Chapter 31 - Ceremony of inviting the teacher

The Empress clearly saw the three people’s expressions on her seat. Rong Hua Wei and Cai Ren Gui of course gloated. Yun Fenghuang felt stunned. Then she seemed to be aggrieved and thought for a while. She pretended to act as if nothing were on her mind. Then she lowered her head and expressed gratitude to the Empress.

“She is patient.” The Empress thought to herself, “I thought she will continue to say she is innocent because she is favored by His Highness.”

She had planned that if Yun Fenghuang dared to keep arguing that she was innocent, she would keep up her efforts and demote her from Mei Ren to Cai Ren… However, Yun Fenghuang accepted the punishment.

The Empress secretly regretted it, glanced at those concubines and servants who were kneeling a little farther to her, and casually ordered her leading maid to rebuke them. The reason was that “You indifferently watched Rong Hua Wei and Cai Ren Gui have a quarrel with Mei Ren Yun. The harmony and friendship in the Imperial Harem have been destroyed by you!”

At this time, a maid came to report that except for Noble Consort Gui who did not need to greet and Consort Yue who was grounded, other concubines were all there. They heard that something happened in the side hall and asked if they could come and see.

“I have handled it.” said the Empress. “Ask them to sit down, and I will be there immediately.”

So, after she watched the leading maid step forward and scold those concubines violently who were trembled and afraid to lift their heads, she stood up and let those concubines follow.

In the main hall, Noble Consort Shu was talking to Consort Xin in a low voice, and when she noticed that the Empress had come in, she quickly took the lead to salute the Empress.

“It’s getting late and we have no time to talk. Now we should pay respects to Queen Mother Ji.” The Empress did not go to her seat. She said that at the door, “Queen Mother Ji will be curious about why we are late.”

When Noble Consort Shu heard the words, she took the opportunity and asked, “Your Highness, what happened in the side hall?”

“The newcomers are young and ignorant.” The Empress said lightly, “I have given them a lesson… If you feel that I do not handle it well, you can teach them some rules later.”

“Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand me.” Noble Consort Shu said hurriedly, “I am just worried that my sister, young and ignorant, will offend you.”

The Empress laughed softly and only said, “Let’s go.”

Yun Fenghuang lowered her head, and it seemed that she did not want to get close to Noble Consort Shu. Noble Consort Shu frowned slightly. Taking advantage of the opportunity to keep up with the Empress, Noble Consort Shu whispered to Yun Qingman.

So, Yun Qingman did not get into the sedan with Noble Consort Shu. She went to Yun Fenghuang, and whispered, “Fenghuang, what happened in the side hall just now?”

“I was promoted yesterday, so, His Majesty went Xi Xing Building.” Yun Fenghuang said. “Then…”

Rong Hua Wei, who was standing in front of her, suddenly became furious, and turned her head to warn Yun Fenghuang before Yun Fenghuang finished her words. Rong Hua Wei said, “Her Highness has punished you to be grounded for a month. Do you still dare to say anything that happened in the side hall?”

“Why not?” Yun Fenghuang said, “It seems that as if you and Cai Ren Gui are not punished.”

Rong Hua Wei said, “We are not punished severely. You have the heaviest punishment among us. It is very perspicacious of Her Highness!”

Yun Fenghuang glanced at her and said, “You know nothing! This is the tough love. Her Highness gave the heaviest punishment to me, which means that Her Highness cherishes me most among us!”

Rong Hua Wei was speechless.

How could Yun Fenghuang be so shameless?

“What should I do?” Rong Hua Wei asked herself.

Yun Fenghuang turned her head and continued to say to Yun Qingman, “Then in the side hall…”

“I beg you. Please don’t say it!” Rong Hua Wei gritted her teeth and said. She wanted to strangle her now. But in the end, she could only soften her tone and make peace, “We didn’t do anything bad to you. As you said, we are also punished. Do not be so mean!”

Yun Fenghuang was surprised, “Am I mean? Qingman is my sister. She cares about me and asks me what happened just now. Can’t I tell her?”

Rong Hua Wei said angrily, “But you are talking nonsense!”

“What nonsense?” Yun Fenghuang asked, “It is you who are jealous because His Majesty went to Su Rong Palace instead of Yi Jia Palace yesterday. Why did you embarrass me? We have nothing against each other. Is that right?”

“Yes, it is true, so, I didn’t cross the line.” Rong Hua Wei whispered, “It is just because you are defiant, which makes us unhappy. Besides, according to the rules, you should salute me. It was a trivial matter. It was you who were unwilling to let it go. So, in the end, we were all punished by Her Highness! Now, all three of us have been punished. Are you happy now?”

Yun Fenghuang chuckled, “Oh? Do you mean that if you bullied me, I should endure it, and it is my fault if everyone knew you were bullying me?”

Before Rong Hua Wei spoke, Yun Fenghuang added, “It was you who started it. You own the right to decide whether you should continue or not. Is it fair?”

“So you mean you will be against me?” Rong Hua Wei changed her expression and said indifferently. “Do you think you are great because you made Consort Yue be grounded? I tell you, although Consort Yue has a high grade, she is a fool in the Imperial Harem. If you think I am as foolish as her, you are wrong!”

Yun Fenghuang said, “How can you compare yourself with Consort Yue? Consort Yue is at least favored by His Majesty. His Majesty didn’t stay in Xi Xing Building and went to Su Rong Palace. As for you, I am afraid that His Majesty has forgotten that you live in Yi Jia Palace. How dare you to look down on Consort Yue?”

