Chapter 208.3

Imperial Concubine Liu glanced at her. Sometimes she found Xu Yanru to be quite ridiculous because it seemed like she regarded others as fools. Such provocative words were so obvious, who wouldn’t be able to understand their meaning?

In the past, Imperial Concubine Liu might have let it pass, as she usually looked down on such people. But today, it was unknown what was wrong with her, as she looked at the other person coldly and said, “Noble Lady Xu, you are just a minor noble lady. How dare you speak about the Her Majesty that way? You were like this back when we still lived in the prince’s manor, but you still haven’t changed your bad habits even after entering the palace!”

Imperial Concubine Liu didn’t hold back her voice, and naturally, the palace servants waiting outside heard everything. Their gazes couldn’t help but shift toward this direction.

Xu Yanru didn’t expect Imperial Concubine Liu to confront her like this. For a moment, she was stunned, but she reacted quickly and retorted, “Imperial Concubine Liu, although your status is higher than mine, you shouldn’t speak nonsense. “

“Am I speaking nonsense? Who was the one just saying, ‘This newly appointed Empress sure is acting arrogant? Who doesn’t know the kind of person Su Yaoniang used to be?” Imperial Concubine Liu sneered.

As soon as these words were spoken, the servants from Kunning Palace showed anger on their faces.

Hong Fei, hearing the commotion outside, walked out from the side hall, with a smile on her face but dagger-shooting eyes, “Noble Lady Xu seems to have forgotten where we are.”

This commotion was soon reported inside the palace, and Yaoniang’s expression darkened after hearing it. Hong Chou and Yu Chan also looked furious.

Taking a deep breath, Yaoniang asked, “According to the palace rules, how should such behaviour be dealt with?”

Recently, Yu Chan and the others have learned a lot about the palace rules. As the attendants of the empress, they had to be familiar with the rules. So Yu Chan quickly answered, “This offence could be treated as minor or major. A lighter punishment would be a slap, while a severe punishment would be sending her to the Department of Punishment and beating her to death without any mercy.”

“Then, let’s go with the slap punishment. Make the two of them leave, I don’t want to see them today.”

“Yes.”

Soon, cries of protest from Noble Lady Xu could be heard from outside. There were different methods for slapping within the palace.

Typically, they would use their hands, or sometimes a person would carry a bamboo strip to deliver the blows. If they didn’t like someone, they might tamper with the bamboo strip, causing injuries that would prevent the person from showing their face for months, or even permanently disfiguring them.

However, there were no instructions given from the one in Kunning Palace, so the slaps were done with bare hands. However, they still exerted force. After receiving more than ten slaps, Noble Lady Xu’s cheeks were red and swollen. Standing in front of her was a middle-aged woman, saying, “Noble Lady Xu, you don’t understand the rules, so Her Majesty ordered me to educate you. This servant hopes you’ll be cautious in your words and actions in the future and remember the distinction between the superior and the inferior. The rules inside the palace are different from those outside. If you don’t keep your mouth shut, you may lose your life at any time.”

Noble Lady Xu knelt there, nodding and answering, “I’ll remember.”

“Look, Noble Lady Xu, you made another mistake. You should say ‘This concubine remembers’ instead. With your status, you can only refer to yourself as a concubine,” the middle-aged aunt reminded her.

“You’re right, this concubine remembers.”

Aunt Qin nodded and added, “The empress is not feeling well today, so she won’t see the two of you. Juan’er, escort the two of them out.”

“Yes, Aunt Qin.”

It was only after they left Kunning Palace’s main gate that Noble Lady Xu glared at Imperial Concubine Liu with resentment, covering her face, and hurriedly left with her personal maids.

“Niangniang, seeing her like this, she might hold a grudge against you,” Qing Ci said with some concern.

Imperial Concubine Liu looked at Noble Lady Xu’s back and sneered, “Hold a grudge? I hope she does hold a grudge against me; the more she hates me, the better.”

Because of this incident, Yaoniang didn’t have the appetite to finish her morning meal and put down her chopsticks after only a few bites.

“This servant thinks Your Highness shouldn’t have punished them so lightly. You should have taught them a good lesson!”

“If you’re still angry, this servant can send someone to teach them a lesson again,” Hong Chou offered.

After hearing this, Yaoniang paused and said, “No need. I’m not angry; I’m just wondering why Imperial Concubine Liu confronted Xu Yanru. It’s not like her character.” Though Yaoniang had met Imperial Concubine Liu only a few times, she could already sense that she was not someone who liked to create conflicts and had a somewhat aloof and cold demeanour.

“Perhaps she’s smart enough to know the current situation and understands that it’s not a good idea to oppose you in the palace, so she has switched sides,” Hong Fei’s explanation amused the others, and Yaoniang scolded, “Alright, enough. Don’t make me sound so mean.”

Since she couldn’t figure it out, Yaoniang decided to put the matter aside. However, the whole morning she felt lethargic and weak. Coincidentally, Doctor Liu was invited into the palace today for her checkup. As soon as Doctor Liu entered the palace gate, Hong Fei informed him about Yaoniang’s condition.

Yaoniang lay on the kang while Doctor Liu sat on a stool and took her pulse.

After a while, Doctor Liu said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. You are pregnant.”