Chapter 63 Unwavering Devotion

Wang Zhongxian thought to himself, "This is bad," and slapped his thigh, whispering, "Oh dear, this is really bad."

He couldn't help but plead with his father and mother, for His Majesty was in the Imperial Study discussing matters with several important ministers. What if the Empress really did cause a scene without regard for the consequences?

If His Majesty's dignity is damaged, he will naturally not do anything to the Empress. But the servants who serve him will likely be in deep trouble, and it's hard to say whether they can keep their heads.

He said today was not a good day. His eyelids kept twitching as soon as he woke up. First, His Majesty sent him to spy on the Empress and Lord Gu, and then this troublesome matter came up. He was really unlucky.

In a moment of quick thinking, Wang Zhongxian kicked the nearest eunuch in the backside, scolding him, "You clueless brat! Why aren't you going to inform His Majesty? Do you expect your grandpa to make the trip himself?"

Xiao Ruizi was kicked forward by Wang Zhongxian and almost fell. He hurriedly straightened his crooked hat, cried out "Ouch!" but dared not delay for a moment. He ran towards the Imperial Study, shouting, "How dare I trouble my godfather?"

Wang Zhongxian was still uneasy, and chased after his retreating figure, threatening him sternly: "Hurry up, or you'll regret it!"

At this moment, in the imperial study, Fu Heng was listening to several ministers talking amongst themselves, their words subtly testing the new emperor. Fu Heng, however, was somewhat distracted.

Xiao Ruizi didn't dare to offend the Empress, so he changed his route and ran with all his might to the door of the Imperial Study.

But he was stopped by the deputy steward Liu Yusheng. His face darkened and he scolded, "What are you doing in such a panic? His Majesty is discussing important matters with his ministers. You've disturbed and offended His Majesty. Are you courting death?"

Xiao Ruizi ran out of breath, panting and clutching his chest, saying, "Eunuch Liu, quick, quick, report to His Majesty... The Empress has come out of the Dengxian Pavilion, and she's furious. She's almost at the Imperial Study!"

Deputy Steward Liu Yusheng still held his arm across, blocking Xiao Ruizi outside the Imperial Study. He lowered his voice and said unhappily, "You can't lose your composure." He glanced at him with disdain and said, "How could your master have accepted such a stupid person as your son?"

Xiao Ruizi was so anxious he was almost crying, his face contorted with distress: "My godfather specifically instructed me to inform His Majesty as soon as possible, lest the Empress..." Even though everyone knew what he meant, he ultimately didn't dare to say it aloud.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yusheng suddenly had a flash of inspiration and immediately understood the implications. He widened his eyes and said, "Wait." He then turned around abruptly and strode into the hall.

Upon entering the inner hall, Liu Yusheng immediately slowed his pace. He bowed respectfully and moved silently to Fu Heng's side. He leaned down and whispered a few words to Fu Heng, then stood by with his hands at his sides, holding his breath and waiting quietly, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Fu Heng's expression remained unchanged, and he simply waved his hand casually: "That's enough for today, all of you may leave."

Several ministers were puzzled: His Majesty had just said that the new policies today must be thoroughly investigated, so why did he suddenly change his mind? Moreover, the new emperor has always been diligent in his duties, so why did the meeting end so early today?

Despite their many doubts, they dared not openly speculate on the emperor's intentions. The seven or eight people all bowed respectfully and withdrew one by one.

Meng Qingci lifted her skirt and hurried to the outside of the Imperial Study, where she happened to run into several ministers who had finished their discussion and were taking their leave.

When the ministers saw the Empress approaching, they all bowed and paid their respects.

Meng Qingci was about to settle accounts with Fu Heng, so she had no time to pay attention to them. Her gaze did not linger on them at all, and she went straight into the Imperial Study.

The Empress's phoenix eyes were frosty, and she paid no attention to the important officials in the corridor, stepping directly across the jade steps. Her magnificent scarlet palace dress trailed on the ground, exuding an innate aura of majesty.

