“Sun Ying, according to Da Qian law, frivolously slandering someone warrants twenty blows with the rod.”
From the crowd, a girl in yellow stepped forward, her eyes cold, her expression stern, showing none of the coyness of a young lady. If not for her brightly colored clothing, one might mistake her for a strict instructor in the palace.
Cui Yan, the youngest granddaughter of Grand Tutor Cui, was intelligent and beautiful, but serious and disciplined, like her brother Cui Xiang. Polite to the point of rigidity, she held herself to high standards and demanded the same from others.
Her tongue was sharp, and few noble ladies in the capital dared associate with her.
“You’re talking nonsense. I didn’t do it.”
“Didn’t do it? Then Sun Ying secretly abused her official power to investigate other officials.”
“I…” Sun Ying nervously glanced at the Princess. She had only wanted to please the Princess, and yet this Jing Miaoyi, merely the daughter of a disgraced official, was speaking on her behalf instead of Cui Yan.
“Princess, I…”
The Princess narrowed her long eyes slightly. “Miss Jing is quite sharp-tongued. Just arriving in the capital and already pressing so aggressively? Miss Sun was only joking.”
“The Jing family of Qingzhou is known for their broad-mindedness; they probably wouldn’t take offense. Children can be thoughtless.”
“Children? She’s seventeen this year. When I was her age, I had already given birth to Princess Yuxi.”
The Princess frowned, biting her lip at Cui Yan’s audacity.
“Cui Yan, the Princess is your sister-in-law. Aren’t you the most rule-abiding? Where is your discipline? Why do you intervene? Shielding the daughter of a disgraced official—does this mean your family was also involved in the tea tax corruption back then?”
With the Princess protecting her, Sun Ying felt emboldened. “There’s a saying in Da Qian: wherever there’s a Cui, there’s a Jing. Perhaps the matter back then…”
“Miss Sun, speak carefully. When my father was accused of embezzling tea taxes, he was sentenced to immediate execution. According to Da Qian law, local officials accused of serious crimes should be escorted to the capital and tried by the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate before the Emperor’s final decision—to prevent wrongful judgments.
My father never had the chance to defend himself before the execution.
I, his own daughter, did not know the full story, yet Miss Sun seems to know it clearly.
Why don’t you accompany me to strike the drum of announcement and face His Majesty? It will let the Jing family know whether my father truly deserved death or if someone deliberately sought revenge.
Though my father is gone, my grandfather still serves as Grand Tutor.
If you claim the Jing and Cui families colluded without evidence, it is slander against current officials.”
Jing Miaoyi spoke calmly, each word clear, logical, and precise, leaving Sun Ying speechless.
Cui Yan interjected, “According to Da Qian law, falsely accusing a current official warrants eighty lashes and three years of imprisonment.”
Her words were like whispers of a demon. Sun Ying, already intimidated by Jing Miaoyi, felt guilty and tried to flee—only to be tripped by an unseen foot. She fell flat on the ground.
“Hahahahaha!” Princess Zhao Jia, who had been watching, finally had her turn. “Quick! What are you doing? Help Miss Sun up and send her back to her family so that Master Sun can properly educate her. Words bring misfortune.”
Jing Miaoyi met the Princess’s murderous gaze without flinching. From the day she decided on revenge, she had no intention of hesitating.
To immerse herself in the scene is half the victory. She needed them to see the Jing family’s presence, so they would reveal themselves.
The Princess sneered, raising her voice. “Not long ago, Chang Le came back from the Cui residence in tears. I wonder if she misbehaved again. Master Cui will have to carefully educate Chang Le, after all, she is your only daughter.”
She tried to see sadness or resentment in Jing Miaoyi’s face. But Jing Miaoyi remained calm, as if Cui Hao had nothing to do with her.
Cui Yan, handling affairs professionally, said, “Since Chang Le bears the Cui surname, our family will raise her properly and not spoil her with arrogance.”
She bowed to the Princess and Princess Zhao Jia. “I am straightforward by nature and speak plainly; this environment does not suit me. I shall take my leave.”
The Princess was displeased. Cui Yan could not be touched now, and Jing Miaoyi, a lone girl, could not be harmed either. That face reminded her too much of her mother—disgusting.
“This Princess has matters to attend to; we won’t disturb your youthful gathering.”
“I want to see His Majesty.” Guo Guifei refused to believe this was His Majesty’s decree; it must be that wretched Empress, deliberately driving a wedge between her and the Emperor.
She rushed to the Hall of Longevity, intending to enter.
This time, Xiao Anzi dared not be clever. The last time, if not for the timely arrival of Eunuch Li, Guo Guifei would have nearly strangled him.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is busy, and you are currently confined to Xingqing Palace.”
Smack—an armored hand struck Xiao Anzi, leaving blood on his fair face.
