Xin Lian and Xin Yi, who were attending to Qin Shu, exchanged a glance and immediately understood their mistress’s thoughts.
At that moment, Xin Lian deliberately coughed to draw the attention of the group ahead.
Noble Consort Lan and her entourage, hearing the commotion behind them, stopped and turned around. When Noble Consort Lan saw it was Qin Shu, she slightly furrowed her brow.
In an instant, everyone except Noble Consort Lan and Li Fei Xu Xiuli, who held the same consort rank as Qin Shu, bowed in unison to Qin Shu.
“May Consort Chen enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
Qin Shu stepped forward slowly, her cold eyes fixed on the concubine who had spoken recklessly. “How interesting that I should overhear such remarks before even leaving the precincts of Empress’s Phoenix Sun Palace. I had no idea His Majesty harbored such intentions toward the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence, and that even I would ultimately be reduced to a discarded pawn.”
As she spoke, she bowed to Noble Consort Lan, addressing her as “Your Highness,” then continued, “Your Highness, do these words sound fresh to your ears?”
Zheng Shiyao glanced at Wei Meiren kneeling beside her. This woman had pledged allegiance to her upon entering the palace. Although newly entered palace ladies started as sixth-rank beauties, she still had some use. Since she was now her person, how could she allow others to bully her arbitrarily?
Then, Zheng Shiyao fixed her gaze squarely on Qin Shu and said, “Consort Chen, what is your purpose in saying all this?”
“I heard that Your Highness has been entrusted by His Majesty to assist the Empress in managing the Imperial Harem. This person has spoken inappropriately, shown disrespect to superiors, and even presumptuously discussed His Majesty’s court affairs behind his back. Shouldn’t Your Highness be asking about your own responsibilities? After all, as you assist in managing the Imperial Harem, how could you be unfamiliar with palace regulations?” Qin Shu’s words were delivered slowly and deliberately.
Wei Meiren, seeing the situation and realizing she might face punishment according to palace rules, grew anxious. Just moments ago, Qin Shu hadn’t been there—how coincidental that her flattering words to Noble Consort Lan had been overheard by this sickly woman. She looked up at Noble Consort Lan, then quickly lowered her head, silently praying that Noble Consort Lan would protect her.
Zheng Shiyao glanced at Consort Li beside her.
Understanding the cue, Consort Li said with a smile, “Sister Consort Chen, Beauty Wei is simply straightforward and didn’t mind her words. We are all sisters serving His Majesty in the Imperial Harem. Why must we resort to palace rules? Isn’t this making a mountain out of a molehill? Since you and she are both newcomers, and considering this is her first offense, why not let her off this time?”
Qin Shu stared coldly at Consort Li and said, “Making a mountain out of a molehill? In that case, why not present her words to His Majesty and the Empress? Let’s see if they also find such remarks insignificant? I’m afraid His Majesty might then question Your Highness’s ability to manage the Imperial Harem.”
Xu Xiuli felt unnerved by Qin Shu’s stare, and her words struck directly at Noble Consort Lan’s vulnerabilities. At this moment, she dared not say more.
Qin Shu was merely a sickly, delicate person—her face growing paler and more haggard under the sunlight, as if a gust of wind could topple her. Yet, facing her felt like standing at the edge of an abyss, where one misstep could lead to a fall into eternal doom.
“Beauty Wei has spoken recklessly and shown disrespect to superiors. Considering it is her first offense, she shall receive fifty slaps on the face as a warning to others,” Zheng Shiyao declared, knowing she had to provide a resolution. She coldly eyed Qin Shu and asked, “Consort Chen, what do you think of the punishment I’ve decreed?”
Qin Shu replied indifferently, “How to punish and how severely—Your Highness must have a thorough understanding.”
At that moment, the eunuch standing behind Noble Consort Lan stepped forward and approached Wei Meiren without hesitation.
Slap—
Fifty slaps—not too many, not too few. By the time the eunuch finished, Wei Meiren’s cheeks were flushed crimson, a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and her face was utterly disfigured.
Wei Meiren tasted blood in her mouth. Clutching her throbbing face, she shot a venomous glare at Qin Shu, cursing inwardly: A sickly wretch relying on her noble birth! So ill she looks like a ghost, yet she still thinks herself beautiful? This is the Imperial Harem, not your Duke Stabilizing Country Residence! What does a consort title amount to? Today you may be above me, but tomorrow may be different. Just you wait—sooner or later, you’ll die by my hand.
Noticing Wei Meiren’s expression, Qin Shu remarked, “What? Does Beauty Wei resent the punishment bestowed by Noble Consort Lan?”
Wei Meiren stifled her fury and bowed her head. “This concubine wouldn’t dare.”
Qin Shu paid no further attention to Wei Meiren. Covering her mouth with a silk handkerchief, she coughed weakly twice before addressing Noble Consort Lan: “Your Highness, I feel exhausted and lack strength. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
After Qin Shu departed, the assembled crowd rose from their bows, and Wei Meiren stood up with them.
Zheng Shiyao glanced at Wei Meiren’s swollen face and said, “Return to your palace at once and have Imperial Hospital physicians tend to your face.”
Wei Meiren curtseyed. “Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
As Xu Xiuli followed Noble Consort Lan out, she glanced back at Phoenix Sun Palace and asked, “Your Highness, we are still within the palace grounds of Phoenix Sun Palace. Given what just happened, why didn’t the Empress send anyone to inquire?”
Zheng Shiyao sneered coldly. “The Empress would be delighted to see me and Consort Chen at each other’s throats while she watches from the sidelines.”
Xu Xiuli murmured, “Your Highness, what do you plan to do about Consort Chen?”
Seated in her palanquin, Zheng Shiyao replied in a chilling tone, “The days in the palace are long. With her frail, sickly body, let’s see how long she can endure.”
Xu Xiuli settled into her own palanquin and echoed, “Your Highness is absolutely right. You hold the Emperor’s deepest favor—even the Empress yields to you. How could a newcomer like her possibly compete with you?”
…
Meanwhile, in the inner hall of Phoenix Sun Palace.
Hui Fei Su Yunhui and Jing Fei Lin Yujing sat accompanying the Empress.
A palace maid entered to report that Noble Consort Lan and her retinue had departed.
Wang Wan Ning waved her hand, dismissing the maid. Stroking the white jade ruyi scepter on her lap, she mused, “I initially thought Consort Chen, that sickly thing, would only serve to irritate Noble Consort Lan. Unexpectedly, she’s proven somewhat effective.”
Su Yunhui chimed in, “Indeed. Among the newly entered consorts, Wei Meiren has aligned herself with Noble Consort Lan. After Consort Chen humiliated Noble Consort Lan today, Noble Consort Lan will surely make her pay.”
Lin Yujing, however, did not follow Hui Fei’s line of conversation. Instead, she softly asked the Empress, “Your Highness, no matter how frail Consort Chen may be, she is the legitimate daughter of Duke Stabilizing Country Residence. Her lineage and current rank far surpass those of the other new consorts. Do you think His Majesty will summon her for the first night?”
Wang Wan Ning smiled. “I have already sent orders to the Imperial Hospital, directing physicians to examine Consort Chen at Yuehua Palace. If her own health prevents her from serving, she can blame no one else.”
Suddenly, both Su Yunhui and Lin Yujing understood, “Your Majesty is most wise.”