Chарter 3: If You Сan’t Cоntrоl Yоur Моuth, Yоu Desеrvе а Slаp
Cоnsort Wan’s exрrеssion turnеd аwkwаrd.
Тhе Emрrеss’s quеstion was сlеarlу meant to еmbarrаss her.
How сould shе pоssiblу not remеmber her, yеt rеmеmbеr that little wеnсh, Jiе Yu Zhоu?
Nanny Wеn, who wаs serving neаrby, spоke in a mеasured tonе, “Yоur rеplу, Yоur Majestу, is Cоnsоrt Wan.”
Cоnsort Wan, rеlying оn thе Еmpеror’s favоr, often likеd tо stаnd out and take the lead in her dаilу actions.
Huа Shu smilеd faintly, “Cоnsоrt Wan.”
A mere consort dared to speak recklessly in the main hall—did she truly see the Empress as nothing more than a decoration?
Consort Wan pursed her lips. Seeing the other consorts look at her as if she were a joke, she couldn’t help but tighten her grip on her handkerchief. In her heart, she knew she had spoken out of turn.
But so what?
The Empress was now practically powerless, struggling to protect herself—what could she possibly do to her?
Thinking this, Consort Wan stood up. “Your Majesty, this concubine spoke out of turn. It’s just that when I arrived, I saw many consorts heading to Consort De’s Palace of Gathered Elegance. I also noticed that Jie Yu Zhou is pregnant, and Consort De sent her many gifts and tonics. So, this concubine assumed… I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Though she spoke of seeking forgiveness, her demeanor was casual, showing no trace of respect.
Consort De currently held the authority to manage the Six Palaces. Not only the consorts but even the lower-ranking palace maids and female officials were flocking to her side.
From the looks of it, Consort De’s promotion to Noble Consort was only a matter of time.
By then, the Empress’s power and status would truly be hollowed out.
By saying all this, she merely wanted the Empress to face reality and to embarrass Jie Yu Zhou.
On one hand, she came here to pay respects, while on the other, she accepted favors from over there.
Carrying the imperial heir was no easy feat.
Hmph.
In the silent palace, this cold laugh was particularly conspicuous.
The Empress stood up, her eyes flashing with a faint, chilling light as she swept her gaze across the entire hall.
“Indeed, this Empress has been unwell and entrusted the Phoenix Seal to the Emperor. The Emperor then granted Consort De the authority to manage the Six Palaces. What, according to Consort Wan, does this mean—that Consort De intends to replace this Empress, or that the Emperor has already deposed me? Do the eyes of the Six Palaces recognize only the Phoenix Seal and not this Empress herself?”
She did not scream or shout hysterically, but her calm, unangered tone sent a chill through the hearts of everyone present.
The consorts instinctively rose and curtsied.
Consort Wan’s face paled, and for a moment, she could find no words to defend herself.
As she looked up and met the Empress’s gaze, a sudden chill ran down her spine, nearly causing her to lose her balance.
Why was the Empress’s gaze so terrifying, as if she wanted to kill her?
Consort Hui glanced around. As a close ally of the Empress, she couldn’t stand these mindless fools and immediately spoke up, “Your Majesty, Consort Wan’s words and actions are improper. She truly deserves punishment!”
Hua Shu suppressed her anger and remained silent.
Nanny Wen and the others all knelt, requesting punishment. The consorts below, ever opportunistic, quickly followed suit, urging the Empress to impose a penalty.
A clear smile appeared at the corner of Hua Shu’s lips as she spoke nonchalantly.
“This Empress is merciful and dislikes causing trouble for others. Today, since Consort Wan has spoken out of turn, she shall receive fifty slaps!”
In this palace, if you can’t control your mouth, you deserve to be punished.
“Empress!” Consort Wan’s voice trembled. Her face was her most prized possession.
But Hua Shu turned and left the hall. What awaited Consort Wan was Nanny Wen’s slap.
“Consort Wan, Her Majesty is fair. Having you punished here is also for everyone to witness, lest there be any discrepancy in the count. Otherwise, you might go crying to the Emperor about it.”Nanny Wen was a ruthless woman. As soon as her words fell, she delivered several slaps.
She had been meticulously selected by the Hua family for the Empress. Previously, when the Empress constantly provoked the Emperor, she had been powerless to intervene. But now, dealing with a few low-ranking consorts was as easy as taking candy from a baby.
