Although everyone was thinking like this, certain things might be in your thoughts, but uttering them out loud was unthinkable. For instance, Mu Houchu’s ambition was known to all in Yu State, but could he publicize his intention to seize the throne?
Song Yalin bit her lip, choosing silence in the end.
A sense of satisfaction flashed in Shulan’s eyes and she raised her head high and said loudly, "Concubine Song should be aware that even though His Highness’s fate is unclear, within this royal mansion the princess naturally holds the highest status. A mere side consort, to put it plainly, is just a concubine. Even if she’s carrying a child, she’s still just a concubine with a child. Our royal mansion has always been rigid in enforcing rules. If a real mistake is committed, regardless of whether you’re pregnant or your life is at risk, the deserved punishment will still be meted out."
Song Yalin was infuriated to the core. This girl was simply ludicrous!
"All right, Concubine Song, please accept your punishment," Shulan said.
Song Yalin ground her teeth, "I am with child, and this might be His Highness’s only posthumous child. Even the princess can’t ...."
Shulan blinked, "Even the princess can’t do what? Are you confused, Concubine Song? Currently, the most respected person in all of Yu State is the princess. With the news of His Highness’s death reaching us, the princess takes on the dominant role, and her word in Yu State equals imperial orders. What? You dare to question?"
"You!"
Shulan let out a short humph, "Concubine Song, it would be best if you knew your place. You are just a minor concubine. Do you really think that being pregnant makes you some sort of beloved treasure? It’s not even certain yet if you can give birth safely."
Song Yalin suddenly felt chills going down her spine. She realized that she had underestimated Ji Xinhe. She thought Ji Xinhe was at least someone who would play by the rules, but this woman was completely playing out of left field!
Everyone should know that she was carrying Mu Houchu’s posthumous child. By all rights, upon her arrival in Yu State, she should be treated like a living Bodhisattva. Yet Ji Xinhe dared to publicly order her to kneel at the gate! Even if Ji Xinhe was currently the one in control of Yu State, did she really not fear being drowned in people’s disapproval by acting so willfully?!
"Kneel down now!" Shulan ordered sternly.
Song Yalin bit her lip and said in a cold voice, "I can kneel, but if it affects my health and the child inside me in any way, the princess will have to bear the responsibility!"
Her words carried a hint of threat.
However, Shulan seemed not to care at all, responding, "If something happens to your child, it just means you are not capable. What does it have to do with our princess? So what if it’s a child born of a concubine? How valuable can that be? If you can give birth, that’s the child’s fortune; if you can’t, that’s his bad luck!"
At these words, Song Yalin almost froze on the spot, her face turning ashen.
Ji Xinhe really dared.
Song Yalin looked back at the crowd who were watching, as if she was hoping someone would stand up for justice. Seeing her turning around, all the onlookers immediately dispersed or avoided her eyes, acting as if they couldn’t see the punishment Ji Xinhe had meted out.
It wasn’t that no one felt wronged on her behalf, but none dared to voice it, as everyone in Yu State now knew who was the true power holder. No one was willing to go against the tide.
The emperor and Song Yalin had always thought of Ji Xinhe as an ordinary woman, a mere appendage to Mu Houchu. They didn’t realize that Ji Xinhe had never been simply Mu Houchu’s woman in Yu State, but truly held substantial power.
With this power, "acting recklessly" wouldn’t provoke any complaints. She was no longer the previous woman who was as adrift as duckweed. Now, her power radiated from within; it was impossible for Song Yalin to surpass her.
Song Yalin gritted her teeth and finally had to kneel down because she must enter this gate. She must safely give birth to this child, as this was her final bargaining chip.
The crowd watching the play from outside did not refrain themselves from whispering.
"The Princess Pingyang is indeed ruthless, forcing Concubine Song to kneel outside the mansion without any regards about if it affects the child."
"The Princess must be hoping for the child to be miscarried! Tsk, tsk, the Prince hasn’t taken on any consorts for six years. It seems there’s a reason. The princess being so fierce and jealous cannot even stand Concubine Song, let alone others."
"It’s yet unknown how this issue will be resolved, but it seems that Concubine Song is in bad luck."
The crowd’s comments were not pleasant to hear. Rumors of Ji Xinhe’s jealousy and ruthless tactics spread quickly, but she seemed unconcerned. After hearing Shulan report what was happening outside, she calmly said, "Don’t interfere too much. Outsiders might think it’s just a rivalry between women. She’s already been lucky to be treated like this. Isn’t that what we want? What’s the harm if my reputation is ruined a bit? As long as common people still believe in the Royal Mansion of Pingyang and believe in Mu Houchu, that would be enough."
As for the fact that Mu Houchu had married a jealous and cruel wife, it might be a topic of conversation for common people, but they wouldn’t think too much of it.
"So, how do you plan to deal with Song Yalin? She has been kneeling outside for half an hour now. If she really kneels there for one or two hours, I fear she might not be able to protect her child," Shulan said.
Xin He chuckled coldly, "Don’t worry. Do you think she would risk her child’s life? This child is currently her protective shield."
Having said that, she paused for a moment before frowning. "However, who is truly the father of the child in Song Yalin’s stomach? Or is it all fake?"
Shulan said, "According to the news gathered by Xiaochaihuo, Song Yalin is truly pregnant. But who the child’s biological father is, is unknown. After all, she was captured by the Rouyi Army and was..."
The rest of the sentence was lost, but Ji Xinhe knew what she meant and nodded, "I see. Let her continue to kneel. After being passive for so long, it’s time for us to take control."
"Yes!"
Half an hour passed and Song Yalin became increasingly anxious. Her knees were about to shatter from kneeling, beads of sweat began to form on her forehead, and she could barely hold up physically. As a delicate lady, how could she kneel for such a long time?
Now she was only worried about whether the child in her stomach could endure.
"I can’t go on kneeling. Otherwise, if anything happens to the child, what will happen?" Song Yalin said angrily.
Her attendant also looked very concerned and said, "Indeed, you can’t kneel any longer."
"What should I do then?"
The attendant replied, "Find a place to rest first, and let me return to His Majesty to decide what to do next."
Eventually, Song Yalin left the gate of the Royal Mansion of Pingyang.
Subsequently, she rested in an inn in Lian’an Town.
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