Novel Full Chapter 868 - 23: Lady Liang Punished (Part 2)
Chapter 868: Chapter 23: Lady Liang Punished (Part 2)
Lady Liang said it wasn’t her fault and even mentioned that it was she who implicated her.
Concubine Pan was not worried about her own health; instead, she was more concerned about Lady Liang’s knees. Back when Lady Liang first entered the palace, she was very much favored, which incited Noble Princess Consort Rong’s jealousy. She was often punished to kneel by Noble Princess Consort Rong, causing injuries to her knees.
Over the years, although Lady Liang’s knees have healed, they still have lingering issues. If she kneels for too long, her knees would ache, and if the pain became severe, she wouldn’t be able to walk.
Empress Xie couldn’t stand Noble Princess Consort Rong. After displaying her empress demeanor for a while, she dismissed the concubines.
When Noble Princess Consort Ying and Princess Consort Li were leaving, they both glanced at Lady Liang and the others.
Princess Consort Li returned to Changding Palace and immediately sent someone to inquire if the emperor had finished court.
Noble Princess Consort Ying went directly to the Imperial Study, but seeing the emperor was still in court, she reluctantly returned to Changle Palace first.
With the New Year approaching, court officials had many matters to report to the emperor. Consequently, court sessions would last a long time. Sometimes, they continued until noon or even held evening sessions.
This year, too many events occurred, including several major incidents. All these matters needed to be summarized this year, so during this period, not only were the civil and military officials busy, but the emperor was also occupied.
At Zichen Hall, the emperor’s face was filled with impatience. These days, he listened to the reports of the officials in both morning and evening court sessions, feeling tired of it. If not necessary, the emperor would have preferred to leave instantly.
Standing by his side, Sun Kui deeply sensed the thick air of resentment emanating from the emperor, and he breathed lightly out of fear of inciting the emperor’s anger. Terrified of being blamed, he was extremely cautious. These days, the emperor’s temper was exceedingly volatile, and anything displeasing him would lead to severe reprimands.
Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Sun Doudou at the side door, frantically signaling to him.
Sun Kui knew his disciple would never approach him during morning court without something significant happening. His heart sank a little, and he then sought permission from the emperor.
Upon hearing him, the emperor waved him off, allowing him to retreat to meet Sun Doudou.
Witnessing Sun Kui’s sudden departure, the ministers felt a jolt, followed by a spread of unease and confusion among them.
Why did Mr. Sun suddenly leave? Is the emperor up to something again? Everyone is so busy at the end of the year; can the emperor spare them?
Approaching the side door, Sun Kui quickly asked Sun Doudou, "What happened?"
"Master, Lady Liang has been punished to kneel by the Empress at Zhao Yang Palace," Sun Doudou explained. Knowing that Lady Liang was greatly favored by the emperor, he had been observing matters related to her. Earlier, Noble Princess Consort Ying informed him about Lady Liang’s punishment, and he dared not delay, hastening to seek Sun Kui.
Sun Kui asked gravely, "What’s going on?"
Sun Doudou recounted the situation he had heard to Sun Kui.
Sun Kui frowned, saying, "Lady Liang was at fault first; the Empress’s punishment is justified." The Empress followed palace rules in punishing Lady Liang, and there’s no fault to be found.
"Oh, so should we not care about Lady Liang then?"
Sun Kui glanced at Sun Doudou sideways, "Of course, we care. Lady Liang was previously punished to kneel by Noble Princess Consort Rong, injuring her knees, rendering her incapable of prolonged kneeling; otherwise, the old injuries would recur."
"I didn’t know about that."
"You wait here; I’ll go speak with the emperor."
"Alright."
Sun Kui returned to Zichen Hall, bowed, and approached the emperor to report Lady Liang’s punishment by Empress Xie.
After hearing it, the emperor’s brows immediately furrowed, and his face darkened.
The officials below didn’t know what Sun Kui had reported to the emperor, but seeing the emperor’s face change, they became guarded and uneasy.
The emperor instructed Sun Kui briefly, and then the ministers saw Sun Kui leave again.
