The thought immediately filled Song Jingxi with resentment. This female official in charge of the ink should be dragged out and beaten to death for her incompetence. What's the point of punishing her with a salary? It's like scratching an itch through a boot.

Jiang Wang's gloomy gaze fell on Shen Mingzhuang's knees. Shen Mingzhuang reflexively thought of something and quickly stood up. Only then did Jiang Wang's expression soften slightly, and he turned his face away.

The atmosphere in the main hall was somber. Shen Mingzhuang picked up the ink stick again to grind the ink, but he couldn't muster any strength in his hands. As if venting his anger, he ground the ink stick with all his might, wishing he could smash it to pieces.

This is blatant feudal capitalism, exploiting the working class! I want you to deduct my salary, I want you to deduct ten years' worth of my salary! With a sudden, heavy movement, some ink splattered out. Jiang Wang pretended not to see it, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up a little.

Song Jingxi glanced at Shen Mingzhuang. His Majesty had never told Shen Fengmo to get up, but she got up on her own. She, a concubine, was still kneeling, so why should a mere Fengmo be able to stand up?

"Your Majesty, Shen Fengmo has no respect for Your Majesty..." He had barely finished speaking when he remembered what the Empress Dowager had said, and he swallowed the rest of his words.

Jiang Wang turned his sharp gaze over and saw that Song Jingxi was unusually sensible and did not pursue the matter further, but he also did not ask Song Jingxi to get up.

Shen Mingzhuang sighed inwardly for Song Jingxi. She had clearly become a punching bag caught between the Emperor and Empress Dowager Yin. The two sides were fighting to the death, so if she didn't suffer, who would?

Song Jingxi knelt for two hours before Jiang Wang finally let her up, just before dinner.

Accustomed to a life of luxury, where even kneeling would be provided with a cushion, Song Jingxi had been kneeling on the cold, hard floor for two hours. Her knees had long since lost all feeling, and when she stood up, she lost her balance and fell sideways.

Jiang Wang walked past without glancing to the side, his golden dragon boots stepping over Song Jingxi's gorgeous skirt. Song Jingxi, who had just gotten up halfway, fell back down. The two palace maids, who had been kneeling for two hours, also lost their balance after this ordeal and all fell down with a crash. The study was in complete chaos.

"How heartless!" Shen Mingzhuang muttered to himself. Indeed, the imperial family is the most heartless. She is his woman, yet they can ignore her to this extent.

Jiang Wang sat in his bedroom, unperturbed, and ordered his servants to set out dinner there.

Seeing that he had no intention of handling official business, Shen Mingzhuang thought that she could go back and rest as well, so she bowed and asked to take her leave. However, Jiang Wang gave her a cold glance and said, "Abandoning your post for an hour and disobeying the imperial decree, am I being too good to you?"

"Oh no!" Shen Mingzhuang's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong. "Didn't His Majesty already punish me by withholding ten years' worth of salary...?"

She replied weakly, but Jiang Wang ignored her. It wasn't until the dishes were all on the table and Tan Yonglin was about to help him set the table as usual that Jiang Wang looked at Shen Mingzhuang.

His eyes clearly said, "If you don't know what's good for you, you'll regret it." Shen Mingzhuang had no choice but to swallow his bitter pill and dared not bargain any further.

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; I'd better cherish my life and proceed with caution!

A table laden with delicacies made Shen Mingzhuang's mouth water. How much money must this meal cost? He ate so well himself while cutting back on his subordinates' salaries. It was utterly shameless.

She had originally wanted to tease him by adding some vegetables and radishes to his meal, but considering Jiang Wang's vindictive nature, she gave up and obediently served him dinner. Just as Shen Mingzhuang thought she could finally go back, rubbing her aching arms, Jiang Wang spoke.

“Shen Fengmo knows he has failed in his duty and wishes to serve me tonight. I grant his request.”

Shen Mingzhuang's temples were throbbing!