The ministers exchanged knowing glances with their heads bowed, all expressing dissatisfaction and resentment.

Since the morning court session, His Majesty has resolutely rejected the memorial requesting the selection of concubines for Empress Meng, thus abruptly cutting off their hopes for their daughters of marriageable age to enter the palace.

Seeing that Empress Meng was not only young and inexperienced, but also arrogant and disdainful of others, some people finally couldn't hold back.

At the end of the procession, the fourth-rank censor Cui Lingyi suddenly twitched the corner of his mouth, his voice carrying on the wind to the imperial carriage: "As expected of a maidservant, vulgar and ignorant of propriety, she'll probably be a hen crowing at dawn..."

Normally, Meng Qingci would have been too lazy to pay attention to it, but at this moment, her anger was burning and she had nowhere to vent it, and those two harsh words just happened to come at her.

She abruptly stopped in her tracks, then turned around, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as her cold gaze swept over the faces. She suddenly let out a cold laugh, walking back step by step, her voice low but chilling: "Who said those words just now?"

If an ordinary woman were to be discussed like this, she would probably be ashamed and want to avoid it at all costs. Who would have thought that this young empress, who looked to be no more than twenty years old, would act in ways that defied all reason? Not only did she not hide, but she dared to retort sharply in public.

Her imposing aura suddenly pressed down, and the group, intimidated by her overwhelming presence, immediately fell silent and retreated, none daring to raise their heads to answer.

Meng Qingci took in their embarrassment, sneered, and said with utter contempt, "What? Weren't you all so righteous just now? Now you don't dare to admit it? You're just a bunch of cowardly scoundrels!"

She spoke calmly and deliberately, yet each word carried immense weight: "How dare you, before me, engage in such acts of mutual protection and shielding your colleagues! This is forming cliques for personal gain, a crime deserving of death!" She sneered, "Do you perhaps think that because you hold a high position and wield great power, the law will not punish you? Or do you think that because the new dynasty has just been established and I am young and easily bullied, you believe that I cannot do anything to you?"

Before anyone could react, Meng Qingci's voice was as cold as ice, its chilling aura penetrating to the very marrow of the officials: "The new dynasty has its own laws. Your meager legacy from the previous dynasty is not enough to warrant your insolence before me! Since no one is willing to admit it, then drag them all away and, once in the imperial prison, interrogate them rigorously!"

These words were like knives, causing the kneeling men to tremble involuntarily. They all knew the power of the Empress's words and realized that they had underestimated this young Empress.

It should be understood that the two serious crimes of "great disrespect" and "forming cliques for personal gain" are no different from treason. In his moment of pleasure, Censor Cui wanted to confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan.

The other ministers, who initially did not want to offend their colleagues, now dared not offend the sharp-tongued empress. They hurriedly knelt down again to beg for forgiveness: "Your subjects dare not!"

Thus, Censor Cui Lingyi stood out like a crane among chickens, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He had only wanted to curry favor with his mentor, Grand Tutor Gu, since Grand Tutor Gu had a daughter of marriageable age who wanted to enter the palace. Since His Majesty wouldn't allow it, he could only try to get close to the Empress, as it was the Empress's duty to recruit concubines for His Majesty. He had merely been testing the Empress, thinking the new Empress was young and easy to manipulate, but she turned out to be a tough nut to crack, leaving him in a difficult position.

