With a flick of her wrist, the Empress Dowager slapped Consort Xiao’s face again, this time with even greater force. Xiao Fei staggered back, falling to the ground.
The Empress Dowager’s face was grim, and the palace attendants were pale with fright. They all dropped to their knees, crying out, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger…”
Lin Qinghe watched from the side, surprised by the Empress Dowager’s decisive and ruthless actions. She found it immensely satisfying.
Consort Xiao, disheveled, sat on the ground and glared at the Empress Dowager. “Your Majesty! You have gone too far!”
The Empress Dowager let out a dismissive cold snort. “Consort Xiao! I say it is *you* who have gone too far! In this palace, besides you and me, there is also the Emperor! How dare you be so arrogant and domineering! To dare lay hands on Prince Rong and his Consort, I believe you are utterly reckless!”
Consort Xiao clutched her face, furious. “Your Majesty! When did I strike them? Which eye of yours saw it? Ask the palace attendants present, did I truly lay a hand on them!”
She had always been the one to accuse others, never expecting that today she would be framed by that fool You Rong and that wretched Lin Qinghe!
The Empress Dowager stared intently at Consort Xiao. “Do you think I am a fool? If you did not intend to harm them, why did you surround them with all these palace attendants? Don’t tell me you were just there for small talk?!”
“I… I…” Consort Xiao stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence for a long time. Finally, she managed to eke out, “It was Consort Rong who was disrespectful to me first, she didn’t even bow when she saw me. I merely wanted to teach her the rules, what is so wrong with that?!”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager laughed, looking down at Consort Xiao with disdain. “Qinghe, as Consort Rong, by rights her status is higher than yours. If anything, it is you who should be bowing to her. Furthermore… to put it nicely, you are Consort Xiao. In a common noble or civilian family, you would merely be an insignificant concubine. I have lived most of my life and have never heard of any concubine teaching rules!”
These words made Consort Xiao’s face turn from green to white.
Before the Emperor was named Crown Prince, Consort Xiao was just a concubine in the prince’s mansion. With her humble background, she was often the subject of mockery among the other women. This was Consort Xiao’s greatest pain.
Seeing Consort Xiao’s face contorted as if she had swallowed a fly, the Empress Dowager scoffed. “Even if you were to complain to the Emperor about today’s events, you would find no justice. Moreover, the Emperor confined you to Yuan Chun Palace, yet you left without permission. Do you know what your crime is?!”
Consort Xiao bit her lip, knowing she could not gain an advantage. She decided to bow her head for the moment. “Your Majesty, I… your humble servant knows her mistake.”
The Empress Dowager snorted dismissively. “Since that is the case, I will be lenient with you for the Emperor’s sake. You will kneel in this imperial garden for three hours. If you do not complete the full three hours, do not blame me for showing no mercy!”
Consort Xiao clenched her fists and kowtowed in humiliation. “Yes, Your Majesty, your humble servant obeys.”
The Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze with disgust, unwilling to look at Consort Xiao any longer. She pulled Lin Qinghe closer and said gently, “I will escort you to the palace gate. I want to see who else in this palace is so foolish as to dare stop you!” Su Dan Novel Network
Lin Qinghe curtsied. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lin Qinghe followed the Empress Dowager out of the imperial garden, casting a furtive glance back at the kneeling Consort Xiao. She sighed inwardly, grateful that the Empress Dowager, who protected You Rong, was there. Dealing with Consort Xiao would be much less troublesome with her support.
After leaving the palace and getting into the carriage, Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes, appearing lost in thought, her mind elsewhere.
You Rong subtly observed her, a hint of unease in his heart.
Had she noticed something?
In ordinary times, she would have smiled and pinched his cheek, reassuring him not to be afraid.
You Rong took Lin Qinghe’s hand and called out softly, “Consort…”
Lin Qinghe looked up at him. “Your Highness, what do you need?”
“Consort, back in the palace… I was so scared…”
Seeing You Rong’s convincingly feigned fear, Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow. She didn’t expose him but played along, pinching his cheek and gently comforting him. “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid… Didn’t I tell you? With me here, no one will ever bully you again.”
You Rong narrowed his eyes, nuzzling his face into Lin Qinghe’s palm, and said contentedly, “…Mm.”
It seemed she hadn’t realized. She was still as kind to him as ever.
Lin Qinghe heard the system prompt in her mind: “Progress bar increased by 2%, total progress is 37%.”
Lin Qinghe curved her lips upwards. Seeing You Rong’s relieved expression, she suddenly felt mischievous. She asked casually, “By the way, Your Highness was very clever today, knowing to report to the Empress Dowager. You used to be so foolish, getting bullied and not daring to tell anyone. What’s different today?”
You Rong’s heart skipped a beat. Lin Qinghe noticed his expression stiffen, and he quickly replied, “I… I… It’s because Consort said that with Consort here, Consort would protect me and not let anyone bully me, so I wasn’t afraid! And… they were bullying Consort, I wanted my Imperial Grandmother to get justice for Consort! Consort cannot be bullied!”
Hmph… If this were modern times, he would surely be the best actor.
Lin Qinghe smiled and squeezed You Rong’s face hard, venting her frustration. After all, he couldn’t resist now. “Yes, yes, yes… With me here, no one will ever bully Your Highness. Your Highness, please remember this, remember it well!”
You Rong chuckled foolishly and nodded. “Mm! I will remember!”
By the time the carriage stopped at Prince Rong’s mansion, Lin Qinghe was pulling You Rong down from the carriage. You Rong’s fair cheeks were flushed from being pinched, making him look as though he had just been beaten.
Yet, You Rong felt no displeasure. In fact, he was overjoyed.
How fortunate he was to have married such a wonderful woman as his consort. Not only did she not mind his foolishness, but she also tried her best to be good to him.
At night.
When You Rong heard Lin Qinghe’s breathing even out beside him, he opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and sharp, entirely devoid of the simple-mindedness he displayed during the day.
You Rong carefully shifted Lin Qinghe’s arm, which was resting on him, tucked her in, and then quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of the bedroom.
The door opened and closed with a faint sound. Lin Qinghe, who had been sleeping soundly on the bed, opened her eyes. She touched the empty space beside her, a subtle curve forming on her lips.
Never mind. She wouldn’t follow him. Since You Rong had regained his senses, his first priority would be to meticulously scheme and reclaim everything that was his.
She needed to think about how to increase the progress bar faster…
Fu Sheng’s side room.
With a creak, the door opened, and a figure stood before Fu Sheng’s bed. Fu Sheng sensed the presence and sat up abruptly, shouting sternly, “Who is it?!”
The figure said in a deep voice, “Uncle Fu, it is I, this King.”