Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 91 Conviction

Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Conviction

When asked if Lian Hua was afraid, she didn’t know, she just felt as though she had seen this scene before, as if she were an onlooker who had detached herself, kneeling in the hall and listening to people from all sides accuse her of pushing someone down the stairs, wanting to pin a crime on her—it seemed like she was watching a bizarre and fanciful play.

It seemed that a long, long time ago, she had also experienced such a thing, but when she tried to remember the specifics, her head hurt like it was being pricked with needles, a dense and intense pain, growing worse the more she thought about it, feeling overwhelmed with sorrow and helplessness.

From a very young age, she knew the world was cruel, that the weak were as easy to crush as ants, she was weak and without lofty ambitions, so she lived carelessly, thankful for each day she survived. But that didn’t mean she was clueless, she just chose not to understand, for she was not unfamiliar with the coldness of the world’s ways.

The rules of the world were made by the powerful, and now the people in the hall were making rules for her, where the truth didn’t matter. It was just that she wouldn’t acknowledge them, not even if it meant death.

So, to ask if she was afraid, fear was of no help. All she could do was to stand her ground, even if it meant being battered and bloodied.

Looking at the people in the hall, her face became even more tranquil, both calm and indifferent.

The Punishment Matron standing below the dais shouted sternly, "How dare you, you still have the nerve to be obstinate, the servant from Driftfrost Hall has already made the incident crystal clear. Beauty Li kindly invited you to the pavilion for a chat, yet you pushed her down the stairs, causing severe injuries, and now she lies in a coma. Tell us, did you harbor a grudge over an earlier matter and seek revenge on Beauty Li?"

The Punishment Matron spoke fiercely and questioned aggressively, her voice suddenly raising at the end. If it were an average person, they would probably be frightened to paralysis.

But this had no effect on Lian Hua, who listened still expressionless, and asked in a clear and articulate voice, "May I inquire which past matter Nanny is referring to?" Her voice was crisp as if she was asking about something wholly ordinary.

"That is the matter of Beauty Li punishing you to kneel and also pointing out the vulgarity of your poem at the floral banquet!" Seeing her intimidation had no effect on the little Daying, the Punishment Matron grew somewhat irritated.

Lian Hua looked at her indifferently and asked, "Does Nanny also agree that my poetry was vulgar at the floral banquet?"

The Punishment Matron had long heard about the incident at the floral banquet and privately deemed Daying Lian of Canglan Court as lacking elegance, unworthy of mention. Now, wanting nothing more than to swiftly convict her, she blurted out what she was thinking in a rush, getting caught off-guard.

This matter had already been settled by His Majesty; how could she dare to comment now? She hastily tried to backtrack, saying, "This servant didn’t mean it that way, I was just saying that you harbored resentment because Beauty Li criticized your poem."

Lian Hua, with an indifferent look, shifted her position, changing her kneeling posture as kneeling upright was indeed too exhausting.

After getting comfortable, she looked up, her voice coquettish and mocking, "I won first place at the floral banquet, while Beauty Li was punished by the Noble Consort. I wonder why Nanny thinks I would harbor resentment?"

The Punishment Matron was abruptly at a loss for words, staring at her composed and self-assured demeanor, feeling outright insulted and scorned!

Ever since she became the Punishment Matron, the criminals she disciplined all feared her. She never expected this little Daying, of low rank, to possess such audacity, not showing a single change of face regardless of her threats.

From the moment the prisoner was brought back to when she moved to pin the crime and decide the punishment, not once did she see fear on Lian Hua’s face—calm from beginning to end.

She hadn’t offered any defense before, just quietly knelt there, letting the servants from Driftfrost Hall accuse her and enduring the cross-examination by the Punishment Matron, yet now, when it came to being nailed with a crime, she wouldn’t admit to it.

And at this moment, she even had the cheek to retort, with the Noble Consort watching from above—this was a great affront to the Punishment Matron!

Burning with anger inside, the Punishment Matron’s face twisted into a cold sneer, thinking her denial would be of no consequence. So naive—she would see how Lian Hua would cry and beg for mercy when it came time for the punishment!

