Chapter 320: Volume One, Chapter 320  Defying the Phoenix Decree

Volume One, Chapter 320  Defying the Phoenix Decree

At this moment in Yongyan Hall, Gou Jing felt dazed, staring at the Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains map crumpled on the floor—a work she had embroidered day after day with her sweat. Her mind buzzed; it was her sincere tribute to the Empress, now trampled into a heap on the ground.

Gou Jing had never been as angry in her life as she was now; she recalled Song Huifei's gaze at her, as if looking at an ant, and knew Song Huifei had done it on purpose.

She also thought of Su Virtuous Consort; earlier Su Virtuous Consort had explicitly told her not to make a fuss, yet she came together with Song Huifei. Gou Jing was no fool, so she naturally sensed the hidden agenda.

Lately the atmosphere in the Hou Gong was off; Ruan Shihua had come to warn her. She did not want to cause trouble, and was single‑mindedly trying to finish the Ten Thousand Miles map quickly. Because she was overly meticulous, the embroidery that should have been completed half a month ago was only now being wrapped up.

But just when the final step was near, it was ruined in an instant.

Ruan Shihua saw Gou Jing's expression was off, hurriedly reached out to steady her, silently exerting force to bring her to her senses.

Gou Jing turned her head to meet Ruan Shihua's worried gaze and whispered, "Sister Ruan, I'm fine."

Ruan Shihua, though skeptical, lowered her voice and said, "Don't be angry. Since Fengyi Palace already knows about this, they will act. You must stay calm and not act rashly."

Gou Jing nodded, "Sister Ruan, I know what I should do."

Ruan Shihua sighed softly, looked at Gou Jing with sorrow and said, "I know you feel wronged and are sad, but our rank is low; seeking justice is not easy. If… if the Empress does not intervene on your behalf, you must not cause a scene; handle it gradually thereafter."

Gou Jing understood Ruan Shihua meant well; her words made sense. If the Empress does not take charge, confronting Song Huifei and Su Ying would be like striking a stone with an egg.

Nevertheless, she believed the Empress would never stand by idly.

The two faced each other in silence, and soon a palace attendant by Gou Jing's side hurried in, bowed to them, and said, "Master, the Empress has dispatched Zhao Mam and Xu Xianfei to Yunhua Palace and Yongfu Palace to apprehend and interrogate regarding this matter."

Gou Jing sprang to her feet at the news; she knew, she knew the Empress would certainly not ignore it.

Ruan Shihua was also startled, stood up, and looked at Gou Jing, saying cheerfully, "Now that's good; the Empress is willing to step in for you and will surely secure justice."

Gou Jing nodded vigorously, looked at Ruan Shihua and said, "Sister Ruan, you may return with peace of mind; I'll wait here. The people from Fengyi Palace will certainly come to question further."

Ruan Shihua nodded, "Alright, don't be impatient; when the time comes, just speak the truth."

"I understand, I will." She swore she would not let them off; even if she couldn't gnaw through a bone, she would tear off a piece of flesh to live up to her Ten Thousand Miles map.

Ruan Shihua gave a few more reminders before taking her leave. On the way back, she felt a pang of emotion, thinking how unexpectedly petty Song Huifei was. This embroidered map was commissioned by the Empress for Gou Jing; if Song Huifei had any grievances, shouldn't she go to the Empress?

Yet she vented her anger on Gou Jing. Moreover, Su Ying's cold indifference was chilling; the matter had not been broadcast, so the Empress would not deliberately comment, and only Su Ying kept it secret.

What was the result?

Su Ying told Gou Jing not to make a fuss, yet she herself betrayed Gou Jing.

If Su Ying hadn't leaked, how would Song Huifei have known that Gou Jing was embroidering the map?

Ruan Shihua tightened the large cloak around her; though winter had not yet arrived, she felt a cold seep through every bone.

Su Ying and Song Huifei formed an alliance; she and Gou Jing were both attached to those two—so what was the outcome?

Su Ying betrayed Gou Jing without hesitation; this time it was just a map, next time it might be a life.

With a person like that, how could she continue to associate with her?

Ruan Shihua had not previously been fervently devoted to the Empress, but this incident shook her heart profoundly.

Zhao Mam and Xu Xianfei acted swiftly, leading their men to seize all the palace staff who had followed Song Huifei and Su Virtuous Consort to Yongyan Hall.

Song Huifei naturally objected, especially since Yu Zhu and Qing Lian were her handmaid companions who knew many secrets; if they were taken, how could she be at ease?

Zhao Mam, holding the Fengyi Palace token, looked at Song Huifei without fear and slowly said, "Madam Huifei, I am acting on orders; please do not obstruct. Moreover, it is merely routine questioning. Madam Huifei, you are defying the Empress's Phoenix decree; if you do not cease, do not blame me for being unkind."

Song Huifei arched her eyebrows in anger and said, "You are just a lowly servant, yet you dare to speak so boldly before me. Do you think I won't punish you at once?"

Xu Xianfei immediately replied, "Madam Song, you cannot speak so carelessly. Every word and deed of Zhao Mam follows the Empress's command; the incident began because you, Madam Huifei, destroyed the Ten Thousand Miles map that Gou Shuyi embroidered under the Empress's order. Could it be that you are obstructing out of hidden motives? Or did you deliberately ruin the map?"

"Xianfei, what do you mean by that?" Song Huifei glared at Xu Xianfei, so angry she felt she could tear her spiteful face apart.

"I have spoken clearly; why, Madam Song, do you pretend not to understand?" Xu Xianfei glanced at those beside her, "Take the people away; if anyone disobeys, take them as well."

The men Xu Xianfei brought immediately seized those near Song Huifei; the scene erupted into chaos, and Yu Zhu and Qing Lian, terrified, turned pale and shouted, "Mother, help! Mother, help!"

"Release them!" Song Huifei rushed forward, pointing at Xu Xianfei and shouting.

Xu Xianfei remained unflinching, "Madam Song, are you trying to defy the Phoenix decree?"

Even if Song Huifei thought that inside, she could not voice it; she could only stare at Xu Xianfei, wishing she could burn a hole through her.

Xu Xianfei smiled, "Madam Song, do not worry; it is merely a routine inquiry. As long as you are innocent, they will naturally return soon."

After speaking, Xu Xianfei gave Song Huifei no chance to continue her outburst, and left immediately with her men.

After exiting Yunhua Palace, they promptly proceeded to Yongfu Palace.

At that moment, in Yongfu Palace, Su Ying was holding a book but could not read a single word; her mind was consumed with how the matter had escalated, uncertain how the Empress would handle it.

She had deliberately leaked the news to Song Huifei, hoping to thwart the Empress's move to seal the Hou Gong, though she doubted whether it would succeed.

Thinking of this, I inevitably felt a bit restless and agitated.