Her husband was a second-rank official in the imperial court, and she herself held a noble title. As the daughter of Marquis Anbo, she commanded respect wherever she went.
With the imperial family in decline and few royal relatives, she moved through the capital with an air of entitlement.
Even the former Empress had treated her with courtesy. Her attendance at this flower-viewing banquet was a concession to Princess Lingyao, solely because her husband had said the Divine Maiden's status was supreme, even higher than the Empress. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have come even if ordered by imperial decree!
Seeing the Prefect of Jingzhao's wife step forward, the others also regained their composure, their hearts filled with indignation.
The Divine Maiden spoke powerfully, but she relied on the Divine Martial General. Now that the Divine Martial General had left the capital, it was uncertain if he would even return alive!
Their husbands had recently been impeaching him, and the Emperor was too lazy to even intervene, clearly showing he was not favored by His Majesty.
Another lady stepped forward, "Yes, Your Highness Princess, you are the Divine Maiden. Your humble servant's husband said that the Divine Maiden can ensure the eternal prosperity of our Great Jing and be revered by all people. Previously, you disciplined that Turkic princess, which filled this humble servant with admiration. But now, they are all ignorant, delicate young women. Your actions, in this manner, may tarnish your reputation."
Yu Liu let out a disdainful scoff.
These pampered, ignorant women had likely never witnessed the Divine Maiden unleash her power.
The Prefect of Jingzhao's wife glared fiercely at Yu Liu, deeming this maidservant incredibly audacious.
Lingxi stopped smiling, thinking to herself, perhaps her Imperial Sister had punished too many people just now, leading to criticism. If it became difficult to resolve, she would step forward to take responsibility. At worst, she would let her Imperial Sister punish her publicly.
After all, she had already avenged herself.
"Wait a moment!" Lingyao said with a beaming smile, tilting her head slightly. "Someone, clear out the guilty female dependents first. Don't cause such a commotion here; it's difficult for me to distinguish who is who."
The ladies and noblewomen were stunned, not understanding what she meant. Then, a group of Imperial Guards arrived with imposing momentum, rushing in to apprehend them.
"Ah! Mother—"
"Stop! Don't touch this lady! Do you know who I am!"
"What is going on?"
The peach grove descended into chaos. The lady who had spoken out behind the Prefect of Jingzhao's wife was among those being apprehended.
"Princess, what is the meaning of this? What exactly are you doing?" she cried out in fear, her face pale to a degree that her makeup could not conceal.
"If you don't know, I will kindly explain. Stop struggling. Your husbands and fathers have committed capital offenses and have all been brought to justice and imprisoned. I am merciful and do not wish to implicate the female dependents. However, the lives of official ladies and young ladies have come to an end. Go back, pack your belongings, and find a new path!"
Ah!
Everyone gasped.
What had happened? Weren't they all happily attending the banquet together just moments ago?
How had they suddenly been imprisoned...
"Expel them from the palace!"
Lingyao waved her hand, looking at the Prefect of Jingzhao's wife, who stood with her mouth agape, her composure completely lost.
"And who might you be, Madam?"
The Prefect of Jingzhao's wife, watching ten ladies and young ladies who had been chatting with her moments ago being dragged away, had not yet recovered from the immense shock. Hearing Lingyao's question, she numbly turned her head.
"My husband is Yu Zheng, the Prefect of Jingzhao."
After she spoke, she looked into Lingyao's clear, piercing gaze and suddenly shivered.
What was this princess planning to do?
Her husband had committed no offense.
Her father was Marquis Anbo, who had rendered meritorious service to Great Jing and had been personally bestowed the title by the former Emperor!
No, no, she couldn't defy this princess. What had her husband said? He had said something, he had said it, but she had forgotten. What had he said?
Having lived for so many years, the Prefect of Jingzhao's wife was not foolish.
When she was unsure about something, she always left a way out, planning to return home and discuss it with her husband before making any decisions.
"Prefect of Jingzhao..." Lingyao repeated softly, as if contemplating something.
The Prefect of Jingzhao's wife immediately softened her tone, "Princess, please forgive me. My daughter was ignorant and spoiled by me at home. I will surely discipline her properly when we return, teaching her etiquette and upbringing."
"Mm..."
Five people, including Li Yurán, who had been kneeling, remained, while two had been dragged out.
"Disrespecting a royal princess, this upbringing truly needs to be addressed from the root."
The Prefect of Jingzhao's wife's heart skipped a beat, and she dared not speak.
"Alright, I see that everyone is not in good spirits. Let us disperse. Today's flower-viewing banquet has been held very successfully."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Those delicate young ladies were already on the verge of collapse, unable to hold on.
"And another thing—"
Everyone's breath caught again.
"Those kneeling on the ground are forbidden from entering the palace forever!" Lingyao's voice suddenly grew louder, sharp and decisive.
Li Yurán and the others who were kneeling instantly collapsed onto the ground.
Forbidden from entering the palace forever... forbidden from entering the palace forever...
These words echoed in the Prefect of Jingzhao's wife's ears like a curse.
This meant her daughter would never have the chance to become empress or consort, and more seriously, she wouldn't even be able to marry into a good family. Which prestigious family would marry a woman who couldn't even enter the palace gates, one disdained by the imperial family?
This flower-viewing banquet ultimately became a nightmare for the noble ladies of the influential families.
Lingyao and Lingxi, along with their entourage, returned to the Phoenix Palace. Everyone was in high spirits, especially Ling'er and Yu Liu, who were later discussing methods of pranking others.
"Imperial Sister, thank you. Today I truly experienced the pride of being a princess," Lingxi grinned, revealing two small dimples.
"You smile like a fool."
Lingyao teased her. Previously, she had been a caged bird in the Phoenix Palace.
And Lingxi had been an uncared-for stray cat.
Alas! Both were so pitiful.
"I'm going to see the two little treasures," Lingxi ran towards the room for the dragon and phoenix twins.
Yu Liu coughed dryly, "Princess Lingxi is the same age as the Princess, yet she appears several years younger."
Lingyao frowned, "Yu Liu, why don't you go to the Imperial Hospital and get some medicine to brew? Your throat doesn't sound right."
Yu Liu also noticed it; her throat was becoming increasingly itchy. Could she have caught it from Yu Shan!
"This servant will go and check on Yu Shan first."
Yu Liu went to her and Yu Shan's room. When she pushed the door open, it was locked from the inside.
"Yu Shan? What are you doing? Why is the door closed?"
Yu Shan's coughing could be heard from inside.
"Yu Liu, go to the Imperial Hospital and invite Imperial Physician Qu. I feel something is wrong. Don't come in."
Something is wrong? What did that mean?
"Alright, I'll send someone over."
"Wait a moment!" Yu Shan called out to her again, coughing in between. "Send someone else to serve the Princess. You don't go over for now."
What was going on? Yu Liu cleared her throat.
Yu Shan heard it and suddenly raised her voice, "Stop asking, hurry up! Absolutely do not go near the Princess anymore!"
Yu Liu was completely bewildered. She designated a young palace maid to go to the Imperial Hospital and another to serve Lingyao, while she waited under the long corridor.