Seeing that everyone was silent, Feng Jin's tone grew a little heavier as she asked, "Is it not a capital offense for palace maids to steal property without authorization?"
"This... this isn't, it isn't us who stole it."
The palace maid dragged out by Cai Qing hurriedly defended herself, her expression flustered and her eyes full of fear.
"Even if it wasn't you who stole it, with so much money of unknown origin, if this matter were to reach your supervising嬷嬷, none of you would fare well."
"Moreover, this is Dong Chu, not your Xi Liang. You will also be severely punished for leaving the post station without authorization. If you tell the truth today, I might consider pretending I never saw you."
Feng Jin's gaze swept over everyone from a superior position: "I have given you a chance. If you don't cherish it, then we will handle this matter officially."
"Lu Shi, take them down and detain them. Interrogate them strictly until they tell the truth."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi responded, then turned to the guards behind him and said, "Take these people down and interrogate them strictly with torture."
Upon receiving the order, the guards stepped forward and dragged the few people away.
"No... no..."
"We'll tell... I'll tell..."
Seeing this, the palace maids immediately panicked and timidly begged for mercy.
"Wait!" Feng Jin raised her hand and said, stepping forward to stand before them. "Speak."
The palace maids swallowed nervously, their shoulders trembling slightly from fear, their lips quivering, "I... I..."
"I... we, did not... did not steal anything. This money was... exchanged for something..."
By the end, her voice became quieter and quieter. If Feng Jin hadn't been close to them, she might not have heard it.
"Exchanged? What was exchanged for this money?" Feng Jin continued to press relentlessly. This was not a small sum of money; it could not have been exchanged without something precious.
"It was... it was..."
The palace maid hesitated, her eyes darting around, looking at the others as if seeking help.
"Lu Shi, investigate where they exchanged the money and what they exchanged it for."
Feng Jin, too lazy to listen to their vague explanations, directly ordered them to be taken down and detained first, and then instructed Lu Shi to investigate.
As soon as Feng Jin returned to her room, within moments, the supervising嬷嬷 from Xi Liang stormed in.
"Young Madam, the supervising嬷嬷 is here, saying she's here about the palace maids' transgression today," Cai Qing said softly into Feng Jin's ear, bowing.
Her hand, which was arranging Huang Qi, paused. Feng Jin slowly stood up, "She came quite quickly. Let's go and see what storms this嬷嬷 can stir up."
From their previous brief encounter, Feng Jin knew that this嬷嬷 was not easy to deal with. She must have come prepared this time, and Feng Jin needed to be fully alert to handle her carefully.
After all, individuals who had navigated the imperial palace for many years were seasoned veterans, their minds sharp as knives.
"This old servant greets the Young Madam. I hope the Young Madam is well." The嬷嬷 put down her teacup as she saw Feng Jin enter and hurried to stand up and pay her respects.
"Please rise,嬷嬷. You are an elder of the imperial palace; how dare I let you pay respects to me? That would be disrespectful. Please have a seat,嬷嬷."
Feng Jin's outward demeanor was impeccable. With a smile, she invited the嬷嬷 to sit down.
"May I ask for your name,嬷嬷?"
"This old servant entered the Xi Liang imperial palace in childhood and has served the Empress until now. I long ago lost my name; I only know my surname is Sun."
Feng Jin lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea. She truly was a seasoned veteran. To have survived in the treacherous imperial palace for so many years, she must be an extraordinary figure.
"Then I shall presume to call you Grandma Sun. Grandma Sun, why have you come?"
"Young Madam, haven't you detained some palace maids today? Although those palace maids deserve death for their transgressions, they are, after all, people of Xi Liang, dowry for the princess. For the sake of diplomatic relations between the two countries, this old servant shamelessly asks the Young Madam for a favor. May I ask the Young Madam to hand them over to this old servant to take back and deal with?"
She had come to hold her accountable. Feng Jin smiled, calmly put down her teacup, and said in a gentle yet stern tone, "While those palace maids are indeed dowry for the princess, this is Dong Chu. Once they have set foot on Dong Chu's land, they are naturally subjects of Dong Chu and must abide by Dong Chu's laws. Their current offense is against Dong Chu's laws, and they must be dealt with according to Dong Chu's laws."
"Grandma Sun is also a wise person and will naturally understand the gravity of this matter. If they are not severely punished, others will follow suit. At that time, Xi Liang's reputation will be lost. Can Dong Chu and Xi Liang continue to have long-term peace?"
Feng Jin did not yield at all. Her words were resolute, and she was determined not to let Grandma Sun take the women away.
Perhaps not expecting Feng Jin's firm attitude, Grandma Sun's expression immediately turned sour, and her tone was no longer as gentle as before, "Young Madam, you intend to detain them."
"It is not I who intend to detain them, but Dong Chu's laws that intend to detain them."
Feng Jin retorted fearlessly, "If Grandma Sun feels that I am being selfish and deliberately making things difficult for you, then in order to prove my innocence, Grandma Sun may observe the proceedings when the matter is investigated."
This Grandma Sun was cunning and secretive. If she hid, it would give her more excuses to cause trouble. It was better to be open and public about the matter, take the initiative, and avoid being controlled.
"The Young Madam's actions are indeed just, which makes this old servant seem narrow-minded."
Grandma Sun stood up and walked to Feng Jin. "Since the Young Madam acts fairly, I am naturally relieved. Then I shall trouble the Young Madam with this matter."
"As long as it is for the sake of peace between Dong Chu and Xi Liang, there is no trouble. If anything, it is Grandma Sun who has been troubled, working hard in the palace for many years, and now in her twilight years, she has to leave her homeland for Dong Chu. It is truly arduous."
Earlier, Feng Jin had wondered why Grandma Sun, an elderly woman, had to accompany them to Dong Chu. Now, she understood.
This Grandma Sun was not just capable; she was a seasoned schemer. With her offering advice to Murong Jin Yun, she would surely turn Dong Chu upside down.
"This old servant is a servant of the Xi Liang imperial family. To have the honor of caring for the Empress is the greatest blessing of this life. Now that I am nearing my end, to be able to care for the princess is my greatest fortune in this life."
"Young Madam, you are a smart person. With you here, I believe there will be no incidents along the way. This old servant is also at ease. People truly get old. We've only spoken for a while, and I'm already tired. This old servant will take her leave and will not disturb you further."
Grandma Sun said with a smile, bowed slightly to Feng Jin, and then got up and left.