Chapter 763: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 763: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (4)
However, Mo Yan wasn’t focused on finding a way to help the Wu family mother and son. This was because the Chen family had already been arrested. Just a few days ago, they were escorted to the capital, awaiting their fate.
The day after the Chen family was escorted to the capital, Mo Yan submitted a petition to the palace, requesting an audience with the emperor. But she had yet to receive any news about being summoned by Emperor Hui’an.
Mo Yan felt that Emperor Hui’an likely already knew the true reason behind her request to meet. The fact that he hadn’t summoned her was likely his way of refusing to forgive Du Shi. Without access to the palace, she could not plead for Du Shi in person and could only place her hope in Xiao Ruiyuan, hoping he could persuade Chu Heng. If that happened, she might have a chance to enter the palace and convince Emperor Hui’an to pardon Du Shi’s death sentence.
Days passed, and after seven or eight days, Mo Yan hadn’t received any news from either the palace or Xiao Ruiyuan. She began to feel more and more anxious. The longer the delay, the more she worried that the next news she would receive would be about the Chen family’s execution.
Mo Qingze, who had been quietly studying at home, noticed Mo Yan’s unease and couldn’t help but ask her several times.
Mo Yan, not daring to tell him the truth, made up vague excuses to avoid answering. She decided to keep the matter concerning Chen Ji’s actions a secret from her family. The plan to save Du Shi would also proceed in secrecy. If Emperor Hui’an pardoned Du Shi, Mo Yan intended to secretly arrange for Du Shi’s safety without letting anyone in the family know, as she didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble for them.
Fortunately, on the ninth day, Xiao Ruiyuan sent word through his secret agents that Chu Heng was willing to forgive Du Shi and would enter the palace to plead for her, as a way of repaying Mo Yan’s previous act of saving him.
Mo Yan felt a great weight lifted from her heart. With Chu Heng willing to show mercy, the possibility of Emperor Hui’an softening his stance increased significantly.
On the afternoon of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, a young palace eunuch arrived at the Mo family home, delivering an imperial edict from Emperor Hui’an. Mo Yan was to enter the palace on the eighth day of the month, at the fifth watch, to meet the emperor.
Finally, she had received concrete news, and Mo Yan felt a sense of relief. The next morning, she prepared herself, dressing in her official robes, and set off for the palace to meet Emperor Hui’an.
Upon entering the palace gates, a palace eunuch was waiting to escort her. He led her directly to the imperial study, where she was greeted by Xiao Ruiyuan, who had been waiting for her.
After sending the eunuch away, Xiao Ruiyuan spoke as they walked inside, “The emperor has softened his stance. Once you enter, just tell him the truth about why you want to save Du Shi.”
“I understand,” Mo Yan replied with a smile, though in her heart, she knew she must never reveal the true reason for saving Du Shi.
Once inside, after the eunuch went in to announce her presence, Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan were allowed to enter.
Emperor Hui’an’s expression was solemn, and Mo Yan felt a sense of unease as she bowed to pay her respects and waited for him to speak.
After a long silence, Emperor Hui’an finally asked about Mo Yan’s reasons for wanting to save the criminal Du Shi. His tone was neutral, making it hard to discern what he truly thought.
Mo Yan quickly composed herself and bowed again before speaking with a solemn expression, “Chen Ji committed grave offenses that harmed his family. Both he and his relatives are beyond forgiveness. However, Du Shi is the biological mother of He Jia, and she gave birth to her. Even though she abandoned He Jia, we cannot deny the fact that she is her mother. The Da Chu dynasty upholds filial piety, and it is well-known that Your Majesty is deeply devoted to the Empress Dowager. He Jia also follows Your Majesty’s example and strives to be a filial daughter. She cannot bear to see Du Shi suffer a death sentence.”
After speaking, Mo Yan bowed deeply again and remained in that position for a long time.
None of her words were directly pleading for mercy, yet each sentence emphasized filial piety, subtly praising the emperor, ensuring no offense was caused.
Emperor Hui’an’s expression remained unchanged, but a trace of approval flashed in his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, “You know that Chen Ji is guilty of heinous crimes, and his family is also unforgivable. If I refuse to pardon Du Shi, what will you do?”
Mo Yan responded quickly, “Loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to reconcile. If Your Majesty refuses to pardon Du Shi, He Jia will obey your decision. I will only find her a good burial place and offer daily prayers for her, wishing her peace and happiness in the afterlife, so as to fulfill the bond between mother and daughter.”
Emperor Hui’an, expecting Mo Yan to continue pleading with her past deeds or promises as leverage, was taken aback by her response. Was this her true intention, or was she just trying to deceive him?
In the span of a moment, the suspicious emperor began to doubt Mo Yan’s real motives.
Under the sharp gaze from the emperor, Mo Yan dared not look up. Her words were mostly to placate him, and if the emperor truly refused to pardon Du Shi, she would have no choice but to offer up that old promise in exchange.
No matter how important loyalty to the emperor was, her siblings were more important.
After a long silence, Emperor Hui’an’s voice finally softened, “You have a pure and filial heart. If I refuse to grant your wish, it would make me seem cruel and heartless. For the sake of your past contributions, I will pardon Du Shi’s death sentence.”
Mo Yan’s heart soared with joy, and she quickly dropped to her knees to express her gratitude, “Your Majesty is compassionate and has honored He Jia’s filial piety. He Jia thanks Your Majesty for your great mercy!”
Seeing the sincere happiness on Mo Yan’s face, Emperor Hui’an had initially thought that her plea for Du Shi was for another purpose. Now, however, it seemed she truly possessed a pure filial heart. Such a person would be useful.
Thinking this, Emperor Hui’an cast a subtle glance at Xiao Ruiyuan, who was watching Mo Yan’s knees with an intense gaze. The emperor’s expression softened slightly.
Mo Yan, unaware of the emperor’s thoughts, felt a quiet sense of relief. Little did she know that, in the future, her value would be exploited by the royal family, leading to much frustration and dissatisfaction.
(End of Chapter)
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