History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 378 Separation is Frequent
Qin Song was so angry that his nostrils flared up. If Wei Yao had casually mentioned it earlier, then this matter would not have been a big deal. He could have just sent a message through the corridor. But Wei Yao didn't mention it!
Now, he dared not do anything else like Wei Yao, neglecting Princess Zhen, nor did he dare to presume to guess the Emperor's intentions and exempt the princess from her punishment of standing in the corner. The best way, of course, was to turn back and ask the Emperor for clarification, but Wei Yao was right. He had handled such a small matter in two separate instances, disturbing the Emperor's review of official documents. Even if the Emperor did not reprimand him, he would not be assigned similar tasks in the future.

Another powerful eunuch, Yang Fan, came to Qinghui Hall to report on matters. As he passed Qin Song, there was a fleeting glint in their eyes, as if sharp blades had been sharpened within them.

As for Wei Yao, instead of going directly to Gao Zhao's residence through the East Gate, she took a longer route, leaving the palace through the Changhe Palace Gate and heading to the Censorate on the west side of Tongtuo Street.

When Yuan Mao heard from a minor official that Wei Yao had come to see him, he immediately put aside his affairs and came out to meet her.

After the young couple got married, they spent little time together. When they were busy, it was alright, but when they finally met, their longing for each other overwhelmed them!

"Yaoyao..." Yuan Mao had a million tender words saved up, but what came out was: "What happened?"

Having lived two lives, Wei Yao knew how to comfort her husband. She first touched Yuan Mao's cheek and asked with concern, "Is it cold in the official residence?"

Yuan Mao placed his hand on the back of her hand, his gaze lingering on her face, and said, "Cold."

Wei Yao's eyes crinkled with laughter as she placed her other hand on top of him, saying, "I'm warming up my husband."

Yuan Mao placed their hands in his palms, his heart aching with a hint of reproach: "You're frozen solid yourself, and you're trying to warm me up."

"Hehe." Wei Yao tilted her head and smiled playfully.

Yuan Mao rubbed her cold hands to warm them up a little and said, "I know you have a lot of things to do, so you must have something urgent to say at this time. Go ahead and say it."

There was no one around them. Wei Yao handed the several scrolls of documents she had brought to Yuan Mao and whispered, "These are what I collected before. They are all impeachments against Assistant Minister Feng Junxing for abusing his family's power to amass wealth. I want him dead, and these charges alone are not enough."

Yuan Mao didn't ask Wei Yao why she wanted to kill Feng Junxing. Instead, he simply replied, "I understand. I'll check the Censorate to see if there are any old memorials impeaching him. I'll also ask Father to help investigate him. Let's put him in jail first."

“Yes.” Wei Yao inwardly praised her husband, and her approval was reflected on her face.

The couple bid each other a reluctant farewell. Yuan Mao waited until Wei Yao was out of sight before riding off to the Sizhou office. His father, Yuan Zhi, was not there. He first handed over the evidence in his hand to Clerk Gou, and then returned to the Censorate to search for old memorials.

At this time, Wei Yao arrived at Gao Zhao's residence.

Just like yesterday, Duke Gao Xian of Chengcheng went out again, just as she wished.

This time, her tone towards Gao Zhao was not as amiable as before: "I came here on His Majesty's orders to advise the Duke of Bohai on the matter of the princess."

Gao Zhao quickly summoned Gao Meng and asked anxiously, "Is His Majesty angry? Oh dear, Vice Minister Wei, you are a close advisor to the Emperor, you must put in a good word for my Gao family. I will not hide anything from you, actually my nephew is very timid, he would absolutely, absolutely not dare to be disrespectful to the princess!"

Wei Yao sighed softly: "I have said everything I could to help the Duke of Bohai, otherwise, how could I have let this matter pass with just a few words of advice?"

Gao Meng came over; the scratches on his face were all swollen, and there were traces of medicine left in the gaps of the wounds.

He was the one who made the mistake. After yesterday's commotion, the arrogance he had cultivated in his life of luxury was exposed, and he was not only frightened but also humiliated by being made a fool of himself in public.

"What did the physician say about the Duke of Bohai's injuries?"

Gao Meng kept his head down, and his reply was barely audible.

