"Father, my second brother is speaking utter nonsense and slandering me.
Your humble son has never had any contact with those officials, nor do I dare to harbor any intentions of forming factions. Moreover, A'luan is my own full sister, so how could I possibly target her enterprises? I suspect someone must be acting under my name. My sister has simply been deceived.
I implore Father to grant me some time. I assure you, I will thoroughly investigate this matter, clear my name, and reveal the truth. This will also prevent others from assuming we siblings are at odds and live in disharmony."
One had to admit, the original body's elder brother, the First Prince, was far more sophisticated and intelligent. After refuting the Second Prince's initial accusation, he spent the rest of his time either using his sibling relationship with Ding Yun to exonerate himself, or attempting to stall for time.
He even aimed to gain control of the investigation.
Finally, he didn't forget to put on a show of brotherly and sisterly affection, saying something Du Gu Xiao wished to hear: that he didn't want outsiders to know about their internal family strife.
However, few present were fools. Internally, most felt that if even a full sister was accusing him, he must have gone too far.
Consequently, someone quickly spoke up in rebuttal.
For the next hour or so, Ding Yun had no room for personal initiative. The officials and seven or eight princes were already engaged in a heated argument. One side desperately tried to defend themselves, while the other fiercely solidified the credibility of the evidence. They argued until their faces were red.
As they remained deadlocked, Ding Yun could bear it no longer. She stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said,
"Father, since the officials cannot reach a consensus and find it difficult to adjudicate even with such conclusive evidence, why not distribute this evidence to the realm? Let the common people judge, for the people's will is the will of Heaven! The people's judgment is akin to divine will!
Furthermore, this is not a difficult task. I have already ordered one thousand copies of the evidence to be printed. It will take less than an hour to disseminate these ten thousand copies throughout Chang'an, and within half a month, it should spread across the land. At that time, we can simply adopt the people's verdict."
Undoubtedly, Ding Yun was issuing a veiled threat.
Her implication was clear: if she did not receive a satisfactory outcome today, she would ensure the entire affair, its causes and consequences, and everyone's actions, were clearly and unequivocally spread throughout the realm.
"You..."
"It is merely a family matter, why must you go to such extremes?"
Du Gu Xiao was not a fool; he understood his daughter's veiled threat perfectly. It was precisely because he understood that he became exceptionally angry and questioned her.
"Father, if anyone is to blame, it is their excessive greed. They were the ones who first did not treat me as a sibling. A group of princes with hands and feet who should be thinking of the country and its people, yet they are solely focused on the meager possessions of their widowed sisters. Is this an attempt to strip us bare?"
"I warned them, and I reminded them.
Yet, they not only refused to listen but became even more brazen. They were mere steps away from barging into my princess manor with swords, forcing me to hand over my assets and secret recipes. And you are still here, Father, and they dare to act this way.
When one of them eventually becomes Crown Prince and ascends the throne, what hope will the rest of us siblings have for survival? We might as well hang ourselves at home and at least retain our bodies intact!"
"If this matter cannot be resolved, Father, you might as well hang me, the wronged party, here and now. It would save me from future suffering and show the common people what kind of family conduct the Du Gu family upholds, and how princes treat a widowed sister."
Ding Yun's intention was to escalate the situation and completely expose the truth. Only by doing so could she achieve the effect of 'killing the chicken to scare the monkeys' and make her father wary enough not to act against her.
After Ding Yun's words, the other princes not involved in the case, and the officials and nobles who had not pledged allegiance to any particular prince, secretly nodded.
Indeed, if they dared to act like this as mere princes, what would happen when they became Crown Prince or Emperor?
Furthermore, if they coveted their own sister's assets, what about others? It was likely that many merchants had already been forced to pledge allegiance, or perhaps even ruined. Such princes as rulers would not be a blessing for the realm, nor for the officials.
Therefore, very soon, the other princes and officials who were not involved in the case began to voice their support for Ding Yun. Some officials well-versed in penal law even stated that the emperor and commoners are equal before the law, and they should not bend the law for the sake of their status as princes. A ruler who breaks the law heralds chaos for the realm and should set an example for all under Heaven.
