The Dowager Empress turned and swept the remnants of the Da Hong Pao tea that Jiang Xinyue had brought onto the floor. "You say I raised my hand against her? Your heart has strayed so far from the truth. Look at what your precious Concubine Zhen sent to me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On the crimson carpet of Kunning Pce, there were some fine debris, but more prominently, tea leaves exuding a rich aroma.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The sun-dried tea leaves were plump and full-bodied, worth a hundred gold pieces for just two ounces, yet the Dowager Empress had carelessly scattered them on the ground.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Dowager Empress instantly understood. It was that scheming woman, Concubine Zhen, who had covered the good tea leaves with a thinyer of tea debris and stems. She had anticipated that the Dowager would knock over the box.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Vicious! How utterly vicious!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue twisted her body, putting on an act of great grievance, and tugged at the Xuanwu Emperor''s sleeve, pouting, "Your Majesty~ I knew the Dowager Empress deeply misunderstood me, so I specially inquired about her preferences from the Empress. That''s why I brought the finest Da Hong Pao tea from Nine Clouds Mountain, hoping to please her. I didn''t expect... wuwuwu... It''s my fault... It''s all my fault. I''m so clumsy with words, I''ve upset the Dowager Empress again."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor thought to himself: Concubine Zhen truly can''t act, nor can she lie. Look at her panicked gaze when she looks at me, her flushed cheeks, and her fingers nervously clutching my sleeve. She''s like a frightened kitten, her whole body bristling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she stays any longer, she might faint from fear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor, in his obliviousness, couldn''t see through the act, but the Dowager Empress was shaking with rage at Concubine Zhen''s masterful performance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She also realized that the Emperor was indulging Concubine Zhen to run wild in her Kunning Pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Concubine Zhen were to leave here unscathed, how would the other masters and servants of the harem mock her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Guards, seize Concubine Zhen and give her fiftyshes. Let her learn her lesson and stop treating others like fools."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fiftyshes? That would be the death of Jiang Xinyue!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her fingertips loosened, and she dove into the Emperor''s embrace, seeking protection like a delicate bird.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The pce servants hesitated to approach. The Xuanwu Emperor, holding Jiang Xinyue, roared, "Who dares?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With the Emperor protecting her so fiercely, indeed no one dared. The servants looked at the enraged Dowager Empress, then at the ring Emperor...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They couldn''t afford to offend either side. Better to kneel and beg for mercy!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The servants fell to their knees en masse. The Dowager Empress, one hand clutching her chest, the other trembling as she pointed at Jiang Xinyue, said, "Very well, very well. Emperor, you truly are my good son. Today you refuse to punish Concubine Zhen, is that right? Fine, I shall apany Consort Shu to Dazhaosi Temple to beg forgiveness from the Shen family ancestors. Let them see how my good son forces his own birth mother."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
These words were quite severe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Consort Shu''s visit to Dazhaosi Temple was because she had been framed by Concubine Li. Themon people believed Consort Shu had harmed the imperial heir, so her going to pray for Concubine Li''s child was not inappropriate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But the Dowager Empress was different!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she went to Dazhaosi Temple, the subjects would think the Emperor couldn''t tolerate his own mother from the Wu Family.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was a moment of silence in the air. The Xuanwu Emperor, with a grim expression, held Jiang Xinyue tighter. "Mother, must you punish Concubine Zhen today?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mother, think carefully before you answer. Who do you care about most in this pce?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, it was herself, Consort Shu, and the child in Consort Shu''s womb.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Are you threatening me?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Your son is merely using your own tactics against you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hadn''t the Dowager Empress just threatened the Emperor with public opinion?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Dowager Empress didn''t believe the Emperor would harm Consort Shu, but seeing how he protected Concubine Zhen, it seemed as if the woman in his arms was truly the Emperor''s most beloved.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She dared not gamble, nor could she afford to.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Shu was herst chip for restoring the Wu Family''s glory.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Dowager Empress, with a long face, reluctantly said, "The death penalty can be waived, but punishment cannot be avoided. Concubine Zhen has repeatedly disrespected and mocked me. Emperor, what do you think should be done? You must give me an exnation."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The initiative was once again returned to the Xuanwu Emperor and Jiang Xinyue. Both of them let out a sigh of relief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor, feigning difficulty, exhaled heavily through his nose. "Then let her be confined!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Emperor, are you trying to fool me? Do you think I don''t know what you did during her month of confinement?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What did he do?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He had pampered her with the finest food and drink, sending all manner of delicacies and rarities to Hexi Pce, as if deliberately opposing the Dowager Empress. She had revoked Concubine Zhen''s green token, yet the Emperor still visited Hexi Pce daily. Even without staying overnight, his daily visits were a p in the Dowager Empress''s face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Most infuriatingly, the Emperor had allowed Concubine Zhen to overstep her bounds by building a small kitchen in Hexi Pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This small kitchen had always been a supreme favor bestowed by emperors to their consorts, not mere concubines.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A concubine of her rank had no right to a small kitchen. Even when she was the previous emperor''s most favored in the harem, she didn''t have this privilege as a concubine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor pondered for a moment before saying, "Then I shall confine her for six months, until the end of the year. That should suffice, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His face clearly said, "I advise you not to push your luck." The Dowager Empress, knowing when to stop, seized the opportunity to make a request, "Consort Shu cannot go to Dazhaosi Temple. Emperor, you must persuade Concubine Li to change it to Sheng''an Temple in the capital."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Dazhaosi Temple was far away in Jialuo, a half-year journey by carriage from the capital, or three to four months by swift horse. Located between Goguryeo and Fusang, with uncivilized and rude customs, how could Consort Shu endure such a journey?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At least in the capital, the Dowager Empress''s words still carried weight. She could help to some extent, and the chances of returning to the pce were greater. Regaining favor wouldn''t be difficult.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue carefully nced at the Emperor. This man hated it when others tried to bargain with him. Would hepromise for her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
To Jiang Xinyue''s surprise, the Xuanwu Emperor agreed without hesitation. But the coldness in his eyes was clear to her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It seemed... he nned not to visit Sheng''an Temple at all. The Dowager Empress''s clever n might have backfired.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As the saying goes, for every measure, there''s a countermeasure. The future was long, and who could say who would be standing behind the Xuanwu Emperor, smiling, a year from now?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was already the end of May. With six months of confinement, it would be around the Lunar New Year when her belly would be seven or eight months along, making it difficult to miscarry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Jiang Xinyue was confident that under the protection of the Xuanwu Emperor, she would be able to give birth to her child.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The one who was most delighted by Jiang Xinyue''s confinement was none other than Noble Consort Ye. She believed that she had gained the Emperor''s favor by imitating Jiang Xinyue, and now that the original was confined, she, the imitation, could take advantage of the situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0