Chapter 35

When the emperor arrived at the Pepper Room Hall, Consort Ning was already on the verge of death from the beating.

She lay on the ground, her back drenched in blood, a sight too gruesome to bear.

The emperor immediately ordered his attendants to help Consort Ning up.

"Take her back to the Misty Rain Palace and have the imperial physician examine her."

Eunuch Liu respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

He personally led the attendants to escort Consort Ning back to the Misty Rain Palace.

Empress Qin stood up and bowed, her movements so precise it was as if they had been measured with a ruler, leaving no room for criticism.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty."

The emperor frowned and asked, "What did Consort Ning do wrong? Why did you have her beaten?"

Empress Qin coldly retorted, "She attempted to poison the Crown Prince. Shouldn't she be punished?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Empress Qin recounted the events, and the palace maid Pearl stepped forward with a handkerchief, inside which was a round jade pendant.

The emperor did not recognize the pendant, but he knew the empress would not lie about something that could be easily verified.

The emperor said sternly, "Even if this pendant belongs to Consort Ning, it does not prove that she instructed Tanchua to poison the Crown Prince. You acted against her before the truth was uncovered. Aren't you afraid of being criticized?"

Empress Qin replied calmly, "If Your Majesty finds my actions inappropriate, you can easily remove me from my position as empress and send me to the Cold Palace."

"You!"

The emperor was clearly furious, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Don't think I won't take action against you!"

Empress Qin spread her arms, "Your servant is right here. If you find me displeasing, you can act at any time."

The emperor gritted his teeth, "You will regret this!"

With that, he stormed out, his sleeves billowing behind him.

Empress Qin bowed unhurriedly, "Your servant sees Your Majesty off."

Once the emperor was far away, Pearl got up from the ground and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, why do this? You and His Majesty are a married couple. If you explain the situation clearly, His Majesty might stand by your side."

"Married couple?" Empress Qin laughed lightly, her laughter filled with sarcasm.

There had never been any marital affection between them, not in the past, not now, and not in the future.

...

News of Consort Ning's beating quickly spread throughout the palace.

Baoqin vividly recounted the events.

Seeing that her mistress was still cracking sunflower seeds and showed no intention of commenting, she had to speak up.

"Madam, why aren't you saying anything?"

Xiao Xixi countered, "What do you want me to say?"

Baoqin said excitedly, "Faced with such cruel palace struggles, shouldn't you be inspired to strive for the emperor's favor and secure the position of Crown Princess? Only by becoming the Crown Princess can you hope to become the empress, and only as empress will you avoid the fate of Consort Ning."

"What's so pitiful about Consort Ning?"

"Wasn't she beaten to a pulp? Isn't that enough to be pitiful?"

Xiao Xixi said lazily, "She brought it upon herself. If she hadn't harbored ulterior motives, she wouldn't have angered the empress and received such a severe beating. So, it's better to be a lazy fish, not thinking about anything, not striving for anything, and just lying at home, eating and waiting to die comfortably."

Baoqin was frustrated by her mistress's lack of ambition.

At that moment, Luo Qinghan stepped in.

His sudden appearance startled both Xiao Xixi and Baoqin, who quickly knelt and bowed.

Luo Qinghan looked at Xiao Xixi meaningfully and asked,

"Did you marry into the Eastern Palace just to eat and wait to die?"