Da Li Temple - Chapter 83.2

Chapter 83.2
Husband and Wife

In the first month of the seventh year of Hongwu, King Liang’s rebellion and the Empress’s imprisonment implicated the Chen family. At the same time, the court redressed the Xiao Family’s treason case thirteen years ago, changing the situation dramatically in a single night. While everyone was trembling and trying to figure out the Emperor’s intention for fear of touching the royal misfortune, Empress Dowager summoned Lin Wanqing into the Daming Palace. From the previous unhappy experiences of facing the Empress Dowager, Lin Wanqing pulled Su Moyi to accompany her this time.
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When the two arrived, the Empress Dowager was taking a nap. Mama Ji was stunned to see Su Moyi following Lin Wanqing, and then she heard Empress Dowager’s lazy voice coming from the inner room.
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“You tell that little bastard called Jingche to find a place to cool off himself. I didn’t summon him today.”
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The three of them were instantly embarrassed, and Mama Ji could not resist Empress Dowager’s will, so she could only ask Su Moyi to rest in the side hall.
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Lin Wanqing was so scared that her face turned pale. She miserably pulled on his sleeve to keep from leaving. Her appearance amused that heartless man, so he leaned over and touched her head, biting her ear to say, “Don’t worry. Imperial Grandmother won’t eat you. If she’s hard on you, say that you’re having my flesh and blood.”
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Lin Wanqing gritted her teeth and could only stare at him.

The Empress Dowager had just woken up from her nap, and the room was ablaze with incense that calms the mind and helps one sleep, a light scent that makes one unconsciously relax.
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Lin Wanqing followed Mama Ji and sat in front of the screen in the outer room. After a while, a rustling sound resounded behind her. The Empress Dowager, supported by Mama Ji, walked around the screen and sat on the upper seat.

Lin Wanqing lowered her head and didn’t dare look at her. She wanted to get up and salute, but the Empress Dowager excused her. Both of them did not speak again for a while, and after a long moment of silence, she heard Empress Dowager say, “Jingche has already investigated the Xiao family’s case.”
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Lin Wanqing’s breathing stuttered, and she responded softly, “En.”
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“He told you?” The Empress Dowager asked.
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Lin Wanqing shook her head and said, “This is an important case, and those not directly involved need to keep it a secret until it is finalized. The Lord’s duties are on the line so that he won’t talk much with me, and I won’t ask more questions either.”
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The Empress Dowager was surprised to hear this. The corner of her lips unconsciously pulled up a trace of arc. She said, “The Emperor told me that the Ministry of Justice and the Royal Historical Office advocated for the abolition of the Empress and the Crown Prince, the extermination of Chen’s family, and exile of the rest of them, but Jingche did not agree.”
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“Hm,” Lin Wanqing nodded her head and responded without too much emotion.
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The Empress Dowager felt bored seeing her in this businesslike manner, so she had to speak for herself: “He approves of the abolition of the Crown Prince and the Empress, but the Chen family didn’t take part in the conspiracy against the Xiao’s family, so they shouldn’t be labeled as rebels. But they shelter fake a princess and deceive the Emperor, so they should be exiled.”
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After a beat, the Empress Dowager looked up at Lin Wanqing and lightly said: “What do you think?”
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Lin Wanqing pondered momentarily and only asked, “In what capacity does the Empress Dowager want me to answer this question?”
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The Empress Dowager didn’t expect her to ask this and froze for a moment, “What do you mean by this?”
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Lin Wanqing met her gaze, changed her timid appearance, and said, “As a victim, I naturally hate the Empress to the bone and would like to let her taste the bitterness I have tasted. But as the Da Li Temple Recorder, I should uphold the law and agree with Lord Su’s proposition.”
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“Heh ……” the Empress Dowager smiled at her words, not mockingly, but with a bit of surprise, “Then what if I let you answer with your own heart? If you are neither the victim nor the Recorder of Da Li temple, how do you decide this case?”

Lin Wanqing pondered momentarily and truthfully said, “I will still agree with Lord Su’s proposition.”
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“Oh?” The Empress Dowager was surprised.
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“The Empress Dowager might think I’m obsessed with criminal affairs, join Da Li Temple to avenge my family’s blood feud, and use the law as revenge and punishment. But I have never thought of it that way. Does the Empress Dowager believe that?”
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The Empress Dowager was stunned and did not make a statement.
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Lin Wanqing said, “In my opinion, the country needs a law not only to ‘punish evil,’ but more importantly, to protect good people from evil. Justice means more than revenge. Therefore, I believe Lord Su’s proposition is fair and proper.” Her words were clear, and her voice was loud.
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The Empress Dowager was stunned for a long time before she mumbled unwillingly, “They say that husbands and wives have the same mind. I wanted you to persuade this stubborn grandson of mine –” She silently sighed and added: “If it were a year ago, Jingche would not only want to exterminate their three generations; he must be the one who jumped at the chance to exterminate their nine generations. I am still wondering, how come when it is time for him to jump his feet, he instead started to sing against me …….” She reluctantly looked at Lin Wanqing and lightly hummed.
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“Fine…” the Empress Dowager sighed, “I’m old. I do not have the heart to care about these courtroom disputes. I only hope to be able to hold a great-grandson as soon as possible, the fourth generation of my family, to enjoy the days of life —” Saying this, she couldn’t help but measure Lin Wanqing. Seeing that she looked indifferent, the Empress Dowager felt a hint of urgency in her heart. She surveyed the surroundings for a moment, and after making sure that no one was present, she beckoned to Lin Wanqing, asking her to come closer.

Lin Wanqing froze and leaned over in confusion.
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The Empress Dowager changed her usual serious and dignified demeanor, secretly pulled out a small booklet from under the seat, and stuffed it into Lin Wanqing’s hand, saying, “Take this and learn it well. In the future, it will be beneficial to you.”
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“Oh, oh ……” Lin Wanqing nodded and took it, but she saw nine big characters on the cover – The One Hundred and Eight Secrets of Sex
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“…… ” Lin Wanqing couldn’t believe her eyes, staring at the Empress Dowager and swallowing hard.
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The Empress Dowager reached out and closed her wide-open mouth, then flipped the book open and admonished, “This book is excellent. When the late Emperor’s harem was empty, I used these methods to make the late Emperor addicted to it and unable to stop. Look at this ……”
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The Empress Dowager pointed to one of the pages and said, “I got pregnant with Jingche’s mother using this method.”
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“…… ” Lin Wanqing looked at the two upside-down overlapping people on the page, and for a moment, she felt mixed emotions.
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“Take it,” the Empress Dowager shoved the book into Lin Wanqing’s hand and instructed, “It’s yours, don’t let me down.”
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Lin Wanqing: “……”
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