Consort Rong was punished
Zizhu moved quickly, and after about two incense sticks' worth of time, Tang Feng could faintly hear footsteps coming from the underground palace. Behind Zizhu followed a man dressed in a black, tightly-sleeved robe, a two-finger-wide leather belt around his waist, and a black cloak covering his head. Tang Feng recognized the mask on his face. The moment this man entered, Tang Feng felt a palpable killing intent. Perhaps due to past trauma, Tang Feng involuntarily trembled upon seeing this attire. Zhou Ziliang, standing beside Tang Feng, knew the reason for Tang Feng's momentary loss of composure. He bent down and gently patted Tang Feng's shoulder. "It's alright, don't be afraid, I'm here." The man walked to the Empress Dowager, but did not kneel. Instead, he bowed slightly, pressed one hand to his heart, and greeted her. "Empress Dowager." "Lan Chi, I recall it has been a long time since I have given any orders to the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan." Lan Chi raised his head and removed his mask. "Since the Empress Dowager's passing, you haven't given us any further orders." Tang Feng, seeing the mask removed, finally recognized the man's face: a white beard, a wrinkled face, and a hint of murderous intent in his brows. Though old, his eyes were still piercing. "I haven't given you any orders, so have you seen the Fire Talisman again?" "We don't obey the court. Whoever possesses the Fire Talisman, we obey." The man wasn't afraid of the Empress Dowager. From his words, Tang Feng understood that the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan indeed had no close relationship with the royal family. In other words, they had likely remained because of the Empress Dowager. Tang Feng remembered that the Empress Dowager had entrusted the Fire Talisman to him on her deathbed, and the Empress Dowager, to show her filial piety, placed it in the imperial mausoleum. "Then you haven't acted on your own for many years?"
"Why did we act on our own?" Lan Chi was baffled by Tang Feng's words. The Sixteen Riders of Yanshan didn't care about such things. Originally, they wanted to disband when the Empress Dowager passed away, but due to the intense war and the recent stabilization of the country, they were kept on. Tang Feng also felt he had been somewhat abrupt and bowed slightly. "I apologize, I don't know the reason, I'm just curious. I'd like to ask you another question... Are there any women among the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan?" "Never." Tang Feng frowned, wanting to ask further, but seeing Lan Chi's growing impatience, he gave up. Lan Chi probably guessed the Empress Dowager's purpose in summoning him and cupped his hands, saying, "Regarding the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan, if the Empress Dowager doesn't believe me, you can ask my men. They are all waiting outside the Imperial Mausoleum." The Empress Dowager nodded. "Very well, this matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. It involves not only royal matters but also..." "If we continue to ignore the matter of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan, it will lead to a grave mistake." The Empress Dowager stood up and looked at Lan Chi. "Let's go outside the Imperial Mausoleum and take a look." Tang Feng didn't understand why the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan had arrived so quickly. After being helped up by Zhou Ziliang, he whispered in Zhou Ziliang's ear, "Why did they come so quickly? The Empress Dowager only summoned Lan Chi, why are the others waiting outside as well?" Zhou Ziliang looked at Lan Chi and the Empress Dowager walking ahead, not noticing them, and replied softly, "The Sixteen Riders of Yanshan have been stationed at the Imperial Mausoleum. Perhaps because the Empress Dowager also had the Fire Talisman, they would have stayed here indefinitely without orders." "I see..." Tang Feng looked at Lan Chi walking ahead and couldn't help but feel suspicious. If the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan had been staying at the Imperial Mausoleum, how could someone have obtained the Fire Talisman? He was quite certain that the assassin who tried to kill him was one of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan. If that were the case, could there be a traitor among them? Tang Feng dared not say any further. After all, the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan belonged to Shanghan and were only able to stay in Xiling because of the Empress Dowager's Fire Talisman. If a war was started because of his words, he would definitely feel guilty.
