Zheng Guifei woke up in the prison cell, recalling that she had been knocked unconscious by Ji Shiyou’s palm strike.
She looked around, finding herself in the detention cells of the Ministry of Punishments, and a sense of fear washed over her.
Thinking about her actions, she realized she had angered Ji Shiyou, and a wave of regret mixed with bitterness surged within her.
What she regretted most was impulsively fighting with someone and dismantling the Imperial Household Department.
This was no longer a simple violation of palace rules; she had now broken the law of the land.
Such a grave offense was more than enough for excruciating death and the extermination of her clan.
What she hated was not being able to personally kill the woman who had fought her, not even knowing her identity or name.
For a noble Consort like herself to be executed alongside an unknown woman was simply not worth it.
After calming down, she realized this must be a conspiracy, a trap set by those wretched women in the palace.
Knowing her volatile temper, they had found a skilled woman.
They deliberately provoked her, leading her to break the law.
She sat quietly in the cell, pondering who was trying to harm her.
Consort Lan? Consort Mei? Or even the Empress Dowager? Any of them were possible.
A chill ran down Zheng Guifei's spine. Thinking back, she had indeed offended quite a few people in this harem!
As she was lost in thought, a eunuch came to open the cell door and escort her to the main hall of the Ministry of Punishments.
When she saw her father was also present, her heart felt a little more at ease.
The Marquis of Protectorate held military power, and even the Emperor needed to rely on her father.
Although she had committed a colossal crime today, perhaps His Majesty would show leniency out of respect for her father.
When she heard Ji Shiyou call her over to sit, her heart soared with joy.
She mused that a powerful maternal family was indeed essential.
Even the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, the ruler of the nation,
had to appease her in the face of her family's military might.
Never before had a concubine been allowed to sit beside the Emperor, on equal footing.
Perhaps today, His Majesty was trying to make amends in front of her father for the earlier injury.
That was why he had specifically asked her to sit there, to give her a way out.
Of course, she would accept, for Ji Shiyou was the man she loved most.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have had her father use his military power to force Ji Shiyou to marry her back then.
Zheng Guifei’s thoughts raced as she walked towards the main seat beside Ji Shiyou, only to be met with a furious roar.
"Criminal Zheng, in the presence of His Majesty, where do you think you have a seat?
Guards, seize this woman!"
It was Dongnan who spoke. Standing beside Ji Shiyou, he saw Zheng Guifei approaching.
He immediately blocked her path and shouted loudly.
Several imposing female guards standing nearby rushed forward, pulling Zheng Guifei back and forcing her to kneel on the ground.
Logically speaking, although the female guards were tall and stout and possessed considerable strength,
given Zheng Guifei's martial arts skills, it should not have been so easy to subdue her.
But Dongnan's words had momentarily stunned her.
She couldn't believe that Ji Shiyou would treat her this way in front of her father.
Lost and bewildered, she didn't understand why this was happening.
"Your Majesty, my daughter is a noble Consort of the highest rank. Why must she be so humiliated?
You summoned me to the palace in haste, only to treat my daughter in this manner!
This is not only an insult to the Marquis of Protectorate's household but also to the royal family of Langyue!"
Seeing his daughter insulted, Marquis Zheng Siqi, with bandages still wrapped around his head, stood up abruptly.
He did not bow to Ji Shiyou and questioned him furiously.
"Marquis of Protectorate, you are insolent! You have failed to discipline your daughter, yet you dare to question His Majesty.
Your daughter allowed her servants to cause trouble in the Imperial Kitchen, disregarding palace rules. This is the first offense.
Driven by jealousy, she attempted to assassinate the Empress, which is treason. This is the second offense.
She leveled the Imperial Household Department to the ground, showing no regard for ancestral laws. This is the third offense.
Having committed unforgivable crimes, you still dare to roar before His Majesty?
With these cumulative offenses, it would not be an exaggeration to confiscate the Marquis of Protectorate's household and exterminate your clan.
