Chapter 81 Yao Huang Peony

Tong Jia Zhilan's words struck everyone like a thunderbolt, and they couldn't help but re-examine Ruyi.

In the past, because of Ruyi's unchanging, old-fashioned sense of aesthetics, everyone had become accustomed to ignoring her clothing whenever they met her, for the sake of their own eyes.

But now that Consort Shu is mentioned, everyone takes a closer look and sees that Ruyi's clothes are indeed embroidered with peonies.

Jin Yuyan immediately spoke up: "This Yao Huang peony is the king of flowers, and it has always been reserved for the Empress. Consort Xian, you are overstepping your bounds!"

Empress Fucha Langhua's face darkened as well. Sure enough, Ruyi never stopped causing trouble.

Under the gaze of everyone, Ruyi remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic. "This fabric was sent by the Imperial Household Department. I did not know it was made of peony patterns. If I had known, I certainly would not have dared to wear it. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

He said he was sorry, but his expression clearly showed no remorse or guilt.

Jin Yuyan couldn't stand her inexplicable arrogance and deliberately calm expression, and mocked, "Isn't Consort Xian always proud of her outstanding talent? How come she doesn't even recognize the peony? I wonder if Consort Xian is just all talk or deliberately offending Her Majesty the Empress?"

"The ruler of the harem is determined by the hearts of the people. I did not pay attention to what kind of flower this was; I only saw that it was beautiful, so I wore it."

The faces of those in the hall contorted for a moment, unable to contain their emotions. An explanation was fine, but why add unnecessary details? No way, no way, did Ruyi really think everyone thought she was the Empress? What kind of daydream was she having?

Jin Yuyan was speechless; arguing with someone like that was really unpleasant. Her eyes darted around, and she looked at A'Ruo, who was sitting quietly and trying to make her presence known.

"Shen Changzai came from Consort Xian's side, so why didn't she remind her former mistress? Could it be that the rumors in the palace are true, that Consort Xian mistreated Shen Changzai, so Shen Changzai deliberately retaliated?"

A'Ruo glared angrily, harboring resentment towards Ruyi. But she was truly oblivious to such thoughts, and quickly stood up to explain, "This concubine did not."

Although Ruyi currently dislikes A'Ruo, she is still someone who follows her, and Ruyi will still protect her to some extent. However, Ruyi has always looked down on Consort Jia and has directly confronted the Empress.

"Your Majesty, Consort Jia has repeatedly defied you. Will Your Majesty not intervene?"

Even without Fucha Langhua speaking, some people who couldn't stand it started criticizing Ruyi.

"Consort Xian is truly lenient with herself but strict with others," Tong Jia Zhilan said disdainfully. "You wore clothes that were out of line, so please forgive her, Your Majesty. But Consort Jia only spoke the truth, and you want to punish her."

Gao Xiyue chimed in, "Consort Xian isn't always like this. In the past, no matter how many mistakes A'Ruo made, Consort Xian never punished her. Now that A'Ruo has become the Emperor's concubine, Consort Xian punishes her at the drop of a hat, making the whole palace restless."

To be honest, Gao Xiyue doesn't consider herself very smart. But she wouldn't do something as obviously hypocritical as Ruyi. Ever since A'Ruo became Consort Shen, the drama between these two in Yanxi Palace has been one after another, almost becoming a regular topic of discussion at the girls' tea party (excluding the student version).

Jin Yuyan rose and bowed, "I am willing to accept punishment for my inappropriate words, but Consort Xian's dress is really inappropriate. At the very least, the peony pattern on the dress should be removed."

Upon hearing this, Fucha Langhua looked at Ruyi, who was choking, and asked, "Consort Xian, do you have any objections?"

"If Your Majesty insists on this, I have nothing to say."

Seeing that haughty demeanor, as if everyone was deliberately framing and isolating her, Fucha Langhua's face darkened. "You're giving Ruyi too much face, aren't you?" she thought. "Consort Xian, you are a concubine, you cannot refer to yourself as 'your subject' (臣妾). Since you can't even distinguish between clothing and titles, then copy the palace rules twenty times and hand them in within ten days! If there's a next time, I will remove your green plaque!"

