The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1115 - 1089: Honor Amidst Chaos

Princess Fengyang saw how much Qi Nanxue had thin, her heart was filled with anxiety.

She had a conversation with Qi Nanxue, promising him that she would not abandon him because of those old scholars petitioning.

But Qi Nanxue still lacked a sense of security.

Holding Princess Fengyang’s hand, with reddened eyes, he said, "I can’t bear to trouble the Princess, not to mention the kindness the Princess has shown me. Even over the years, sharing deep love with the Princess, I wish all is well for her. When I was with the Princess earlier, as nobody mentioned it, His Majesty could turn a blind eye. But now, for the sake of Royal reputation, I’m afraid someone like me won’t be tolerated by His Majesty. If I die, I die, but implicating the Princess’s reputation is a grave offense on my part."

Fengyang was very worried, no matter how she tried to persuade Qi Nanxue, he wouldn’t listen.

His past experiences made him inherently filled with self-doubt, lacking confidence, leading to his constant fears and worries.

A few days later, Qi Nanxue fell ill, saying to Fengyang, "If there is a next life, I wish to be an ordinary couple with the Princess, better than living like this... hiding all the time."

Fengyang could see Qi Nanxue was determined to die.

He was likely worried about damaging Princess Fengyang’s reputation, knowing her kind heart wouldn’t abandon him, he’d rather end his life, so that Princess Fengyang need not worry for someone like him and won’t be criticized.

Fengyang was genuinely frantic and furious, so much that she developed sores on her lips and her throat became hoarse and dry, painfully unable to speak.

Seeing Qi Nanxue refuse food and drink, she was angry and said, "Fine, you don’t want to hide, you want something open and honorable, right? I’ll make it honorable for you. Those old guys with nothing better to do, they have their kept concubines, but I merely seek someone with shared sentiments, and they interfere. They disdain you, don’t they? Well, I’ll make them have to respect you, even if it’s against their liking. Damn it, I’ve been cultivating patience all these years, and they think I’m weak and easy to bully."

The next day, Fengyang wore her court attire early and ran to the court.

As Xiao Yuan attended court, she brought a chair and sat next to him.

The entire civil and military officials were dumbfounded.

Several elders couldn’t bear it and criticized Fengyang: "Please be cautious, Princess. This court is not a place anyone can enter at will; even the Crown Prince hasn’t sat beside His Majesty. Princess, this is improper."

Fengyang sneered: "Who’s decided I cannot sit beside Father Emperor? Crown Prince Brother, can I sit here?"

Xiao Ying rubbed his nose, thinking why trouble is on him now, "Of course, Sister can sit."

Fengyang laughed: "The main authority hasn’t spoken, yet you busy yourselves with trivial concerns. Behaving sanctimoniously on the court, nobody knows your true nature outside? I’ve kept quiet, considering your face. If it truly escalates, then everyone’s shame will be aired, and I’ll reveal your dirty deeds without a care, and let’s see who ends up embarrassed."

Her words incited anger among many ministers below: "Princess, don’t be too excessive."

Fengyang’s gaze shifted slightly, revealing a mocking smile: "There are more excessive things. Mr. He, your home was poor once, unable to afford education, and your wife used her dowry to support your studies and tirelessly made embroideries to save funds for your exams. Yet, once you gained riches, you shunned the wife who stood by you, afraid of the bad reputation of being heartless for fortune. Secretly writing to your mother to frame your original wife for adultery, drowning that bitter woman in a pig cage. Mr. He, do you truly sleep peacefully without dreaming of your first wife’s ghost seeking vengeance?"

"Mr. Gong, your bastard son is doing well? Truly unexpected, Mr. Gong, appearing loving and caring with Mrs. Gong, yet your bastard son is older than the heir."

"Mr. Xu, your cousin seems well, doesn’t she? The thrill of romance must be pleasurable then..."

"Fengyang, enough."

Seeing Fengyang continue, Xiao Yuan scolded her.

He cast his gaze over the ministers: "Fengyang is young, and speaks without restraint, yet her words are true. If you’ve truly committed wrongdoing, admit it privately. As for He Sheng, the one who killed your wife was your mother, but you were the mastermind. If you couldn’t tolerate the wife who shared your hardships, how can you be trusted with national duties? Issue my decree, strip He Sheng of his position, and let the Ministry of Justice, along with Yingtian Prefecture, investigate any misdeeds over the years."

He then looked toward Mr. Xu and Mr. Gong: "Regarding your personal ethics, I won’t comment, but this cannot be hidden. Consider how you’ll explain it back home."

Finishing, Xiao Yuan glanced at Fengyang: "My Princess Fengyang never wronged anyone or harmed anyone. Her private matters, whoever she befriends, are hers alone. Ministers fail to show loyalty to our country, but instead focus on my princess’s affairs. I see you’re all idle. From tomorrow, I will have Lin Qing and Yuan Qing, along with all sectors of the capital, draft evaluation standards. All officials must be evaluated yearly, and if they fail their duties, they should not retain their positions."

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly: "Did everyone hear clearly? Enough said, dismiss the court."

Rising, he departed, with Fengyang following him, the officials utterly stunned.

Then, they began to grumble to one another: "Why are you so stubborn? We petitioned, but His Majesty didn’t act, clearly favoring Princess Fengyang. Now, look, we’ve caused our own trouble."

"We’ve studied all these years to pass the Imperial Examination, and now we must be evaluated yearly? It’s hard enough to become an official, must we be assessed annually? How can anyone live like this?"

"Honestly, why fuss? Princess Fengyang should be allowed to do as she pleases. She hasn’t married yet, so what’s wrong if she has a favorite actor? You refuse to let go."

Some ministers were deeply shaken.

The likes of He Sheng’s private matters were unknown to fellow officials. Evidently, such matters are extremely private, yet Princess Fengyang knows them.

Some ministers recalled a rumor.

Supposedly, Princess Fengyang controls certain forces, seemingly omnipresent, uncovering any information. She might be the most informed person about Dajing’s affairs, possibly knowing where every official eats, what they speak, which concubine’s room they sleep in.

Considering this rumor, many assume it might be true.

These officials grew increasingly fearful.

Princess Fengyang holds everyone’s secrets, yet they dared to challenge her, thinking they’d win a dispute. If she were provoked, revealing their shameful deeds, then what a sight.

Most regretted deeply.

Returning from the court, Fengyang followed Xiao Yuan back to Qingzheng Hall.

Upon entering, she said: "Father Emperor, please summon Qi Nanxue to the palace for a chat. I’m afraid he’s beyond help, and he could just lead himself to death."

Xiao Yuan spoke coldly: "Let him die. Unsettled for a grown man, and you value him excessively."

"Father Emperor."

Fengyang clung to Xiao Yuan’s arm, playfully: "Father Emperor, I truly cherish him. Nanxue is actually very kind, his upbringing environment led to sensitivity. He usually isn’t like this, just caught in a moment of despair. Father Emperor, for my sake, please advise him."

Xiao Yuan, somewhat amused: "Look at you, a daughter raising a man, yet asking your father to advise him, never seen one like you."

Fengyang lowered her head: "Father Emperor, I want to marry, I don’t want Nanxue to suffer anymore."

Xiao Yuan paused: "You... fine, do as you wish."