The Empress’s face immediately darkened. It’s always easiest to bully the weak, and the Empress chose to target Lin Yuwei first.
“Princess Jing, even if Wang Qin did something wrong, you should have considered that she is this palace’s niece. You acted so ruthlessly, weren't you trying to take Wang Qin’s life? Such cruel and decisive actions, do you think you are worthy of the title Princess Jing?”
Lin Yuwei clutched her dress tightly, a slight cold sweat beading on her palms, clearly showing her nervousness. Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to respond.
She secretly glanced at Feng Jin, seeking help.
“Princess Jing, this palace is speaking to you. Do you truly not have this palace in your eyes!”
The Empress raised her voice, continuously pressuring Lin Yuwei, creating an invisible sense of oppression. Unlike Feng Jin, Lin Yuwei was a sheltered young lady, too young and inexperienced in worldly affairs. A little fright would surely shatter her courage.
“Your Highness, I am also involved in this matter. By rights, I should be the mastermind, and Princess Jing was merely forced to punish the concubine to protect the dignity of the Jing Manor and Prince Jing.”
Feng Jin stood up first to reply, directly deflecting the accusation from Lin Yuwei.
Having recovered her senses, Lin Yuwei immediately became energized, speaking fearlessly and articulately. “The concubine’s behavior was outrageous, her words were full of mockery towards Princess Jianing, defying superiors and disgracing the entire Jing Manor. As Prince Jing’s principal wife and the mistress of the Jing Manor, I must prioritize its reputation. Therefore, I invoked the family law and punished the concubine.”
Every word Lin Yuwei spoke was reasoned and well-founded, stating that her actions were solely for the benefit of the Jing Manor. Even if the matter were brought before Emperor Xuanwen, her statement would be impeccable.
Feng Jin cast an appreciative glance at Lin Yuwei. That’s right, she should show some spirit and not let others dictate terms.
The Empress was so thoroughly countered by Lin Yuwei’s two sentences that she was at a loss for words. After some thought, she softened her tone. “Even so, you shouldn’t have been so heavy-handed. It was a lashing; even men find it difficult to endure. A small warning would have sufficed. Besides, you could have informed me, and I would have supported you.”
Everyone present knew the Empress’s intentions. Although Prince Jing was disabled, he was still a prince and had harbored aspirations for the throne. After the young couple’s recent wedding, she was too eager to push her niece into the manor, her true intentions unknown. It was a pity that this Princess Jing, who appeared delicate and fragile, was actually unyielding at heart. The Empress’s calculations were destined to fail.
“Your Highness has always been virtuous and has treated this daughter-in-law with great kindness. It is precisely because I appreciate Your Highness’s benevolence that I was forced to heavily punish Wang Qin. Since entering the Jing Manor, Wang Qin has constantly mentioned Your Highness as her aunt, using it as a pretext to act recklessly. To protect Your Highness’s reputation, I had no choice but to punish Wang Qin severely.”
“If this has displeased Your Highness, it is my fault. I beg Your Highness to punish me. Deprive me of my position as Princess Jing and appoint Wang Qin as the principal wife of Prince Jing.”
Lin Yuwei spoke neither servilely nor overly proudly, dropping a bomb on the Empress with these words. The Empress had not expected Lin Yuwei to retreat to advance, to request punishment for herself, leaving her utterly helpless. Her initial intention was merely to pressure Lin Yuwei, to make her realize that others could not act wildly under her watch.
Everyone present became instantly intrigued, looking on expectantly, wondering how the Empress would respond next.
The Empress remained silent for a long time, the atmosphere becoming tense. The Imperial Noble Consort, who had always been at odds with the Empress, naturally wouldn’t miss such a prime opportunity to suppress her.
“Look at this, what a grave offense! It has forced Princess Jing to offer herself as a concubine. If this were to reach the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, they would think Your Highness was acting on personal bias to protect her maternal niece, forcing Princess Jing to become a concubine.”
The Imperial Noble Consort’s sarcastic words further darkened the Empress’s already displeased expression. Couldn't this wretch say one less word?
The Empress forced a strained smile. “You lack discernment. What are you waiting for? Hurry and help Princess Jing up.”
“Yes.” A maid helped Lin Yuwei to her feet.
“You child are truly stubborn. I was merely worried that there might be discord between you sisters. You are both wives of the royal family, not like ordinary commoners’ petty squabbles. You should be more magnanimous. This palace now understands clearly that Wang Qin was too arrogant and unruly. Rest assured, this palace will not let you be wronged. I will surely punish her properly.”
To protect herself, the Empress had no choice but to cast aside the foolish Wang Qin. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager most disliked concubines overstepping their boundaries with the principal wife. There was a clear distinction between the legitimate and illegitimate. Lin Yuwei had seized upon Wang Qin’s offense against the principal wife. If this matter escalated, it would bring no benefit to them. Even with the Imperial Noble Consort’s favor, she was only second to the Empress, yet in terms of treatment, the Emperor had never allowed her to surpass the Empress, demonstrating how much he valued the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring.
“Your Highness, you must deliver justice for this concubine…” Wang Qin emerged from the inner chamber, feigning weakness, crying sorrowfully, truly presenting a pitiable appearance. Unfortunately, she did not know that the Empress, to preserve her own standing, had already thoroughly betrayed her.
The Empress slammed her palm onto the table, her face contorted with anger. Wang Qin, however, was secretly rejoicing, quietly awaiting the Empress’s punishment of Lin Yuwei and Feng Jin.
What happened next made Wang Qin’s jaw drop.
“Wang Qin, kneel before this palace!”
The Empress’s furious voice reached Wang Qin’s ears. Wang Qin’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the Empress, her mouth slightly agape. “Your Highness…”
“What? Can this palace no longer discipline you? Are you not going to kneel quickly!”
Wang Qin, terrified, immediately knelt with a thud. As she was about to speak, someone directly pressed her down.
“Your Highness, although Sister Wang Qin is a bit willful, I implore you to consider our deceased second aunt and Sister Wang Qin’s thoughtful service to you. Please spare her this time and mete out a lighter punishment.”
Liu Menghan, who had remained silent for a long time, knelt on the ground, begging for leniency for Wang Qin.
“Han’er, get up. Wang Qin must be punished. Why do you plead for her?”
The Empress followed Liu Menghan’s words. Her niece had always been intelligent and beautiful. Among all her daughters in the Liu family, Liu Menghan was her favorite, and she intended to marry her to the Third Prince. Bringing Liu Menghan to the palace this time was also a way to show everyone that Liu Menghan was the future principal wife of the Third Prince, her future daughter-in-law.