Chapter 59 – The Choice

Author’s Note:

The views expressed by the characters do not necessarily reflect the author’s views. To avoid controversy, previous parts have been deleted, no need for further debate among angels.

Ninth Brother did not beat the palace maid of Concubine Jing to death. In the previous two chapters, it was written that she was only punished and beaten, only to be executed upon repeated offenses. Ninth Brother is very cautious about killing and maintains discipline, so don’t misunderstand him for wrongful killings. Angels often ask why not poison the Empress Dowager and Concubine Jing with a bowl of poison. The Empress Dowager is his biological mother, most people really can’t bring themselves to commit matricide. As for Concubine Jing, Ninth Brother believes she was infatuated with Duke Duanping, and there was also his uncle’s final memorial, so he did not kill her.

Some readers asked why a mother can kill her son, but a son cannot kill his mother. According to feudal etiquette, parents can always accuse their children of disobedience. The entire system is based on the principles of “the ruler is the model for his subjects” and “the father is the model for his son,” rooted in filial piety and governance, supplemented by law, combining Confucianism externally with legalism internally. A mother’s authority comes from her husband. The laws of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties stipulated: If a child commits an act of disrespect or verbal abuse, and is killed by their parents, they can be exempted from punishment. If the killing is unjustified, even if there is a crime, the penalty is very light. Under this education, Ninth Brother, educated according to the orthodox teachings of the emperor, finds it difficult to cross the psychological boundary.