Sun Kui instructed Sun Doudou to continue standing guard at Zichen Hall’s entrance while he went to Zhao Yang Palace to rescue Lady Liang.
Empress Xie, upon seeing Sun Kui, thought the emperor had instructions, but she didn’t expect the emperor wanted Sun Kui to take Lady Liang away. Naturally, Empress Xie didn’t dare to let Lady Liang continue kneeling.
Sun Kui assisted Lady Liang to the warm chamber in the Imperial Study, while Concubine Pan was left to return to Kunde Hall on her own.
Upon reaching the warm chamber in the Imperial Study, Sun Kui sent Sun Doudou to call for the Imperial Physician.
Lady Liang felt it unnecessary to call the Imperial Physician, but Sun Kui stated it was the emperor’s instruction, leaving her no choice but to comply.
Sun Doudou was considerate, not only summoning the Imperial Physician but also specifically calling for a medical woman.
The Imperial Physician carefully examined Lady Liang’s knees, confirming no severe harm, but he still prescribed a bottle of medicine for her.
The medical woman carefully applied medicine to Lady Liang’s knees, helping to massage them, causing Lady Liang to feel much better.
The emperor, upon knowing Lady Liang was in the warm chamber, concluded the court session early, instructing some ministers to present their cases during the evening court.
Once in the warm chamber, the emperor carefully checked Lady Liang’s knees, seeing some bruising, his expression turned unpleasant.
"The Empress didn’t punish me wrongly."
"Do you think I don’t know what she’s scheming?" The emperor placed both of Lady Liang’s legs on his own, massaging her knees with his hands.
"I’m fine, no need for you to be upset."
"If I hadn’t sent Sun Kui to fetch you, who knows how long she would have punished you."
Sun Kui and Sun Doudou stood guard at the warm chamber door, speaking in hushed voices.
"Master, the emperor sending you to rescue Lady Liang, doesn’t that expose her?" Sun Doudou exclaimed in shock, "Hasn’t Lady Liang’s low profile over the years gone to waste?"
"Are you silly? Isn’t Prince Han offering many good things to the court? Considering this, the emperor would feign favoring Lady Liang because of it."
Sun Doudou doubtfully asked, "Can this deceive the Empress and them?"
"Yes, it can. They’ve been deceived like this all these years." Sun Kui added, "The other day, didn’t Prince Han send more glass here? Besides, he sent plenty of seafood and precious herbs. Considering this, the emperor would favor Lady Liang a bit because of it."
"Oh, right." Sun Doudou, once worried about exposing the emperor’s favoritism for Lady Liang, realized he was overthinking it.
Indeed, as Sun Kui anticipated, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong didn’t think much of it, simply believing the emperor showed kindness to Lady Liang considering Prince Han’s contributions.
Lady Liang didn’t stay long with the emperor, knowing he had many matters to attend to. Returning to Kunde Hall, Concubine Pan clung to her, crying endlessly. She comforted her for a while until Concubine Pan finally stopped crying.
After Concubine Pan left, Gui Xing, seeing Lady Liang’s somber expression, quickly asked with concern, "Madam, what’s wrong?"
"Today’s events seem like Sister Pan implicated me, but in reality, I implicated her." Lady Liang sighed gently, "I’m afraid today’s incidents are just the beginning."
"Madam, do you mean the Empress will continue to trouble you?"
Lady Liang nodded slightly, "It’s very possible."
Gui Xing, upon hearing this, turned pale and said, "Then what should be done?"
"I am confident in dealing with the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Rong’s tactics, but as for Sister Pan..." Lady Liang felt worried not for herself but instead for Concubine Pan, "She is close to me, and I fear implicating her."
"Madam, are you worried that the Empress might trouble Concubine Pan?"
"Yes." Lady Liang felt a vague sense of unease.
In the following days, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong didn’t trouble Lady Liang, nor did they create difficulties for Concubine Pan. This slightly reassured Lady Liang.
However, just two days before the New Year, Concubine Pan hung herself at her residence.