Chapter 289
Shen Man's expression twisted for a moment, and her tone stiffened: "Your Majesty truly feels sorry for Sister Liu."
But after she finished speaking, she didn't ask Shen Qingnian to bow to her again, nor did she dwell on the terms 'sister' or 'younger sister'. Instead, she sat down on the chair as instructed.
Although Shen Man's mind wasn't as sharp as Shen Qingnian's, she was pragmatic. She realized that she had misjudged the situation today, so she stopped trying to intimidate the other party and instead became compliant.
"This is the finest Longjing tea, please have a taste, Sister Shen," Shen Qingnian gestured to Shen Man.
Shen Man picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea tasted better than any she had ever tasted in her life. Looking at the furnishings in the golden palace and Shen Qingnian's clothes, everything was incredibly luxurious. Although she had no official rank, she was more precious than Shen Man, who did.
She realized that it was impossible for her to outdo Shen Qingnian today.
Shen Qingnian was somewhat surprised to see Shen Man's change.
She was a tactful person who knew when to advance and retreat. Realizing that she couldn't gain any advantage at the moment, she immediately changed her approach. It seems that Shen Man is not without merit.
Thinking this way, a sense of seriousness rose in her heart.
After taking a few sips of tea, Shen Man looked up at her again, her expression turning to envy. She exclaimed, "Sister Liu, His Majesty treats you so well. He not only built a golden palace for you, but also rewarded you with so many palace servants and fine tea."
Shen Qingnian remained expressionless and did not respond.
Seeing that she didn't respond, Shen Man's eyes flickered, and she continued, "I heard that Sister Liu is from Lincheng. It is truly a beautiful love story that she met His Majesty in Lincheng."
She clearly didn't mean what she said.
"Sister Shen has now entered the palace, and her relationship with His Majesty is quite a beautiful story," Shen Qingnian said calmly, clearly unconvinced.
Shen Man was speechless, and a surge of anger rose in her heart. She continued, "I had heard before entering the palace that Sister Liu and I looked somewhat alike, and now that I see her, it is indeed true."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingnian stood up and waved to Xiaoju: "Consort Shen has spoken ill of the late Empress. She shall be punished by kneeling for one hour."
If she had arrived a moment later, Zhu Lan would have been beaten by her. As Zhu Lan's master, beating Zhu Lan was the same as beating her, and she would naturally retaliate.
Her sudden outburst startled Shen Man, who then exclaimed in surprise, "I agreed, but you dare to punish me by making me kneel?"
Even though she wasn't born into a privileged background, she understood that commoners had no right to punish someone!
Shen Qingnian raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips beneath her veil: "Even if you are a concubine, you cannot escape punishment."
After saying that, she gestured to the maids and nannies beside her to do it.
"Take her to the courtyard and make her kneel as punishment."
The surrounding palace maids and nannies strode forward and immediately took Shen Man away.
After her initial surprise, Shen Man shouted, "How dare you! I did agree, but my father is the Prime Minister! How dare you treat me like this? I will have His Majesty punish you!"
She never expected Liu'er to be so bold.
Seeing that Shen Man was forcibly taken away by the palace maids, Shen Qingnian looked at the two palace maids who had come with her.
The two palace maids were already pale with fright and looked terrified.
Shen Qingnian did not make things difficult for the two of them. She simply asked them to stand in the courtyard together. After an hour, she helped Shen Man back.
That day, Shen Man knelt in the Golden Hall until her leg became limp. When she was helped away by a palace maid, her eyes were red and filled with intense hatred.
Shen Qingnian didn't care at all.
She leaned against the chaise lounge, and after watching Shen Man limp away from the window, she calmly withdrew her gaze.
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