Hai Ling felt a warmth in her heart. Xi Lingfeng must have acted to help her. His actions clearly showed he had no bottom line. Feng Zixiao and the Empress Dowager would definitely be wary of him, so wouldn't he have to be even more careful in the future? She looked up at Xi Lingfeng, but saw that he was calm and composed, and did not look at her.
Although Feng Zixiao was wary of Xi Lingfeng, he couldn't help but be furious after seeing the testimony and evidence in his hand, and looked at his uncle.
"Sima Yuan, this is your good son, how dare you come to complain?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," Sima Yuan dared not say anything more and quickly begged for mercy: "I deserve to die. I did not know that he would do such a foolish thing. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him this time, considering my old age and frailty. When I return this time, I will definitely discipline him strictly and will never let him cause any more trouble."
Before Feng Zixiao could speak, Empress Dowager Sima Lan, who was sitting next to him, spoke up.
“My son, the Prime Minister had this son late in life, and he is his only child. Please forgive him this time. If there is a next time, he will be severely punished.”
"Mother?"
Feng Zixiao frowned, her eyes filled with disapproval as she looked at Sima Lan. How could Sima Zhuo let it go so easily after committing so many treasonous acts? If word got out, the people in the court would say that he couldn't distinguish right from wrong.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were deep as she stared at her son, seemingly reminding him that the Great Zhou Dynasty was still unstable and that outsiders could not be trusted. The only person he could fully trust now was Sima Yuan, his maternal uncle, who would not harm him.
Feng Zixiao remained silent, but he couldn't bring himself to ask Sima Zhuo to pardon him.
The main hall was quiet. Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed in, his face beaming with joy.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, great joy, great joy!"
Chapter 69 [Handwritten VIP]
In the main hall of Qingxin Palace, the Empress Dowager's face lit up with joy upon hearing the eunuch's words, her eyes shining brightly. Perhaps this was a turning point, so before Feng Zixiao could speak, she anxiously asked, "Tell me, what happy news is it?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Yu of Chunwan Palace is pregnant."
"Is Consort Yu pregnant?"
This time, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor spoke in unison, and many people in the hall showed joy on their faces. This was the first bloodline of the royal family, how could they not be happy?
Upon hearing this, Sima Yuan, who was seated at the head of the main hall, immediately seized the opportunity to congratulate the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you."
The Empress Dowager stood up, clasped her hands together, and said joyfully, "I must thank our ancestors for their blessing. The royal family has finally produced its first heir. This is a joyous occasion! Your Majesty, it is best not to be angry on such a joyous day."
Feng Zixiao looked down at his uncle and finally softened. With a cold and stern face, he ordered, "From now on, you must properly teach Sima Zhuo. If such a thing happens again, I will not forgive him a second time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sima Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and was overjoyed. He quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, but he was still very angry. This whole thing was ruined by the Left Prime Minister. Why did the Left Prime Minister appear at this exact moment? Could it be that he and the Empress...
Sima Yuan narrowed his eyes and glanced at Hai Ling and Xi Lingfeng, but he couldn't see anything suspicious.
But he wouldn't let those two get away with it; they dared to hurt his son, and he wouldn't stand idly by.
At the head of the main hall, the Emperor pardoned Sima Zhuo, looked at Hai Ling, frowned, and ordered: "The Empress shall remain in Zhengyi Palace to reflect on her mistakes and shall not leave Zhengyi Palace for a month."
"Hailin obeys."
Hai Ling accepted the imperial decree, which was the best possible outcome. She was to be confined to Zhengyi Palace to reflect on her mistakes, and she couldn't wait to stay inside. Everyone in the palace was so annoying.
Sima Yuan congratulated the Empress Dowager and the Emperor once more, then excused himself and left Qingxin Palace.
Hai Ling and the Left Chancellor Xi Lingfeng also bid farewell and left the palace. Outside the door, Sima Yuan had not left and was waiting for Xi Lingfeng. When he saw him come out, he clasped his hands and looked at Xi Lingfeng with a forced smile.
"The Left Prime Minister's arrival today is quite timely."
Xi Lingfeng narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold, and stared at Sima Yuan without saying a word. He recalled what Shen Ruoxuan had said: Sima Yuan was very likely his father. If that were the case, he would be truly disappointed, and he would not acknowledge him.
Why isn't the Left Prime Minister speaking?
“Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together,” Xi Lingfeng said, flicking his sleeves as he left. However, he never looked at Hai Ling from beginning to end, because he did not want to cause Hai Ling any unnecessary trouble.
However, Feng Zixiao's behavior this time really disappointed him.
If he weren't worried about Hailin, he would have left already; there's no need to scheme for a man who can't distinguish right from wrong.
At the palace gate, Hailing led Rouge and other palace maids back to Zhengyi Palace to reflect on their mistakes behind closed doors.
In contrast to the quiet Zhengyi Palace, the Chunwan Palace where Consort Yu Zhao resided was unusually lively, with all the concubines in the palace rushing to the Chunwan Palace to flatter her.
The Emperor sent many gifts to Chunwan Palace and also bestowed upon Yuzheng the title of Virtuous Consort, one of the Four Consorts.
She is currently the second most important concubine in the palace after the Empress. Moreover, the Empress is not favored by the Emperor, while Consort Yu Xian is deeply loved by both the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Therefore, everyone in the palace can tell at a glance who is more important and who is less important.
For a time, Chunwan Palace was the liveliest place in the entire harem.
Compared to the bustling atmosphere there, Zhengyi Palace appeared exceptionally deserted.
Xiao Ke and Lian Yi felt aggrieved for their mistress. Why did the Emperor dislike her when she was so kind and good?
"Your Majesty, please rest for a while."
Xiao Ke consulted Hai Ling, who seemed a little tired.
Hai Ling nodded. Yes, she was indeed a little tired. She had gone out of the palace, beaten up that bastard Sima Zhuo, and even stood up with him at Qingxin Palace. How could she not be tired?
"Alright, I'm going to rest for a while."
Hai Ling nodded in agreement. She didn't care how lively and joyous Chunwan Palace was. What did it have to do with her? So what if she was pregnant with Feng Zixiao's child? What was so great about it? Pregnant with a stud pig's child, she didn't think there was anything to be happy about.
Chunwan Palace was bustling with activity. Not only did the imperial concubines come to offer their congratulations, but the Empress Dowager also personally led a group of people over. After all, the child in Yuzheng's womb was the first bloodline of the royal family, and the Empress Dowager valued it very much. So as soon as the Emperor left, she led the eunuchs and palace maids over.
The concubines paid their respects to the Empress Dowager, and then Yuzheng personally helped the Empress Dowager to her high seat.