Chapter 50: Demoted to Lowly Concubine

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Demoted to Lowly Concubine

The Emperor was very pleased with Lin Family’s cleverness from the seating below, while Feng Yao looked at her own mother admitting her crime in public, feeling distressed and her eyes involuntarily reddened.

When her eyes unintentionally landed on Feng Qing, a wave of hatred surged forward.

Feng Qing, it’s all because of this vile woman. If she admitted to the crime, her mother would not suffer such punishment. Feng Qing, I will remember this account and I will not let it go.

In the hall, the Emperor briskly began speaking: "Lin Family, with evil intentions, ought to face severe punishment according to their crime. Considering she is the Empress’s mother, a lenient punishment is administered. She is to be sent to Huayun Temple to reflect behind closed doors, and shall not take a step outside without my decree."

Below, Lin Family was crying, about to respond, but unexpectedly, Rong Ling who had been silent from one side of the hall suddenly spoke.

"Your Majesty."

Upon hearing Rong Ling speak, Rong Che immediately felt uneasy, yet could only turn his head towards Rong Ling, saying: "Uncle."

Rong Ling raised his eyes, his gaze cold as he looked at the Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, Lin Family, a mere civilian woman without even an entitled rank, dared to oppose the Empress Dowager’s decree and ought to be executed according to her crime. However, considering she gave birth to the Empress, she may be spared death—but her living punishment should not be lenient. Sending her to Huayun Temple is too light a punishment."

As soon as Rong Ling finished speaking, Empress Dowager was the first to echo the sentiment: "What the Regent King said is indeed reasonable; those sent to Huayun Temple are women with tolerable crimes, but Lin Family’s crime is intolerable."

The Empress Dowager wished dearly to punish Lin Family severely, thus gaining leverage over the Empress.

With both the Empress Dowager and Regent King having spoken, the clan members below also began to voice, and Prince Zhao chimed in: "Indeed, she should be severely punished. The matter of switching flower palanquins has greatly impacted the Royal Family."

In the hall, Feng Yao’s face turned pale, her body trembling; being sent to Huayun Temple had already made her lose face entirely, yet they seemed to want to kill her mother.

The Little Emperor paid no mind to Feng Yao, turning to Rong Ling and asked: "Then, how does Uncle think this matter should be handled?"

Rong Ling turned towards Lin Family below the hall, and at this moment, Lin Family no longer held the pride from days past, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Rong Ling’s words fell gently.

"Lin Family, lacking in virtue, unworthy of being Madam of the Marquis Mansion, will be demoted to concubine status as of today, confined to Marquis Jing’an Mansion and not permitted to step out. Should any offense occur, Feng Family will bear the consequence on her behalf."

Within the hall, Lin Family’s eyes blacked out entirely as she fainted.

Above, the Empress Feng Yao called out with a pale face: "No."

She immediately turned to look at the Emperor beside her, for the Emperor had previously stated that her mother was to be sent to Huayun Temple, and had said that once he commenced his regency, he would confer upon her mother the rank of Third-rank Lady; yet now, her mother was being demoted to concubine.

A concubine, inferior even to a regular concubine, even in the past, her mother had been a noble concubine.

Below the hall, there was a lot of discussion amongst people; however, the courtiers and inner attendants had to admit, although the punishment was somewhat sinister, it was indeed deserved.

Feng Yao, with reddened eyes, looked at the Emperor above, who was caught in a dilemma. The Empress Dowager seized the opportunity from one side to speak up.

"Draw up an edict from me, designating Madam Jing’an, Lin Zhu, demoted to concubine, confined within Jing’an Marquis Mansion, and shall not leave. The Marquis Mansion shall supervise her, and should there be any violation of this rule, I shall enforce severe punishment."

As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a eunuch at one side immediately answered affirmatively, proceeding to draw up the decree.

The Empress beside the Emperor cried out: "Emperor, did you not promise?"