Chapter 17 (2/2)

At this moment, she finally understood that an Imperial Consort's retinue comprised thirty to forty servants

Instinctively, she azethe punishnised this eunuch: Xu Xi’s subordinate In the ireater influence and authority than an ordinary consort

Xuanji closed herher protests, and did not step forward

Just like that, she stood at the centre of the vast courtyard, azes of all her servants

Suddenly, light laughter filled the air from beyond the courtyard Dispiritedly, Xuanji turned in the direction of the laughter, only to see four or five elegantly dressed wo at the entrance of the courtyard Carelessly, they glanced at the dozens of servants prostrate on the floor, enduring the flogging, while chatting ast themselves in a low voice

Were they also the Emperor’s women?

She shut her eyes

When the punish’s side and murmured, ‘I'm sorry’

Diefeng’s face was ashen, but she only smiled and said, ‘Consort Nian, I am just a servant, please don’t say that’

Someone snorted ‘If you knew that your actions would implicate others, then please do try to restrain yourself in the future’ Froered as she rose to stand, her eyes filled with contelanced at Xuanji

‘Hefang, how dare you be so bold as to speak in thissaid furiously

‘I did not refer to anyone in particular, Diefeng,’ Hefang said with a cold sneer With a wave of her hand, another two servants who had just received their punishments quickly walked over to carefully support her

Hefang’s attire was identical to Diefeng’s, and different frouessed that she h her words were unpleasant, Xuanji, as still feeling uneasy with guilt, did not say anything, choosing instead to hold back the furious Diefeng by her side

Diefeng clenched her jaw to suppress the pain fro, ‘Consort Nian, Hefang is Jixiang’s subordinate You can ignore her I was taught by Ruyi and I will definitely wait upon you properly’

Xuanji did not knoho Diefeng was referring to, but a dim realisation dawned upon her

Though her life had been saved and her status as the Emperor's woman retained, now, her station was so low that even a head servant dared to wilfully take advantage of her

When she had first awoken, Diefeng had ned a whole new batch of servants Now, it appeared that of these new servants, they were divided into two factions based on who they were under the co, and those under Ruyi

Only, why did the Es to be as such? She recalled the man she had seen in Jinluan Hall, of his deeply unreadable eyes, and her ht about him, the less certain she became

At this hness does not have any further instructions, then I will take my leave’

Xuanji had not yet dis, but the latter had already turned to leave, bringing with her all the other servants

Xuanji gave a half-smile

Diefeng rong Of the servants newly allocated to Fengjiu Palace, they were not divided into two factions based on who they were led by - it was really only Diefeng who sided with her

‘How dare you dismiss yourself before your mistress has permitted you Restrain this audacious servant and slap her fifty times’

From behind, a cold voice sounded Surprised, Xuanji turned Hefang had already paled, staring with fright at the newcomer

The faint and faered in the air In an instant, everyone n the courtyard knelt on the floor, their voices unifors to Your Majesty!’

Xuanji turned to see the Emperor, accompanied by only one eunuch, his face impassive

S bitterly, Xuanji looked away They had met thrice, and it seemed like each time they met, she was always in a position of helplessness

Following suit, Xuanji knelt to greet the Emperor, but he had already said, 'There is no need to be so courteous'

Shrill screa's throat as the eunuch who had acco out her punishment

‘Your Majesty, please let her off…’

‘Diefeng, why aren’t you helping yourto walk briskly in the direction of her rooms

As Xuanji was led back into her roo, her e she had of the courtyard: of the terror-stricken eyes of all the servants, staring anxiously at the retreating back of the Emperor

Suddenly, she did not dare to aze Quietly, she said, ‘Your Majesty, can you allow Diefeng to withdraw?’

The Ejiu Palace, and she is yours to command’

Hers to coht that within the four walls of this room, only she was her own master But in a matter of days, she had already learned to acquiesce to survive

‘Thank you, Your Majesty,' Xuanji said She held Diefeng’s hands, and ood rest’

Diefeng said her thanks and quickly withdrew

A few servants entered to serve them tea

Xuanji’s eyes followed the ers The lid of the teacup was re set back atop the cup, a few drops of tea splattering on the table

Xuanji tre, but she was already feeling afraid

The attendant who had served the pot of tea quickly knelt on the floor in her fright

‘His Majesty has exacting tastes Tomorrow, you can make a trip to the Queen Mother’s quarters and learn how to prepare a good pot of tea from Ruyi,’ said an unfamiliar voice as the newcomer entered the room It was the eunuch who had accompanied the Emperor fro closely

The eunuch's voice was clear and pleasant, and Xuanji absentlanced at him

Though his words were slightly presuered Instead, he s at Concubine Nian’s quarters You can infor the tray of tablets to Chuxiu Hall tonight’

Absorbed in her own thoughts, Xuanji glanced out of thedistractedly; the setting sun was slanting west, its rays shi+ning upon the fallen leaves scattered across the courtyard, the view enchanting

Wait… tablets? That tradition of selecting a consort’s tablet to deterht?

Xuanji took in a deep breath - he wanted to dine and rest in her quarters tonight?!

In the o, he had helped her discipline her wilful servant; now, he wanted to spend the night with her?

Thisin her heart

Tonight, she and him…