Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Truly Worthy of Consort Hua "Demote the Sun Clan to the rank of Promise, strip her of her title, and revoke her authority to assist in managing the Six Palaces." The Emperor had initially intended to send her to the Cold Palace, but thinking of her elder brother, he gritted his teeth and said, "Deduct her salary for six months." Su Peisheng: "As you command." "For the next few days, you shall remain in Yanxi Palace and reflect carefully!" Sun Miaoqing slumped to the ground like a deflated ball. Though unwilling in her heart, she still maintained proper etiquette and said, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace." "The Empress has always been in poor health, and Consort Hua has worked tirelessly and made great contributions in assisting with the management of the Six Palaces. Now that she is bedridden, instead of showing consideration, you all seize the opportunity to stir up trouble. How despicable!" The already furious Emperor grew angrier as he spoke. "Didn't you say that Yinger was of lowly status, having come from a palace maid background? I now promote Yu Ying'er to the rank of Attendant." Upon hearing the Emperor's reward, Yu Ying'er nearly failed to suppress the corners of her mouth from curling upward. "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace." Thank you, Consort Hua! Fortunately, Consort Hua was here! Xiao Xiazi walked over to Sun Miaoqing's side. "Lady Sun, please." Sun Miaoqing remembered that when Yu Ying'er was punished, it was Su Peisheng who asked her to leave. Now that she herself was being punished, it was actually Xiao Xiazi. Did they have to differentiate treatment even in this? Sun Miaoqing dared not say anything, but she couldn't understand in her heart: Isn't this a feudal society? Aren't there strict hierarchies and distinctions between the noble and the humble? When that Dog Emperor treated Zhen Huan that way, it was at least because of Chunyuan. But what about Yu Ying'er? She's just a palace maid! Moreover, wasn't it precisely because she dared to resist Consort Hua that she gained the Emperor's favor? Why is he now punishing her over a couple of words that could hardly be considered offensive to Consort Hua? Dog Emperor! Just like that foolish female leader of mine! With eight hundred schemes in mind, never speaking directly, always making people guess, guess, guess—can't people like this just get out of this world! If it weren't for that old woman who couldn't stand her good relationship with male colleagues, colluding with those little bitches under her to isolate her, causing the big boss to fire her! Would she have been hit by a car when going out and ended up in this ghostly place full of zombies? Fuck! Just as she reached the entrance of the Imperial Garden, Sun Miaoqing suddenly realized: Mala Tutou is impulsive and straightforward in her thinking. Even though today's scheme was clumsy, it wasn't something she could have pulled off. Sun Miaoqing recalled from the series how Zhen Huan's medicine was tampered with. On the surface, it was Yu Ying'er's doing, but there was actually someone else behind it. There was a mastermind guiding her from behind! Cao Qinmo? No! It was Consort Hua! Nian Shilan! Sun Miaoqing clenched her fists: Just like that female leader who couldn't tolerate her, that bitch! She really deserves to die! "Thank you, Consort Hua! Thank you, Consort Hua!" Yu Ying'er was overwhelmed with excitement. She had never imagined in her life that she would one day be promoted to the rank of Attendant. From the night she startled the Phoenix and Luan Spring Favor Carriage until now, so much time had passed. Seeing the wounds on her back heal, Yu Ying'er feared the Emperor had forgotten. During that time, she had braved the pain and added two more strikes to herself. She thought it might have been in vain, but today, she not only got her revenge but also repaid it with interest. So far-sighted and deeply calculating, truly worthy of Consort Hua! Truly worthy of Consort Hua!!! As Yu Ying'er left the Imperial Garden, she wished she could immediately rush to Yikun Palace and kowtow three times to Consort Hua. Hua Sui pulled her back. "My lady, Her Ladyship repeatedly instructed that after the Emperor's reward, the people in front of the Emperor will naturally inform the Six Palaces. She asked you to remain calm and wait until you go to Yikun Palace to pay respects before expressing your gratitude." Nian Shilan knew the Emperor had many informants in the rear palace. Fearing even the slightest connection might lead the Emperor to suspect she had orchestrated Sun Miaoqing's downfall, she forbade her from going immediately. The Emperor's leniency toward Yu Ying'er was not due to any particular fondness. As he watched the swing sway gently, his thoughts