Looking at the two kneeling below, the emperor's eyes showed a hint of disappointment, and he made a swift and decisive decision.
Niannian is the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye, not to mention that because of Ziwei, Chennian is still in a coma.
Hearing the Emperor's decision, the Empress Dowager frowned, glanced at the Emperor, but still said nothing.
"Your Majesty, what happened today was not Ziwei's fault, but mine. If you must punish someone, punish me. Ziwei is frail and cannot withstand the beating or kneeling."
Although he himself would also be punished, he still instinctively protected his wife.
Ertai, listening to Erkang's love-struck remarks: ...
He was certain that his brother had gone mad from being obsessed with Ziwei.
He and his father need to make plans early, otherwise they might lose their heads without even knowing when they'll be implicated. Well, right now their heads are on the verge of falling off at any moment.
"Fu Erkang! Ziwei is delicate, but isn't my Niannian also delicate? When you criticize her so mercilessly, did you think about the consequences?"
Niannian is currently inside, and we don't know what her situation is, yet you haven't shown any remorse.
"Fine, fine, fine, Fu Erkang, you want to play the hero, huh? Then add another twenty strokes of the cane, and no one is allowed to plead for you. Now get out of Cining Palace!"
Hearing Erkang still pleading for Ziwei, the Empress Dowager's anger, which she had barely managed to suppress, reached its peak and erupted in a furious outburst.
"Guards, take Erkang out and carry it out immediately. Ertai, after Fu Erkang has finished his punishment, take him back to the Scholar's Mansion and ask Lord Fu Lun to discipline him properly. If he is not disciplined well, I will not mind disciplining him myself."
When speaking to Ertai, the Empress Dowager's tone was not as harsh.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ertai cupped his hands in greeting, feeling a bit irritated inside.
His brother is really causing him trouble. He was waiting for news from Chen Nian, but now he not only doesn't get the news, but he also has to send people home. He also has to explain things to Amana. After all this, who knows how much time will be wasted before he can enter the palace.
Qing'er, who was standing to the side, noticed Ertai in the corner whose eyes were always looking towards the inner room, and gave him a look.
"Ziwei, you get out and kneel down too."
The Empress Dowager is now annoyed by Ziwei and speaks to her without any mercy.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Her Majesty the Empress, Princess Qing—"
Changshou finally came out of the inner room.
"Chang Shou, how is Niannian doing?"
"The person has woken up. Fortunately, the medication was administered in time, so there is no immediate danger. They will need to rest for a while."
"I've already said she can't be stimulated, she can't be stimulated, her emotions can't fluctuate too much, so why do you keep stimulating Princess Chen? If it happens a few more times, she won't even need my help anymore."
Thinking of the pale, listless face inside, Chang Shou's tone was also harsh; it really infuriated him.
Shen Xiaonian was already in poor health. If she hadn't been born into royalty and hadn't been nourished by good medicine over the years, she wouldn't have survived to this day if she had come from an ordinary family.
Not only was she injured after returning to the palace, but she was also repeatedly agitated, and she never stopped taking medicine.
"She's awake, she's awake, Qing'er, Your Majesty, let's go inside quickly."
Upon hearing Changshou's words, the Empress Dowager hurriedly grabbed the hands of the two people beside her, walking and talking at the same time.
They didn't pay much attention to what Chang Shou said afterward; all their attention was focused on the unconscious person inside.
"Your Majesty, please wait for me!"
...
"Ziwei, Ziwei, what can I say to you? Aren't you usually the most eloquent? How could you let Erkang criticize Niannian?"
The Emperor felt a pang of heartache as he imagined the increasingly frail figure inside, her pale face and lips, leaning weakly against Qing'er, her voice hoarse and lost in thought.
He couldn't even take good care of Ce'er and her only child; he truly feels ashamed of them.
Seeing the people kneeling outside the Cining Palace, tears streaming down their faces, the Emperor felt a mixture of disappointment and frustration.
The Empress Dowager already disliked Ziwei, and now that Ziwei has made such a mistake, what will he think in the future...?
Even if he liked Ziwei, it couldn't compare to Niannian.
If something really happens to Nian Nian because of Ziwei, the Empress Dowager will be greatly affected, and might even...
He also felt sorry for her, who had already passed away.
Even if he wanted to protect Ziwei at that time, he would be powerless to do so. He couldn't possibly offend the Empress Dowager for Ziwei's sake. He could still tell what was more important.
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I was flustered and didn't have time to react."
Hearing the Emperor's disappointed tone, Ziwei burst into tears.
She never expected things to turn out this way. Hearing what Physician Chang said about Shen Nian's condition, she felt extremely regretful.
She just wanted to have the best of both worlds, but...
She never expected her reverie to turn out this way.
"Alright, kneel here for a while. As for the beating, take it obediently. After you've taken it, go back to Shufangzhai, recover from your injuries, and then go to the Imperial Kitchen."
"Niannian, find a chance to apologize to her yourself. Once you get her forgiveness, the Empress Dowager's anger will subside, and you can return to Shufangzhai."
Seeing Ziwei kneeling on the ground, weeping with tears streaming down her face, the Emperor felt a surge of pity. He turned the jade ring on his hand and casually offered her words of comfort.
But there was no intention to lighten the punishment.
After all, Nian Nian is still suffering.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Ziwei prostrated herself and kowtowed.
...
"Crape Myrtle—"
Upon receiving news that Chen Nian had fainted, Ziwei had been forced to kneel, and Erkang had been flogged, Xiao Yanzi rushed over without stopping.
"Ziwei, where is Niannian? How is Niannian? And you, how are you? Is everything alright? Did the Empress Dowager punish you? Why did Niannian faint?"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
