Thinking she had encountered some new problem in resolving the rumors, her heart was in her throat.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qingwan said leisurely, "Thank you, Prime Minister Nan, for your concern. A solution to the rumors has been found, but the time is not yet right, so it cannot be clarified.
This consort has invited all of you here today to ask if these esteemed officials believe such a person, if these rumors were spread by people colluding with outsiders within the court, should be dealt with severely?"
Hearing this, Prime Minister Nan suddenly understood, "No wonder the consort had to invite the Minister of Justice, the Grand Judge of Dali Temple, and the Censor of the Left. Today is about this matter, isn't it?"
Lu Qingwan smiled slightly, "You could say that. Does Prime Minister Nan have any brilliant suggestions?"
Prime Minister Nan repeatedly shook his head, "Everyone has their own area of expertise. Since the chief officials of the three judicial departments are all here, this minister will not presume to offer unsolicited advice.
Come, the three esteemed officials, speak your minds freely. If anything is inappropriate, the two Grand Secretaries are also present to offer guidance. Feel free to speak your minds."
Her posture of taking the host's place made one almost believe this was not the imperial study, but her own Nan Palace.
Han Guang and the others found it almost amusing.
However, the matter was of great importance, and no one dared to truly joke. The chief officials of the three judicial departments exchanged glances, and it was the Grand Judge of Dali Temple who spoke first.
"Since the consort has specifically summoned us to the palace, this minister shall offer his humble opinion."
The Grand Judge of Dali Temple said solemnly, "The 'New Dynasty Enslavement Theory' has indeed caused extremely vicious repercussions. However, Your Highness, from a legal perspective, the punishment for spreading rumors is actually not severe.
If it did not involve state affairs, this matter might not even be enough to file a case.
If it were truly a minister of the court, the most severe consequence would be dismissal from office."
Han Guang and the Censor of the Left nodded in agreement, "Lord Gu speaks the truth, Your Highness. If such matters were dealt with according to the law, this person would not be punished too severely."
They knew Lu Qingwan's temperament. She had summoned them because she wanted to punish this person severely. Therefore, although Han Guang's words were reasoned and justified, he clearly lacked confidence.
To their surprise, Lu Qingwan did not become angry or complain as he expected. Instead, she calmly asked, "What if I have evidence to prove she colluded with the Turks and remnants of the former Northern Wei?
What if she is even responsible for the large-scale disappearance of people, which is based on this rumor?"
"Then it would basically be a death sentence, no doubt about it."
Han Guang said without hesitation, "Up to now, thirteen deaths have occurred in this case of missing persons. These thirteen lives are enough to nail him to the execution block."
Lu Qingwan was very satisfied to hear this.
Just then, Li Su appeared and gestured to inform her that the wife of the Commissioner of Palace Communications had arrived.
Lu Qingwan then smiled, "We shall pause here for now. Please accompany the esteemed officials to the side hall and wait quietly for a moment. This consort will invite you to witness a good show."
Several people looked curious, but Lu Qingwan merely gestured towards the side hall, "Esteemed officials, please."
The officials were very curious about what Lu Qingwan was up to. They also knew that the "good show" Lu Qingwan mentioned likely had something to do with the "New Dynasty Enslavement Theory." Thus, they obediently entered the side hall.
Li Su then stepped forward, "Reporting to Your Highness, the wife of the Commissioner of Palace Communications has arrived."
Her words were somewhat deliberate, and the ministers who had just entered the side hall all heard them.
Upon hearing this, Commissioner of Palace Communications Cui Wanyuan was stunned, and the gazes of others fell upon him.
They had found it strange when Lu Qingwan spoke of the rumors earlier.
Regarding the rumors, Grand Secretaries Wen and Chi, along with Prime Minister Nan, were pillars of the court, and Lu Qingwan needed their advice.
The Minister of Justice, the Grand Judge of Dali Temple, and the Censor of the Left were needed to help determine the punishment.
Only the Commissioner of Palace Communications, Cui Wanyuan, seemed unrelated to this matter.
At this moment, everyone tacitly guessed that the person Lu Qingwan had repeatedly referred to as spreading rumors and colluding with the Turks and remnants of the former Northern Wei might be the wife of the Commissioner of Palace Communications.
Cui Wanyuan himself also realized this and instinctively wanted to speak in his defense, but Grand Secretary Wen had already spoken.
He deliberately lowered his voice and made a shushing gesture, "Everyone, be quiet and listen to what the consort has to say."
With so many people present, even if Cui Wanyuan wanted to do something to reduce his own involvement or help his wife escape punishment, he knew it would be in vain.
Prime Minister Nan and the Censor of the Left flanked him. If he made any move, Prime Minister Nan, a prime minister with a military background, could hold him in place.
As for the Censor of the Left, who was responsible for overseeing all officials, any hint of impropriety from him could cost him his official position.
Being a sensible person, Cui Wanyuan ultimately did nothing but sat quietly between Prime Minister Nan and the Censor of the Left, waiting to see what would happen.
Meanwhile, outside, Lu Qingwan had met with the wife of the Commissioner of Palace Communications.
The woman, around thirty years old, was dignified and refined in appearance. It was evident that she had dressed up specifically for her visit to the palace.
After following Li Su into the room, she caught a glimpse of Lu Qingwan casually sitting in the seat that rightfully belonged to Si Fengwu. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
She then performed the proper courtesies, "This humble wife greets Your Highness, and wishes Your Highness well."
Since Si Fengwu had not yet ascended the throne, the title could only be "Consort," but the kowtow she performed was the same as that offered by an imperial consort to an empress.
Normally, Lu Qingwan would politely allow the female relatives of court officials to rise. However, this time, she did not ask Mrs. Cui to get up.
As if not seeing Mrs. Cui still kneeling on the ground, she asked with a not-so-pleasant tone, "Does Madam Cui know why this consort summoned you to the palace?"
Maintaining her kneeling posture, Mrs. Cui slightly raised her head, her attitude humble, "This humble wife is foolish. I beg Your Highness to enlighten me."
These were words of self-deprecation, yet Lu Qingwan seized upon them, "Indeed, you are foolish.
The Cui clan of Boling offended Emperor Guanglie, and for fifty years, none of them entered officialdom.
His Highness, being benevolent, did not hold the Cui clan's generations as commoners against them and granted your husband the position of a third-rank official. Yet, you failed to cherish it.
For your ambitious maternal family, you colluded with the Turks and the remnants of the Northern Wei, used the Cui clan's shops and caravans to spread the 'New Dynasty Enslavement Theory,' caused chaos in the court, and disrupted the imperial order. Cui Chu Shi, do you know your crime?!"
Lu Qingwan gave Mrs. Cui no opportunity to refute, launching directly into a list of her alleged crimes.
Mrs. Cui was stunned. During these past days, engaging in such a treasonous act, she had not been without concern about what would happen if the truth came out.
She had even considered how to defend herself if the matter were exposed. However, she had encountered someone like Lu Qingwan who played by her own rules, rendering all her prepared defenses useless.
After a moment of stunned silence, Mrs. Cui slowly reacted and began to plead her case, "Your Highness, you are mistaken!
This humble wife is but a woman confined to the inner chambers. How could I possibly have had contact with any Turks or remnants of the Northern Wei? Spreading rumors is even more baseless.
There must be some misunderstanding, Your Highness. I implore Your Highness to see through this matter and restore this humble wife's innocence!"
Her righteous stance made one truly believe she had been greatly wronged if they did not know the truth.
But Lu Qingwan gave her no chance to argue and directly produced a syringe.