Chapter 194 Punishment

Aunt Li exuded an imposing aura and had a stern face, instantly making the faces of the concubines pale.

Her gaze was sharp as lightning, sweeping over Consort Chen and the few maids and concubines who had been gossiping earlier.

Everyone whose gaze fell upon her instinctively shrank back and avoided her eyes.

Aunt Li, however, had no intention of letting them go. She took a step forward and her gaze fell on Consort Chen.

"Consort Chen, were you just saying you were bisexual?"

Consort Chen's face paled when her name was called, and her lips trembled as she stammered, "I...I...I was just confused for a moment..."

She stammered, and her forehead was instantly covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.

"And you, Consort Li."

Aunt Li turned her gaze to the side, "Pulling and pulling each other in broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this? Did you say that?"

Li Changzai was so frightened that she trembled and dropped the handkerchief in her hand, waving her hand in a panic.

"No...no...Auntie misheard..."

"Did you hear wrong?" Aunt Li sneered, her gaze sweeping over the concubines who had previously mocked Jiang Huan.

"What were you all laughing about, covering your mouths? Tell me, let this old servant hear what was so amusing that it made you lose your composure while praying for the Empress Dowager?"

The concubines were so frightened that they stammered and dared not utter a word.

Aunt Li didn't even glance at them, her gaze returning to Consort Chen and the other concubines who were speaking.

She took out a golden token from her sleeve. "His Majesty has already issued an edict ordering this old servant to clean up the palace rules. You few have spoken ill of the concubines and disrupted the prayer ceremony. According to the palace rules, you will be slapped twenty times, forced to kneel on the stone steps outside the palace for two hours, confined to your quarters for half a month, and your monthly allowance will be halved."

Consort Chen and Consort Li felt a buzzing in their heads, their faces turned ashen, and they collapsed to the ground.

Under the scorching sun, kneeling for another two hours would be the death of them.

"Auntie, Auntie, have mercy!"

Consort Chen, tears streaming down her face, threw herself to the ground, clinging to Aunt Li's leg, "This concubine...this concubine only misspoke, please have mercy, Aunt Li!"

She cried her heart out, ruining her makeup.

"Aunt Li, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. Please, Aunt, have mercy on me. I will never dare to do it again!"

Li Changzai also collapsed to the ground, crying and begging for mercy, her voice shrill and mournful.

Aunt Li said expressionlessly, "Rules are rules. Someone, take them away and deal with them according to palace regulations."

The men tried to beg for mercy, but the eunuch had already arrived with his men.

"No, Auntie, please don't!"

Consort Chen let out a desperate scream as the eunuch lifted her up without any courtesy, her legs kicking futilely in the air.

"Let me go, let me go!" Li Changzai was also roughly dragged up, his cries sharp and piercing.

The two were dragged out like two dead dogs, their hairpins and jewelry scattered, their clothes disheveled, and their cries and pleas for mercy echoing in the hall.

The other concubines were terrified, their faces turning ashen, and even the hands holding the pens trembled uncontrollably.

They could only desperately bury their heads in their books and copy, wishing they could shrink into the ground and disappear.

Consort Li's face was also extremely ugly; she hadn't expected Aunt Li to be so ruthless.

They even invoked the imperial decree and disposed of the person without consulting her at all.

She gripped the handkerchief tighter and tighter, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

Well, well done, Aunt Li! Well done, Consort Zhuang! Relying on the Emperor's backing, how dare you be so arrogant!

If we don't teach Consort Zhuang a lesson, wouldn't people think she's easy to bully?

Consort Li took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

She suppressed the murderous intent that was about to burst forth, put on a mask-like smile, and turned to Jiang Huan.

"Sister Zhuangfei is truly blessed." Consort Li's voice carried a hint of bitterness. "With such a loyal elder like Aunt Li protecting you, it's no wonder that you've been able to have such a smooth life in this deep palace."

She paused, picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and used it to calm her surging anger.

"However, when it comes to good fortune, it is naturally inseparable from my sister's superb cooking skills."

"It's rare for the sisters to gather together today, and we're all tired from copying scriptures. Why don't you show off your skills and cook a few of your signature dishes for us to try? Let us all share in your good fortune!"

These words immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the hall.

To have Consort Zhuang personally cook for them? This... this is practically treating her like a cook!

Upon hearing this, He Ling immediately became anxious, forgetting her fear, and stammered out her words.

"Consort Li, how could Consort Zhuang cook?"

Liu Shuyao frowned slightly and put down her pen.

"Your Highness, Consort Li and Consort Zhuang are of noble status. It is improper for them to cook for you personally."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yilin immediately scoffed, "Sister Liu Pin's words make one think that our Consort Zhuang is the kind of person who puts on airs."

"Moreover, even the Emperor praises Consort Zhuang's cooking skills. It's only natural for the sisters to want to broaden their horizons."

“That’s right!” another woman quickly chimed in, “It’s a blessing for us sisters to be able to taste the Empress’s cooking.”

Consort Li glanced at the two of them with satisfaction, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Look, little sister, all the sisters are looking forward to this. It's just a few dishes, nothing more than a small favor for you, right?"

Hearing Consort Li's words, which were ostensibly praising but actually criticizing, and seeing the sycophantic faces of those trying to curry favor with Consort Li, Jiang Huan's anger flared up instantly.

You're cooking? How about I turn you all into food?

She slowly stood up and straightened her sleeves.

"Sister Lifei, you flatter me. My little skill is just a pastime in my spare time."

She paused, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone in the hall before finally settling on Consort Li's face, her tone carrying just the right amount of confusion.

"But my sister is a little confused. The sisters have gathered here today to transcribe scriptures and pray for the Empress Dowager. This is a solemn and respectful event, which requires a pure heart and few desires, and fasting and purification of the mind."

"You sisters are quite something." Jiang Huan's smile grew even brighter, but the coldness in her eyes intensified. "You're halfway through copying the scriptures and you're already thinking about food? And you even specifically asked me to cook for you?"

She stepped forward, getting closer to Consort Li.

"What? Could it be that the sisters' act of copying scriptures and worshipping Buddha is just a pretense, and their real purpose is to satisfy their appetites?"

"Or perhaps..." she drawled, her gaze sweeping over the fragrant cup of hot tea in front of Consort Li.

"You all feel that this simple tea and vegetarian meal is unworthy of your status?"