An Ling was stunned by the slap, as was Xue Zi Ning.
An Ling, covering her stinging cheek, looked at her brother in disbelief. "Brother, you hit me?"
An Yi's voice was cold, even reproachful. "An Ling, you have disappointed your brother greatly. While I could understand your past mischief, your pampered willfulness, this time you have been truly reckless. How could you come here? You are disgracing the ancestors of the An family."
Hearing this, An Ling managed an awkward smile. Tears welled up as she looked at An Yi. "Brother, when I saw you just now, do you know how happy I was? I remembered how you always unconditionally tolerated my mistakes and my willfulness when I was a child. But, I don't know when you changed.
You changed so much that I no longer recognize you. You just said I disgraced the ancestors of the An family. Do you know who caused all this?
Where is this place? This is the Jiaofang Si. Would I have come here on my own to do things that would shame the An family's ancestors?
Brother, besides mother, you are the closest person to me. But, brother, you don't believe me..."
An Yi turned his head away. "Brother wants to believe you, but what you've done makes it impossible for me to believe you..."
"Then who do you think did this? It was your beloved, Aunt Yue, whom you trusted with all your heart..." An Ling cried out.
She seemed to have exhausted all her strength.
"An Ling, even now you're shifting blame. An Ling, when I arrived, Yue'er was taking responsibility, saying she hadn't looked after you properly. She was blaming herself and even shedding tears. And you? You're slandering her now. An Ling, you have disappointed your brother..."
An Ling burst into a cackle, a laugh bordering on madness. "Is that so? I've disappointed you, then do you know that you have also disappointed me? Thoroughly disappointed me..."
The pain in An Ling's eyes struck everyone present.
"An Ling..." An Yi, angered, stepped forward to grab An Ling's hand, shouting, "An Ling, come home with me."
An Ling wrenched herself free. "If I've disappointed you, why bother with me?"
"We'll talk about it at home," An Yi reached out to pull An Ling's hand again.
An Ling sneered. "Home? Do I have a home? I have no home. I am homeless."
"An Ling, don't be like this..." Looking at the hysterical An Ling, An Yi frowned and said coldly.
"I don't need you to manage me, I don't need..." An Ling shouted.
As An Yi forcefully tried to pull An Ling, Xue Yan, who had been watching, stepped forward to block him, saying coldly, "Lord Tingwei An, Miss An does not wish to return. Why are you forcing her?"
An Yi looked at Xue Yan, his face darkening. "Miss Xue Yan, An Ling is my sister. It would be best if you did not interfere with my management of my sister."
Xue Yan frowned, her expression also turning cold. Just as she was about to speak, a voice interrupted her. "Xue Yan, this is Lord An's family matter. You may step down."
Xue Yan turned to look at Xue Zi Ning, finding it hard to believe. However, her mission was to obey, so she retreated.
An Yi reached for An Ling's hand. An Ling struggled, but she was no match for An Yi's strength. As he was about to lead her away, a clear, cold voice drifted over.
"Lord An, now that the family matter is settled, should we address the court's affairs?"
An Yi froze, then turned back to see the girl exuding an air of majesty, looking at him indifferently.
At this moment, the girl appeared high and mighty, like a celestial being, noble and cold.
He, on the other hand, felt like an ant, forced to submit.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?" An Yi asked.
"Both Minister of Rites Ren and Minister of Protocol Sun have suggested I visit the Tingwei prison. I don't understand. Is the Tingwei prison a place one can visit simply for offending a group of court officials?"
The girl's voice was soft, yet chilling, exuding a biting coldness like frost.
An Yi trembled, kneeling on the ground. "Your Majesty, please see clearly. I have never engaged in any corrupt practices."
"Of course, I believe Lord An has not engaged in any corrupt practices. After all, Lord An, you defeated young master Shen San to become the Tingwei," Xue Zi Ning's voice grew colder.
An Yi felt a chill pervade his heart.
He knew all too well the meaning behind the Empress's words. Years ago, the Tingwei position had been personally appointed by the Empress to young master Shen San. However, Shen San did not wish to win unfairly and had a contest with him, who was then a new Zhuangyuan. Shen San lost.
Shen San then requested the Empress to retract her decree and returned to Zhaoping.
He, An Yi, became the Tingwei.
"Your Majesty, please see clearly and grant me justice," An Yi prostrated himself, kowtowing.
"Since that is the case, escort him to the Tingwei. Tomorrow, I will personally preside over the trial."
An Yi's body trembled, but he offered no protest. He simply said, "Your Majesty, my family is waiting for me at home. If I do not return, they will not be at ease. May I send a message to my family?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "You may."
An Yi summoned the servant who had accompanied him and whispered, "Tell Aunt Yue that I have matters that require Your Majesty to clear my name."
The servant nodded and left.
An Yi was taken away.
An Ling stood there, seeming to cry and laugh, her entire being steeped in sorrow.
Xue Zi Ning walked up and said lightly, "Second Miss An, what are your plans from now on?"
An Ling looked up at her, then suddenly knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I have a request."
An Ling bit her lower lip, as if steeling herself for a great decision. "Your Majesty, I know that by saying this, you might deem me disrespectful. But I must speak."
"Speak. I grant you immunity."
"Your Majesty, all of this started because of you."
The moment An Ling uttered her first sentence, Xue Yan on the side was displeased. She said coldly, "Miss An, don't be ungrateful. His Majesty came to this Jiaofang Si to save you. You are not only ungrateful but you blame His Majesty..."
"Xue Yan, let her finish..." Xue Zi Ning said.
An Ling ignored Xue Yan's words and continued, "My brother is simply not suited to be an official. He has a soft heart and cannot distinguish right from wrong. Such an official does not benefit the people but causes them suffering. Water can carry a boat but also capsize it. I believe Your Majesty understands this principle. And did this not all begin with you, Your Majesty? If you had not appointed my brother as Tingwei back then, none of this would have happened today."
"How dare you..." Xue Yan was completely enraged.
An Ling paid no mind to Xue Yan, speaking with righteous indignation. "Not being able to utilize talent wisely is Your Majesty's fault. I know speaking these words is extreme disrespect, but I must say them. How you choose to punish me is your decision."
"An..."
"Good, well said." Xue Zi Ning clapped her hands.
Xue Yan looked at Xue Zi Ning, who was not angry but instead applauding, and let out a frustrated laugh. "Your Majesty, you are not angry?"
"Although the truth can be hurtful, I truly need such people by my side..."