Empress Luo tugged at the hem of her robes, which had been pressed under her knees in her haste: "Mother, this concubine..."
"Imperial Grandmother~ Imperial Grandmother, save Momo. Momo didn't mean to get Miaoshan sealed, woo woo..." A wronged and clear cry rang out.
Everyone shifted their gaze.
Su Yunmo was still pinned to the ground.
Her small body was shielded by two maids, revealing only a dirty little face streaked with tears.
Granny Rongjin saw her and immediately reprimanded, "Presumptuous! Release this child at once!"
The two maids glanced at the Empress instinctively before getting up.
Su Yunmo broke free and staggered to her feet, but her legs seemed to give out, and she fell heavily back down, crying even harder.
Granny Rongjin, heartbroken, hurried over to scoop the child up from the ground.
Su Yunmo's clothes were disheveled, and her hair stuck to her face, making her look like a little wild child. Not only were there tears on her face, but also crumbs of pastries and fruit juice.
She looked utterly disheveled and pitiful.
Even the Empress Dowager couldn't help but knit her brows: "Empress, what does this child mean by Miaoshan being sealed? Could it be that you have doubts about my decree?"
Empress Luo's body stiffened, and she bowed: "Mother, you flatter this concubine. How would this concubine dare to have any objections to your decree? Those in Miaoshan who were disrespectful to Mother should indeed be punished."
"As for this girl, this concubine punished her because she caused trouble in the palace and injured an elder."
Granny Rongjin glanced at the child wiping tears on her arm, frowning in disapproval.
This girl did have some skill, but to say that such a young child could injure an adult seemed a bit too sensational, didn't it?
The Empress's excuse was really stretching it.
Empress Luo also realized that her words might not be believed, so she quickly sent for Granny Jin.
"Mother will know when she sees Granny Jin. She is covered in whip marks."
Su Yunmo was still sobbing, her little legs trembling, unable to speak clearly.
Empress Luo gritted her teeth.
This girl really knew how to act!
Once Granny Jin was brought in, with witnesses and evidence, how could she still pretend!
Granny Jin was soon brought in on a stretcher, still unconscious.
Empress Luo saw her and exclaimed in shock: "How could this be?!"
Although Granny Jin's clothes were messy, there were no signs of whipping, and her skin bore no whip marks. There were only bruises of red and blue, for reasons unknown.
Su Yunmo lowered her eyebrows, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
The whip was homemade, with soft golden threads inside, making it a hundred times more painful than an ordinary whip, but it left no trace.
"Imperial Grandmother~ Momo didn't mean to bump into Granny. Momo's tummy hurts, and Momo needs to go to the privy~" Su Yunmo hiccuped, taking small steps towards the Empress Dowager.
Empress Luo already knew she had been tricked and began to panic: "Mother, this child is lying! She is seeking revenge!"
The Empress Dowager glanced at the little person by her leg and said with great authority: "Oh? Then tell me, what did the Empress do to make a child seek such revenge?"
Empress Luo was immediately choked, gritting her teeth tightly.
She couldn't possibly reveal the matter of Ye Jingyu.
"It seems the Empress has nothing to say. Since that is the case, I have something to say!" The Empress Dowager's voice boomed, a hint of anger appearing on her dignified face, and her imposing aura instantly pressed down.
"As Empress, you should be virtuous and dignified. Yet, not only did you arbitrarily stop those I summoned within the palace, but you also cruelly harmed a child and slandered me in my presence. Do you know your crime!"
Empress Luo swallowed her pride and gritted her teeth in hatred, clenching her fists and lowering her head: "This concubine knows her crime."
In this situation, it was unfavorable to her. The more she explained, the worse it would get, so she could only yield.
"It is good that you know your crime! Considering your diligence in the palace over the years, I will not impose a severe punishment. However, palace rules must not be broken. You shall wear plain clothes for a month as a warning to others."
Wearing plain clothes meant that the Empress would not be able to share a bed with the Emperor for a month, which was a severe punishment for women in the harem.
Empress Luo's face changed instantly, and she prostrated herself with a deep bow: "Mother, please quell your anger. This subject was momentarily foolish. I beg Mother for mercy!"
In the harem, there were many women, and fortunes could change overnight. What's more, to be kept away from His Majesty for a month.
Su Yunmo tugged at the Empress Dowager's clothes, sobbing: "Imperial Grandmother, please don't punish the Empress. The Empress has already apologized, and Momo forgives her."
Everyone looked at the child's dirty face as she softly pleaded, their hearts softening.
This child is so kind.
The Empress Dowager remained expressionless, her dignity intact: "The law must not be broken."
Su Yunmo frowned slightly as if trying to understand the meaning of these words. After a while, she said: "Imperial Grandmother, you must punish her? But the Empress is so pitiful."
"How about... how about making her like Father? When Father makes a mistake, Mother makes him kneel for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
Empress Luo's body stiffened.
Granny Rongjin, however, couldn't help but chuckle.
The others also laughed inwardly.
General Su was known for being fearless outside, like a fierce lion who even dared to argue with His Majesty. It turned out he was in such a position at home.
The Empress Dowager looked at Su Yunmo, her gaze assessing but unwavering, cold and solemn.
Su Yunmo's face was full of innocent innocence.
After a moment, the Empress Dowager spoke: "Then it shall be as you say. The Empress shall kneel before the Phoenix Perch Palace for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
Empress Luo gritted her teeth, feeling both relieved and resentful: "Yes."
If Ye Jingyu could find such a helper, it seemed he was truly beyond control now!
Su Yunmo's tears turned into a smile, and she opened her small arms: "Imperial Grandmother, hug me~"
Granny Rongjin stepped forward: "Little Miss must be tired. May this old servant hug you?"
Su Yunmo dodged her and looked up at the Empress Dowager with a wronged expression: "No, Momo wants Imperial Grandmother to hug me~"
A spoiled child was always irresistible.
The Empress Dowager finally sighed and bent down to embrace the little person.
"Your Majesty, please return to the palace~"
Su Yunmo, held in the Empress Dowager's arms, walked out, her chin resting on the Empress Dowager's shoulder. She silently mouthed a sentence to Empress Luo, who was kneeling on the ground.
Does Your Majesty still think I can't hurt you now?
Empress Luo gritted her teeth in hatred!
The Empress Dowager's palanquin returned to Cining Palace.
Not long after they left, exclamations were heard from Fengqi Palace, and a moment later, chaos erupted.
Meanwhile, Su Yunmo was taken back, ate some pastries and fruits, and Granny Rongjin helped her bathe and change her clothes.
Although the Empress Dowager had seen the imperial physician after returning, her recovery was slow, and she still occasionally felt faint.
Su Yunmo took her pulse and examined her condition, agreeing to check on her again in a few days.
Given that she had been frightened today, the Empress Dowager did not keep her for too long and instructed Granny Rongjin to send her out of the palace early.
A palace attendant was waiting outside Cining Palace to escort her.
Su Yunmo followed the attendant towards the palace exit. On the way, they passed by the front of Qianming Hall.
Ye Jingcheng was just coming out of the hall, with a minister by his side, seemingly discussing the task the Emperor had just assigned him.
"Your Highness, I know you have been busy lately, but that fierce bandit is ferocious and has taken an entire village hostage. I, your subordinate, am truly unable to eliminate him alone."
Ye Jingcheng descended the steps, his brows furrowed in impatience, his cold eyes carrying a hint of indifference.
"What if there are hostages? Just crush them. Do hundreds of people really require my attention?"