Du Gu Xiao was indeed the emperor, but he was not an emperor who had ascended the throne through perfect legitimacy. He had managed to stabilize his reign only after compromising with various powerful families.
Therefore, he did not possess the absolute power to make a pronouncement that no minister would dare to defy. If too many ministers opposed a particular matter, especially if it included representatives from the five major families, then he would have to reconsider.
He might even abandon or alter his decision.
Thus, when Ding Yun's threat to disseminate the matter to the entire realm was combined with the approval of most of the officials, he had no choice but to compromise, however unwillingly. He could only nod in tacit agreement and announce:
"The evidence is conclusive. All their titles and official positions are revoked. They are to reflect on their actions at home. Any further offense will result in the extermination of their clans and lineage, and they will be demoted to commoner status and confined to their residences."
While the punishment might not seem severe,
It was already quite good.
The saying "the emperor and commoners are equal before the law" was merely a saying; anyone who took it literally would be a fool.
Moreover, at this time, it was possible to use one's noble title to atone for offenses, and even for a father to use his title to shield his children from punishment. Coupled with the fact that the princes' actions were not crimes of utter depravity, the punishment was naturally not too severe.
Ding Yun also knew that this was the greatest concession possible and that further progress was unlikely. Thus, she reluctantly expressed her willingness to accept it.
And so, the matter was concluded.
However, in reality, this matter had only concluded in the side hall of the Chang'an Palace. Elsewhere, it could be considered just beginning, or not yet begun at all.
As soon as Ding Yun took her leave, before she had even exited the Chang'an Palace, she was summoned by people dispatched by the Empress, who stated that the Empress wished to see her immediately.
There was no room for delay.
Although Ding Yun knew that this meeting with the Empress would not be as harmonious as previous ones, and that even arguing was a normal occurrence, she could not refuse. Therefore, she went to Changle Palace.
Upon entering the main hall, she saw the Empress, her face contorted with rage, dismiss everyone and shout:
"Du Gu Luan, what exactly do you intend to do?"
"He is your own brother!"
"Do you not consider me your mother? If you wish to deal with those illegitimate sons, fine, but you even dare to target your own brother. What do you truly want?"
"Your brother is destined to become Crown Prince. With your actions now, how can he possibly achieve that!"
Needless to say, the Empress was furious.
The First Prince was her eldest son and the legitimate eldest child, theoretically the most qualified to become Crown Prince and inherit the throne. Although Du Gu Xiao had never formally declared the First Prince as Crown Prince, in the Empress's heart, her son's position as Crown Prince was already secure.
But now, all of it had been ruined by Ding Yun.
By her own daughter, Ding Yun.
How could she not be angry, enraged, and devastated?
In contrast, Ding Yun's emotions were far more composed. She let out a cold snort and replied directly,
"Mother, you are truly amusing.
He is my brother, that is true, but has he ever treated me as his sister? While it is common nowadays for elder brothers to covet their sisters' fortunes, there is no brother who dares to act this way and then forbid his sister from resisting.
You should not be saying this now.
You should have said it to him before he acted against me.
Not after the fact."
After stating her case, Ding Yun mockingly added,
"Moreover, you are too naive. The Emperor has been on the throne for almost two years. Your eldest son is both legitimate and eldest. He is almost old enough to have grandchildren, yet he has not become Crown Prince in two years.
Do you truly believe his chances of becoming Crown Prince are high?
It is evident to anyone with eyes, yet you fail to see it. Our Father is in his prime; how could he tolerate a Crown Prince who would vie for power with him? How foolish!"
The role of a Crown Prince at this time was different from that of many years later. In later years, some Crown Princes had virtually no power, and even close association with certain officials could lead to accusations of colluding with outsiders.
However, the Crown Prince of this era.
Possessed the right to establish his own mini-court.
If the Emperor was not in Chang'an, the Crown Prince could even take over Chang'an or act as regent without an imperial decree. Such a Crown Prince posed an immense threat to the Emperor. Therefore, unless the Emperor doted on his son exceptionally, emperors of this era were generally reluctant to appoint a Crown Prince early. Some would only do so when they felt their end was near.
