Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 18

The commotion outside lasted the entire night.

General Xiao went to the palace to see the emperor, while Madam Xiao stayed at home, silently shedding tears as she looked at her seriously injured son. Madam Li hurriedly went to see Madam Xiao and conveyed Li Wenzhong’s words, only to learn that Xiao Yunheng’s injuries were too severe to get up at all.

The emperor was so angry that he couldn’t eat and severely reprimanded General Xiao, ordering him to ensure that Madam Xiao coaxed Zishu back.

The crown prince was in a state of panic and wanted Si Cang to release the person, but Si Cang remained cold and unyielding. He made it clear that everything should be done in accordance with the laws and regulations, and no one’s words would make a difference.

The various princes, as well as civil and military officials, in the court were all closely paying attention to the development of the matter.

That night, Yun Zishu slept soundly—better than she had in a long time.

Whether in her past life or this one, she had never slept so well since she had married Xiao Yunheng.

She had just woken up when she heard the servant’s report that Madam Xiao had come early in the morning and was standing outside the main gate waiting to see her.

Yet, Yun Zishu’s good mood was not affected in the slightest.

She changed her clothes, washed up, ate breakfast, drank tea, strolled around the garden, and returned to her room to read. She enjoyed herself being at ease, relaxed, and carefree.

“Early this morning, news came from outside that Imperial Censor Wen impeached Official Li last night in front of the Emperor for failing to teach his son well and for openly offending the Princess. According to the law, he should be sentenced to death. Lord Li himself also went to plead guilty, saying that he would accept any punishment the emperor deems fit.” Leng Yue clearly reported the events of the previous night to Yun Zishu. “The Prime Minister took the opportunity to suggest that Lord Li’s position as Vice Minister be removed, meaning giving him a light punishment as a warning; Imperial Censor Yan suggested that Lord Li’s family be expelled from the Imperial Capital. The Emperor had no choice but to agree to the Prime Minister’s suggestion and ordered Lord Li to suspend his duties and return home to reflect.”

Yun Zishu held a cup of hot tea, leisurely sitting on the brocade couch. “The Crown Prince has many followers, but the other princes are not pushovers either. If they don’t work together to bring down Minister Li at this time, wouldn’t they be wasting this heaven-sent opportunity I’ve given them?”

The current Emperor Zhaoming has 3,000 concubines in his harem. After the death of the Empress, the position of the Empress has remained vacant, and no new empress has been appointed. The Noble Consort Wu is the head of the harem and has temporarily taken charge of it. Her son, Prince Yunchen, is the second oldest among all the princes.

The third prince, Yun Hui, was given the title of Prince Qi. He is the son of Consort Wei Shu. The head of the officials, Prime Minister Wei, is Consort Wei Shu’s cousin, making him Prince Qi’s maternal uncle. The Wei family naturally serves as Prince Qi’s backing.

The fourth princess, Yun Zijiao, has been married for many years.

The fifth prince, Yun Ye, was given the title of Prince Jing and is the son of Consort Ming. His backing includes the Gu family, who is in charge of the Jingji Guards (capital’s garrison). At the same time, Madame Xie of the Gu family comes from a merchant background and holds immense wealth, almost making her family the richest family in the entire Great Yong Dynasty. Every year, 20 to 30 percent of the national treasury’s revenue comes from the Xie family’s taxes.

In the past, the harem was a place of fierce competition. The sixth prince and eighth princess disappeared from the harem along with their mother, who was once highly favored for a time.

The seventh prince, Yun Chi, was given the title of Prince Li. His background was not high, as his mother was just a Zhaoyi (mid-ranking consort). He had always been content and kept a low profile, never competing or striving for anything.

The Ninth Princess Yun Zishu was born as the legitimate daughter of the Empress. In fact, she originally had an elder brother who was the eldest son of the royal family and the legitimate heir.

It’s just that the imperial court has always been a place that devours people.

The elder brother passed away before Yun Zishu was born, so she had never met him. Over the years, no one in the palace dared to mention him.

If the Empress and the eldest prince had not died, how could it be Yun Chen’s turn to be the crown prince?