Cui Lingyi was stung by the Empress's ambiguous gaze, and his remaining integrity surged. If he backed down now, how could he maintain his position in the court in the future? Unwilling to lose face in front of his colleagues, he steeled himself and raised his voice, "As an imperial censor, I should speak my mind frankly. I take responsibility for my actions. The selection of imperial concubines is a matter of national importance. Your Majesty's decision to dismiss the selection of concubines for the Empress has shaken the foundation of the nation, yet the Empress did not offer any advice. Is this not the Empress's fault? Furthermore, the Imperial Study is a place of vital importance to the nation. The Empress has now barged into the Imperial Study without prior notice, which is suspected of interfering in politics. Isn't this like a hen crowing at dawn? The position of the Empress should be a model for all women in the country, requiring virtue and gentleness. Although Your Majesty was born into the Meng Prince's household, you were a slave for more than ten years. You have lost the virtues of an Empress and are unlikely to be able to serve as a model for the nation. What virtue or ability do you have to hold the position of Empress?"

"What a fine 'one person does the deed, one person takes the blame' attitude!" Upon hearing this, Meng Qingci laughed instead of getting angry, though the laughter didn't reach her eyes: "I will grant your wish and be loyal to you. Don't forget, the emperor comes before the subject, loyalty comes before righteousness. My position as empress was bestowed by the emperor. How can a mere subject like you challenge it? What do you rely on? Your mentor, Grand Tutor Gu?"

Although Cui Lingyi felt guilty, she dared not admit it: "Your Majesty, why involve others?"

Meng Qingci ignored him and her tone suddenly became sharp: "You are being disloyal to your superior; I am His Majesty's lawfully wedded Empress. Your criticism of me is criticism of His Majesty, which is tantamount to treason!"

She looked around and saw that all the palace servants were standing by with their heads bowed. She shouted, "Guards! Strip him of his official robes, drag him out and give him fifty lashes! Summon him to the Court of Judicial Review and treat him as a traitor!"

Since ancient times, empresses have not been allowed to interfere in politics and have no right to punish ministers. In particular, the royal family would not easily kill censors. That is why Cui Lingyi dared to be so bold. Unexpectedly, the young empress was even more 'cruel' than the new emperor and immediately dealt with him.

Cui Lingyi's face turned deathly pale, her eyes blazing with fury: "You, you are merely the Empress! You have no right to punish court officials! This is perverse! You are a hen crowing at dawn, unfit to be Empress, an ominous sign!"

"It seems Lord Cui's heart still remains with the Zhaode Dynasty; he is a loyal subject of the Zhaode Dynasty." Meng Qingci spoke calmly, smiling faintly. "The Empress of the Zhaode Dynasty may not have had this right. But now, it is His Majesty's new dynasty! Whether I have this right or not, you will soon find out." She paused, her voice not loud, but enough to make every minister present tremble with fear: "Let the Dali Temple add a clause: Lord Cui cherishes the old dynasty; according to the law, his entire family should be exterminated! His descendants shall be barred from holding office for three generations."

The guards in front of the palace were all former subordinates of Mo Jian, and they had long been dissatisfied with Cui Lingyi's disrespect towards the Empress. As soon as Meng Qingci finished speaking, he stepped forward and, ignoring Cui Lingyi's struggles, stripped him of his official robes in two swift movements.

Cui Lingyi roared, "This is perverse! Absolutely perverse! I demand to see His Majesty! I demand to see His Majesty! Your Majesty, you must do justice for me! I am innocent! I am innocent!"

The palace guards, annoyed by his noise and fearing he might displease the Empress again, immediately gagged him and dragged him away to be executed.

The ministers kneeling on the ground, seeing this, were all drenched in cold sweat, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. This empress, though seemingly young, was by no means ordinary. Without His Majesty's tacit approval, how could Her Majesty dare to act in such a manner outside the Imperial Study?

His Majesty, separated by only one door, has not yet stepped forward to stop them, his intentions are self-evident. At this point, all their thoughts have ceased. How laughable that they were just trying to test His Majesty in the Imperial Study, it was simply like throwing an egg against a rock, bringing shame upon themselves.

