TFSRITA Chapter 60

Xian Fei, equally bewildered, had received ten strikes.

“Empress, you must stand up for me! I haven’t done anything!” Xian Fei lay on her bed, pulling on the sleeve of the person who had come to see her, crying out in distress.

Empress Jiang softened her expression and gently comforted her, “Don’t worry, I will seek justice for you.”

Xian Fei continued to sob.

Shuang’er, standing nearby, also had red eyes and said, “Your Majesty, you may not know, but this time it isn’t the Emperor’s fault; it’s…”

“Shuang’er!” Xian Fei scolded her sharply.

Empress Jiang furrowed her brow and demanded, “What exactly is going on? Speak clearly!”

At her stern tone, Shuang’er trembled and knelt, revealing everything: “The Emperor came out from the Concubine’s palace in a bad mood and had a dark expression when arriving at the Imperial Garden. He has never been one to take it out on others; it was the ladies who did not manage their ranks well. There were too many people, and one person slipped away unnoticed, which was hard for the lady to monitor!”

“Clatter—” Empress Jiang heard this and angrily knocked over the teacup on the bedside table, scolding, “Wicked concubine!”

Ever since she came to the harem, there had been so many issues!

Previously, although the Emperor didn’t frequent the harem, he rarely resorted to punishment. But now, if anyone angered him, they faced a beating. It was all fine for the palace maids and eunuchs; their lives were expendable, but Zhou He was the only daughter of the governor, and now she had received thirty strikes. If it weren’t for the doctor’s excellent skills, something serious could have happened!

In the past, Ji Yecheng didn’t lay hands on anyone, but now? Without comparison, there was no harm. Empress Jiang had long viewed her with disdain.

However, now that the Emperor was protective and his temper was worsening, she had already hesitated to speak up after being scolded a few times. While she was angry, she took a deep breath to calm down. Empress Jiang said nothing.

Xian Fei guessed what she was thinking and secretly signaled to Shuang’er.

Then Shuang’er said, “Your Majesty, you may not know, but news from the previous dynasty indicates that the Emperor is preparing to hold the imperial wedding ceremony in the Ministry of Rites!”

“Really?” Empress Jiang’s face immediately turned serious.

Shuang’er nodded earnestly, “Of course! My lady’s elder brother works in the Ministry of Rites; although he is just a minor official, he knows. However, there are still some opposing voices, and the Ministry hasn’t formally started preparations. If it happens, the harem…”

She didn’t finish her sentence. The current Concubine was already so arrogant and domineering in the harem; if she became the Emperor’s legitimate wife, everything would be even more justified. Even the officials would not dare to challenge her favoritism, especially if she bore the Emperor a son.

Empress Jiang quickly understood her implication and followed this line of thought. A sense of dread filled her; now, because Ji Yecheng was impatient in managing the harem, the Phoenix Seal was in her hands. If Yan Qing became the Empress, the seal would inevitably leave her grasp. In her position as Empress Dowager, lacking the Emperor’s backing, what power would she have in the harem?

Initially intending to observe or stay neutral, Empress Jiang steadied her mind, her gaze turning icy. She reassured, “Rest assured, I will make her aware of her mistakes.”

Xian Fei wiped her tears, saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

In just three days, a wave of rumors swept through Chang’an City.

“I heard that the only daughter of Governor Zhou was given thirty strikes in the harem for offending the Concubine and is barely hanging on.”

“This Concubine is formidable; both the court and the harem are afraid of her!”

“I heard she’s the daughter of the Prime Minister, so that’s why she’s so powerful!”

“That’s not it; she must have bewitched the Emperor; the Prime Minister is a good person!”

“I also know…”

As rumors spread, people were more interested in the sensationalism than the truth.

In an era reliant on oral accounts, exaggeration only escalated. Someone might have started with a kernel of truth, but as the tale traveled further, it morphed into something that could be blamed entirely on the Concubine.

Coupled with previous incidents—her monopolization of the Emperor’s affection, sneaking out of the palace, and other seemingly minor issues—everything now became evidence of Yan Qing’s wrongdoing. With such ‘solid’ proof piling up, other matters seemed insignificant, and Concubine Yan lost all favor among the people.

The advisors used this as justification to petition the court to expel the ‘demonic’ Concubine from the palace.

Initially, there were plans to assassinate her, but the Prime Minister was at the height of his power, and they feared repercussions from Yan Qing’s father. Thus, they were careful with their approach.

Prime Minister Yan was indeed furious, but less so than the advisors had anticipated.

He disliked the idea of his innocent daughter being bullied in the palace. He had long seen Ji Yecheng as an unsuitable match—emotionless, cold, and calculating. His favoritism was certainly suspicious.

Especially since his daughter had withered away so quickly after entering the palace, this only confirmed his suspicions. If she could get out, he might even thank them for it; hence, he quietly fanned the flames.

In the morning court session.

Even though the Emperor suppressed the petitions and refused to issue orders, the voices of the ministers in the court could not be controlled.

While the advisors were wary of offending the Emperor over trivial matters, they could not shy away from discussing an issue of national importance.

Many officials were genuinely concerned for the country; the emergence of a ‘demonic’ Concubine must be dealt with, or the nation would face ruin.

This time, the attitude of the ministers was extraordinarily unified, especially recalling how the Emperor had been preparing for the imperial wedding ceremony just two days prior; this was unacceptable!

Thus, when Jiang Wende announced, “If there are matters to discuss, speak now; if not, the court is adjourned,”

The court, usually lasting only two minutes, now stretched on for two hours.

“Your Majesty, I have a memorial!” a middle-aged man with a goat beard stepped forward and called out, “This demonic Concubine is causing chaos in the harem…”