The Shu Nu's survival rule 138 can rest assured for the time being.

  Yang Qining sat down dazedly beside his mother, lost in thought. Madame Yang was held in the arms of her loyal maid, overcome with grief.

  After everyone had left, the hall was even more empty and desolate, while the icy voice of the Empress Dowager sent chills down people's spines.

  "You dare to barge into the palace without being summoned, this is a great sin. For your own selfish desires, you've resorted to such despicable tactics that it's driving me to death, and in front of the Ah family, no less! Even now, you're still so brazen as to offend the King's consort, causing my mother to be so angry she's on the verge of collapse. Such a talentless, virtueless, unfilial person - how dare you show your face as the Ah family's daughter-in-law? You're not even worthy of tying my grandson's shoes! The Ah family would rather not sully their own hands by dealing with you... Get out!"

  Inside the grand hall, a maid with two buns on her head and a lily-patterned hairpin on her temple suddenly looked displeased, then quietly retreated back into the room, rushing to report to the queen in a urgent tone: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is so muddled, she didn't even punish that Yang woman. Instead, she only let her leave the palace and return home."

  Chen Xiang Yuqin widened her eyes, muttering indignantly "It's too easy for her", while He mother smiled and said: "This person is the eldest young lady of the Yang manor, even if the Empress Dowager doesn't deal with her, she must have her own considerations."

  Several pairs of dissatisfied eyes stared at her, and Mrs. He hastily explained: "Your Highness, think carefully, Yang Qining is still an unmarried girl from a good family, and she is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Qingchang. Moreover, the Marquis of Qingchang and the second master have gone to Shanxi, and now is the time when the court needs people. Even if Yang Qining has committed a heinous crime, Yang Taijun has already received the most severe punishment. Even if the Empress Dowager does not deal with her, this person's fate will be extremely miserable after she returns."

  As she slowly drank the An Tai Tang brought by the palace staff, a cold and stern smile flashed across Bai Jing's face, her pink lips uttering icy words, "Not bad, even if the Empress Dowager can forgive her, the Yang family will not let her off easily." In ancient times, large clans had their own set of strict family rules that were not subject to official interference, and could impose any severe punishment on clan members who broke the rules. Generally speaking, for those who committed heinous crimes, greatly damaging the family's reputation or committing unforgivable wrongs, men would be expelled from the family or beaten to death, while women would be drowned in a river or become nuns, losing their freedom for life until old age and death.

  Mrs. Yang has been paralyzed by anger, which is what modern people call a stroke. Although she was rescued in time, she still suffered from severe sequelae. Doctor Chen said with certainty that for the rest of her life, she would be unable to speak or move her limbs, and except for a pair of eyes that could move, she basically needed someone to take care of her eating, drinking, and using the bathroom. The woman who had been proud and fawned upon by others for most of her life suddenly became a living dead person, which was enough to make her suffer for the rest of her life.

  As for Yang Qining... with a cold smile, she has already lost the most solid and reliable backing of Mrs. Yang, her future days are imaginable.

  Zhou's mother thought of this and couldn't help but laugh with a mixture of joy and pain, saying: "Just for the crime of driving her own mother to paralysis, she deserves to suffer torment for the rest of her life."

  Xiang also gritted his teeth, with a ferocious expression, "It's your own fault, don't blame anyone else."

  Yuqin also nodded along, her tone regretful, "What a pity that we couldn't overthrow Princess Qing'an." How hateful.

  Her days won't be easy either.

  ……

  After sending away Yang's mother and daughter, the Empress Dowager came to Ruxiang's bedside, her face gloomy. She stared at Ruxiang, her face filled with heartache. "It's just as you expected, Qing'an can't bear to see the Jingwang Fu peaceful, so he kept urging Yang Qining to enter the palace to be a concubine for Ruo'er."

  "Emperor's grandmother is really good at pretending. At first, she scared the daughter-in-law and made her think that the emperor's grandmother was on Yang's side."

  The Empress Dowager smiled and held onto Ruo Xue's hand, saying pitifully: "I also want to see, taking this opportunity, which blind things dare to oppose you."

  As the gentle sigh escaped her lips, "Lu Taifei and Chen Taihuang are both pitiful women who have lost their sons. The Empress Dowager's severe punishment this time should be able to calm them down for a while. However, Lu Shufei and Qing'an..." Lu Shufei is now calling the shots in the harem, and if she were to become an enemy, it would be a huge disaster. This person has been immersed in the palace for many years, able to firmly occupy the position of Shufei and control the various consorts in the harem, even the Empress does not dare to go against her, showing how deep her cunning and strategic mind is. How can a half-hearted retired schemer like me be a match for her?