And if an emperor appointed a Crown Prince early.
Then, in their old age and feebleness, those emperors would fear the threat posed by the Crown Prince even more and would restrict the Crown Prince with considerable unease.
For example, Emperor Wu of Han.
However, Ding Yun's words had no effect on the Empress, who was currently in a fit of rage. She didn't even listen, but merely shouted,
"Do not make excuses. This is your fault.
When your elder brother needed gold and silver for his bid for the throne, why did you not support him, but instead outright refused? If you had not refused, would your brother have had to resort to such measures? Who else should you help if not your brother?
Only when your brother becomes Crown Prince can my status and yours be more secure. Do you not understand this? Do you honestly believe that if one of the other princes, with whom we have no blood relation, were to become Crown Prince and ascend the throne.
We would have a good life?
At least I have the status of a legitimate mother. No matter what, he would not dare to do anything to me. But what status do you have? I truly wish I had never given birth to you!"
The Empress in this state.
Clearly, communication was impossible. So Ding Yun simply stopped speaking, letting the words wash over her ears. Standing for a long time made her tired, so she even found a spot and sat down, listening.
Her defiant attitude.
Only made the Empress angrier, yet she was helpless.
Just then, the sound of the Empress Dowager's arrival was heard from outside the main hall. The Empress quickly regained her composure and glanced at Ding Yun, saying displeasedly,
"Look, this matter has even alarmed the Empress Dowager.
Do you think the Empress Dowager has come to speak in your defense, or to accuse you of harming her four grandsons?"
"What do you mean harmed? Are they dead?
They only have themselves to blame. If it weren't for their status as princes, this matter would not have been so easily resolved, merely by stripping their titles.
I am merely defending myself. I do not offend others unless they offend me."
Ding Yun was not one to back down, even with the Empress Dowager's presence, she still retorted to her mother, the Empress, undeterred.
"Well said!"
The Empress Dowager, who had only just stepped into the room, immediately praised Ding Yun upon hearing her words and then strode in, saying,
"Today, I have truly opened my eyes.
You two, a husband and wife, instead of blaming those who have done wrong, you are blaming the victim for daring to complain. Since you are so capable, why did you not accept it when the last emperor of the previous dynasty dealt with our Du Gu family? Why did you raise an army to resist then?
Have all these years of studying the sage texts been learned by dogs? Do you not understand the principle of 'do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself'? Those few are truly shameless.
They even covet their own sister's assets.
They have only been princes for a few days, and they have already forgotten all the ancestral teachings and family rules of the Du Gu family. If royalty corrupts so quickly, what difference is there between them and the royal family of the previous dynasty? Let the Du Gu family, who have been a noble clan for three hundred years, not end up as emperors for less than a hundred years.
I do not know if rebelling back then was the right decision.
The royal family of the previous dynasty was also a noble clan before they became emperors, and their lineage was even longer than ours. Yet, in less than a hundred years, they were overthrown and almost exterminated.
Is the position of emperor some immortal elixir?
I see it as a poison that hastens death!
What have they all become?
I am speaking to you. Why are you still standing outside? Come in quickly, I am inviting you!"
Following the Empress Dowager's frighteningly clear words, Du Gu Xiao, who had been standing outside the hall for a while, walked in with some awkwardness and said helplessly,
"Mother, what dispiriting words are you speaking? Our Du Gu family will surely endure for a thousand years and never decline."
"I think you are the one who has gone mad.
Endure for a thousand years, never decline? The Ji Zhou royal family, how pathetic were they back then? Their reign lasted less than eight hundred years. What about the First Emperor?
He spoke of second generations, third generations, ten thousand generations.
In the end, it only lasted two generations.
From ancient times to the present, the Heavenly Emperors worshipped by the common people have changed several times. Ten thousand generations? What daydreaming! If you do not rein in your sons,
I fear we will meet the same fate as the second generation."
One must admit, the Empress Dowager was incredibly clear-minded. Of course, only she dared to speak such words; anyone else would have been killed.
They could easily be accused of cursing the nation's destiny.