iiChapter 768 - Threats From Noble Lady Yuan (1/2)
Yue Xiu gave Noble Lady Yuan an idea. It would be better to think of a way to prevent the Lu family’s young miss from entering the palace during the new year, or simply make it so she could not leave her home. If the Emperor could not see her, this marriage would naturally not be easy to sanction. Either way, each day that it could delay was good.
Noble Lady Yuan felt that this was a very good idea. She thought about it and came up with some additional ideas: “It would be best if the Lu family’s young miss falls ill and does not come. With a severe illness to hold her back that can’t be treated. This sort of sick person is naturally not suited to being with a prince. Either way, after the new year, Mo’er will be heading back to the South within one month, at the latest. This marriage will also be forgotten about by that time.” As she spoke, the corners of her lips curled up, finally revealing a smile. This smile was dark and sinister, and even the corners of her eyes perked up. “Let’s go!” Noble Lady Yuan stood up once more, “Let’s go and see Her Highness the Empress. While the day is still not too late, let’s go and chat with Her Highness the Empress for a while.”
Noble Lady Yuan brought palace servant Yue Xiu over toward Jing Ci Palace. While walking, Yue Xiu sighed, “It’s good that the Emperor only demoted master’s status and did not constrict your movements like with Noble Lady Li. This is already some great fortune that can be found in the misfortune; otherwise, even our movements would be restricted, and our days would be even more unfortunate.”
She just had to mention Noble Lady Li, and Noble Lady Yuan snorted coldly, “Who could be as stupid as her? For over a decade, she doesn’t harm anyone. She did it once and ended up getting caught. Even when she was caught, she did not know how to try and absolve herself of guilt. Instead, she just kept on piling up the crimes on her own head. Being demoted and confined really was being let off lightly.”
“I heard that Imperial Daughter Ji An had asked for her forgiveness.”
“Then it’s even more dangerous.” Feng Yu Heng’s shadow appeared in front of Noble Lady Yuan’s eyes once more, and this caused her teeth to itch with anger. “That Imperial Daughter Ji An has never had a good heart. To plead for her forgiveness once, who knows when she will try to get something back for it. Don’t assume that that girl’s goodwill is that easy to repay.”
The two walked straight to Jing Ci Palace. When they arrived, the sky was darker, and night was coming. Fang Yi was presently standing in the entrance to the bedchamber and had just received an edible bird nest from a palace servant. Looking up, she saw Noble Lady Yuan walking in her direction, and a feeling of irritation immediately sprung forth. But in the end, she was a servant, and the other side was a master. She still needed to be thorough with her manners, thus she saluted to Noble Lady Yuan and said: “Does Noble Lady Yuan have a matter for coming to Jing Ci Palace at this time? Her Highness is not feeling too well and has already gone to rest. She informed this servant that she would not be seeing guests. If noble lady does not have any pressing matters, please come and pay respects tomorrow.”
Yue Xiu glanced at Noble Lady Yuan and saw that she had no intention of leaving. She knew that they would definitely need to see the Empress, thus she quickly spoke up: “May we trouble Aunty Fang Yi with passing along a message. Our master really has a matter and wishes to meet with Her Highness the Empress. I fear that waiting until tomorrow would be too late!”
Fang Yi was puzzled, “What matter could be so urgent?”
Yue Xiu did not say, only saying: “Could we trouble aunty with passing along this message. As for whether or not she will see us, we trust that Her Highness will be decisive.” The meaning of these words was whether or not they would be seen would all depend on the Empress. Fang Yi, you’re just responsible for delivering this message, but if you can’t even do something like reporting this message, you have lost your worth.
How could Fang Yi be unable to understand that. Without saying anything, she slightly shook her head then entered the bedchamber. There were many imperial concubines in the palace, and because the Emperor did not enter the inner palace over the years, it was inevitable that these imperial concubines would feel grief in their hearts. There were even some that could no longer be described using the word grief. Instead, the word twisted should be used. Once the master became twisted, the maidservants at her side would also become less normal. The palace servant of a lowly noble lady dared to speak like this to the head palace maid of the Empress. She really was lacking in discipline.
Fang Yi held in her anger but still went to report to the Empress. The Empress, however, did not mind Noble Lady Yuan’s matter and asked Fang Yi: “Who was it that caused you to be in this foul mood?”
Fang Yi repeated what Yue Xiu had said and saw the Empress’ expression sink, as she angrily said: “They really are becoming more and more outrageous. If this inner palace isn’t tidied up soon, those people will all be dying!” After saying this, she waved her hand, “Call Noble Lady Yuan in. This One wants to hear what sort of unbelievable thing had to be brought over at this time. If it is not as urgent as she says, this One will definitely cause a fuss over it with her.”
With the Empress having spoken, Fang Yi could only invite the two inside the bedchamber. Noble Lady Yuan led Yue Xiu in kowtowing and saluting; however, they did not hear the Empress call for them to rise for a long time. The two kneeled until their feet began to feel numb. Finally, Yue Xiu could no longer endure and raised her head to take a glance, but she ended up seeing the Empress leaning back in bed with her eyes closed. It looked as if she was sleeping. She could not help but gently clear her throat as a reminder.
But this gentle clearing of the throat nearly cost her half of her life!
The Empress opened her eyes upon hearing this and furrowed her brows, a furious expression appearing on her face. Fang Yi angrily scolded Yue Xiu: “You scoundrel, Her Highness the Empress was lightly sleeping, and even His Majesty has said that Her Highness is not feeling very well and must not be disturbed by anyone. You, a lowly noble lady’s servant, actually dares to deliberately wake the Empress?”
Yue Xiu trembled and knew that she had indeed overstepped her bounds, thus she quickly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness. Who knew that the usually kind Empress did not want to forgive her and immediately gave the order: “Take her away and punish her by caning her ten times.”
Being caned ten times did not sound like much, but it would still result in the flesh being split open. Noble Lady Yuan was extremely shocked to hear these words and wanted to open her mouth to plead for forgiveness; however, she saw that two sturdy eunuchs had already appeared from nowhere and dragged Yue Xiu out of the bedchamber. Allowing Yue Xiu to cry as she pleased, the doors were closed, and the main master inside was quite indifferent.