"Get up," Yu Jingchen said, surprisingly without anger, upon hearing this.
Chen Zhaoyuan nervously stood up.
Yu Jingchen looked at the item the palace maid beside Chen Zhaoyuan was holding and asked lightly, "Did you make this?"
"Yes, this concubine made it with my own hands. Would Your Majesty like to try it?" Chen Zhaoyuan's eyes held both trepidation and anticipation.
The next second… Yu Jingchen slapped Chen Zhaoyuan directly across the face.
Chen Zhaoyuan cried out and was knocked to the ground by the blow.
Xinglai was shocked. This was the first time His Majesty had ever laid hands on a concubine in the harem. Chen Zhaoyuan was stunned by the slap, her face immediately swelling. She felt as if her teeth had loosened.
"Your Majesty…" Chen Zhaoyuan couldn't believe Yu Jingchen would do this to her.
Yu Jingchen ignored her, instead picking up the bowl of chicken soup and pouring it all over Chen Zhaoyuan. The soup was still hot, and it was poured directly onto Chen Zhaoyuan's face and body. She was likely disfigured, and her screams were incessant.
"She insulted you? What constitutes insult?" Yu Jingchen's expression was grim.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this concubine knows her mistake. Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Chen Zhaoyuan knelt and cried.
"I ask you again, did she offend you? Insult you?" Yu Jingchen's tone was icy.
"No, no, it was all this concubine's fault. This concubine will go apologize to Consort Nan. This concubine will punish herself!" Chen Zhaoyuan no longer cared about her demeanor or face.
"Very well. Chen Zhaoyuan, having lost decorum before His Majesty, unjustly punished a consort, and lacking virtue befitting her station, is hereby demoted to commoner, banished to the cold palace, and forbidden to ever leave," Yu Jingchen immediately decreed.
"Your Majesty, this concubine truly knows her mistake. This concubine dares not do it again. Your Majesty, please spare this concubine this once!" Chen Zhaoyuan had not expected such a severe punishment.
However, Yu Jingchen's punishment was clearly not over.
"You said you would go apologize? Then kneel from here to Yanjing Pavilion, and slap yourself as you go. Take her away," Yu Jingchen said mercilessly, showing no pity for Chen Zhaoyuan… now commoner Chen, nor for her pleas.
After they dragged her away, Yu Jingchen turned to Xinglai. "Who else was involved?"
"It seems many low-ranking concubines were present today, but… Consort Lin and Beauty Yang said a few extra words." Xinglai knew that no one involved today would escape.
"Consort Lin and Beauty Yang shall receive thirty strokes of the cane, be demoted to Baolin, confined for half a year, and compelled to copy the palace rules fifty times daily, kneeling. The rest present will be confined for three months, also compelled to copy the palace rules fifty times daily, kneeling!" This was the first time Yu Jingchen had punished so many consorts simultaneously.
When this decree reached the harem, everyone was shocked. The Noble Consort naturally learned of it too.
"Your Highness, what does His Majesty mean by this? Consort Nan…" Hua You, a palace maid beside the Noble Consort, was worried.
"Pay it no mind. In recent times, restrain your subordinates and keep your distance from those in Yanjing Pavilion. Do not provoke them, but do not show them excessive favor either." The Noble Consort closed her eyes, showing no great reaction, as if unconcerned.
"Yes," Hua You replied.
Since their Highness had entered the palace, she seemed to have not paid much attention to His Majesty. Hua You wondered what their Highness was truly thinking.