Indeed, although the Virtuous Consort is rather foolish, she would not have become so unreasonable without someone inciting her. Moreover, the Gao family came up with an exceptionally idiotic idea, unprecedented in history.
Now, perceptive individuals can sense the winds of change.
Great Jin is about to soar. Those who become entangled in this turmoil will either be utterly destroyed or rise to the heavens in a single step.
There will always be those who want others to test the waters first, and the Virtuous Consort and the Gao family are clearly excellent pawns!
Delving deeper, if the Virtuous Consort’s actions were to provoke the Goddess’s anger toward oneself…
Ambitious individuals would then have an opportunity. Though the chance may be slim, the cost is not great either.
The Emperor fell into deep thought as Ling Xiao leisurely departed with his entourage.
Within two days, Wang Fu’s painstakingly written travelogue was finally completed. Upon its release, it became an instant sensation, with imperial merchants transporting cartloads and shiploads of the travelogue to various regions for sale.
The goal was to ensure that all the people understood: with the Goddess and the Emperor in Great Jin, it was truly destined by heaven.
Meanwhile, news of the Prince of Chu’s passing stirred not a ripple.
Each family was busy discussing their next moves, strategizing how to join the coming grand era. Who had time to concern themselves with an outdated old prince?
At most, they would send junior family members to make a token appearance, or simply dispatch funeral gifts.
Amidst the superficial splendor, Li Yue began investigating the matter of the Virtuous Consort.
“Is this all you’ve uncovered?”
Accompanied by a sharp question, a thick memorial was hurled at the person kneeling on the floor.
Li Yue laughed in anger. In the end, the investigation pointed to over a dozen instigators—the Empress, consorts who had borne imperial sons, noble families, his own brothers, and even the Prime Minister had a hand in it.
If all these people were united, what use would he be as Emperor? The dragon throne beneath him would burn with heat!
He could not believe it, would not believe it, and must not believe it.
After dismissing the investigator, the ruler of the empire sank into contemplation, then spoke after a moment:
“Yan Pei, issue the order: demote the Virtuous Consort to Beauty. Instruct the Empress to assign palace attendants to teach the Second Princess etiquette and decorum.”
The Chief Eunuch respectfully acknowledged the command, then heard:
“All members of the Virtuous Consort’s maternal family currently holding official positions are to be dismissed and reflect at home.”
The Emperor had lightly and deftly dealt with his once-beloved consort, with whom he had shared tender affection. Yan Pei said nothing—such is the way of emperors, is it not…
In secret, Li Yue issued a strict order to investigate thoroughly, preferring to wrongfully punish a thousand rather than let a single guilty party escape!
………………
Empress Wen, having received the hot potato that was the Second Princess, gritted her teeth in frustration.
“First, have the matrons teach the Second Princess proper etiquette. I will see her afterward.”
The implication was clear: unless she learned well, she should not appear before the Empress to cause annoyance.
The two elderly matrons assigned to the task inwardly rejoiced. Whether she learned well or not would ultimately be up to them.
They eagerly prepared to “thoroughly” teach her the rules.
When the Second Princess saw the matrons, she first screamed and shouted, demanding to see her father and mother, then picked up a vase and hurled it at them.
Shattered porcelain fragments flew in all directions, injuring everyone present to varying degrees. The Second Princess tried to flee.
“Quickly, seize the Princess!”
Accustomed to throwing tantrums, she went wild without restraint, thrusting porcelain shards toward the eyes of those who tried to stop her and injuring several people.
After being subdued, she still wore an expression of defiance. One of the matrons stepped forward with a forced smile:
“I had long heard that the Second Princess was excessively cruel, lacking the grace befitting a daughter of the imperial family. She often injures others, particularly targeting their faces. I could never understand why…”
She feigned a troubled expression, then suddenly appeared enlightened:
“Seeing the princess, I finally understand. At such a young age, she’s already jealous and can’t stand other girls being prettier…”
“Stop talking!” The second princess, her most hidden thoughts exposed, cried out in panic.
