The Emperor was startled by Ziwei's gaze. He was familiar with that look; after all, there were so many women in the harem, and many of them were pitiful, vulnerable concubines. But Ziwei was just a palace maid. Aside from that one night playing chess with her, there seemed to be nothing between them. Why was she looking at him like that?
The Empress noticed Ziwei's expression and glanced at the Emperor with a mocking look. As if sensing something, the Emperor shuddered.
"Your Majesty, I don't care how much you spoil Xiao Yanzi, but a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. I don't want to see this commotion," the Empress Dowager coldly retorted. She especially noticed Ziwei's affectionate gaze and gave a cold snort. The Empress Dowager thought Ziwei was the kind of person who wanted to climb the social ladder, and that was the kind of person she despised most.
"Your son understands." The Emperor breathed a slight sigh of relief.
When he looked at them again, the Emperor put on a solemn expression. "Fu Erkang disrespected the Princess, so he is to be fined half a year's salary, receive fifty strokes of the cane, and go home to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion for three months. He is not to be summoned to the palace for three months." He treated them as if they were on probation. If the Fu family really had other intentions, then he could not keep them around.
Fu Erkang hurriedly defended himself, saying that fifty strokes of the cane were a minor matter, and a deduction in salary was nothing. The real problem was that he couldn't enter the palace for three months; what would happen to Ziwei then? "I was worried that Ziwei might suffer some hardship, and that Princess Huanzhu would be heartbroken. After all, I am under His Majesty's orders to protect everyone in Shufangzhai. Moreover, Princess Huanzhu specifically asked me to look after Ziwei today. It was an unintentional mistake!"
Good heavens, you can call it an unintentional mistake if you talk back to the princess. Then what if you kill the emperor? Would you also call it an unintentional mistake?
The Emperor was once again filled with regret for issuing the decree too soon. "As a subject, you have committed a grave error by disrespecting the Princess and showing no regard for rank. How dare you claim it was unintentional? I see there is nothing left to protect in Shufangzhai. From this day forward, there will be no more Four Guards. Men and women should be kept separate, and you had better refrain from loitering in my harem." The Emperor's words were quite severe.
Even Consort Ling, who had initially remained seated calmly to the side, immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness. The Emperor also turned his face away, refusing to look at Consort Ling again. It was only after the Empress Dowager spoke up that Consort Ling was allowed to sit back down in her chair.
Yongqi was inwardly groaning. This meant he wouldn't have the opportunity to openly enter and leave Shufangzhai anymore. After all, they were still outwardly siblings, bound by strict separation between men and women.
Ertai, standing behind Yongqi, silently breathed a sigh of relief. He had long wanted to leave the Four Guards, fearing that he might cause some terrible disaster by following Xiaoyanzi and the others. Now that he had someone he loved, he didn't want to get involved in such matters. He needed to work hard to become worthy of the bright moon he loved.
Fu Erkang was dumbfounded again. He muttered to himself, as if to say that this shouldn't be the case.
Benjamin wasn't present when he heard the news, and when he did, it was like a bolt from the blue.
The Emperor then looked at Ziwei kneeling on the ground. He was utterly perplexed. Earlier, when he played chess with Ziwei in the Shufangzhai, he had thought her to be a woman of great understanding and composure. How could she have committed such a foolish act today? Her crime was unforgivable. "All servants and instructors of the Shufangzhai shall learn etiquette for three months. Ziwei shall copy the palace rules 100 times and be fined one month's salary. She shall be confined to the Shufangzhai for one month."
He then turned to look at Anke, who was sitting quietly beside him. Then, he put on a kind and amiable face and said, "An'an, do you think your cousin has made you angry? If so, tell your royal uncle, and your royal uncle will punish him for you."
“No, Fifth Brother has always been on An’an’s side. Uncle Emperor, there’s no need to pursue Fifth Brother’s mistakes.” An Ke blinked.
If the Fifth Prince hadn't sided with her, she would have excluded him from her familial bonds. Fortunately, he did.
"It's only right for a brother to protect his sister." The Empress Dowager was also pleased with such things. Sibling affection was how things should be; just think of Xiao Yanzi from Shufangzhai. She had no manners whatsoever of a princess, it was utterly improper. According to the servants, Princess Huanzhu often shouted the Fifth Prince's name outside. If the Emperor hadn't issued an edict in the palace saying that Princess Huanzhu didn't need to learn etiquette, she herself would have sent Granny Gui to properly teach her manners.
