Chapter 954: I've imprisoned the Empress—how do I fix this! 07

After waiting like this, it was nearly the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.

No matter how many times they changed clothes, they should have come out by now; anyone with common sense knows this is the Empress asserting her authority as soon as she returned, and I couldn't help but become more vigilant.

"Her Highness the Empress has arrived."

Jing Liang Jun and the others rose, performed the bowing salute, and watched Wen Zhiheng walk to the main seat and sit down.

Even though he had been confined to the Cold Palace for half a year, Wen Zhiheng still possessed an innate noble aura that could not be ignored, as if the atmosphere in the hall had no effect on him.

He sat upright, lifted his eyes to sweep over the crowd, his phoenix eyes slightly lifting, revealing an untouchable coldness.

"Sit." Wen Zhiheng said in a calm tone.

Jing Liang Jun was the first to sit down, sizing up the noticeably thinner Wen Zhiheng, showing little respect, and spoke with a smile.

"You were confined to the Cold Palace for half a year, and now you finally see the clouds part and the moon shine; to be personally escorted back by His Majesty to the Qingxin Palace is a fortunate occasion."

Wen Zhiheng listened to him finish, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and his eyes remained unchanged.

"If there's nothing else, you may withdraw." This remark was clearly addressed to everyone.

It was as if he hadn't heard Jing Liang Jun speak at all just now.

Jing Liang Jun's face darkened somewhat, and his delicate, almost feminine features distorted for an instant.

"My brother has just left the Cold Palace and should still be recuperating; I, your servant, will manage the harem for you, after all, this was personally promised by His Majesty."

Wen Zhiheng finally reacted, slowly turning his eyes to glance at him, the corner of his mouth lifting without a smile.

"Jing Liang Jun, you seem to have forgotten that the authority to oversee the six palaces was originally granted to you by this palace."

At that time, he had not yet been stripped of his political authority by Jin Chen, and although his relationship with Jin Chen had grown somewhat distant, it was not as bad as it is now.

Since he had to attend to affairs of the former dynasty, the harem inevitably received less attention; he selected a servant of clean lineage and influence to promote, never expecting things to turn out as they have today.

Jing Liang Jun's expression flickered with momentary displeasure: "As your servant, I certainly remember Your Highness's promotion; I will never forget it."

Wen Zhiheng said nothing more, then glanced at the other restless attendants—some familiar faces from half a year ago, and some new ones that had appeared during that period.

Clearly he had been disappointed before, yet looking at them now still gave him a sense of unease.

He lowered his eyes, playing with the translucent white jade bracelet on his wrist.

"Is there anyone else who has something to say? I am tired."

Xian Gui Qing was the first to speak; he looked cute, but unlike the indulgent Shao Chun, he appeared adept at scheming.

"Your Majesty, the Empress may not be aware, but His Majesty has recently been coming to my palace to visit the Second Princess."

"Cough cough cough..."

Wen Zhiheng covered his mouth and gave a few light coughs, his phoenix eyes widening in surprise as he looked at the man's belly, "You… still have this ability?"

In just half a year, he has actually given Jin Chen a princess.

Xian Gui Qing: "……"

He gritted his teeth, yet he could not help but maintain a smile.

"She is a young lady from my family; at the previous palace banquet, I brought her to stay in the palace for a while, and His Majesty, finding her adorable, took her in as a princess."

"However, today is unfortunate—the princess has already gone to sleep; another day I will let her come to pay her respects to Your Highness."

"No need," Wen Zhiheng immediately refused, "children are noisy."

He refused too quickly, his tone stern, and Xian Gui Qing's original desire to show off vanished in an instant.

Just then, Yan Fu'an's voice came from outside the hall.

"His Majesty approaches!"

The attendants all rose excitedly to greet him; Wen Zhiheng supported his forehead against the chairback, yet did not stand.

This special treatment was also given by Jin Chen; Wen Zhiheng wondered what Jin Chen's reaction would be if he continued to act this way now.

After Jin Chen finished chatting with the Grand Tutor, he hurried back to the Qingxin Palace without stopping, and then heard Shun Ping say that the Empress was in the side hall.

