This conversation made Emperor Qi recall Lin Wang's actions over the years, all of which were dedicated and without fault.
The Jingji Division, managed by him, had never leaned towards any faction, always loyal only to him. Thus, much of his anger dissipated.
"Enough. Go down and receive twenty planks yourself. If anyone speaks of this again tomorrow, I will deal with them."
Raising high and bringing down gently. With these words, everyone present understood that the Lin family's crisis was completely resolved. As for the Bai family, they were now directly confronting the Duke of Wei's household.
Having achieved their objectives, the few individuals naturally rose to leave.
After they had all departed, Consort Shu emerged from the inner chambers and went to massage the troubled furrow between Emperor Qi's brows.
"Your Majesty is in a difficult position now. Both the Wei and Bai families are pillars of the Great Jin, yet they have fallen into such a state. These subjects of yours are truly inconsiderate, all coming to trouble Your Majesty."
While this sounded like a complaint about the Bai family's lack of decorum in coming to lodge a complaint late at night and vexing Emperor Qi, it was, in reality, a reprimand to the Wei family for provoking the Bai family to such an irreconcilable point, causing Emperor Qi distress and forcing him to clean up their mess.
"Enough. It is a rule of the Great Jin that the inner court does not discuss state affairs. Although Qingli is the ruler as a female sovereign, in the Great Jin, you must abide by the Great Jin's rules. Do you understand?"
"Your concubine misspoke. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness." As she spoke, she leaned softly against Emperor Qi, stirring his desires.
However, he was ultimately a monarch with resolve. Even with a beauty by his side, matters of state remained paramount.
"Wang Yu."
"This old servant is here."
"Send Meng Da to investigate whether this person's testimony is true. If it is indeed so, then that person need not be kept alive, lest they continue to disrupt the Great Jin's court."
"Yes."
Emperor Qi's words were quite clear. Regardless of whether this matter was true or false, Lu Yuanfeng had no way out. One wondered where he found the audacity to provoke the families of two major court officials.
He was indiscreet in his dealings, had a foolishly wicked mind, and yet aspired to reach the heavens in a single step.
Truly, heaven was about to claim him.
After quietly withdrawing, the Zichen Hall once again witnessed a night of boundless spring beauty.
The matter of the Bai family's betrothed daughter eloping spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys the next day. It was as if someone had fanned the flames; the news grew wings, and from the eighty-year-old elder to the three-year-old child, everyone was discussing it incessantly.
A gossiping old woman, while eating melon seeds, said to those around her with great disdain.
"If I had such a shameless daughter, I would beat her to death. For the Bai family to boast of being a prominent noble family, and yet their own daughter is raised this way? It's truly a sin!"
"Who can say otherwise? Having done such a shameful deed, and for it to be spread, the Bai family's daughter is unlikely to survive."
"But, who do you think that man is? To make her look down upon the young master of the Kang Prince's mansion and run off with someone else."
"Cough, who knows?"
For the common folk, the truth of the matter was not important. What mattered most was that it happened to others. After all, spreading rumors cost nothing; it was merely a matter of two lips flapping.
Everyone was waiting to see the Bai family's disgrace, or their reaction.
They all felt that if the Bai family did not kill this daughter this time, they would not be able to establish themselves in the Great Jin. Anyone could step forward and curse them to vent their anger, forgetting what the Bai family had done for the Great Jin in the past.
Madam Shen and Bai Sihan had been hiding in their small courtyard recuperating from their illnesses these past few days, rarely causing trouble. They had initially intended to quietly recover and return to Qiongzhou once their injuries healed. While the Eastern Capital was pleasant, it was not a place they could stay.
Little did they know that while the mother and daughter had resigned themselves to their fate, they heard about Bai Siruo's affair.
Mama Zheng, who served Madam Shen, returned from an errand outside, her face beaming with excitement as she approached Madam Shen.
"Heaven has opened its eyes and has not allowed our young lady to suffer this injustice in vain. Yesterday, I heard that the Fourth Master beat the eldest young lady. This old servant was curious, how could the apple of the Bai family's eye be beaten? But today, when I went out, I heard this news."
Madam Shen had to care for Bai Sihan and did not have much energy to waste words with her.
Mama Zheng, sensing her impatience, said, "Madam, outside, everyone is spreading rumors that the eldest young lady eloped with an outsider. You say, yesterday, why did the Fourth Master lose his temper so much and use family law on the eldest young lady? Most likely, she was caught."
Such a significant matter was like a pie falling from the sky in Madam Shen's eyes. Her first thought was that if Bai Siruo's reputation was ruined, and she could not account for it to the Kang Prince's mansion, then her own Sihan would have a chance to be a substitute bride!
Although her reputation might be tarnished, the benefits were tangible.
Once Sihan married into the family, she would be the mother-in-law of the Kang Prince's mansion's legitimate grandson. At that time, let alone Qiongzhou, she could probably walk sideways even in the Eastern Capital.
Her previously dormant ambitions stirred again. She instructed Mama Zheng, "Quickly go and inquire about the family's reaction to this matter and when the Kang Prince's mansion will break off the engagement. If we can seize this opportunity, this may be a good time for Sihan and me to turn our fortunes around."
Mama Zheng, having served her for many years, naturally understood her intentions and quickly nodded, saying, "Madam, rest assured, this old servant will go and inquire. However, the First Madam has issued strict orders prohibiting any servants in the household from discussing this matter, so I fear I will have to spend more silver."
At such a time, how could Madam Shen be stingy with money? She took out a bottom-of-the-chest box filled with various small coins, grabbed a handful, and placed it in Mama Zheng's palm, saying with a smug smile.
"If this matter is accomplished, you will not be shortchanged. I remember your husband's family in Qiongzhou is merely a steward. When Sihan marries into the Kang Prince's mansion, tell your man to bring the children and move here to manage Sihan's estates."
Upon hearing this, Mama Zheng immediately guaranteed repeatedly that she would do her best to accomplish this matter.
While Madam Shen was already envisioning the scene of the Kang Prince's mansion's lavish betrothal gifts being carried into the small courtyard, people from the Kang Prince's mansion indeed arrived.
After the old prince had sought the Emperor's permission last time, all external affairs had been handed over to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. Now, it was these two, along with Xiao Muqian, who had arrived.
The servants below did not know what had happened. Seeing the three arrive in a hurry, they assumed they were there to break off the engagement.
After all, the rumors outside were so unpleasant; no family would be pleased in such a situation.
Mama Zheng used some silver to bribe a maid serving tea inside to relay the conversation to her.
If they were truly here to break off the engagement, then their young lady would have a chance.
They went directly to the courtyard of the Fourth Branch. Upon seeing Princess Wenyi, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were filled with concern.
Xiao Muqian spoke first, "I heard that your uncle beat Siruo yesterday. How is she now? Are her injuries serious? I brought medicine for treating injuries from the army, which has very good effects."