Chapter 248

Chapter 0248: Pleasure Is Outrageous

Zhu Yu hesitated, then spoke through the bronze mirror, "Don't worry, even the best relationships have their quarrels."

"Isn't it said that I'm favored? The Emperor is not a man of small stature. I was just angry, not being unreasonable," Yunli said.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhu Yu finally said, "Your Highness, next time, at least don't smash things. I was so scared my heart stopped."

Yunli chuckled: "Alright, next time I won't smash things."

Zhu Yu was too caught up in laughter to notice anything amiss with that statement.

Although Lu Wei only heard part of the conversation, she understood the gist.

She looked at Zhu Yu with an expression that was hard to describe.

From the looks of it, the Empress had lost her temper with the Emperor and even smashed things. And there's going to be a next time?

How bold...

Of course, He Jinli couldn't possibly enter the harem again.

The eunuchs, always observing, noticed that the Emperor seemed... not angry?

Meng Chang was initially unaware, but after his disciple informed him, he was at a loss for words.

He remembered the ball of snow he had received from the Emperor during the day.

That probably represented his current state of heart.

Cold, devoid of feeling.

The Emperor surely wasn't angry, even leisurely practicing calligraphy, and it was the long-abandoned style of flying white.

Moreover, the Emperor appeared relaxed while writing, with strokes flowing freely.

Although his face was not smiling, the pleasure was visibly evident.

So, you were scolded by your concubine, pointed at your nose, and even had a teacup smashed.

Tea leaves fell on your boots (as the little eunuchs said).

And you really don’t feel like you’ve lost face?

Meng Chang felt he had initially underestimated Consort Qing, completely blindsided.

Truly, with her capabilities and rank, how many in the harem could compare?

Look, these past years, she hasn't relied on scheming or intrigue, always acting openly.

Not hesitating to call the Emperor by name, candidly expressing her fondness for him, even saying he'd be a fool not to realize it.

And today, she went as far as to scold him for being alone and unsupported.

And smashing things, smashing things!

You'd never find a second one like her in the harem in this lifetime.

Of course, if you're ready to throw caution to the wind, there are always those who aren't afraid of death.

But after that outburst, the Emperor hasn't followed up, probably giving it a cold shoulder for about half a month. (He reckons it can't be much longer.)

But the Emperor wasn’t angry, now, who else has such skill?

Completely impressed, thoroughly so.

Bold yet meticulous, daring to fight and struggle.

There are many attendants in the Imperial Garden, so the incident of those two maids being sent to the internal penal department couldn’t be kept secret.

He Jinli didn’t plan to keep it a secret either.

Given the crowd in the Imperial Garden, even the quarrel between Yunli and He Jinli was sniffed out.

Of course, the servants spoke in euphemisms, but even those hinted at Consort Qing being agitated and 'accidentally' knocking over the teacup.

The key point is, Yunli’s fierce reputation left an impression in the harem that she wouldn’t hesitate to wield a knife if provoked.

Thus, this 'accident' was overlooked.

Anyone who found out was pretty much certain it was her who smashed the teacup.

In a way, that became the truth.

Indeed, He Jinli didn’t visit Yuqu Palace for nearly half a month. By the first day of the second month, during the visit to the Empress Dowager, someone had to ask.

"How come I heard that Sister Qing recently had a quarrel with His Majesty? I doubted my ears when I heard it. We are concubines, how dare we argue with His Majesty? And smashing things?" Wu ZhaoRong said with a tone of concern.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager had to ask, even if she already knew, because Wu ZhaoRong brought it up, didn’t she?

"What's this about?"

Yunli rose and curtsied: "To answer the Empress Dowager, indeed, it happened. I was somewhat overwrought at the time."

"What could possibly upset you so?" Lan Consort asked: "Sister, do tell, so we all can steer clear in the future."

Yunli glanced at her, then turned to the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, I admit my fault, but since His Majesty did not mention it afterwards, I dare not speak of it."

The Empress Dowager frowned: "As a consort, you should be respectful and diligent. How could you argue with His Majesty? Whatever your reasons, you are at fault. Do you acknowledge this?"

"Yes, I dare not dissent and indeed acknowledge my mistake. I know I was wrong. Please, Empress Dowager, punish me," Yunli said respectfully.

"Enough, considering you are still young and usually sensible, I won't punish you this time. Just remember your duties and the rules of being a consort. No repeat offenses," the Empress Dowager decreed.

"Yes, I will heed your teachings, Empress Dowager, and dare not offend again," Yunli bowed again.

"Sit down and speak," the Empress Dowager instructed.

Yunli thanked the Empress Dowager and sat down.

Wu ZhaoRong, of course, was not satisfied, but with the Empress Dowager's decision not to punish, she had no grounds to object.

Jin De Consort laughed: "Actually, Sister Qing has a straightforward nature and a bit of a temper, but she's undoubtedly upright. These traits might mellow with age."

"Indeed, I adore her temperament the most," Mei Shu Consort chimed in with a smile.

"Hearing you say this, I understand now. Everyone has their own nature, and that's fine. But we are in the harem, where restraint is necessary. Being a woman here is always challenging," the Empress Dowager said candidly.

Yunli was 'moved' quite a bit.

Leaving Cian Palace, Yunli looked at Wu ZhaoRong: "Sister ZhaoRong, you've truly outdone yourself in finding fault."

"What fault-finding? I merely asked a question. Why so petty, sister?" Wu ZhaoRong felt uneasy.

"I'm not being petty, but the incident with His Majesty happened in the presence of only a few servants. Sister, you went out of your way to find out and kept it to yourself with glee, even bringing it up publicly. You know I'm quick-tempered and not the brightest. If I dared to argue with His Majesty, what if I impulsively targeted you next? Whether I get punished is one thing, but what if you ended up worse for wear? Already out of favor, and then incapacitated, oh my..."

Yunli observed Wu ZhaoRong's alternating flush and pale complexion: "Tsk, I really didn't see it coming. After so many years in the palace, making little progress, you still managed to learn about my dispute with His Majesty so easily. Sister, your skills are indeed noteworthy, truly remarkable."

"Qi Yunli! What's with the sarcasm? What have I inquired about that's such a secret? Who doesn't know?" Wu ZhaoRong retorted angrily.

"Really? Then, since everyone knows, why haven't others come to ask me? In the entire harem, are you the only clever one?" Yunli sneered, then boarded her carriage: "If you're that nosy, then you truly are troublesome. If someone's egging you on, you'd better cut ties with them. They'll be the death of you."

Wu ZhaoRong was fuming, but this was not the place to argue.

As Yunli had boarded her carriage first, she had no choice but to board hers in return.