Chapter 98, Chapter Ninety-Eight (None)

Based on Jiang Ling's understanding of Emperor Yuanming, his brows were shrouded in gloom, and his expression was fierce to the point of being ferocious.

It's only because Consort Liu corrupted Xiao Jiatong that he wouldn't be so angry, given his character. Emperors are often suspicious; he must have considered other possibilities, such as the possibility that Consort Liu might be plotting to usurp the throne.

Jiang Ling thought the plan was excellent, but unfortunately it was difficult to implement.

After all, the Liu family had no troops at their disposal. If seizing power were so easy, Huang Liang and Zhang Shan would have already overthrown the dynasty long ago.

In an instant, Jiang Ling's smile faded, and a flash of inspiration struck her.

Empress Dowager Liu, acting as regent, meticulously nurtured and educated Xiao Jiatang, and then arranged for her to marry a member of the Liu family. Even if the Xiao dynasty retained the Xiao surname, the true ruler behind it would no longer be certain.

"What are you thinking about?" Emperor Yuanming saw Jiang Ling staring blankly into space, then smiled smugly. "Are you frightened?"

Jiang Ling snapped out of her daze and replied dismissively, "I'm scared."

Emperor Yuanming raised his eyebrows, gently stroked Jiang Ling's hand, and comforted her, saying, "With me here, I will protect you."

"Your Majesty, is the Chuigong Hall safe?"

Jiang Ling had an idea. Feigning nervousness, he turned his head and looked around, his eyes showing fear. "Your Majesty, what should we do if there are thieves? Who are Your Majesty's trusted confidants, Yuan Changsheng or Ding Shang, the Imperial City Guard? Quickly arrange for them to guard the city!"

"Look at you, always spouting nonsense. Even the most audacious thief would never dare to steal from the palace."

Emperor Yuanming glanced sideways at Jiang Ling, noticing her approaching with a timid and submissive demeanor. Though he outwardly expressed disdain, he was inwardly extremely proud.

"The capital region has the most powerful troops of the Great Yin Dynasty, the palace city has Ding Shang, and the inner city has Yuan Changsheng. With layers of guards, not even mosquitoes or flies can get in, so you can rest assured."

“Your Majesty, the Imperial City Guards of the Capital Region are all military officers, while Yuan Changsheng is a eunuch. The patrolling guards are also eunuchs. They might not even be as strong as me!”

Jiang Ling raised his arm, striking a pose like a strongman, which amused Emperor Yuanming, making him laugh heartily.

"Your Majesty, could Yuan Changsheng and his men have been replaced by military officers and soldiers from the barracks?"

"How can this be exchanged!" Emperor Yuanming replied with a smile.

Seeing Jiang Ling's displeasure, Emperor Yuanming quickly tried to appease her, "The palace maids who used to serve you dared to betray you; it's because you don't understand the art of managing subordinates. Forget it, I don't blame you. You've always been unlearned and incompetent..."

Jiang Ling turned away and snorted in displeasure. Emperor Yuanming, seeing her throwing a tantrum, became even more enraged. He pulled her around and began to lecture her earnestly.

"Today I will teach you properly the art of employing and recognizing talent. Yuan Changsheng was an orphan, growing up on the charity of kind people. Later, he followed others to collect night soil, deliver firewood and water to survive. He was small and weak, and was often bullied. Having no other choice, he castrated himself and entered the palace. After entering the palace, he gained the favor of his father and was promoted by me, and his life soared. The royal family has done him a great favor. He is well aware that I can give him power, wealth, and honor, but I can also, with a single word, make him fall from heaven to the mud and return to his former life, worse than a pig or a dog."

Emperor Yuanming moved close to Jiang Ling, the smell of medicine and the sour smell of not having bathed in a long time wafting into Jiang Ling's nostrils. She struggled to suppress the churning in her stomach and managed not to push him away with a slap.

"His life and death depend on me; how dare he not be loyal!"

Recently, a pall of gloom has hung over the palace. Emperor Yuanming had been holding back his anger for a long time, and now he was finally able to relax, his chest brimming with satisfaction.

