Chapter 108 The Empress slapped Consort Yan!
Su Zhirou used to think so too.
It's true that the Sixth Prince tested the poison on himself for her.
When did they become like this?
Just as Su Zhirou was stunned.
The coachman repaired the wheel and came to report.
"Now that the car is fixed, we won't keep Mrs. Xie any longer." Hu Yuxuan smiled and nodded.
Su Zhirou gazed in the direction where the carriage had disappeared.
The fog gradually dissipated, and sunlight pierced through the clouds.
Did she take revenge on the wrong person?
Kunning Palace.
The Empress sat regally on her phoenix throne.
The hall was filled with the fragrance of incense, but it could not conceal the almost tangible silence.
The palace maids and eunuchs standing on both sides held their breath and lowered their heads, even breathing very softly, for fear of disturbing the seemingly calm but actually turbulent deep water.
today.
Another day of waiting for Consort Yan!
Normally, Consort Yan might be late, but it wouldn't be this outrageous.
She either arrives right on time or is a quarter of an hour late.
If they don't come to pay their respects, someone will be sent to inform them in advance.
For example, when you are sick.
For example, if she served the emperor late, the emperor granted her permission not to come and pay her respects.
But this time, Consort Yan was acting purely out of spite.
Or perhaps they were dissatisfied that the Empress had monopolized the Emperor for a whole month!
This was when Consort Yan was at the height of her favor.
She only occupied the Emperor's bed for about twenty days a month, and even then, she only got two days for the Empress and one day for the other concubines...
But now the Emperor's favor towards the Empress has surpassed that towards her.
Consort Yan was naturally dissatisfied.
As far as the eye could see, there were the concubines standing solemnly on both sides of His Highness according to their rank.
Their makeup was exquisite, and their clothes were gorgeous, yet they were like figures painted on a screen, silent and still.
Only the occasional glint in their eyes betrayed their fascination with watching the spectacle.
"Your Majesty, it's already half an hour late..." the head palace maid reminded her.
The Empress's gaze calmly swept over the gilded phoenix chair below, which was second only to the phoenix throne.
Her fingertips tapped very lightly on the armrest of the throne, a movement so subtle it was almost imperceptible.
The Empress remained silent.
The other concubines could only wait and watch.
Consort Yan usually arrives very late.
The Empress would always speak calmly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Consort Yan has served His Majesty diligently; she may excuse herself from paying her respects today."
Those seemingly tolerant and magnanimous words.
Every time she spoke, it was like a tiny thorn piercing the hearts of the concubines, and also piercing the dignity of the Empress herself.
Just when everyone thought today would end so hastily again.
"Today..." The Empress's voice rang out, unlike her usual gentle tone, carrying a clear, cold quality like jade striking against jade, echoing distinctly in the hall, "Consort Yan, why are you late again?"
All the concubines in the hall were taken aback.
Even the swirling wisps of smoke seemed to pause for a moment.
No one answered.
Who can answer for that arrogant imperial concubine?
Who dares to answer?
In this suffocating silence...
Finally, the sound of tinkling jade pendants came from outside the palace. It was crisp, but with a hint of urgency, breaking the solemnity that Kunning Palace was trying to maintain.
A rich and unique rose scent wafted in before anyone entered, clashing with the elegant scent of agarwood in the hall, carrying an aggressive sweetness.
Consort Yan has arrived.
Not only was she late today, but her clothes were also offensive.
She wore a palace dress that was almost the same color as bright red, embroidered with large, intertwined peonies in gold thread. Her makeup was radiant, but her brows and eyes carried an obvious hint of languor and nonchalance.
The peony represents the empress.
And only the legal wife could wear bright red clothes.
Consort Yan has offended the Empress in every way today.
The concubines present dared not even breathe.
"Your Majesty, I am late. I pay my respects to the Empress." Consort Yan curtsied slightly.
Her manner of bowing was casual, and her gaze did not even fully fall on the phoenix throne. Instead, as she rose, she swept her gaze across the concubines on either side with a half-smile, carrying a hint of victorious disdain.
Normally.
The Empress had always turned a blind eye to her various acts of disrespect.
But today is clearly different.
The Empress neither said "You may rise" nor invited her to sit down.
She simply gazed at Consort Yan silently, her eyes calm and undisturbed, yet so profound they sent shivers down one's spine.
That gaze no longer held the gentle, yielding quality it once did.
Rather, it is a scrutiny, a condescending and truly majestic presence befitting the central ruler.
Consort Yan's smile froze slightly, as if she had also sensed the unusual atmosphere.
She straightened up, meeting the Empress's gaze with a hint of defiance.
"Consort Yan," the Empress's voice rang out again.
Her voice was soft, but every word was clear: "Do you know your crime?"
A soft gasp filled the hall.
Consort Yan raised her eyebrows slightly, a mocking smile playing on her red lips: "This concubine is unaware. What crime have I committed? I merely kicked off the covers last night and caught a chill, which is why I am a little late. I suppose Your Majesty the Empress, being the mother of the nation, will surely understand."
Faced with such provocation.
The Empress said no more to her, turning her gaze to the eunuch in charge of punishment standing to the side of the hall, her voice firm and resolute: "Consort Yan, you have committed insubordination and disrespect for palace rules. Two slaps as punishment!"
"Let's see who dares!" Consort Yan suddenly took a step back and shouted sharply.
Her gaze swept over the restless eunuchs and palace maids like a knife: "I am the Emperor's most beloved person. If you lay a hand on me, aren't you afraid of being executed along with your entire family..."
"Nine generations!"
A blatant threat.
These two words still made the eunuchs and maids in the Empress's palace afraid to make a move.
After all, who among them would dare to gamble with the lives of their entire clan?
Just as things were at a stalemate, the Empress made her move.
The Empress ignored the hesitant palace servants and Consort Yan's clamor.
She took it one step at a time.
He calmly descended the steps of the phoenix throne.
Her phoenix skirt trailed on the ground, and the golden phoenix on the hem seemed to spread its wings.
Her steps were steady, each one seemingly touching the hearts of everyone present, as she walked straight to Consort Yan.
Consort Yan seemed to be stunned by the Empress's sudden action.
For a moment, he forgot to react, and just stared wide-eyed as the other person approached him.
The empress raised her hand, her wrist fair and slender, without the slightest hesitation.
"Smack!"
The first slap, crisp and loud, interrupted all the noise and whispers.
Consort Yan's face was slapped to one side, and a clear finger mark instantly appeared on her fair cheek.
She covered her face in astonishment, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.
"This slap is to teach you what it means to be the Empress, and not to be taken lightly." The Empress's voice was icy, devoid of any emotion.
Immediately afterwards.
Before Consort Yan could recover from the shock of the first slap, the Empress slapped her again.
"Smack!"
The second slap was harder, and the sound echoed in the silent hall for a long time.
The hair ornaments on Consort Yan's hair were shaken violently, and a few strands of hair fell down and clung to her flushed cheeks, making her look extremely disheveled.
"This slap is to teach you, Consort Yan, to remember the strict rules of the palace, which cannot be overstepped." After delivering the two slaps, the Empress took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
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