Chapter 3: Establishing Authority

Feng Ruqing sat upright before the bronze mirror, allowing the palace maids to busy themselves around her.

The wedding robes were heavy, and the phoenix coronet pressed down on her neck, causing a dull ache, yet her expression remained unmoved, as if she were a frozen sculpture. To her, the intricate rituals of the royal wedding were mere child's play; the only thing on her mind was the word "revenge."

"Oh!" An exclamation shattered the quiet of the hall.

A droplet of water landed precisely on Feng Ruqing’s wedding dress, blooming into a small, unsightly stain. The maid responsible panicked, dropping to her knees and kowtowing repeatedly. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! This servant deserves death! It was not intentional!"

Consort Su covered her lips and chuckled, walking forward with a look of feigned concern. "Oh my, what is this? To soil the wedding dress on such a joyous day—how ominous." She glanced down at the kneeling maid, feigning regret. "Your Majesty, this girl is so clumsy. What are we to do now that she has offended you?"

Time was indeed pressing; the auspicious hour was approaching, and there was no time left to change the garment. The surrounding maids and eunuchs held their breath, waiting to see the new Empress make a fool of herself. Some of the maids turned deathly pale, while the eunuchs exchanged glances of terror.

Seeing this, Matron Li stepped forward to add fuel to the fire. "Your Majesty, this is a terrible omen! Look at this dress..." She shook her head and sighed, her tone brimming with schadenfreude. "I fear this might clash with the Dragon’s prestige!"

Feng Ruqing slowly raised her eyes. Her gaze, cold as a blade, swept past Consort Su and Matron Li before finally settling on the trembling maid. A faint, chilling smile curled her lips. "Clash with the Dragon’s prestige?" Feng Ruqing’s voice was soft, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "I would like to see who dares to gossip at my wedding."

She stood up slowly, the stain on her robe seeming to take on an air of grim determination. The surrounding air seemed to freeze; every word she spoke struck the hearts of those present like a heavy hammer.

"Tell me, who put you up to this?" The maid’s face went ghastly white, her eyes darting around, not daring to meet Feng Ruqing’s gaze.

Feng Ruqing did not press her further. Instead, she reached out and gripped the maid’s arm. Her slender fingers clamped down like iron pincers. The maid, a delicate girl, was no match for the strength of someone trained in martial arts; she immediately turned white with pain, tears streaming down her face as she struggled in vain. The onlookers stared in terror, not daring to draw a full breath.

"Your Majesty, have mercy! This servant truly did not mean it!"

"Not intentional?" Feng Ruqing scoffed, her eyes sweeping over Matron Li like a blade. "Matron Li, you are an old hand in this palace. Is this petty trick really all you have to show for yourself? It is truly shameful."

Matron Li was stunned by Feng Ruqing’s sharp presence and was left speechless. She had intended to give the new Empress a warning, but had instead been outmaneuvered.

"My wedding dress is stained, so naturally, someone will be held responsible for cleaning it. As for clashing with the Dragon’s prestige..." Feng Ruqing paused, her gaze sweeping over the silent, terrified crowd. "I would like to see who dares to spread such rumors on my wedding day!"

Seeing Feng Ruqing’s dominance, Consort Su seethed with secret hatred, but she could only force a smile. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am sure this girl acted without intent."

Feng Ruqing snorted coldly and released the maid’s arm, who immediately collapsed to the floor as if granted a reprieve.

The auspicious hour had arrived. Supported by her maids, Feng Ruqing walked slowly toward the great hall. The tassels on her phoenix coronet swayed gently with her steps, only adding to her regal and indomitable presence. As she walked, the gazes of the imperial concubines pierced toward her like arrows—jealousy, curiosity, and malice all intertwined—yet they were all suppressed by Feng Ruqing’s powerful aura, and none dared to step forward to provoke her.

Feng Ruqing held her head high, eyes fixed straight ahead, as if everything around her were of no consequence. Her only focus remained on the path of revenge.

***

Finally, she stood before the Emperor, Ji Ran.

Ji Ran sat in his dragon robes, looking immensely imposing, though his eyes held a trace of subtle scrutiny. Feng Ruqing met his gaze without a hint of fear. She knew this marriage was merely a transaction; she would use this position to exact vengeance for her sister.

"The auspicious hour has arrived—" the sharp voice of the Master of Ceremonies echoed through the hall.

However, his next words caused a cold glint to flash in Feng Ruqing’s eyes.

"Presenting Her Ladyship, the Imperial Consort—"

The eunuch’s shrill voice rang out: "Presenting Her Ladyship, the Imperial Consort—"

The moment these words were spoken, the hall erupted in murmurs. During an Empress’s wedding, how could an Imperial Consort enter before her? Everyone turned their eyes toward Consort Su, who rose with a look of triumph, casting a provocative glance at Feng Ruqing.