Stepping out of the imperial mausoleum, seven or eight people stood outside. Lan Chi turned to the Empress Dowager and curtsied slightly. "Your Majesty, there are eight people here. The rest are not on duty today. I will summon them if needed." The Empress Dowager walked directly to the group and said sternly, "Remove your masks." The group complied because of Lan Chi. "Since the passing of the Grand Empress Dowager, have you left the mausoleum because of the Fire Talisman?" The group looked at each other and shook their heads. Suddenly, one of them spoke up, "Before... someone came. They were wearing cloaks, so we couldn't see their faces, but from the roof of the mausoleum, it looked like they were returning to Qing'an Palace."
"What orders did you receive?" The Empress Dowager frowned, seemingly thinking of something. The man replied, "Because Lord Lan was away for a few days, we didn't pay much attention. Only a few people went, and the mission was simple: to assassinate someone." Tang Feng suddenly looked up, his breathing becoming rapid and trembling. He asked, "Who?" "It seems to be the son of a historian." Tang Feng took two steps back and looked at Zhou Ziliang. Zhou Ziliang nodded, then bowed and said, "When Xiao Feng fell from his horse that year, we all thought it was suspicious. Given Xiao Feng's personality..." She certainly wouldn't go horseback riding without a reason. Although someone accompanied her, her timid nature would prevent her from going to that remote place in the south of the city. Later, they not only assassinated Xiao Feng in Xiling and Daze, but they also didn't spare her at the border. Xiao Feng has never done anything to betray the royal family in her life. I beg Your Majesty to decide this matter." The Empress Dowager waved her hand, then summoned Zizhu. "Go and summon Consort Rong. Tell her I have something to discuss with her." She then had a chair brought over, and after sitting down, she slowly asked, "You didn't even know who that person was, yet you accepted the mission so easily?"
"So we had disagreements at the time. The Fire Talisman was discovered missing early that morning, and we were all very anxious. We wanted to investigate, but then that person showed up. Lord Lan had always wanted us to stay at the Imperial Mausoleum to guard the Empress Dowager and the Fire Talisman, so some people wanted to go and retrieve it. But others said that since we saw the Fire Talisman, we should acknowledge its holder, and we should agree to whatever they said. However, the fact was that the Fire Talisman was lost, and no one argued too much. So only a few people went. Although the Fire Talisman was lost that day, it returned the next day. Because no one wanted to make a big deal out of it, no one told Lord Lan." After hearing this, the Empress Dowager tapped her dragon-headed cane on the ground repeatedly, making a thumping sound. It was early spring in Xiling, the weather still chilly, and after being outside for so long, Tang Feng's body was starting to give out. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he clung to Zhou Ziliang's arm for support, trying to suppress the discomfort in his chest, but to no avail. "Cough cough cough... Ugh..." Before he could even grab a handkerchief, Tang Feng coughed up blood onto the ground. Zhou Ziliang quickly pulled Tang Feng into his arms, gently patting him to help him catch his breath. "Are you feeling unwell?" The Empress Dowager looked over, frowning. "Why didn't you say you were feeling unwell? How about we leave it at that for today? Let's go back to the palace first. I'll send someone to fetch the imperial physician."
"No!" Tang Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and straightened up. "This matter is very important to me. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me." The Empress Dowager sighed and ordered a servant to bring two more chairs and a cup of brewed tea. Seeing that Tang Feng had been helped to sit down by Zhou Ziliang, she spoke, "It's cold. Drink some hot tea to warm yourself up. You're like this. Haven't you seen a doctor?"
“Xiao Feng has been ill since we got married. She’s seen doctors and taken medicine, but she hasn’t gotten better. She’s also been a burden on Zi Liang, who has to take care of me all this time.” Tang Feng held his teacup, head bowed, his cheeks slightly flushed from coughing. “What did the doctor say?” “The doctor…” Tang Feng glanced at Zhou Zi Liang and continued, “The doctor said… that taking medicine all this time… is fine.” “That’s good. You were weak as a child, and you cried without making a sound. Zhao Nan doesn’t know how to take care of children, so it’s normal that you’re not well. As long as the doctor says it’s nothing serious, then just take good care of yourself.”
