Shen Meiren and Liu Cairen remained in their respectful bows, having noticed that Yang Jieyu had not performed the full ceremonial greeting and had already risen to her feet before Consort Chen had given them permission to do so.
The two women exchanged furtive glances, momentarily unsure of how to proceed.
After all, whether in terms of family background or their positions since entering the palace, neither of them could compare to Yang Jieyu. Moreover, Yang Jieyu was the first among the newly entered consorts to have been chosen by the Emperor for his favor. Whatever actions or behavior Yang Jieyu displayed were certainly not something they could interfere with.
Qin Shu sat inside the pavilion, observing the three women outside, her tone devoid of any fluctuation as she said, “Rise.”
Shen Meiren and Liu Cairen replied respectfully as usual, “Thank you, Consort Chen.”
Yang Jieyu, as always, casually uttered, “Thank you, Consort Chen.”
Shen Meiren, seeing this, felt it was inappropriate. Consort Chen held the rank of Consort, with “Chen” as her title—a position of honor and unquestionably the highest among the Four Consorts. She pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice and cautiously said, “Sister Yang, that is Consort Chen. Isn’t your behavior somewhat improper?”
Yang Jieyu turned her head and glanced at Shen Meiren, letting out a cold snort, completely unconcerned. “What’s the problem? I’ve already paid my respects to her.”
Xin Lian and Xin Yi, standing on either side of Qin Shu, heard Yang Jieyu’s words clearly, not to mention Qin Shu herself, whose hearing was sharp.
Ignoring Shen Meiren, Yang Jieyu met Qin Shu’s gaze directly from the pavilion and remarked, “I heard from the Empress that since Consort Chen entered the palace, you have been unwell. The imperial physician advised you to rest more, and even the daily greetings to the central palace have been exempted by the Empress’s grace. Why have you come out today? Since Consort Chen is ill, it would be best to follow the physician’s advice and recuperate in your own palace, lest your condition worsen and others become infected with your illness.”
Xin Lian, seeing Yang Jieyu’s arrogant expression, immediately rebuked her, “How dare you! Consort Chen holds the rank of Consort and is the foremost among the Four Consorts. You, a mere Jieyu, how dare you speak to Consort Chen in such a manner? I’ve heard that your father is the Minister of Rites. It seems his instruction in etiquette has been severely lacking!”
Yang Jieyu’s brows furrowed, her face flushing with anger as she retorted sharply, “How audacious! A lowly servant like you dares to criticize a court official? It seems you have a death wish.”
Qin Shu’s languid tone showed no concern for Yang Jieyu’s outburst of anger. “Oh? I was unaware that someone of my retinue could have her fate decided by your words. Let alone you, even your father, the Minister of Rites—ask him if he would dare.”
Shen Meiren and Liu Cairen dared not utter another word at this point. Both silently took a step back. Consort Chen’s words may have sounded calm, even weak in tone, but the underlying pressure was overwhelming. As bystanders, they felt suffocated.
Especially Shen Meiren, who had earlier reminded Yang Jieyu that although Consort Chen was in poor health, her status as the legitimate daughter of the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence was not something to be trifled with. Now that Yang Jieyu had provoked Consort Chen, she had no intention of sharing the blame or incurring Consort Chen’s displeasure.
When Lady Liu saw Lady Shen’s reaction, and considering her own rank was even lower than Lady Shen’s, she dared not act out of turn. Following suit, she lowered her head, stepped aside, and kept silent without uttering a single extra word.
Yang Jieyu, having been thwarted, gritted her teeth and said, “This is the Imperial Harem. The Emperor’s favor is what truly matters. Among all the newly entered consorts, I was the first to receive the Emperor’s favor. And someone so weak she cannot even attend to the Emperor at night, even if she holds the rank of Consort, is merely an empty title. Consort Chen, don’t you agree with what I’m saying?”
The unease in Lady Shen and Lady Liu’s hearts grew stronger. How could Yang Jieyu’s words become even more reckless? Their ranks were both below that of a ‘Consort’—they weren’t even the primary consorts of their own palaces.
Even if Yang Jieyu were to be promoted further, she could only join the ranks of the ‘Nine Consorts,’ but for now, she was merely a low-ranking consort. Consort Chen held a rank above that of a Consort, and in her presence, they could only refer to themselves as ‘your humble consort.’ How could they use ‘I’? Wasn’t that disrespectful?
The two of them could only hope that this matter wouldn’t implicate them as bystanders. If only they hadn’t followed Yang Jieyu to the Chrysanthemum Garden to admire the flowers.
Qin Shu listened to Yang Jieyu’s words and finally understood the underlying meaning. She sneered inwardly: You’ve really let it go to your head.
Moreover, recalling what Xuan Yuan Che had told her the previous night, Qin Shu found Yang Jieyu’s pride in her achievements utterly ironic.
She spoke slowly and deliberately, “Previously, Beauty Wei spoke carelessly and offended me. Noble Consort Lan punished her with fifty slaps across the face. Today, your words and actions are improper, and you show me disrespect. Do you think that if I punish you, the Empress will intervene? Or will Noble Consort Lan forbid it?”
As she finished speaking, Xin Yi, who had been standing beside Qin Shu, stepped forward without hesitation.
Yang Jieyu frowned deeply and shouted angrily at Xin Yi, who now stood before her, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Xin Yi wasted no words on Yang Jieyu. Raising her hand, she pressed her palm against Yang Jieyu’s shoulder, channeling internal energy into her palm. In an instant, Yang Jieyu was forced violently to her knees.
Yang Jieyu’s knees slammed against the ground, and the pain surged through her instantly, contorting her face with agony. “You wretched maid… How dare you lay hands on me… I… I’ll have you killed.”
As Yang Jieyu began to curse, Xin Yi turned to look at her mistress.
Qin Shu gave only a slight nod of her eyes.
Xin Yi understood immediately. Slap!—a resounding blow landed on Yang Jieyu’s face. “When Consort Chen metes out punishment, you should accept it quietly. You’d better watch your tongue, or else this hand of mine might just slip out of my control and keep landing on your face.”
Yang Jieyu clutched her stinging cheek, her knees aching from kneeling, every word she spoke aggravating the pain in her face. She glared hatefully at Qin Shu in the pavilion, her voice low but still seething with anger. “Consort Chen, you’re imposing private punishment on a consort of the Imperial Harem. I refuse to accept this!”
Qin Shu raised her hand, and Xin Lian stepped forward to support her as she walked out of the pavilion.
She stood before Yang Jieyu, looking down at her from above. “If you had kept your mouth shut and left on your own in the beginning, I wouldn’t have bothered with you. But you just had to push it. Who gave you the confidence to think you have the right to act arrogantly in my presence, to dare provoke and challenge me?”
Behind Yang Jieyu, Lady Shen and Lady Liu cowered, heads bowed low, inwardly praying that Consort Chen would simply pretend they weren’t there.
Qin Shu instructed Xin Yi in a calm tone, “Have her kneel here for a full two hours before she is allowed to rise. After kneeling, she is to receive fifty slaps to the face.”
Xin Yi replied earnestly, “Yes, this servant understands.”
Yang Jieyu’s eyes were filled with disbelief, but she was also fearful. “I will surely report Consort Chen’s actions today to the Empress.”
Using the Empress to intimidate her—Qin Shu couldn’t even be bothered to respond. Just as she was about to leave, a cold voice came from behind.
“No need!”