Wan Rong looked at Yu Lou's small body, her heart filled with a pang of sorrow. Fierce resentment flashed within her, her eyes glinting like wolf's eyes in the darkness, filled with hatred.
She swore with gritted teeth that she would make them pay for everything Yu Lou had suffered today. She abruptly released the soft, small body she was holding.
Though reluctant, she swiftly departed the grand hall, having heard sounds indicating someone's approach. She then vanished from the hall. Yu Lou opened his mouth, wanting to call out to her, but then he remembered her words—not to speak recklessly. He immediately sealed his lips.
Two palace maids then walked over, and Yu Lou looked at them obediently.
"Palace maid sisters, palace maid sisters, I know I was wrong. Please tell Consort Xiuyi that I know I was wrong and will never dare to do it again. I'm so hungry, I'm so hungry."
Yu Lou spoke with a pained expression. The two palace maids heard him and were surprised that Prince Yu Lou had come to his senses in the blink of an eye. His change was so fast. They immediately nodded with smiles, "Alright, Prince Yu Lou, please wait. We will go and report to Consort Xiuyi, and we will bring Prince Yu Lou to have dinner soon."
The two palace maids went into the sleeping quarters to report to Zhang Xiuyi. Zhang Xiuyi doted on Yu Lou immensely, and punishing him had been an act of extreme anger. Now, she regretted it. Upon hearing from the palace maids that Prince Yu Lou had admitted his mistake, she immediately gestured for him to be taken to dine.
"Prince Yu Lou, please rise. We maids will lead you to have dinner. You must be hungry."
The two palace maids reached out to help the young prince up. Seeing his frail and small body swaying unsteadily, they quickly supported him and took him next door for dinner.
Yu Lou thought his consort mother would take him back. Miraculously, he behaved, no longer speaking carelessly and cooperating with the palace maids, which saved them a lot of trouble.
Zhang Xiuyi, after all, was fond of Yu Lou, as she had watched him grow from childhood.
Although she knew Lou Sijing was merely using her, as she had no children of her own, she treated Yu Lou as her own child, doting on him.
Moreover, for the next few days, Yu Lou was so well-behaved, no different from before, always calling her Consort Xiuyi.
Zhang Xiuyi couldn't help but feel happy, imagining how wonderful it would be if Lou Sijing were gone. She would surely dote on Yu Lou. It was a pity she didn't know that although Yu Lou was young, his heart was quite wicked.
He was merely placating her to return to his consort mother's side. In his heart, he cursed her more than once, wishing his consort mother would have this woman executed immediately.
Morning court.
In the majestic and imposing Golden Pheasant Hall, the Emperor, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat regally on the dragon throne, radiating an imposing aura. He coldly surveyed the officials below, his dazzling dragon crown swaying lightly from side to side. The piercing light flickered intermittently, illuminating his face, which was as refined and jade-like as a beautiful jade, with only hidden turmoil in his eyes.
"If there are matters to report, present them. Otherwise, the court is adjourned," announced the eunuch Xiao Wanzi in his high-pitched voice.
As soon as Xiao Wanzi finished speaking, the officials below, while refraining from any major movements, cast sideways glances at the actions of others in the hall. No one dared to step forward rashly.
The Emperor appeared arrogant and unapproachable, and without ten-tenths certainty, no one dared to make a move.
Feng Xie's narrow eyes were tinged with dark, brooding hues, and a cold smile played on his lips. He stared motionlessly at the officials below, waiting. He believed someone would be the first to break the silence. xxs1
As expected, Zhang Zhisan, the Minister of Rites, stepped out of the ranks and respectfully, yet cautiously, reported.
"Your humble servant has a memorial to present."
"Present it."
Feng Xie flicked his dragon sleeve with a wild, cloud-like flourish. A wave of cold air immediately swept through the hall, chilling the officials to the bone.
Ever since the Empress returned to court, the Emperor had changed. He was no longer as listless as before, allowing them to act recklessly.
