Empress Wen was just over thirty years old. She was not wearing her empress ceremonial robes, nor did she have hairpins or pearl crowns adorning her head. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and she was dressed in casual attire—a deep green long skirt with a wide-sleeved outer robe draped over it.
Old Madam Xu quickly led everyone to kneel in greeting.
“This old woman pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”
Old Madam Xu held the title of First-Rank Lady, and by protocol, she did not need to perform such a grand bow. However, at this moment, knowing she was in the wrong and filled with apprehension, she had no choice but to lower herself in reverence.
Empress Wen watched her kneel stiffly, with no intention of letting her rise, cursing inwardly.
That damned old hag, a troublemaker stirring up trouble.
During her own empress coronation ceremony years ago, her younger sister had taken a liking to the newly appointed Tanhua, Marquis of Linjiang, Xu Jingyuan.
She had disagreed at the time. Xu Jingyuan had lost his father in childhood and was raised in the inner quarters by women. The Xu family’s young widow was likely a strong-willed and stubborn old woman.
But she couldn’t resist her foolish sister’s affection. And what was the result?
Empress Wen was deeply displeased. Her father, Old Master Wen, had only been dead for a few days, and this family was already causing a stir.
Looking down at Old Madam Xu, she called out sharply:
“Where is A Sheng’s wet nurse? Why wasn’t word sent to the palace when the young lady fell so ill?”
Mama Wu crawled forward on her knees to Empress Wen, wiping her tears as she pleaded for forgiveness.
“This old servant deserves death, this old servant is useless. I couldn’t even leave the young lady’s courtyard. Please, Your Majesty, go see the young lady. She…”
Old Madam Xu gritted her teeth upon hearing this. Wasn’t this clearly telling the empress that she had placed Xu Rusheng under house arrest?
Empress Wen casually tossed out a remark:
“Why are you still kneeling? Hurry up and follow me inside to see her.”
Mama Wu scrambled up from the ground and followed Empress Wen step by step into the inner chamber.
Left behind, Old Madam Xu and the rest of the marquis’s household were left in an awkward position.
The empress hadn’t told them to rise!
Empress Wen entered the inner chamber and looked at Xu Rusheng lying on the bed, fragile as a porcelain doll.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions—some pity and some sorrow.
So young, yet already facing the scheming and intrigue of a deep household.
“A Sheng, don’t be afraid. Your aunt is here.”
Empress Wen’s warm, soft hand gently rested on Xu Rusheng’s forehead.
Xu Rusheng’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes, her throat parched.
Seeing Empress Wen sitting by the bed with a kind and loving expression, tears instantly streamed down her face.
Summoning strength from somewhere, she struggled to sit up and threw herself into Empress Wen’s arms, weeping uncontrollably.
Xu Rusheng poured out the grievances and resentment of two lifetimes, crying without restraint, a sight both pitiful and heartbreaking.
Qingbi and Mama Wu also wiped away tears. Too much had happened in just a few short days.
“Alright, don’t cry anymore. You’ve turned into a little tear-streaked kitten. Come, tell your aunt who bullied you. Today, we’ll vent our anger properly, and then you’ll come with me to the palace.”
Empress Wen’s gentle words made Xu Rusheng feel as if she had found her pillar of support. She sobbed:
“No… no one… I… I just missed you and Mother.”
Just a child of barely ten years old. Empress Wen took a handkerchief and gently wiped away Xu Rusheng’s tears, then called for Dean Sun.
“Come and see how A Sheng’s health truly is.”
Empress Wen was somewhat worried. For a young person to cough up blood was an ominous sign of early death.
Dean Sun had already examined her for a long time before the empress arrived, but Miss Xu’s body was indeed fine, aside from some anger-induced distress.
He stepped forward to examine her once more, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:
“The young lady is suffering from excessive worry and anger, which caused her to faint momentarily.”
Empress Wen’s willow-leaf eyebrows shot up.
“Who made my A Sheng so angry? Who was it?”
She spoke softly and gently to Xu Rusheng, but was thunderously stern with others.
Mama Wu counted off on her fingers:
"First, the young lady was ill for over ten days, and no one came to see her."