Rong Hua Wei was speechless. She took a deep breath. It took her a while to resist the urge of killing her on the spot. Suddenly, she said to Yun Qingman, who looked surprised and wanted to stop them but did not know how to, “Yesterday, His Majesty went to Xi Xing Building to congratulate your sister on her promotion. As a result, it was not convenient for her to serve His Majesty and she advised His Majesty to go to Su Rong Palace.”

She sneered, “It is OK for me, because for Yun Fenghuang, I am just an outsider. Mei Ren Yun, you are her sister of the same clan. It is said that the two of you got along well with each other before joining the Imperial Harem. At that time, you were the daughter of Duke Yi’s Mansion. She was just an unimportant relative of Duke Yi’s Mansion. It was obvious who was higher or lower in social status. When you got along with her, you had to give her more attention. As a result, when you join the Imperial Harem at the moment, she chose to help Mei Ren Xue whom she was not familiar with, instead of you. Mei Ren Yun, I am not intended to sow discord between you. Such a so-called good sister, you should better be on guard in the future!”

Yun Qingman was in a blank and then she said, “Well… Mei Ren Xue is as charming and lovely as a fairy. She is more beautiful than me. I think… Well, it is also reasonable for Fenghuang to advise His Majesty to go to Su Rong Palace first. I am average in appearance… Wait… Rong Hua Wei, I do not mean that you are average in appearance!”

She covered her mouth in panic, subconsciously looking at Yun Fenghuang for help.

Yun Fenghuang was duty-bound and said with a smile, “What Qingman means is that Rong Hua Wei, you have a beautiful face and charming body…”

What she said sounded nice. But she quickly changed her tone and said, “Every man has his own taste. Even if you are pretty, His Majesty doesn’t like to go to Yi Jia Palace. No one can do anything about that, right?”

Rong Hua Wei didn’t resist this time. She burst in to tears at once in the queue.

…So, after a while, at Nong Rou Hall in Mian Fu Palace, Queen Mother Ji glanced coldly at the kneeling concubines. After a long time, she only slightly tilted her head and asked the Empress, “Where are these people from?”

The Empress bowed her head and said respectfully, “Mother, they are all from big families.”

“You are all from big families!” Queen Mother Ji suddenly raised her voice, “If the Empress does not tell me, I will believe that you are shrews in a marketplace! The Empress has given you a lesson because you squabbled in Yan Fu Palace. You don’t review your mistakes, but keep squabbling on the way to my Palace! Is it because the rules in your families are useless, or is it because the maid sent to teach you etiquette neglected her duties before you enter the palace?!”

When hearing the words, the Empress took the lead, and a group of palace hostesses left their seats one after another, kneeling down to plead guilty, “I am scared!”

“What are you scared of?” Queen Mother Ji said coldly, “Since the new concubines entered the palace, most of you are planning to make troubles! I know what you have done, but I never say anything. I just want to see when you are going to stop. As a result, a few days ago, someone even cries in Mian Fu Palace… Do you want to squabble in front of Empress Dowager and disturb her peaceful life?”

The Empress said hurriedly, “I dare not! I know I am wrong!”

“…Empress, tell me how to deal with it?” The Empress was her niece, so, Queen Mother Ji was silent for a moment and then took care of the feeling of the Empress. She ordered those concubines in high grades to stand up, and said slowly, “In short, the selection of future concubines has almost been finished. Those girls from good families will be sent to Dijing City in a few days. While the palace has been full of turmoil. Wouldn’t it be a joke to those girls from good families?”

Rong Hua Wei and Yun Qingman who were kneeling on the ground all subconsciously quivered. What Queen Mother Ji said was clear that she wanted to punish them severely, and even wanted to make an example!

If it wasn’t for the majesty of Queen Mother Ji, Rong Hua Wei would definitely cast a resentful look at Yun Fenghuang at this moment. Rong Hua Wei said to herself, “It is Yun Fenghuang who kept quarreling with me, which caused me to cry in front of Mian Fu Palace. Therefore, Queen Mother Ji was furious.”

Rong Hua Wei was trembling with fear and furious. “Mother, there is nothing special about punishing Rong Hua Wei and Mei Ren Yun living in Tong Xia Palace.” The Empress felt awkward and said in a low voice, “Queen Mother Yuan promised to compensate Mei Ren Yun living in Hu Zhu Place. Yesterday I said yes. Now…”

Queen Mother Ji snorted, “Queen Mother of Mercy has always been soft-hearted. If it is usual, it will be fine, but…”

Next, there must be no good words. The atmosphere in Nong Rou Hall was tense. Everyone held their breath subconsciously and waited for the judgment of Queen Mother Ji. Then suddenly someone came in from the door of the hall.

They looked at the person subconsciously, and they were relieved!

Even Queen Mother Ji, who was originally indifferent and relaxed, immediately changed to a soft voice, “Minghui, aren’t you going to find Jinyun and Penglai? Why are you suddenly back?”

Princess Minghui, who weighed more than one hundred kilograms (about 220 pounds), was supported by eunuchs and was struggling to cross the threshold. Although Princess Minghui did not looked good, her voice was brisk and gentle. She cheerfully said, “I went to Qun Yu Palace. My cousin brought something to us today. Two sisters and I sent someone to Tai Chu Palace to thank my cousin. I heard that Cousin Zhen was going to hold a ceremony of inviting the teacher. So, I am back to ask you whether I can watch the ceremony or not?”

“…” It was silent in the hall. Queen Mother Ji groaned before she smiled and asked, “Do you know who your cousin’s first teacher is?”

Princess Minghui answered without any thought, “Mr. Lingshan.” Queen Mother Ji changed her expression. Then she turned around and instructed the Empress, “You can deal with the trivial matters later.”

Queen Mother Ji did not want to say a few more words about it, and ordered them to leave except the Empress, “I have something to talk with the Empress and the princess. You can leave now.”