Lin Yun sat upright on the chaise longue, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, her gaze calm and serene.
Lin Yun specially arranged for someone to escort Yuan Chun back to Jinling, after all, she was Daiyu's cousin, and this was a small courtesy that had to be shown.
"Your Majesty, Miss Lin requests an audience," a palace maid whispered.
Lin Yun nodded slightly. A moment later, Daiyu walked in hurriedly, her face pale and her eyes filled with shame and unease.
As soon as she entered, she knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I... am ashamed to face you."
Lin Yun sighed softly, stood up and helped her up: "Yu'er, this matter has nothing to do with you, why blame yourself?"
Daiyu looked up, tears welling in her eyes: "Sister Yuanchun is my cousin. She did such a foolish thing. I am truly... truly ashamed."
Lin Yun pulled her hand and sat her down, saying softly, "People's hearts are unpredictable. Why punish yourself for other people's mistakes?"
I sent her back, which was already a lenient punishment out of consideration for you. According to palace rules, she would have already…
She didn't finish her sentence, but Daiyu understood what she meant, and felt even heavier in her heart.
“Your Majesty,” Daiyu said in a low voice, “Last time, my aunt asked me to plead for Sister Yuanchun, but I did not agree. Now that I think about it, it turns out they had planned this all along. I… am ashamed of failing Your Majesty’s trust.”
Lin Yun shook her head: "You don't need to feel guilty. I know your character; you would never do such a thing. It's your aunt who's a bit too cunning."
Daiyu smiled bitterly: "My aunt has always been like this, always thinking about climbing up to the powerful and wealthy, but she doesn't know that some paths, if taken wrongly, lead to an abyss."
Lin Yun patted the back of her hand: "Let's leave it at that, you don't need to mention it again. As for your marriage with Hongtun, I have already sent someone to your father, and I expect to hear back soon."
Daiyu blushed slightly and nodded gently: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
---
Jinling · Jia Mansion
Grandmother Jia sat in the main seat of Rongqing Hall, her cane striking the ground heavily with a dull thud.
Madam Wang knelt on the ground, her face pale, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Foolish! Utterly foolish!" Grandmother Jia shouted angrily. "Yuan Chun has been well-behaved in the palace for many years, and now you've instigated her to seduce the Emperor? Are you trying to ruin her, or the entire Jia family!"
Madam Wang pleaded in a trembling voice, "Grandma, I just want Yuan Chun to have a way out. She's getting old, and if she falls out of favor, what will become of her in the future..."
"A way out?" Grandmother Jia sneered. "Your so-called way out is to let her anger the Empress and seek her own death? Do you know that if the Empress hadn't shown mercy out of consideration for Yu'er, Yuan Chun would probably be dead by now!"
Lady Wang was speechless and could only prostrate herself on the ground and weep.
Grandmother Jia took a deep breath, suppressing her anger: "From today onwards, you are confined to your quarters for six months. Without my permission, you are not to step out of the courtyard! Feng'er will temporarily manage the affairs of the mansion."
Madam Wang suddenly looked up: "Old lady, this..."
"What? You think the punishment is too lenient?" Grandmother Jia interrupted her coldly. "If it weren't for Zheng'er's sake, I would have sent you to the family temple today!"
Madam Wang immediately fell silent, and could only kowtow with tears in her eyes: "Daughter-in-law...accepts the punishment."
Grandmother Jia closed her eyes wearily and waved her hand: "Go down."
After Lady Wang left, Grandmother Jia sighed deeply and said to Yuanyang beside her, "Yu'er finally gained a foothold in the palace, but she was almost dragged down by this foolish woman. I'm afraid my old bones can't protect them for much longer..."
Yuanyang quickly comforted her, "Grandma, please take care of yourself. Miss Lin is exceptionally intelligent, and with Her Majesty the Empress's protection, she will surely be safe and sound."
Grandmother Jia smiled wryly: "I hope so."
---
Wang Xifeng's room
Wang Xifeng sat at the table, holding a newly written letter in her hand, her brows furrowed.
Ping'er brought over a cup of tea and asked softly, "Grandma, is something troubling you?"
Wang Xifeng handed her the letter: "Take a look, how well did I write this letter?"
Ping'er took the letter, quickly glanced through it, and exclaimed in surprise, "Grandma, are you going to plead for Yuan Chun?"
Wang Xifeng sneered, "Plead for mercy? I'm just trying to save my own life! Yuan Chun has made a grave mistake, the Old Madam is furious, and Madam is under house arrest. I'm the one in charge of the household now. But if the Empress takes her anger out on the Jia family because of this, can I still hold onto my position as the matriarch?"
Ping'er hesitated and said, "But what about Miss Lin..."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes: "Yu'er is soft-hearted. If I use the excuse of helping Yuan Chun atone for her sins to ask her to introduce me to the Empress, perhaps I can still salvage the situation. Besides, I didn't dare to say much when I entered the palace last time. If I can gain the Empress's favor this time, wouldn't that be a tremendous opportunity?"
Ping'er said worriedly, "But what if Her Majesty doesn't like it..."
Wang Xifeng waved her hand to interrupt her: "Fortune favors the bold! The Jia family is declining day by day. If we don't seize this opportunity, what future will we have?"
She sealed the letter and handed it to Ping'er: "Send someone to deliver this to the capital by fast horse, and make sure it is personally handed to Yu'er."
---
A few days later, Daiyu received a letter from Wang Xifeng.
She sat alone by the window, her fingertips gently stroking the letter, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
In the letter, Wang Xifeng spoke earnestly, first apologizing on behalf of Lady Wang and Yuan Chun, and then subtly suggesting that Daiyu could introduce her to the Empress so that she could have the opportunity to "make amends for her sins."
"Second sister-in-law, oh second sister-in-law..." Daiyu murmured softly, "Do you really want to help Sister Yuanchun, or are you seeking personal gain?"
She closed her eyes, and the image of Wang Xifeng's shrewd and calculating nature flashed through her mind, leaving her feeling utterly exhausted.
If I tell my godmother about this, what will she think? Will she think the Jia family is greedy and insatiable?
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