You show no remorse and continue to bluster.
It seems we should summon the Ministry of Justice to conduct a thorough interrogation."
Ji Shiyou remained silent, feeling somewhat vexed. He had intended for Mingyue to sit there.
Who knew that the intended person ignored it, and Zheng Guifei had gotten ahead of herself.
Prince Chun, seated to the left, slammed the table and rose, pointing at the Marquis of Protectorate’s nose and cursing.
His voice was full of vigor, not at all like someone with a heart condition.
He was ecstatic! Remembering Ji Shiyou's promise to him earlier, the old man was as energetic as if he had been injected with chicken blood.
"Attempted assassination of the Empress?"
Prince Chun's words startled both the Marquis of Protectorate and his daughter. The other two charges were undeniable,
and while they could be treated with leniency or severity, the assassination of the Empress was completely unfounded.
Mingyue was also somewhat bewildered. She felt that the atmosphere was not quite right.
If all the charges were pinned on Zheng Guifei, how would she die?
Wouldn't all her efforts today have been in vain? She absolutely could not let Zheng Guifei steal her crimes.
"I am the one who killed and injured people in the Imperial Kitchen. I am also the one who disregarded ancestral laws and demolished the Imperial Household Department.
Zheng Guifei is not involved in this matter. I will bear all the responsibility.
I beg His Majesty to grant me death, to uphold palace regulations.
This way, it will be accounted for to the ancestors, the civil and military officials, and the laws of Langyue.
If Your Majesty does not punish me, it will chill the hearts of the people and damage Your Majesty's reputation."
Seeing the situation taking a wrong turn, Mingyue realized that if she didn't speak up, the fruits of victory would be snatched by others.
She quickly claimed the crimes for herself. No one else would dare to steal the sins she had painstakingly committed.
At the same time, her words implicitly warned Ji Shiyou: if you dare not kill me,
you will be considered a foolish ruler, despised by all.
"Empress, your benevolence is truly admirable. Even now, you consider sisterly affection and the well-being of the ancestors and the nation.
You are willing to sacrifice yourself for Your Majesty's prestige.
Such deep marital affection truly moves this Prince.
Your Highness is indeed a model for the harem and an example for all women in the world.
How fortunate is our Langyue to have such a Mother of the Nation!"
Prince Chun was genuinely moved. Who in the world would not prioritize their own life?
Yet Mingyue could consider the greater good and take the blame upon herself.
To act for the country and its people without regard for personal gain—what a noble spirit!
Zheng Guifei was also stunned. Was this disheveled woman the Empress?
Why was she defending her, treating her so kindly? Did she have ulterior motives?
The Marquis of Protectorate was also shocked by Mingyue's identity, but he remained silent.
He was calculating how to get his daughter acquitted.
Prince Chun's words left Mingyue utterly bewildered and disoriented.
She was the model of the Six Palaces? Deep marital affection with Ji Shiyou? Was he talking about her?
Seeing Mingyue's dazed state, Ji Shiyou walked over, took her hand, and led her to a seat.
"Empress, do not blame yourself. Right and wrong must be based on evidence.
Crimes are not something you can claim or disclaim at will."
Ji Shiyou gently said, holding Mingyue's hand.
Mingyue suddenly jolted awake and quickly withdrew her hand.
Only then did she realize that she had unknowingly sat next to Ji Shiyou.
However, since she was already seated, she couldn't be bothered to get up.
"Your Majesty, I implore Your Majesty to discern the truth.
Although my daughter is willful, she would not be so reckless.
There must be a misunderstanding, or she has fallen into someone's trap.
Do you have any evidence for the crimes Prince Chun mentioned?
If these are fabricated charges, even if I agree,
the three hundred thousand soldiers under the Marquis of Protectorate will not!"
Just as Mingyue was about to try and secure her own guilt,
the Marquis of Protectorate preempted her. He knelt on the ground, seemingly pleading, but in reality, issuing a threat.