Consort Wan’s face quickly swelled red, yet she could not escape further blows.
For a moment, the Inner Hall was filled with continuous screams.
The consorts exchanged glances, all sharing the same thought.
Had the Empress gone mad from some kind of shock?
Already despised by the Emperor, now she was punishing his favored consort—wasn’t she just asking for trouble?
On the way back, the two maids personally attending the Empress, Yun Xiu and Yun Yue, shared the same worry, their faces clouded with anxiety.
“Your Majesty, Consort Wan has been very favored lately. I fear she won’t take this lying down,” Yun Yue finally couldn’t help but voice her concern.
Hua Shu said nothing, silently eating her breakfast and sipping fish soup.
Only after finishing her meal and wiping the corners of her mouth did she leisurely speak, “I truly hope she goes to complain.”
What was the point of punishing just one consort? What she truly wanted was something else.
Was it the Phoenix Seal that commanded obedience? Or was it her own person?
Which one did the Emperor want?
The first thing Hua Shu did upon arriving here was to clarify all the Emperor’s background and relationships. Fortunately, the original host had studied the Emperor extensively, leaving behind comprehensive information.
The original host had been chosen by the Empress Dowager as the Emperor’s principal wife.
With her noble family background and stable position, she shouldn’t have fallen to her current state.
Unfortunately, she was always preoccupied with winning the Emperor’s affection, yearning for what she could not have.
The current Emperor and the Empress Dowager were not biological mother and son. The Emperor lost his mother at the age of ten and was then raised by the current Empress Dowager.
Their relationship was naturally delicate.
Moreover, the Empress Dowager later gave birth to her own biological son, the current Prince Guangning.
On the surface, it appeared as a loving mother and filial son, with harmonious brotherly relations.
But the Emperor had defeated so many to stand in his current position—he was no simple man.
Even in ordinary families, brothers and mothers could fall out, let alone in the imperial family.
As the Empress, how could she not be guarded against by the Emperor? If she failed to understand the situation, hardship was inevitable.
Being guarded against and distrusted was normal, but it shouldn’t have come to the point of losing all favor and dignity.
For the Emperor, as long as you performed well and were a competent Empress, he would be satisfied.
Otherwise, once despised, no matter what you did afterward, it would be seen as wrong.
………..
Consort Wan left the Palace of Earthly Tranquility in tears. As they streamed down her cheeks, it felt as if fire had scorched her face, the stinging sensation unmistakable.
She wanted to cover her face with her hands but dared not touch it.
“The Empress is truly despicable!” Consort Wan’s voice was shrill as she stamped her foot in anger.
Her maid Qing Qing, who was supporting her, quickly whispered words of comfort, “Mistress, the Empress is at the end of her rope, punishing you just to assert her authority. Once the Emperor sees your injuries, he will surely feel heartache for you. By then, he might even reprimand the Empress.”
Consort Wan gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment. “The Empress has humiliated me like this—I cannot bear it! Let’s go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. I must see the Emperor!”
Soon, the mistress and her servants arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Li Zongguan spotted them from afar, squinting as he struggled to recognize who it was. Only when they drew closer did he manage to identify them.
Was that Consort Wan? He couldn’t quite be sure.
He stepped forward to greet them, but before he could bow, Consort Wan interrupted him, tears in her eyes. “Li Zongguan, please inform the Emperor that I wish to see him!”
Seeing her look as if she had suffered a great injustice, Li Zongguan had no choice but to go inside and report to the Emperor.When Consort Wan entered, she was seen holding up her skirt, disregarding all etiquette, and moving forward to kneel weakly beside the Emperor’s leg.
“Your Majesty! You must stand up for your humble servant!”
She lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, raising her usually delicate voice to its most pitiful tone.
Chu Ze was already irritated by court affairs, and now, hearing the consort’s cries, he felt somewhat impatient. He was about to casually brush her off and offer a few words of comfort.
But as he lowered his gaze, his eyes fell upon Consort Wan, and he saw her face swollen high, the red marks of a slap prominently visible. Her makeup was ruined by tears, with rouge mixed into the streaks, leaving white and red trails hanging from her chin.
Her appearance was indeed……..
His outstretched hand hung in the air, and then, he silently withdrew it.