From his easy resolution of the conflict between two nations this time, it could be seen that the Emperor, when he chose to act, was unstoppable. Furthermore, the Lou family seemed to be gradually losing favor.
Half of the court officials leaned towards the Lou family. Some of them harbored regret, but there was no turning back. They were all like grasshoppers tied to the same rope; they would live together or die together.
The young eunuch took the memorial and handed it to Xiao Wanzi, who then presented it to the Emperor. Feng Xie took it and indeed let out a cold, dry laugh.
It seemed the Lou family could no longer hold back. They had made their move. The memorial stated nothing more than that five years ago, the Empress was reburied in the imperial mausoleum, and now another Empress had appeared. It requested the Emperor to reconsider.
It warned that if the Empress were to remain in the harem, it would incite chaos throughout the land, and requested the Emperor to expel this "fake Empress" with ulterior motives from the palace.
Upon reaching the end, Feng Xie's face suddenly darkened, and he spoke with chilling severity, "Zhang Zhisan, how dare you question my capability? Would I be unable to distinguish between a woman? Do I need a subject like you to admonish me?"
The booming sound, like a clap of thunder, struck with immense force. The yellow pear wood dragon throne cracked in response, indicating the depth of the Emperor's current rage.
Except for Zhang Zhisan, all other officials who had intended to step forward were so startled that they dared not move, not even daring to breathe. Zhang Zhisan himself turned ashen, trembled, and then fell to his knees with a thud, "Your Majesty, please investigate. Your humble servant acts for the good of the Tianfeng Dynasty. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider," came voices from a succession of officials who stepped out. They were Vice-Ministers from various departments, Governors from several provinces, and some who still hesitated to come forward.
These individuals who stepped out were closely related to the Lou family. The Grand Tutor Lou had already been glancing at them. Though fearful, they were helpless and could only come forward.
Feng Xie smiled proudly, his eyes shimmering with a captivating brilliance. He was confident that the Lou family would not be without any reaction. His slender, jade-like fingers tapped the dragon throne, producing a faint humming sound.
The impact resonated through the hall, making everyone feel an oppressive weight, as if they could barely breathe. Then, they heard the Emperor speak slowly, his voice emanating icy coldness.
"Very good, very good. It seems you are all in agreement, united in your desire to expel the Empress from the palace. You even claim the Empress is an imposter. Then, will you one day claim that I, too, am an imposter?"
This statement struck everyone's hearts like a heavy drum, silencing them all.
Even when the Grand Tutor Lou signaled them, they remained motionless. Wasn't this seeking death? While those people hesitated and resisted each other, Liu Ting, the Prime Minister and the Empress's own brother, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"The Empress is indeed my sister. I wonder why all you esteemed officials are so certain the Empress is fake. You have neither seen the Empress nor obtained any evidence. Are you presumptuously attempting to expel the Empress from the palace based on the one-sided words of a few officials? Is this not exceedingly unrealistic?"
Liu Ting's deep, husky voice echoed. The officials in the hall drew in sharp breaths, their hearts filled with inexplicable anger.
However, they were powerless. Since Liu Ting took office as Prime Minister, he had pacified the wars between two nations, and he commanded a faction within the court. Indeed, as soon as Liu Ting finished speaking, some officials stepped forward to concur.
"Your humble servants believe the Empress is the Prime Minister's younger sister. Regarding whether the Empress is the Prime Minister's sister, who could know better than the Prime Minister and Your Majesty? Do the actions of the esteemed Emperor and Prime Minister of the glorious Tianfeng Dynasty need to be questioned by each of you common officials?"
At once, the hall became a scene of tension and confrontation, the atmosphere heavy.
Feng Xie watched everything below with cold eyes, refraining from speaking. He trusted in Liu Ting's ability to deal with this faction of the Lou family, and thus said nothing more, merely watching the unfolding drama with a grim expression.
The Grand Tutor Lou had remained silent until the commotion reached its peak. Then, he slowly stepped forward and declared loudly, "Your humble servant has a memorial to present."