The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 253 - A Life for a Life

Biluo Pavilion

Fang Yun watched Manman and the little fox play with the potted plants in the courtyard. She noticed an unfamiliar servant woman peeking in from the gate. However, Qingrong recognized her as a gatekeeper from the palace.

With Fang Yun's permission, Qingrong spoke with the woman briefly before sending her away. Returning, Qingrong's face carried a hint of mockery.

"Liangdi," Qingrong bowed, "The messenger came from the master, asking you to save the Fang family out of father-daughter sentiment."

Hearing this, Fang Yun laughed aloud, as if she had heard something utterly absurd. She laughed until tears welled up, wiping her eyes before speaking softly.

"We are father and daughter; how could I stand by and watch him perish? But I have a mother too. They know how my mother died. I demand a life for a life!"

Qingrong, gritting her teeth, agreed. "Auntie's death was unjust. Madam Zhao's hands are stained with blood; it's time for her to repay."

When Fang Yun's biological mother, Concubine Song, died, she was pregnant. It was a double tragedy.

"Go," Fang Yun's eyes turned cold, her smile fading. "They are all in it together. I want to see them turn on each other."

Qingrong nodded firmly and left immediately.

Fang Residence

In the study, Fang Hongshen paced anxiously. Hearing the door open, he rushed over, eyes gleaming with hope. Seeing the messenger return, he quickly asked, "What did she say?"

"Master, Fang Liangdi said... she said..." The servant hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

Fang Hongshen, growing impatient, shouted, "What did she say? Speak up! Is that ungrateful girl refusing to help?"

"No, Fang Liangdi said Concubine Song's death was unjust. She wants to clear her name and demands a life for a life!" the servant cried, immediately kneeling.

The meaning was clear: Madam Zhao must die.

Fang Hongshen stood frozen, his face stiffening, lips tightly pressed together like a withered statue.

"What do we do, Master?" the servant wailed, fearing for his own life.

After a long silence, Fang Hongshen finally spoke, "Gather everyone in the ancestral hall."

The servant hurried to spread the word.

Soon, the hall was filled with the Fang family. Fang Hongshen stood at the front, flanked by his legitimate sons, Fang Zhanming and Fang Wenxian. Madam Zhao, supported by maids, sat in a chair. Concubine Qiao stood with the unmarried Fifth Miss, and Concubine Rong with the nurse holding the young Sixth Master.

Only Fang Yun and the imprisoned Fang Pei were absent.

Fang Hongshen, unable to speak, had the servant relay Fang Yun's demands.

Hearing that Fang Yun wanted to clear Concubine Song's name and demanded Madam Zhao's life, Madam Zhao turned red with anger, coughing and cursing.

"How dare she!"

Her outburst was followed by violent coughing, bending over in pain.

Despite this, Madam Zhao continued, "Song Yumei was a whore, secretly involved with a servant and pregnant. She deserved death by law... I punished her according to family rules. What was wrong with that?"

"And now, she forgets the Fang family's care and wants to kill me. She is truly heartless, a viper, just like her mother!"

Fang Hongshen's face darkened at her harsh words but remained silent. Deep down, he also saw Fang Yun's actions as unfilial. He had no choice but to bow his head.

If there were any other solution, Fang Hongshen would never bow to Fang Yun, whom he considered an "unfilial daughter."

But he remained silent, and others spoke up.

Concubine Qiao, who had known Fang Yun's mother, Concubine Song, stepped forward. "Madam, you are unreasonable. I kept silent because I feared your cruelty would endanger me and my daughter. But now, I must speak. You were jealous of Sister Song's favor and her pregnancy, so you schemed to kill her and her unborn child. The master has been deceived by you for years!"

Her words cleverly absolved Fang Hongshen, giving him an excuse.

Whether Fang Hongshen knew the truth or simply didn't care enough to investigate back then was another matter. His expression softened slightly.

Seeing this, Concubine Rong added, "I came to the household later, but I know the master and the Fang family have been kind to me. If sacrificing myself could calm Fang Liangdi's anger and save the family, I would do it without hesitation. Madam, you were wrong first. If you hadn't acted out of jealousy, Fang Liangdi wouldn't treat us this way now."

Her words placed all the blame on Madam Zhao, making her seem unreasonable and unwilling to sacrifice for the greater good.

Madam Zhao, seeing the concubines targeting her, turned pale with rage. "You wretches! How dare you speak so boldly? Have you no respect for hierarchy?"

She turned to Fang Hongshen, crying, "Husband, I have been your wife since we were young, bearing you two sons and a daughter. I have worked tirelessly for you and the Fang family. You can't do this to me!"

Fang Zhanming, seeing his mother in such distress, stood stiffly, unable to speak.

Fang Wenxian, though a scoundrel, truly cared for his mother. He rushed to protect Madam Zhao. "Father, you can't kill my mother. It's all Fang Yun's doing, trying to sow discord. Her mother was a whore, and so is she. If she doesn't save us, she is unfilial, and the world will condemn her!"

"Fourth Young Master, that's a strange thing to say!" Concubine Qiao retorted angrily. "Our family is in trouble, and a memorial has already been submitted to the Emperor. Fang Liangdi will struggle to save us. If she doesn't, people will praise her for her righteousness!"

The tense atmosphere made the young Sixth Master cry.

Concubine Rong took the child from the nurse, soothing him with teary eyes. "If my life could save my son, I would die immediately. Madam, you have already lost one daughter. Will you let everyone die?"

Mentioning her two sons, Madam Zhao's anger gave way to despair, mingled with hatred and resentment, like a vengeful ghost.

Fang Hongshen, who had remained silent, finally banished his last doubts. Taking a deep breath, he declared coldly, "Madam Zhao is jealous and unvirtuous, guilty of harming the Fang family's concubines and children. By family law, she is to be punished. Concubine Song Yumei, who suffered unjustly, is elevated to an honored concubine."

Madam Zhao's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to fathom her husband's decision to abandon her.

But Fang Hongshen had resolved himself. Ignoring Madam Zhao's cries, he dismissed everyone and ordered the servants to restrain Madam Zhao and execute the punishment in the ancestral hall.