Gao Zhao suppressed his disgust and spoke up for him, "The physician said that in a year or two, the minor injuries will be invisible, but the two wounds will definitely leave scars, alas." Wei Yao understood and first comforted him, "Ambition is not about good looks. Once the court grants the Duke of Bohai his official position, I will find an opportunity to petition His Majesty to allow him to serve in a post outside the capital for a period of time. At that time, I will say that the scars on his face were left from suppressing bandits, and see who dares to spread rumors about the Duke of Bohai based on the scars."

Is this really how things can be done?
The uncle and nephew were extremely grateful!

“But…” Wei Yao’s tone changed.

"I need to give him some advice!" Gao Zhao immediately smacked his nephew on the head: "Listen carefully!"

Wei Yao: "There is a saying in the Analects... 'Serving one's lord, one should be respectful of one's duties before enjoying one's food.' This means that a subject serving his lord should be cautious and diligent in his duties, putting the enjoyment of salary and rewards last. Since the dukes of the prefectures moved to the capital, His Majesty has always considered the needs of the dukes and your clansmen, even giving you the property confiscated from the traitor Yuan Xi!"

"Duke of Bohai, as a subject, have you considered how to repay the Emperor's kindness?"

"Does this mean we should just sit back and enjoy comfort without putting in any hard work?"

"Besides, if we really look at what happened yesterday, it was the Duke of Bohai who was reckless first! Do you know where you went wrong? The princess asked you to get on the carriage, shouldn't you have refused on the grounds that it was against etiquette?"

Gao Meng: "I...I did make a mistake."

Surprisingly, when Wei Yao gave him a lecture, he didn't feel humiliated at all. Instead, his resentment dissipated considerably because he realized that Wei Yao was teaching him how to do things.

Wei Yao: "Furthermore, if Princess Jinan is willing to form a bond with the Duke, it would be a joy for the Duke. It would be a favor bestowed by His Majesty because His Majesty values ​​the Duke's youth and talent. It would not be a way for the Duke to experience the emotions of love and repay the Emperor with those emotions! Loyalty to the country and righteousness, and sharing the burdens of the Emperor, would be the way for the Duke to repay His Majesty."

"Alright, that's all I have to say. I'm busy with other matters and need to hurry back to the Secretariat."

Gao Meng no longer felt ashamed of the injury on his face, and together with his fourth uncle, he saw Wei Yao off from the mansion.

As usual, Wei Yao instructed, "Please trouble Lord Pingyuan to tell Lord Chengcheng that I will come to pay my respects another day."

Gao Zhao waved his hand dismissively: "He's a nobody. Vice Minister Wei is too busy to bother with him."

As the uncle and nephew walked back, Gao Zhao, fearing his nephew was too foolish, adopted the sternness of an uncle and reprimanded him: "Did you understand what Vice Minister Wei said just now?"

Gao Meng: "Understood."

"You don't understand a damn thing! Look at you, such a spineless coward who can't even hide your thoughts! I'm practically telling you right through your ear that if you marry the princess and become her consort, His Majesty will value you more. Don't try to be both her consort and choose the princess at the same time! Understand?"

Gao Meng: "I understand, Uncle, please don't hit me anymore, I really understand."

On the way back to the palace, Wei Yao thought that it was only because the Gao family had just come to the capital and were unaware of Princess Yuanzhen's terrible reputation and outrageous behavior that they were so easily persuaded. Being entangled with this princess would only make Gao Meng more frustrated and increasingly despised by the powerful figures of Luoyang.

Gao Meng's future is not going to be good. Next, should she deal with Gao Zhao or Gao Xian first?

Knowing yourself and knowing your enemy are essential to devising a strategy. Gao Xian has not been in the mansion yesterday or today. Where did he go?

When Wei Yao returned to the Secretariat, Attendant Yuan Hui, looking overwhelmed with work, handed her several memorials: "Yuan Kuang has submitted a memorial impeaching Prince Rencheng for numerous crimes, and also impeaching Prince Qinghe for the extravagance of his residence, which surpasses that of the palace. His Majesty has ordered you and me to write a rebuttal, to be presented to the Eastern Hall before tomorrow's morning court. I can't handle it all by myself. Take a look, Prince Rencheng, Prince Qinghe... which one do you choose?"