Chapter 150:

An Shuyuan felt that she indeed had no ill intentions. Why would she do such a thing? This was tantamount to doubting her character.

She had never been involved in such filth, nor committed such acts—how could she be treated the same as others?

In this way, she felt even more wronged.

Yet with Shen Layue speaking coldly, she dared not respond recklessly, and could only sit there feeling deeply aggrieved.

Seeing her like this, An Xiuyi smiled: “How coincidental, we sisters are truly blood-related. We both thought of the same thing. Since Honored Imperial Concubine Shen has no objection, I would like to go see the child. Bathing and changing clothes—what’s wrong with that? The child is young and naturally delicate, after all.”

This statement was truly a merciless slap in An Shuyuan’s face.

She looked at her older sister grievously.

An Xiuyi didn’t even glance at her, her smile growing even brighter.

“Then this palace will await elder sister’s gracious visit.”

An Xiuyi was much older than Shen Layue. Having once lived in the same palace, An Xiuyi often referred to herself as the elder sister, and Layue usually didn’t mind. If strictly calculated, however, Shen Layue’s rank was much higher than An Xiuyi’s.

It was indeed surprising that these two, who usually didn’t get along, appeared to be getting along so well.

When Consort Qi entered and saw this scene, after bowing respectfully, she quickly understood everything.

She couldn’t help but sigh—truly, the enemy of an enemy is a friend.

In this world, there are no eternal enemies.

Layue could tell that An Xiuyi especially disliked her own younger sister. It made sense that Fu Jin’ao disliked Fu Jinyan, after all, they had different mothers. But An Xiuyi and her younger sister were full-blooded sisters—how could it come to this?

But then again, every family has its own difficulties—perhaps there were more unknown circumstances involved.

Following protocol, the Empress Dowager inquired about the affairs of each palace before dismissing everyone.

As Honored Imperial Concubine, Layue ranked highest, so others waited for her to leave first.

Just as she reached the door, there was a “clattering” sound, like pearls falling to the ground. Her foot slipped, and she nearly fell.

It was precisely because of Guo’er behind her that she was caught in time.

Layue could feel Guo’er’s strong grip. Indeed, only because of her strength could someone like her be held steady—someone like Jin Xin or Tao’er would never have been able to support her.

Regaining her balance, Layue cast a cold gaze.

An Shuyuan was startled, quickly kneeling down with red-rimmed eyes to explain: “Honored Imperial Concubine, concubine had no intention of it, truly no intention. Just now, I was thinking about earlier matters, feeling nervous, and accidentally snapped my bracelet. Concubine truly didn’t mean to.”

Seeing her like this, Layue narrowed her eyes.

The other consorts hadn’t left yet, nor did they speak—they simply watched, wanting to see how Shen Layue would handle this. According to past patterns, however, it would likely amount to much ado about nothing.

Layue looked at the extremely distressed An Shuyuan, then at the others watching with apparent interest, and sneered.

Did they really think she was a weak kitten?

Previously, she had been too lenient with the matter involving the other party’s scheming, and hadn’t expected them to grow even more disrespectful, challenging her limits.

“How should misconduct within the palace be dealt with?”

Guo’er beside her replied: “It can vary. Light punishment includes slaps and kneeling, while severe punishment could involve being sent to the Censorate.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Shuyuan lifted her head in shock, tears falling freely.

“Your Majesty, your Majesty, concubine had no intention of it. Concubine truly had no intention. How can you punish palace consorts arbitrarily?”

Seeing her speak thus, even Bai Youran, who usually kept to herself and avoided trouble, couldn’t help but smirk.

Was she really this foolish?

After offending Honored Imperial Concubine Shen so openly, even if she wasn’t punished, she would still be.

Sure enough, Layue looked at Guo’er: “Ten slaps.”

Then she looked at An Shuyuan, speaking word by word: “These ten slaps are not for misconduct in the palace, but for your loose tongue.”

An Shuyuan wept: “Your Majesty, how could you, how could you? Empress Dowager, this is the Empress Dowager’s palace!”

However, the Empress Dowager, already in the inner chamber, clearly had no intention of coming out.

Guo’er stepped forward and with a loud “slap,” delivered a harsh blow.

Shen Layue slightly lifted her head, watching Guo’er. Indeed, Guo’er was strong—after just two slaps, An Shuyuan’s face was already red. The ten slaps were completed in no time.

An Shuyuan’s face was already swollen beyond recognition.

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives——”

Layue turned around and saw Emperor Jing in imperial robes.

“Your humble servant greets the Emperor——” All bowed together.

“What’s going on here?”

Everyone looked, and behind Emperor Jing was actually An Shuyuan’s maid.

They instantly understood—apparently, An Shuyuan wasn’t an oil-saving lamp either.

Shen Layue raised her eyebrows with a smile: “Young Mistress An misbehaved in the palace and spoke recklessly. As Honored Imperial Concubine, your humble servant naturally must properly educate her, to prevent the same mistake from happening again.”

