The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Meanwhile, at the East Market in the capital.

On the high platform, several spoiled young men dressed in prison uniforms were chained and tied to the execution post.

They were among the most outrageous individuals who uttered foul language and spoke ill of the Imperial Concubine at the Ascension Pavilion that day.

The executioner, expressionless, read out the charges: "You lot, your words were disrespectful and you blasphemed against the imperial court; your crimes deserve death! By His Majesty's grace, you are sentenced to death by a thousand cuts!"

The executioner's blade flashed coldly, and the execution began.

The agonizing screams were deafening, and blood dripped down the execution platform, staining a large area of ​​the ground red.

The onlookers crowded outside the boundary drawn by the imperial guards, whispering among themselves.

"Serves them right! These scoundrels, who bully men and women all the time, deserved their retribution long ago!"

"I heard it's because they had a foul mouth and talked about that imperial concubine in the palace?"

"That's right! It's said that His Majesty's secret guards investigated him thoroughly, the evidence was conclusive, and the Imperial Guards came directly to his door to arrest him!"

"It wasn't just those few unlucky fellows; their fathers, all those high-ranking officials—vice ministers, physicians—were dismissed from their posts! Their family property was confiscated!"

"My God, this is absolutely outrageous..."

Although the common people found the scene terrifying, most of them felt a sense of satisfaction at seeing the sons of powerful and wealthy families, who used to act arrogantly and domineeringly, come to such a state.

However, the impact of this bloody storm went far beyond that, and its lingering effects quickly swept through all the prominent families in the capital.

The Zhenguo Duke's Mansion and Ancestral Hall.

Duke Zhenguo Xiao Wen's face was ashen as he looked at his kneeling sons, grandsons, and collateral relatives. His voice was as heavy as iron:

"Listen carefully, everyone. From today onwards, all of you will be confined to your rooms to reflect on your mistakes."

"Reflect on whether you have ever acted inappropriately or spoken recklessly while intoxicated, especially whether you have ever uttered any disrespectful words towards the former Princess Qingruo or the current Consort Zhao!"

"If so, get out here right now! Go and beg His Majesty for forgiveness, and you might still be able to save your family! If you wait for His Majesty to come knocking on your door..."

He didn't say anything more, but everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.

The examples of the powerful families, such as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, are right before our eyes: dismissal from office, confiscation of property, and sons being executed by slow slicing... Who dares to gamble?

The Duke of Su's mansion, the Minister's mansion, the various marquises' mansions, and almost all the noble residences that were of a high rank were experiencing similar scenes.

The patriarchs, their voices stern, interrogated every member of the clan who might cause trouble.

The young men who used to be cockfighting, riding horses, and dressed in fine clothes were now all looking anxious, desperately trying to recall if they had ever said anything foolish at a drinking party or a brothel.

For a time, the entire elite circle of Beijing was in a state of panic, with everyone feeling insecure.

The discussions about the imperial concubine in teahouses and taverns vanished instantly, and even the customers seeking pleasure in brothels and pleasure parlors subconsciously avoided the Dance of the Startled Swan, not even bothering to watch it.

Shen Wangxi used the most direct and effective method to tell everyone who the most precious woman in his heart is now.

-

At the imperial palace, the Empress's entourage was about to depart when Liu Rusi, carrying a simple bundle, caught up breathlessly and knelt down in front of the carriage, blocking its path.

"Your Majesty the Empress! Your Highness Prince Xiaoyao!" She kowtowed, her voice trembling with tears.

"This humble woman has nowhere to go. I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to have mercy and take me in!"

"This humble woman is willing to serve you like a slave, to stay by Your Majesty's side!"

A palace maid lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and Wulan Yunduan sat inside, looking down at Liu Rusi kneeling on the ground, without speaking immediately.

She had also realized these days that His Majesty had little interest in Liu Rusi, and keeping her by his side would be of little use; in fact, she might be a burden.

As she was weighing her options, Shen Yinian, who was standing beside the carriage, spoke up, his voice calm and even: "Mother, let her come along. The Jiaofang Palace won't need another person to serve it."

When Wulan Yun heard her son speak, her gaze lingered on Liu Rusi for a moment before returning to her son.

Knowing that Yi Nian always had his reasons for acting, she no longer hesitated, nodded, and said calmly to Liu Rusi outside the carriage:

"Since the prince is speaking up for you, then follow along."

"Once you enter the palace, you will be a palace maid in the Jiaofang Palace."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rusi's heartstrings relaxed, and she immediately kowtowed again:

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! Thank you for your grace, Your Highness! This servant will do my utmost to serve you well!"

She stood up, bowed her head, and respectfully retreated to the end of the line of palace servants, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, quietly clenching.

As long as she can enter the palace, as long as she can stay in the place closest to the center of power, she still has a chance.

The carriage curtain was lowered, and the imperial entourage resumed its journey, slowly heading towards the palace.