The Young Emperor sat on the rooftop, lost in thought. He was about to turn twenty-five, and it wasn’t that he didn’t want to establish an Empress; occasionally, as a man, he had his needs too.
However, whenever a Palace Maid attempted to share his bed, he would unconsciously recall his predecessor, who had died from his indulgences with women. Consequently, he no longer wished to favor any Palace Maid.
He was terrified that he might be schemed against and suddenly meet his demise!
Ji Youzhi was unaware of the Young Emperor’s thoughts, but the ever-calculating Ji Youze could make a fairly accurate guess.
He was puzzled. The National Master had clearly proclaimed the eldest Miss Xie of the Xie Family as possessing the Phoenix Destiny. So why did His Majesty seem to pay more attention to this third Miss Xie, whom the National Master had described as fated for a short life and misfortune? Was it because of Xiaosuisui?
Ji Youze’s face remained impassive, but a myriad of thoughts raced through his mind.
「In the Courtyard.」
After Xiaosuisui’s fierce display, Madam Lin finally relented to a proper conversation. Clutching her chest, she glared hatefully at Xie Pan’Er.
"Xie Pan’Er, you’re good. You’re really good! Now that you have this ugly freak supporting you, do you think your fifth branch can rise again? HAHAHA! I tell you, dream on! As long as I am here, your fifth branch will never have a chance to turn things around!"
Madam Lin’s face was contorted, her eyes filled with hatred. Pointing at Xie Pan’Er, she cackled maniacally.
"No chance to turn things around? By what right do you say such a thing? Is it merely because you hold my mother’s indenture document?"
"That’s right! That lowly woman from the Luo Family—her indenture document is in my hands. Not only is she a night-soil maid, but you are also a base creature, destined to forever trail behind my daughter!"
"And not just you, but also that little mongrel of yours, Xie Si! He can only ever be my son’s dog!"
"Your son’s dog? Your daughter’s lackey?"
Xie Pan’Er’s eyes were icy as they fixed on Madam Lin.
"For that to happen, you’d actually need to have your son and daughter free, wouldn’t you? Don’t forget, your precious daughter and son are still locked up in the Celestial Prison! Do you want to save them? The Double Ninth Festival is only a few days away!"
"What do you mean? Are you threatening me? And what does the Double Ninth Festival have to do with any of this?" Leaning on her maid for support, Madam Lin finally managed to steady herself enough to ask.
"My meaning is simple. Your eldest son and daughter are still incarcerated in the Celestial Prison. In just three days, it will be the Double Ninth Festival. The Empress Dowager has already issued an edict: this year, for the Double Ninth Festival, the wives of Fifth Grade officials and above, residing in the capital, may bring their daughters aged thirteen to eighteen to the Palace to perform before His Majesty!"
"What did you say? Is this true?" Upon hearing Xie Pan’Er’s words, Madam Lin was stunned. Only after a long moment did she comprehend what Xie Pan’Er had said.
"I trust you heard me clearly. I will not repeat myself. However, you must listen carefully to what I am about to say next. If you don’t, your daughter might lose the opportunity to perform before His Majesty."
"What is it?"
"Hand over my mother’s indenture document in exchange for the release of your son and daughter from the Celestial Prison!"
"In your dreams!" Madam Lin retorted instinctively the moment Xie Pan’Er stated her condition.
"I never dream. But Eldest Aunt Lin, if you continue to clutch my mother’s indenture document, your daughter’s chance to perform at the Palace will soon vanish. Performing before His Majesty! Imagine if the Emperor took a liking to your daughter during her performance and made her a consort, or even the Empress... You would become an imperial relative, the Emperor’s own mother-in-law! Then, your eldest branch of the Lin Family would soar to new heights, like a sparrow transforming into a phoenix!"
"If I give you your mother’s indenture document, can you truly get my son and daughter out of the Celestial Prison?"