The moment the Iron Certificate of Pardon was presented, everyone inside and outside the palace knelt in reverence.
Even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager rose slightly, bowing their heads in respect.
Elder Feng swelled with pride—who else in the realm could claim such singular honor?
With his head held high, he strode forward and presented the iron plaque to the Emperor. "Your Majesty! During the late Emperor's reign, he granted this Iron Certificate of Pardon to my humble family, absolving the Feng descendants of capital crimes. I have guarded it with trembling reverence, daring to invoke it only once before the late Emperor. Today, I beg Your Majesty’s mercy to pardon my son’s offense!"
The Emperor seethed inwardly. This matter touched upon filial piety, a sacred virtue, and now the entire court knew of it—how could he possibly sweep it under the rug?
Yet, outwardly, he solemnly accepted the iron certificate and placed it upon the dragon throne.
Bowing deeply, he turned back with an icy tone. "Elder Feng, you’ve chosen your timing well. Invoking the late Emperor at such a juncture leaves Us no room to refuse."
Elder Feng paled. The Emperor was subtly accusing him of coercion!
Behind him, Feng Ying immediately dropped to her knees. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, my grandfather acted out of necessity. Our family truly had no knowledge of Grandmother’s circumstances—"
Lin Yunshi couldn’t help but scoff. "Miss Feng, the entire Guardian Temple can attest that your family arranged Mrs. Feng’s funeral rites. To claim ignorance now is absurd."
Elder Feng’s heart sank. He had sent people to discreetly handle Mrs. Feng’s affairs, never expecting it to backfire.
He glanced at his granddaughter, who silently mouthed a name.
Elder Feng nearly slapped his knee in admiration—how had he forgotten her?
"Your Majesty! I swear upon heaven, I knew nothing of Mrs. Feng’s passing! Just days ago, I received word that she was well at Guardian Temple, which is why I allowed the family to proceed with Feng Ying’s Qujiang Banquet!"
His declaration was so forceful even the Emperor hesitated. "One side claims the Feng family mistreated their matriarch, while the other insists they knew nothing of her death. Who speaks the truth?"
Lin Yunshi bit back a retort, recalling the county magistrate’s warning about the Fengs’ cunning. She held her tongue, waiting to see their next move.
The hall fell silent.
The Emperor frowned. "Minister of Justice, speak."
Dou Sicheng broke into a cold sweat. The Fengs were untouchable, but the Lin family, though minor officials, had public sentiment on their side…
Thinking fast, he replied, "Your Majesty, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is renowned for his discernment. He will surely resolve this!"
The Chief Justice shot him a glare, then turned to the Prefect of the Capital.
But the Prefect stepped forward first. "Your Majesty, the Supreme Court oversees judicial matters. They are best suited to adjudicate!"
The Chief Justice’s face whitened as he knelt. "Your Majesty, I—"
"Enough!" the Emperor roared, seeing through their evasions.
With Cao Yang gone, the Supreme Court was now led by an incompetent placeholder. At this moment, the Emperor sorely missed Cao Yang.
Chu Huaishan seized the opportunity. "Your Majesty, the truth is easily uncovered. The Lin family claims the Fengs sent people to handle the funeral. Summon every Feng household servant, and—if Elder Feng distrusts the Lins—bring the monks of Guardian Temple to testify. A confrontation will reveal all."
"Excellent!" the Emperor brightened.
Elder Feng hastily interjected, "Your Majesty!" His men at Guardian Temple hadn’t yet been silenced—a confrontation would expose everything!
Feng Ying, understanding her grandfather’s panic, spoke up. "Your Majesty, I’ve just recalled—the messenger who brought news of Grandmother’s well-being was sent by the Earl of Pingxi’s Manor!"
"The Earl of Pingxi’s Manor?"
The Emperor paused, then remembered: Elder Feng had two sons and a daughter, the latter married into that very household.
Elder Feng nodded eagerly. "Indeed! It was my daughter Feng Yun’s servant. At the time, I found it odd—my wife’s consumption hardly warranted a ‘well’—but as her mother, I dismissed it. Now, it seems…"
Lin Yunshi sneered inwardly. So, they were throwing Feng Yun under the carriage!
Sure enough, the Emperor’s fury erupted. "Summon Feng Yun to court!"
---
At the Earl of Pingxi’s Manor, Feng Yun was fuming before the imperial summons arrived.
Her matron soothed, "Madam, you must endure. Though the Earl favors Lady Phoenix, you remain the rightful mistress—"
"Mistress? What kind of mistress lives like this?" she hissed. "From the moment I conceived, he took that wretch as concubine. A year after childbirth, he still refuses my bed… Ugh! If only my useless mother hadn’t been cast aside by Father! With the Fengs’ backing, I wouldn’t suffer so!"
A maid entered, holding a golden locket. "Madam, the Lin family sent this longevity lock, saying it’s from your mother to celebrate the young master’s hundredth day—"
Feng Yun snatched and hurled it to the floor. "That hag’s trash? You dare bring me more misfortune?"
The maid trembled as the infant’s wails erupted.
"Shut up! All you do is cry!" Feng Yun clapped hands over her ears, shrieking, "Why must my life be so wretched?"
The Earl soon arrived, but his words dashed her hopes. "The Emperor summons you regarding the Fengs. Mind your tongue—don’t drag my household into this!"
Feng Yun hastily agreed, yet her heart fluttered. Had Father finally remembered her? Was she to receive imperial favor like Feng Ying’s grand banquet?
Beaming, she adorned herself in finery, snapping at the maid, "Take that hag’s filth, dunk it in the cesspit, then return it! If Father learns I kept ties with her, I’m ruined!"
---
When Feng Yun entered the throne hall, the scornful stares struck her like a blow.
Her brother Feng Huan knelt at the center, roaring, "Shameless wretch! Dressed like a peacock before your mother’s corpse—have you no decency?!"
Feng Yun’s knees buckled.
Before she could speak, her jewels were ripped away as Elder Feng lamented, "Your Majesty! I failed as a father, raising this heartless viper! She must’ve lied about her mother’s health, then disposed of the body, shaming our family before Your Majesty! Punish her, I beg you!"
