Chapter 16: Lin Xianhong, You Brought This Upon Yourself!
Nanny Yang raised the Empress Dowager’s decree high above her head.
"Lin Xianhong, receive the decree!"
"This humble daughter accepts the decree!" Lin Xianhong immediately knelt to receive it. The others followed suit, bowing in anticipation.
Nanny Yang’s gaze swept the crowd and paused on Fu Bo. It was clear—the Empress Dowager was truly indulgent toward Ning Que. This time, she had even accepted his suggestion, only now sending Nanny Yang to deliver the edict.
Nanny Yang had entered the palace as a child, serving the Empress Dowager since her days as a low-ranking consort. While others came and went, Nanny Yang remained favored because of her unwavering loyalty. She never questioned her mistress’s decisions, only carried them out. For years, she stayed by the Empress Dowager’s side. Even though she was just a servant, not even top-ranking officials dared offend her.
"By the mandate of Heaven and the will of the Empress Dowager," Nanny Yang read, "Lin of the Ning household has acted recklessly and harmed the royal bloodline. As of this day, all rewards previously granted to her are revoked. There is to be no mistake. Thus decreed!"
"This humble daughter obeys the decree!" Lin Xianhong’s hands trembled as she raised them. She never imagined that even the Empress Dowager would withdraw support—and demand the return of every reward granted. This was effectively a death sentence for the Lin family.
"Wow, even the Empress Dowager has come?"
"Now I get it! This is the Heir Apparent’s gift!"
"So even the Empress Dowager sides with him."
"Of course she does. The Empress Dowager’s greatest regret is Prince Ning. It was he who helped her and the Emperor gain power. When Xiliang invaded, Prince Ning led the troops himself. At the Battle of Yumen Pass, his household shed the most blood. Since then, she has recited scriptures day and night in a Buddhist hall for his soul."
"And Lin Xianhong’s abortion? That’s practically cutting off Prince Ning’s line. How could the Empress Dowager not be furious?"
Some in the crowd clearly knew the inside story. Everyone was aware of Prince Ning’s military achievements and how he had died at Yumen Pass. Rumors persisted that he had been eliminated because his power threatened the Emperor. Now, Lin Xianhong’s actions were viewed as the final blow to the Ning lineage.
If the Empress Dowager had remained silent, those rumors would become truth. That would shake the foundation of the dynasty. Many of Prince Ning’s former troops were still stationed at the borders. If they heard of this, they might rise up.
Nanny Yang raised her hand.
A maid brought forth a wooden tray.
"These are the records of rewards granted to you by the Empress Dowager. Lady Ning, please prepare to return them. Do not make this difficult for us."
Nanny Yang still addressed her as Lady Ning, since the divorce decree had not yet been issued. There was still a sliver of hope. This, too, reflected the Empress Dowager’s intentions. Lin Xianhong had once saved her life. And besides, better to break ten temples than one marriage.
If Lin Xianhong realized her error in time, perhaps there was still a chance.
"Understood…" Lin Xianhong forced a bitter smile and turned to prepare the items.
Before entering, she glanced back at Fu Bo, who stood calmly in the distance.
"Was this his idea too?"
"Miss Lin, as long as you understand," Fu Bo replied with a smirk. "Today’s gift has been delivered. I’ll take my leave. I’ll be back tomorrow."
Lin Jiang stumbled and nearly tripped on the threshold. His face was now only fear. Again?! Was Ning Que trying to ruin the Lin family?
They never expected this—even the Empress Dowager was helping Ning Que. And now she was taking back every reward. This had never happened in the nation’s history!
"Two jadeite cabbages. Two gilt lacquer phoenix ornaments. Three pairs of matching jade discs. Five ivory and sandalwood screens."
Nanny Yang read from the list, and the servants began hauling things away.
Only then did Lin Mu appear, her face full of confusion.
"What’s going on? Nanny Yang, aren’t you here to give us gifts?"
"Incorrect. The Empress Dowager has come to reprimand Lady Ning."
Nanny Yang said little more. She had heard plenty about Lin Mu—a domineering woman who had risen from concubine to mistress of the house through underhanded means, causing the original wife’s death. Nanny Yang had nothing but contempt for such a person.
"Huh? I’ve been using that lacquer box for two years. Why take it now? Are they going to replace it with a new one?"
Lin Xianhong stepped forward to explain. Lin Mu’s face flushed red.
She slapped Lin Xianhong hard across the face.
"You jinx! You gave up being a noble consort just to flirt with that Gu family! Now even the Empress Dowager is scolding us! Go apologize to the Heir Apparent right now!"
"Mother…"
Lin Xianhong held her burning cheek. Lin Mu didn’t care. She lunged for the lacquer box.
"You can’t take this! I was saving it for Qinghuan’s dowry! If you take it, what will she have left?!"
"Insolence! Are you defying an imperial decree?!"
"Mother!"
Lin Mu collapsed and began wailing.
"Why is my life so miserable?! My husband owes 50,000 taels of silver! My daughter won’t listen! Now they’re bullying us at our doorstep!"
But Nanny Yang wasn’t going to put up with it.
"Shrew, listen well. This is the Empress Dowager’s edict—not something for you to cry over. What the Empress gives, she can also take. One more outburst, and I’ll have you dragged to the Bureau of Penalties."
The Bureau of Penalties was the inner palace's enforcement agency, directly under the Empress Dowager’s control. It was infamous for its cruel punishments—torture devices, iron shackles, brutal beatings. Even Lin Mu didn’t dare act out anymore.
She could only watch helplessly as they took everything.
Lin Qinghuan stood weeping, her future marriage now in jeopardy. Much of what was being taken had been her dowry. The Lin family was a minor household. The marriage had only been possible because of that dowry. Now that it was gone—what future did she have?
"Reporting to Nanny Yang, some of the items were pawned…"
Lin Xianhong spoke softly, shame filling her expression.
"Oh?" Nanny Yang gave her a cold side glance. "Lady Ning, you are truly bold. Pawning the Empress Dowager’s gifts? Very well. I will report everything truthfully. In light of the fact that you once saved the Empress Dowager’s life, I’ll offer you one piece of advice: do not mistake uncut jade for trash, nor take glass for a gem."
"Farewell."
"Respectfully seeing off Nanny Yang!"
The entire Lin household bowed deeply.
Lin Xianhong stood amid the empty hall, her gaze desolate.
What did Nanny Yang’s final words mean?
Who was the glass? Who was the gem?
Could she have meant that Ning Que was the real gem?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.