TFSRITA Chapter 20

Especially her face, the bruises on her neck were gone, and from the looks of it, her complexion was smooth and glowing.

For a moment, the low murmurs in the great hall ceased, and there was a few seconds of silence.

The concubines quickly came to their senses and rose to greet her.

Yan Qing stood by the door of the hall, not fully entering, and waited until they had all started their greetings before she slowly walked in.

Her long skirt was held up by two eunuchs, and she held her head high and her chest out, her hands folded neatly at her abdomen, exuding an air of dignity and confidence.

While the concubines remained kneeling in place, Yan Qing had already reached the Empress Dowager and bowed slowly, saying, “I greet the Empress Dowager.”

Every movement was impeccable.

The Empress Dowager Jiang, the late Emperor’s original consort, was just over thirty. Thanks to proper maintenance, she looked like a young woman in her twenties. At this moment, she surveyed Yan Qing with sharp eyes and smiled, appearing both gentle and incisive as she said, “The Imperial Concubine looks quite impressive.”

Yan Qing accepted the compliment without blushing or showing any agitation, replying, “Your praise is too much, Empress Dowager.”

When Empress Dowager Jiang became the empress, the late Emperor was already in his thirties. Originally, the engagement was meant for Jiang’s elder sister, who came from the influential Jiang family. Thus, the empress position was naturally expected to come from the Jiang family. However, Jiang’s elder sister passed away a year before entering the palace, so the engagement was transferred to Jiang herself.

But since Jiang was more than ten years younger than the Emperor, she entered the palace much later. By then, the harem’s situation was stable, and the Jiang family had gradually declined, leaving her as a titular Empress Dowager only.

Thus, Yan Qing was not afraid of Empress Dowager Jiang. After her greeting, she stood up without waiting for a slow invitation and saw that the other concubines remained kneeling.

Yan Qing thought confidently that if Empress Dowager Jiang dared to bully her, her father would be able to retaliate.

Empress Dowager Jiang was aware of this. As a noble lady from a prominent family, she had been taught from a young age to prioritize family. Even though she disliked the current situation, she endured and said calmly, “Does the Imperial Concubine know why I have summoned you?”

Yan Qing smiled innocently and said, “I do not.”

“……” Empress Dowager Jiang choked again and looked towards Xian Concubine.

Xian Concubine straightened up and explained, “Your Highness, the situation is this: since the day you gave your greetings, Consort Yu and Consort Xie…”

Her voice was gentle, and her words were clear and fast, summarizing the prepared explanation. She then looked at Yan Qing with a hint of distress and sympathy, as if trying to comfort her with her eyes.

After all, they didn’t want to encounter such a situation, but it happened, and it was related to her.

Yan Qing, upon hearing this, nodded and said, “So, you think I’m too harsh and that I caused their deaths with my words?”

“I didn’t say that,” Xian Concubine quickly replied.

Yan Qing countered, “Then why was I called here?”

De Concubine couldn’t help but interject, “Your Highness, that day during the greetings, you were very harsh. They were all brought to tears by your words. These two were already weak and ill, so naturally, you had to come.”

After De Concubine finished speaking, another woman next to her also looked troubled and said, “Imperial Concubine, wasn’t it so? After hearing your words that day, I was so ashamed I wished I could have thrown myself against a pillar.”

Seeing someone else backing her up, Xian Concubine looked pleased and quickly added, “Your Highness, your words were indeed severe. We could bear it, but they could not…”

Yan Qing nodded understandingly with sympathy, “I didn’t expect you to be so fragile. Everything I said was the truth, not fabricated. If you can’t handle that, it’s really surprising. People are always reluctant to admit their shortcomings. However, from what you’ve said, I suspect that those two didn’t die from my words but rather from suicide. According to the law, if a concubine commits suicide, it affects her entire family. I should go find His Majesty to check the actual situation…”

Xian Concubine was momentarily stunned, looking helplessly at the Empress Dowager. Yan Qing was too aggressive, and she was a lower rank, not daring to refute.

Others, especially the woman who had wished to smash herself against a pillar, went pale and lost their color, no longer daring to speak.

Empress Dowager Jiang’s face darkened, and she slammed the table, startling everyone in the hall, and said, “How did it become a suicide? The imperial doctors have said they were overwhelmed by grief and fell ill. Besides, they were ill after the greetings. Are you saying this has nothing to do with you?”

Yan Qing remained calm and composed, “If the Empress Dowager wants to pin the blame on me, I have nothing to say. But if I leave Yong’an Palace and fall ill, I wonder if it’s related to the Empress Dowager? Also, you few should consider how to justify yourselves if I fall ill.”

Empress Dowager Jiang, Xian Concubine, and De Concubine were left speechless.

Empress Dowager Jiang’s face darkened further, gritting her teeth in frustration as if she wanted to throw Yan Qing out.

Since becoming empress, even though she had no children, no one had ever spoken to her like this, not even the aloof and stern Emperor Shen, who treated her with respect.

The concubines did not dare to speak, keeping their heads down and avoiding eye contact.

At this moment, a eunuch outside the hall announced loudly, “His Majesty has arrived!”

Almost everyone’s eyes brightened, looking hopefully at the door, hoping someone could restrain this difficult woman.

When Ji Yechen entered the hall, Yan Qing heard many soft sobs.

Turning around, she saw the man striding into the hall with an air of calmness.

His black and gold attire exuded a restrained nobility and splendor. His upright posture gave him an imposing presence as he walked those few steps, with a half-smile on his lips, his beautiful phoenix eyes showing a hint of interest. His somewhat thin cheeks looked sharp as if he could tear apart anyone who came close.

“Your Majesty,” the concubines greeted with genuine willingness, their voices as soft as dripping water. They kept their heads low, revealing sharp chins, and some even subtly puffed out their chests, hoping to catch the eye of the most esteemed man.