Chapter 52: Consort Li Loses Her Phoenix Seal

Chapter 52: Consort Li Loses Her Phoenix Seal

Hearing the Empress Dowager's displeased tone, Kong Xue'er promptly fell to her knees with a thud.

"Empress Dowager, please spare me! I was only concerned for His Majesty, there were reasons behind it!"

The Empress Dowager looked coldly at the person on the ground. "Hmph! You're worried about the Emperor? What right do you have to claim that you worry about him?"

Kong Xue'er bit her lip in humiliation, not daring to speak.

The Empress Dowager said, "I don't wish to waste my breath arguing with a mere servant like you!"

Then, she instructed the nanny standing by her side, "Take this servant away and have her serve as a mourner in Changqing Palace in a few days!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Xue'er's eyes widened. She knew of Changqing Palace – it was where the Imperial family enshrined their ancestors' tablets. Once inside, one could only enter but never leave; they would never see the Emperor again.

This thought terrified Kong Xue'er. She scrambled to grab the Empress Dowager's sleeve for mercy, but was knocked down by a nanny standing nearby.

"Disgraceful servant, how dare you touch the Empress Dowager!"

Kong Xue'er wept like a pear blossom in the rain, turning to Consort Li, hoping to plead for mercy.

But to her dismay, Consort Li glared at her fiercely. With her own troubles at hand, how could she possibly spare a thought for this woman?

Fearful of offending Consort Li as well, Kong Xue'er dared not speak and helplessly collapsed onto the ground.

From the side, Feng Xiyao observed the scene with pursed lips. "Why all this fuss? Let's each live our own lives, why stir up such chaos?"

Upon hearing her voice, the Empress Dowager rushed to hold her hand, gently patting it in sympathy.

"I empathize with the Queen. This time, I will surely uphold justice for you!"

Speaking thus, she turned to the kneeling Consort Li, her tone becoming stern.

"Does Consort Li know her crime?"

Seeing the Empress Dowager's affection for Feng Xiyao, jealousy clenched Consort Li's fists. It was clear that before, her aunt doted on her the most. But Feng Xiyao, this wretch, had not only stolen her cousin but was now stealing her aunt's affection too.

This thought left her face flushed with anger.

"Aunt, it's Feng Xiyao's fault. She clearly..."

"Silence!"

Not allowing her to finish, the Empress Dowager sternly interrupted and frowned at Consort Li. "Consort Li, as a member of the imperial harem, you lack proper decorum. I have overlooked your innocence in the past, but today, you have crossed the line by openly defaming the Empress!"

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "It seems that I have indulged you too much, allowing you to behave arrogantly within the palace walls!"

With that, the Empress Dowager signaled the nanny standing by her side.

"Pass on my decree: strip Consort Li of her authority over the six palaces and retrieve the Phoenix Seal!"

"What?!"

Consort Li was in disbelief. "Aunt, you can't do this to me. You praised my wit and competence just the other day. Why have things changed so abruptly?!"

She glared fiercely at Feng Xiyao, rising to her feet and attempting to strike her while shouting, "Feng Xiyao, you conniving wench! You must have been slandering me behind my back, causing Aunt to misunderstand me!"

Observing her frenzied state, the Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling the palace maids to take Consort Li away.

"Feng Xiyao, it must be you! You stole my cousin, and now you're trying to snatch away my aunt. I hate you so much!"

As the fading curses reached her ears, Feng Xiyao frowned.

She hadn't done anything wrong today, so why was this happening to her?

Watching Consort Li's downfall, Kong Xue'er, lying on the ground, shrunk into herself, too scared to continue her outburst.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Feng Xiyao, and the tension in her face eased.

"Your Majesty, you've worked hard. I'll instruct someone to send you some items later as a token of apology for my neglect all these years."

Feng Xiyao's initial confusion vanished, and her eyes immediately lit up at the prospect of receiving more treasures.

"Not at all, not at all. It's Mother who has been working hard, having to worry about such trifling matters!"

After exchanging more affectionate words, the Empress Dowager, feeling weary, concluded the conversation and took her leave.

Once everyone had departed, Feng Xiyao's expression turned subdued.

"Fortunately I'm back; otherwise, with Consort Li's temperament, she would have caused chaos throughout the entire palace!"

Ruyi, still shaken, approached and patted her chest in relief.

"Your Highness, it's good you returned in time. We wouldn't have known how to handle the situation!"

Qin Fang, having observed the resolution from behind the scenes, turned and left once the matter was settled.

...

Zhang Manor

At the Zhang Manor gate, Mo Cangyan and Xiao Feng were about to enter when a servant hurriedly stepped forward to block their way.

"Sir, our Master only invited Mister Mo. Please wait outside!"

Worried about his master's safety if he entered alone, Xiao Feng spoke up, "Am I not even worthy of entering your Zhang Manor's main gate?"

The servant sized him up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, though it was laced with mockery.

"Milord, I'm merely a servant, please don't make things difficult for me!"

Mo Cangyan cast a faint glance at Xiao Feng, suppressing his urge to strike back.

"Young Brother, let's go in!"

Seeing Xiao Feng's enraged expression, the servant simply ignored him and proceeded inside.

"Follow me," Mo Cangyan stepped forward, entering after the servant.

From the outside, Zhang's residence appeared unremarkable, but upon entering, one would notice the opulence that permeated every corner. The mansion's structures were built with premium zitan wood.

As they followed the servant through the backyard, Mo Cangyan lowered his gaze to observe the carp swimming in the pond – two exceptionally well-cared-for white gold dragonfish.

"Husband, the guest has arrived," announced the servant.

Zhang SiYe, who was sipping tea, took his time, leisurely taking two small sips before lifting his head to look at the newcomer.

Both were clad in coarse hemp garments, patched so many times over that the repairs were evident, their faces gaunt and pale from chronic hunger, with hair roughly tied back with a simple twine.

Despite his disheveled state, the man stood tall with chiseled features, his gaze resolute and unwavering.

"Ahahaha"

Aware that this was the very talent he sought, Zhang Siye let out a hearty laugh and motioned for those around him to withdraw.

With only the two of them left, Zhang Siye rose to his feet and began to study the man before him with great attentiveness.

Zhang Siye, merely the vice-director of the Imperial Academy, had seldom crossed paths with Mo Cangyan. Feng Xiyao's meticulous grooming to conceal her companion had further obscured his ability to recognize the man standing before him.

After studying her for a moment, Zhang Siye nonchalantly spoke, "Do you have any idea why this official has summoned you here?"

Mo Cangyan pretended ignorance and shook his head.

Noticing that the person before him was not an ordinary individual, Zhang Siye addressed him directly.

"I shall not beat around the bush any longer; I'll speak directly to you."

"Kong Lu, Scholar Kong has taken an interest in your examination essay and wishes to purchase it. That's why I've summoned you here today, so that you won't waste your time appealing to the authorities and causing unnecessary discomfort for everyone!"

Mo Cangyan's gaze darkened at the blatant act of robbery.

"If I were to refuse?"

Zhang SiYe looked up at him, his smile indifferent.

"We're not here to ask for your consent. It's just that this official believes you have potential and doesn't wish to burden you unnecessarily!"

"..."

From a distance, Kong Lu, concealed behind a screen, listened to their conversation, his brows knitted tightly together.

For some reason, he felt a strong sense of familiarity with the young man before him!