Chapter 258

Chapter 0258: Can't Beat You to Death

"You!" Tears fell from Consort Hui's eyes, trembling with anger: "Even if you are Consort Qiong, even if you are favored, can you really lay hands on a consort in the palace?"

Yunli lifted her foot and kicked, striking Consort Hui directly in the thigh, sending her stepping back, caught by Hongchou before she fell to the ground.

"Consort Qiong, please stop!" Hongchou rushed over to grasp Yunli's leg.

She was blocked by Zhi Fu.

"Consort Hui, I'm asking you, have you remembered what I said?" Yunli's expression remained unchanged.

Consort Hui was defiant: "Qi Yunli! You've gone too far! This is the harem, outside the Empress's Phoenix Pavilion, have you lost your mind! I must tell His Majesty, relying on his favor, you act without restraint, His Majesty will not forgive you."

Upon hearing this, Zhi Fu firmly held Hongchou.

Indeed, Yunli strode over and slapped Consort Hui's face again.

This time, Consort Hui cleverly covered her face with her hands.

So the slap covered half her face.

Consort Mei, who had just walked out, came back and signaled her maid to step forward.

Ruixiang and Huanxiang, who had followed her on the grasslands, were skilled in horseback riding and archery, needless to say about their strength.

Pretending to pull the two ladies apart, she actually grabbed Consort Hui's arm.

In this gap, Yunli 'slap, slap' delivered two slaps.

Yunli repeated her question: "Consort Hui, have you remembered what I said?"

She was expressionless, while Consort Hui was on the verge of exploding with anger, yet also afraid.

Being of lower rank, she dared not act.

Yet, with such a commotion, the Empress never appeared; she was puzzled, as were likely others present.

Not only Consort Mei returned but also Consort Lan and Consort Jin.

With their return, naturally, they called for separation.

"Quickly separate them, what is this commotion about?" Consort Lan said.

Eunuchs and maids hurried over but recoiled at Yunli's intimidating gaze before they could reach her.

Seeing someone intervene gave Consort Hui the courage to protest: "I refuse to accept this, I will tell the Empress, I will tell His Majesty."

With Consort Lan and others back, it would be indecorous for the Empress to continue feigning ignorance.

However, the Empress only sent Ruyi to relay a message.

"The Empress says to stop the commotion. It's getting late, everyone go back." Clearly, she was washing her hands of the matter.

It seems, regardless of appearances over the years, the Empress truly despises Consort Hui at heart.

"The Empress is unjust!" Consort Hui exclaimed in anger, able to say anything.

"The Empress doesn't know you've been hit," Consort Lan stirred the pot.

Yunli sneered: "Since you can't remember what I said today, no matter, we can continue another day."

With that, she glanced at the disheveled Consort Hui and turned to leave.

She couldn't bother with formalities to the high-ranking officials present.

Consort Mei also left.

Walking away, Consort Mei laughed: "Well hit. With poor brains and a loose tongue, she deserved it."

"Thank you, sister," Yunli smiled.

It was Ruixiang taking sides that allowed her to slap a few more times.

"It's nothing, but given her special status, His Majesty will inevitably have to make a show of it. Expect to be confined," Consort Mei laughed: "In this hot weather, confinement might be a blessing."

"I've been wanting to slap her for years, just waiting for her to rise in rank. What's the point in hitting a minor figure like Baolin Yi?"

Even then, Yunli disdained her low status.

Consort Mei burst into laughter: "You, you, even the Empress Dowager and the Empress wouldn't dare hit her."

"Yes, they wouldn't dare, because they have too many considerations. All cousins, look at Ning Xiuyuan, then at her? What even is she?" Nothing, yet so full of herself.

Consort Mei, unable to stop laughing, insisted on dragging Yunli to the garden, saying if they don't go now, she might be confined by tomorrow.

Yunli was truly amused by her.

Eventually, the sisters had a meal together in the Imperial Garden.

Naturally, the news quickly reached the Emperor's ears.

The Emperor's response was: "What inappropriate things did Consort Hui say this morning?"

The question was such that Meng Chang felt like laughing.

"Your Majesty, nothing much this morning. It was just Consort Lan and Consort Qiong exchanging words, and Consort Hui interjected. It was mostly aimed at Consort Qiong. But it wasn't much."

With the incident blown out of proportion, of course, the Emperor would be informed and naturally had to inquire.

"If Consort Qiong is this angry, resorting to both slapping and kicking, then it's not just about today's few words. Ice does not form because of a single day's cold; this has been building up," He Jinli shook his head. "She's been known for her temper, but she's also reasonable. I'll pretend not to know about this. Consort Hui should learn her lesson, knowing what can and cannot be said in the future."

Truth be told, He Jinli was also quite disgusted with Consort Hui's occasional foolishness.

If not for Empress Dowager He...

But now, he no longer allows her to serve him in bed. Honestly, he fears Consort Hui might bear a prince with insufficient intellect.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was informed about the morning's events by Nanny Fan.

"All Consort Qiong said was: 'Consort Hui, have you remembered what I said?' How infuriating, she didn't say anything else."

The Empress Dowager laughed until she doubled over.

After a while, she managed to stop and said, "Oh my, you're killing me with laughter."

Nanny Fan comforted her: "It's my fault for tiring you out."

The Empress Dowager waved it off, took a few sips of tea to calm herself, and said, "How could she not have said anything? Those slaps were her statement. Consort Hui simply asked for it; it's no wonder she was hit."

"I thought she would follow in her aunt's footsteps, but it turns out she's not even as good as her. Even dressed in a dragon robe, she wouldn't resemble a crown prince," the Empress Dowager shook her head.

"Yes, but Consort Qiong really is bold, to lash out despite their relationship. If it weren't for everyone holding her back, who knows how many more slaps would have followed. Those slaps were real, everyone saw it, Consort Hui's face swelled up. She even got kicked."

Nanny Fan might be joking, but such fierceness is indeed rare to see.

"What of it? That's just her character. I can understand that; if it were me, I'd do the same. Once you've started hitting, why hold back? There's little difference between one slap and ten. The Emperor hasn't reacted yet, watch, he won't intervene in this matter," the Empress Dowager said.

"You're right, Your Highness, but this Consort Qiong... is too favored. With her favor, the Emperor sees her and the Ninth Prince more often. Though the Ninth Prince is still young, children grow up fast. Among the new faces in the palace, some are quite promising. Perhaps Your Highness could support one or two?" Nanny Fan suggested.

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath: "I know. Indeed, it's time to make some plans."

The position of Empress is not important. As long as the position of Crown Prince is secured, the Empress's position will eventually follow. The Fifth Prince is already eight years old this year.

Yunli: "How did she not get a nosebleed? That's not scientifically possible."

Consort Hui: [Indecipherable swearing]