  The Empress Dowager snorted: "Lu Shu Fei? She's just like her aunt, a weather vane who changes direction with the wind. People like that are not worth worrying about. Anyway, she can't bear children, so no matter how hard she tries, she won't be able to stir up any trouble."

  As if biting her lip, she really wanted to gossip and ask why Empress Lu couldn't bear children, but thinking that the old woman in front of her could sit stably in the palace for decades without any external help, it wasn't a simple matter. So she could only nod and say: "Fortunately, the empress dowager has been protecting me everywhere, otherwise, today's affairs would have put me at a disadvantage."

  The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Good child, today's performance was impressive, exceeding Ahn's expectations. If it weren't for your mother's guarantee that you have the ability to handle these people, Ahn would not have waited patiently until this day. Fortunately, you look gentle and weak, but unexpectedly, you are a sharp-tongued person. The way you scolded Yang's mother and daughter in the great hall earlier was so satisfying that even Ahn felt relieved." Then she hummed heavily, her gray eyebrows twisted fiercely, and she coldly smiled: "Yang Zhuoshi has been known as the 'Iron Lady' for many years. Ahn pitied her for being a young widow, yet she raised several children on her own, and Yang's two brothers are young and promising, looking up to her. I thought that with such a mother, the daughter should not be too bad either. But who knew that this person would be so biased and arrogant? It was truly beyond Ahn's expectations." Then she turned to Ruqing and apologized: "Ahn did not punish her, you don't blame Ahn, do you?"

  "Grandmother has been a devout Buddhist for many years, with compassion in her heart. How could she be swayed by Ruoxi's personal affairs? Yang Qining may have acted extremely and stubbornly, but without the support of Madame Yang, she wouldn't have dared to act this way. Moreover, Yang Qining is reckless and impulsive, with only determination and courage, but no brains. She's easily manipulated by others and doesn't even realize it, which makes her a pitiful person." The most important thing is that Madame Yang is bedridden, and Yang Qining has lost her backing. The Yang family members have already hated her to the extreme, how could they still support her? Not asking the clan elders to punish her would be considered merciful. However, even if the Yang family elders spare Yang Qining due to consideration for Yang Qi'an's brothers, with Madame Yang and Ruoxi around, Yang Qining's days won't be easy either. She really doesn't need to take further action against her.

  The Empress Dowager nodded, and her gaze at Ruyi became even softer as she praised: "You're a straightforward person; Xi'er marrying you is truly his good fortune."

  The Empress Dowager's praise is too much, I am unworthy and incompetent. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's kindness and support, who knows how humiliated I would be by now." She gently wiped away tears with her handkerchief, gazing at the crimson silk skirt covering her body. Sorrowfully, she said: "Fortunately, the Empress Dowager has a discerning eye, able to distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise, following Qing'an's logic, if I didn't allow Yang Qining to enter the house, I would indeed be guilty of heinous crimes."

  The Empress Dowager's expression turned cold, "Qing An..." She hesitated for a long time before speaking slowly: "This girl is willful and rude, cruel and heartless. In the palace, everyone dislikes her... That she has become what she is today is partly due to the upbringing of her birth mother, Feng Niangniang - near ink, black as well; secondly, it's also because your fierce mother-in-law deliberately spoiled her."

  With a humble bow of her head, she didn't dare make a sound. She thought to herself that after all, the old ginger was still spicier, and with one glance, she had seen through the tricks of the imperial concubine.

  The golden beast copper furnace in the house emitted a good smell of dragon's saliva, and the two rows of servants standing in front of the bed were silent due to the strict palace rules. Even the sound of the dripping water clock on the table was heard clearly. The voice of the Empress Dowager was old but strong, empty and cold.

  "Do you know why our family did not punish Qing'an?"

  The queen mother considered everything, and no matter how wrong Qing'an was, she was still the king's sister and Princess Chongyang's older sister. If Qing'an were to be punished, it would also implicate Princess Chongyang. Especially with the crime of secretly harming her elder sister, it was a shocking thing to hear. For the sake of the royal family's reputation, they could only keep this matter hidden in their stomachs.