"We must use both kindness and severity, and not just kindness. Yuan Changsheng is, after all, a eunuch, of lowly status. He works day and night, fearing only that he will lose my favor and that his duties will be taken by someone else. I can put some fodder in front of him, but I cannot actually throw the fodder to the other animals."

Getting carried away, Emperor Yuanming tapped the bedding with his fingers and chuckled, "Have you ever seen a guard dog? Dogs are the most loyal, but they are also fiercely protective of their food. When it comes to food, they don't even care about their master. Once you have a good guard dog, you should not easily replace it. It is not easy to find an obedient guard dog. The lead guard dog must also be able to control the pack of dogs below it."

Jiang Ling appeared to be listening attentively, but her heart sank, and she felt nauseous.

Jiang Ling wasn't entirely sure whether Yuan Changsheng considered himself a human being, but Emperor Yuanming certainly didn't.

As for how Emperor Yuanming actually viewed her, she had no intention of seeking out such an answer.

But she knows how to treat people; she doesn't try to be superior to others, she treats herself and others as human beings.

Emperor Yuanming had unwavering faith in Yuan Changsheng's loyalty. His trust was extremely complex, stemming not only from the supreme authority of the emperor but also, importantly, from his confidence in his own imperial power.

Jiang Ling must not puncture it; this is Emperor Yuanming's protective armor, and if it is broken, she will be the first to suffer.

*

"The eldest princess is back. Her Majesty is waiting for her in the study." Granny Shang, who was guarding the door, hurried forward as she saw the lanterns approaching.

"Granny." Xiao Jiatong, her heart pounding with anxiety, glanced towards the study and asked, "Is Her Highness alright?"

"Her Majesty has been in a bad mood since returning from her palace. Princess, please go in." Granny Shang said this briefly without saying anything more, and then stepped aside to let her in.

"Huh!" Granny Shang was taken aback when she saw Fu'er. "Why did you come along to serve them?"

Fu'er sensed something was wrong when she was in the Chuigong Hall. When asked by Granny Shang, she broke out in a cold sweat and said in a trembling voice, "Granny, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so clever as to go with the eldest princess to serve her."

Both Granny Shang and Fu'er served Consort Liu and were considered her close confidantes. The two were very close, and upon seeing Fu'er's pale face, they sighed inwardly and said nothing more.

Xiao Jiatong, however, was very alert. She glanced at Fu'er, her brows furrowed, and she paused in her steps.

Fu'er accompanied Consort Liu to Xiao Yunrui's palace, where she met Jiang Ling. When Jiang Ling returned to the Chuigong Hall, she saw Fu'er again. Her intention in going to the Chuigong Hall to see Emperor Yuanming was self-evident.

When they reached the door of the study, Fu'er stopped at a distance. Xiao Jiatong turned around and said, "Fu'er, come in with me."

"Your Highness!" Fu'er's legs trembled, she tried her best to hold back her tears, her voice still trembling with sobs, "Your Highness, this servant..."

"Come in." Xiao Jiatong closed her eyes, hiding the reluctance in them, and hardened her heart to enter the room.

Fu'er's face was ashen, and she dragged her heavy legs inside. Granny Shang watched her figure disappear behind the curtain for a long time without moving.

The study was brightly lit. Consort Liu sat behind her desk, her expression calm, her face pale with a bluish tinge.

"Your Majesty." Xiao Jiatong entered the room and curtsied.

Fu'er knelt down with a thud, prostrating herself on the ground, trembling all over. "This servant has made a mistake. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Consort Liu's gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Jiatong and Fu'er, and she quickly smiled, "Fu'er is quick-witted, and A'tong is clever. How could they make such a big mistake? It's because they are smart but lack composure. I often say that in a critical moment, remaining calm under pressure is the key to victory."

Xiao Jiatong's eyes were filled with tears, filled with deep regret. She had always kept in mind the lessons Consort Liu had taught her. Yet, when it came to the end, she still made numerous mistakes.

