Feng Jin's expression tightened, a sense of foreboding instantly rising in her heart. She had not forgotten the incident where she had severely beaten Wang Qin previously.
After these few days, Wang Qin's injuries should have mostly healed and she would have enough strength to personally report the matter to the Empress.
It seemed the Empress had summoned her this time specifically to interrogate her.
"I'll accompany you into the palace."
Ling Mohan held Feng Jin's hand, a vague worry for her safety gnawing at him. He understood the Empress's character too well; she would certainly not forgive Feng Jin easily this time.
"I'll be fine. You go ahead and attend to your business. Cai Qing, prepare the carriage, and we'll head to the palace."
Feng Jin couldn't refuse Ling Mohan, so she let him accompany her.
The carriage was stopped by guards just as it reached the palace gate.
Ling Mohan lifted the curtain, his cold gaze sweeping over the guards, his tone displeased, "How dare you block even me."
Emperor Xuanwen, in gratitude for the Ling family's contributions, had long issued a decree allowing the Ling family to enter and exit the palace freely, without unnecessary formalities.
"General Shao, please forgive us. Hurry and let us pass!"
The guards quickly opened the palace gate, allowing the carriage to enter.
"General Shao, you carry quite the presence." It was Feng Jin's first time seeing Ling Mohan in such a commanding and unchallengeable demeanor.
"My dear wife, you truly don't know your husband well enough. It seems I need to give you a deeper understanding..."
"Get away from me, move further back."
Feng Jin pushed the man away. Why did he have to stand so close when they were just talking?
"This servant greets General Shao, Young Madam!"
A eunuch's shrill voice rang out.
"Greetings, Eunuch Wang."
Eunuch Wang had been serving the Empress for a long time, so Ling Mohan's tone toward him was slightly gentler.
"This servant would not dare. Young Madam, the Empress is waiting for you inside the palace. I trouble Young Madam to follow this servant in."
Just as Ling Mohan took Feng Jin's hand to move forward, Eunuch Wang blocked their path: "General Shao, this is the inner palace after all, and there are other female attendants in the Empress's palace. General Shao is an external official, and it is truly inappropriate. I trouble General Shao to wait in the outer hall for a moment."
"My wife is frail, and I must be by her side to care for her. If external officials are not permitted in the inner palace, then my wife and I shall not go."
Ling Mohan dropped his words and, pulling Feng Jin, turned to leave.
Eunuch Wang immediately panicked and rushed forward to block them: "General Shao, please forgive me. The palace rules have always been this way. This servant is only acting on orders. The Empress is waiting for Young Madam in the palace. I beg General Shao not to make things difficult for this servant."
Eunuch Wang, sweating profusely, was practically begging Ling Mohan.
"Alright, didn't you say you had important matters to report to His Majesty? You go see His Majesty first. When you're done, you can come back and get me."
Feng Jin spoke gently to Ling Mohan, negotiating. Having spent time together these past few days, Feng Jin had completely grasped Ling Mohan's temper and disposition. With a few soft words, she instantly extinguished the man's anger.
"Alright. Cai Qing, if anything happens to my wife, come find me immediately."
"This servant remembers."
"Be careful with everything. If anyone bullies you, just fight back. I'll cover for you no matter what, so don't you dare suffer any grievances."
Feng Jin was touched. It felt so good to have someone unconditionally protect her.
"I've noted it all. Hurry and go attend to your business."
Ling Mohan left reluctantly, looking back repeatedly.
Only after Ling Mohan's receding back disappeared did Feng Jin retract the smile from her face, turn to Eunuch Wang, and say sternly, "Please lead the way, Eunuch. Don't keep the Empress waiting."
"Yes... Yes... Madam is absolutely right. Madam, please this way."
Eunuch Wang smiled and led Feng Jin forward.
One had to admit, the Empress's residence was truly magnificent. After several twists and turns, they finally arrived.
"Young Madam, please wait a moment longer. This servant will go in to announce your arrival first."
Eunuch Wang bowed and walked towards the hall.
Feng Jin, with nothing else to do, looked around. Her previous entry into the palace had been too perilous, and she hadn't had a chance to properly observe what the royal palace looked like.
Looking closely today, she realized the exquisite and luxurious details were truly astounding. No wonder countless women scrambled to enter the palace and longed for the Emperor's sole favor.
This kind of life, with attendants and luxurious living, was indeed enviable.
Living such a life for a lifetime would be well worth it.
"Young Madam, it's truly beautiful here. I used to think our Ling Manor was already very good, but today I understand what 'there's always someone better' and 'the world is vast' means."
Cai Qing was almost blinded by this dazzling world. Everywhere she looked, there was opulence.
"That's only natural. Within the imperial palace, everything used is naturally the best."
"Young Madam, look at the good quality fabric the palace maids wear. Wouldn't the concubines and princesses wear even better..."
"Presumptuous! In the imperial palace, you dare to speak of the masters so freely? Whose maid are you, to be so ill-mannered?"
A young woman in a palace dress embroidered with pink peonies spoke with anger.
Cai Qing was startled, her legs suddenly weak. She instinctively wanted to kneel, but Feng Jin grabbed her, pulling her behind her.
"Please forgive her, Your Highness. This is my maid, she's new to the palace and doesn't understand the rules. I apologize to Your Highness on her behalf."
Feng Jin stepped forward, her tone gentle. After all, they were in the wrong first. This was the imperial palace, not the Ling Manor, so it was best to lower her stance for now.
"Hmph... You are quite perceptive to know my identity!" the Sixth Princess stepped beside Feng Jin, scrutinizing her with a contemptuous tone, "No wonder your servant is so ill-mannered. It turns out the master is crude first. If the foundation is not straight, the upper beams will be crooked. No wonder the servant you raised is so base."
Feng Jin's eyes narrowed, and her expression became displeased. "Naturally, it cannot compare to the strict rules of the palace. Your Highness, as a role model in the palace, should not lower yourself to bicker with a mere servant."
"You truly are sharp-tongued. Do you really think this Princess dares not punish you!"
The Sixth Princess, accustomed to being arrogant and overbearing, could not tolerate anyone disrespecting her. "Guards, seize them both and give them ten planks each!"
"Who dares!" Feng Jin shouted furiously, immediately startling the maids who were about to step forward.
"Your Highness truly has quite the airs. I am an official's wife. Even if I have made a mistake, it is for the Empress to punish me. It is not your place."
"You dare to retort to me? Today, I shall punish you on behalf of Mother!"
The Sixth Princess stepped forward, reaching out to grab Feng Jin. Her raised hand, however, did not fall as expected; Feng Jin had already seized her wrist.
"Let go! How dare you disrespect this Princess? I will have Mother kill you, have Father dismiss your husband from his post, and have your entire family executed!"
Feng Jin's lips curled into a cold smile. Another arrogant, overbearing, and simple-minded person.
She didn't even stop to think: could a mere wife of a minor official be received by the Empress? She must be the wife of a high-ranking official, or perhaps a wife of a prince or duke.