"If I were to let this go so easily, those who know better would say I'm magnanimous, while those who don't would probably say I'm incompetent and heartless. What do you suggest I do then?"
After she finished speaking, she looked at Consort Qi with a slight smile, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Consort Qi was completely distraught.
Sang Jiang did this on purpose, pushing the problem onto her. It wouldn't make sense if she punished her too lightly, and it would be her own fault if she punished her too severely.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Sang Jiang's smile slowly faded. She spoke with a cold look in her eyes: "After all, I have only just arrived at the palace and I am not very familiar with the rules of the harem. If Consort Qi does not know something, I should ask the Emperor."
As she spoke, she reached out her hand to Chunhe and Kou'er to help her up.
Consort Qi panicked at the sight of her posture and crawled to Sang Jiang's feet on her knees: "Imperial Noble Consort! Imperial Noble Consort, please calm down, I will tell you! I will tell you!"
She lay prostrate at Sang Jiang's feet, tears streaming down her face.
She was now filled with immense regret. If she had known it would end like this, she would never have provoked Sang Ruo.
If Long Jingchen were to handle this matter, given the Emperor's current favor towards Sang Jiang, she would certainly not fare well.
Moreover, Sang Jiang's statement earlier that she was raised by the Prime Minister's family clearly showed that she was supporting the Prime Minister's family.
The more she thought about it, the more regretful she became. While kowtowing to Sang Jiang, she cried out, "This concubine is willing to punish herself by slapping herself twenty times, only begging the Imperial Noble Consort not to be angry and to forgive this concubine this time."
Sang Jiang pursed her lips, seriously considering what would happen to her after being slapped twenty times, before slowly nodding: "In that case, let's go."
Actually, she didn't necessarily want to punish Consort Qi, but the thought of her being the Empress's person and the things the Empress had done to Sang Ruo made her furious.
Everyone knows that Consort Qi is the Empress's person. Her current high-profile punishment of Consort Qi is undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Empress, and a direct declaration of war against her.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, just as Consort Qi was being dragged out, the Empress strolled in leisurely from outside.
Everyone stood up and greeted the Empress.
Only Sang Jiang sat there, smiling gently.
The Empress glanced at her but said nothing.
"Get up, everyone." She remained as graceful and dignified as ever.
If Sang Jiang hadn't known her character, she probably would have thought she was a good empress.
After gesturing to Lin Mama to pour tea for everyone, the Empress smiled and said, "My sister has arrived. His Majesty told me that since you are new here and not in good health, he has exempted you from the morning and evening greetings. I wonder how you are feeling now?"
Sang Jiang took a sip of water from her cup before slowly speaking, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing well."
"That's good." The Queen nodded with a smile. "Everyone, please go back if you have nothing else to do."
As soon as she finished speaking, Sang Jiang stood up and nodded slightly to her: "Your Majesty, I take my leave."
As soon as she stepped out, Sang Ruo and Consort Lan rose together and curtsied to the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty, we shall also take our leave."
After saying that, the two walked out one after the other.
After most of the people had left, Consort Shen looked at the Empress and said with dissatisfaction, "Look at her arrogant attitude. She only dares to be so disrespectful to the Empress because the Emperor dotes on her!"
The Empress glanced at her and said sternly, "Alright, don't say such things anymore. The Emperor will be displeased if he hears them."
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