Simply presumptuous, even daring to clamor for dismissal and the execution of their entire clan.
One wondered if Emperor Xuanwen would regret bearing such a foolish daughter upon hearing such words.
"Ouch... Stop it... Stop it!"
Eunuch Wang emerged from the hall and was so startled to see the scene that his legs trembled. He rushed forward to intervene.
"Madam, please stop, this is the sixth princess, born of the Empress, you mustn't injure her..."
How long had it been since he went in to report? How had these two started fighting so quickly?
If either of them were injured, he wouldn't know how to explain it!
"You useless eunuch, what are you standing there for? Are you blind? Didn't you see she's grabbing me, a princess? Hurry and have someone arrest her and beat her to death!"
Eunuch Wang's face showed panic. He only prayed that this little ancestor would shut up quickly, saying whatever came to her mind.
"Eunuch Wang, you saw this with your own eyes. The sixth princess wants my life. I am acting in self-defense. Please tell the truth when we meet the Empress later."
"That is natural... natural..."
Eunuch Wang felt as if a sharp sword was hanging over his head. He couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Feng Jin sneered and let go.
Suddenly losing her grip, the sixth princess's pulling force was so great that she fell to the ground herself.
What's more, she landed in the lawn. As it had just been watered, the sixth princess was covered in mud.
Her fair face instantly turned into that of a painted cat, her ten fingers filled with a foul odor. Her pink dress was stained with mud, and the pearls and jewels in her hair all fell onto the lawn, leaving only a few strands stuck in her hair. She no longer looked like a princess at all, more like a beggar fleeing disaster.
Feng Jin suppressed her laughter and coughed lightly, saying, "Your Highness, you tripped yourself. It has nothing to do with me. You mustn't slander me."
"You... you... I swear I will not rest until I am even with you!"
She had never been so humiliated in her life.
"Lacking any perception, why are you still standing there? Hurry and help the princess change!"
Eunuch Wang said quickly, urging them to escort this ancestor away as soon as possible.
"Yes..."
The maids quickly helped the sixth princess back on either side.
After the sixth princess left, Eunuch Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Madam, please forgive her. The sixth princess has always had this temper. Please don't be angry with her."
"I don't mind, but I'm afraid the sixth princess already resents me."
"What are you saying, Madam? The Empress is still waiting. Let's go inside."
Feng Jin nodded in agreement and followed Eunuch Wang in.
Only after entering did Feng Jin realize that this was a banquet of no return.
The moment she stepped inside, all eyes turned to her.
Empress Liu sat gracefully on the phoenix throne, exuding an air of elegance and dignity. To her right sat the Noble Consort, followed by several concubines Feng Jin had never seen before.
To Feng Jin's surprise, Lin Yuwei was also present. Sitting behind her was Wang Qin, and the women further down looked pretty. It seemed the Empress had invited more than just her.
One couldn't help but wonder what malicious plot was brewing.
"Your妾 greets the Empress, the Noble Consort..."
Feng Jin bowed to everyone.
"County Princess Jiaming, please rise. Attendants, bestow a seat." The Empress smiled kindly, gesturing for Feng Jin to get up.
"Thank you, Empress." Feng Jin slowly rose and sat beside Lin Yuwei.
"This is Feng Jin, the wife of General Ling and the second daughter of Prime Minister Feng. She was recently conferred the title of County Princess Jiaming by His Majesty. Everyone present is family, and you must all live in harmony."
As the Empress finished speaking, everyone rose and said in unison, "We respectfully obey the Empress's decree."
"Alright, let's begin. There's no need for so much formality."
"County Princess Jiaming, there was a slight unpleasantness between you and Wang Qin earlier. I have already reprimanded her. You are both sisters, and you will see each other often. Please do not let this cause any ill feelings between you."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes inwardly. Who was her sister? The sight of Wang Qin's face made her feel sick, and she didn't want to look at her anymore.
"I respectfully obey the Empress's decree." Feng Jin replied perfunctorily.
What was the Empress planning? She wanted to get to the main point quickly and then return.
"Empress, your subject has a grievance to report!"
Wang Qin knelt on the ground with tears in her eyes, lamenting her injustice: "Empress, you may not know, but I was almost killed by the Princess of Jing and County Princess Jiaming. Empress, you must seek justice for me!"
"Enough, it was just a verbal dispute. How can you cry like this! It's unseemly!"
"Empress, if I were not desperate to survive, I would never be like this. Empress, you only know of a one-sided verbal dispute. That day... that day Feng Jin actually instigated... instigated the Princess of Jing to have me whipped..."
"What... whipped? Even a man could not withstand such punishment!"
"I never expected the Princess of Jing, who appears so gentle and delicate, to commit such a cruel act."
"And that County Princess Jiaming, it is said she has always been harsh towards her elder sister and cursed her stepmother. It is not surprising that such a person would commit such cruel deeds."
These women of the inner palace, with nothing to do, enjoyed gossiping. Such matters quickly caught their attention.
Everyone watched the proceedings with the attitude of enjoying a good show.
"Is this true?" The Empress's expression was filled with anger, feigning ignorance.
"Empress, every word I say is true. I implore the Empress to grant me justice. If I were not fortunate enough to survive, I would not be able to see you today."
Lin Yuwei's eyes were filled with anger, and just as she was about to stand up and refute, Feng Jin held her hand.
Feng Jin turned her head and gestured with her eyes for Lin Yuwei not to act rashly. Lin Yuwei was the Princess of Jing, and the Empress was her biological mother. The hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children in the Eastern Chu was highly valued. If she were to be caught in a mistake, it would surely implicate the entire Jing Prince's mansion, and Chu Chenyi would also be accused.
Before understanding how the Empress would act, it was imperative not to act rashly. Whoever lost their composure first would be at a disadvantage, and it would be difficult to turn the situation around then.
The Empress scrutinized Feng Jin and Lin Yuwei. Seeing that they remained composed and made no move, she paused and said, "Nanny Yuan, take Wang Qin down and check her injuries to see if her words are true."
"Your slave obeys. You two, help the side consort to the inner chamber."
Nanny Yuan waved her hand, signaling two maids to escort Wang Qin to the inner chamber.
After a moment, Nanny Yuan emerged to report, "Reporting to the Empress, your slave has examined her, and her words are true. The injuries on the side consort's body are indeed from whipping, and the wounds have not yet fully healed."