Inside Anqing Palace, Consort Rong was kneeling in the shadows, tidying her hair. A maidservant rushed in from the front hall, kneeling and saying, "Your Highness, Miss Zizhu has arrived. She says the Empress Dowager wants to see you at the Imperial Mausoleum." Consort Rong paused, fiddling with her hair ornament, then casually took out some rouge from the table and lightly patted it on her face. "Why would she go to the Imperial Mausoleum for no reason?" "I don't know, Miss Zizhu didn't say anything." Seeing this, Fang Lu walked up to Consort Rong and whispered, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has always been at odds with you. Perhaps... you could decline, citing illness?" Consort Rong helped Fang Lu slowly to her feet. "She is the Empress Dowager, I am a concubine. If I decline, there will be gossip in the palace."
When Rong Ji, supported by Fang Lu, arrived at the imperial mausoleum, she saw the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan standing below the Empress Dowager in the distance, with Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang sitting beside them. A bad feeling crept over her; Tang Feng was probably trying to get the Empress Dowager's support. Rong Ji had previously heard that Tang Feng had been shot through the chest with an arrow, and she had felt somewhat relieved, knowing that Tang Feng was frail and sickly, and such a severe injury would surely kill him. But then a servant reported that the Empress Dowager had saved Tang Feng's life with ginseng pills. Although Rong Ji didn't know why, she knew she was in danger. After all, the Tang Feng before her was no longer the timid and submissive man she once was. "Fang Lu, isn't this a trap?" Fang Lu, listening intently, then whispered to Rong Ji, "Your Majesty, don't worry, this servant will ensure your safety. You will..." "I still need to return to Puyuan," Rong Ji said as she approached the Empress Dowager. Just as she was about to kneel and pay her respects, the Empress Dowager said, "No need for formalities. I summoned you here to ask you some questions." Rong Ji nodded and smiled. "Your Majesty, I will answer without reservation." "Very good." The Empress Dowager took out the fire talisman from her bosom and handed it to Zi Zhu. Zi Zhu walked over and placed it in front of Rong Ji. "Consort Rong, do you know what this is?" Rong Ji shook her head. "Your Majesty, I have never seen this before, so naturally I don't know." "Don't know? You don't know why someone would come with the fire talisman to instruct the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan, and you don't know how someone brought the fire talisman back to your palace!" Although the Empress Dowager didn't show much emotion, her imposing presence made Rong Ji tremble. "It's not impossible that someone is framing me. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
"A thorough investigation?" The Empress Dowager stood up and walked over. "If the investigation leads to you, what will you do then?" Rong Ji didn't know why Tang Feng suddenly sought out the Empress Dowager to dredge up old matters, so he looked at the Empress Dowager with innocent eyes. "Empress Dowager, I am innocent and have nothing to hide. You can investigate in my palace! I have done nothing wrong and am completely innocent." The Empress Dowager seemed to have lost patience with getting Rong Ji to talk. She turned around and said, "Lan Chi, bring your men here and question them one by one. Also, the people in Consort Rong's palace, the thief who stole the fire talisman—you can't see his face, but you can hear his voice, right? Investigate them one by one for me! This matter concerns the face of the royal family and the reputation of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan. You must get to the bottom of this!"
"I did it!" Fang Lu suddenly knelt down and burst into tears. "That day, Young Master Tang went to the palace to ask His Majesty for a marriage decree. On his way back, he accidentally stumbled into the inner palace and caught me having an affair with a guard. Originally... originally I didn't want to do this, but Young Master Tang's father is a high-ranking official. If I really... really told his father, and Tang Taishi is on good terms with His Majesty... then I..." Tang Feng clearly didn't believe him. A palace maid having an affair, even if caught, wasn't a member of the palace. He, the son of an official, had no reason to steal a token to kill him and chase him for years. He then looked at the Empress Dowager but didn't speak. "You did it?"