Just as she was about to further berate her into confessing, the Noble Consort spoke.

"Enough, the floral banquet has no bearing on this matter, do not mention it again," the Noble Consort looked down and raised her hand to stop the Punishment Matron from speaking further.

Frustrated and annoyed within, she thought to herself, what a fool. With both human and material evidence at hand, it would have been simple to directly condemn the accused, yet she had to unnecessarily add the speculation about harboring resentment.

Watching the Punishment Matron being led by the nose by this Little Daying, the Noble Consort had no choice but to speak up and intervene.

The Noble Consort scrutinized the people below and noticed that the Little Daying, who now remained calm and composed, seemed like a completely different person compared to the timid one seen at her birthday celebration. She had initially thought him to be a simpleton, but his reasoning proved meticulous. Indeed, no one should be underestimated, not even a mere Daying.

Alas, it was all in vain, like a locust struggling against the coming of autumn: no matter how much it leapt, it would still meet its end, unable to escape from the palm of her hand.

With a hint of mockery in her eyes, the Noble Consort lightly parted her vermilion lips, "Now, with Young Sister Li in critical condition and yet to awaken, with both human and material evidence present, there is no doubt that Daying Lian has committed a grave offense against her superior by severely injuring Beauty Li. Her actions are cruel and heartless, showing no sign of repentance; the crime is even greater. Someone, come—"

As she spoke, she was about to call for someone to take the accused away for punishment.

Right at that moment:

"Wait!" There came a voice slowly approaching from outside the hall.

The Noble Consort narrowed her eyes at the newcomer, a cold light flickering within.

...

Meanwhile, Xiao Jizi faced much adversity.

As expected, Zhang Sancai stopped him well before he could get anywhere near the Star Palace, greeting him with ridicule in his words.

Xiao Jizi endured it all. Saving the Young Master was paramount; these were all trivial matters.

After once again being mocked by Zhang Sancai, Xiao Jizi held his temper and spoke kindly, "Brother Sancai, I truly have an urgent matter to report to His Majesty. I implore you to announce my arrival. Feng Ji will never forget such a great kindness and favor."

"Oh, isn’t that affectionate! Who’s your Brother Sancai? And speaking of kindness and favor, what are you, Feng Ji, to call me brother? Are you even worthy?" Zhang Sancai sneered, taking delight in seeing Feng Ji reduced to a pathetic state.

After the taunt, he pushed Xiao Jizi, sending him tumbling to the ground, and barked, "His Majesty is currently discussing state affairs with the ministers. You’re not someone who can seek an audience with him. Scram!"

When both served in the Star Palace in the past, his godfather often praised Feng Ji for his reliability in handling affairs, whereas he always distrusted Zhang Sancai’s ability to work independently. The Young Eunuchs below showed a subtle preference for Feng Ji.

Once, he had even overheard whispers that Feng Ji was destined to become the second in command of the Star Palace, creating the biggest threat to him. How could he not revel in the sight of Feng Ji’s downfall now?

A flash of defiance crossed Xiao Jizi’s eyes as he hit the ground. Zhang Sancai had always been petty and made things difficult for him in the past. With Zhang Sancai in his way now, it seemed impossible to meet with His Majesty.

No, he couldn’t give up. The Young Master was still waiting for him!

With that thought, Xiao Jizi gritted his teeth and knelt on the ground: "Brother Sancai, if I’ve offended you in the past, I ask for your forgiveness. I’ll kowtow to you and admit my mistakes, and I beseech you to help announce my presence." As he spoke, he kowtowed twice more towards Zhang Sancai. If it could save the Young Master, what use was his dignity?

"Tsk tsk, Feng Ji, look at you now, haha," laughed Zhang Sancai in a hushed yet unrestrained manner, crouching in front of Xiao Jizi. He taunted, "Why aren’t you serving your little Daying? What brings you here? Perhaps if you tell me, I may be moved to show some mercy and help you out."