Zheng Qingyuan was so angry that her pretty face turned a little blue.
She originally intended to find someone to establish her authority, but unexpectedly, she found an easy target who made her lose face.
The palace maids and eunuchs around her immediately surrounded Jiang Tian.
Just then, a voice came from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"
The concubines present went from being surprised to being delighted.
Zheng Qingyuan's somewhat pale face regained its rosy hue.
Not long after, Zhao Jing strode in.
A group of beautiful women greeted him in soft voices.
Jiang Tian stood still, motionless.
When the concubines looked up, they didn't see Zhao Jing, but instead saw Jiang Tian standing to the side without moving. Their faces showed surprise.
Has she gone mad?
She was standing before an emperor; what was she doing?
Disrespecting the emperor is a grave offense!
Jiang Tian and Zhao Jing exchanged glances.
Zhao Jing's eyes were deep and inscrutable, while Jiang Tian's expression was cold.
Zheng Qingyuan had no intention of showing weakness to the emperor; she wanted to maintain her noble image.
However, the opportunity was presented to her. If she did not show her vulnerability, would the emperor think she was a cold-hearted person?
Thinking of this, she quickly realized what was going on and suddenly whispered, "Your Majesty, please grant me this favor."
Zhao Jing asked expressionlessly, "What happened?"
"After I paid my respects to Madam, I intended to return home, but I did not expect to be provoked by Consort Jiang. She refused to kneel even when I told her to. Now she doesn't even respect you. Wouldn't keeping such a person in the palace be a disgrace to the family?"
Zhao Jing remained silent, and none of the concubines dared to utter a word.
How should the Emperor deal with Consort Jiang?
I heard that she is a distant relative of the Jiang family. She has no power or influence and was only a minor noblewoman after being selected for the palace. Who can she possibly compete with?
"Yes, I understand. You may all leave. I will handle her matter."
Zheng Qingyuan was both happy and surprised. Why didn't the Emperor punish Jiang Tian in front of them? This would serve as a warning to other concubines, so as to prevent them from imitating him and showing disrespect to concubines of higher rank than themselves.
But if the Emperor says he will intervene, and she takes advantage of his kindness, then she will be out of line.
So she could only express her gratitude softly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
She then withdrew.
The other concubines also took their leave one by one. Some of them even tried to convey their feelings with their eyes, but Zhao Jing didn't look at any of them.
They had no choice but to leave the place with disappointment.
Only Jiang Huayan glanced at Jiang Tian with some concern; she really hadn't expected Jiang Tian to be so bold.
Jiang Huayan's personal maid reminded her to leave quickly and not to cause trouble for others.
They entered the palace to seek high positions, and an ally who couldn't even judge the situation would only be a burden to them.
Jiang Huayan was reluctant to leave, but she had no choice but to go.
In the blink of an eye, only Jiang Tian and Zhao Jing remained in the palace.
Zhao Jing looked at Jiang Tian with a hint of greed.
They hadn't seen each other for a month since their last parting.
If he hadn't been so eager to see her, he wouldn't have sent his concubines here to pay their respects.
Do you know your mistake?
Zhao Jing paused for a moment, then asked.
Jiang Tian looked at him and said, "Put me in the cold palace. Disrespecting the emperor is a serious crime."
The expectant look on Zhao Jing's face vanished, and he frowned as he looked at her: "What exactly do you want? You're already my concubine, what are you still thinking about?"
“That’s what I should be asking you. I asked you to get the medicine and offered you my body, but you didn’t want it. Now why are you asking me? I want to be banished to the cold palace and live my own peaceful life, instead of scheming against your women and ruining myself.”
Zhao Jing looked at her, his teeth clenched: "What do you think I want? I want you to treat me sincerely and regard me as your husband!"
Jiang Tian just gave a cold laugh and said two short words: "You're sick."
Zhao Jing's anger suddenly surged. He walked up to Jiang Tian and pinched her delicate, jade-like chin: "You're stubborn and can't even speak properly. What's so good about you?"
Jiang Tian struggled to lift her head, looking at him with disdain: "Yes, I am nothing, yet you insisted on having my peaceful life disrupted, kidnapping me and making me your concubine. You think too highly of yourself. Either kill me or throw me into the cold palace."
Zhao Jing's eyes were as deep as the sea: "You're right. I shouldn't have valued you so much and considered whether you wanted to or liked everything."
"Stop flattering yourself. If you really cared about my feelings, I wouldn't be standing here," Jiang Tian retorted without hesitation.
Zhao Jing's tone was ruthless. He suddenly laughed: "Kill you, or throw you into the cold palace, I won't choose either. You're right, I should enjoy you properly."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Zhao Jing issued an imperial decree that Consort Jiang was disrespectful to the emperor and was demoted to the rank of Baolin.
But not long after, the eunuch delivered another message: Jiang Baolin would be serving the emperor tonight.
Upon hearing this news, many of the palace concubines smashed the cups they were holding.
They thought Jiang Tian was going to be banished to the cold palace. How could things have taken such a turn for the better, that she was going to serve the emperor?
Regardless of what each party was thinking, that very night, Jiang Tian was carried into Zhao Jing's bedchamber by palace servants.
After being served a bath, Jiang Tian got dressed and went into the inner room, where she saw Zhao Jing already sitting there.
Zhao Jing was actually quite handsome, and after becoming emperor, he gained even more majesty.
Many of the concubines in the palace are now deeply in love with him, which is closely related to his appearance.
Jiang Tian walked back slowly, without saying a word to him, and first drank a few sips of tea.
Zhao Jing stared at her coldly: "Aren't you going to come and serve me?"
Jiang Tian ignored him and asked another question: "Have you prepared the medicine?"
When she mentioned medicine, Zhao Jing's face turned ashen.
"If I'm not prepared, I'm afraid I'll throw up on you."
Zhao Jing had long since lost his way of dealing with her.
There's a folk saying: "Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose."
Jiang Tian was alone and had no desires.
Zhao Jing knew that all she cared about now was life and death.
As long as she wants to live, Zhao Jing can still use this to manipulate her.
Therefore, he dared not push her too far; if she were to contemplate suicide, there would be no possibility for the two of them to be together again.
Zhao Jing couldn't figure out what his feelings for her were, but he absolutely wouldn't allow her to marry someone else, much less leave him again.
"Didn't you feel anything unusual about your body after drinking the tea?"
Jiang Tian frowned slightly, then nodded: "That's good."
She stared at Zhao Jing and commanded, "Take it off."
Zhao Jing's face turned ashen.
Jiang Tian was even more impatient than him: "What are you still being so hesitant about?"
Her eyes were slightly misty, and her snow-white neck was tinged with a blush.
Zhao Jing's heart suddenly started pounding.
He had given all those concubines hallucinogenic drugs, so nothing ever actually happened between them.
Today is the first time in his life that he has ever been with someone he both loves and hates.
"Don't just stand there, come over here quickly. Neither Pei Ziye nor Jiang Yuqin is as troublesome as you."
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