When Chu Suian said those words, she was prepared to be scolded.
After all, what did it mean to say she didn’t want to serve the Emperor in bed in front of the Empress Consort?
But ever since she entered the palace, she had heard that this consort from Jiangnan was lively and unrestrained. Perhaps because both of them had lived equally free lives before entering the palace, Chu Suian felt an inexplicable desire to get close to her, to be as intimate as friends, so she couldn’t bring herself to utter those grand, polished words.
Who would have thought that when she looked up, she would see Tiao Tiao… the little Empress Consort looking deeply moved. “This consort doesn’t want to either. Who knows if the Emperor’s harem has so many women that he might have contracted some illness from all that indulgence?”
Chu Suian: “…” She didn’t dare respond to that.
Jiang Wan propped her head on her hand, sighed in distress, and humbly asked for advice, “If you were summoned to serve the Emperor, what would you do?”
“This concubine has no other choice,” Chu Suian replied softly, masking the profound sorrow in her eyes.
Jiang Wan was taken aback and wanted to say more, but she was interrupted by Li Dequan, who arrived from outside.
“Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence at Qian’an Hall.”
Chu Suian stood up. “Your Highness, this concubine will take her leave now.”
“Come to Eternal Joy Palace to visit whenever you have time.”
“Alright.”
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes curved into smiles, sharing an unspoken understanding.
When Jiang Wan arrived at Qian’an Hall, Huan Cheng inside was throwing a tantrum. Everything within his reach had been smashed into pieces scattered across the floor.
The chaotic noise shattered her good mood for the day. She strode in, unable to hide her irritation. “Your Majesty! Did you summon this consort just to watch you smash things?”
Huan Cheng fell silent for a moment, then glared at her, unable to hold back his curses. “Jiang Wan! I haven’t held you accountable or had you killed—that’s already an act of mercy. How dare you raise your voice at me?”
“If I want you to watch me smash things, you will watch!”
After saying this, he only managed to work himself into a greater rage. Before Jiang Wan could respond, he grabbed a nearby cushion and hurled it at her. “Kneel before me!”
Huan Cheng had prepared a slew of insults, planning to use the foulest words in the world to teach this disrespectful, arrogant little Empress Consort a lesson.
Even if he couldn’t touch her, he could at least vent his anger!
But…
Thud—
Jiang Wan knelt down promptly and resolutely, radiating righteousness.
Huan Cheng: “…”
Jiang Wan looked up, her eyes filled with concern, speaking earnestly and with great sincerity. “Your Majesty, why don’t you summon an Imperial Physician to examine you? What if you’re suffering from some kind of Mania—”
“Shut up!”
“This consort is serious. You’re not old, but you’ve already ruined your health from lack of restraint. If your emotions keep fluctuating like this—”
“I told you to shut up!”
Jiang Wan sighed.
Huan Cheng’s poor health was one thing, but he was either angry or on the verge of anger all day long. And with her “past record” of pulling out needles, if he really died in front of her, others would surely think she was responsible.
Unaware of her concerns, Huan Cheng was nearly driven to his death by anger at that moment. A mouthful of old blood unexpectedly sprayed out.
When Li Dequan rushed in, Jiang Wan raised both hands. “This consort is truly innocent this time.”
Wait, she was innocent every time!
Li Dequan had no time to deal with her and hurriedly summoned an Imperial Physician. Fortunately, the blood Huan Cheng spat out was stagnant blood, and vomiting it actually made him feel much better.
It could be considered yet another twist of fate.
Jiang Wan smiled. “Since Your Majesty is fine, you should rest properly.”
Huan Cheng finished rinsing his mouth and wiping his lips, glaring fiercely at her from the bed. Still unable to contain his anger, he casually hurled another pillow at her and shouted angrily, “Go kneel outside the door! Get farther away! Otherwise, I’ll be driven to an early grave by you sooner or later!”
Was he truly mad? How could he have initially thought this little empress was obedient and adorable, a delicate flower?
Clearly, she was a cat hiding her claws!
