A Dream of Splendor Episode 39 Recap
> A Dream of Splendor Recap
Gao Gu knew that his daughter had entered the palace to plead for clemency and was disappointed that she was not stronger, but Gao Hui had made up her mind that she had to get justice for Zhao Pan'er, considering it repayment of the kindness she received. After much deliberation, the Emperor informed the eunuch official to summon Xiao Qinyan and ordered the release of Gu Qianfan, reinstating all his former duties.
It was precisely because of this that Zhang Yun respectfully invited Gu Qianfan out and presented him with excellent medicine specifically for ear ailments. Gu Qianfan, considering Zhang Yun was acting for the court, did not pursue the matter. When he arrived at Yong'an Tower, he learned that Zhao Pan'er had gone to Kaifeng Prefecture to file a complaint against Ouyang Xu. However, the Empress's attendant had already notified Kaifeng Prefecture, so the case was not publicly heard.
Seeing the prefecture office gate close, the onlookers were outside gossiping. Gu Qianfan had just emerged from the Guard Department and could only wait and see for the time being. Zhao Pan'er publicly accused Ouyang Xu of being faithless and reneging on their marriage, and failing to make his wife a concubine, he held a grudge and spread rumors to slander her.
But even with the complaint filed and witnesses like Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang in court, the Prefect still used the excuse of domicile, ordering Zhao Pan'er to return to her hometown to sue. The common people, due to Zhao Pan'er's musician status, all sided with Ouyang Xu indiscriminately, cursing and accusing her in various ways. Zhao Pan'er saw that Gu Qianfan was safe and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, she decided to continue suing, just to silence these widespread rumors. Even though Zhao Pan'er and others were hundreds of times more capable and thousands of times kinder than these men, in their eyes, they were still utterly rotten women. Originally, suing Ouyang Xu was to rescue Gu Qianfan. Now, even bearing the slander, she had to see Ouyang Xu punished by law.
Gu Qianfan was not intimidated by the Empress's power and still chose to support Zhao Pan'er, bravely accompanying her on this journey. A dark-faced boy stepped out of the crowd and proactively pointed the way for Zhao Pan'er, suggesting she go to the Dengwen Drum Court outside the Que Men in Tokyo. This place was established by imperial decree during the Jingde era.
Anyone with grievances, whether officials, scholars, or commoners, could present their case there, and the petition could be submitted to the Emperor. However, the Dengwen Drum Court only accepted lawsuits for serious crimes such as official corruption, robbery, and murder. For other cases, they had to be appealed step by step from county to prefecture, otherwise, it was considered an overstep, and required twenty strokes of the cane first.
With Gu Qianfan's support and the accompaniment of Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang, Zhao Pan'er struck the Dengwen drum. The drum sound, which had not been heard for a long time, spread throughout Tokyo, attracting the attention of the Emperor and many ministers. Zhao Pan'er was willing to accept the required twenty strokes according to the law. Unexpectedly, the Empress interfered, causing the buttock strokes to become back strokes.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhao Pan'er couldn't bear the severe punishment, vomited a mouthful of blood, and gradually fell unconscious. Gu Qianfan and Sun Sanniang rushed forward to stop it, while Ouyang Xu, as if possessed, kept muttering "Beat her to death". The other onlookers couldn't bear to watch. Gu Qianfan, in his capacity as Capital Security Office Envoy, angrily reprimanded the Judicial Officer for excessive punishment and the potential for injustice.
He then picked up Zhao Pan'er and left, stating he would only receive the remaining fourteen strokes after everything was investigated and clarified. When the Emperor learned of Zhao Pan'er's plight and her identity, he was filled with emotion. It had been his own fault back then, but Zhao Pan'er had not held a grudge. Even the palace maids all spoke highly of her.
But when the Emperor heard about Gu Qianfan obstructing the execution, he immediately went to question the Empress. Now it was widely rumored outside, claiming the Drum Court was unjust, which also represented the court's injustice. The Empress showed no introspection, instead feeling wronged. The Emperor spoke of his years of kindness and indulgence towards her and stated that he only had pity for Zhao Pan'er, with no romantic feelings. The so-called way of governing involved both strictness and leniency.
The reason the Emperor tolerated the reformist faction was entirely because he remembered his late father's teachings: everything must be based on heavenly principles and respect public opinion. However, the Empress arbitrarily fabricated baseless charges, which was no different from Qi Mu and others. Gu Qianfan stayed by Zhao Pan'er's side, seeing her injuries were so severe, naturally feeling distressed. But the urgent priority was to devise a countermeasure.
While Zhao Pan'er was still unconscious, Gu Qianfan entrusted Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang to take care of her. He sneaked into the Empress's palace in the middle of the night, actively showing his sincerity to the Empress, offering to place the Capital Security Office at her disposal, hoping only that she would be merciful and spare Zhao Pan'er's life.