She spoke casually, though her eyes held a slight wariness.

Seeing her like a cat with its fur bristling, Emperor Jing relaxed his expression and smiled.

“My beloved consort handled this most appropriately. Without discipline, there can be no order.”

An Shuyuan looked up in shock at Emperor Jing, tears and sobs flowing like rain.

Seeing the others watching with interest, Emperor Jing’s expression darkened.

After a brief contemplation, he spoke: “This morning, I had just finished court when someone came running, crying to save her young mistress. Originally, I had no intention of coming, but I was also curious to see who was stirring up trouble in the harem.”

His words were ambiguous. Many wore expectant expressions, hoping the next words would be a reprimand for Honored Imperial Concubine Shen.

Emperor Jing swept his gaze over their expressions, revealing a mocking smile. Indeed, even now, Yue’er was still being ostracized in the harem? Perhaps he had truly been too indulgent with them.

Nowadays, he couldn’t bear to see Yue’er suffer even the slightest grievance or oppression.

“If we calculate the timing, it seems that before Young Mistress An ‘met with misfortune,’ this maid had already left the palace?”

Upon hearing this, An Shuyuan hurriedly kowtowed: “No, no, Your Majesty, believe me, I am innocent, truly innocent. I don’t know, I don’t know why this happened, Your Majesty…”

“Enough.” Emperor Jing’s voice was extremely cold, and everyone quickly lowered their heads, unsure of his meaning.

Layue simply watched him silently.

He grasped her hand, finding it somewhat cold, and without regard for decorum, brought it to his mouth to warm it.

Layue felt a tingling sensation, looking at him in confusion.

“Since your mistress claims she is innocent and doesn’t know why this happened, then you shall go to the Censorate to explain the entire matter.” The maid, who had just been smiling, was immediately dragged away. Everyone naturally knew exactly what the Censorate was.

The maid cried desperately, begging for help, while An Shuyuan was already trembling and collapsed on the floor. When Emperor Jing’s gaze swept toward her,

She hurriedly kowtowed repeatedly: “Concubine is unaware. Concubine truly doesn’t know how this maid came to seek you. Concubine is innocent.”

Emperor Jing disliked people like this most—those who clearly schemed but still pretended to be innocent and pitiful.

“Surely, all of this was your scheme? When I arrived, it just happened to see Honored Imperial Concubine punishing you, thus making me pity you more? Disrespect in the palace, loose tongue, and framing another concubine. Since you are so ungrateful, go serve as a maid in your elder sister’s palace.”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Emperor Jing in shock.

“Laixi, handle this properly.” Having said that, he lowered his head to look at Shen Layue.

“You return to your palace to rest first. I will visit you later. In the harem, your rank is the highest. Do what needs to be done. Those who don’t understand should be taught. The more lenient you are, the less they will respect you.”

He gently patted her frail shoulder.

Layue felt extremely unfamiliar with Emperor Jing today.

Could it really be like this?

Regardless of others, Layue remained dazed all the way back to her quarters.

Jin Xin had already learned the truth from Guo’er. Though surprised, she was also delighted.

The Emperor trusted her mistress without even asking for details—could there be a better sign of importance?

“Is my mistress too happy?”

Layue lifted her head, hearing Jin Xin’s teasing.

“Why should I be happy? I was simply in the right.”

Jin Xin couldn’t help but laugh.

It was rare to see her mistress so serious.

In truth, Layue was indeed surprised. In her view, Emperor Jing would never condemn someone outright. Even when Chen Yulan and Bai Xiaodie had committed numerous wrongdoings in the past, they weren’t immediately executed—they were gradually punished.

Although An Shuyuan wasn’t executed either, she had been demoted from a ranked concubine to a maid.

And she would serve in her elder sister’s palace—someone who was not particularly fond of her.

Thinking carefully, it was indeed ruthless.

However, Shen Layue had never been the type to sympathize with those who harbored hostility toward her.

“In this way, it’s better. In the future, whoever dares to provoke me will be punished directly. In the past, they thought I was too kind and easily taken advantage of.”

“I understand, my lady.”

Now that the Emperor had stood firmly behind her without even asking for details, what did she have to worry about?

Before long, Emperor Jing returned from Huici Palace, his brows slightly furrowed with concern. Actually, even without him speaking, others could somewhat sense it—the Empress Dowager’s health was deteriorating rapidly.

It seemed that in the past one or two years, she had declined sharply. Emperor Jing couldn’t quite say what caused it. However, according to the imperial physicians, it was due to early years of physical exhaustion and mental strain.

Emperor Jing clenched his fists tightly. How could he not know about those dark secrets from the past?

Thinking again about An Shuyuan’s scheming against Yue’er today, he felt a trace of fear in his heart.

He didn’t want, many years later, for another physician to tell him that his Yue’er had met the same fate.

Today’s matter was minor, yet he had immediately punished An Shuyuan.

He did this merely to let everyone know Yue’er’s importance in his heart.

He would grant her a noble status, allow her to live freely in the harem, and protect her wholeheartedly.