Jiang Wan was hit squarely in the face, though it didn’t hurt. Not wanting to argue with a child, she obediently ran outside the hall and knelt down.
Qiaoqiao stayed by her side, anxiously twisting her fingers as she whispered, “Your Majesty, what did you do to upset the Emperor this time?”
“He has his fits from time to time. What can I do about it?”
“Then how long does the Emperor intend for you to kneel?”
Jiang Wan shook her head, kneeling casually and naturally, as if she were merely sitting there to rest.
“The sun isn’t too harsh. Kneeling for a while won’t hurt.”
However, news of the Empress being punished by the Emperor to kneel outside the bedchamber quickly spread throughout the palace.
It wasn’t hard to guess that the Emperor intended to humiliate Jiang Wenshan.
The palace consorts harbored their own thoughts, most of them watching the spectacle. Although the Empress held a noble status, she had been punished within just two days of entering the palace—clearly out of favor.
Perhaps she had even earned the Emperor’s disdain because of her father.
The Ceremonial Directorate, with its ears everywhere, was naturally the first to learn of this matter. However, they took no action, seemingly tacitly approving the Emperor’s move.
She knelt for two full hours. Only after Huan Cheng woke from his nap did he remember Jiang Wan’s situation. Realizing something, he went outside personally to help her up, stiffly offering himself a way out before presenting her with a high-quality medicinal ointment and sending her back.
By the time the news reached the Chancellor’s Residence, Jiang Wan had already risen. She never imagined that what she considered a trivial act of kneeling would cause her mother in the Chancellor’s Residence such anxiety, while her two brothers were already eager to stir up trouble…
At that moment, she limped back to her palace, gritting her teeth as she mentally noted down a grievance against Huan Cheng.
Damn it, she knew Huan Cheng was trying to save face, so she had obediently knelt to give him that satisfaction. And what did he do? He slept soundly inside?!
While applying the ointment, Qiaoqiao wept uncontrollably. “Your Majesty, it’s already swollen and red like this.”
She had repeatedly suggested asking the Emperor about it, but Jiang Wan refused, stubbornly holding onto her pride, saying she wanted to see how long Huan Cheng dared to make her kneel.
Who would have thought that kneeling would last this long?
Jiang Wan’s skin had always been delicate, easily bruising from the slightest bump or scrape. This time, although she had slacked off, she had still knelt for two solid hours. Her knees were red and purple, and it would likely take days for the marks to fade.
Chu Suian, hearing of her return, hurried over, her eyes reddened. Taking the ointment, she carefully applied it for her. “Your Majesty, how did you offend the Emperor to kneel so severely?”
Jiang Wan clenched her fists in anger. “He’s sick! That brat! Just wait until I pay him back someday!”
Chu Suian and Qiaoqiao exchanged glances, filtering out these treasonous words that could lead to execution if spread.
But after venting her anger, Jiang Wan gently comforted the little white rabbit and Qiaoqiao. After all, the two of them seemed to be in more pain than she was, looking even more distressed than she felt.
“It looks serious, but it doesn’t actually hurt. Don’t worry, Sui’an. Would you like to stay for dinner?”
Chu Suian shook her head. “This concubine will not disturb Your Majesty further. Your Majesty should rest well these next few days and avoid moving around if possible. Eat light meals—no, this concubine will prepare some nourishing dishes tomorrow and have them sent over…”
She chattered on with endless reminders, her expression so grave it made Jiang Wan both amused and exasperated, yet a warm current flowed through her heart.
Before leaving, Chu Suian stuffed a protective talisman into Jiang Wan’s hand, then fled as if afraid she might refuse it.
Jiang Wan looked at the somewhat worn red talisman in her hand and couldn’t help but smile.
News of the Empress being punished with kneeling had spread, and many were eager to keep their distance. Yet here she was, not hesitating in the slightest, even rushing over to see her.
This would likely be the first true friend she had made in this mortal world.
Tiao Tiao’s friend.
A moment later, Cai Chun suddenly entered from outside to report, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Rongqing is here.”