Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 982 - 980_1

Chapter 982: Chapter 980_1

"What to do! What do you think what to do, of course, she should be dragged out, given fifty strokes and then beheaded for the public to see, in order to serve as a warning! Cursing the royal bloodline is a crime that’s beyond forgiveness!" the Empress Dowager angrily retorted.

"Your Highness, it’s against the law to ridicule an imperial official, warranting punished by flogging, but what if there is someone cursing a mandarin who wholeheartedly serves the court?" Xiao’er continued questioning.

"This should certainly be punished as well!"

After hearing these words, Princess Ling’er could no longer hold back her tears: "I didn’t say anything about cursing, it’s you who misunderstood that!"

Wasn’t she incriminating herself?

With a puzzled look, the Empress Dowager glanced at Princess Ling’er, guessing why the wife of Prince Rui had hit her. This weak-minded being, even after her wedding, her mind hadn’t matured! Yet she had the audacity to run and tattletale to her!

Before the Empress Dowager had the chance to say anything, the Empress arrived: "Cursing an imperial court official? That’s simply unacceptable! Such a person must be punished. Otherwise, anyone can start cursing court officials. If we let them ridicule court officials without any repercussion, wouldn’t that discourage other officials who serve the court with utmost dedication? Who then would be willing to serve the court with their heart and soul?"

Upon seeing the arrival of the Empress, Xiao’er and Yun’er hurriedly paid their respects: "Your humble daughter-in-law/daughters greet Your Majesty/Mother, may you be blessed with good fortune."

"Stand up, all of you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty/Empress." Only then did Xiao’er and Yun’er rise, feeling relieved to free their legs. If they had squatted again, Xiao’er was prepared to faint! Her legs were already numb!

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Empress, lost in her thoughts. Why did someone always appear just in time when she wanted to punish the wife of Prince Rui? Was it either Shangguan Xuanyi or the Emperor and Empress? Was there a spy in her palace?

Naturally, the Empress was aware of the Empress Dowager’s suspicion. She quickly diverted her attention: "Xiao’er, who did you say cursed an imperial official just now?"

Xiao’er glanced at Princess Ling’er. It was Xiao’er who had noted that the court had a rule against slandering its officials. She knew she had an unwinnable argument, that she’d taken the slap in vain. She adamantly refused to admit anything: "Princess Rui, why are you looking at me? I didn’t mean what you thought I did, you misunderstood!"

Xiao’er no longer looked at her but turned to the Empress Dowager, "Your Highness, I didn’t intentionally ruin the Princess’s makeup today. It’s just that there are people who don’t respect imperial officials and freely curse them. Since I was present, naturally I had to teach them a lesson. The one they were cursing happened to be my elder brother. Understandably, my sister and I couldn’t help ourselves from getting physical. As the Princess, it is my duty to protect my family and country. I can’t tolerate such impudent individuals!"

"What protecting the family and country! Princess Rui, you are sugarcoating your words! Let’s be frank, you were just seeking personal revenge! How does protecting the family and the country relate to you! If you are trying to ’defend the country’ then are you meddling with imperial politics?" Princess Ling’er was infuriated by Xiao’er’s explanation. Was she trying to frame her as a traitor and rebel? This was absolutely intolerable!

"Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of his country, so why can’t I protect my family and the country? As for political affairs, I never interfere. I only manage the affairs of the women quarters and prevent any turbulence! Today, you and Fang Wanping cursed the imperial court officials. This is equivalent to kindling a fire in the women’s quarters. Additionally, the person you cursed was my elder brother, a member of my family. I punished you for mistreating my brother. Wasn’t I protecting my family? Is this not protecting the family?

As for defending the country: my elder brother is the magistrate of Nanyue Prefecture, a mandarin appointed personally by the Emperor. He recently saved the lives of many people in Nanyue. Yet, you wickedly cursed him to contract a terminal illness, essentially threatening the life of this honest and loyal minister. Isn’t me hitting you, protecting such a good official? The Imperial Court is supported by innumerable honest officials. By hitting you two, isn’t I avenging such honest officials and protecting the good officials who dutifully serve the court? Isn’t that defending the kingdom?"

The Empress listened to Xiao’er’s eloquent argument and couldn’t help but admire her daughter-in-law’s linguistic talent. She had never thought that defending family and kingdom could be articulated in this way! In terms of eloquence, if her daughter-in-law claimed second, probably no one in the world would dare to claim first!

The Empress Dowager was baffled by Xiao’er’s words. She was completely caught up in the complex arguments Xiao’er had spun. A mere slap on a princess and a young lady, which was originally seen as boorish, had now inexplicably morphed into a noble act of protecting the family and country?

Princess Ling’er too was flabbergasted. She didn’t quite understand Xiao’er’s words, but they seemed to make some sense. However, she felt that protecting the family and country shouldn’t be this way. Yet she couldn’t think of any arguments to rebut!

Yun’er lowered her head, chuckling secretly. In this world, there was nothing her sister couldn’t convincingly argue. It seemed she still had much to learn!

Xiao’er saw the success of her logical argument in confusing the Empress Dowager, she then asked: "Your Highness, do you still think that me hitting someone is inappropriate? Shouldn’t this kind of person be hit?"

The Empress Dowager was still dazed by Xiao’er’s passionate discourse about defending family and country. She hadn’t yet composed herself and absent-mindedly shook her head: "They should be hit! Defending the family and the country is not wrong!"

Xiao’er smiled faintly: "Your Highness is wise! Since Your Highness also thinks I was right, I shall not disturb you any longer and take my leave."

After saying these words, Xiao’er signaled Yun’er to bow and take their leave, just like her.

The Empress Dowager unconsciously nodded her head, still contemplating over the areas of fault in Xiao’er’s argument.

The Empress felt her efforts to come to the palace had been in vain. Her daughter-in-law, much younger than herself, was far more talented. She had effortlessly dealt with the Empress Dowager, pacifying her within few words. The Empress paid her respects to the Empress Dowager and then left the palace along with the other ladies.

As she was about to step out of the palace, the Empress turned back and looked at Princess Ling’er with icy eyes: "Princess Ling’er, it’s time for the Dowager Empress to rest. What are you doing staying here still!"

Upon hearing her words, Princess Ling’er hastily rose to her feet, excused herself from the Empress Dowager, and left Cining Palace.

Xiao’er and Yun’er also left Cining Palace and bid farewell to the Empress, as it would soon be night, and the palace gates would be closing soon. They had to leave quickly.

The Empress nodded and ordered her people to escort them out of the palace, then stood aside, waiting for Princess Ling’er. She spoke several words to the Princess, who ran out of the palace in tears.

Outside the Imperial Palace, Xiao’er climbed into the carriage. Just as Zhao Yong was about to drive off, Princess Ling’er blocked the carriage: "Shen Xiao’er, you must be very happy now! The Empress has punished me to reflect behind closed doors. I am not allowed to leave the mansion for half a year! It’s all your fault!"

Xiao’er couldn’t help but roll her eyes in a rather rude manner: "Miss, are you sick! Who really was too incompetent to complain, causing all this trouble? Please remember the saying, harm set, harm get! You’re simply insane! Zhao Yong, let’s go!"

"Yes!" Zhao Yong immediately whipped the horse, which started off instantly. Princess Ling’er had to dodge quickly as she watched the disappearing carriage, hopping mad, yet powerless.

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