“Yes, they all grew up together. Naturally, they are closer to each other than the other princesses and princes,” the Empress chimed in.
And indeed, that was the case. From the moment An Ke entered the palace, it was the Fifth Prince who always took her to the Imperial Study and made her run and jump around the palace. Their status was also noble, and basically no one dared to offend them. An Ke was very lively as a child, thanks to the Fifth Prince's influence. Even the servants around the Fifth Prince were very familiar with and close to Princess Yong'an.
The Emperor nodded with great pleasure, then turned to look at Ertai, who stood helplessly to the side. Ertai truly didn't know what to do; his mind was a jumbled mess, as if he'd been punched hard, leaving him dazed. Afraid of being caught in the crossfire, he tried his best to minimize his presence.
"And what about Fu Ertai?" the Emperor asked coldly. It wasn't directed at An Ke, but at Fu Ertai. If An Ke said that both Fu brothers had embarrassed her, then the Fu family would also face the same fate today. The Emperor's eyes instantly turned cold and dangerous.
Anke: Good heavens! If the acting skills of those people from the palace were applied to modern times, wouldn't they all be movie stars? Wouldn't they be able to sweep up all the Oscars, Hundred Flowers Awards, and Golden Rooster Awards?
Inside the palace, I truly experienced the saying that changing faces is as easy as turning the pages of a book. I used to think that what was written in books was an exaggeration. Now, I finally understand the atmosphere of "when the emperor is angry, millions of corpses float in the water."
“Speaking of the second young master of the Fu family,” An Ke paused slightly. The expressions of those around her varied. The Emperor waited for An Ke to continue. Consort Ling, meanwhile, twisted her handkerchief nervously, her breathing rapid. The Empress Dowager seemed to be enjoying Consort Ling's misfortune. The Empress Dowager's expression was unreadable. Fu Ertai even nervously swallowed.
[Ertai: No way, no way, will this get me involved? It's okay if it does, but will An'an have a better impression of me? (＞﹏＜)]
Fu Lun: ...Love-obsessed! Now that you two are in trouble, have you even thought about what will happen to the Fu family? ?_?
Emperor: What to do? Let's play a nine-generation clan elimination game! ?(? ? ??)】
“An’an doesn’t think they’re a family at all. Everyone says that the eldest young master Fu is learned and talented, and treats people with kindness. But everyone says that the second young master Fu doesn’t have any great talents. But in An’an’s opinion, Fu Erkang is clearly a volatile, irritable, and capricious person. Learned and talented? I don’t see it. He’s certainly mastered that master-servant theory.” An Ke said with no attempt to hide her sarcasm.
If Lord Furen isn't an idiot, he should have realized from today's events that they shouldn't value him anymore, allowing Fu Erkang to speak recklessly and disrespectfully in the palace. As for Fu Ertai, with proper guidance, he might very well achieve great things.
"You, you're spouting nonsense! I, Fu Erkang, am truly talented. Otherwise, how could I have gained the Emperor's favor and become an Imperial Guard?" Erkang, having been utterly disgraced, was naturally furious. Ignoring the presence of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, he pointed directly at Princess Yong'an. If looks could kill, Princess Yong'an would probably have been stabbed hundreds of times by Fu Erkang.
Anke: Crazy! Is "Imperial Bodyguard" such a prestigious title? How come he describes him as second only to the Emperor, above all others? You know, there are many Imperial Bodyguards, not just Fu Erkang. He used to act all high and mighty, like he was some kind of big shot. As if being an Imperial Bodyguard meant he had his head on the top of his head.
The Emperor sighed again, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He didn't want to admit that this was his personal guard. He wasn't so bad at judging people.
[A Furen man, sitting at home, suddenly finds himself in trouble: Why does it feel like someone is subtly criticizing me? (???.???)????]
"Outrageous! The Fu family is truly well-mannered. Do they think that just because they are imperial guards, they can disrespect the princess?" The Empress Dowager angrily slammed her hand on the armrest of her seat.
Er Kang seemed to only then come to his senses, and then apologized profusely. It's such a pity he doesn't go into acting.
"Since you keep bringing up the term 'Imperial Guard,' then I'm dismissing you from your post. You no longer need to serve before the Emperor. Just stay outside and guard the Qianqing Palace." After hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the Emperor felt that Fu Erkang had been too presumptuous. It was time to teach them a lesson.