Meng Qingci raised her chin, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said in a clear and resounding voice: "I hope you will all take today's events as a warning. Don't forget so quickly that not long ago, His Majesty personally broke open the city gates, wiped out the remnants of the previous dynasty's rebellion, and saved your lives. As the saying goes, 'No destruction, no construction.' Don't bring those bad habits of the previous dynasty into the new dynasty! Otherwise, the new dynasty will repeat the same mistakes, and if the world falls into chaos, you will be the real sinners. Don't even think about using this as an excuse to manipulate the monarch and control me with so-called 'ancestral rules.'"

Her words were sharp: "You must know that His Majesty's throne was not inherited from the previous dynasty, but rather won by thunder and gunpowder! If anyone thinks that His Majesty and I, having just ascended the throne, can consider ourselves old ministers, relying on our seniority from the previous dynasty to try to hinder us, thinking we can stir up trouble, then they have miscalculated. This empire, for His Majesty and I, was not obtained by relying on any of you." She then scoffed, "We could bring down the previous emperor, so why should we fear the slaughter of our army now that we are emperors? The distinction between ruler and subject should not be confused."

Her words were sharp and incisive, like a blade piercing the heart, shattering the last vestiges of hope among the former officials. She didn't even give Grand Tutor Gu any face, making them clearly realize that this Empress was no pushover.

Normally, someone would step in to smooth things over, ask for favors, and seek a good reputation for being on good terms with each other.

But today, the Empress's swift and decisive actions have accused Imperial Censor Cui of "protecting and forming cliques," and his screams as he was flogged echoed through the air. Who would dare to step forward? Each one sought only to protect themselves, obediently and respectfully bowing their hands: "Your Majesty, we will obey your decree." All arrogance was gone.

Meng Qingci was not a bloodthirsty person and did not want to go to such extremes, but she did not expect Cui Lingyi to come to her today. If she wanted to establish her authority, she could not back down in the slightest, nor could she hide behind Fu Heng and ask him to make decisions for her.

She had to personally wield the sword to warn everyone: from now on, many decrees would originate from her imperial edicts. The Empress's position was to be inviolable and beyond question!

In the face of this corrupt and deeply rooted social order, empty talk about benevolence and morality is futile. She is not foolish enough to seek equality for all and believe that truth, goodness and beauty can change the world in this old order where clans stand side by side.

In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary; violence must be used to control violence, and the guilty must be made an example of. Fu Heng established his dynasty through military might, so she must use the same iron fist, employing swift and decisive methods to carve out her own path to power at the beginning of this new dynasty!

After finishing his business, Meng Qingci walked straight into the Imperial Study without looking back. The palace servants on both sides seemed to be used to it, and none of them dared to stop him.

Deputy Steward Liu Yusheng and Xiao Ruizi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Better to die than to die," they thought. The Empress's anger had subsided considerably. They thought to themselves that they had at least saved half their lives today.

Meng Qingci was truly enraged this time. She had originally planned to take it slow and gradually let Gu Yuchen accept the fact that the two of them could no longer be together.

She knew that Gu Yuchen, like herself, possessed a stubborn perseverance and would not easily give up on his convictions. Rather than forcing him to suddenly reveal this cruel truth when he was completely unprepared.

Meng Qingci stopped abruptly before the imperial desk, her beautiful eyes like sharp, tempered blades piercing Fu Heng on the throne: "If Your Majesty truly wanted to know about my relationship with Gu Huaixu, why go to such lengths, resorting to petty tricks and damaging the imperial dignity? You are now His Majesty; with just one decree, how could I disobey? I will grant your wish today, thus sparing you from further suspicion and scheming! My relationship with him..."

Fu Heng: "Stop talking!" He suddenly leaned forward, his hand almost uncontrollably covering her lips. His slender eyes were red, and his heart was pounding like a drum. The suspicion that had gnawed at him day and night, all his carefully planned investigations, had instinctively turned into a bone-deep fear when the truth was within reach: He dared not listen. He was afraid that the answer would completely destroy the fragile relationship that had just been established between them.

