Empress Dowager Feng slumped back into her chair at Ji Shiyou's words.
She had anticipated Ji Shiyou would move against the Feng family, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
The imperial harem and the imperial court had always been intertwined; otherwise, she wouldn't have sent her own niece into the palace.
"The Emperor has already made up his mind, hasn't he? I have been feeling uneasy lately and wish to devote myself to cultivating Buddhism in Cining Palace, praying for our Langyue Kingdom. I implore Your Majesty to show leniency to the Feng family, considering their meritorious service in supporting the dragon ascent."
Empress Dowager Feng had been in the palace for thirty years. Despite having no children, she had managed to retain her position as Empress. She was no ordinary woman, capable of both yielding and standing firm. At this moment, she made a decisive move, sacrificing her pride and dignity. She was prepared to sacrifice herself to beg Ji Shiyou to spare the Feng family. Her voluntary retirement to Cining Palace to practice Buddhism was a clear sign of submission, relinquishing all her power.
"The Empress Dowager's devotion to Buddhism and prayers for the nation and its people are truly virtuous. On behalf of all the citizens of Langyue Kingdom, I thank the Empress Dowager. Consort Lian has violated palace rules and is hereby demoted to commoner status, to be taken back by the Feng family. Prime Minister Feng Sandu, for his failure to discipline his daughter and his moral failings, is deemed unfit to lead the officials. He is to be stripped of his rank and sent back to his hometown to reflect, never to be reappointed!"
Although Feng Sandu was the Prime Minister, he held no military power and merely engaged in factionalism within the court. Coupled with the Empress Dowager's voluntary submission, Ji Shiyou did not resort to the same ruthless measures he had used against the Protector of the State Marquis. Although the Feng family was removed from the court, all their lives were spared.
Upon hearing the outcome, the Empress Dowager's suspended heart finally settled. Regardless of anything else, her maternal family was safe. There was no confiscation of property or execution, which was the best possible result. She knew the wealth of her maternal family; after years of accumulation, it was enough to ensure her descendants lived comfortably for five generations, even if not enough to rival the nation's wealth. Perhaps living a secluded life as a wealthy commoner, away from the court, would be a better choice.
"I thank His Majesty on behalf of the Feng family!" The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with this outcome. Her niece was still a maiden and could be sent out of the capital to marry. She wouldn't have to be confined to this loveless, desolate palace like herself for a lifetime.
"Wait, is that it?" Mingyue, brushing away sunflower seed shells from her clothes, stood up.
"Empress, do you have something to say?" Ji Shiyou looked at Mingyue, his eyes filled with confusion as to why she had suddenly spoken.
"Of course, I have something to say. Have you forgotten something? Why did all this happen today? You've always said Consort Lian disrespected me and slandered me. Now that her crime is established and she's dealt with, where is my compensation? Also, Yanliu was injured by them. As the victim, shouldn't there be some form of compensation?" Mingyue stood there, glaring indignantly at Ji Shiyou. She refused to be used by Ji Shiyou for nothing. If she couldn't kill him, she would at least extract some benefits and make him bleed.
"The Empress is right. What compensation do you desire? As long as you state it, I will fulfill it." Since bringing Mingyue back to Yuecheng, Mingyue had never proactively spoken to him or made any demands. Her sudden request now made Ji Shiyou somewhat excited.
"Anything? Then I want to return to Wuman." Mingyue's greatest desire was for Ji Shiyou to die, but that was clearly impossible. Thus, she settled for the next best thing: leaving this place and returning to her homeland.
"That is not possible. Choose something else." Ji Shiyou's expression instantly turned grim, and he refused outright, his tone becoming stern.
"I knew you wouldn't agree. You said you'd fulfill anything, but you just talk big." Mingyue grumbled inwardly, cursing Ji Shiyou.
"What compensation do you want?" Mingyue quietly asked Yanliu beside her. Besides returning to her homeland, she truly didn't know what else to ask for. She had only thought that Ji Shiyou shouldn't gain everything for himself, which prompted her to stand up and speak. As a princess, she had lived a life of ease and comfort since childhood. Everything she needed was brought to her; she never had to ask. She couldn't think of anything and had to seek help from Yanliu.
