The jade ruyi was an inescapable trap that Shen Xihe had set for Lady Sun.

The broken piece wasn’t the real imperial gift. Lady Sun was cautious, so Shen Xihe deliberately made her kneel all night to exhaust her, leaving her without the energy to think things through carefully.

The imperial mark she saw was deliberately shown to her by Shen Xihe, who broke it in front of her. If she didn’t respond, she would be guilty of breaking an imperial gift and disrespecting imperial authority – punishable by beating at best, and execution at worst, depending on Emperor Youning’s decision.

If she did respond, no matter how, it would be seen as not accepting her punishment and disrespecting Shen Xihe while relying on being sent by His Majesty.

Lady Sun’s most correct course of action would have been to let Shen Xihe slander her. Despite the apparent evidence, everyone knew it made no sense for Shen Xihe to entrust an imperial gift to people sent by His Majesty only days ago.

Emperor Youning, considering they were being falsely accused, would have given a lighter punishment.

But in her exhausted state, she made the worst possible response, getting charged with disrespecting Shen Xihe while relying on His Majesty’s favor.

This severely embarrassed Emperor Youning – exactly the result Shen Xihe wanted.

“Your Majesty, in the Northwest, I was Father’s precious treasure in his palm. Father is loyal to Your Majesty and told me not to be afraid in the capital – even without relatives here, Your Majesty would treat me like your own daughter. I truly believed these words.”

Shen Xihe spoke with humiliation and restraint in her eyes: “But I don’t believe palace maids serving the princesses are treated this way.”

The ministers lowered their heads, feeling they had been used. This Princess had likely chosen this timing to seek His Majesty deliberately, making them witnesses to His Majesty losing face.

“It was my fault.” What else could Emperor Youning do? Though he was the one wronged, he had to lower himself to apologize to this girl, using an indulgent tone to dissolve the awkwardness. “I misjudged people, causing Zhaoning to suffer.”

“How will Your Majesty make it up to Zhaoning?” Shen Xihe asked expectantly with wide eyes.

Very well – since you want to use an elder’s tone to show your magnanimity toward juniors, I’ll play along and respond with the attitude of an ignorant junior.

Having started this approach, he had to continue – he couldn’t suddenly change face. Emperor Youning laughed heartily: “What does Zhaoning want?”

“Can I have anything?” Shen Xihe acted cunningly.

“As long as it doesn’t violate propriety or threaten the state, I’ll grant it,” Emperor Youning said generously.

Shen Xihe’s gaze turned, falling icily on Lady Sun: “Zhaoning wants all off-duty palace maids and eunuchs to witness her being beaten to death!”

At these words, the quiet ministers all drew in sharp breaths.

Lady Sun was so frightened her face froze. Lady Qian, kneeling beside her, trembled like sifting grain.

“This…” Emperor Youning hadn’t expected this request from Shen Xihe.

This move to intimidate the entire palace was certainly efficient.

“Your Majesty agreed to Zhaoning’s request already,” Shen Xihe said sulkily. “Your Majesty sent two female officials to serve Zhaoning because people repeatedly disrespected me, yet they ended up being servants who bullied their master. If not severely punished, who will take Zhaoning seriously in the future?”

“Heavy punishment is warranted, but having the entire palace watch…”

“Your Majesty.” Shen Xihe angrily cut off Emperor Youning’s words. She was now playing the spoiled junior – wasn’t His Majesty trying to be the indulgent, loving elder? She would fulfill his role. “Zhaoning has faced danger several times, all connected to palace people. Earlier, Lady Bian nearly took Zhaoning’s life.

Zhaoning was frail from childhood, yet grew up well even in the Northwest’s harsh climate of wind and sun. Now in the capital, which people say is blessed under the Son of Heaven’s feet, most nurturing for people, Zhaoning nearly didn’t survive one season…”

Shen Xihe continued with a cold face: “If we don’t intimidate them now, Zhaoning dares not stay long in the capital. Father is aging, and Zhaoning still wants to care for him in his later years.”

After saying so much, the message was clear: either comply with her wishes, or she would return to the Northwest.

It wasn’t that Shen Yueshan was unwilling to send people – it was that the capital was too frightening and unjust; people who came dared not stay!

Emperor Youning, already in the wrong, could only keep conceding, getting a personal taste of Shen Xihe’s cleverness.

“Your Majesty, Lady Sun relied on Your Majesty’s important appointment to bully the Princess. If such an evil servant isn’t beaten to death, it’s hard to uphold court law,” Minister of Chancellery Xue Heng stepped forward. “I’ve heard many old servants in the palace like to rely on their seniority, borrowing authority without knowing proper etiquette. The Princess’s method could indeed correct such behavior.”

Wang Zheng was still dismissed at home, with the Vice Minister temporarily handling Ministry of Personnel affairs. Vice Minister Yang remained quiet as a chicken – he dared not challenge Xue Heng.

With Xue Heng taking the lead, several other ministers supported this.

Emperor Youning said: “Then we’ll do as you say. Three Fingers, handle this yourself.”

Emperor Youning’s eunuch, Director of Palace Attendants, Third Rank, was called Liu Three Fingers.

He was Emperor Youning’s most trusted person. All palace eunuchs and maids feared him. He was called Three Fingers because after Emperor Youning ascended the throne, he named him this, as he had lost two fingers to Emperor Youning, leaving only three.

The name Three Fingers wasn’t to remind them of his disability but to let everyone know Liu Three Fingers had saved Emperor Youning’s life.

“Yes.” Liu Three Fingers accepted the order and withdrew. At his command, all palace servants were summoned to the empty courtyard, numbering thousands even excluding those on duty.

In an instant, the space that could hold ten thousand people was filled, standing straight in neat rows, creating an impressive sight.

Shen Xihe went to watch with Hongyu and Moyu. Lady Sun was gagged, continuously crying.

Liu Three Fingers held his horsetail whisk, standing straight, walking from one end to the other while speaking steadily: “We are all servants, and servants must be loyal and know their masters. Throughout this palace, there are masters everywhere. Don’t foolishly think you can rely on power and disregard other masters. Servants who don’t know how to respect their masters cannot stay in this palace. Today, by His Majesty’s command, open your eyes wide and see well the fate of servants who bully their masters – beat!”

After Liu Three Fingers finished speaking, at his command, heavy sounds rang out. Each strike landed solidly, and soon Lady Sun’s back was covered in seeping blood. Many palace people began to look away.

“All of you keep your eyes wide open for this public servant. Whoever dares not watch properly will meet the same fate,” Liu Three Fingers shouted.

The palace people trembled together. Some timid ones shook while crying, forcing themselves to watch.

Lady Sun was beaten to death under thousands of watching eyes.

Shen Xihe stood to the side, never blinking once from start to finish.

After the beating was done, all palace maids and eunuchs passed by Shen Xihe, not daring to breathe loudly.