Ganlu Hall, she asked, “Your Highness is suddenly concerned about the maids of Yeting, but what are your plans?”

Chu Ning changed the dress she was wearing outside, wiped her face with a towel, nodded while drinking tea, and said, “Yes, I heard from my aunt earlier that Empress Dowager Wei wanted to read and write at home, but she never had the chance. I want to go in and have a look.”

She knew that women from commoner backgrounds who entered the palace as maids were considered completely inferior to women from official families. They could read and write and were promoted to female officials, but their talents were not necessarily inferior to others, it was just that they lacked an opportunity.

“Among them, there should be those who have the desire to learn but are trapped by their backgrounds, just like the Empress Dowager. I asked a few just now, and one of them said that she would like to learn arithmetic. I think, if there is a chance, I should help them out, which in turn creates more talent for the palace.”

Cuihe didn’t expect that she was thinking about this matter, “It’s naturally good that Your Highness thinks so!”

She was a servant herself, and because she was born into service with the Chu family, she had the opportunity to read and write. The governor was polite, and her life was better than that of ordinary people. Facing other common women, she naturally hoped that they would have the opportunity to see a wider world.

“I’ll mention it to His Majesty tonight.” Chu Ning has had this idea for a long time. “Now that the case is over, it’s time to do something. All the female officers in the Sixth Bureau have their own duties. If I want to do this, we need to open a school for the court ladies in the palace to teach them literacy, arithmetic, etc., and there must be a special person in charge. Are you willing to take on this task?”

She and Cuihe had been together for many years, and they know each other’s temper very well. She knows that Cuihe was an assertive and courageous person. If she served as an ordinary maidservant for the rest of her life, although Cui He would not be unwilling, Chu Ning herself would feel guilty. Now that she has the opportunity, she can just teach Cuihe how to perform.

Cuihe froze for a moment, looked at her, then nodded hesitantly, “I—this servant is naturally willing, and I will never disappoint Your Highness’ trust!”

She understands that this was an opportunity for herself, and while she was delighted, she also felt that there was a long way to go.

…