What joy? That little bitch is quite lucky; poisoned and thrown into a wolf den, yet she still didn't die.
Madam Mu gritted her teeth in anger, but her face showed a look of joy.
"Ning'er, where have you been all these years? Are these three your children? Where is their father? Alas, you are still so foolish, wandering outside for so many years without even sending word home, and you've carelessly given birth to so many children with someone. But since you are back, your father and I will not abandon you and your children."
It had to be said that Madam Mu possessed some ability to monopolize her husband's favor and control the entire backyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
While appearing to care for her, every word was actually condemning her.
Marrying without the consent of parents and the arrangement of a matchmaker, and eloping without informing the elders of the family, was considered great unfilial conduct.
Eastern Feng governed the nation with filial piety; those guilty of great unfilial conduct were punished lightly, or executed severely.
And so, immediately, an Imperial Censor stood up to impeach Mu Ning, speaking of insubordination, letting her children commit violence, violating propriety, and being utterly rebellious—and so on—for a full quarter of an hour, making Mu Ning feel as if she had committed ten heinous crimes.
After the Imperial Censor finished his impeachment, Madam Mu immediately knelt to plead with Emperor Dongfeng for leniency on her behalf.
Look at that coordination, how seamless, as if afraid she wouldn't be crushed.
"Mu Ning, what do you have to say?"
Facing Emperor Dongfeng's stern questioning, a trace of sorrow appeared on Mu Ning's face. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the reason I haven't contacted home all these years is because I dared not; I was afraid."
Emperor Dongfeng snorted, "If you have done wrong, you must bear the responsibility. Being afraid is useless."
"Your Majesty misunderstands. I am not afraid of taking responsibility for my mistakes, but rather..."
Mu Ning glanced toward Mu Yuanlin, then quickly withdrew her gaze, adopting a timid appearance.
"I am afraid of death. I am afraid that certain people, knowing I am still alive, will send people to continue harming me."
As soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings erupted in an uproar.
Stared at by suspicious gazes from the crowd, Mu Yuanlin instantly became enraged, "You wicked daughter, stop spouting nonsense here!"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This eldest daughter of mine has been mentally deficient since childhood, her words and actions erratic. I did not expect that even now she hasn't matured, daring to lie in front of you and all the civil and military officials. Guards, take her and her three little brats away!"
"Who dares touch our Mother!?"
The three little cuties formed a triangle formation, protecting Mu Ning in the center. Mu Yanli subconsciously drew the short dagger hidden in his sleeve.
"Ning'er, what are you doing? Are you trying to assassinate the Emperor?"
Initially, people didn't react much to Mu Yanli's action; a six-year-old child with a short dagger barely three inches long seemed harmless. But when Madam Mu shouted, it made everyone vigilant.
"Protect the Emperor! Guards, seize them!"
As the eunuch's voice fell, a squad of Imperial Guards clad in iron armor and carrying swords immediately rushed in, surrounding Mu Ning and the three children.
The guests quickly rose to avoid the commotion, turning the pleasant Birthday Banquet instantly into chaos.
Meeting Madam Mu's gaze, which hid malice, Mu Ning calmly patted the eldest child's shoulder. "Da Fu, put your toy away. Don't frighten people."
Hearing Mu Ning's words, Madam Mu quickly shouted, "Ning'er, swords have no eyes! You cannot joke in front of the Emperor."
Mu Ning couldn't be bothered with nonsense and directly took the short dagger from her son's hand, opening her mouth to bite the blade.
"Crunch, crunch."
Seeing Mu Ning chew the short dagger until it was brittle and swallow it, everyone present was stunned speechless.
"Your Majesty, actually, this short dagger is made of flour by your humble subject. The children usually carry it to play with, and they can fill their stomachs if they get Hungry."
"Haha, interesting."
Emperor Dongfeng hadn't taken Mu Yanli's action seriously from beginning to end and immediately waved for the Imperial Guards to retreat.
As the Imperial Guards withdrew, the guests also returned to their seats.
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Madam Mu's eyes, but her face showed worry. "It's a good thing it was just a false alarm. However, Ning'er, you must discipline your children properly in the future. If you cannot manage them well, I can perhaps assist a little."
Mu Ning looked at the other party with a half-smile. "Madam Mu should first manage her own emotions. If it weren't for your shout just now, all this wouldn't have happened. Assassination is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations; I cannot bear that responsibility. Those who know understand you were protecting the Emperor, but those who don't might think you were trying to use the Emperor's hand to kill someone."
Madam Mu's eyelids twitched, and she subconsciously looked toward Emperor Dongfeng.
The latter's expression was imposing without being angry, his emotions unreadable. The way he looked at her was as if he were watching a jumping clown.
Madam Mu hurriedly knelt. "This concubine was flustered by concern and startled Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Emperor Dongfeng ignored Madam Mu's plea for forgiveness, nor did he tell her to rise. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the lower right.
"Minister Chen, what is your view on today's events?"
Hearing Emperor Dongfeng call out the name of the Imperial Censor Chen Chongshan, Mu Yuanlin's heart sank.
Chen Chongshan was Prince Rui's maternal grandfather and had always been at odds with the Mu Family. For Emperor Dongfeng to call upon Chen Chongshan at this moment, was it a Warning to him not to interfere in the struggle between the Princes?
"The nation has its laws, and the family has its rules. Before passing judgment, the accused must be given a chance to state their case. In this subject's opinion, perhaps we should hear what Eldest Young Lady Mu has to say herself. As for Lord Mu saying Eldest Young Lady Mu is mentally unsound, this subject does not think so. This subject sees Eldest Young Lady Mu's eyes are clear, and she speaks coherently; she possesses more demeanor and courage than the average woman from Noble Families."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Mu Ning, continue speaking. Who exactly was trying to harm you?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Lord Chen."
"Moyan, Moyan, come out! I have earth-shattering, no, world-renowned news to tell you! Mo..."
"Young Master Jiang."
Leng Jian appeared in time, stopping Jiang Mubai's shouting. "My Master is copying Buddhist scriptures in the Study Room. No one is allowed to disturb him."
"Am I just anyone? I am his benefactor! A great benefactor! Don't block me, I'm going to find him..."
Jiang Mubai spoke while pushing Leng Jian aside, but after pushing for a long time, Leng Jian remained motionless like a wooden stake.
Jiang Mubai couldn't resist grabbing Leng Jian's iron-like chest a couple of times. "I say, Leng Jian, we haven't seen each other for months, and your skill has improved quite a bit."
Leng Jian expressionlessly pulled away Jiang Mubai's hands. "But Young Master Jiang hasn't changed at all; you still love taking liberties with this subordinate as before."
"..."
Jiang Mubai was not Embarrassed. "Leng Jian, although your martial arts are good, your knowledge is lacking. That's not called taking liberties; tofu is soft and tender. You are hard as a board; at most, it's called flirting."
"Indeed, this subordinate is not as soft as Young Master Jiang."
Jiang Mubai choked up and tapped Leng Jian's shoulder with his folding fan. "Jian Jian, you've become naughty. Alright, I won't tease you anymore; I have serious business with your Master."
Seeing that Jiang Mubai's expression was genuine, Leng Jian finally moved aside.
Jiang Mubai proceeded unimpeded to the Study Room. Seeing Jun Moyan sitting behind the desk, a sly look appeared on his face.
"Moyan, do you want a son or not?"