Chapter 90 Does this Empress resemble one?

Jiang Nan addressed the Empress with a polite and courteous tone.

"Your Majesty, I hope you won't mind if I borrow the main hall of Kunning Palace for a while? If you're tired, please go back to the inner hall to rest. I'll return it to you when I'm done."

The queen was trembling with rage, barely suppressing the urge to unleash a torrent of curses. She forced out a sarcastic sound through gritted teeth.

"If you want to reprimand me, then do so. Borrowing land? This isn't the first time you've done this. Didn't you also borrow my land when you reprimanded my head maid? If I say no, would you listen?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan was not annoyed at all; instead, she nodded in agreement and analyzed the situation in a serious manner.

“Your Majesty, what you say makes sense. However, this harem is, after all, the Emperor’s harem, and Kunning Palace is also the Emperor’s property. As long as the Emperor hasn’t issued an edict forbidding me from borrowing it, I’m sure he won’t blame me for borrowing it. But Your Majesty, if you insist on refusing to lend it and make a scene in front of the Emperor, it won’t look good. After all, it’s the Emperor’s palace, so why can’t you lend it to me? Therefore, in my opinion, you should lend it.”

Her tone was gentle, but the threat in her words was blatant.

The Empress was so enraged by this absurd logic that her vision blurred, her chest heaved violently, and she gritted her teeth as she spoke.

"Fine, I'll borrow it. I want to hear what Consort Jin has to say."

She decided to throw caution to the wind and see how Jiang Nan would humiliate her again, so she sat back down on the phoenix throne.

Jiang Nan shook her head, a troubled look on her face, as if she had encountered a huge problem.

"Oh dear, Your Majesty, I'm afraid that won't do. You may not know my habits. When I give a speech, I always sit in the head seat. If you don't go to rest and instead sit here so comfortably, where am I supposed to sit? Am I supposed to stand and give a speech? That would be so lacking in authority and would also seem disrespectful to all of you sisters, wouldn't it?"

These words shocked the entire hall.

Even Consort Niohuru was so surprised that her eyes widened.

She actually dared to directly demand the Phoenix Throne? This isn't just arrogance, it's utter lawlessness.

The Empress could hardly believe her ears. She clutched her stomach and abruptly stood up.

He pointed at Jiang Nan with his right hand, his voice becoming sharp with extreme anger and humiliation.

"Consort Jin! How dare you! I am the Empress, and this is the Phoenix Throne. How dare you covet it? This is a great disrespect to me and an act of insubordination."

Despite the Empress's fury, Jiang Nan remained calm and patiently reasoned with her.

"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. Didn't you just promise to lend me the main hall of Kunning Palace? A king's word is law. Since the main hall of Kunning Palace is temporarily under my use, everything in it is naturally under my control for the time being. The chairs and stools in this hall, including the one you're sitting on, are temporarily... mine. Is my understanding correct?"

She turned to the concubines in the palace, seeking public opinion and using her power to intimidate them.

"Tell me, everyone, is my reasoning sound? I borrowed this land from Her Majesty the Empress through my own abilities, so shouldn't everything in this land temporarily belong to me?"

How could the concubines dare to utter a single word of dissent? They all rose and bowed their heads, echoing in voices barely audible.

"Your Highness Consort Jin is right."

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction, turned around, and looked at the pale-faced empress.

His tone suddenly turned cold, carrying an unquestionable command.

"Your Majesty, you see? This is the will of the people. Why don't you move aside? Go and rest if you need to. Don't get in my way. I'm in a hurry and have to give instructions."

She took another step closer, her gaze sharp as a knife, her voice low and blatantly threatening.

"Also, since you've already lent it, you can't go back on your word. And don't force me to... take action against you."

The Empress looked at Jiang Nan's fierce gaze and listened to her undisguised threat.

Looking around at the silent concubines, none of whom dared to speak up for her, a profound sense of sorrow welled up within her.

Is this how people are bullied?

Why should she be in charge of the land she borrowed through her own abilities?

Even my phoenix throne is hers now?

She felt as if all her strength had been drained away, realizing that she was destined to lose face today.

But hasn't she already lost enough? At yesterday's New Year's banquet, she was just a figurehead as the Empress.

Never mind, never mind... She's just not someone I can afford to offend.

The Empress tried her best to calm her trembling body and sobs.

With all his might, maintaining his crumbling dignity, he spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse.

"Alright... I'll give it to you. Then, little sister... you can properly discipline yourself in this palace."

After saying this, she almost staggered, and with the frightened support of the palace maids, she walked quickly towards the inner hall without looking back.

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Jiang Nan watched the Empress's disheveled escape with a sneer.

She walked forward calmly, flicked her sleeves, and sat steadily on the phoenix throne that symbolized the authority of the Empress.

She even slightly adjusted her posture, finding a more comfortable way to lean back.

It was as natural as if he were just sitting on his own kang (heated brick bed).

The entire main hall of Kunning Palace was deathly silent.

All the concubines lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

He could only steal glances at the audacious woman at the head of the table out of the corner of his eye.

Consort Niohuru's heart was already in turmoil.

Consort Jin...she really sat down?

Did they just sit down like that, as if it were perfectly natural?

Watching this scene, she felt utterly absurd, her worldview shattered. This Consort Jin, there really wasn't anything she wouldn't dare to do.

But then I thought about it again and realized that it was all just a trivial matter. What face does the current empress have left?

Her authority had long been trampled underfoot by Consort Jin.

In this harem, Consort Jin has long been in charge.

Jiang Nan, however, was in no hurry to give a speech.

She was determined to keep at it, determined to make sure the Empress, who could hear the commotion, could hear it from inside the palace.

I could clearly feel the humiliation and torment of having everything taken away from me.

She leaned back leisurely on the back of the phoenix throne, her gaze sweeping over the silent crowd below.

A playful smile played on his lips as he spoke.

"Chunlan—"

Chunlan, who was standing beside her, was startled and quickly stepped forward.

"This servant is here."

"Go and bring me some hot tea for my seat. I've talked quite a bit, and now I feel thirsty again. I'll rest for a bit and moisten my throat before continuing."

Jiang Nan spoke as casually as if she were giving an order for something trivial.

"Yes, sir."

Chunlan quickly agreed and hurried to serve the tea.

She was also feeling uneasy, but more than that, she felt blind trust in her master and a secret thrill.

Jiang Nan took the tea that Chunlan offered again and sipped it slowly.

They completely ignored the eerie atmosphere inside the hall and the countless gazes, some filled with fear and others with mixed emotions.

The so-called lecture was just an excuse.

Her actions at this moment were the most scathing reprimand and the most blatant demonstration.

Jiang Nan's gaze fell on Consort Niohuru, noticing the complex emotions in her eyes.

A mischievous glint appeared in his eye, and he asked with a smile.

"Sister Niohuru, do I look like an empress sitting here?"

That's a very direct and bold question.

——————

If you borrow something through your own ability, you have the right to dispose of it! What do you all think, is that right?

We can't call the plot of her sitting on the throne mindless and outrageous. You can only say that Nan Nan is a little bit unreasonable, but she truly wins people over with virtue.