The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

When Master Yu knelt down, the other officials from the Yu family who held positions in the court also knelt down. For a moment, Emperor Mingde and Empress Feng frowned. Empress Feng, in particular, felt that the kneeling of the Yu family members was a reminder to the royal family that the Yu family had made many contributions to the court over the years, and that if they wanted to blame Yu Ling'er, they should do so out of respect for the family.

"You unfilial daughter, kneel down now and apologize to the Emperor and Empress. You have harmed the Empress's health; this cannot be left unpunished!" Master Yu shouted sternly at Yu Ling'er.

Yu Ling'er was extremely unwilling, but at this moment, she had no choice but to suppress her resentment, bite her lip, and obediently kneel on the ground to beg for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, Ling'er was careless and hurt Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

As soon as Yu Ling'er finished speaking, Master Yu's eyes narrowed, and he cupped his hands towards Emperor Mingde. He immediately stood up, walked up to Yu Ling'er, and slapped her across the face. The sudden slap stunned everyone present.

“Father…you…” Yu Ling’er covered her face, not understanding why her father would be so cruel. However, when she looked up and met the cold gaze of Master Yu, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but shrink back.

"Forgive me? You don't even ask for a decree to punish me, yet you want the Empress to forgive you? Who do you think you've hurt? It's good that the Empress's health isn't seriously damaged. But if anything really happens to the Empress, even if the Emperor and Empress spare your life, I will beat you to death to atone for the sins of our Yu family." Master Yu gritted his teeth and said fiercely. This Yu Ling'er was alright before, but ever since her sister died, he thought that Yu Ling'er was the only daughter in the direct line of the Yu family, and the whole mansion doted on her and indulged her in everything. Now, well, she has finally caused trouble.

If Yu Ling'er were to die, he would simply pretend he never had such a daughter. But if the Yu family's many years of glory were destroyed by this woman, how could he face the ancestors of the Yu family?

Yu Ling'er bit her lip, not daring to say anything more. Master Yu glanced at Empress Feng and Emperor Mingde without leaving a trace. Seeing the wound on Empress Feng's forehead, he knew that this alone would probably not be enough to quell the Empress's anger. He lowered his gaze, gritted his teeth, and muttered, "Today, I will personally end your life to appease the Empress's hatred."

As Master Yu spoke, he walked to the side. With the Emperor and Empress present, he absolutely could not look for a sharp weapon. If someone accused him of trying to assassinate someone, he would have no way to defend himself. However, there were quite a few ornamental stones in the garden. Master Yu quickly walked over, picked up a large one, and strode towards Yu Ling'er.

Not only was Yu Ling'er stunned by his actions, but everyone else also frowned. Was this Master Yu really going to take Yu Ling'er's life?

Emperor Mingde and Empress Feng's expressions also changed. An Mi, Bai Yi, and later Qing Lan all couldn't help but curl up a sarcastic smile. They were all smart people. How could they not see what Master Yu's actions were for?

Master Yu is seizing the initiative. The more cruel he is to Yu Ling'er, the more advantageous it will be for her. Master Yu is actually saving Yu Ling'er in a roundabout way.

An Mi also knew that since Lord Yu was already in such a state, if Emperor Mingde and Empress Feng pursued the matter further, it would be too harsh on them as subjects. With so many officials and their wives present, it was good to maintain the dignity of the royal family, but excessive criticism would only discourage the subjects.

Just as An Mi had thought, Emperor Mingde was also calculating in his mind at this moment. Given the contributions and influence of the Yu family at the thatched cottage, he had to give them some face. After weighing the matter carefully, Emperor Mingde spoke up, "Minister Yu, what are you doing?"

Lord Yu raised a stone, about to smash it down on Yu Ling'er. "Your Majesty, I have lost my composure. This unfilial daughter should be taught a lesson. Today she dared to accidentally injure the Empress. If she does anything even more outrageous in the future, my Yu family of several hundred people will be wiped out at her hands. It doesn't matter if my family dies, but the reputation that the Yu family has accumulated for the Great Jin Dynasty over the past hundred years will be destroyed. Your Majesty, please allow me to personally send this unfilial daughter on her way."

Without hesitation, Master Yu struck Yu Ling'er hard...

"father……"

"No, sir, she is still your daughter no matter what..." Madam Yu rushed forward and firmly held onto Master Yu's hand.

Yu Ling'er was terrified, her body trembling. Madam Yu looked miserable and pleaded desperately. Master Yu frowned, disappointed in his wife. These various expressions mixed together created a truly fascinating scene.

"Enough!" Emperor Mingde said loudly.

"Your Majesty..." Master Yu frowned.

Empress Feng frowned. In her mind, no matter how Yu Ling'er had hurt her, the damage was done. She wished Yu Ling'er were dead. However, she knew that for the sake of the greater good, the Emperor would not give the Yu family any face.

With a flicker of her eyes, Empress Feng thought of her previous plan to marry Yu Ling'er to Feng Yu, and began to ponder it slowly.

"Yu Qingjia, although Ling'er injured me, it's nothing serious. It's nothing for me to suffer a little pain. Please stop blaming Ling'er. If you really killed Ling'er with a stone, my nephew would be heartbroken." Empress Feng smiled and subtly interrupted the Emperor before he could speak. The royal family was going to give this favor to the Yu family. Rather than letting the Emperor give it, it was better for her to do it herself. In the future, the Yu family would remember Empress Feng's favor.

Empress Feng's words, and the meaning behind them, stunned everyone present.

What does it mean that Empress Feng mentioned her nephew was saddened by Yu Ling'er's matter on such an occasion?

She was telling everyone that her nephew, Feng Yu, the eldest son of the Feng family and General Feng who held considerable military power, had taken a liking to Miss Yu Ling'er of the Yu family.

"Your Majesty, please don't blame Ling'er. Just consider it giving the Yu family and Feng Yu some face," Empress Feng said again. Emperor Mingde was also shrewd. He had intended to give the Yu family face, and it was perfect that the Empress was going along with his wishes.

However… Feng Yu…

"Yes, of course I'll give you face," Emperor Mingde chuckled, his gaze narrowing, making it impossible to discern his true emotions.

"Yuqing, quickly put the stone down, lest you accidentally hurt Ling'er," Empress Feng said with a smile. At this moment, the imperial physician had already stopped the bleeding on her forehead, applied medicine, and wrapped it with a ribbon.