  So, at this time, Qing An cannot be disposed of. If she is to be taken in, it must wait for a mature opportunity. In any case, she cannot be dealt with under the crime of poisoning her elder sister-in-law. That would also be very bad for the reputation of Princess Chunyang.

  The Empress Dowager nodded her head in approval, smiling: "You really are a clever one, no wonder your parents valued you so much. Now, even I have been won over by you."

  The Empress Dowager was overpraising me. I merely did what a daughter-in-law of the imperial clan should do, and it's not worthy of praise.

  On the seven-story lotus platform, candles as thick as an infant's arm shone brightly and clearly. In the temple, a Tianming Pearl hung from the precious top. The house was bright and prosperous, but not dazzling. Only to hear the Empress Dowager say slowly again: "You don't have to be modest, I've been in the palace for decades, and I'm used to saying polite words. However, every word I said just now came from my heart. You are indeed worthy of being my granddaughter-in-law, the princess of Jingwang Mansion."

  ……

  Back at the Jing Wang Fu, it was already late into the night. Ruo Qing had been exhausted for a while and hastily washed up before going to bed. Zhou Mama quietly came to Ruo Qing's bedside and softly said: "Just now, San Gu Niang Niang sent another message over. Yang Tai Fu Ren is indeed paralyzed in bed, unable to move her limbs at all. Yang Qi Ning has been put under house arrest by Yang Da Fu Ren, saying that she wants to wait for the return of Qing Chang Hou Ye before asking the clan elders to make a decision."

  The Yang family is now implicated in the matter of Yang Qining, and the reputation of all unmarried or married daughters of the Yang family will definitely be affected. The families with daughters in the Yang household must be extremely resentful. If the clan elder is really invited to intervene, Yang Qining cannot escape a tragic fate.

  "What about Qing'an?" Yang Qining's affairs were no longer of great concern, anyway, with Mrs. Yang and Rumei around, this woman was already subdued. Mrs. Yang lay paralyzed in bed, the Yang family was under her control, wanting to manipulate a misbehaving little daughter-in-law who had brought shame to the family was easy as can be.

  Zhou's mother sneered and said, "He's mother is indeed a sinister expert. She took out a string of pearls and threw them in front of Feng Niangniang, saying that the string of pearls was given by Princess Qing'an, but unfortunately, they found the deadly musk here. Now, Princess Qing'an has confessed her crime. The Empress Dowager was extremely furious and ordered someone to pass on the message to Ning Jing Da Zhang Gongzhu, asking Ning Jing Da Zhang Gongzhu to divorce Princess Qing'an. However, He's mother said that Princess Qing'an was young and how could she have such a sinister trick? It must be someone who instructed her from behind. Then, Feng Niangniang panicked and said it was under her instruction. She kept pushing the blame onto herself."

  It was no surprise that Feng Niang would have such a reaction, and she let out a soft sigh, "I suppose this is what they mean by the legendary mother-daughter bond."

  "However, it's not that simple. Although Feng Niang is despicable, her protection of Princess Qing'an is also evident to all. Unfortunately, she didn't teach her daughter to walk the right path, and now she can only take responsibility for her daughter's mistakes and bear the blame herself."

  "As it happens, I didn't plan on sparing Qing'an's life anyway. But if I don't vent my anger, I won't feel good either, so she'll have to bear the brunt of it." After all, Qing'an was a member of the royal family, the legitimate daughter-in-law of Ningjing Grand Duke and sister of Li Xiao and Li Ying. It wasn't up to her, an outsider who married into the family, to decide her fate - that was for Old Master Wang, the Empress Dowager, or Ningjing Grand Duke to handle.

  "Queen Wang is indeed clever and knows how to fight in a roundabout way. As long as we can deal with Madame Feng, it will also be a warning to Yan Qing, letting her know that she cannot harm people recklessly."

  "Probably not. This person can get along well with Yang Qining, that madman, and birds of a feather flock together, this person must also have some left-handedness, Feng Niang was beaten to death, she must be extremely resentful of me, and in the future, I don't know what despicable means she will use to deal with me."

  Zhou's mother's face changed, "What can be done? If it's really like this, then this person is even more difficult to deal with than Yang Qining. The princess must think of a way. Can't let her continue to live so carefree."

  "As long as we know her viciousness, we'll be careful. What's there to fear?" Then he instructed Zhou Mama to keep a close eye on all the servants in Longxianju, for even the strongest city walls can crumble from within. To prevent those around him from being bought off by Qing'an, he must thoroughly discipline his own servants.

