As Prince Duan’s words fell, many nodded in agreement, looking at Ms. Zhuo and the Zhuo family with sympathy, while casting a hint of accusation towards Yang Mengchen.
Since ancient times, people have sympathized with the weak, and Yang Mengchen was well aware of this. However, she chose to ignore it and instead glanced subtly at the Emperor, keenly catching a flash of sharpness in his eyes. Although she could not fathom the Emperor’s thoughts, the Royal Grandmother and Sister Jin had shared many secrets with her, allowing her to guess the Emperor’s intentions to some extent after a moment’s thought.
Squeezing Long Xuanmo’s hand to signal that he need not worry, Yang Mengchen turned to look at Master Zhuo and said indifferently, "May I ask how old Ms. Zhuo is this year?"
"Replying to Princess Chen, Meimei is seventeen years old this year," Master Zhuo answered truthfully, not understanding why Yang Mengchen would ask such a question.
"It seems Ms. Zhuo is even a few months older than I am," Yang Mengchen nodded. "Usually, girls of this age are already married and even mothers. Yet you insist Ms. Zhuo is too young to understand things, which is rather interesting."
Realizing the implication of Yang Mengchen’s words, Master Zhuo and the Zhuo family deeply regretted their words. Unless under special circumstances, girls would marry after reaching adulthood, and it was not uncommon for girls to marry at thirteen or fourteen. Meimei had delayed marriage due to her admiration for Prince Chen, and now they were claiming Meimei was too young to understand things, which was clearly self-defeating.
Prince Duan’s complexion also changed, suffering silently, but the greater blow was yet to come.
Yang Mengchen’s expression was stern, her gaze sharp, and her words piercing: "Tonight was meant to host distinguished guests from four countries. The significance of this need not be explained by me. However, Ms. Zhuo recklessly disrupted the banquet, causing Dongchu Country to lose face completely, for this, she is at fault one;
As Princess Chen, a member of the royal family, I represent the dignity of the royal family. Ms. Zhuo blatantly demanded that I perform in public, which is a clear contempt for royal dignity, for this, she is at fault two;
Master Zhuo, as a veteran official of three dynasties, should share the worries of my father, the Emperor, and the Imperial Court. Instead of stopping and punishing Ms. Zhuo for her actions that harm the dignity of Dongchu Country, he has chosen to use his seniority to pressure my father, tarnishing my father’s wise name. For this, he is at fault three;
Such disloyal and unrighteous people, according to the law, should be beheaded and their Nine Clans exterminated! Yet you have the audacity to plead for mercy, your hearts are worthy of condemnation!"
Yang Mengchen knew well that Ms. Zhuo and many others present merely scorned and envied her, a peasant girl, for monopolizing Wende. Their goal was to use this opportunity to belittle her as talentless and virtueless, and to probe her limits so they could rightfully move into the Chen Prince Mansion. By then, she would have no recourse.
Regrettably for them, she would not follow their line of thought. Instead, standing on the high ground of national interest and royal authority, she countered assertively and with reason, leaving no room for others to refute. Thus, the initiative naturally fell into her hands.
Of course, she had insightfully realized from the Royal Grandmother and Sister Jin that her father, the Emperor, had long harbored dissatisfaction with Master Zhuo and the Zhuo family. It was only his concern for reputation that had stayed his hand. Now, she would act as the vanguard to eliminate the trouble for her father. freёwebnoѵel.com
Thinking this, Yang Mengchen surreptitiously glanced at the Emperor and indeed saw a hint of satisfaction flash across his eyes, settling her mind.
The crowd, as if receiving sudden enlightenment, looked at the Zhuo family with anger in their eyes.
As Princess Chen said, the night was meant for hosting noble guests from four countries. As an imperial daughter-in-law, if she were truly to perform in public, regardless of whether Princess Chen had the talent or not, it would damage Dong Chu’s national dignity and pride.
They had previously sympathized with the Zhuo family, but now they realized the Zhuo family harbored ill intentions, and they were utterly odious and detestable!
The Emperor secretly heaved a sigh of relief, feeling gratified, yet his face did not betray his feelings.
This Master Zhuo, relying on his status as a veteran official of three dynasties, meddled not only in political affairs but also in his personal life. Unfortunately, the former Emperor’s last words were to treat Master Zhuo kindly. Master Zhuo, cunning and circumspect, never gave anyone a handle against him, making it impossible for the Emperor to deal with him.
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