Feng Ruqing remained calm, though she sneered inwardly. Such crude tricks, daring to show off before an expert.

Matron Li immediately stepped forward, feigning surprise. "Oh my, what is wrong with the Master of Ceremonies? How could the Imperial Consort enter the hall before the Empress? This breaks all protocol!"

Consort Su waved her hand with feigned modesty. "Matron Li, you speak too harshly. Perhaps the Master of Ceremonies simply had a slip of the tongue." From the corner of her eye, she noticed Feng Ruqing standing as steady as a mountain, and she felt even more triumphant. *This wild girl from the countryside probably doesn't even understand palace etiquette. This is going to be a good show!*

The Master of Ceremonies wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly explained, "It... it was this servant’s mistake. I beg the Empress to forgive me!"

The hall fell so silent that only breathing could be heard. Everyone watched the confrontation between Feng Ruqing and the Master of Ceremonies with bated breath; the sound of sweat dripping from the eunuch’s brow onto the floor was clearly audible.

Feng Ruqing walked directly to the eunuch, looking down at him with icy eyes before speaking in a voice as cold as ice. "Master of Ceremonies, I recall that the wedding proceedings do not include the Imperial Consort entering before me. As someone who has served in the palace for so long, do you not even understand this basic rule?"

The Master of Ceremonies trembled violently and fell to his knees with a thud. "This servant... this servant was wrong! This servant deserves to die!" He glanced furtively toward Consort Su, his eyes pleading for help.

Consort Su’s expression changed. She had not expected Feng Ruqing to be so well-versed in palace protocol. Suppressing her panic, she smiled, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am sure the Master of Ceremonies was simply nervous and confused the order. Today is a joyous day; why lose your temper over such a small matter?"

Feng Ruqing gave a cold laugh. "Consort Su, that is where you are wrong. A state has its laws, and a household has its rules; palace etiquette is not to be taken lightly. If we do not investigate this today, will everyone not think that the rules of this palace are merely for show?" She fixed her gaze like a torch on Consort Su. "Don't you agree, Consort Su?"

Consort Su was shaken by Feng Ruqing’s intensity and was left speechless. She had intended to humiliate the new Empress, but had been outmaneuvered instead.

Feng Ruqing ignored her and turned to the Master of Ceremonies. "Continue."

As if granted a reprieve, the Master of Ceremonies scrambled to his feet and shouted, "The auspicious hour has arrived! Presenting Her Majesty, the Empress—"

Feng Ruqing walked slowly toward the high dais, each step radiating an unquestionable authority. Consort Su watched her back, a glimmer of venomous malice in her eyes. Feng Ruqing ascended the dais and stood facing Ji Ran. Their eyes met...

"The ceremony is complete—"

***

The high-pitched voice of the Master of Ceremonies resonated through the hall. "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"

Feng Ruqing bowed slowly, but beneath her red veil, her eyes were fixed on the stained hem of her wedding dress. *Sister, I will surely secure justice for you.*

"Second bow to the high elders—"

Feng Ruqing straightened up, her gaze passing over the empty seats of the high elders, as if seeing the faces and smiles of her parents thousands of miles away. *Father, Mother, your daughter is unfilial; I cannot serve at your side.*

"Third bow to each other—"

Feng Ruqing stood facing Ji Ran. The red veil obscured her vision, but it could not hide the sharp, biting aura she exuded. Ji Ran looked at the woman in the phoenix robes, his heart full of doubt. Her eyes were firm and fearless, devoid of the shyness and joy of a new bride; instead, they were like a sharp blade, piercing straight into one's heart.

*Is this truly the cowardly, incompetent second daughter of the Feng family from the rumors?*

Feng Ruqing was also observing Ji Ran. Through the red veil, she could not see his face clearly, but she could feel the imperial authority radiating from him. He was a dangerous man, but also a pawn in her plan for revenge.

The two bowed to each other. In that instant, a cold, nearly imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Feng Ruqing’s lips. This marriage was nothing more than a transaction.

After the ceremony, supported by her maids, Feng Ruqing returned to the Fengluan Palace. The crimson halls and luxurious decorations could not bring her a shred of joy. She knew this was merely the calm before the storm. The inner palace was fraught with danger, and she had to be calculated in every step to avenge her sister.

Late at night, Feng Ruqing sat alone by the window, gazing at the bright moonlight outside. Today, she had successfully intimidated the people of the inner palace, letting them know that this new Empress was not to be trifled with.

But this was only the beginning. Her task was not just to establish authority, but to drag those who had harmed her sister into hell, one by one!

She stood slowly and walked to the vanity, removing the heavy phoenix coronet to reveal her stunning face. Only, her clear eyes were now filled with cold, murderous intent.

*Knock, knock, knock.* A sound at the door broke the silence of the night.

"Who is it?" Feng Ruqing asked coldly.

A timid voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, it is this servant..."