The Empress's face immediately darkened. She chose the softer target to vent her anger on, and the Empress first attacked Lin Yuwei.
"Princess Jing, even if Wang Qin did something wrong, you should consider that she is my niece and show some leniency. You struck her so hard, aren't you trying to kill Wang Qin? Your actions are so ruthless and decisive, how can you be worthy of the title of Princess Jing?"
Lin Yuwei's hands tightly gripped her skirt, and a cold sweat seeped from her palms, clearly showing her nervousness. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how to respond.
She secretly looked at Feng Jin, seeking help.
"Princess Jing, I am speaking to you, do you truly not take me seriously!"
The Empress raised her voice, relentlessly pressuring Lin Yuwei, creating an invisible sense of oppression.
Unlike Feng Jin, this Lin Yuwei was a young lady raised in a sheltered environment, too young and inexperienced to handle such matters. A little fright would surely make her lose her courage.
"Your Majesty, I also have a part in this matter. By rights, I should be the mastermind, and Princess Jing only punished the concubine to protect the Jing Prince's Mansion and the Prince's dignity."
Feng Jin was the first to rise and reply, directly shielding Lin Yuwei from the initial blow.
Lin Yuwei, having regained her senses, instantly felt invigorated, and without fear, she spoke eloquently, "The concubine's behavior was erratic, and her words were full of mockery towards Princess Jianing, disrespecting her superiors and disgracing the Jing Prince's Mansion. As the legitimate wife of Prince Jing and the mistress of the Jing Prince's Mansion, I must prioritize the mansion's reputation. Therefore, I invoked the family law and punished the concubine."
Every word Lin Yuwei spoke was well-reasoned and factually supported, emphasizing that her actions were for the good of the Jing Prince's Mansion. Even if the matter were brought before Emperor Xuanwen, her explanation would be flawless.
Feng Jin cast an appreciative glance at Lin Yuwei. This was more like it; she needed to show her mettle and not let others bully her.
Lin Yuwei's words left the Empress momentarily speechless. After some thought, she softened her tone and said, "Even so, you shouldn't have been so heavy-handed with the punishment, a flogging that even men find hard to endure. A small warning would have sufficed. Besides, you could have told me, and I would have supported you."
Everyone present understood the Empress's intentions. Although Prince Jing was crippled, he was still a prince and had harbored ambitions for the throne.
So soon after the young couple's wedding, she was eager to install her niece, and who knew what her true intentions were.
It was a pity that this Princess Jing, who appeared so delicate, was unyielding at heart. The Empress's meticulous plan was bound to fail.
"Your Majesty has always been virtuous and has treated your subject's daughter-in-law with great kindness. It is precisely because I am grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence that I reluctantly punished Wang Qin severely. Ever since Wang Qin entered the Jing Prince's Mansion, she has always mentioned Your Majesty as her aunt, using it as a shield to commit outrageous acts. For Your Majesty's reputation, I had no choice but to severely punish Wang Qin."
"If this has displeased Your Majesty, it is my fault. I beg Your Majesty to punish me, to depose me from my position as Princess Consort, and to establish Wang Qin as the legitimate Princess Consort of Prince Jing."
Lin Yuwei spoke neither servilely nor arrogantly, and these words were like a bombshell dropped at the Empress's feet.
The Empress had not expected Lin Yuwei to use a counter-offensive tactic and offer herself for punishment, leaving her at a loss. Her original intention was merely to exert pressure and make her realize that she was in charge and that others could not act recklessly.
The onlookers were instantly intrigued and watched with eager anticipation, waiting to see how the Empress would respond next.
The Empress remained silent for a long time, and the atmosphere became tense. The Imperial Noble Consort, who had always been at odds with the Empress, naturally would not miss such a good opportunity to suppress the Empress.
"Look, what a grave offense it is that it has forced Princess Jing to offer herself as a concubine. If this reaches the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, they will think that Your Majesty is being petty and favoring her maternal niece, forcing Princess Jing to become a concubine."
The Imperial Noble Consort's sarcastic words made the Empress's face even more unsightly. This wretch simply couldn't say fewer words.
The Empress forced a bitter smile and said, "You useless servants, why are you still standing there? Hurry and help Princess Jing up."
"Yes." The maids helped Lin Yuwei to her feet.
"You child are truly stubborn. I was merely concerned that there might be discord between you sisters. You are both imperial wives, not petty commoners. You should have more tolerance. I now understand that Wang Qin was too arrogant and overbearing. Rest assured, I will not let you be wronged. I will certainly punish her properly."
To protect herself, the Empress could only sacrifice the foolish Wang Qin.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager most detested concubines overstepping their bounds. There was a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring. Lin Yuwei had grasped Wang Qin's transgression against the principal wife. If this matter escalated, it would be of no benefit to them.
Even though the Imperial Noble Consort was favored, she was still below the Empress in rank. However, in terms of treatment, the Emperor had never allowed her to surpass the Empress, showing how much he valued the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring.
"Your Majesty, you must be my advocate..." Wang Qin put on a weak act and came out from the inner room, her tearful appearance truly pitiable.
Unfortunately, she did not yet know that the Empress, to protect herself, had already sold her out completely.
The Empress slammed her palm on the table, her face showing a hint of anger.
Wang Qin, however, was secretly pleased, quietly waiting for the Empress to punish Lin Yuwei and Feng Jin.
What happened next made Wang Qin's jaw drop.
"Wang Qin, kneel before me!"
The Empress's angry voice reached Wang Qin's ears. Wang Qin's eyes widened, and she looked at the Empress incredulously, her mouth slightly agape. "Your Majesty..."
"What? Do I not have the authority to discipline you anymore? Why aren't you kneeling down quickly!"
Wang Qin, startled, quickly fell to her knees with a thud. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, someone pressed her down.
"Your Majesty, although my sister Wang Qin is a bit arrogant, I implore you, for the sake of my deceased aunt, and for the sake of Wang Qin's diligent service to you, please spare her this once and be lenient with her punishment."
Liu Menghan, who had been silent for a long time, knelt on the ground and pleaded for Wang Qin.
"Han'er, rise. Wang Qin must be punished. Why do you plead for her?"
The Empress followed Liu Menghan's words. This niece of hers was always intelligent and beautiful. Among all the daughters in the Liu family, she favored Liu Menghan the most and intended to marry her to the Third Prince.
Bringing Liu Menghan to the palace this time was also a way to show everyone that Liu Menghan was the future legitimate wife of the Third Prince, her future daughter-in-law.