"Yes, Your Highness. These two Ladies were not originally living here. Because their previous residence was old and dilapidated, the Empress had them moved out..."
Before the attendant could finish, Noble Concubine Shih interrupted, "There’s no need to explain further. This palace has no interest in knowing..."
Upon hearing the word "Empress," she felt a tightness in her chest... That position was originally hers, HMPH!
"Someone... summon them here! This palace wishes to know what they are laughing about. What is there to be so proud of!"
Ying Yue had originally wanted to advise restraint, but seeing the fury on her mistress’s face, she forcibly held back her words of persuasion.
Lady Lan and Lady Xi were the same as Xia Ruqing. They too were Fine Ladies newly entered into the palace. At the ages of sixteen or seventeen, they were naturally lively and energetic. Normally cautious and restrained, they wouldn’t dare to act so freely.
It was just that today the weather was fine, and in front of Xihuai Palace, a stretch of wintersweet flowers bloomed early. A golden expanse, quite pleasing to the eye. The two of them picked several branches of flowers to hold, chasing and playing with each other.
Little did they expect that their cheerful laughter would reach Noble Concubine Shih’s ears and sound exceedingly harsh.
She had just lost face in front of the other concubines. Now, hearing their laughter, she felt as if they were mocking her, finding it unbearably grating!
The two Ladies were brought to Xifu Palace. First, they were slapped across the face, then punished to kneel. Though they came from lower birth, they were still official’s daughters, delicate and tender, and couldn’t withstand such treatment. In the early spring, the ground was still cold!
After kneeling for half a day, by noon, word had spread throughout the palace: two Ladies were being punished by kneeling in Xifu Palace, and one had even fainted.
Upon hearing this, the Empress pondered for a while, then rose and personally went to Zhaochen Palace.
It was not that she valued these two Ladies so much. But rather, here was a chance to gain favor by appearing clever and, at the same time, add to the Noble Consort’s troubles... How could she possibly miss it?
Zhao Junyao was reviewing documents in the Imperial Study Room when he heard the Empress had come. Thinking he should uphold the Empress’s dignity, he allowed her to enter...
The Empress performed her salutations respectfully, then relayed the entire matter. She added, "Even if those two Ladies are not favored, they have been compliant and dutiful, and this servant has never punished them in such a manner! Besides, for Sister Shih to get so angry, it’s not good for her health either... This servant is foolish and did not dare to intercede when such an incident occurred, and can only come to ask the Emperor..."
Before she finished speaking, Zhao Junyao flung the documents aside and stood up, his expression dark. "You needn’t persuade. Today, I intend to see... exactly what she is up to..."
With those words, he strode out briskly.
The Empress felt secretly thrilled, but outwardly she still earnestly tried to calm him. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Sister Shih is pregnant, and her mood may be unstable... Even if she acted out of character and made a mistake, I implore Your Majesty..."
But before she could finish, the Emperor had already walked far away.
The Empress dabbed at the sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief. Acting is indeed exhausting. With a smug smile, she led Yu Lan and followed him.
「Xifu Palace」
Noble Concubine Shih looked at the two Ladies she had tormented to the point of pallor. Gradually, the displeasure in her heart began to dissipate. She slowly rose from her chair, supporting herself on Ying Yue’s arm, circled the two Ladies, then let out a cold laugh. "Living in the back of Xifu Palace is not like other places; not understanding the rules simply will not do..."
Noble Concubine Shih had not finished speaking when suddenly there was a commotion outside the doors.
Zhao Junyao strode in, his face dark, and questioned in a heavy voice, "Noble Consort, in your eyes, are there still any rules?"
The Empress hurried forward to intercept the Emperor, pleading, "Your Majesty, Sister Shih is with child and may be emotionally unstable..."
Zhao Junyao snorted coldly. "What emotional instability? In My eyes, she’s merely grown arrogant from My favor!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty..." Noble Concubine Shih’s first reaction was panic. Her cousin did not like her breaking the rules.
But her second reaction was... Grievance! She was pregnant; couldn’t her cousin dote on her a little more, indulge her a bit? She had only punished two Ladies. Was her cousin coming with the Empress to question her? Did she, as a Noble Consort, not even have this much authority?
When the Empress saw the Noble Consort still half-kneeling in greeting, she did not bid her rise but simply turned her head toward Zhao Junyao. "Your Majesty, Sister Shih’s health..."
Zhao Junyao, holding back his anger, scoffed. "The Empress need not worry. I refuse to believe that she can’t withstand a simple gesture of courtesy..."
Upon hearing this, Noble Concubine Shih’s body swayed, nearly collapsing.
"Be careful, Your Highness..." It was Ying Yue, quick-witted and fast, who caught her.
Zhao Junyao’s gaze remained sharp. After surveying Noble Concubine Shih’s servants, he curled his lips and instructed, "Attend to your mistress well. If there is a next time, you all will no longer need to serve by the Noble Consort’s side..."