Chapter 250: Spared from Death, but Not from Punishment (Part 3)

Chapter 250: Chapter 203: Spared from Death, but Not from Punishment (Part 3)

Noble Princess Consort Rong tilted her head, and the Ice Transparent Jade Beads on her earlobes swayed, adding to her coquettish charm. She smiled, a cold and stunning sight. “This is something Lu Ronghua should have experienced firsthand.”

Years ago in the Imperial Garden, Lu Ronghua had talked back to Noble Princess Consort Rong and was “rewarded” with five slaps that left her cheeks swollen. Lu Ronghua saw this as a profound humiliation and rarely spoke of it to anyone.

With this old wound suddenly torn open, her cheeks flushed crimson.

Guo Xiao Yi, feeling that times had changed, didn’t stop there. Instead, she laughed. “I am so well-informed thanks to the excellent teachings of my father and brothers. I am truly fortunate that my father can serve the Emperor at court and has earned his deep trust.”

At these words, a flash of annoyance crossed Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face.

Guo Ruikuo was a key player in the “Anti-Rong Faction.” Nearly half of the memorials impeaching the Rong Family were penned by him. He seemed to neglect his official duties, preoccupied only with writing his little tirades. Guo Xiao Yi believed the Jiang and Rong families were rivals at court, but this wasn’t the case. Jiang Yi was simply fulfilling his duties and never went out of his way to attack anyone.

After all, his Character Card’s setting was that of a genius general.

A genius general only looks forward to the next campaign, not caring whose accomplishments he might eclipse in the process.

“Speaking of which, for you to come pay respects so early this time, Lady, it seems you have abandoned your old habit of arriving late and decided to learn from Lady Shufei.”

Jiang Xian was never late, and she never left early.

Noble Princess Consort Rong had long expected someone to bring up the Pure Consort to needle her, but hearing it still left her greatly displeased.

Just then, a eunuch from Jianzhang Palace announced an arrival:

“Lady Shufei arrives—”

The Empress, who had been lost in thought, snapped out of it, a hint of surprise on her face. “Pure Consort? Aren’t you still in your postpartum confinement? You should be in your palace, recuperating properly.”

“I grew so bored staying in my palace. Since my body has mostly recovered and an Imperial Physician has already examined me, I petitioned the Emperor to end my confinement early, so I could come sooner to pay my respects to the Empress.”

Jiang Xian began to curtsy, but before she could finish, the Empress stopped her. “Have a seat. It’s still not wise to end your confinement early. The Emperor spoils you too much. You will drink your restorative tonic here in Jianzhang Palace before you go back.”

It was rare for the Empress to voice even mild disapproval of the Emperor’s decisions.

If Xie Che could have heard that, he would have felt deeply wronged.

He also thought Xian’er should have remained in confinement for a few more days; if she had wanted to, she could have stayed for half a year and it wouldn’t have mattered. But she had pleaded with him, and his heart softened, so he agreed. Jiang Xian had told him that she felt terribly guilty for not being able to pay her respects to the Empress for so long due to childbirth and confinement.

What Xie Che didn’t know was that his beloved concubine was on her way to back up another of his favored concubines.

“Thank you for your concern, Empress Xie,”

Jiang Xian gave another curtsy before sitting down next to Noble Princess Consort Rong. With a faint smile, she said, “If I hadn’t come today, I never would have known how much Guo Xiao Yi enjoys having my name on her lips.”

Guo Xiao Yi put on a humble expression. “I have admired Lady Shufei for a long time.”

“Enough of that,” Jiang Xian said when she saw the other woman’s expression freeze. “There is a great difference between your station and mine. I find it very irritating to be constantly mentioned by you. Unless it is for an official and important matter, do not bring me up again.”

The hall of Jianzhang Palace filled with stifled chuckles.

It wasn’t every day you got to see someone caught red-handed trying to stir up trouble, only to be publicly rebuked by the very person they were targeting!

Guo Xiao Yi stammered, “I only… I only meant…”

“That is enough. The Noble Consort and the Pure Consort getting along is their own affair. It is not your place to comment, Guo Xiao Yi. Seeing that you both are in good health puts my mind at ease.”

The Empress’s clear, cold gaze swept over the crowd, and everyone fell silent.

‘Before, one was in confinement and the other was shut away. All the palace affairs fell squarely on my shoulders, making my already slender frame even lighter. Now that they’ve buried the hatchet… regardless, they can finally share my burdens again!’

The matter seemed to conclude with the two making peace.

For Noble Princess Consort Rong, however, the matter was far from over.

Ten days later, the crimes of Rong Zhenhai and Rong Xue Tao were officially compiled. Both men were stripped of their posts and imprisoned. The Noble Princess Consort went to Qiankun Palace, kneeling before its gates to beg for mercy.

When Concubines wished to see the Emperor, etiquette dictated that they send a palace maid to request an audience. Liang Yuyin would then relay the message to the Emperor, and only with His Majesty’s permission could the concubine approach. This wasn’t a matter of laziness, but of protocol.

In the end, the Emperor’s heart softened. He did not let the Noble Princess Consort kneel for too long before summoning her inside.

What passed between the Emperor and his consort, no outsider could know.

The Emperor, to preserve the Noble Princess Consort’s dignity, forbade the servants of Qiankun Palace from discussing the matter. But what else was there for them to talk about? ‘She must have been pleading for the Rong Family.’

The concubines guessed correctly. Noble Princess Consort Rong had pleaded with him, calling upon all their past affection and the favor he had shown her. But the Emperor, his initial shock and anger fading into a mere sigh, gave her only eight words—

“Spared from death, but you cannot escape your sentence.”

As Noble Princess Consort Rong walked out of Qiankun Palace in tears, she thought, ‘I was able to enter the Prince Mansion all those years ago on the strength of my family’s standing. Now, the bond between the Emperor and me has been severed, also because of my family. In this world, every karmic debt must eventually be paid.’