Madam Sun's face turned extremely grim. Reluctantly, she knelt before Feng Jin, "Madam Sun greets the County Princess. May the County Princess be well."
"Get up!" Feng Jin waved her hand dismissively. It was rare for someone as shrewd as Madam Sun to suffer a loss.
Yun Momo was truly brilliant, having completely cornered Madam Sun. Feng Jin decided she needed to learn from her.
"Madam Sun, remember the difference between high and low status, the vast chasm between legitimate and concubine-born. The primary duty of a remarried wife is to care for the children of the principal wife. In essence, you are nothing more than a servant to the principal wife's offspring."
Yun Momo slowly rose and walked towards Madam Sun, her voice laced with disdain. "I also heard that you, Madam Sun, were once pregnant and forced your late mistress to take you in. With such conduct, it's no wonder Miss Feng acted so disrespectfully."
"You once signed the document as a concubine. A concubine is of lowly status, and a concubine can be bought and sold. Once lowly, always lowly!"
Madam Sun's face was ashen, but she maintained a smiling facade, accepting Yun Momo's lecture.
Feng Yuanping was also displeased. After all, Madam Sun was the one he had personally elevated to the position of principal wife. To have her insulted in such a manner was a loss of face for him as well.
"Prime Minister, I am here under the Empress Dowager's command. Madam Sun disrespected the principal wife before, and now she disrespects the Jia Ning County Princess. My guidance is for her own good, and for yours, Prime Minister."
"Our Southern Chu values propriety above all else. The distinction between legitimate and concubine-born is paramount, and favoring concubines over wives is a grave offense. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager despises such individuals most. My actions are to uphold your reputation, Prime Minister, and to show the Empress Dowager and His Majesty that you are aligned with them."
Feng Yuanping quickly rose and cupped his hands in thanks. "Momo, your words are most wise. I am entrusted with great responsibility by His Majesty, and naturally, I am of one mind with the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Momo, you have truly acted in my best interest. I thank you."
"Madam Sun, why don't you quickly thank Momo for her guidance?"
"Master..." Madam Sun looked at Feng Yuanping in disbelief. Seeing his cold, stern expression, Madam Sun's heart sank into despair.
"Thank you for your guidance, Momo. Today is a great fortune to have received your instruction, which will benefit me for a lifetime."
Feng Jin struggled to suppress her laughter. It was truly a magnificent spectacle.
She fought the urge to stand up and applaud.
"Prime Minister, has the dowry all been brought?"
"It's all outside. Momo, please." Feng Yuanping gestured for Yun Momo to lead the way.
Feng Jin had initially thought the betrothal gifts from the Ling family were quite substantial. However, upon seeing He Miaoqing's dowry from years ago, she realized what she had seen before was nothing compared to this.
No wonder the Empress Dowager had mentioned that He Miaoqing brought a dowry of a million taels when she married into the Feng family.
The silver alone amounted to a million, and the gold reached a hundred thousand taels.
As for the hair ornaments, jewelry, and rare treasures, they were countless.
Even the tea sets were made of either gold or jade. A single tea cup was enough for an ordinary family to live on for a lifetime.
Feng Jin became even more perplexed. With such a substantial family fortune, why would He Miaoqing be so foolish as to marry Feng Yuanping, that scoundrel?
Back then, Feng Yuanping had no power or influence. His family were merchants, the lowest of the low, and he was merely a third-place scholar. Unless her eyes were truly faulty.
Yun Momo meticulously went through the dowry list.
"Madam He's dowry included a ruby-inlaid coronet. This one appears to have been replaced."
"This set of coronets is indeed my sister's... the late mistress's dowry. Perhaps it was kept in storage for so long that the gems were dusty, and Momo couldn't recognize it immediately." Madam Sun offered a somewhat guilty explanation. She had had someone forge a replica of He Miaoqing's ruby coronet. The original had been placed in Feng Ruoyan's dowry box.
Yun Momo snorted coldly and threw the coronet on the ground. "Gems are dusty... Only inferior, low-quality gems become dusty. When this ruby coronet was crafted, only the finest materials were used. Each gem was priceless."
"Furthermore, it was crafted by Master Luo Yang. Master Luo Yang's name is engraved on the back of the coronet. This coronet has nothing on the back. Madam Sun, if you're going to forge something, at least do it properly. With such obvious flaws, it's hard for me not to discover it."
Feng Yuanping picked up the coronet from the ground and examined it. He had seen He Miaoqing wear this ruby coronet before. At the time, he had even reprimanded Miaoqing for it being too extravagant and ostentatious.
The coronet in his hand, though a convincing replica, had inferior gems and shoddy craftsmanship. It was clearly a fake.
*Slap!* Feng Yuanping, enraged, slapped Madam Sun across the face.
Madam Sun was sent sprawling to the ground. She clutched her stinging cheek and looked at Feng Yuanping in a daze.
"You wicked woman! Have you been blinded by greed? You even laid your hands on Miaoqing's dowry! It's my fault for indulging you too much. Hurry and apologize to Feng Jin!"
Madam Sun came to her senses and hastily said, "Feng..." Before she could utter Feng Jin's name, she saw Yun Momo's expression and quickly changed her words. "County Princess, it was my fault. I had a moment of misguided intent, thinking that as your sister was getting married, she should have a decent dowry. That's why... County Princess, please, for the sake of your beloved sister, overlook my mistake this once. Forgive me."
"Feng Jin, your mother did it for your sister's sake. She was momentarily confused. Please, be magnanimous and forgive her this time." Feng Yuanping also pleaded. This was the first time he had lowered himself to his daughter.
"If you want me to forgive her, then return my mother's dowry. Father, you know this was an imperial edict issued by the Empress Dowager in front of all the ministers. Disobeying the edict is disrespecting the Empress Dowager, a crime none of us can bear." She felt she would be letting down the Empress Dowager's favor if she didn't use this opportunity to suppress Feng Yuanping and Madam Sun.
"The County Princess is absolutely right. Everything we have done is to comply with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's imperial edict. Disrespecting the Empress Dowager is a crime punishable by annihilation." Yun Momo proved to be the ultimate supporter, her every word striking at the enemy's vital point.
"I will go and retrieve the coronet immediately," Madam Sun said tremulously, hurriedly ordering her servants to bring back all the replaced dowry items.
The people Yun Momo brought were seasoned veterans who had served the Empress Dowager for many years, their methods decisive and swift. In a short time, the dowry was thoroughly inventoried. Even a single missing hairpin was accurately accounted for.
"Prime Minister Feng, you have two days to make up for the missing and damaged dowry items. If there are any discrepancies, you will personally appear before the Empress Dowager in the palace to explain."
"Momo, please rest assured. We will make up for all the dowry items within two days. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is not in good health. Please do not let such a small matter trouble Her Majesty. I implore Momo to be understanding." Feng Yuanping, having navigated the political arena for many years, had honed the skill of saying the right thing to the right person, a master of many faces. He was now desperately trying to appease Yun Momo.