Despite her mother and elder brother being no longer around, her father was still not at ease. He tried every means to get rid of Yun Zishu, attempting to completely erase the traces of the Empress’s existence.

This is an emperor who devours people.

“Does Your Highness want to see Madam Xiao?”

Yun Zishu flipped through the book and said lazily, “Let her come in.”

“Yes.”

Madam Xiao stood outside the main gate for about an hour before she was led to the main hall. She cursed Yun Zishu in her heart, and the gloom and dissatisfaction on her face could not be concealed.

It was not until she arrived at the main hall that she forced herself to put away the expression on her face. Thinking of what her husband had said the previous night and his stern instructions to her earlier, Madam Xiao made an effort to appear humble.

“Your Highness, Lady Xiao has arrived.”

Leng Yue walked out of the hall and looked down at Madam Xiao. “When you see the princess, you should first kneel and perform the grand ceremony of greeting.”

Madam Xiao’s face darkened, and she looked at her in disbelief. “I am the princess’s mother-in-law; how dare you ask me to kneel?”

Leng Yue spoke with a hint of sarcasm, “Madam Xiao’s memory seems to be poor. Her Royal Highness wrote a letter of divorce yesterday and sent it to the Xiao family. The whole city knows that Xiao Yunheng has been divorced by Her Royal Highness. The Xiao family no longer has any relation to the princess.”

Madam Xiao stiffened her face. “The marriage between Her Royal Highness and Yunheng was bestowed by the Emperor. Without an imperial edict, the letter of divorce is invalid.”

The Emperor had already promised Xiao Yuanting the previous night that the letter of divorce would not be recognized, but the Xiao family had to find a way to make Yun Zishu change her mind. That was why Madam Xiao came to apologize early in the morning.

She was willing to lower her status to seek peace, so Yun Zishu should know when to stop. If she continued to put on airs as a princess, don’t blame her, as the mother-in-law, for not being polite.

“Regardless, the letter of divorce has been given to the Xiao family. Whether it is valid or not, my princess will have nothing to do with Xiao Yunheng in the future.” Leng Yue said calmly. “Madam Xiao is a lady of the court, and the princess is of noble lineage. Madam Xiao is unwilling to pay her respects to the princess. Is she openly defying imperial authority?”

Madam Xiao said coldly. “I don’t mean that.”

“Then kneel!” Leng Yue said. “If you are here to apologize, you should have the attitude of apologizing. Don’t think that just because you are the wife of General Xiao, you can act arrogantly in front of the princess!”

Madam Xiao clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, wishing she could step forward and slap this little bitch twice!

“By the way, Li Xue and Li Xuan, that brother-sister pair, are truly cut from the same cloth—both are brainless idiots.” Leng Yue said with a laugh. “My princess said that she has had nothing to do recently and plans to go to the Dark Shadow Pavilion to observe how they torture people and what the reactions of the tortured people are. It is said that the screams there are the most intense, which often causes people to have nightmares. Would Madam Xiao be interested? If so, Her Highness might be willing to take you along for a look.”

Madam Xiao’s face turned pale, and her teeth were clenched in hatred for Yin Zishu. However, when she thought of her husband’s furious reprimands the previous night, her brother who was suspended from his job at home, and Li Xuan and Li Xue, who were still in the Dark Shadow Pavilion, a wave of unease washed over her. Finally, she knelt down reluctantly and said, “This humble woman pays her respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess. May the princess live a thousand years.”

Leng Yue looked at her mockingly. “Madam Xiao, you must kneel properly. Without the permission of the princess, you cannot stand up at will; otherwise, you will be defying imperial authority.”

After saying that, she turned around and entered the hall.

Madam Xiao looked up, glaring coldly at her retreating back. She felt the urge to chase after her and bite her.

Damn Yun Zishu.

Once she returns to the Xiao family, she will definitely let Yun Zishu know what the rules of the Xiao family are.

She never would have thought that the previously submissive Yun Zishu, who used to swallow her anger, would suddenly become so assertive, causing such a big commotion and making her wait outside for so long.

After being allowed inside, she dared to make her kneel.

You’re deliberately humiliating her, aren’t you?

Very good.

Does she really think that just because she has the upper hand today, she will still remain untouchable in the future?