"There's a maid in the courtyard named Qinglian who offended the young lady and was punished by kneeling. The Old Madam sent someone to demand an explanation."
"This maid not only stole the young lady's clothes and jewelry but also loudly claimed to have an affair with the Marquis."
"Concubine Wang shouted and yelled at the eldest young lady, and the third young lady she gave birth to said she would drive the eldest young lady out of the estate…"
…
Mama Wu's voice was loud, carrying through the room to Old Madam Xu's ears, making her tremble with anger.
Slander, absolute slander!
The Empress hadn't allowed her to rise, so she could only kneel. Before long, her knees ached unbearably.
Old Madam Xu could no longer bear kneeling. Trembling, she stood up and tried to step into the inner room.
Lu Hui, the female official beside Empress Wen, reached out to stop her, her expression solemn.
"Her Majesty the Empress has not permitted you to rise. Please kneel back down."
"Linjiang Houfu has not mistreated her. The disobedient servants have already been beaten to death. Concubine Wang has also been punished. The third young lady has been confined to the ancestral hall. What more does Her Majesty the Empress have to complain about?"
Old Madam Xu shouted through the door at Empress Wen. She refused to believe that, with Old Master Wen dead, an Empress of the Central Palace without a legitimate son could turn the world upside down.
Empress Wen smiled and slowly paced out.
"Where did I say I was dissatisfied? If I were dissatisfied, whether it's Concubine Wang or the third young lady, I could have them all killed, and no one would dare say a word against it."
Empress Wen's extremely arrogant words made Old Madam Xu swallow hard.
Empress Wen asked Lu Hui:
"There's only one concubine in the estate. When the mistress is ill, she isn't attending to her. Could she still be sleeping soundly?"
Lu Hui immediately understood and left with two accompanying palace maids.
Empress Wen waved her hand again.
"All of you, rise. This Linjiang Houfu's lack of propriety is rotten to the core."
A few sentences left Old Madam Xu's face ashen.
Before long, Concubine Wang, disheveled and dressed in sleepwear, was dragged over by Lu Hui and thrown before Empress Wen.
Even Concubine Wang, foolish as she was, knew she could gain no favor before the Empress. She dared only kneel on the ground, trembling.
Lu Hui sternly reprimanded:
"When the mistress is ill, you don't come to serve her. What are your intentions?"
Empress Wen didn't even glance at her. For a creature like a concubine, especially one who climbed into bed herself, she felt looking at her would dirty her eyes.
Concubine Wang dared not speak, knowing that more words meant more mistakes, but she couldn't help stealing glances at Old Madam Xu.
Old Madam Xu was furious and filled with regret. Such an unrefined thing—after giving birth to Xu Jin'an back then, Wen Li should have just forced a bowl of poison down her throat.
Watching the interaction between Old Madam Xu and Concubine Wang, Empress Wen laughed.
"I heard this concubine is also a relative of the Old Madam. I spoke wrongly earlier. Linjiang Houfu doesn't just lack propriety—it's rotten to the core."
Each sentence, heavier than the last, struck Old Madam Xu's face without mercy.
Empress Wen couldn't be bothered to say more and directly ordered:
"You, go kneel in the ancestral hall too. You may only rise when A Sheng recovers."
Concubine Wang looked up in panic, about to speak.
Empress Wen said impatiently:
"If you utter one more word, I will have you executed immediately."
Then she coldly glared at Old Madam Xu.
"How dare you mistreat someone from my Wen Family."
After speaking, she instructed Mama Wu to wrap Xu Rusheng in a quilt and had two female officials carry her out.
No matter how angry Old Madam Xu was, she could only watch helplessly.
"What is the Empress Dowager doing? A Sheng is a member of my Linjiang Houfu. Where do you intend to take her?"
Empress Wen was actually quite puzzled. It was a miracle that the Marquis of Linjiang had not yet had his nobility title revoked by His Majesty. She halted her steps, her eyes suddenly turning icy, carrying a chilling and merciless aura of killing intent. The tone of someone long accustomed to high authority unconsciously conveyed a commanding air.
"Anyone who dares to obstruct shall be beaten to death on the spot by my order."