Seeing everyone remained silent, Feng Jin's tone grew slightly sterner as she asked, "Is it not a capital offense for palace maids to steal property?"
"This... this isn't, it wasn't us who stole it."
The palace maid, who had been pulled out by Cai Qing, hurriedly defended herself, her expression flustered and her eyes filled with fear.
"Even if it wasn't you who stole it, so much money with an unclear origin, if it gets reported to your supervising嬷嬷, none of you will fare well."
"Furthermore, this is Dong Chu, not your Xi Liang. You leaving the post station without authorization also warrants severe punishment. If you tell the truth today, I might consider pretending I never saw you."
Feng Jin’s gaze swept over everyone from her superior position. "I've given you an opportunity. If you don't cherish it, then we'll handle this officially."
"Lu Shi, take them down and detain them. Interrogate them thoroughly until they tell the truth."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi acknowledged, then turned to the guards behind him and said, "Take these people down for interrogation under torture."
Upon receiving the order, the guards stepped forward and began dragging the women away.
"No... no..."
"We'll talk... I'll talk..."
The palace maids, seeing this, immediately became terrified, timidly begging for mercy.
"Hold on!" Feng Jin raised her hand and said, stepping forward to stand before them. "Speak."
The palace maids swallowed nervously, their shoulders trembling slightly from fear. Their lips quivered as they said, "I... I..."
"I... we, didn't... didn't steal anything. This money is... it's something we exchanged for..."
As she spoke, her voice grew softer. If Feng Jin hadn't been standing so close, she might not have heard it.
"Exchanged? With what were these silver coins exchanged?" Feng Jin continued to press relentlessly. This was not a small sum of money; it wouldn't have been obtained without something valuable.
"It's... it's..."
The palace maid hesitated, her eyes constantly darting away, looking at others as if seeking help.
"Lu Shi, investigate where they exchanged the money and what they exchanged it with."
Feng Jin, tired of their vague explanations, simply ordered them to be taken down and detained first, then instructed Lu Shi to investigate.
As Feng Jin returned to her room, mere moments later, the supervising嬷嬷 from Xi Liang stormed in.
"Young Madam, the supervising嬷嬷 has arrived, stating she is here regarding the palace maids' transgression today," Cai Qing said softly, bending to whisper in Feng Jin's ear.
Her hands, which had been arranging astragalus, paused. Feng Jin slowly stood up. "She's quite quick. Let's go see what waves this嬷嬷 can stir up."
From their previous encounter, Feng Jin knew that this嬷嬷 was not easy to deal with. She was bound to be prepared this time, and Feng Jin needed to be on high alert and handle her carefully.
After all, individuals who had navigated the imperial palace for many years were like seasoned spirits, possessing remarkable cunning.
"Your old servant greets the Young Madam. May the Young Madam be well." The嬷嬷, upon seeing Feng Jin enter, quickly rose to bow, setting down her teacup.
"Please rise,嬷嬷. As you are an elder of the imperial palace, how dare I allow you to bow to me? That would be an insult. Please, sit."
Feng Jin's outward demeanor was impeccable. With a smile, she gestured for the嬷嬷 to sit.
"May I ask your name,嬷嬷?"
"This old servant entered the Xi Liang imperial palace in childhood and has served the Empress to this day. I no longer have a name; I only know my surname is Sun."
Feng Jin lowered her gaze and took a sip of tea. Truly, a seasoned spirit. To have remained in the cutthroat imperial palace for so many years, she must be an extraordinary individual.
"Then I will boldly call you嬷嬷 Sun.嬷嬷 Sun, what brings you here?"
"Young Madam, have you not detained several palace maids today? While those maids deserve death for their transgressions, they are, after all, people of Xi Liang, and part of the princess's dowry. For the sake of diplomacy between the two nations, this old servant humbly requests that the Young Madam hand them over to me, allowing me to take them back for disposal."
This was an accusation, Feng Jin thought, a smile playing on her lips. She calmly put down her teacup and said in a tone that was gentle yet firm, "While those palace maids are indeed part of the princess's dowry, this is Dong Chu. Once they set foot on Dong Chu's soil, they are naturally Dong Chu's subjects and must abide by Dong Chu's laws. Their current offense is against Dong Chu's laws, and they must be dealt with according to Dong Chu's laws."
"Sun嬷嬷 is an intelligent person and will surely understand the gravity of this matter. If they are not severely punished, others will follow suit, and Xi Liang's reputation will be lost. Can Dong Chu and Xi Liang continue to maintain lasting peace?"
Feng Jin did not yield an inch, her words clear and resolute, determined not to let Sun嬷嬷 take the maids away.
Perhaps not expecting Feng Jin's firm stance, Sun嬷嬷's expression immediately turned unsightly. Her tone was no longer as gentle. "Young Madam, are you intending to detain them?"
"It is not I who intends to detain them, but Dong Chu's laws that require them to be detained."
Feng Jin retorted without a trace of timidity, "If Sun嬷嬷 believes I am acting with personal bias and intentionally making things difficult for you, then to ensure my innocence, Sun嬷嬷 is welcome to observe the proceedings."
This Sun嬷嬷 was deeply cunning. Hiding her true intentions would only give her more leverage to cause trouble. It was better to openly address the matter, seize the initiative, and avoid being put in a passive position.
"The Young Madam's actions are indeed just, making this old servant appear narrow-minded."
Sun嬷嬷 stood up and walked towards Feng Jin. "Since the Young Madam acts impartially, I am naturally at ease. Then this matter will be entrusted to the Young Madam's diligent efforts."
"As long as it contributes to the peace between Dong Chu and Xi Liang, why should I speak of hardship? If anyone is to speak of hardship, it is Sun嬷嬷. You have worked diligently in the palace for many years, and now, in your twilight years, you must leave your homeland and come to Dong Chu. Truly, it is a hardship."
Earlier, Feng Jin had wondered why someone of Sun嬷嬷's age had accompanied them to Dong Chu. Today, she finally understood.
This Sun嬷嬷 was not just capable; she was practically a master strategist. With her offering advice to Murong Jin Yun, Dong Chu would surely be thrown into chaos.
"This old servant is a servant of the Xi Liang royal family. To have the honor of attending to the Empress has been the greatest fortune of my life. Now, to be able to care for the princess as I approach my end is the greatest blessing of my life."
"Young Madam, you are a wise person. With you here, I trust this journey will be uneventful. This old servant is also at ease. People truly grow old. We have only spoken for a short while, and I am already tired. This old servant shall take her leave and not intrude any further."
Sun嬷嬷 said with a smile, bowed slightly to Feng Jin, and then rose to depart.