Chapter 23: Seeing the Grand Princess Again

Once Feng Yu'er had finished speaking, Zhao Jiao spoke up again, her voice trembling with agitation: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I dare not slander the Princess. It was the Princess herself who said that because of my lowly birth, killing me would be easier than crushing an ant. She also said... she said... that I am a base-born daughter of a concubine, unworthy of entering the palace, and unworthy of serving Your Majesty..."

Zhao Jiao’s words caused the atmosphere to shift abruptly; the expressions of the Empress and the others darkened significantly.

Feng Yu'er, not noticing this, had her attention entirely fixed on Zhao Jiao. Overwhelmed by the accusation, she lost control and slapped Zhao Jiao across the face.

"You vile woman, you're spouting nonsense! When did I ever say such things? I am seeing you for the first time; how would I know you were a concubine's daughter? It is truly an eye-opener—not only are you of low birth, but you are a concubine's child at that..."

The entire hall fell into a dead silence.

Just then, Song Lanzhi suddenly stepped forward.

"Princess Nianzhao, it was merely a single character. When you said you feared her name might offend the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess, the Empress herself said there was no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. She said that the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess are broad-minded and would not take offense, suggesting that we all simply address her as 'Jiaojiao' to avoid any issues. Yet, it seems Princess Nianzhao still refuses to let it go. It appears Miss Xu’s name may not have offended the Empress Dowager or the Eldest Princess after all, but rather, it offended Princess Nianzhao!"

"Lanzhi, do not be presumptuous before the Empress Dowager! Step back at once!"

The Imperial Noble Consort scolded her loudly, anxious and frustrated. How could the girl be so tactless? At a time like this, why speak up? Did she not realize that the Empress Dowager herself was a concubine's daughter? Princess Nianzhao had stepped right onto the Empress Dowager’s most sensitive sore spot!

"I had not realized it before, but it seems Ling'er has had a lapse in judgment, adopting such an ungrateful thing as her daughter," the Empress Dowager said, her voice trembling with fury. "If I recall correctly, your own origins were even less distinguished than hers. If not for your face bearing a slight resemblance to Zhao'er's, you would not even be qualified to stand here today. Arrogant and reckless! Guards, take her away and interrogate her thoroughly. See who gave her the courage to bully others in this palace!"

The Empress Dowager erupted in rage, and the entire hall was so silent that no one dared to breathe. The matron by the Empress Dowager’s side led several palace maids toward Feng Yu'er.

Feng Yu'er’s face drained of color, and in terror, she threw herself to the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy. "Imperial Grandmother, I am wronged! I am truly wronged!"

"Shut your mouth! Who is your Imperial Grandmother? Drag her away!"

Even the Empress, having never seen the Empress Dowager so incensed, was visibly shaken.

Yin Sumu watched Zhao Jiao quietly, his gaze profoundly complex. Was all of this within her calculations? The Empress’s actions, the Empress Dowager’s fury! How had she managed to orchestrate it all? Yin Sumu silently recalled every word Zhao Jiao had spoken, trying to find a flaw, yet some parts remained beyond his grasp.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged... I... wuu... umph..."

Feng Yu'er finally realized the danger, but it was too late. The old matron had already gagged her.

***

The young ladies in attendance were so frightened they dared not move.

"What is going on? Why is it so quiet? Are we not here for a banquet?"

Yin Ling, the Eldest Princess, swept in wearing a long, trailing black gown and a sable cape of the same shade. Despite the bitter cold, she carried a feathered fan, a smile on her face as she headed straight toward the Empress Dowager.

In Great Zhao, black was the color of nobility. By regulation, only the Emperor could wear entirely black—even the Empress’s robes were a mix of red and black. Thus, the status of the Eldest Princess was self-evident.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Eldest Princess!"

The crowd scrambled to pay their respects, and even the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort reflexively wore fawning expressions as they greeted her.

