Yin Weiyin trembled uncontrollably.
The words that were originally ant to dig a trap for Dong Gong Ruoshu had unexpectedly backfired on her.
Her lips quivered, her mind raced at lightning speed.
Now that things had co to this, she had no choice but to plead guilty. After all, as the daughter of Prince Jing, this was rely a transgression of speech. If she pleaded guilty, the punishnt would at most be confinent, and everything would pass without further incident.
She confessed, "This subject’s daughter has spoken recklessly about the Empress Dowager, tarnishing her sacred na. I am fully aware this is an unforgivable offense and humbly request the Empress Dowager to te out punishnt."
"If it’s an unforgivable offense, then let it remain unforgivable." The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Grant her death."
?
The female crown froze montarily, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager did not spare her another glance but lowered her phoenix-like eyes, gazing instead at Yin Tingxue, who was also kneeling on the ground.
At this sight, the female crown’s throat tightened, her lips parted as though she wanted to say sothing, but in the mont, she dared not make a sound.
She could only slightly turn her face, casting a glance at Master Tongxuan seated in the chair.
The one-ard woman gently cradled her teacup without saying a word.
Yin Tingxue, slightly lifting her face, could no longer restrain herself and said:
"Your Majesty, the daughter of Prince Jing, no matter her cris, according to the Great Yu law, ought to first be handed over to the Departnt of Clan Affairs for investigation, and subsequently transferred to the Three Tribunals for joint interrogation..."
"You seem very familiar—have you been through the process before?" The Empress Dowager said with an implicit aning.
Yin Tingxue didn’t dare respond, keeping her head bowed.
The Empress Dowager stepped forward, smiling, "In this little courtyard, there are no outsiders. Why must we keep up pretenses? Stand up, all of you. Though I’ve co here incognito, it’s been quite a while and neither tea nor a chair has been offered. As hosts, don’t you think that’s a lapse in decorum?"
Upon hearing this, the two royal daughters slowly rose one after another, gently brushing away the dust from their knees. Yin Weiyin’s movents were a bit stiff, her eyes frequently darting toward the Empress Dowager. This offense of speaking recklessly against the Heavenly Family, in the end, could be interpreted as severe or trivial. If she could, she wished she could turn back ti and slap herself hard to rember this lesson. If that wasn’t enough, she’d have Chen Yi slap her instead—at least then it might stick.
Yin Tingxue imdiately walked over to the tea table without delay, ground so tea leaves, took up the tea whisk, boiled water, and began preparing tea. The fragrance of the tea was light and pure, blending softly with the misty drizzling rain outside.
Before long, Yin Tingxue brought tea to the Empress Dowager, and then poured tea for Zhou Yitang and Yin Weiyin. Lastly, she served a cup to the female official Su Xin, who gestured for her to leave it aside for now.
The Empress Dowager lifted the teacup, noticing the tea foam blending harmoniously, took a light sip, then turned and said:
"Running around like this—you seem like a little wife."
Yin Tingxue felt a bit awkward, responding bashfully, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
The female crown nearby appeared restless, sitting uneasily while clutching her tea. She hesitated to drink it. Even now, she still couldn’t figure out what the Empress Dowager truly intended. From the mont she stepped in, she had struck a heavy blow with her words, threatening death earlier, yet now she sat casually, savoring tea amidst a pleasant calm.
The Empress Dowager swept her gaze around as if taking in every detail of this small yet complete courtyard, then spoke slowly:
"I ca here originally just to see the benefactor who saved my life. I didn’t expect he wouldn’t be here, leaving you won behind in his stead."
Yin Tingxue replied, "Your Majesty, n are ant to manage affairs outside, while won keep the household in order. That’s simply how things should be."
"Quick-witted and eloquent, you’ve spoken well. Not bad, not bad. Daughter of Prince Xiang, you can just call ’Your Majesty.’" The Empress Dowager’s smile was extraordinarily beautiful but seed to carry a hidden aning, "Daughter of Prince Xiang, when did you arrive at this courtyard?"
Yin Tingxue feigned calmness, answering softly, "Your Majesty, perhaps three to four months ago."
"Then it’s been nearly half a year. He dotes on you, giving you fine clothes and rich food, even considering your safety in the underground palace—now he even wants to bestow upon you the title of Commandery Princess." The Empress Dowager’s tone grew heavier when ntioning the underground palace.
Zhou Yitang, the instigator of it all, remained indifferent, her eyes lowered as she delicately sipped her tea.
Yin Tingxue sensed a hint of tension in the air and promptly replied, "That was rely a passing jest, Your Majesty. Please don’t take it seriously."
"But a sovereign never jests."
The Empress Dowager set down her teacup, her phoenix eyes narrowing as she said:
"I will bestow upon you the title of Commandery Princess—will you accept it or not?"
Yin Tingxue froze in place, her grip loosening. The teacup fell from her hand with a loud crash, shattering upon the ground with fragnts scattered everywhere.
Seeing this, Su Xin’s face showed displeasure, but since the Empress Dowager remained composed, Su Xin refrained from voicing her irritation.
Yin Tingxue repeatedly apologized, flustered, as she began picking up the broken pieces. Yin Weiyin, watching the scene unfold, felt torn but couldn’t think of what to say.
The Empress Dowager observed Yin Tingxue carefully cleaning up the shards and remarked leisurely:
"For all his supposed doting, he’s still a crude man. All he does is spoil you, yet he doesn’t even think of assigning you a maid. You’re left to pick up pieces like this, suffering for it."
"Your Majesty... it’s no suffering. It’s this criminal... who resolutely refused." Yin Tingxue stamred nervously.
These words weren’t entirely false. Chen Yi had indeed once considered bringing in so maids and attendants, but he chose not to out of concern for exposing Yin Tingxue’s identity. Furthermore, Yin Tingxue disliked strangers; she had been treated as a Saintess in Prince Xiang’s mansion and had always lived in solitude. Hence, no maids or attendants were present in the courtyard.
The Empress Dowager chuckled and said with feigned reproach, "Still, it’s better to assign you so maids. A Commandery Princess without a single servant—what does that look like? I’ll personally select a few from the palace soday and send them to you."
Upon hearing this, Yin Weiyin’s heart couldn’t help but leap in alarm. The Empress Dowager personally selecting servants and sending them over—wouldn’t that an she intended to monitor Chen Yi’s every move?
If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t mind so much...
But for herself...
She visited here every chance she could during her days off...
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