"Rules for Women", "Admonitions for Women", and "Biographies of Exemplary Women"
When the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace delivered the titles of these three books in a melodious and rhythmic voice, it was as if time itself had stood still, as if slapping the entire Kunning Palace in the face with three resounding blows.
An awkward and oppressive silence filled the air.
The palace servants watching outside the palace were already so frightened that they buried their heads deep in their hands, silent as cicadas in winter. They didn't even dare to look at the Empress's face, afraid of seeing what kind of embarrassing expression on that beautiful face. The entire harem knew that the Empress was exceptionally intelligent, deeply favored by the Emperor, and even able to participate in "private lessons with the Emperor."
But now, the "gift" sent by the Regent's Palace is using the most classical and authoritative way to point fingers at her and berate her: A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent! You have not upheld the virtues of a woman and have overstepped your bounds!
This is no longer a simple humiliation; it is a fundamental denial of her value as "Empress," a trampling and crushing of all her recent glory!
Inside the hall, the smug smile on the chief secretary's face was almost overflowing. He was enjoying the good show he had personally directed, and watching the young empress's face darken instantly. He could even imagine how delighted Regent Xiao Yuan must be when he heard the news in his residence.
Lin Wanwan was indeed angry.
A surge of burning anger erupted from her chest, coursing through her limbs and bones, making her fingertips tremble slightly.
She's been through many hardships and dangers since she transmigrated, but this is the first time she's been subjected to such a grand, public, and soul-crushing humiliation under a seemingly legitimate pretext!
Xiao Yuan's move was ruthless and vicious. He had calculated that she wouldn't dare openly defy "feminine virtue," and he had calculated that she wouldn't dare refuse the "kind intentions" of her elders. He wanted her to swallow her pride and accept this humiliation in front of everyone, becoming a laughingstock in the harem and even the entire capital.
She could even sense that the icy aura emanating from Xiao Che was rapidly gathering not far away.
However, the angrier Lin Wanwan became, the clearer her mind became.
She knew she couldn't have a meltdown.
If she shows any anger or resistance at this moment, she will immediately be accused of being "jealous" and "immoral," which is exactly what the other party wants.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger in her heart. She didn't look at the smug face of the chief secretary of the Prince's mansion, but subconsciously turned her gaze to the silent man beside her.
Xiao Che.
She needed to know his attitude. Was he willing to share the immense pressure from the Regent with her?
That one glance gave Lin Wanwan all the anger and grievances in her heart the strongest support, and also gave her the most solid foundation and "official authorization" for all her counterattacks.
Xiao Che remained seated in the main seat, his face ashen, revealing no trace of joy or anger. His deep eyes calmly observed the farce unfolding before him, as if everything happening had nothing to do with him, like a detached spectator.
But only Lin Wanwan, who has the "VIP viewpoint," can see the earth-shattering rage beneath his calm mask!
In her eyes, the area above Xiao Che's head filled with emojis had been completely transformed!
There, instead of any cute cartoon characters, there was a gigantic, burning barrel of explosives with the fuse burned to the end!
The explosive barrel was entirely crimson, with a menacing skull symbol painted on it. The entire barrel was violently expanding and contracting, as if it would blast the whole world into scorched earth in the next second!
Beside the barrel of explosives was a line of large, ferocious, and wildly flashing words written in blood, each character filled with a destructive rage—
[Outrageous! Is Xiao Yuan planning a rebellion?! .gif]
!!
The moment Lin Wanwan saw this meme, her heart was struck by a huge surge of warmth!
So... he wasn't indifferent after all.
It's not that he doesn't care.
He was merely using his imperial status to forcibly suppress the anger that was a hundred times stronger than hers.
His silence wasn't out of coldness, but rather to give her space, to tell her in a silent way: Go for it, even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you!
This silent, unreserved support and trust gave her more strength than any eloquent words of defense.
At that moment, all of Lin Wanwan's anger, grievances, and worries vanished instantly.
She realized she wasn't fighting alone.
Behind her stood an emperor who was about to "blow up" the entire palace for her.
Then what does she have to fear?
Wasn't the Regent looking to see her make a fool of herself? Wasn't he looking to see how she would struggle in this deadly situation?
Fine, then she'll show him what it means to be trapped in one's own web, and what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!
Just as the chief steward of the Prince's mansion was getting impatient, thinking that the Empress had been frightened into a stupor, and was about to speak again to push her to the brink of despair,
Lin Wanwan moved.
She slowly walked forward, and to everyone's astonishment, instead of getting angry or scolding him, she gave the arrogant chief secretary of the Prince's mansion a smile that could be described as gentle, virtuous, and dignified.
This smile, like a spring breeze, instantly eased the tense atmosphere in the hall, but also plunged everyone into deeper confusion.
What kind of strategy is this? Have they been completely stunned? Or are they preparing to swallow their anger and back down?
The chief clerk of the Prince's residence was also taken aback, then sneered inwardly. It seems that this Empress is nothing special, all show and no substance, all bark and no bite, and in the end, she still dares not offend the Prince.
He was preparing to savor the fruits of his victory, adopting a "you know what's good for you" attitude, when he heard the Empress's gentle and melodious voice, warm as a spring breeze, softly ring out and enter everyone's ears.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone watching outside the hall to hear it.
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