Chapter 0029: Heartache

Chapter 0029: Heartache

"If you want to show your fairness, you are overstepping your bounds. The Empress has not yet spoken; what right do you have to say this? If you want to use me to show your fairness, that’s hypocrisy! How can you speak on behalf of the Empress? Even if you are the noble consort, you are to assist the Empress, and you only have the right to speak if the Empress fails in her duty. Why are you so eager to perform now?"

"Why does everyone say you are virtuous and capable? Why can’t they see your hypocrisy and aggressiveness?"

Yun Li's words were shockingly bold.

No one had ever spoken to the noble consort like this.

Not even the Empress.

The Empress herself was momentarily stunned.

"Qi Baolin, remember your place," she said, but her words lacked any real reprimand.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I know it’s disrespectful to contradict a high-ranking consort. But I truly don’t understand the noble consort's actions. I’d rather be punished than stay silent," Yun Li declared.

"Qi Yun Li! Do you even remember this is the harem?" the noble consort gritted her teeth.

"Oh, Noble Consort, please calm down. Listening to Qi Baolin’s words... well, they might be a bit presumptuous, but not entirely wrong. You did seem a bit too hasty," Consort Lan said with a smile.

With Consort De absent, Consort Lan wasn’t that close to the Empress, but she still outwardly complied with her.

It can be said that no one would openly oppose the Empress without reason.

Except for the noble consort.

"Enough, the noble consort has always been like this, probably used to it by now," the Empress said with a cold laugh.

"Your Majesty, all my actions are for the harmony of the harem," the noble consort stood up and bowed, not showing any sign of guilt.

"Xu Baolin, jealousy is a major flaw. Considering this is your first offense, I'll punish you lightly this time. But I won’t be lenient again," the Empress said, sidelining the noble consort.

Xu Baolin didn’t dare say more, "Yes, I thank Your Majesty for your mercy."

"Since you admit your fault, you are fined three months' salary and confined to reflect for seven days. Do you accept the punishment?" the Empress asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty, your punishment is just. I accept it wholeheartedly and am grateful for your grace," Xu Baolin performed a deep bow.

"Qi Baolin, though you spoke out of justice, there are rules in the palace. For disrespecting a high-ranking consort, you must also be punished. I fine you one month's salary and order you to copy the palace rules. Do you accept?" the Empress announced.

This punishment seemed almost playful.

Yun Li found it amusing inside.

"I accept wholeheartedly. Your Majesty’s rules are strict yet benevolent, a blessing for us all. I am thankful for your kindness," Yun Li accepted the punishment with a smile.

The main point was how amusing copying the palace rules seemed.

Was this punishment really for Yun Li, or was it... an encouragement for her to continue next time?

Anyway, losing one month's salary didn’t bother Yun Li at all.

By the rules, how many silver taels does a Baolin receive in a month again?

Anyway, the loss was negligible.

During her time in the palace, Yun Li mostly lived off the money she brought from home, but now, as she served the Emperor more frequently, this was no longer necessary.

She wouldn’t be short of money.

So, just losing a month's salary was not a big issue.

It would have been more embarrassing if the Empress had withheld all her allowances. Even though it wouldn’t affect her daily life too much, having essentials like firewood, rice, oil, and salt taken away would be somewhat troublesome.

This was the first time the noble consort had lost face to this extent.

Unfortunately, she was just a consort. No matter what, with the Empress present, she couldn’t overstep her authority.

Ultimately, she resented the Empress.

Had the Empress not appeared out of nowhere, she would have been the crown princess back then, and the Empress now.

No matter how good a consort is, compared to the Empress who is the mother of the nation, the difference is enormous.

Qi Qingluan was born to be the most esteemed woman in the world; she never aspired to be just an Empress.

Yet today, Qi Yun Li dared to speak to her like that, and she couldn’t even retort.

The noble consort took a deep breath, already scheming in her mind.

After the morning greetings, the Empress remarked, "This Qi Baolin is quite interesting. To openly disrespect the noble consort in public, she's bold."

"It shows she's indeed a bit foolish. Her father is just a fourth-rank official, and her family probably still relies on her uncle," Ruyi said with a smile.

"But that’s good, isn't it? Others might not dare to confront the noble consort, but a daughter from the Qi family doing so is just perfect," Songlu added.

"Yes, that’s very good. Keep an eye on her. Since Qi Baolin is so useful, we can't let her be harmed," the Empress said, obviously referring to the noble consort.

The Empress always felt that the noble consort was not easy to deal with.

Mainly because of her prestigious family background.

But for Qi Baolin to climb up the ranks wouldn’t be an overnight affair.

"Yes, Your Majesty, don’t worry," Ruyi and Songlu replied.

"Your Majesty, you should rest. You didn’t sleep well last night, and investigating that matter won’t be resolved immediately. At least we have some leads now."

"Enough, I'll rest for a while, but what good are those leads?" the Empress sighed.

They only found out that a menial eunuch from the noble consort's side was in good terms with someone from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

How could that be considered evidence? Even if she wanted to frame someone, she couldn’t use this; it would be ridiculous.

The noble consort returned to Yuzhi Palace and smashed a teacup, "Go to the Qi family and tell my mother about today’s events. Tell her it’s time for her to visit the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness, calm your anger. I’ll go right away." Mianxing also knew that Qi Baolin had been too audacious today, so she hurried to carry out the task.

The Noble Consort took a deep breath, thinking that Qi Yunli had become too arrogant, perhaps due to the Emperor summoning her to his bedchamber a few times.

She was determined to teach Qi Yunli a lesson about obedience!

Upon returning to her quarters, Yunli chuckled, "Why do I feel so pleased seeing her angry? I must really have a wicked heart."

"How can Baolin speak so of herself? It's the Noble Consort who is being unreasonable," Zhuyu said.

"Exactly, it's Xu Baolin who has been troubling you repeatedly. You have no quarrel with her; why does she always target you? After Hua Baolin served in the bedchamber, I didn't see her becoming so sour," Zhifu remarked.

"Who knows? I can't be bothered to understand her. The words I said today weren’t just to scare her; the Emperor definitely doesn't like her behavior," Yunli said with a smile.

He Lianjing, as a person, I don't fully understand him yet, but his pride is undeniable.

If he could ever favor Xu Baolin...

Then Yunli would really gouge out her own eyes.

However, Xu Baolin's father is a high-ranking official in the provinces, which is why she received a decent position upon entering the palace.

Yunli didn't care about the Empress's punishment; going through the palace rules again was a good opportunity to practice her calligraphy.

But it was different for Xu Baolin.

Her father, although a high-ranking provincial official, how much money could he bring to the capital? He wasn't a major corrupt official. Besides, with many sisters at home and being legitimate but not favored, it was already good that she could bring something.

Now, she was in a financially tight situation.

Being furious and cursing Yunli did her no good, and she didn’t dare let it be heard in the main hall, seething with anger that hurt her very liver.

But it was Xu Baolin who brought this upon herself; she'll likely have more moments of distress in the future.

Xu Baolin: My liver aches.

Author: My tooth aches, really hurts, whimper.