Chapter 0041: Admission

Chapter 0041: Admission

"The Imperial Consort claims innocence, and perhaps she truly was unaware," said He Jinli, turning to Qi Yunli, "Qi Xiaoyi, what do you suggest we do about this matter?"

"Your Majesty, I will abide by your decision without question," Yunli responded readily.

"Patchouli isn't exactly rare; it might have accidentally fallen in. Imperial Consort, go back and thoroughly investigate your kitchen. If there are any risks, it's best to eliminate them early," He Jinli instructed.

"Yes," the Imperial Consort replied, deeply humiliated yet unable to refuse. This matter seemed unresolved. Further dispute would not benefit her.

"As for this girl, since she has not served well, punish her with twenty lashes and send her out of the palace. Let the Qi family arrange a marriage for her," He Jinli decreed.

Dongxue, already having kowtowed until her scalp bled, said, "This servant gratefully acknowledges Your Majesty's grace..."

"Qi Xiaoyi, what do you think of this decision?" He Jinli asked.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I trust your judgment," Yunli said, wiping her tears with her sleeve.

He Jinli's lips curled into a smile that quickly faded, "Well, you've caused a commotion, troubling the Empress and exhausting the harem. You should also be punished."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will accept any punishment," Yunli nodded.

"Since you are willing to accept the punishment, copy the palace regulations ten times for me, as a reminder," He Jinli stated.

"Yes, I will complete it as soon as possible," Yunli hurriedly replied.

"Imperial Consort, rise," He Jinli gestured as if to help her up but remained seated.

The Imperial Consort stood up, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Alright, it's getting late, all of you may return. I will have lunch with the Empress here," He Jinli dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

Everyone complied and left.

Dongxue was taken away to be punished.

Outside the Phoenix Palace, the Noble Consort said, "Qi Xiaoyi, wait, I have something to say to you."

The crowd glanced a few times and then retreated.

Yunli stopped.

When most people had left, the two sisters stood outside the Phoenix Palace.

"What else does the Noble Consort want to say?" Yunli, no longer in her crying demeanor.

Only her eyes, moistened by tears, were misty and affectionate, making her look even more charming.

The Noble Consort hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Did you orchestrate today's events?"

"Yes," Yunli smiled, "Sister, I've said it before: you be the Noble Consort, and I'll be the minor concubine. We should have nothing to do with each other. Why are you so confident that I should be your pawn?"

"Can you stand on your own without relying on the Qi family?" the Noble Consort gritted her teeth.

"Without you, Sister, perhaps I really couldn't stand on my own. But with you, I can stand without relying on the Qi family," Yunli replied.

"Just by following the Hua family?" the Noble Consort took a deep breath.

"Do you have anything else to say, Sister? If not, I should be going back," Yunli said.

"By framing me like this, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Emperor?" the Noble Consort glared at Yunli fiercely.

"Sister, do you think the Emperor is a fool? He knows I'm behind this, which is why he spared Dongxue. He also knows you're innocent, which is why he didn’t pursue it. Do you really think he's that naive?" Yunli scoffed.

The Noble Consort was stunned; she wasn’t that foolish, but her anger had blinded her to the obvious.

Upon reflection, she would surely understand.

"You! You... by acting this way, won't the Emperor despise you?" The Imperial Consort was at a loss for words.

"Sister, there's no need for such pointless talk. I hope in the future you'll leave me be and not pretend to have sisterly affection for me anymore," Yunli said with a bow. "I take my leave."

The Imperial Consort didn't call her back, just took a deep breath and watched her walk away.

"Your Highness, let's return," Mianxing suggested.

It took a while, but the Imperial Consort finally nodded and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Yunli wondered, would the Emperor despise her for this?

No, he wouldn't.

Because from the beginning, she never intended to deceive the Emperor. She wouldn't feel the slightest bit guilty, for her strategy was an open one.

Her actions were merely thoughtless.

She played this prank because she disliked being watched over by her sister.

The Emperor might be angry, but it would be fine as long as she admitted it.

She was well aware that the Emperor was currently very interested in her, so she acted out when necessary.

The Emperor wasn’t a man who favored women strictly adhering to the rules.

Wasn't the Imperial Consort herself an example of that?

Yunli's thoughts were not off the mark.

When night fell, she was summoned to the Zhengyang Palace.

After paying her respects, He Jinli remained silent.

Yunli slightly raised her eyebrows, knowing what was coming.

She didn’t kneel but stood cautiously upright, slowly approaching, "Your Majesty."

Speaking softly, she called out and tugged at He Jinli's sleeve, "Your Majesty, I was wrong, Your Majesty~"

"Where did my consort err?" He Jinli raised an eyebrow.

"Your Majesty," Yunli swiftly grasped He Jinli's right hand and knelt down, "You know what happened, Your Majesty..."

"Speak," He Jinli said calmly, not withdrawing his hand.

"Yes, I... I shouldn't have deliberately dropped... the cooling pill into the pastry," Yunli whispered.

He Jinli was actually close to laughing.

Still maintaining a stern face, he said, "Oh? So it was you who framed the Imperial Consort? Do you know the crime of framing someone of high rank?"

"I know, it's a capital offense... sob sob, Your Majesty, please spare my life..." Yunli's tears started flowing again.

He Jinli looked down at her, "Knowing yet daring to commit, my consort is truly bold."

He Jinli extended his left hand and gently lifted her chin.

It must be said, the woman before him was... beautifully crying.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, sob sob," Yunli moved closer, hugging his waist tightly, "I won't dare again, Your Majesty, I promise not to in the future."

He Jinli remained silent.

Yunli suddenly sat up in his embrace, "Your Majesty, truly, I won't dare again in the future."

She wiped her tears, pouting, "It's all because she's so annoying, who would want to be involved with her."

He Jinli raised an eyebrow, "So, you drugged yourself to frame her?"

Yunli nestled into He Jinli's embrace, resting her chin on his shoulder, "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I just... acted on a whim. Please forgive me. I've thought it through. If the Imperial Consort really wouldn't admit it, nor would her maid, I would still plead for that maid's life, ensuring she wouldn't be beaten to death. I don't want to be entangled with her."

"My consort is indeed cunning and skilled."

He Jinli's tone was cool.

"Ah, Your Majesty, if I were really using cunning and tactics, it wouldn't be this simple. I was just... overcome with emotion in the moment. I didn't plan to hide it from you. Even if you hadn't summoned me today, I would have admitted it to you when we next met. I am honest with you."

"Oh? Will my consort always be honest with me in the future?" He Jinli lifted her chin to face him.

Yunli nodded with clear eyes, "Yes, I'll mostly be honest. But I can't say 100%, especially regarding others' affairs. Anyway, for matters like today's, I'll definitely be honest."