Sheng Xiyan knew that no matter which flower she picked, Concubine Jia would not be satisfied, so she just stood there without moving.

Gao Shurong quickly plucked a bright red peony, presented it to her, and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this one is bright and elegant, and it suits you best."

Lin Xiuyi and Min Meiren echoed, "Yes, yes."

Concubine Jia sat on the caizhang (a kind of ceremonial stick) and took the peony. She said tartly, "Such a noble flower, is it really worthy of a lowly widow like you to wear as a hairpin? Who do you think is the most delicate and gorgeous empress in the whole palace?"

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "Of course it was Concubine Jia. The reason I didn't pick the flowers was because I was unworthy."

Concubine Jia stared at her face. It was a full oval face, not a bit more or less. Her skin was white with a faint pink glow. Her eyes were peach blossoms with black pupils, and she had a delicate nose and cherry lips. All of these were the characteristics of a stunning beauty. And her figure was slim but not flat. Her waist was as thin as a willow, and she had both breasts and a nice butt.

Frustration rose in her heart, turning into angrily adding insult to injury. "You are so lowly, naturally unworthy. You are sharp-tongued and don't listen to me. I will teach you the rules of respect and inferiority. Kneel down!"

Gao Shurong pleaded several times, but to no avail.

Sheng Xiyan knelt down and looked forward. It was still the same stone road. It seemed to be the same one as last time, but also different.

In the distance, the imperial carriage was heading to the South Four Offices after the morning court session. Although the distance was far, Xuan Ling could see far away because he was sitting high.

"What's going on over there?"

The guard who had cleared the way ran back and said, "Your Majesty, it is Concubine Jia who is punishing Young Master Sheng."

Eunuch Fu observed the emperor's expression and saw that his eyebrows seemed to move slightly, then instantly relaxed.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to call Miss Sheng over?"

Xuan Ling looked at the woman kneeling on the ground in the distance and pursed his lips. "Go to Jingren Palace and tell the Queen. She knows what to do. Run faster."

"I'll go right away."

Eunuch Fu spread his short legs and ran to Jingren Palace. He was not as fast as the guards, but his face represented the imperial court and the emperor's will.

The imperial carriage did not stop and continued to move towards the southern fourth residence. Xuan Ling placed his slender hands on the golden nanmu armrest and exerted a little force.

After a while, Eunuch Fu caught up with the imperial carriage.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has sent Qingdai away. Miss Sheng should be fine."

Xuan Ling said coldly: "I don't care about her."

Eunuch Fu smiled and nodded, "Yes, the Emperor wants harmony in the harem."

In the South Garden, Qingdai explained the Queen's intentions. Concubine Jia rolled her eyes and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. As the head of the Four Concubines, isn't it my duty to educate a younger concubine?"

Qing Dai said, "Please, Concubine Jia, show some mercy and let Miss Sheng go back."

Concubine Jia just let go and said, "I am giving face to the Empress, not because I am afraid of you, a little widow."

At this time, a palace maid came running over and said, "Aunt Qingdai, the Queen Mother has issued an imperial decree, asking Miss Sheng to go to the Cining Palace for questioning."

Concubine Jia chuckled when she heard this, "That's fine, I just happened to be going to visit my aunt."

Hua Xia helped Sheng Xiyan up, and Qing Dai said, "Young Master Sheng, please go to the Cining Palace first."

Sheng Xiyan nodded, took Gao Shurong's hand and said, "Thank you, sister. You can go back. I'm fine."

Several people advised, "Sister Sheng, when you go to the Cining Palace, put some dessert in your mouth."

Sheng Xiyan followed Concubine Jia to the Cining Palace. Concubine Min sighed and said, "Sister Sheng is going to suffer this time."

Lin Xiuyi said, "Isn't it true? The Empress Dowager has always been strict, ah."

Gao Shurong shook her head and said, "This time, even the Empress can't ask about it. Do you think we can go talk to the Emperor?"

"Go ahead and try it."

The three people went to the Yangxin Palace, but when they asked, they found that Emperor Xuanwu was not there, so they had to give up.

In the Cining Palace, sandalwood incense is slowly wafting.

Concubine Jia was affectionately lying in the Empress Dowager's arms, just like a mother and daughter.

"Aunt, do you think Luan'er's new nail polish looks good?"

"The colors are brighter."

"Then Luan'er, please make the food lighter next time."

Sheng Xiyan knelt on the ground. After a long time, the empress dowager raised her eyebrows and looked at her.

"Sheng Chongyuan, do you know why I asked you to come?"

"Although I don't know the reason, I will listen carefully to the Queen Mother's teachings."

The Empress Dowager said, "The Emperor's life is linked to the lives of all the people, yet you caused the Emperor to jump into the Jade Lake alone. This is a grave sin, and I must punish you."

Sheng Xiyan guessed it was this and said respectfully, "It's my fault."

Concubine Jia added fuel to the fire, "Yes, the Emperor's affairs concern the country. If something happens to the Emperor, the world will be in chaos. Aunt, it must be Sheng Chongyuan who seduced the Emperor. You must punish her."

"Go kneel outside and copy the palace rules two hundred times."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Sheng Xiyan knelt in the Cining Palace and laid on the ground copying the palace rules.

The sun in early summer is so glaring that you'll be sweating profusely in no time.

Hua Xia was so anxious that she knelt down and ground it beside her, wiping her sweat.

I don't know how long it took, the sun moved westward and it was noon.

Hua Xia counted and said, "My lady, there are still fifty to go."

Sheng Xiyan shook her wrist and told him to finish copying quickly so that she could go back and see Jiang Jiang.

Suddenly, a voice from inside the hall was heard shouting, "My Lady, are you okay?"

The palace servants in the hall ran out, "Quick, go to the Imperial Hospital to find Judge Wu!"

"The Queen Mother's waist is twisted!"

When Sheng Xiyan heard this, she thought, “Hasn’t this been the opportunity?”

Putting down the wolf-hair brush, he said, "Hua Xia, help me up."

Her legs were numb from kneeling, and Hua Xia helped her up with great difficulty, squatting down to pinch her knees. "My lady, do you want to go in and have the Empress Dowager check your waist?"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!