Fu'er was filled with deep fear and despair, and lay on the ground, not daring to breathe.

Consort Liu picked up her teacup, lifted the lid, and slowly stirred the tea foam. The clinking of the cups was crisp and sharp, like the sound of swords striking Xiao Jiatong and Fu'er's hearts.

After an unknown amount of time, Consort Liu put down her teacup and said calmly, "Fu'er has messed up her job. Considering it's your first time, I will punish you by deducting half a year's salary."

Fu'er couldn't believe her ears for a moment. She suddenly raised her head and looked at Consort Liu incredulously: "Your Majesty..."

Consort Liu remained calm, her gaze sharp as ice, and said coldly, "If you commit this offense again, add this mistake to the list, and punish all of them together!"

"Yes!" Fu'er answered quickly, tears streaming down her face from the joy of surviving the ordeal. She grinned from ear to ear.

Realizing something was amiss, Fu'er quickly stopped laughing, kowtowed repeatedly to express her gratitude, scrambled to her feet, and left the study.

Xiao Jiatong stood there, watching Fu'er leave, unable to react for a long time.

"Come and sit down." Consort Liu's expression softened, and she lovingly called Xiao Jiatong over to sit down beside her.

"It's all my fault. Her Majesty was worried about punishing Fu'er, which made me, her mistress, lose face."

Xiao Jiatong was filled with self-reproach and, choking back tears, recounted in detail how she went to the Chuigong Hall, how she met Emperor Yuanming, and how she was entangled by Jiang Ling.

“It’s not a big mistake for Fu’er to go to the Chui Gong Hall with you. After all, Jiang is older and favored by the Emperor, so she is your elder. With the pressure of filial piety, no matter how capable you are, you can’t use your talents.”

Consort Liu comforted Xiao Jiatong and patiently taught her, "I let Fu'er off the hook, which is a combination of kindness and severity. After this incident, Fu'er will have to be extra careful when she does her duties and will be even more loyal. Now that things have come to this, there is no point in pursuing Fu'er's mistakes, and now is not the time to punish her."

Seeing that Consort Liu did not reprimand her, Xiao Jiatong felt somewhat relieved. But as soon as she caught her breath, Consort Liu's expression suddenly changed.

“You must learn from your mistakes. You need to understand exactly where you went wrong. You are a princess, and all you need to do is serve the Emperor. Xiao Jiatang is also the Emperor’s own flesh and blood. She has a lot of maids and servants serving her. Why should you step forward? In the past, you and your sister were at most nodding acquaintances. You want to bring her to your side and win her over so that you can use her for your own purposes.”

Xiao Jiatong's face turned deathly pale, tears streaming down her face. Her usual confidence, shattered by the successive blows, left her feeling utterly ashamed: "Your Majesty, this was my plan. I had already persuaded Father, and I thought that once I had done this much, I could go further and make it as seamless as possible. Who would have thought that man proposes, God disposes, and Consort Hui became an obstacle. I don't know what she said to Father, but after dinner, Father changed his mind."

"Why bother trying to guess what Jiang said to the Emperor? Compared to the relationship between the brothers Xiao Yunzan and Xiao Yunlang, your concern seems sudden and fake. The Emperor has eyes; he can see through it."

Consort Liu's expression was cold and stern as she said without any mercy, "You always have the habit of making things seem flawless. I told you long ago, in this mortal world, how can anything be flawless! You and Xiao Jiatang, even if you two sisters are combined, in the Emperor's heart, you are not as good as either of your foolish brothers!"

Xiao Jiatong's lips trembled, and she said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Father dislikes me. Will this implicate Your Majesty?"

Consort Liu replied readily, "Yes!"

Xiao Jiatong's mind went blank, her last hope shattered, and her eyes filled with fear. "Your Majesty, then... Your Majesty, what should we do next?"

Consort Liu lowered her eyes, her voice extremely soft, almost a murmur: "A-Tong, dealing with fools is exhausting. Living a life of subservience is also exhausting. It's all or nothing. Are you afraid of death?"