Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Establishing Authority - Slapping Empress Hua Yu Xian (5)

Empress Hua, accompanied by the other empresses, has come to Wei Yang Palace to demand justice and has even asked for the Emperor's intervention. Eunuch Lu is holding them off at the gate, and a confrontation is imminent now that Leng Jiu has returned.

"So, the little beast caused trouble," Leng Jiu remarks nonchalantly and asks to change her clothes.

"Everything is ready," Zi Yu informs her.

"Let's go."

At the entrance of Wei Yang Palace, Empress Hua stands in her royal attire, flanked by two empresses with visible scratches and blood on their faces. Several other empresses, looking like drowned rats, huddle together, their wet hair a mess. A crowd has gathered to witness the scene, filling the palace entrance.

Eunuch Lu stands silently at the palace gate, with Autumn Heart kneeling beside him, her head bowed so her face can't be seen. Kano, now caged, arrogantly hugs its front paws, exuding an air of superiority.

"The Emperor arrives!"

"Greetings to the Emperor!" The empresses kneel down in unison.

Emperor Long Yi strides forward, scanning Empress Hua and the other disheveled empresses, frowning, "Can someone explain what's going on here?"

The empresses, ready to complain, halt at a glance from Empress Hua.

Empress Hua steps forward, "Today, I hosted a gathering in the royal garden. Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager's pet disrupted the event, causing chaos and frightening several sisters. Two even suffered scratches. I punished the maid responsible, but some still feel aggrieved and seek Your Majesty's judgment."

Her speech sounds gracious, but the undertone suggests more than just a scare.

Two empresses with scratched faces kneel, tearfully, "Our faces are ruined! How are we to live, Your Majesty?"

"We beseech the Emperor for justice!"

Other empresses join in, pleading, "Please, Your Majesty, grant us justice!"

Emperor Long Yi's brows knit tighter as he glances at Kano and then at Autumn Heart, "Where is the Empress Dowager?"

Eunuch Lu replies, "She's resting, and I didn't dare disturb her, so I stopped the empresses at the gate."

Emperor Long Yi decisively heads for the door, "Open the gate! I will see the Empress Dowager myself."

Eunuch Lu hesitates, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is napping. It might be inappropriate to disturb her now."

Empress Hua steps forward, "Then may I go in and invite the Empress Dowager out?"

Eunuch Lu reluctantly refuses to let them in: "The Empress Dowager dislikes being disturbed while sleeping. I dare not!"

"Leave it to me. Open the door!"

Though hesitant, Eunuch Lu complies with the emperor's command: "Yes!"

He slowly moves to open the gate, but as he is about to push the door, it swings open, revealing Purple Rain, who doesn't even glance outside.

"What's all this commotion for just a nap?" Empress Cold Nine, in white palace attire and freshly awoken, steps out. Her brows still bear traces of sleep, making it clear she has just risen from slumber, though some know she hadn't been asleep at all.

Emperor Long Yi, observing her, comments neutrally, "The Empress Dowager seems to have slept well."

"Had it not been for this noise, it would have been better!" She smiles at the emperor, scanning the crowd, "The palace seems lively these days under Your Majesty's reign."

Addressing Empress Hua, "The Empress manages the harem well. The Emperor should reward her."

Empress Hua responds neutrally, "Thank you for the compliment, Empress Dowager, but it's just my duty. I dare not seek rewards."

Emperor Long Yi interrupts impatiently, "Empress Dowager, don't you think you owe an explanation for what happened to these empresses?"

Cold Nine feigns confusion, "I wake up to find the Emperor and Empress with a crowd at my door. Shouldn't the Emperor explain this to me instead?"

"Allow me to explain, Empress Dowager," says Empress Hua, repeating her earlier account calmly and without anger, leaving no room for reproach.

Pretending to be surprised, Cold Nine responds, "Such an incident occurred?" She then coldly calls for Autumn Heart, "Come here now!"

Autumn Heart quickly kneels before her, pleading, "I deserve death. Please, Empress Dowager, punish me!"

Bending slightly, Cold Nine lifts her chin, revealing her bruised face, and remarks coldly, "Swollen like a pig. Indeed, you deserve death."

Tears well in Autumn Heart's eyes, but she dares not let them fall, begging, "Please, Empress Dowager, punish me!"

Releasing Autumn Heart's face, Empress Cold Nine claps her hands, "What skill in slapping! Who did it?"

Her gaze sweeps across everyone, her smile cold and imposing. Some concubines lower their heads in discomfort, and a maid behind Empress Hua shudders under her scrutiny.

Empress Hua steps forward, "It was I who ordered the punishment. If blame must be assigned, let it fall on me."

"Ah, it was Empress Hua!" Cold Nine approaches, her eyes skipping past Hua to focus on the maid behind her.

Emperor Long Yi speaks indifferently, "The maid committed a grave error. The punishment by Empress Hua was merciful."

Cold Nine pauses, her lips curling sarcastically, "Indeed, she deserved punishment. But since when can anyone slap a first-class maid from my palace?"

Emperor Long Yi's expression darkens, "This isn't the issue at hand, Empress Dowager!"

Cold Nine sneers, "I almost forgot. The Emperor dares to strike even me; a maid is nothing in comparison."

The Emperor's gaze becomes icy as he stares at Cold Nine, but he remains silent.

"As an Empress Dowager without power or ability, I really have no right to lecture the Emperor or Empress Hua. If one day His Majesty finds me displeasing, banishing me wouldn't be opposed."