The nanny insisted on continuing, taunting her while gripping her chin. The seven- or eight-year-old girl’s face was still bruised, yet even so, it was clear she was no great beauty.
Consort Xian was peerlessly beautiful, with a delicate, pitiable charm that stood out even among the many beauties of the palace.
But her daughter was rather plain. From a young age, the second princess knew she wasn’t pretty.
Narrow-minded by nature, over time, whenever she saw a palace maid prettier than herself, she would find excuses to hit them under the guise of play.
The nanny had just been grazed by a porcelain shard, and seeing the blood put her in a foul mood. After humiliating the princess enough, she went to tend to her wound, casually tossing out:
“The princess is hysterical. Don’t send her any meals today.”
One palace maid couldn’t bear it, thinking it too cruel for a princess of noble blood to suffer like this the moment she lost her support.
She spoke up, only to be spat at fiercely by her roommate:
“You, a mere palace maid, think you’ve ascended to heaven, pitying a princess? A fallen phoenix is still better than a wild hen like you.”
The scolding left her in tears, yet the roommate wasn’t done:
“Too full and idle, asking for trouble!”
Ling Xiao listened as Lady Yang recounted the miserable state of Consort Xian and her daughter, seemingly by chance, and couldn’t help but laugh heartily without restraint.
“Host, this is likely the Emperor’s way of giving you an explanation—punishing even his favored consort and young daughter. Shouldn’t you plead for mercy?”
18888 felt the script wasn’t quite right.
“I know, that’s why I’m laughing so happily.”
Ling Xiao said, “I’m giving him plenty of face—I laughed five times already.”
She sighed, feeling as if she’d suffered a great injustice. Among those who had offended her, the fate of those two mother and daughter was the mildest.
Ling Xiao’s life principle: “Returning good for evil is nonsense; strike while the iron is hot.”
“It’s time to find someone on my side.”
The System was shocked—someone might steal its position, and it hadn’t even started business yet.
“Host, am I not enough for you?”
Ling Xiao shot the System a disdainful look:
“Are you even human? You don’t even have a physical form. Governing a court isn’t that simple; I need people to handle things for me.”
The System didn’t understand. The System sulked.
Summoning Lady Yang, she gave a simple order:
“Find the Ling family and bring them to me.”
Lady Yang was planted by Li Yue, and they both understood this well. Though Ling Xiao appeared to be giving her an order, she was actually conveying her request to Li Yue.
The Ling family… Lady Yang’s mouth twisted bitterly. Who didn’t know the Emperor’s aversion to that family?
But the Goddess… Ah, when immortals fight, it’s us little fish who suffer.
The message was relayed layer by layer until it reached Yan Pei. As soon as he read the contents, the usually composed Chief Eunuch couldn’t hold back.
How much importance the Emperor placed on the Goddess, he knew all too well—not only did it concern the prosperity of Great Jin in this life, but even in death, His Majesty would rely on this aunt.
The Ling family, in the Emperor’s eyes, was a thorn in his side, something he wished would vanish into dust.
Heavens, this message was a hot potato. He might very well bear the brunt of it.
Yet he couldn’t pass it to someone else to deliver. Yan Pei closed his eyes, thinking, “Whether I step forward or shrink back, it’s a knife either way.” He entered and relayed the matter.
Li Yue, reviewing memorials, waved a hand. “I permit it.” Then, looking up seriously at Yan Pei, he said, “From now on, my aunt’s orders are as my own!”
The Chief Eunuch trembled all over, taking a long time to regain his composure.
“In vain did I think I understood Your Majesty, never did I expect Your Majesty’s courage to be so, so…”
He could not find a word to describe it.
Having journeyed through the underworld and witnessed the vastness of the world, Li Yue no longer regarded the mere Ling family as worthy of his attention.
There were still so many, so many things awaiting him to accomplish.