Chapter 181 My Daughter Made Three Mistakes
Xue Ting was the second daughter of Xue Guogong, the elder brother of Empress Xue. Noble families always strictly educate their eldest daughters, while the second daughters are more spoiled.
In addition, Xue Ting was sweet-talking and knew how to coax people, and her appearance was somewhat similar to that of Empress Xue, so she was very favored at home from a young age.
Even Empress Xue doted on her, so when she saw the bruises around her wrist, her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
"What's going on? It's common for young girls to bicker, why did it escalate to physical violence?"
That's not a good habit!
Empress Xue glanced at Li Nanke, her voice slightly cold.
The room fell silent instantly, and some of the younger girls were so frightened that their faces turned pale.
Wang Si was the first to step forward and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, that's not how it happened! It was Xue San who bullied Miss Li first..."
"Tongyun, shut up! How dare you speak so casually in front of the Empress!"
Consort Wang, sitting at the lower end, coldly stopped them.
Wang Tongyun pouted, looking aggrieved, "Aunt..."
Consort Wang glared at her, her peach blossom eyes particularly stern.
"Step back! Her Majesty the Empress is asking Miss Li a question. What are you trying to prove?"
Wang Tongyun stomped her foot and retreated in a huff.
Xue Ting glanced at Li Nanke smugly and raised her chin slightly.
Of all her sisters, the Empress Dowager doted on her the most.
With my aunt, the Empress, here, I'm sure I'll teach Li Nanke a lesson today!
Li Nanke stepped forward calmly and knelt down respectfully to reply.
"Your subject knows her mistake. Your subject has already sincerely repented and deeply understands that she has made three mistakes."
Empress Xue said calmly, "Oh? Which three places? Tell me about them."
"When Miss Xue mentioned the porridge distribution in the Bian River, Princess Zhaoning and I fell into the water, but we both regretted it one after the other. Later, Prince Xie confessed his mistake to the Empress."
Miss Xue accused me of seducing Prince Xie. I shouldn't have spoken up and defended myself; I should have let Miss Xue pin the blame on me. That was my mistake!
“Miss Xue slapped me. I shouldn’t have grabbed Miss Xue’s wrist, causing her to bruise.”
"This humble woman should have stood still and allowed Miss Xue to beat and scold her; this is her second mistake!"
“Miss Xue San repeatedly accused me of seducing Prince Xie, causing Miss Xue Da to be heartbroken and shed tears. I should not ask Miss Xue San what seduction is and how to seduce.
This is not something a young lady should learn; this is my third mistake!
Li Nanke kowtowed.
"This humble woman knows her mistake and begs Your Majesty for punishment!"
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and Empress Xue's face was ashen.
What a sharp-tongued little mouth!
While seemingly admitting fault and apologizing, he explained the whole matter clearly and plainly!
Now that things have come to this point, how could she possibly punish Li Nanke?
Punishing Li Nanke is tantamount to telling everyone that if Xue's daughter beats someone in the future, others can only endure it.
"hehe......"
Consort Wang covered her mouth and smiled, her peach-blossom eyes sparkling with charm.
"I wondered what it was about. It turns out it's because of the princess falling into the water on the day the porridge was distributed. It seems there's a misunderstanding between Miss Li and Miss Xue."
To be honest, we were all confused about the matter. All we knew was that the princess had fallen into the water and was frightened, and was punished by His Majesty when she returned.
I'm still a bit confused about what exactly happened, so since we're all here today, I'll take this opportunity to clarify things face-to-face, clear up the misunderstanding, and everything will be fine.
She looked at Empress Xue with a smile.
"Your Majesty, don't you agree?"
Empress Xue gritted her teeth, cursing Consort Wang inwardly: "That bitch is so cunning."
After returning to the palace that day, Zhao Ning was punished by the Emperor with a slap on the palm. Later, she issued a gag order, forbidding anyone from revealing that Zhao Ning had abandoned Li Nanke.
