The Empress Dowager understood, these were the Emperor’s conditions.
If she wanted to protect Princess Consort De, she must support Li Xiurong, or he might deal with Princess Consort De as he did with Noble Lady Ying.
The Empress Dowager sighed inwardly but maintained a stern facade: "Princess Consort De is to be fined a year’s salary, confined to Yikun Palace, and to copy the ’Heart Sutra’ one hundred times as self-reflection."
It was merely a fine, confinement, and copying of Buddhist scriptures.
Moreover, there was no set duration for the confinement, clearly showing the Empress Dowager’s blatant favoritism towards Princess Consort De.
"I, a humble servant, thank the Empress Dowager, thank the Emperor."
Princess Consort De did not expect to receive such a light punishment. She had indeed been impulsive and irrational lately.
Copying scriptures would be good for her.
The gathering dispersed.
After leaving Luaxin Pavilion, the Empress Dowager specifically called upon Princess Consort De, inviting her to ride the Phoenix back to Cining Palace together.
Beauty Qing, with Fuli, bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort De. Only after the Phoenix was far away did she slowly straighten up and, supported by Shui Yun, head towards Purple Cloud Pavilion.
On the way, they encountered Mingzhu.
"Where is Sister Zhou?" Beauty Qing asked casually.
"Replying to Beauty Qing, Beauty Zhou felt unwell and left later. As she neared Luaxin Pavilion, she encountered a servant being carried out. Upon hearing a nanny had been beaten to death, Beauty Zhou fainted on the spot and was carried back to Purple Cloud Pavilion. Currently, not even the Imperial Physician dares to be summoned."
Mingzhu said quietly, her eyes red.
Sister Mingzhen lay on the bed, unable to get up. The little palace maids dared not seek the Imperial Physician at this time, leaving her to come out herself.
Yet, she also dared not do so.
Beauty Qing: ...
Indeed, so fragile. Missed the drama and ended up fainting herself.
"What do you mean by ’not even the Imperial Physician dares to be summoned’?" Beauty Qing frowned, speaking softly: "Shui Yun, go summon the Imperial Physician. Mingzhu, return with me now."
"Yes." Shui Yun bowed and then hurried towards the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Though the hour was late, there was always an on-duty Imperial Physician present. It was unclear whether they were at Luaxin Pavilion or the Imperial Medical Bureau at that moment.
On their way back, all the concubines pondered the night’s events.
The Talented Ladies, though rank-wise were too low to not follow, wisely stayed back.
Yao Hua Palace, apart from the Central Palace Fengluan Palace, was the closest residence to Yangxin Hall. The Emperor directly ordered it for Li Xiurong to reside in.
A palace is a dwelling fit for concubines of princess status or higher.
Could the Emperor be dissatisfied with Li Xiurong’s current rank, intending to elevate her to a higher status?
The Talented Ladies, having guessed most of it, only dared to praise Li Xiurong’s favor, exchanged cautious whispers, and then returned to their residences. Yet, within their hearts, they understood that in this harem, the one not to offend was Li Xiurong.
Cining Palace.
Princess Consort De knelt on the ground.
The Empress Dowager reclined on a soft couch, speaking warmly: "Do you know why I made you kneel?"
"I, a humble servant, was foolish today, reacting without careful thought. This is why such a commotion didn’t establish Lady Li, oh no, Li Xiurong’s guilt. I have no arguments in my defeat."
The Empress Dowager sighed wearily.
She knew that this niece of hers still believed she was not wrong, thinking she and the Emperor favored Li Xiurong.
"Chen Jing, explain to her."
"Yes." Chen Jing bowed, then walked slowly to Princess Consort De, kneeling and meeting her gaze: "Princess Consort De, have you not considered that perhaps Li Xiurong never secretly met with an outsider? This could all be slander and defamation?"
Princess Consort De stared into the depths of Chen Jing’s eyes, gradually appearing bewildered: Slander?
How could that be possible?