As that figure in black passed by Zhao Jiao, Zhao Jiao nearly lost her composure. Her body swayed slightly, and she braced herself hard with her hands, keeping her head low, not daring to look. Hearing that familiar voice, she began to tremble uncontrollably.

Noticing her reaction, Yin Sumu, who had been standing nearby without sitting, moved two steps forward, shielding her from the cold draft.

"Zhao'er... what is this?"

Seeing Feng Yu'er being held, Yin Ling’s expression remained unchanged. With a wave of her hand, the palace maids and the matron immediately released their hold.

Freed, Feng Yu'er ripped the silk gag from her mouth, threw herself down, and clutched the hem of Yin Ling’s gown, weeping and pleading: "Mother, save me! I have been wronged, Mother..."

Yin Ling leaned down slightly, hooked Feng Yu'er’s chin with her fingers, and sighed. "What is this? Look at this pitiful state!" She let go, looked up at the Empress Dowager, and noted her lingering rage. "It seems Zhao'er has displeased you, Mother!"

She pulled her gown away and said coldly, "Since you dared to anger the Empress Dowager, then stay kneeling!"

Without looking back, she walked toward the Empress Dowager. Feng Yu'er, not daring to utter another word of plea, remained kneeling, her body trembling slightly.

"Mother, the girl is ignorant and has provoked your anger. Please, do not be upset; it is not worth damaging your health. I shall let her kneel here until your anger has subsided."

Yin Ling acted as if nothing had happened, taking the Empress Dowager’s hand to soothe her.

Seeing her daughter, the Empress Dowager’s rage dissipated slightly. "Why have you only just arrived? How could you two siblings have so much to talk about? You, too—there are times when your judgment of people fails. It is all because you have spoiled her! Look at how she has bullied this child! If word gets out, it will be your reputation as the Eldest Princess that suffers. A dignified Princess, spewing words like 'vile woman' and 'concubine's daughter' so casually—anyone who didn't know better would think she was a common shrew. I will say this to your face today: I do not wish to see her again. If you keep her because she resembles Zhao'er, I will spare her life today, but from now on, let her stay within the Eldest Princess’s residence and stop wandering about!"

***

"It seems she has committed a great wrong today..."

Yin Ling’s face remained breezy and nonchalant, but her tone was bone-chilling.

"And whose daughter is this? Looking so pitiful. Raise your head and tell me how the Princess bullied you. I shall see justice done for you!"

Yin Ling followed the Empress Dowager’s gaze toward Zhao Jiao, speaking to her in a detached manner.

Zhao Jiao’s heart trembled. She fought to restrain her emotions, slowly raising her head, though her body continued to shake uncontrollably.

Meeting again—there was no longer the grace of birth, only an irreconcilable hatred!

She did not deserve to utter the name "Zhao'er"!

Zhao Jiao bit her tongue until it bled and pinched her thighs until they were bruised, only then managing to mask the full depth of her hatred. Her eyes held only shimmering tears and the timidity of a trembling girl.

"Enough. The girl is likely frightened out of her wits and cannot speak clearly. Empress, you tell her what happened."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Yin Ling and sighed, turning her head away.

The Empress had no choice but to bite the bullet and recount the events simply and clearly. When she finished, her eyes darted around, trying her best to minimize her presence.

Yin Ling’s face darkened as she listened. "Guards, drag her away and make her kneel outside the hall. Do not let her be an eyesore to the Empress Dowager—such an unrefined thing!" She finished, lightly waving her feathered fan as she walked toward Zhao Jiao. Her expression cleared instantly, and she bent down to help Zhao Jiao up.

"It is my failure in discipline that has caused you to suffer. Come, tell me, how would you like me to punish her? You are the aggrieved party; you decide! Even if you... want her life, I will grant it!"

"Hiss... it hurts..."

Zhao Jiao pulled her hand back, wincing and recoiling from Yin Ling’s touch. She was disgusted!

Yin Ling withdrew her hand, her gaze growing colder. She stood straight and waved her fan. "It seems the injury is not light. Did you not ask the Empress Dowager for justice? Speak up—how do you wish to punish her?"