The Imperial Guards and the Guards of the Qianqing Palace were essentially on the same level. After all, the Imperial Guards served right under the Emperor's nose, while the Guards of the Qianqing Palace were no different from ordinary guards, except that their responsibilities were greater, as they were responsible for protecting the Emperor's safety.
Fu Erkang seemed to realize the seriousness of his problem at this moment, and once again begged for forgiveness. But the Emperor was already impatient.
The weather was already hot, and the cicadas in the trees were chirping incessantly, making it even more irritating. Even the clattering of pots and pans from the imperial kitchen was extremely grating. The fact that the Emperor was sitting there, waiting for them to explain themselves, was already a great act of mercy. Now, seeing Fu Erkang's pathetic state only fueled his anger. He had no patience for their explanations and immediately waved his hand, ordering the guards to drag Fu Erkang away and execute him.
The Empress gave Rong Momo a wink. Rong Momo immediately understood and summoned two maids to help Ziwei, who was still kneeling on the ground in shock, to her feet. She then led Ziwei to Shufangzhai to convey the Emperor's decree.
The Emperor also sent a messenger to Shufangzhai to convey his decree.
After those who deserved punishment had left, the emperor felt somewhat relieved. Those standing nearby, however, remained trembling with fear, lest they inadvertently incur the emperor's wrath.
"Your Majesty, Imperial Uncle, today, Granny Gui was incredibly loyal. She first helped An'an, then advised Ziwei, and even got her arm injured by Fu Erkang because of An'an. An'an feels truly guilty." Anyone can act, right? An'an feigned discomfort, clinging to the Empress Dowager's arm and gently nuzzling it with her head. Her brows were furrowed, and her eyes seemed to convey sorrow.
The Empress Dowager patted An Ke's arm reassuringly. She glanced at the Emperor but remained silent. The Emperor, of course, knew what to do.
"Imperial Physician Hu, is Granny Gui alright?" The Emperor knew exactly what the Empress Dowager was thinking, and immediately seized the opportunity to back down.
Physician Hu had just been watching Fu Erkang, who seemed to have lost his mind, daring to be disrespectful even before the Emperor, and was momentarily astonished. Upon hearing the Emperor's question, he immediately regained his composure and replied diligently, "Fortunately, the Princess summoned me early, and the bone was set very quickly. There's nothing seriously wrong. However, she will need to rest for a while. Apply the plaster I prepared before bed, and she should be fully recovered in less than three days." There wasn't really a problem to begin with. Physician Hu said this because he was afraid that if Granny Gui went to do any work, her arm might dislocate again. By resting for a few days and applying the plaster, then no matter what kind of work she did, even heavy work, she wouldn't dislocate or fracture it again.
"Then let it be as you say." Upon hearing this, the Emperor approved of Granny Gui's loyal and devoted behavior. Indeed, she was an old servant who had served the Empress Dowager. "Furthermore, Granny Gui shall be rewarded with three months' salary."
"This servant kowtows to express her gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor. Long live the Emperor!" Granny Gui put down the sheep stomach pouch in her hand, supporting herself with her right hand with her left. She knelt respectfully on the ground to express her thanks.
Seeing this, An quickly stepped forward and helped Granny Gui up. "Xingxing, help Granny Gui back first, and then assign two clever and capable palace maids to look after her."
"Yes!" Upon hearing her master's order, Xingxing immediately came to take over the position of her princess.
Granny Gui was moved to tears, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, but An Ke quickly stopped her. An Ke naturally knew that it was nothing more than some words of gratitude.
The matter was mostly resolved. The Emperor was about to return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to review the memorials.
"Uncle, please wait a moment." An Ke quickly walked to the imperial kitchen and brought out the cold noodles she had made. "I wonder if Uncle has eaten yet? If not, why not try the cold noodles I made?" An Ke said ingratiatingly.
Li Yu naturally understood the Emperor's thoughts, and immediately put the Emperor's bowl into the food box, holding it in his hand.
"Very well, I am also grateful to the Empress Dowager for being able to taste An'an's homemade delicacies again." The Emperor's words made the two of them very happy.
Before leaving, the Emperor patted Fu Ertai on the shoulder again. "Fortunately, Fu Lun has raised a good son." With that, he left with a meaningful look on his face.
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