  Zhou Mama nodded, "There's no need for Your Highness to remind me, I also know what to do. However, regarding Pinlan and Pinhe, what plans does Your Highness have?"

  Today, I fought wits and bravery with Yang Qining and others, and I have already lost more than half of my brain cells. At this moment, my head is like a mess, and no matter how hard I think, I couldn't come up with a better solution. So I said: "Let's put this matter on hold for now, and let me think carefully. For the time being, the most important thing is to keep a close eye on them, and not let them make any more mistakes."

  ……

  Finally solved the Yang Qining this heart big ulcer, like a sleep very soundly, until the stomach was growling with hunger before having to get up, weakly told the incoming Flow Month: "The stomach is really hungry, hurry to the kitchen to bring some porridge for me."

  Liú Yuè was in a hurry to respond, went out of the ceremonial gate, and searched for people everywhere in the outer hall. The maids in the outer hall were all second-class maids of Lóng Xiān Jū, who specialized in listening to the commands of the first-class maids and were responsible for assisting the senior maids. Liú Yuè ordered Xiǎng to go to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of congee, and Xiǎng hurriedly obeyed, running quickly away.

  At the gate of Longxianju, he was stopped by Pin He, "Why are you in such a hurry, Brother? But Wang Ye has given orders?"

  Xǐ huān stopped for a moment, then said: "The princess is hungry, I'll go get some porridge for the princess." Thinking of Liú Yuè's words, she didn't dare to delay, and lifted her skirt to run out. Unfortunately, she was caught by Pǐn Hé again. Pǐn Hé had a flattering smile on his face, and said: "Xǐ huān sister, it's getting hotter and hotter outside, but eating iced porridge in the house is really refreshing. I'm so hungry, could you please do me a favor? When you go to get porridge from the kitchen, can you also bring me a bowl of iced lotus seed porridge?"

  "Sorry, I have something urgent to attend to and can't help you with this matter, please forgive me." She said, shaking off Pin He's hand, lifting her skirt and rushing away.

  Pin He stomped her feet in anger, silently scolding the group for being blind to what was right in front of them. She glared at the back of the person she liked and muttered: "You all just wait, once I become the king's concubine, you'll be the first one I deal with."

  ……

  Like a romantic, she savored the thick bird's nest congee cooked in the kitchen, and after finishing a small bowl, she continued to attack the steamed buns with pork fillings. The buns were small and delicate, about the size of an infant's fist, with thin skin infused with oil from the meat filling. One bite and the flavors exploded, with the aroma of scallions and meat filling the air, the salty flavor just right, paired perfectly with the transparent dough infused with oil. Like a romantic, she had a great appetite, devouring eight buns in one breath, seemingly unable to stop her mouth from moving, wanting to grab another bun to put in her mouth, but unfortunately, she ended up empty-handed, innocently facing her mother's gloomy face, who slumped her shoulders.

  "Empress Wang, don't be too greedy. Although the mantou is delicious, you can't eat too much of it, or you'll get indigestion. You should drink some more chicken soup."

  Made with black-boned chicken, Chinese yam, ginseng, dried wolfberry, red dates, and other ingredients, the chicken soup is fragrant and delicious, but eating it every day is extremely boring. She feels like crying when she touches her slowly growing double chin. She really doesn't want to eat these light and tasteless things anymore. She wants to eat something with salt and flavor, such as stuffed buns, spicy dumplings, sour and spicy pork knuckle, or braised eel... Unfortunately, her mother-in-law says that these are not good for the fetus, so they were removed from the menu a long time ago. Even using her queen-like dignity to protest is useless.

  Zhou's mother held the plate far away, with a look of impatience on her face. "What Linglong said just now, did the princess hear it or not?"

  "Like, shrugged shoulders, 'Heard'."

  Zhou's mother suppressed her anger and hastily asked: "What is that Wang Fei doing, still so calm?"

  "What's the big deal? She wants to show off her skills as a seductress, but she needs to have the goods to back it up." Now that Li Xiu hasn't returned yet, who is she trying to entice? At least wait until Li Xiu gets back before making any moves.

  Besides, with Li Xiao's vision, what kind of beauty hasn't he seen? Would he even notice that kind of plain and simple girl? Although I still don't have a good impression of Li Xiao, among the many bad qualities this man has, at least he can't be said to be of low character. Hmm, just for this point alone, one should treat him a bit better. It's not easy for a young master who has been spoiled by his family to not be corrupted.

  Digression

  Power outage all day today...