Meng Qingci angrily grabbed Fu Heng's hand, coldly staring at Fu Heng's cold, almost instantly pale face: "What? Are you scared? What do you think our relationship is? Haven't you always wanted to know? You even went so far as to scheme against me and him for it. Now that I'm telling you for the first time, you're scared?"

"Qingci, I was wrong." Fu Heng's voice trembled with a hint of embarrassment, even revealing a plea that he himself could hardly detect: "I will never ask about this matter again, okay?"

Meng Qingci, however, refused to let him off the hook and insisted on teaching him a lesson: "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that I'll make up a lie to spite you, and you won't be able to verify it? Or are you afraid that if I tell the truth, you'll lose control in your anger and do something irreversible, only to regret it later? Fu Heng, how come you've lived this long and haven't been killed by your paranoia? You really have a long life!"

A fleeting blush of embarrassment crossed Fu Heng's cold, hard features. He pressed his thin lips together, reached out again to cover her mouth, his forehead against hers, his long eyelashes lowered, and he lowered his eyes guiltily, not daring to meet her gaze: "I know I was wrong... Qingci, please forgive me this time?"

Meng Qingci's eyes turned cold, and she opened her mouth and bit down hard on his tiger's mouth. Fu Heng groaned, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed, but he didn't move an inch, letting her vent her anger, as if the physical pain could alleviate some of the torment in his heart.

Only when the metallic, metallic taste filled her mouth did she relent, saying hatefully, "Ha, I'll forgive you this time, and then I'll forgive you again, time and time again. Since you've made your choice, you should know the consequences. Isn't that what you taught me?"

Meng Qingci gazed intently at Fu Heng, seemingly without mistaking the obvious: "He and I have been childhood sweethearts, our feelings for each other are deep and profound. I have admired him for many years, and my devotion remains unchanged. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

"Isn't that what you guessed?" She raised her face, her eyes filled with a desperate madness. "Do you want to kill him right now? Let me tell you, Fu Heng, if you lay a finger on him, I will not live on!"

Fu Heng's breath caught in his throat. It felt as if a red-hot blade had pierced his chest, the pain making his vision blur and almost causing him to lose his balance. His eyes, as dark as an abyss, suddenly boiled over, churning with a sinister storm.

Yet a broken plea escaped his lips, and he murmured softly, as if trying to convince himself, his voice hoarse and almost shattered: "Stop talking, Qingci, you're lying to me. You're just too angry, you're just saying things out of anger, you just want to make me angry?"

"Fu Heng, everything you wanted has come true. Are you happy now?" Meng Qingci sneered, "You have an excuse to kill him. Then I die, and it will all be over. Everyone will be happy."

Fu Heng's eyes grew even redder as he held Meng Qingci tightly in his arms, growling almost maniacally, "I told you to stop talking!"

Fu Heng seized her red lips that wouldn't let go of him, as if to punish her, or perhaps to comfort himself. His heart felt like it was being torn apart. He knew she was deliberately provoking him, but he couldn't help thinking about her words.

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Author's Note: This story is one step closer to its finale, time to wrap it up!

Please add my upcoming novel, "The Little Tavern Across from the Ministry of Justice," to your favorites.

Modern detective Yang Fei travels back to the Ming Dynasty and, relying on her winemaking skills, opens a tavern and becomes a wine seller.

It just so happens that Yang's tavern is located opposite the Ministry of Justice. One case today, another tomorrow, and Madam Yang would crack melon seeds, sip her wine, and casually guess the details of the cases.

Amazing! He was right every time he guessed a case, and became famous far and wide for his uncanny ability to solve cases.

Yang Fei: Huh~~ Isn't her mother a widow? Why is the emperor so eager to be her father?

Wine selling, gourmet food, crime solving, romance, lighthearted, everyday life, farming, family matters

CP: A dashing wine-selling lady × A vice minister of the Ministry of Justice & a cold-blooded commander of the Imperial Guard

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