C6 Punishment

"What is this remarkable thing the Commander mentioned, Silver Mask?" Tiange rose, moving past Beiming Yuan, her eyes steady and calm as she faced Dugu Jin. "You should be grateful there's no Silver Mask in my room. If there were, it would surely be you who hid it."

"You... you're talking nonsense!" Dugu Jin glared at Tiange with disdain, his eyes filled with hostility.

"Nonsense? Who in the royal city doesn't know who I am? Abandoned by my mother, unloved by my father! The entire South Suppressing Marquis Mansion sees me as a disgrace! For eighteen years, I've lived in fear, humbly bowing to all of you. I've spent my days at the temple, burning incense and praying, wishing the heavens would take me away sooner!"

Tiange stepped closer to Dugu Jin, her eyes burning red. "If I truly were the mighty Silver Mask, undefeated on the battlefield, I would have announced to the world that I, Tiange, am not a worthless person, not an ugly creature! I am the deputy under the command of Dugu Yan, the great marshal! If I had it, why would I hide it?"

"Silver Mask is the remnant of a corrupt concubine," Beiming Yuan interjected, slightly surprised by Tiange's demeanor.

"That was yesterday's news!" Tiange suddenly turned her gaze, her clenched fists turning white at the knuckles.

Moments later, her face, once filled with rage, became calm and cold. "That was yesterday's news, wasn't it, Crown Prince?"

The air turned frigid, and Beiming Yuan was momentarily stunned by the fierce aura that had just filled the room.

Beside the main seat, Nanny Sunn wanted to speak, but Empress Dowager Chu subtly shook her head.

"What do you want to say?" Beiming Yuan asked with a hint of sarcasm. How could he think that the fierce aura from Tiange resembled that of Dugu Yan? They were entirely different people—one as proud as an eagle soaring in the sky, the other as lowly as mud in a corner.

"Tiange wants to say that the dog the Crown Prince keeps is abusing its power. Under the guise of searching for the Silver Mask, it raided my room for the 'Grand Yin Scripture.' That was my mother's dowry, not something anyone can covet."

"No... Your Highness, please understand, I truly..." Dugu Jin stepped forward in panic, only to be blocked by an unsightly face.

"Commander, it would be better if you admit your guilt. Otherwise, knowing full well that I am the granddaughter of the Royal Grandma, you still tried to accuse me of treason and wished to see me dead. Are you trying to drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the Royal Grandma?" Tiange's words left Dugu Jin pale with fear.

"Such malicious intent! Guards, drag Dugu Jin out and give him fifty lashes!" Beiming Yuan didn't give Tiange a chance to continue, shouting angrily.

"Mercy... Your Highness, have mercy!" Dugu Jin was in shock as the guards pulled him away.

Feng Tiange knew he probably didn't expect Beiming Yuan to say a single good word for him before having him dragged out. That's Beiming Yuan for you—never hesitating when it comes to choosing between personal gain and old loyalties.

"This was my oversight, and it won't happen again," Beiming Yuan said, bowing respectfully to the person seated above.

"Leave," Empress Dowager Chu commanded with a wave of her hand. Beiming Yuan bowed again, casting a glance at Feng Tiange as he left, his emotions unreadable.

As Beiming Yuan exited the Happiness Prolonging Hall, the sound of Dugu Jin's screams echoed outside, humiliating for someone of his rank as a Commander.

"Even as Dugu Yan's brother, he doesn't have a fraction of her courage. Tiange..." Empress Dowager Chu called softly, and Feng Tiange suddenly knelt down. "I beg for your forgiveness, Royal Grandma!"

Perhaps the movement aggravated her wound, as blood began to stain Feng Tiange's shoulder again.

"You child, why do you always kneel so easily? Get up!" Empress Dowager Chu said, moving down from her seat with the help of Nanny Sunn, reaching out to help but was gently refused by Feng Tiange.

"For eighteen years, I've ignored your love, wallowing in self-pity, thinking the world abandoned me, when in truth, I abandoned myself!" Feng Tiange cried, wishing she could explain that your granddaughter never truly gave up, but she couldn't.

"Tiange..." Empress Dowager Chu wept.

"Grandma, I can't promise that the future will be glorious, but I won't hide away in despair at Puning Temple anymore. I swear to you, from now on, I'll live a vibrant life, honoring your name." Deeply moved, Feng Tiange bowed three times.

"Good... good child! My Tiange..." Empress Dowager Chu pulled Feng Tiange into her arms, tears streaming down her face. "You've suffered all these years, and it's my fault..."

After being with the former monarch, Empress Dowager Chu had no children of her own. Her only daughter, Chu Yue, was gone, leaving Feng Tiange as her only family.

Inside the hall, the grandmother and granddaughter talked for a long time, while outside, Dugu Jin's cries echoed.

As Feng Tiange bid farewell to Empress Dowager Chu and left the Happiness Prolonging Hall, she saw Dugu Jin being dragged past by guards, his back marked with bright red wounds stark against the white snow.

"Feng Tiange!"