drifted to Zhen Huan. He wondered if she had come that day when he stood her up. The Emperor considered visiting Suiyu Pavilion, but Su Peisheng approached, informing him that Zhang Tingyu requested an audience. Thus, he had to proceed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation first. Only when the area around the swing fell completely silent did Shen Meizhuang speak up: "You see, this is our esteemed Emperor. He was the one who spoiled the newly entered Sun Clan into lawlessness and indiscretion, yet now he tramples her into the mud in front of others..." She trailed off, referring to the palace maid. As a well-bred lady of noble birth, Shen Meizhuang did not intend to look down on palace maids, but Consort Hua was right—allowing a maid to rise above her mistress was inherently problematic. Sun Miaoqing was certainly unlikable, but the Emperor was even more detestable. "Now he humiliates her before others, trampling her into the mud. Huan'er, her fate today may well be ours tomorrow." Under Shen Meizhuang's repeated admonitions, Zhen Huan's youthful infatuation seemed to dwindle. Promotions and demotions among the imperial consorts and concubines had to be announced throughout the Six Palaces. When the news reached Jingren Palace, the Empress was practicing calligraphy. As Jian Qiu entered, the Empress did not look up, asking: "Has something happened at Yikun Palace again?" The Empress disliked being disturbed while practicing calligraphy, but she had specifically instructed Jian Qiu and the others to report immediately on any matters related to Consort Hua. "Consort Hua has been ill recently, and Yikun Palace has been quiet. However, Sun Clan of Yanxi Palace has been punished by the Emperor." Jian Qiu paused. "Stripped of her title of nobility and demoted to Promise." How reckless. Even before gaining the ability to read minds, This Consort dared not provoke that claw-waving crab easily. What does she think she is? Freshly entered the palace, she dared to use court politics to vie for favor. Last time, with a mere piece of cloth, she even tried to scheme against This Consort and Consort Hua, hoping to profit from their conflict. To think of reaping the spoils without weighing her own worth—does she even deserve it? The Empress snorted lightly. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. Have someone keep an eye on her and ensure she causes no trouble." "In this humble servant's opinion, she likely won't be able to stir up trouble." "Why do you say that?" "The Emperor decreed a six-month deduction of salary and forbade her from leaving her quarters these days to reflect on her mistakes." "It seems the Emperor is quite angry." The Empress set down her brush. "Is it because of... Zhen?" "It has nothing to do with Zhen Changzai. It was a dispute in the Imperial Garden with..." Jian Qiu hesitated. "With Attendant Yu." "Attendant?" The Empress's eyes darkened. In her view, Yu, who came from a palace maid background, could not be considered a true mistress. It was one thing to indulge her on a whim, but to elevate her so—this showed the Emperor lacked propriety. "Yes, it was Sun Clan's own doing. Instead of staying in her palace to copy scriptures properly, she went to the Imperial Garden to swing. Seeing no one around, she not only insulted but also struck Yu." "Minor squabbles among consorts and concubines in private are harmless. For the Emperor to punish so severely seems biased." The Empress was not defending Sun Miaoqing but upholding the dignity of propriety. "This servant heard from Xiao Xiazi that Sun Clan spoke disrespectfully of Consort Hua in her remarks. It seems the Emperor was greatly angered by this as well," Jian Qiu added. "Disregarding hierarchy—the Emperor has spoiled Attendant Sun too much." "?" Jian Qiu couldn't help but glance at her mistress: Didn't she just say the punishment was too severe? How is it now that Attendant Sun was spoiled too much? Your Highness's thoughts are truly becoming harder and harder to fathom. The Empress dipped her brush in ink, then paused. Her originally somewhat grave expression suddenly relaxed. Last time, when Sun Miaoqing came to plead for Lvzhu's sake, Consort Hua had thought to herself: The good show has only just begun. So this was the follow-up move. Hah, to actually have the Emperor personally issue punishment against the Sun Clan. Moreover, she had recently fallen ill and secluded herself indoors. No matter how paranoid the Emperor might be, he would never suspect that she was the one scheming behind the scenes. Not bad. Finally worthy of her reborn return, and she managed to keep her composure. Indeed, she has truly made something of herself this time. As the Empress emerged from the study and caught sight of Fuzi, she recalled what Consort Hua had thought to herself before the Palace Selection.