Chapter 52 Empress: Can you spare me?

Jiang Nan immediately raised her voice, her tone both playful and brooking no refusal.

"Oh, Your Majesty, please wait."

The Empress paused, then turned around stiffly.

Jiang Nan said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I am merely assisting in the management of the six palaces. You are the true mistress. Although the case has been solved, it has not yet been finalized. How can you, as the rightful mistress, leave first?"

She blinked, feigning surprise.

"Oh—perhaps you feel you weren't very clever just now and are in a hurry to return to the palace... to study behind closed doors? Well, studying isn't something that can be rushed. I'm not the Empress, and I would never dare to overstep my bounds and directly handle the affairs of the inner palace, would you say?"

These words are absolutely devastating.

They directly tore away the last shred of fig leaves covering the Empress.

Empress Hesheli looked at Jiang Nan's smiling face, which was sharp as a knife.

The pent-up grievances, anger, humiliation, and powerlessness burst forth like a flood after a dam had been breached.

It instantly shattered the defenses of reason and dignity she had been forcibly maintaining.

She couldn't hold back any longer.

She let out a loud "Wah!" like a child who had suffered a great injustice.

She burst into tears in front of everyone, her voice filled with a broken sob.

"Consort Jin, Guarjia Jiangnan, what exactly do you want from me? I already know I was wrong. I am the Empress! Every day... every single day I have to maintain the dignity of the Empress's palace. I'm even younger than you! Can't you... just leave me alone? Waaah..."

Her crying stunned everyone.

Even Jiang Nan was stunned; the smug smile on her face froze, and she became somewhat embarrassed.

Uh…did you go too far? Did you completely break this girl down?

She watched the Empress crying uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

The mischievous pleasure I felt vanished almost instantly, replaced by a... well, a subtle sense of guilt, similar to that after bullying a child?

Forget it, killing is just a matter of beheading. I'm still too soft-hearted.

She touched her nose, her tone softening, even carrying a hint of sincere reassurance.

"Alright, alright, Your Majesty, look at you... crying like this in front of so many servants isn't a good look, is it? Why don't you go back to the palace first? Cry there when no one will see you, and you'll feel better."

The Empress was so angered by her words of comfort that her crying stopped abruptly, leaving only sobs.

She glared at Jiang Nan fiercely, unable to utter another word.

Supported by her nanny, she practically fled in disarray, staggering as she left the Imperial Garden, which had caused her such humiliation.

Jiang Nan watched the Empress's disheveled retreating figure, shrugged helplessly, and sighed.

"Ugh, how boring."

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Wanyan, who was lying paralyzed on the ground, her eyes instantly turning sharp.

"Guards. Take this Wanyan woman, who has been restless since being selected and is deliberately framing others, to the Imperial Prison for a thorough interrogation."

"Yes, sir!"

Several eunuchs immediately stepped forward, ignoring Wanyan's cries and struggles.

They covered her mouth and swiftly dragged her away.

Jiang Nan then looked at Dai Jia, who was still in shock, and softened her tone.

“Dai Jia, you’ve been frightened. Go back and rest well, drink some ginger soup to warm yourself up. This has nothing to do with you.”

"This servant...this servant thanks Your Highness Consort Jin for your understanding and for saving my life."

Daijia burst into tears and kowtowed repeatedly.

——————

Today's two daily tasks, upholding justice and serving as a queen, have been successfully completed.

Feeling cheerful, she turned to return to Yongshou Palace.

After all, she was more interested in the grand scheme of relaxing on a soft couch than in palace intrigue.

As soon as I turned around, a firm voice came from behind me.

"Your Highness, please...please wait."

Jiang Nan paused, turning around in surprise.

Dai Jia struggled to get up from the ground.

Completely disregarding his disheveled appearance.

He knelt down again with a thud as he approached.

His forehead slammed heavily onto the ground, his posture devout and humble.

Oh? This little girl has more to say?

Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest appearing in her previously languid eyes, as she waited quietly for her to continue.

Dai Jia slowly raised her head.

Her wet hair clung to her cheeks, making her look somewhat pitiful, but her eyes were surprisingly bright.

It contained gratitude for surviving a disaster, shock that overturned one's understanding, and a touch of admiration.

Dai Jia witnessed the entire process firsthand.

How Consort Jin confronted the Empress head-on, refusing to give an inch.

She witnessed the whole thing firsthand.

How Consort Jin confronted the Empress head-on, refusing to yield an inch.

How did they use such an unprecedented yet incredibly sharp method to expose Wanyan's lies in public?

Even more so, how could she, with just a few words, force the high and mighty Empress to break down in public, weep, and flee in a sorry state?

This completely shattered the ironclad rules and regulations that had been in place in Daijia's upbringing for over a decade.

It turns out that even in this deep palace, power and rules are not unshakeable.

With enough courage and wisdom, plus that overwhelming imperial favor.

He lived such a free and unrestrained life that even the Empress had to give way to him.

Such a master…

Dai Jia's heart pounded, and the thought of following her grew wildly like weeds.

She didn't want to go back to that treacherous and insecure courtyard of the imperial concubines.

They didn't want to become the next Wanyan clan member who could be sacrificed at will.

She had to survive and establish herself in this cannibalistic harem.

The Consort Jin before her was the most dazzling and steadfast backer she could grasp.

She took a deep breath, suppressing a sob, her voice trembling but each word clear.

"Your Highness, this servant...this servant dares to ask Your Highness for a favor."

Jiang Nan found her resolute demeanor increasingly amusing.

He deliberately dragged out the question, asking it lazily.

"Oh? What is it? Are you cold and want me to find you some dry clothes?"

Surely she's not trying to scam me by throwing her into the lake, is she?

Dai Jia shook her head abruptly, her gaze fixed intently on Jiang Nan.

"This servant begs Your Majesty's grace to allow me to follow Your Majesty in the future. This servant is willing to go to Yongshou Palace to serve Your Majesty. This servant has not yet served the Emperor, but if I am fortunate enough to gain His Majesty's favor in the future, this servant will definitely plead with His Majesty to stay in Yongshou Palace and always be by Your Majesty's side."

As soon as she finished speaking, she kowtowed deeply again, awaiting Jiang Nan's verdict.

Jiang Nan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Huh? You want to curry favor with me?

She looked Dai Jia up and down, a hint of appreciation in her eyes.

This little girl has a sharp eye; she knows to pick the strongest suitor to cling to.

She had a crush on Dai Jiashi during the talent show and was thinking that when the time was right, she would take this girl as her friend.

She deliberately tilted her head, her face showing a playful scrutiny.

His tone carried a hint of teasing and probing.

"Follow me? Lady Daijia, are you serious? Have you thought this through?"

As she spoke, she took two steps forward and, disregarding the etiquette of imperial concubines, squatted down to look Dai Jia at eye level.

He gently poked her shoulder with his fingertip, his voice carrying a hint of deliberate cruelty.

"I just had you thrown into the lake without saying a word. It wasn't a pleasant experience, was it? The suffocating feeling of choking on water, the fear of almost drowning—aren't you even a little bit resentful? What if you hold a grudge in the future, and even want me to taste the lake water too?"

This question was direct and sharp, probing Daijia without any attempt to hide her true intentions.