Chapter 28: Forced to Kneel

Gu Shijin’s unconditional protection gave Ren Xixi an inexplicable sense of triumph deep within her heart. She lifted her chin slightly; even though she had been the one to frame Su Zhinian in the past, so what? No one believed her anyway! Now that Su Zhinian wanted to use the same tactic against her, she had truly chosen the wrong approach—Gu Shijin would never believe her!

The palace maids and eunuchs nearby witnessed this scene and finally realized how understated the rumors had been. This General Gu was not merely favoring a concubine over his wife; he showed absolutely no regard for his own long-suffering spouse. Instead, he protected this outsider at every turn. The crowd looked at Su Zhinian with eyes full of sympathy.

"General, you truly overestimate me. How could I possibly have the capability to incite the Empress Dowager’s own matron to frame an outsider?"

"What outsider! Xixi is my future wife!" Gu Shijin retorted immediately with a cold face, showing Su Zhinian no shred of respect in front of everyone.

Ren Xixi savored the feeling of being protected. She blinked her eyes and spoke with affectation, "Brother Shijin, don't be so harsh to Sister. Sister has the Empress Dowager backing her, after all!"

These words were like adding fuel to the fire, and the rage in Gu Shijin’s heart burned even brighter. "You poisonous woman, do not think that just because you have the Empress Dowager’s support, I would not dare to do anything to you!" The threat in his words was unmistakable.

The other maids and eunuchs looked at Su Zhinian with growing pity. Miss Su was truly miserable!

"What is all this commotion?" A sharp voice suddenly rang out, and everyone knelt in terror. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Gu Shijin felt a jolt of panic. He did not know how long the Emperor had been there or how much he had heard. His decision to demote his wife to the status of a concubine had already drawn impeachment from many officials, though the Emperor had ultimately approved the request out of respect for his military achievements. If the Emperor now deemed his actions excessive and rescinded the decree, it would be truly unfair to Xixi.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Gu Shijin knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily.

Helian Yunhui frowned. He had heard quite a bit just now and had not expected Gu Shijin to be such a deeply devoted man. Inexplicably, he was reminded of his own relationship with Bai Wanwan, a love equally unacceptable to the world. He had once possessed such sincere affection but failed to cherish it. Now, he did not wish to see Gu Shijin repeat his mistakes. A flicker of pain crossed the Emperor's eyes.

"Enough, I know everything." Helian Yunhui waved his hand, clearly intending to let the matter rest. "Since the item has been found, send it to the Empress Dowager quickly. Do not keep her waiting."

"Yes!" Matron Wang replied, though clearly unwilling.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty." Gu Shijin felt a surge of joy. He had not expected the Emperor to be so understanding; not only had he spared him from punishment, but he had also helped them deal with the Empress Dowager’s people.

Ren Xixi curled her lips. She suspected the Emperor had only acted this way because he was reminded of Wanwan.

Helian Yunhui then looked at Su Zhinian, who was kneeling to the side, and a sudden surge of anger flared in his eyes. Seeing Su Zhinian reminded him of how the Empress had treated Bai Wanwan. Subconsciously, he wanted to stand up for Ren Xixi.

And so, Helian Yunhui said coldly, "Madam Gu, relying on the Empress Dowager’s support, you target others at every turn. Since you are so arrogant and willful, you shall kneel here for an hour to reflect on your actions!"

A gleam of triumph flashed in Ren Xixi’s eyes. Even the Emperor was willing to support her; what power did Su Zhinian have left to compete with her?

Gu Shijin’s eyes remained cold. He did not offer a single word of intercession, looking at Su Zhinian with icy detachment.

"Yes!" Su Zhinian did not argue or beg for mercy. She simply knelt there, straight and motionless.

The other maids and eunuchs looked at her with even greater pity. Matron Wang felt uneasy; this matter had originally been entrusted to her by the Empress Dowager. Had she known, she would have dealt with the matter quietly. She felt sorry for this Madam Gu, who had suffered an unmerited disaster and been implicated by the Emperor.

After the Emperor left, Gu Shijin cast one last heavy glance at Su Zhinian’s rigid spine before turning and walking away without a hint of hesitation. The other attendants dispersed as well.

Matron Wang sighed, "Madam Gu, you have suffered." Had it not been for Su Zhinian, it would have been she who faced the punishment. Grateful for this, she offered a salute and left.

Yushu’s eyes welled with tears as she choked out, "Miss, the General is truly heartless. If only he had spoken a word for you, the Emperor surely wouldn't have been so severe."

Su Zhinian remained expressionless. She said blankly, "Do not worry. Today’s suffering will not be in vain."

Ren Xixi could not possibly leave so easily; she would certainly try to save Bai Wanwan. By then, if the Emperor discovered everything, Ren Xixi would surely not escape punishment. Ren Xixi’s best opportunity to act would be tomorrow night, but since Gu Shijin had taken her back to the Gu residence, it would not be so easy for her to enter the palace again. Su Zhinian was actually looking forward to seeing what Ren Xixi would do.

The hour felt as long as half a day. When Yushu helped Su Zhinian up, her legs were limp.

"Miss Su." Helian Yu appeared before her in his wheelchair. His gaze was calm, his features remained cold and sharp, and his tone was so flat that neither pleasure nor anger could be detected. "Mutong, let Miss Su use the palanquin bestowed by the Emperor."

Mutong was shocked. That was a privilege bestowed solely upon his master by the Emperor; even he had never sat in it. For him to lend it to Miss Su now, it seemed this Miss Su truly possessed significant capabilities.

Su Zhinian was stunned. Before she could refuse, Helian Yu, knowing what she intended to say, spoke first: "Miss Su need not be polite. After all, we are partners, are we not?"

Seeing this, Su Zhinian knew she could not decline. With Yushu’s support, she bowed in gratitude. "Then I thank you, Your Highness."

As she sat in the palanquin, Su Zhinian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss, Prince Yu is actually so kind! Who says he is sinister and cold? In my opinion, Prince Yu has the heart of a Bodhisattva; he is a wonderful person!" Yushu’s eyes sparkled, her previous prejudices against the Prince instantly transformed.

Su Zhinian chuckled. If Prince Yu heard this, she wondered if he would think it was a compliment or an insult. However, this prince’s thoughts were truly difficult to fathom. For now, it was enough that she was useful to him.

When Su Zhinian returned to the Jingren Palace, the Empress had just finished her medicine for the pregnancy. Seeing Su Zhinian return, a look of guilt couldn't help but cross her face. "I heard the Emperor punished you?"

"Replying to Your Highness, it was this servant who angered the Emperor." Su Zhinian lowered her head and spoke softly.

The Empress understood everything. She snorted coldly, "The Emperor has truly been bewitched by that wretch Bai Wanwan. But she will be a dead person soon enough; I want to see what she has left to compete with me!"

"I beg the Empress to send someone to guard Concubine Wan tomorrow," Su Zhinian took a deep breath, looked up, and said to the Empress.