"It...it was this servant who did it." Seeing Fang Lu bow her head in admission of guilt, the Empress Dowager looked at Rong Ji. "Fang Lu is your personal maid. Does Consort Rong know about this?" "Your Majesty, you don't know! It was all done by this servant alone!" "How dare you! I'm asking Consort Rong, what right do you, a mere servant, have to interrupt!" The Empress Dowager asked again, "Consort Rong, do you know?" "This concubine...this concubine doesn't know." Fang Lu had been with Rong Ji since childhood, and later they married into Yan Yun together. Rong Ji didn't want Fang Lu to be a scapegoat no matter what, but things had come to this point, and this was the only option. "Come here, listen to her voice. Is it her?" The Empress Dowager beckoned to the sixteen riders of Yan Shan standing below. The person who had spoken earlier stepped forward, listened to Fang Lu's words, and nodded. "It's her."
"Listen carefully, this concerns the reputation of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan!" Seeing the Empress Dowager's suspicion, the man quickly lowered his head and said, "It's her. I remember it very clearly. That woman spoke with the accent of the former dynasty's Grand Ruan, and her figure was also very similar. I'm absolutely certain." The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, glanced at Rong Ji, and then sat back down. "Since you've confessed, then let's not talk about anything else. Deal with her as you see fit. Adultery is a small matter, but stealing the token and assassinating the Grand Tutor is a big one. Drag her out and execute her. It's not good to keep such a menace around. Don't you agree, Consort Rong?" Rong Ji looked at Fang Lu being dragged away, gritting her teeth and controlling herself. Controlling her emotions, she bowed to the Empress Dowager. "Thank you, Your Majesty. If it weren't for your clear judgment today, I wouldn't have known there was such a vicious person by my side." "This servant has made a mistake, and your master failed to investigate. You are also guilty. Go back and reflect on your actions in seclusion for two months. Copy the Diamond Sutra once a day and deliver it to me every morning." Rong Ji hurriedly agreed. After being helped up by the palace servants, she was about to leave when the Empress Dowager stopped her. "Consort Rong, your son is a prince of the current dynasty. I can let this matter rest today, but if it happens again in the future, don't blame me for disregarding personal feelings and reporting it to the Emperor."
Tang Feng, understanding the Empress Dowager's meaning, forced himself to stand firm and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding my wishes." The Empress Dowager stroked Tang Feng's cheek, saying with concern, "I sit in this position because there are many things I cannot do. It's impossible to have everything. The Emperor is, your father is, and so are you. You won't resent me, will you?" Tang Feng gently shook his head. "I'm already very content. I'll rely on myself for the rest." The Empress Dowager nodded and then said, "Go back quickly. Go home and find a doctor to examine you immediately. Your face is so pale..." "That's doing well, Ziliang. If you need any precious medicinal herbs, just say the word, and I'll send someone over." She then patted Tang Feng's hand. "Now that you're feeling better, come to the palace more often to keep me company. I'm getting old, and the princes and grandsons around me are all incredibly busy; I barely see them once a year." Although somewhat reluctant, the Empress Dowager still had Lan Chi send someone to escort them out of the imperial mausoleum. After Tang Feng left, Zizhu finally asked, "Your Majesty, you knew that palace maid had someone backing her, so why didn't you investigate further?"
"Is there any need to investigate? This is what Rong Ji ordered that palace maid to do. I won't pursue it further for two reasons: firstly, Rong Ji is the mother of a prince, and the fourth prince is the emperor's most favored son. If we investigate further, who knows what trouble it might cause? Secondly, Rong Ji's identity was unclear when she entered the palace, so an extra layer of precaution won't hurt. Pu Yuan has always been at odds with us, and she came from Mu Xi. I won't touch her, also to ensure the safety of Yan Yun. I've seen too much bloodshed and don't want to see war again. It's just a pity for Xiao Feng. Although I punished Rong Ji for this, I didn't find her. If she's smart, she won't be so blatant in the future."
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