"Imperial Brother, I have finished my business and will return to the Peach Garden."
Ling Yao curtsied and took her leave. With a light heart, she gracefully exited the Qionglin Garden, as if she hadn't been the one ferociously striking down court officials moments ago.
The courtyard boasted beautiful scenery with pavilions and water features. The spring water sparkled, the breeze was gentle, and not even a hint of blood lingered.
Yet, moments ago, seven old court officials had perished here in an instant.
Emperor Mingde lowered his gaze and smiled faintly.
Fulu behind him could not fathom the Emperor's thoughts, unsure if he was angry or not.
Song Beiting's grip on his sword tightened, though he was unaware of it.
The atmosphere was tense. No one spoke, and the group remained kneeling on the ground. The old men who had been so eloquent just moments before were gone.
Whether new or old, everyone's complexion was grim. Several of the younger ones trembled like sieves.
Emperor Mingde glanced at the relatively composed Zhuangyuan and Liu Donghuai, feeling even more satisfied.
"Alright, everyone rise! If you have nothing to hide, there's no need to be afraid. The Princess values those who are upright and possess good character. I hope you all will not stray from the right path in the future."
Ling Yao paid no mind to what happened in the Qionglin Garden or the Emperor's mood and how he handled matters. Now, she only knew that no one could make her unhappy.
Either they let her vent her anger, or they let her leave, far from the capital, out of sight and out of mind.
"Princess, this servant saw that several old officials looked very unwell. They must have done many bad deeds."
Yu Liu was excited. Those old fellows dared to impeach the General. When the General was present, they cowered like turtles. As soon as he left, they popped out. Truly despicable.
"After being officials for so long, it's inevitable that some hands are not clean. Father Emperor is too soft-hearted. This is just the imperial court. Who knows how corrupt the local officials are. For Da Jing to be strong, it will take time. First, we must deal with the eyesores, and the rest, my Imperial Brother will know what to do."
It was true that she was avenging Xiao Shan, but it was also true that she was clearing the path for her Imperial Brother. If he was eager to cultivate his confidants, then some people had to make way.
However, the fact that he suppressed the memorials impeaching Xiao Shan still chilled her.
Xiao Shan was powerful because this country needed him. He could also choose not to be powerful, to retreat to the countryside as before, retracting his claws.
She stayed to help rectify the country, only for her Father Emperor's wish. On the day her Imperial Brother secured his throne, she would not be an eyesore here, nor would she leave a thorn in his heart.
As she thought this, a sense of sadness washed over her.
They, brother and sister, had ultimately developed a rift.
Meanwhile, Emperor Mingde, with a smiling face, chatted calmly with his ministers, but his thoughts were also on the recent events.
His Imperial Sister had no reservations this time. She struck down court officials, slapped his face, and after a show of deterrence, she couldn't even be bothered to speak to him.
He was not angry.
He was not angry at anything she did.
She was his beloved little sister since childhood, the one he vowed to protect forever.
He was just... very sad.
Ten Feng Shijin were probably not a match for a single finger of Xiao Shan.
It was merely an impeachment; it couldn't even move a single hair on Xiao Shan. What difference did it make whether he handled it or not?
In just a few days, she had become impatient, coming in with a ruthless move, pulling the rug out from under them. The backgrounds of those people were thoroughly investigated, leaving them no chance to appeal, their fates sealed.
Although it was also clearing the way for him, the fundamental reason was Xiao Shan.
She didn't want him to be stained by even a drop of dirty water!
What kind of magic did Xiao Shan possess to make his Imperial Sister so devoted?
After all, although she was well-behaved and kind since childhood, very few people could truly enter her heart.
Could it be that because of their temporary absence, his and Wen Tang's past affections were disregarded?
Song Beiting dutifully guarded behind him, but Emperor Mingde, who understood him, could not fail to notice his abnormality.
Wen Tang's heart was probably still hurting!
He truly wanted to know, if he were to truly oppose Xiao Shan, would she mercilessly strike him down!
Ling Yao and Yu Liu returned to the Peach Garden, surprised to find that the noble ladies and wives, who had been cheerful and surrounded by flowers when they left, were now like frost-bitten eggplants, completely lacking in spirit.
Some were even kneeling together, being punished.
Upon closer inspection, their faces were swollen.
Oh my, such beautiful faces, such exquisite makeup. The blows were a bit harsh!
Seeing Ling Yao approach, those few looked up at her with teary eyes.
Among them was the daughter of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. Good heavens, she had been hit the hardest, with red marks on both sides and a split lip.
Had she offended Ling Xi too severely before?
"Imperial Sister... Hehe, I didn't expect their faces to be so delicate. Ling'er only touched them lightly, and they became like this."
Ling Xi ran over and grabbed Ling Yao's arm. Although she smiled ingratiatingly, she showed no fear.
Ling'er echoed from behind, "Yes, yes, Princess, this servant really didn't use much strength. Before, she used even more strength to hit Princess Ling Xi, and the Princess didn't cry. She's just being dramatic. Is a mere daughter of a fourth-rank official raised to be more delicate than our Princess?"
Ling Yao's expression turned stern. She looked at Li Yuran, whose face was pale and tears streamed down her cheeks. Her beauty was a perfect ten, and she had her schemes, but they were not hidden deeply enough.
"Princess, this subject's daughter did not do it intentionally... It was Princess Ling Xi who first insulted this subject..."
Before Li Yuran could finish speaking, Yu Liu stepped forward and slapped her.
Yu Liu was skilled in martial arts, and her strength was incomparable to Ling'er's. With this slap, Li Yuran felt her head ringing. Her head was yanked to the side, and her lip began to bleed, her teeth feeling loose.
"Ah! Miss!" Her maidservant exclaimed from the side.
Yu Liu kicked out, "Making such a racket in the palace, lacking in manners! Drag her away!"
The group of ladies was stunned. If Princess Ling Xi's attendant had given them humiliation, then Princess Ling Yao's actions now truly struck fear into their hearts.
Yu Liu reprimanded sternly, "A mere subject dares to slander the Princess's reputation! Who gave you the guts? Did your fourth-rank father get scolded by the Emperor, that you dare to slap the Emperor's face!"
Li Yuran's mind cleared. Upon hearing this, she was so frightened that she prostrated herself on the ground, "This subject knows her mistake, this subject knows her mistake! Please spare this subject's life! This subject will never dare again!"
Yu Liu had asserted her authority. Her earlier shouts had been a bit loud, and her throat felt a little uncomfortable. She couldn't help but rub her throat.
Ling Yao asked, "What's wrong?"
Yu Liu replied, "I shouted a bit too loudly earlier and strained my voice."
"Go back and simmer some snow pear porridge to drink."
"Mm, alright. Simmer plenty. Yu Shan should also drink some. She's been coughing a lot lately."
Everyone clearly understood that this maidservant was trusted by Princess Ling Yao, and her actions completely represented the Princess.
"Princess, what... what do you mean by this? This subject brought her daughter to attend the flower viewing banquet, why are we being treated like this? Even the former Empress did not humiliate us like this."
A middle-aged beautiful woman endured her anger, but the questioning tone in her voice could not be concealed.
She knew this was the divine maiden of Da Jing, but she couldn't possibly humiliate them wantonly and lawlessly.
Her daughter had been slapped by the maidservant beside Princess Ling Xi and was still kneeling. If she hadn't seen Princess Ling Yao approach, she would have almost retaliated.