Chapter 113 Borrowing a Knife

Since her rebirth, Meng Yan has sorted out many things.

The plot of the book was still there, but it didn't have as profound an impact on her as it did in her previous life.

Lin Yanrong, Liang Chengbi and the like were just following the plot to constantly stimulate her, trying to make her furious and act impulsively, offending everyone who loved her, making her commit unforgivable crimes, and forcing her to become the hateful Concubine Meng.

Once she was pushed down, there was no more obstacle on Lin Yanrong's road to success.

As long as she doesn't fall for their tricks, they will be powerless, and the so-called plot will have no effect on her.

Previously, Master Huixian of Baohua Hall warned her to protect her original heart, which must be what she meant.

Meng Yan walked to the gate of Shoukang Palace and explained the situation to the palace servants.

The palace maid went in to announce it, and after a moment Cang Xiu came out and said with a smile, "My two majesties, the Empress Dowager invites you in."

Meng Yan smiled and responded, then stepped over the threshold.

Liang Chengbi was humiliated by her in front of her, his face twisted, he paused for a moment, and then followed her in.

Zang Xiu led the two of them all the way to the west warm pavilion.

Meng Yan was familiar with Empress Dowager Jiang's daily habits. After lunch every day, she would go to the west warm room for a short rest. Now was her lunch break.

As Zang Xiu walked, she tilted her head and whispered, "Your Highness, I have a reminder for you. The Queen Mother just had her afternoon nap and has heard about what happened with Princess An. She's not very happy right now."

Meng Yan knew that Zang Xiu was a dowry from Empress Dowager Jiang's family. She had accompanied the Empress Dowager on this bloody and turbulent journey and was her trusted and beloved maid. She hurriedly said, "Thank you for reminding me, Auntie. I understand."

After a while, they entered the west warm pavilion. The palace maid guarding the door lifted the apricot yellow and gold curtain, and a rich fragrance hit them in the face.

When Meng Yan entered the room, she saw Empress Dowager Jiang sitting cross-legged on the kang under the east window. She wore a headband with the inscription "Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Bamboo and Plum" on it, and a double-breasted shirt with a pattern of endless gold-woven characters. One hand was gently rubbing her brow.

She stepped forward lightly and bowed, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May you live a long and healthy life."

Liang Chengbi followed behind her and bowed together.

Empress Dowager Jiang looked up at her. Although her expression was a little unhappy, she still smiled and nodded, "Miss Yan is here, come and sit with me." Then she turned to Liang Chengbi and said, "Princess Liang is here too." Then she ordered the palace maid to put a round stool made of chicken wing wood.

Meng Yan smiled and thanked her, then walked forward and sat down next to the Queen Mother. Since she entered the palace, she had often been at the Queen Mother's knees like this, and she was used to it.

Liang Chengbi saw this and naturally felt very uncomfortable, so he had no choice but to sit down on the stool.

After the maid brought the incense, Empress Dowager Jiang asked, "This is strange today. Why did you two come to my place together?"

Without waiting for Liang Chengbi to speak, Meng Yan stood up and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I have come here to apologize to you."

Liang Chengbi was stunned. She had never expected that the arrogant Concubine Meng would admit her mistake.

Queen Mother Jiang's expression was calm as she asked calmly, "What did Miss Yan do wrong?"

Meng Yan then recounted the story of how she and Princess An fell into the water today, omitting the fact that Lu Haozhi had forced her to have sex with him. She only said that the emperor had visited Changchun Palace and she had accompanied him in front of the emperor.

"The princess fell into the water. Although the cause has not yet been determined, as her adoptive mother, I have no choice but to take responsibility. Now that the princess has escaped safely, I have come to apologize to the Empress Dowager."

The clear voice is resounding, and hearing it in the hottest days of summer makes one feel indescribably soothed.

Empress Dowager Jiang narrowed her eyes slightly, and the sunlight shone on her face, making it difficult to see her expression. She looked like a Bodhisattva sitting cross-legged.

After a moment, the Queen Mother smiled. "You weren't by the princess's side when she fell into the water. How could you have done anything wrong? Besides, even if you were there, the same problems would have happened. Did you fall in the princess' place? Well, I don't blame you. Get up quickly."

