Before Jingpin could explain herself, the Queen's voice, filled with majesty, came: "Jingpin, Qinpin is right. You are arbitrarily punishing lower-ranking concubines without my permission, and you still say that you don't respect me?"
"This... Your Majesty, please understand clearly that this is not my intention." Concubine Jing was frightened by the Queen's angry expression and knelt down directly.
Not willing to be outdone, Zheng Changzai also intervened: "How could it be that you didn't mean that? Could the slap mark on my face be fake? Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for me."
The Queen summoned the palace maids to inquire about the whole story and couldn't help but frown. It was just such a small matter, but it was worth Concubine Jing being so angry.
Zheng Changzai was showing off, but who wouldn't show off when paying respects the next day after the Emperor's visit? This Concubine Jing was really lacking in style.
However, Concubine Jing has a noble family background, and her father was valued by the emperor for his meritorious service in disaster relief last year, so she could give her some face.
As for Zheng Changzai who was beaten... her family background was really humble, her personality was superficial and ostentatious, and she was not valued by the emperor. It was a waste of time for her to be beaten. Who in the harem had not suffered some grievances?
Thinking of this, the Queen first said to Jingpin with anger: "Jingpin, it's just a small matter. You are making a big deal out of it. You don't take me seriously!"
Jingpin was terrified. She begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, I never meant that..."
Just as Jingpin was getting worried, the Queen suddenly changed the subject: "But considering that this is your first offense, I will forgive you this time and fine you one month's salary as a punishment."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Jing felt relieved. After all, it was a serious crime to overstep the authority of the Empress and punish a concubine without her permission.
She hurriedly thanked him profusely, "Yes, I thank the Queen for her magnanimity. I am deeply grateful."
She was happy, but Zheng Changzai, who was being beaten, was dumbfounded. Just because she was beaten, the other party was fined one month's salary?
"Empress..."
She was about to say more, but the Queen interrupted her directly: "Alright, the concubines in the harem should prioritize harmony. The Emperor hates discord among the concubines the most. Are you trying to make the Emperor angry by holding on to this?"
Zheng Chang's heart skipped a beat. She naturally didn't dare to do that, so she could only grit her teeth and swallow the blood, then returned to her seat in grievance.
Even though the matter came to an end, the Queen turned around and talked about something else.
Ning Yuxi, who was sitting below, and Concubine Xian, who was sitting opposite her, looked at each other silently, and then looked at Wei Da Ying, who was sitting leisurely at the end.
Wasn't today's incident initiated by Wei? If she hadn't mentioned Zheng Changzai's earrings, Zheng Changzai wouldn't have shown off so much and wouldn't have angered Jingpin.
But was she doing it intentionally or unintentionally? Is there some grudge between her and Zheng Changzai?
Ning Yuxi suddenly remembered that two years ago, when she was looking for an opportunity to save Princess Yincheng who fell into the water in the imperial garden, she happened to see Zheng Dian almost fall down. She blamed Wei Dian, who was still a palace maid at the time, for not sweeping the snow cleanly and punished her.
After Wei agreed to become a concubine, she remained silent and Ning Yuxi almost forgot about her. Now that she thinks about it, the original heroine was certainly not a simple person.
Wei, who was sitting at the end, agreed to what she said at the beginning and then continued drinking tea quietly.
At this moment, she saw Zheng Changzai being beaten and unable to speak out, and slowly raised the corners of her lips.
Ever since she became the emperor's concubine, Zheng Changzai has been mocked and ridiculed every time she meets her, and has made things difficult for her in various ways. Zheng Changzai just found someone with a lower family background than her to find a sense of existence through her.
Even a clay figure has some temper, so she is naturally angry. If she finds an opportunity, she will definitely take advantage of her.
Also, when she first came to Qinghe Garden, she and Zheng Changzai were assigned to Shuiyue Pavilion together. She was so annoyed by her even though they didn't live together in the palace. If they lived together, she would be annoyed to death.
So after she entered Shuiyue Pavilion, she took advantage of the fact that Zheng Changzai was still admiring the beautiful scenery in the garden and had someone place dead insects in her bedroom in advance, just to make her move somewhere else.
Of course, in order to avoid suspicion, she also put some in her own bedroom, but as long as they didn't have to live with her, what did some dead bugs matter? The most important thing was to feel comfortable.
…
In the evening, Ning Yuxi was having dinner when Ruyi, who was serving beside her, said, "My Lord, the Emperor just went to see Concubine Jing. I also heard that the Empress specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a table of fine food to celebrate the Fourth Prince's birthday."
Ning Yuxi turned to look at Ruyi: "Didn't the Emperor just leave her in a huff yesterday? It was because of the Fourth Prince's birthday. Why is he going there again today?"
Luoying took over the conversation: "Master, the Queen invited the Emperor to her place for lunch."
Luoying said that it was enough, which meant that the Empress had advised the Emperor to celebrate the Fourth Prince's birthday. If it couldn't be a big celebration, then a small one would be better, just like Cheng Zhao's birthday a few days ago.
Ning Yuxi nodded. The Queen did a good job in winning people's hearts. She hoped that Concubine Jing would not let the Queen down.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was August. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Ning Yuxi went to the Queen's Palace to pay her respects as usual.
When they were approaching a fork in the road, Ning Yuxi saw from afar a group of people stuck in traffic ahead.
Luoying had good eyesight, and she immediately recognized who was in front of her: "Master, it seems that those in front are Concubine Qin and Concubine Jing."
Ning Yuxi nodded. In Qinghe Garden, every step brought a new scene. She was not far away from them, but because of the various scenery blocking their view, they could not easily see Ning Yuxi. But she could see them from here.
Ning Yuxi raised her hand to signal everyone to stop. If she wanted to go on, she had to pass that fork in the road, but she was too lazy to see them, so she would wait until they left before she left.
Not long after, the two groups in front went to the Queen's Palace one after another.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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