Ruyi bowed with a humiliated expression: "Yes, Your Majesty... I understand."

"His Majesty has arrived!"

A voice announced from outside the door, and everyone perked up. Looking outside, they saw Hongli stride in, followed by a young eunuch carrying flowers.

"Greetings to His Majesty, may His Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"Get up, everyone."

Hongli sat down next to Fucha Langhua and said with a smile, "I went to the flower room today and saw that the Yao Huang peony was quite nice, so I sent a pot of it to the Empress."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Empress Fucha was moved, while the other concubines were either disappointed or envious, but they couldn't help but look at Ruyi.

But he found Ruyi looking at the Emperor with a sad and painful expression.

Ugh, this is so cringeworthy! How many years has Ruyi been performing a one-woman show? Isn't she tired of it yet?

"Your Majesty!" Ruyi suddenly exclaimed.

Hongli looked at her, his smile fading, and asked, "What's wrong, Consort Xian?"

Her skill of answering irrelevantly was activated again. Ruyi looked at the pot of Yao Huang peony that Hongli had carefully selected to give to the Empress. "Yao Huang is known as the king of all flowers. It is rare to be able to grow Yao Huang in the cold north at this time of year."

? ?

Everyone was speechless. Consort Xian, why are you commenting on peonies now? Tong Jia Zhilan and Gao Xiyue exchanged a glance, recalling the scene in Yimei Garden. Would Ruyi ask again, "Empress, you also like Yao Huang peonies?"

Jin Yuyan took the initiative: "Didn't Consort Xian just say that she didn't recognize the peony and that's why she wore this dress? How come she can now talk so eloquently about real peonies?"

As if reminded by Jin Yuyan's words, Hongli looked at the embroidery on Ruyi's clothes, his face darkening. "Consort Xian! This is overstepping your bounds!"

"Your Majesty, I did not!"

Ruyi stared wide-eyed at Hongli, trying to prove her innocence.

To everyone's surprise, Hongli's expression darkened even further. "Who gave you permission to refer to yourself as 'your subject'? You show no respect for the Empress and have no manners whatsoever. Is this the kind of upbringing Ulanara has to offer, Consort Xian?"

Ruyi knelt on the ground, saying, "If Your Majesty thinks of me this way, I have no way to defend myself."

Hongli ignored her gaze and coldly issued an edict: "Remove Consort Nara's outer robe, confine her to her quarters for three months from this day forward, copy the palace rules one hundred times, and forbid her from going out."

In short, Consort Xian became Noble Lady Nara.

Ruyi was incredulous, but Hongli's punishment was not over yet: "Whether you know the Yao Huang peony or not, since you like it, you will be confined for these days and must transcribe all the ancient poems praising peonies, except those in accordance with palace rules!"

Empress Fucha Langhua, Tongjia Zhilan, and Gao Xiyue suppressed their laughter. This punishment seemed so familiar; the Emperor had apparently learned the tricks of the late Consort Hua.

Gao Xiyue, who had been with Hongli the longest, watched him deliver these punishments without interruption and deeply suspected that the Emperor had long been eager to punish Ruyi in the same way.

"Furthermore, Ulanara has failed in raising her daughters properly. Nerbu should resign from his post as Zuo Ling and focus on raising the children of his clan!"

"emperor!"

Ruyi was truly terrified this time. Her father only had this one hereditary position as a Zuo Ling left. If the Emperor were to strip him of it, he would become a commoner. She was born into a noble family. How could her father be allowed to end up like this?

"Your Majesty, the enemy is on the wall..."

"Wang Qin! Drag him out!"

Before Ruyi could finish speaking, Hongli interrupted her, clearly not wanting to listen any further. The other concubines in the hall were struggling to suppress their laughter. With Ruyi as their concubine, they all felt sorry for the Emperor.