Having said that, he ordered the palace maid to help Meng Yan get up.

Meng Yan stood up, feeling relieved, knowing that the Empress Dowager was over this matter.

Empress Dowager Jiang held her hand and asked her to sit next to her.

Meng Yan sat down quietly, her eyes slightly turning to Liang Chengbi's face. Sure enough, that face was wonderful.

Why get angry at yourself?

Empress Dowager Jiang followed her gaze and saw Liang Chengbi staring at Meng Yan in a daze. She asked, "What brings Concubine Liang here now?"

Meng Yan's kneeling blocked Liang Chengbi's prepared speech. Even the Queen Mother no longer cared about this matter, so what else could she possibly be entangled about?

She could only force a smile and said, "I have had nothing to do all day, so I came to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

Meng Yan, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook. She addressed the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, I have one more matter to report. Today, I returned to Changchun Palace and entrusted the princess to the care of Lady Bai. After the princess fell into the water, Concubine Liang, eager to investigate, punished Lady Bai severely. I think this was inappropriate." As she spoke, her small hands tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeves, gently rubbing them, and coquettishly said, "Your Majesty, you don't know. It was such a scorching sun outside, and Lady Bai was such a delicate girl, kneeling on the cobblestones outside Ganquan Pavilion. It must have worn her out. She can hardly walk properly now. I used to have a bad temper and often punished servants without any reason. I now know I was wrong, but why is Concubine Liang still following my example? This is probably another of my faults."

She understood Empress Dowager Jiang's temper. She knew that older elders liked younger ones to play around and act coquettishly in front of them.

Empress Dowager Jiang was experienced, shrewd and capable, so she could not hide her tricks. So she just did this to win her favor.

Moreover, even though he was making the complaint in a roundabout way, he still described Liang Chengbi's evil deeds in full detail.

With the precedent of Concubine Li as a warning, Empress Dowager Jiang hated to see anyone abusing their power and mistreating lower-ranking concubines in the harem. She frowned, "Although this concubine's position is low, she is still a legitimate concubine. How can she be punished like this without even understanding the matter? With so many palace maids and eunuchs watching over her, how can she navigate the palace in the future? Moreover, the punishment is so severe."

Liang Chengbi's face was frozen as she knelt silently, yet unwilling to give in. "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, please allow me to speak a word. Ever since entering the palace, Bai Ying has been personally assigned by the Imperial Concubine to live in Changchun Palace. She's tactful and clever, and has won the Imperial Concubine's great favor. I'm not being nosy, but she was the only one who cared for the princess when she fell into the water. I hope the Imperial Concubine won't be deceived by her."

Meng Yanxing's eyes widened in surprise as she said, "What Concubine Liang said doesn't make sense. Since Bai promised to please me, she should have taken good care of the princess. What good would she gain by doing this? Moreover, since she was alone at the scene, wouldn't she be the first person to be questioned if something happened? Isn't this what you were thinking at the time, Concubine Liang, and why you tortured her so harshly?"

It turns out she was waiting for him here!

Liang Chengbi bit his lips almost until they bled and stopped talking.

A trace of annoyance flashed across Empress Dowager Jiang's eyes. She lazily said, "Princess Liang, you've been in charge of the palace for many years. You should know the rules and regulations. How could you act so recklessly? Well, I won't punish you. Go back and write a letter of apology and hand it to Concubine Bai. Then you'll have to pay one month's salary as compensation."

This treatment almost made Liang Chengbi faint from anger.

The monthly allowance is no big deal, but that letter of apology...how could a high-ranking concubine apologize to a lowly one!

Empress Dowager Jiang, this is clearly an attempt to humiliate her and vent Meng Yan's anger!

However, she could not resist the Empress Dowager's decree.

No matter how angry and unwilling Liang Chengbi was, he had to grit his teeth and endure it, kowtow and retreat.

Meng Yan couldn't help but smile as she watched Liang Chengbi's back as he walked away in embarrassment.

But then the voice of Empress Dowager Jiang rang out from the side, "Are you happy?"