"Princess, ask for money!" Yanliu's eyes sparkled. She didn't know what to ask for either, but in her impression, asking for money was always the right choice.
"Yes, ask for money."
"No, not money. Yanliu, as the victim, has suffered severe injuries. To compensate her, you must give her a tablet of exemption from death." Mingyue, following Yanliu's suggestion, shouted this out, but then remembered something she wanted. She immediately changed her mind. She thought that even if she courted death daily, she wouldn't be afraid. But now, Yanliu was following her and could be implicated. So, she wanted to ask for a tablet of exemption from death for Yanliu. This way, even if Yanliu was implicated by her in the future, her life would be saved.
"Nonsense. A tablet of exemption from death is granted by His Majesty to meritorious officials who have made significant contributions to Langyue Kingdom. How can a mere palace maid be qualified to receive such an honor from His Majesty?" Mingyue's request was too outrageous, even the Empress Dowager couldn't help but speak out. This Empress was truly unreasonable. The Feng family had already paid such a heavy price, and she was still here haggling and demanding compensation; it was truly preposterous.
"Didn't the Empress Dowager wish to cultivate Buddhism peacefully? Why are you filled with so much hostility? In this state, you cannot truly practice Buddhism. Acting out of delusion and anger will provoke the Buddha. Furthermore, I am the mistress of the six palaces, and the affairs of the harem should be handled by me. Consort Lian committed insubordination and slandered me. According to palace rules, she should be given a white silk noose and executed by hanging." Mingyue's nature was to act rather than speak, but she was not inarticulate. To ensure Yanliu would not be implicated by her in the future, Mingyue not only retorted to the Empress Dowager but also invoked her status as Empress, intending to deal with Consort Lian according to palace rules. The Empress Dowager was silenced, unable to refute Mingyue's words, which were flawless.
"Empress, the Empress Dowager is correct. Yanliu, as a palace maid, is not qualified to be granted a tablet of exemption from death. How about this: I will personally confer upon her the title of a fourth-rank female official and bestow upon her the Flowing Cloud Golden Hairpin. As long as she does not commit treason or rebellion, she can be pardoned with the hairpin. What do you say?" Ji Shiyou intervened at this point. After some thought, he offered his suggestion. As long as it guaranteed safety, Mingyue didn't care about a tablet or a hairpin and stopped arguing, asking Yanliu to express her gratitude.
Everything settled, Ji Shiyou had already issued his decree, and the rest would be handled by the southeast.
"Shall we dine together?" Seeing Mingyue about to leave, Ji Shiyou followed her, hesitantly requesting.
"No time, and no interest. Your Majesty would be better off seeking out an imperial physician with this time. However, it might be incurable. Doing too many wicked deeds will always bring retribution." Mingyue coldly refused, and with a subtle glance downwards towards Ji Shiyou's lower half, she let out a cold laugh and drifted away with Yanliu.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? Do you need this humble servant to take your pulse?" The imperial physician waiting outside the hall approached, having overheard the Empress mentioning an imperial physician. One must know how to curry favor in the palace, so he quickly tried to flatter Ji Shiyou.
"Retire!" Ji Shiyou's voice was filled with anger. He had just realized the implication of Mingyue's words – she was referring to his impotence. He felt a surge of grief and helplessness. He had initially said that to avoid further explanation with Consort Lian, but who knew Mingyue would take it seriously. He couldn't prove such a matter and could only vent his anger on the imperial physician.
Mingyue and Yanliu returned to Lanyue Palace. After applying medicine to Yanliu's face, Mingyue instructed her to rest well. However, when she woke from her nap, she smelled the aroma of rose pastries. It turned out Yanliu had not rested but had gone to pick flower petals and made rose pastries for her. This was a delicacy from her hometown, which Mingyue hadn't eaten in a long time. She took a piece and bit into it. Just as she was happily eating, she heard a commotion at the entrance, as if many people were coming to Lanyue Palace.