Su Junyan leaned over and helped Wen Lingrao to her feet. “Cousin, please rise first.”
Wen Lingrao was assisted to a standing position, still sobbing intermittently. Su Junyan looked at her miserable face, knowing full well that there was certainly an element of exaggeration in her story. The talk of “silencing her” and “eighteen secret guards fighting to the death”—this woman was clearly playing up the tragedy on purpose.
However, he did not care. What mattered to him was that this incident gave him the chance to knock Noble Consort Xi down a peg.
Su Junyan sighed and patted Wen Lingrao’s hand. “Cousin, don’t worry. You are the daughter of a meritorious official and my cousin; I will not let you suffer this grievance in vain. I will have this matter investigated thoroughly. If it is true that Eunuch Feng acted on his own initiative to storm the Marquis’s estate, I will not show him any mercy.”
Wen Lingrao looked up at him with teary, wide eyes. “Is what Your Majesty says true?”
Su Junyan nodded. “I am the Emperor; my word is law.”
Only then did Wen Lingrao break into a tearful smile. She wiped her eyes and whispered, “I knew it. Your Majesty is a wise ruler who will surely grant me justice.”
Su Junyan watched her face transition from sorrow to joy and felt a flicker of intrigue. This woman changed her expressions quickly—just a moment ago she was a tearful mess, and now she was already smiling. He suddenly grew curious: how much of today’s event was true, and how much was false? But that, too, was unimportant.
Su Junyan turned around, walked back behind his desk, and sat down. “Someone, come here.”
A junior eunuch entered from outside.
“Pass on my imperial verbal edict: have the Ministry of Justice investigate the incident at the Changning Marquis’s estate today. Bring Eunuch Feng back for questioning.”
The junior eunuch acknowledged the order and retreated.
Wen Lingrao stood in the Imperial Study, her head bowed, her shoulders still trembling slightly. Su Junyan glanced at her and asked, “Cousin, are you injured anywhere?”
Wen Lingrao shook her head and whispered, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty; I am fine.”
Su Junyan nodded and added, “Don’t go back tonight; I will have someone arrange a place for you to rest. We will talk once the matter is investigated.”
Wen Lingrao looked up at him, her eyes reddening again. “Your Majesty…”
Su Junyan waved a hand, cutting her off. “That’s enough, stop crying. Go.”
Wen Lingrao curtsied and followed the palace maid out. The doors of the Imperial Study closed once more. Su Junyan reclined on the dragon throne, gazing at the door, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. Noble Consort Xi, oh Noble Consort Xi, your day has finally come. He reached out, picked up the memorial he hadn’t finished reviewing, and continued reading.
…
Wen Lingrao had only walked a short distance from the Imperial Study when she heard the sound of hurried footsteps ahead. She looked up and saw a crowd of people marching toward them. The woman in the lead wore magnificent palace attire and heavy makeup, but her expression was as cold as ice. She walked so fast that the maids and eunuchs behind her had to jog to keep up.
Noble Consort Xi.
Wen Lingrao smiled to herself. You arrived quite quickly.
As the Noble Consort approached, she spotted Wen Lingrao immediately. She looked the disheveled woman up and down and curled her lips into a cold sneer. “Oh? Isn’t this the Heir’s wife from the Changning Marquis’s estate? How did you end up in such a state?”
Wen Lingrao lowered her head and whispered, “Greetings to the Noble Consort.”
Noble Consort Xi ignored her and walked past her toward the Imperial Study. After two steps, she stopped and looked back. “Stand there and wait; I have things to ask you.”
Having said this, she flicked her sleeves and entered the Imperial Study. Wen Lingrao remained where she was, head bowed, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. Wait? I’ll wait.
Inside the Imperial Study, Su Junyan was reclining on the throne, holding the memorial. Hearing the footsteps, he looked up. Noble Consort Xi had already walked to the front of the imperial desk; without performing any salutations, she spoke directly: “Your Majesty, I heard someone is lodging a complaint against Eunuch Feng?”
Su Junyan set the memorial down and looked at her, his face devoid of emotion. “You arrived rather quickly, Consort.”
Noble Consort Xi sneered. “How could I not be quick? Eunuch Feng has served me for many years and has always been loyal. Now that he has been falsely accused, if I don’t come, wouldn’t people think I’m easy to bully?” She looked around, didn’t see Wen Lingrao, and asked, “Where is the accuser? Have her brought in to explain herself to my face.”
Su Junyan glanced at her and signaled the eunuch beside him. “Bring her in.”
Soon, Wen Lingrao was brought in. She walked to the center of the study, head bowed, and knelt. “Greetings to Your Majesty and the Noble Consort.”
Noble Consort Xi looked at her state and sneered aloud. “Wen Lingrao, you have immense audacity. Eunuch Feng went to the Marquis’s estate to make an arrest under my edict, and not only did you refuse to cooperate, but you also incited others to wound my guards, and now you have the nerve to complain before the Emperor? Are you trying to rebel?”
Wen Lingrao knelt on the floor, her shoulders trembling slightly, her voice soft and fragile. “Please calm your anger, Noble Consort. I did not know Eunuch Feng was acting on your edict. He stormed in with blades, without any warrants or charges. I was afraid.”
“Afraid?” Noble Consort Xi interrupted. “Are you brave enough to attack people because you’re afraid? Do you know that several of those guards are still lying in bed, barely breathing?”
Wen Lingrao looked up, eyes red, at Noble Consort Xi. “Noble Consort, I really didn’t mean to. When those people charged in with blades, I thought they were coming to kill me to silence me…”
“Bullshit!” Noble Consort Xi was so angry her face turned white. “Who wanted to kill you? What are you, that you are worth me sending people to kill you?”
Wen Lingrao shrank back from the verbal assault, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I don’t know. I was just afraid.”
Just then, a voice echoed in Wen Lingrao’s mind.
【Ding—System task issued.】
【Facing the Noble Consort’s insults and questioning, please choose your response method:】
【A. Continue to appear weak and swallow the grievance, waiting for the Emperor to decide.】
【B. Advance by retreating, using verbal provocations to lure her into losing her composure and acting violently in front of the Emperor.】
【C. Counterattack directly, arguing based on reason and clashing head-on with Noble Consort Xi.】
Wen Lingrao weighed her options quickly. A was too cowardly; it didn’t fit her personality. C was too blunt and would leave her vulnerable to traps. B was just right. She silently chose B.
【Ding—Choice confirmed. Reward pre-issued: One “Super-Powered Slap Experience Card” (Increases the power of the next slap by 300%) and one “Truth Talisman” (Makes the target speak nothing but the truth for one incense stick of time).】
Wen Lingrao felt confident now. She slowly looked up at Noble Consort Xi, her expression shifting from fear to grievance. “Noble Consort, I have one thing to ask—I don’t know if I should say it.”
Noble Consort Xi sneered. “Speak.”
Wen Lingrao bit her lip, her voice soft. “I dare ask: why did you send people to storm my home? I have never offended you, nor have I done anything against the Royal Family. To make such a grand display—if this gets out, those who don’t know might think you are covering something up for someone.”
Noble Consort Xi’s expression changed. “What do you mean by that?”