Utterly shameless, yet they dared to clamor about dismissal and extermination of the entire clan.
If such words were to reach Emperor Xuanwen's ears, would he regret giving birth to such a foolish daughter?
"Oh my... Stop quickly... Stop!"
Eunuch Wang emerged from the palace hall and, upon witnessing the scene, his legs trembled. He rushed forward to intervene.
"Madam, please desist. This is the Sixth Princess, born of the Empress herself. You must not harm her..."
How long had it been since he went to report? How did these two end up fighting?
If anyone were injured, he wouldn't know how to account for himself!
"You dog servant, what are you standing around for? Are you blind? Don't you see she's grabbing this princess? Hurry and have them seize her and beat her to death!"
Eunuch Wang's face flushed with panic. He only prayed this little ancestor would shut up quickly, for she dared to speak any word that came to mind.
"Eunuch Wang, you saw this with your own eyes. The Sixth Princess intended to take my life. This is self-defense. When we meet the Empress later, please tell the truth."
"That... naturally... naturally..."
Eunuch Wang felt as if a sharp sword hung over his head. He could afford to offend neither of them.
Feng Jin let out a cold laugh and released her grip.
Suddenly losing the support, the Sixth Princess's pulling force was too great, and she directly fell to the ground.
Moreover, she landed within the lawn. As it had just been watered, the Sixth Princess became covered in mud.
Her fair face instantly turned into that of a painted cat. Her ten fingers were filled with a foul odor. Her pink dress was stained with a layer of mud, and all the precious jewels in her hair fell onto the lawn, leaving only a few stray pieces stuck in her hair. She no longer resembled a princess at all, looking more like a beggar fleeing from disaster.
Feng Jin suppressed her laughter and coughed lightly, saying, "Your Highness Sixth Princess, you lost your footing yourself. It has nothing to do with me. You mustn't falsely accuse me."
"You... you... This princess swears eternal enmity with you!"
She had never been so humiliated in her life.
"Lacking any perception, why are you still standing around? Hurry and help the princess back to change!"
Eunuch Wang hastily ordered, urging them to quickly escort this troublesome ancestor away.
"Yes..."
The maids quickly helped the Sixth Princess back, one on each side.
After the Sixth Princess left, Eunuch Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Madam, please forgive us. The Sixth Princess has always had such a temper. Madam, please do not take offense."
"I don't mind, but the Sixth Princess has likely already taken a grudge against me."
"Madam, what are you saying? Her Majesty the Empress is waiting. Let us go in."
Feng Jin nodded in agreement and followed Eunuch Wang inside.
Only after entering did Feng Jin realize this was a Hongmen Banquet.
The moment she stepped inside, all eyes were fixed on her.
Empress Liu sat gracefully on the phoenix throne, exuding an air of nobility and dignity. To her right sat the Noble Consort, followed by several concubines Feng Jin had never seen before.
To Feng Jin's surprise, Lin Yuwei was also present. Sitting behind her was none other than Wang Qin. Further down sat other beautiful women, suggesting the Empress had invited more than just her.
She wondered what ill intentions they harbored.
"This concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Noble Consort..."
Feng Jin bowed to everyone present.
"Princess Jianing, please rise. Attendants, grant her a seat." The Empress smiled kindly, gesturing for Feng Jin to stand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress." Feng Jin slowly rose and sat beside Lin Yuwei.
"This is Madam Feng Jin, wife of General Ling. She is also the second daughter of Prime Minister Feng. Recently, His Majesty enfeoffed her as Princess Jianing. We are all family here and must live in harmony."
As the Empress finished speaking, everyone present rose in unison and said, "We respectfully obey Her Majesty the Empress's decree."
"Alright, let's proceed. No need for excessive ceremony."
"Princess Jianing, there was some unpleasantness between you and Wang Qin earlier. I have admonished her. You are all sisters, and you see each other daily. Do not let this create any ill will."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes internally. Who was her sister? The sight of Wang Qin's face made her feel nauseated, and she didn't want to look at her any longer.
"I respectfully obey Her Majesty the Empress's decree." Feng Jin replied perfunctorily.
What was the Empress plotting? She wanted to get to the main point quickly so she could return.
"Your Majesty the Empress, this concubine has a grievance to report!"
Wang Qin knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, lamenting her injustice. "Your Majesty the Empress, you are unaware, but this concubine was almost killed by the Princess of Jing and Princess Jianing. Your Majesty the Empress, you must seek justice for me!"
"Enough! This was merely a verbal dispute. How can you wail like this!"
"Your Majesty the Empress, if I were not at my wit's end, I would not be like this. Your Majesty the Empress only knows of a one-sided verbal dispute. That day... that day, Feng Jin actually instigated... instigated the Princess of Jing to have me beaten..."
"What... beaten? Even men cannot withstand such a beating!"
"I never imagined the Princess of Jing, who appears so delicate, would commit such a vicious act."
"And Princess Jianing, it has long been rumored that she was harsh towards her elder sister and cursed her stepmother. It is not surprising that such a person would commit such a vicious act."
These women of the inner palace, with nothing else to do, enjoyed gossiping. Such matters quickly drew their attention.
Everyone watched the unfolding scene with a sense of anticipation, as if watching a play.
"Is this true?" The Empress's face showed anger, feigning ignorance.
"Your Majesty the Empress, every word I speak is true. I implore Your Majesty the Empress to seek justice for me. If it were not for my good fortune, I would not be here to see Your Majesty the Empress today."
Lin Yuwei's eyes were filled with fury. Just as she was about to rise and argue, Feng Jin held her hand.
Feng Jin turned her head and gestured with her eyes for Lin Yuwei not to act rashly. Lin Yuwei was the Princess of Jing, and the Empress was her paternal aunt. In Eastern Chu, the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate offspring was paramount. If she were to give them an excuse,
it would undoubtedly implicate the entire Jing Prince's Mansion, and Chu Chenyi would also be accused.
Before understanding how the Empress would act, it was absolutely crucial not to act rashly. Whoever lost their composure first would be at a disadvantage, and it would be difficult to recover from that position.
The Empress's gaze swept over Feng Jin and Lin Yuwei. Seeing their composure and lack of any movement, she paused and said, "Granny Yuan, escort Wang Qin down to have her injuries examined and see if her words are indeed true."
"Your servant obeys. You two, help the Consort to the inner chamber."
Granny Yuan waved her hand, gesturing for two maids to take Wang Qin to the inner chamber.
After a moment, Granny Yuan emerged and reported, "Reporting to Her Majesty the Empress, this servant has examined the injuries. What was said is true. The Consort's wounds are indeed from being beaten, and the wounds have not yet fully healed."