But Consort Wang came from the Right Prime Minister's residence, and the young mistress of the Wang family was also present at the porridge distribution that day. This wretched woman must have already learned the whole story from the Wang family.
The reason for bringing this up today is simply to embarrass Zhao Ning in front of everyone.
Empress Xue cursed inwardly, but her face still wore a dignified smile.
"The matter from that day has already been explained clearly. Today's main focus is on choosing study companions, so let's not dwell on it here."
Consort Wang nodded to Xue Ting and Li Nanke.
"Judging from Miss Xue's appearance, she seems to still be holding a grudge about what happened that day. It also seems to involve the marriage between Miss Xue and Prince Xie. It wouldn't be good not to clarify things."
Empress Xue's expression froze, and she couldn't help but secretly resent Xue Ting for being so talkative.
She raised her eyes and glared at Xue Ting, "Everything from that day has been explained clearly. What nonsense are you spouting, you little kid?"
If you dare to speak recklessly again, I will punish you severely!
Xue Ting was stunned, unable to believe that her aunt hadn't punished Li Nanke at all, but instead had scolded her severely.
I felt both wronged and angry.
"It was clearly Li Nanke who used tricks to seduce Prince Xie and even pinched my wrist until it was bruised. Aunt, instead of punishing her, you blame me?"
Consort Wang covered her mouth and giggled.
"Your Majesty, I remember His Majesty often praised the Xue family for their strict upbringing, and the eldest daughter of the Xue family for her dignified and composed demeanor. I never expected the third daughter to be such a straightforward person."
What do you mean by "speaking frankly"? Isn't it just saying that Xue Ting has no upbringing?
Empress Xue was so angry that her chest ached. She slammed her hand on the small table next to her and scolded Xue Ting.
"Shut up! Don't you know where you are? Even if you care about your sister, you shouldn't be talking nonsense here. Apologize to Miss Li right now!"
Xue Ting stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"My aunt wants me to apologize to Li Nanke? Based on...?"
Empress Xue interrupted her sharply, "Shut up! Apologize immediately! Otherwise, I'll kick you out of the palace right now and send you home to be disciplined by your parents!"
Xue Ting turned pale with fright, realizing that she might have really done something wrong.
If she were really expelled from the palace, she wouldn't be able to be the princess's study companion, and her father would definitely punish her when she got home!
Xue Ting gritted her teeth and turned to look at Li Nanke with a reluctant expression.
Still young and easily angered, she snapped, "I misspoke, I apologize, okay?"
Their attitude was so aggressive it didn't sound like an apology; it sounded more like they were about to hit someone.
Li Nanke asked timidly, "Is Miss Xue... apologizing to me?"
"you....."
Consort Wang shook her head and chuckled.
"They're just kids; they apologize like they're hitting someone."
Empress Xue's face turned ashen.
"Enough! Xue Ting is deliberately causing trouble and stirring up trouble. Guards, give her five lashes on the palm!"
The head maid came over with a ruler and, without saying a word, grabbed Xue Ting's palm and slapped it five times.
Xue Ting had never suffered like this before. She turned pale with pain and her face was streaked with tears.
"It hurts... I know I was wrong, Aunt, I promise I won't do it again!"
"I...I sincerely apologize, Li Nanke, I apologize to you, sob sob sob..."
Li Nanke looked at Xue Ting, who was crying her eyes out, and the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly.
Father is right!
The nobles in the palace are all concerned with appearances and reputations; to deal with them, you must strike at their weak points.
She knew that Empress Xue definitely didn't want her to mention that Princess Zhaoning had abandoned her in the woods, so she deliberately brought it up in front of Consort Wang.
As expected, between Xue Ting and Princess Zhaoning, Empress Xue naturally favored her own daughter!
Empress Xue raised her hand and instructed the palace maids to take Xue Ting away to wash and groom herself again.
"The rest of you, get ready to start the selection exam!"
Before he could finish speaking, Li Nanke's arm was grabbed!
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