Chapter Thirty-Seven: Humble and Submissive?

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“Feng Xiaoli pays her respects to Empress Yuan Min!” Feng Xiaoli and Jin Ning bowed to Empress Yuan Min. With the empress’s approval, the two slowly straightened.

Empress Yuan Min’s heart was filled with joy at the sight of Feng Xiaoli. She gave Feng Xiaoli a bright, radiant smile and beckoned her over. “Ali, you’ve come so early. Come, sit by my side!”

“How could I dare take a seat beside Your Majesty? I would be more comfortable standing,” Feng Xiaoli replied with a polite smile.

“And why not? You are soon to become Hao’er’s crown princess. With such a status, it is only fitting for you to sit by my side. Even if you were not to become the crown princess, with the favor I show you, you are more than deserving of this seat!” Empress Yuan Min saw Feng Xiaoli’s refusal but took no offense. Instead, she coaxed her over as one would coax a child.

Knowing she could not refuse, Feng Xiaoli had no choice but to comply, lest she displease the empress further.

As Feng Xiaoli sat by her side, Empress Yuan Min took Feng Xiaoli’s hands in her own and looked at her with warm, loving eyes. Gently, she said, “Ali, since you’re one of us now, I won’t speak in circles. Let me be frank with you—would that be alright?”

The words rang familiar to Feng Xiaoli. It was precisely what she herself had once said to Mu Xinmi that night. She arched a brow, thinking how she had always believed Mu Xinmi to be an astute woman—yet even she could be muddled at times. By saying this, was she not confessing her inability to handle matters between herself and Feng Xiaoli? How, then, could she truly become crown princess?

The position of crown princess was, after all, the future empress of the realm.

No matter how deep the affection between Mu Xinmi and Yuwen Hao, even if Feng Xiaoli were to fail in becoming the crown princess, Mu Xinmi would never stand a chance at the throne. She simply was not the empress’s ideal candidate.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I too despise those flowery speeches. But may I ask what purpose Your Majesty has in summoning me today?” Feng Xiaoli replied.

Empress Yuan Min gave a dry laugh at Feng Xiaoli’s words. “I always thought you clever, Ali. Do you not know that Xinmi met with His Majesty and myself yesterday? Aren’t you curious what she said?”

“I do wonder what Miss Mu Xinmi told His Majesty and Your Majesty. Ever since my accident at the water, my health has been poor. I’ve slept in a daze these past days, so I’ve had little energy to guess at what Miss Mu Xinmi might have said.” With that, Feng Xiaoli affected a look of discomfort.

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“How could this be? Have you seen the imperial physician? Your hands are so cold—how did I only just notice? Chuntao, go to the Imperial Medical Institute at once and summon a physician!”

Feng Xiaoli gently withdrew her hands, subtly slipping from the empress’s grasp. “There’s no need, Your Majesty. I’ve simply been resting these past days, and my spirits have returned to normal. Please do not worry.”

“Jin Ning, did you not care for your mistress properly?” Empress Yuan Min ignored Feng Xiaoli, her voice sharp and severe as she lashed out at Jin Ning.

With a thud, Jin Ning knelt and kowtowed, begging the empress for mercy. Her forehead struck the ground again and again until it was bloodied and raw. Feng Xiaoli, startled by Jin Ning’s haste, had no time to stop her. She thought to herself that Jin Ning was not usually so timid.

“Your Majesty, this is not Jin Ning’s fault.”

“Ali, as the future crown princess, if a lowly servant errs, she must be punished. You are destined to be the mother of the nation—your wellbeing is paramount. Should anything happen to you, the loss would be felt by the whole country. I value your health above all else. Spare your pleas for such people—they do not deserve it!” As Empress Yuan Min spoke, she exchanged a meaningful look with another palace maid, who immediately understood and ordered others to seize Jin Ning.

Feng Xiaoli was quick to notice the empress’s signal. She immediately stood and shielded Jin Ning behind her, dabbing at Jin Ning’s wounded forehead with a handkerchief. Though Jin Ning had stopped kowtowing, her body still trembled with fear.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to spare Jin Ning. Of all those who have served me, none have been as attentive as Jin Ning, which is why I have kept her. If you take her away, I fear I will never find such a devoted servant again.”

The empress, thinking Feng Xiaoli’s plea was merely for lack of service, replied nonchalantly, “I thought you pleaded on her behalf for some other reason. Rest assured, once I’ve dealt with Jin Ning, I will reward you with an entire group of devoted maids.”

Receiving no command to stop, the palace maid continued to lead Jin Ning away.

“Miss—Miss!” Jin Ning cried out in tears.

“Your Majesty, I cannot let you take Jin Ning!” Feng Xiaoli protested.

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Interrupted by Feng Xiaoli time and again, Empress Yuan Min was losing patience. Still, she asked, “What is it now, Ali?”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. If I return alone to the prince’s manor after leaving with only Jin Ning, what will the others say about me? My reputation is already in tatters. I wish for nothing more than to preserve what little good name I have left. Please, Your Majesty, grant me this one favor—just this once?” Feng Xiaoli spoke with a girlish pout, her tone tinged with flattery.

Unaccustomed to seeing this side of Feng Xiaoli, Empress Yuan Min could not help but smile. “Very well, just this once. There will not be a next time!”

Feng Xiaoli bowed her head and thanked the empress.

Yet as Empress Yuan Min glanced at Jin Ning, her smile faded. “Jin Ning, were it not for Ali’s sake, you would not live to see another sunrise. This is my first and only warning: serve Ali well, or you will wish you were dead.”

Jin Ning, trembling, thanked the empress.

“That’s enough, I am tired. Ali, you may return to your manor. In truth, Xinmi said nothing to His Majesty or myself save to clear your name. She assured us you bore her no ill will. When she learned that the Duke of Liao and Mu Xinqi had maligned you without cause, she even wept. I do not believe you are narrow-minded, so I forgave her on your behalf. You do not resent my taking such liberty, do you?”

“How could I? Your Majesty’s actions are exactly what I wished for. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared, I shall take my leave and not disturb your rest. I wish Your Majesty every happiness.”

—Author’s Note—

Yuanzi is eagerly awaiting everyone’s comments! Hahaha!