“You filthy thing, how dare you block me?”
“Your Highness, you must not.” Xiao Anzi ignored the pain, stepping forward to stop her. “You cannot enter now.”
Guo Guifei kicked him aside, her face cold, trying to force her way in.
Li Dequan stepped out of the hall, noticing the blood. He grabbed Xiao Anzi by the ear. “You fool! The Emperor asked for tea, what are you doing here? Look at this face covered in blood. Go wash it properly before continuing your duties.”
He replaced his stern expression with a smile. “Guo Guifei, His Majesty is discussing military and governmental affairs with the ministers. Furthermore, you are being punished, as you know His Majesty’s temper.”
The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau presented newly made clothes to Guo Guifei with proper etiquette. Li Dequan allowed her entry.
Not to discuss military affairs? His Majesty simply did not want to see her. Guo Guifei clenched her fists in anger.
A maid whispered, “Your Highness, the Emperor cares for you most. When His Majesty cools down in a few days, you can try to appease him.”
“I just saw the wardrobe staff delivering clothes to His Majesty. Those were not his usual robes.”
“A colleague of mine in the wardrobe mentioned that the clothes were designed on a painted screen by the young daughter of the incoming Minister of Rites for His Majesty. The wardrobe staff rushed to produce them.”
“The Jing family of Qingzhou, once expelled from the capital, dares to return. I will not give her the chance to cozy up to His Majesty.”
Li Dequan entered as the maid helped Emperor Lin Hui change into red brocade robes with intricate patterns. One hundred and twenty female officials had worked overnight to complete it.
Jing Miaoyi’s taste in clothing proved far superior to her taste in men. The robe enhanced the Emperor’s authority and brilliance, to be admired but not trifled with.
“Do I look good?” Emperor Lin Hui raised an eyebrow, signaling the maids to leave.
“Your Majesty looks divine. I almost thought I was seeing a god.”
“Hehe.” Lin Hui kicked aside and seated himself on the Dragon Throne, eyeing the robes on the painted screen. “Li Dequan, I asked about the clothes, not the man.”
“Your servant is foolish.” Li Dequan stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the painting is unfinished; perhaps we should have the artist complete it.”
The Emperor’s mind flashed with Jing Miaoyi’s flushed, innocent eyes. She seemed to have never smiled before him.
Am I really that frightening?
Lin Hui doubted himself, picking up a bronze mirror for a careful look. Yes, perfect.
“Li Dequan, did you say I look frightening?”
Li Dequan’s heart tightened. “Your Majesty, how could you think that? You are wise, mighty, and of peerless beauty. Even Queen Su of the past fell for you at first sight, wanting to enter the palace as a consort.”
“Then why does she always look tearful before me?”
Li Dequan: “…”
Old servant, Your Majesty, what have you done? Anyone would cry from fear.
The Jing family had been living quietly, adhering to proper rules. And yet His Majesty disrupted them, causing the couple to separate.
Normally, one could overlook this, but the Qingzhou Jing family valued propriety above all. She had not chosen suicide—truly strong.
And she smiles? How can she smile?
“Li Dequan, if you dare doubt me in your heart again, I’ll grant you the rod. Believe me?” Lin Hui seized his ear.
“Your Majesty, I dare not!”
“I am your master, you are my dog. I know where you dig and bury.”
The Emperor stood, hands on hips. “Bring her into the palace. I want to see if she will smile.”
Returning to the Hall of Longevity, Jing Miaoyi was more nervous than before, walking slowly, thinking carefully how to face the Emperor without arousing suspicion.
Emperor Lin Hui observed her small face behind Xiao Anzi, her expression gloomy.
Coming to see me, yet unhappy?
The Emperor’s anger flared—not because she was displeased. Had he not treated her well? She had been alone in the capital, and he brought her uncle’s family back.
Which other woman in the harem could enjoy such honor?
Walking slowly—was she stalling? Very well, today he would teach her a lesson.
Before entering, Li Dequan whispered, “Miss Jing, smile more. His Majesty likes smiles.”
“Ah?” Jing Miaoyi, still uncertain, was pushed inside.
The Emperor wore a red brocade robe, a gold-inlaid jade belt at his waist, hair braided with a red cord, the “Longevity braid” striking against his three thousand strands of black hair. Aside from the black cloak, he matched exactly the figure on her painted screen.
She had painted the screen to provoke the Emperor, to keep him thinking of her—but never imagined he would have the robes made.
She stood in daze for a moment.
“Jing Miaoyi.”
Only when His Majesty spoke did she react, bowing quickly. “I respectfully inquire about His Majesty’s health.”
Lin Hui was pleased with her “enchanted” gaze.
He stepped forward, taking her hand—small, soft, cool.
Yes, the orchid fragrance she carried was still intoxicating.
Punishment?
Right now, Emperor Lin Hui had no thought for that.