Chapter 105 Complaint
The Imperial Study.
Pei Yan sat behind his desk, the memorials piled up like a small mountain in front of him, but he couldn't read a single word.
Xie Nu'er was still on his mind, making him restless.
Just then, Desheng came in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Princess of Jianing requests an audience outside the palace! She speaks of a matter concerning her life and safety, and even more so... the dignity of the royal family. She implores Your Majesty to uphold justice!"
Pei Yan's brows furrowed sharply!
"Speak!" He waved his hand irritably, his voice filled with impatience.
The palace gates opened.
Xie Sangning walked in.
She wasn't dressed up today, only in a simple moon-white palace dress. Her face was pale, with faint dark circles under her eyes, and her hair was slightly disheveled, showing signs that she had left in a hurry.
She exuded an aura of being shaken, weak, and sickly.
Upon entering the hall, she bowed deeply to Pei Yan behind the imperial desk, her voice trembling slightly and choked with suppressed sobs.
"Your Majesty, I, Xie Sangning, kowtow to you! I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice!"
Pei Yan looked at her pitiful appearance and a strange feeling crossed his heart.
Xie Sangning, who is usually so strong and resolute, what could have driven her to this state?
"What's the commotion? Get up and speak!" Pei Yan's voice remained cold.
Xie Sangning did not get up; instead, she lowered herself even further, her shoulders trembling slightly, as if suppressing immense fear and grievance.
"Your Majesty... Just now! While I was recuperating at home, someone dressed as a palace maid forced their way into the inner quarters of the General's Mansion! They claimed to be acting on the orders of the Second Princess and wanted to invite me to the mansion!"
"I was still recovering from a cold and feared I might pass on my illness to Your Highness, so I politely declined... But who knew... who knew that palace maid would suddenly become so vicious! She tried to force her way in and kidnap me!!"
"This is clearly an attempt to sow discord between me and the Second Princess! I know that the Second Princess is a princess of the nation, His Majesty's most beloved daughter. She would never do something so thoughtless and impulsive, disregarding the greater good! Therefore, I have come to report to His Majesty that there are treacherous people causing trouble!"
"What?!"
Pei Yan sat bolt upright, his face instantly turning ashen! Forcibly breaking into the General's mansion? Attempting to kidnap the county princess?! And under Pei Mingyue's name?!
"If it weren't for...if it weren't for my maidservant who fought desperately to stop me, I would probably be dead or alive right now!"
She sniffed, as if only then remembering the key point, and quickly added, "Those people have been subdued by my maids and are currently outside the palace! Your Majesty... if Your Majesty does not believe me, you may interrogate them yourself!"
She paused, her tone becoming heavy and filled with grief and indignation:
"Your Majesty! It is a small matter that I have been humiliated! But if people really misunderstand and think that it was the Second Princess who did this, then it will be terrible! My father is far away in the Northwest, guarding the border for the country and fighting bloody battles. In every letter home, he expresses his gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness and vows to defend the border to the death!"
"If he knew that his only daughter was being bullied and humiliated by the Second Princess right under the Emperor's nose in the capital, outside His Majesty's palace! How heartbroken would my father be with his fervent loyalty?! If... if this brooding over it affects the military affairs in the Northwest... I... I would be guilty beyond redemption, Your Majesty!"
boom--!
She's threatening me!
He instantly understood the scheming and threat hidden behind Xie Sangning's frightened demeanor!
She's using Xie Zhenting! She's using hundreds of thousands of elite border troops in the Northwest to put pressure on him!
Pei Yan's face turned from green to red, then from red to purple, his chest heaving violently. He slammed his hand on the imperial desk!
"Bang--!"
The enormous sound made the entire imperial study vibrate!
"Bring them in! I want to see who's so reckless as to dare sow discord!"
At this time, Pei Yan was still very confident, believing that his daughter could not possibly be that stupid.
But when those people were led inside, Pei Yan felt dizzy and his vision went black.
Pei Mingyue—!!
"This wretched creature! This wretched creature! How could I have given birth to such a lawless being?!"
He was trembling with rage, pointing towards the palace gate and roaring at Desheng:
"By imperial decree! The Second Princess, Pei Mingyue, is unruly and has repeatedly defied admonition! Ignoring the confinement order, she secretly sent her henchmen to forcibly enter a minister's residence, plotting treason and showing contempt for imperial authority—her crimes are unforgivable!!"
She truly has no idea how difficult her situation is! And she's only making things worse!
Pei Yan's every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth:
"Effective immediately, a further year's salary will be deducted! The confinement period will be extended by six months! During the confinement period, no one is allowed to visit without my decree! The expenses of the Princess's residence will be halved!"
"Tell her again! If it happens again—"
"Demoted to commoner status!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Desheng bowed and accepted the order, then quickly walked backward to deliver it, but his face was full of pride as he lowered his head.
Look, this is his eldest daughter! So intelligent!
Xie Sangning remained kneeling on the ground, bowing deeply once more:
"Your Majesty is truly astounded... I never imagined that this person was actually the Second Princess's man... However, Your Majesty's wisdom and compassion have upheld justice for me! I am deeply grateful!"
Looking at the seemingly weak and helpless woman on the ground, who was actually as cunning as the sea, Pei Yan felt a deep sense of powerlessness and disgust welling up in his heart.
He waved his hand impatiently, not wanting to say another word.
"Alright! Step down! Go back and rest and recover! Remember, this is a personal grudge between you and the princess!"
"It is a personal grudge, I shall take my leave." Xie Sangning slowly rose and retreated from the Imperial Study.
After leaving the Imperial Study, Xie Sangning smiled, wondering what Pei Mingyue's expression would be when the imperial decree arrived at the Second Princess's residence. It was a pity she wouldn't be able to see it.
The Second Princess's Residence.
Pei Mingyue paced restlessly in the hall, imagining Xie Sangning's panicked and pathetic appearance after being brought here, kneeling and begging for mercy. A hint of excitement appeared on her face.
Soon... Soon we'll be able to teach that bitch a lesson!
Xie Sangning will soon know what happens when you offend me!
Upon thinking of this, Pei Mingyue couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Bai Qing stood to the side with her head down, her mind racing.
Just then, Desheng entered with two imperial guards.
Desheng cleared his throat:
"His Majesty's oral decree—!"
Pei Mingyue immediately knelt down, her face full of surprise!
Is Father Emperor about to lift her confinement?
She knew it! Her father loved her the most! How could he have kept her locked up for so long!
After the imperial decree is read, I'll find Eunuch Desheng to file a complaint and have him put a bad word about Xie Sangning in front of the Emperor!
"Princess Pei Mingyue is eccentric and has repeatedly violated palace rules! Despite being under house arrest, she has not only failed to repent but has become even more outrageous! She even dared to send her henchmen to break into the residence of the General of the State, intending to abduct the current county princess!"
"Disregarding imperial authority and national laws! Their actions are despicable, and their intentions are utterly reprehensible!"
"By imperial decree: the princess's salary for one year is forfeited! The period of confinement is extended by another six months! During the confinement period, no one is allowed to visit her without my written order! All expenses of the princess's residence are to be reduced by half! So be it!"
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