As the Main Gate was pushed open, he was so startled by the room full of oddly shaped men that he stumbled back two steps.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." The attendants bowed low, their gazes meeting his as if they could spark electricity.

Jin Chen retreated another half step.

What demons and monsters!

0731 laughed heartily, hehe.

【These are all your harem attendants!】

Jin Chen: 【……】

The original owner not only had a bad mind, but also poor judgment! With such a handsome, beautiful, nation‑toppling Empress, how could he still fall for this bunch of misshapen melons and cracked dates!

"Raise yourselves."

Jin Chen maintained his composure on the surface, but actually strode quickly through the crowd, heading straight for the foremost main seat.

"Huai Feng, why aren't you continuing to rest? Are you still feeling unwell?"

Jin Chen approached Wen Zhiheng, saw him still half‑supporting his head, assumed he was unwell, and reached out to touch his forehead.

"It's fine, not hot."

Wen Zhiheng came to his senses from the brief daze just now, glanced blankly at Jin Chen, and confirmed that he had indeed changed considerably.

"Much better, Your Majesty need not worry."

He lowered his eyes in response, avoiding Jin Chen's attempt to take his hand.

Jin Chen was not annoyed either, but took a cup of tea and sat at the other main seat.

This again forced him to confront that bunch of misshapen melons and cracked dates.

"It's not even the time for paying respects; why are you disturbing the Empress's rest?"

Jing Liang Jun concealed his jealous gaze, rose slowly, and said, "Your Majesty… this was my suggestion; thinking that my brother hasn't seen anyone in half a year, I brought them here to pay their respects."

"Upon further reflection, I, your servant, have made a mistake; I hope Your Majesty will punish me."

If things were normal, the Emperor would have taken his hand and gently soothed him—how could there be even a hint of blame?

But now he is facing Jin Chen.

"He is indeed at fault; since that's the case, deduct his salary for two months."

Jin Chen felt his words were quite reasonable.

Jingliang Jun: "……"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, the corners of his eyes instantly reddening, "Your Majesty... are you really going to punish me?"

Jin Chen was bewildered: "Didn't you say that yourself?"

Trouble!

"If you don't want to be punished, go home."

These words made Jingliang Jun's face turn deathly pale as he collapsed onto the seat, "What... what...?"

Even when he had helplessly faced the unreasonable arrogance of Shao Chun Gui Jun in the past, the Emperor had never said such a thing to him!

"Your Majesty... do you no longer want me as your attendant?"

Jin Chen laughed in anger.

You don't want to be punished, you don't want to go home—what else do you want, to be beheaded?!

Wen Zhengheng was also startled by Jin Chen's words; after weighing the pros and cons, he still held Jin Chen's hand, intending to speak in persuasion, but the next second Jin Chen gripped his hand tightly.

"Huai Feng, do you have anything to say to me?"

Jin Chen immediately looked forward to it.

Wen Zhengheng: "……Hmm."

He avoided Jin Chen's blazing gaze: "Jingliang Jun has committed no serious fault; there's no need to expel him from the palace—deducting his salary and issuing a reprimand is enough."

If he were rashly driven out, the Shangshu would certainly be dissatisfied, and there would surely be gossip in the court.

He never spoke these words, but Jin Chen knew Wen Zhengheng was considering them.

"Since the Empress has spoken, let Jingliang Jun have his salary halved for six months, effective immediately, to reflect behind closed doors."

The powerful ones in this household can't be moved, but others can be, right?!

Jin Chen glanced at the attendants trembling inside the hall, then casually pointed at a few people.

"You few... and you as well, leave the palace today; from now on you will be innocent and can still marry."

"You few also leave the palace together."

Jin Chen sat there, pointing and commenting at the crowd, unaware of how terrifying and unpredictable he seemed in the eyes of those attendants.

A man who enters the inner palace—even if he leaves—how could he possibly truly be considered innocent!

Wen Zhengheng grew more alarmed the more he heard, feeling increasingly strange, and hurriedly grabbed Jin Chen, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty!"

"Hey, what's wrong with Huai Feng?"

Jin Chen turned his gaze to him.