Chapter 0057: Having Seen Finer Things

Chapter 0057: Having Seen Finer Things

Yun Li shook her head, looking at her with pity, "Because I have seen finer things. And because I am not in need of them. Look, you implicated me with something you brought yourself, even made a doll and claimed I would curse you. Would I? No, because I never considered you a rival. It has always been you agitating yourself."

Such words were even more devastating to her than a physical blow.

Xu Baolin burst into rage, "Why? Why do you get to look down on me? You're just a pawn sent by the Qi family. Everyone knows what you're here for. Aren’t you just here to secure favor for the Noble Consort and bear children? Why do you think you're better than me? His Majesty pities you, that's why he visits you. What gives you the right? Do you deserve it?"

Yun Li simply smiled lightly, full of grace, refusing to engage with her any further.

She attempted to lunge at Yun Li but was restrained by the eunuchs.

With such a grave crime, Xu Baolin was doomed.

Unfortunately, those associated with her would also pay dearly.

With a wave of his hand, He Jingli had Xu Baolin taken away, her mouth gagged.

"Madame Xu lived here, yet the Noble Consort was oblivious to her actions, failing in her duty of oversight. She is fined a year's salary and, after the state banquet, will reflect in seclusion for a month," said He Jingli indifferently.

"Yes, I accept the punishment. Thank you, Your Majesty," the Noble Consort said, her heart bitter, with nothing else to add.

"Qi Xiaoyi was innocently slandered. To soothe her, she is awarded ten bolts of various fabrics and a bushel of pearls."

"I thank Your Majesty for the reward," Yun Li said.

"Let's leave today's matter at this. Madame Xu's words and actions were outrageous and mad. After thorough investigation, she will be sent to An Yi Hall, demoted to a commoner, never to be released. Today's matter must not be mentioned again," He Jingli addressed the crowd.

Everyone hurriedly agreed, knowing that such matters, once passed, must never be brought up again, lest they court death.

As for An Yi Hall, it was a desolate place; entering meant being not far from death.

Since His Majesty chose not to publicize this incident, it was clear he didn't want to stir turmoil within and outside the court.

Everyone understood this reasoning.

Having finished speaking, He Jingli left abruptly.

The Empress quickly followed him.

Yun Li, unhurried, approached the Noble Consort who had just risen, "Sister, what do you think of today's events?"

"I do not know," the Noble Consort replied coldly.

Yun Li moved closer, but the Noble Consort blocked her with an arm.

Suddenly, Yun Li grabbed the Noble Consort's arm, "Sister, be careful where you step. Walk steadily, lest you fall."

"Let go!" the Noble Consort demanded angrily.

"Why the hurry, sister? I have something to say," Yun Li said with a smile.

"What is it?" the Noble Consort, unable to break free, almost called for her attendants.

Yun Li spoke softly, "Madame Xu might be mad, but even in her madness, she doesn’t have the power to reach the heavens. How did she manage to bypass the many people in your palace and hide that thing under your bed?"

The Noble Consort's face turned sour, "How would I know? I will investigate it myself."

"Sister, do you wonder if I have thought of something that His Majesty might have? Everything you have done, is it truly for the Qi family?" Yun Li's voice was even softer.

Having said that, she let go of the Noble Consort's arm before the latter could explode in anger, "I take my leave, Noble Consort. Take care."

The Noble Consort’s changing expressions were undeniable, but by then Yun Li had already walked away.

She shook her head gently, certain this was not the Noble Consort's doing – she hadn't lost her mind yet.

However, for Xu Baolin to act so unobstructed, the Noble Consort must have turned a blind eye.

The Noble Consort was overly confident.

Today, if she couldn't prove her innocence, she would only end up as a scapegoat.

How could the Noble Consort remain unscathed?

But…

Yun Li smiled to herself. Today’s scene was enough to show His Majesty one fact: the Noble Consort had no familial affection for her own sisters.

The Noble Consort, forever unable to replace the Empress.

Returning to Le An Palace, both Zhu Yu and Zhi Fu breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank goodness we didn’t touch that fabric. Had we done so, it would've been impossible to explain."

"Once you cut it, can you tell if a piece is missing or if you can put it back?"

Before Yun Li could respond, Zhu Ding rushed back: "Xiao Yi, everyone associated with Xu Baolin has been sent to the Internal Punishment Department. She herself has been taken to An Yi Hall, after being… drugged."

"A mute drug?" Yun Li asked.

"Yes, now that she’s there, it’s bitterly cold, and without a fire, I fear… she won’t last many days," said Zhu Ding.

Yun Li sighed, "If she dared to dabble in witchcraft and curses, isn’t this end expected?"

Yun Li remarked.

Zhu Ding and the others nodded, "Indeed, it’s fortunate that Xiao Yi could clear things up. Had she not, being implicated in such matters often means death."

With that thought, they concluded that Xu Baolin’s fate was more than deserved.

No one dared to speak further about this matter.

However, as night fell, the four attendants closely serving Xu Baolin were silently carried away.

In Zhengyang Palace, Meng Chang approached the imperial desk, "Your Majesty, the Internal Punishment Department has replied. Of the four, only one maid knew. She was the one who placed the item in the Noble Consort’s quarters. She claimed to be acquainted with Chunhua, a young maid from the Noble Consort’s side, who led her in without knowing. Your Majesty, what should be done with this person?"

"Send her to the Internal Punishment Department," instructed He Jingli.

"Yes, I will see to it immediately."

Unfortunately, it was too late. The Noble Consort would not have left loose ends, so Chunhua had already hung herself quite some time ago.

He Jingli was not surprised; since she was dead, her entire family could not be spared.

As for the Noble Consort, He Jingli had nothing more to say at this point. Since the main culprit had been apprehended, he did not wish to escalate the matter further or delve deeper.

There was no need to probe further; the only issue was Xu Baolin's lack of judgment.

The preparation for the state banquet in the palace remained a priority.

However, under the Empress's orders, several lower-ranking staff in Yuzhi Palace were replaced.

The Noble Consort, being in the wrong, could not object.

Naturally, the Emperor did not involve himself in this affair.

Yun Li seldom ventured out these past few days, attending only to the necessary formalities.

On the thirtieth, Yun Li had everything prepared and went to bed early.

Waking up early in the morning, there was no rush as everyone could head to the event after breakfast.

By the time the people from the harem were heading to the Empress's place, the guests had already arrived.

Of course, those who came here were of high status, including the female relatives of the imperial clan and senior officials.

The older ones didn’t come here; they went to the Dowager Empress instead.

Among the Qi brothers, only the third one, a sixth-rank official, lacked the qualifications to enter.

The female relatives of the other three were all present.

Yun Li didn’t see Lady Lin, presuming she must have given birth or was about to.

Indeed, soon Qi Tonglu's wife, Lady Wu, came to inform her, "The fourth sister-in-law gave birth the day before yesterday. It's a girl, now the seventh daughter."

"Is that so? That’s wonderful news. How has the second aunt been doing?" Yun Li asked with a beaming smile.

"Well, everyone at home is doing well. At the grand banquet later, Xiao Yi will also see your father." They would all be seated together, but there would be a distance between the external officials and the ladies of the court, so they would only exchange a few distant glances.

Yun Li smiled and agreed, soon moving on to another conversation.

Lady Wu remained exceedingly polite in her demeanor, which seemed to irritate Lady Jiang, the wife of the Marquis of Dongchang.