The next day, in the imperial study.
Bang!
After hearing Chen Bing’s report, the emperor shattered several teacups in fury: "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Feng Huan, what am I to do with you?"
Feng Huan prostrated himself, trembling: "This crime is mine alone. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
"Hmph!" The emperor snorted coldly. Though Prince Qin appeared disheartened, he still spoke up for Feng Ying: "Imperial Brother, this matter cannot be blamed entirely on General Feng. He claimed he was drunk at the time and failed to recognize—"
"Failed to recognize? Of all the women on the street, he had to abduct Lady Jiang the Younger? How could that be a mistake?"
Prince Qin fell silent, and Feng Huan dared not breathe.
Empress Dowager Su, though annoyed that this ruined their pretext to deal with the Chu family, still favored the Fengs: "This one knows. But what’s done is done. Though Feng Huan acted foolishly, he has served the border well. You must show leniency."
The emperor sighed deeply.
He knew all too well—since the Grand General’s death, the court had few capable military officers left.
The northern frontier still relied on Feng Huan’s defense. So even after this disgraceful act, he had to be spared.
Just then, Yin Shun hurried in: "Your Majesty, the Chu family has arrived. However, the County Magistrate of Changle went to the Guardian Temple yesterday and has yet to return, and Chief Minister Yan is occupied at the Ministry of War, so neither is present."
"Good that they’re absent!" The emperor exhaled in relief. If that couple had come, who knew what chaos would ensue?
Soon, Chu Huaishan entered with Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruoyin. Spotting Feng Huan prostrated on the floor, he frowned but saluted first: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, if this old servant recalls correctly, the seven-day deadline has not yet passed?"
The emperor coughed awkwardly: "Lord Chu, there’s no need for further investigation. Feng... Feng Huan has confessed—he was the one who harmed your wife all those years ago."
"What?" Chu Huaishan glared furiously, while Lady Jiang shuddered and clutched Chu Ruoyin’s hand.
"The matter has been clarified. That day, he drank heavily in a tavern and mistook your wife’s carriage for his own. He drugged her, intending... marital relations. Upon realizing his error, he fled in panic. Over the years, guilt tormented him, but he feared disrupting your household’s peace, hence the delay."
Here, the emperor shot Feng Huan a sharp look. The latter immediately kowtowed: "Lord Chu, I beg for your punishment!"
Chu Huaishan’s eyes burned with rage, but he soon steadied himself: "Brother Feng, I know your character. You would never harm another’s wife or daughter. Was it truly you?"
Feng Huan inwardly cursed his misfortune, but bound by his father’s involvement, he gritted his teeth: "Yes! I alone am responsible. Whatever punishment you demand, the Feng family will accept without complaint!"
Silence filled the study.
The emperor spoke again: "Lord Chu, no one wishes for such things to happen. But years have passed, and both you and Feng Huan are pillars of the court. For the sake of your families’ reputations, this one suggests you show magnanimity. The Fengs will offer substantial compensation. As for your second daughter..."
He glanced at Empress Dowager Su, who said slowly, "The emperor has discussed this with me. Since her true father is General Feng, she and Feng Ying are sisters. Having her wed Jin as a concubine would be inappropriate. Thus, she may enter the mansion as an equal wife. The sisters serving one husband would make for a harmonious tale."
Chu Huaishan nearly laughed in disbelief—they wanted Ruoyin to acknowledge the Fengs?
Just as he prepared to retort, his sleeve was yanked sharply: "My lord, this concubine consents."
Stunned, he turned to see Lady Jiang kneeling: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, this unworthy woman dares not let her shame hinder the court’s pillars. But I beg Your Majesties’ mercy—grant my daughter freedom to choose her path. In return, I shall drop all grievances!"
"Mother!" Tears welled in Chu Ruoyin’s eyes—her mother was trading her humiliation for her freedom.
The emperor and Empress Dowager exchanged glances. The latter nodded: "That could suffice. But as a wife, she must shun jealousy—especially in the royal family. She must not use this to bar her sister’s entry..."
"Mother!" Murong Jin interrupted. Seeing the girl’s pallor, he stepped forward and grasped her hands: "Ruoyin, I swear, once you’re in my mansion, I’ll treat you well. You’ll suffer no hardships—"
Before he finished, her delicate hands slipped from his grasp.
Chu Ruoyin lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes meeting his directly: "Your Highness, what if I said... I refuse to enter your mansion?"
Murong Jin stiffened: "Nonsense! Where else could you go?"
Even if this scandal were suppressed, the taint remained.
She could no longer face the Chu residence, and the Feng estate would never accept her. The world was vast, yet she had no place in it.
Chu Ruoyin smiled bitterly: "True, I have nowhere to go. But even so, I won’t live as another’s shadow..."
Then, with a heartbreakingly radiant smile, she asked: "So, Your Highness, one last time—if you take me in, you cannot wed Feng Ying. Will you agree?"
Empress Dowager Su’s face darkened. Murong Jin stood frozen, silent.
The palace held its breath. With each passing moment, her heart chilled further.
Finally, Chu Ruoyin curtsied gracefully: "I understand... Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, this subject, Chu Ruoyin, formally requests the annulment of my engagement to Prince Qin!"
Gasps filled the room. Murong Jin lunged forward: "Ruoyin, it’s not that I refuse, but I’ve already wronged Ying all these years—I can’t abandon her now..."
Chu Ruoyin didn’t spare him a glance: "After the annulment, Your Highness will owe her nothing."
Her voice, once tender, now held no warmth.
Panic seized Murong Jin, but Empress Dowager Su sneered: "Fine! Since you spurn our grace, this one grants your wish! But mark my words—a woman of sullied virtue will find no worthy match. Don’t come crawling back!"
Chu Ruoyin’s lips curled mockingly as she knelt: "This one thanks Your Majesties!"
The decree was sealed.
Murong Jin’s outstretched hand hung midair.
He was losing her—truly losing her.
Tension thickened the air until Chu Huaishan broke it: "Your Majesty, my daughter’s matter is settled. But Qiao Dali keeps slandering my house, accusing us of harming his family. These rumors have spread across the capital. How does Your Majesty intend to address this?"
"This one has ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Capital Office to investigate jointly. Results will come soon—"
Before he finished, a eunuch rushed in, whispering to Yin Shun, who paled and cried: "Your Majesty! Trouble at the palace gates! The Lin family accuses General Feng of filial impiety—neglecting his own mother’s life!"
