Chapter 164 Tongjia Clan: Where's my knife?

Tongjia fell to the ground, her cheeks burning with pain, and she could even taste blood in her mouth.

Tears of grievance finally welled up uncontrollably, no longer the feigned redness from before.

The Empress's words left her feeling suffocated, and she wanted to shout or curse but couldn't utter a single word.

The hall was so quiet that she could hear her rapid breathing; the silence felt like a boulder pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.

Seeing her crying, Jiang Nan, sitting on the phoenix throne, felt bored. "We've only just begun? And she's already crying?"

Hesheli was much stronger than Tongjia!

She frowned, her tone tinged with impatience.

"Sister Tongjia, you're just crying and sobbing, yet you haven't responded to my words—what, do you really harbor resentment towards me?"

Tongjia froze, and her tears fell even more rapidly.

She instinctively turned to look at her old nanny, her eyes filled with panic and pleading.

That was her nanny who had watched her grow up and loved her the most.

In the past, whenever she suffered any grievances in the Tongjia household, her nanny would always stand up to protect her.

But at this moment, the old woman kept her head down, and the stray hairs at her temples trembled slightly.

He didn't even dare to lift his eyelids.

She was just a servant; this was Kunning Palace, not Chengqian Palace where her master could act recklessly.

The fact that her master had been beaten was already established; if she dared to utter a single word, it would be an overstepping of her authority.

Not only could she not save her master, but she would also risk her own life. How could she dare to utter a sound?

Seeing the old woman remain silent, Tongjia's heart sank to the bottom, and her last bit of hope vanished.

She never imagined that Empress Jiang Nan would be so shameless!

Not only did he slap her in public, but he also used such shameless words to shut her up completely.

Admitting to dissatisfaction with the Empress?

This gives Jiang Nan another reason to deal with her.

If you don't admit it, then you'll have to swallow the two slaps and the humiliation you suffered in public.

She didn't even have a place to reason with them.

No matter what she said, she would be at a disadvantage, and she secretly complained to herself about why her cousin, the emperor, hadn't arrived yet.

Tong Jia turned her face back to meet Jiang Nan's piercing and scrutinizing gaze, her voice hoarse and trembling.

"I didn't..."

She spoke those words very softly, yet they had exhausted all her strength.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan snorted coldly.

"Nothing? Explain clearly."

Tongjia slowly got up from the ground, stubbornly straightened her back, and curtsied to Jiang Nan.

His voice was so low it was like a mosquito's hum, carrying a suppressed, gritted-teeth resentment.

"Your Majesty is right... I dare not blame Your Majesty; it was all my own fault for not standing firm..."

After saying that, she felt her cheeks hurt even more, and at the same time, the hatred in her heart grew wildly.

He made a silent vow in his heart.

Jiang Nan, you just wait and see!

I will make you pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price for these two slaps and this humiliation.

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Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Jiang Nan had submitted and obeyed.

His gaze shifted away from Tongjia's slightly trembling body.

His voice swept across the silent concubines below, reaching each of them clearly and carrying an undeniable conclusion.

"Did everyone hear that clearly? Just now, Princess Tongjia said herself that she lost her footing and fell, which is why she was injured."

She paused, then her tone shifted to an emphasis that seemed fair but was actually exerting pressure.

"All of you present here today must bear witness for me. If the Emperor asks about this in the future, you must—tell the truth, and do not distort the facts, understand?"

Niohuru immediately understood and stood up first, leading the other concubines in a chorus of response.

"Your Majesty, I have heard clearly that it was Princess Tongjia who said that she was not standing properly."

The voices were in unison, conveying a sense of fearful obedience.

Who dares to say no? Her Majesty the Empress is clearly trying to confirm that today's events were merely an accident.

This completely blocked any future avenues for Lady Tongjia to appeal to the Emperor.

"Um."

Jiang Nan responded lazily.

His gaze returned to Tongjia, carrying the earnest tone of an elder admonishing an ignorant junior.

"Sister Tongjia, you are young and new to the palace, so you may not know any better. I am magnanimous and can understand. However, I must remind you of some rules. Today you fell on your own; it has nothing to do with me. From now on, when you are outside, remember to be careful with your words and actions. Never let a small grievance lead you to speak recklessly or spread rumors about me and the Empress. If I find out you are talking nonsense outside..."

She abruptly changed the subject, still smiling, but her eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Even if you are my dear cousin, in order to uphold the dignity of the Empress and rectify the atmosphere within the palace, I will absolutely not tolerate this and will severely punish you according to the palace rules. Do you understand?"

Niohuru, who was standing to the side, almost laughed out loud. She quickly covered the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief to suppress the smile.

The Empress is still the same Empress, acting domineeringly and tyrannically.

Yet they can still come up with a seemingly self-consistent but actually bizarre set of reasons that leave people feeling so frustrated they want to vomit blood, yet unable to refute them.

The Hesheli clan of that time was just as proud and ruthless.

Wasn't it also through this method employed by the Empress that he was gradually driven to exhaustion, eventually succumbing to madness?

This Tong Jia Gege is still too young; her level is far too low.

He was immediately overpowered by the Empress upon their first encounter; he probably couldn't even withstand three-tenths of the Empress's strength.

Thinking that Princess Tongjia might be targeted by the Empress, how will she live her life from now on?

She looked at Tongjia Shi, who was stiff all over and pale-faced, with an almost pitying gaze.

At this moment, Tong Jia was about to explode with resentment. She even thought about taking a knife and dying together with Jiang Nan to end it all.

Jiang Nan's words are even more outrageous and shameless than Zhao Gao's historical statement of calling a deer a horse!

But right here in Kunning Palace, under the watchful eyes of everyone, after she had just been shocked and verbally pressured, she didn't even have the slightest chance to refute him!

She had to admit to this painful, unpleasant loss herself.

This is the humiliation of having one's grievances forcibly distorted, with no way to seek redress.

She cursed him in her heart: Jiang Nan! You shameless slut!

Jiang Nan didn't care whether Tong Jiashi responded or not.

She was referring to the imperial edict; she was issuing a notification, and casually waved to the concubines.

"Alright, you can all sit back down now."

She stopped looking at the disheveled Tongjia woman, picked up the slightly cool tea beside her, and took a small sip.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced toward the palace gate.

He muttered to himself: Why hasn't Emperor Kangxi arrived yet?

If they don't come soon, she might have to call off this whole thing. She can't just keep waiting in this awkward situation, can she?

However, if Kangxi is not present, wouldn't most of the fun be wasted in this carefully prepared show?

An eerie silence fell over the hall, broken only by the faint gasps of Lady Tongjia.

All the concubines sat upright, eyes downcast, wishing they could become a pillar in the palace.