The Empress Dowager immediately determined Princess Qi’s punishment.
“From this day onwards, you will hand over the authority and token of the mansion, and stay in your yard to reflect upon yourself behind closed doors. Copy the ‘Family Rules’ ten times, and properly reflect on your actions!!”
Although the Empress Dowager didn’t remove Qi w.a.n.gfei’s imperial concubine t.i.tle for various reasons, but aside from this t.i.tle, she had nothing else left. The frostbite and scars that Yuwen Yin deliberately exposed when delivering the tea was precisely the last force that pushed the Empress Dowager to make up her mind.
The frostbites on Yuwen Yin’s arms were real, but those scars were something he inflicted on himself. But since he had already decided to tear faces with Princess Qi, then there’s no way he’d give even a bit of leniency. Some people will never learn how to write the words contentment and appropriateness. But so long as he gives in a bit, then a great disaster will certainly be left behind.
Qi w.a.n.gfei had not just been stripped of authority, but also had to stay in her courtyard like a prisoner, and reflect behind closed doors indefinitely. This kind of punishment was simply more unbearable than death to her, who’s ambitious and very reputation conscious. There’s no way she’d admit those sins, nor was she willing to plead guilty. However, without any strong evidence to refute, she no longer made any attempt to defend herself. She had no choice but to set aside her ident.i.ty as a woman from a n.o.ble family, and kneel on the ground to tearfully beseech the Empress Dowager.
A somewhat strange silence enveloped the huge hall at this time. Only the cries of Qi w.a.n.gfei could be heard, beseeching the Empress Dowager to overlook this matter for the sake of her hard work in giving birth to a son.
The relationship with Yuwen Zhengyang had truly swayed the Empress Dowager a bit. However, when Yuwen Zhengyang saw the appearance of his mother, his hatred towards Yuwen Yin shot up to the highest peak. He fiercely glared at Yuwenyin, then said to the Empress Dowager: “Imperial grandmother, how can you punish my mother for that b.a.s.t.a.r.d!!”
The Empress Dowager’s wavering thoughts that had just appeared instantly faded away.
Respect for seniority has existed since ancient times. But Yuwen Zhengyang was able to smoothly label his older brother with the word ‘b.a.s.t.a.r.d’. As he was only 11 years old this year, if there were no external influences, in addition to others teaching him, then how could he dare to be this rude and presumptuous?
Qi w.a.n.gfei had indeed given birth to a son for the Yuwen family. But for the sake of this son, she might have killed who knows how many other bloodlines that had yet to be born!
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had remained silent, Yuwen Zhengyang’s voice grew louder and louder. He even pointed at Yuwen Yin as he noisily argued: “That b.a.s.t.a.r.d is vicious minded with ill-intentions. He must deliberately be framing my mother! Imperial grandmother, how can you believe the words of that b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
The Empress Dowager only thought of Yuwen Zhengyang as a dignified son of a w.a.n.g, but the words spouting from his mouth were vulgar and uncouth. Be that as it may, Yuwen Yin, on the other hand, who was being insulted by his little brother, was able to remain as calm as before. This unflappable bearing was enough to surpa.s.s anyone. Having always been spoiled by Qi w.a.n.gfei, Yuwen Zhengyang still believed that the Empress Dowager would reciprocate his words since she had always cared about him. But the Empress Dowager had unexpectedly slammed the teacup she held on the table without warning, “What? Are you so dissatisfied with Aijia? That you’re even questioning Aijia’s decision?”
Yuwen Zhengyang still hadn’t notice anything wrong, but Qi w.a.n.gfei immediately became very anxious. The Empress Dowager already loathed her, so she must never let her son be loathed at the same time as well, as her only hope for turning over all lies on this son. Qi w.a.n.gfei immediately pulled Yuwen Zhengyang to follow her to kowtow and acknowledge their mistake: “Yang’er only had a momentary slip of the tongue, and is still too young. Beseeching the Empress Dowager to not mind him for the sake of filial piety……”
It would have been fine if Qi w.a.n.gfei hadn’t brought up Yuwen Zhengyang’s young age. As such words, made the Empress Dowager’s expression even more frosty instead. To dare look down on one’s senior at such a young age, then what more once he grows older? Wouldn’t he even have no regard to his ancestors?
If he’s allowed to continue like this without regard, then something bad was bound to happen sooner or later. It would be better to promptly discipline him while he is still young, this thing would really be for his own sake. These were the Empress Dowager thoughts as she ruthlessly said: “Due to Yuwen Zhengyang’s lack of respect, he will be locked in the ancestral hall to reflect upon himself for 2 days, and properly mediate over his words and deeds to the ancestors!!”
Everyone must kneel inside the ancestral hall. Although this was only for 2 days, but this wasn’t something the constantly pampered and spoiled Yuwen Zhengyang could endure. Qi w.a.n.gfei rushed to beg for leniency once more: “Yang’er really isn’t intentional, greatly beseeching……”
“Enough!” The Empress Dowager no longer wanted to continue to listen to their explanation anymore. She’s used to seeing the internal disputes deep inside the palace. This was why she was especially fed up with this kinds of repet.i.tive cheap tricks, as she dropped the final decision: “No one is allowed to plea for leniency again, otherwise the punishments will be aggravated!”
The Empress Dowager also dealt with Guang Qing and Shun Sheng swiftly and decisively: “For poisoning the young master and betraying your former master, the punishment is doubled! Drag them out to be immediately executed, not a single one of their family is to be spared as well! Let those extremely daring people see, and take a good look at the consequence in poisoning the master!”
This was a scandal after all. So, although the Empress Dowager knew that there were certainly a lot of people involved, but she made no move in conducting a thorough investigation, and only used these two servants before her as a warning to others. She took a deep breath, then finally glanced at the other concubines, and forbiddingly said: “Aijia will usually not interfere with the back residence matter of the younger generations. Aijia can turn a blind eye to your usual fight for affection or stuffing of pockets. But to harm someone of imperial bloodline or corrupt my imperial family’s offspring. then there’s no way Aijia will continue to remain indifferent and let you act arbitrarily regardless of the laws!!”
By the time the entire matter was properly dealt with, the Empress Dowager’s mood had already dropped to the bottom, so she immediately planned to return to the palace. Unfortunately, the time was already close to nightfall, so she decided to leave tomorrow.
Yuwen Yin stayed with the Empress Dowager, but his mind had once again wandered off to his little quilt, that he even wanted to go back to his small courtyard. Regardless of how shabby and crude that place was, but so long as the little quilt was there, then all his hardships were of no great concern.