Chapter 314

Chapter 0314: Courting Punishment

Yet, half of the cakes ended up on the floor, and the other half stuck to her hair. In her haste to remove them, she even pulled off some of her jewelry, leaving her hair tangled with the sticky rice cakes in a most disheveled state.

Yun Li watched her quietly, without uttering a word. There was also no pleasure in her eyes.

Finally, Hong Chou managed to clean Hui Meiren's hair, leaving her completely frazzled.

Liang Yu's punishment was also carried out, leaving the master and servants in utter disarray.

"Qi Yun Li, you've gone too far. How long do you think you can keep this up? You're already struggling to protect yourself, and yet you dare treat me like this! You... you... you witch!" Hui Meiren screamed furiously.

Yun Li watched quietly.

"You wretch, I'll kill you!" Beautified Hui was truly infuriated by her expression.

Casting aside all pretense of dignity, she charged forward, intent on striking her.

Of course, physical assault was unacceptable, especially here in Jade Aqueduct Palace, surrounded by its occupants. How could they allow their mistress to be attacked?

Naturally, she was restrained.

It was at this moment that Emperor He Jingxin arrived.

Standing back, he frowned, "What is this commotion?"

Yun Li looked towards him, bowing respectfully, "Greetings to Your Majesty."

Beautified Hui, startled, turned to see Emperor He Jingxin.

Her hair disheveled, she lacked any semblance of grace as she knelt down, "Your Majesty, please vindicate me. Yun Li must be mad! Despite being guilty, she dared to lay hands on me, I merely..."

"Who accused Yun Li of a crime?" Emperor He Jingxin inquired.

Beautified Hui, taken aback, stuttered, "Isn't it... didn't you... after your investigation..."

"What investigation? Why are you here? What are you causing a scene for?" At this moment, seeing Beautified Hui only aggravated Emperor He Jingxin.

To think, such a person, whom he once favored.

It was unbearable to even contemplate.

"I... I am..."

Dragging her injured body, Liang Yu knelt down: "It's my fault. I went to the kitchen for sticky rice cakes, not knowing they were for Consort Yun. Later, when I returned... I delivered them to Consort Yun... she became angry, hit me, and then hit Beautified Hui."

"Nonsense! If you didn't know it was for our mistress, how come you didn't know in the kitchen but suddenly knew after returning?" Zhu Yue challenged.

"It was... a guess..." Liang Yu faltered, realizing her error: "No, no, no, it was... an estimation..."

"Not a single truth in your words, clearly knowing beforehand and yet seizing the opportunity to mock. You come to Jade Aqueduct Palace causing trouble and still have the face to speak?" Zhu Yu glared at her.

"It's all Liang Yu's fault. She said there was only one portion left in the kitchen, and I thought it was for Consort Yun. It was wrong of me to take it, so I hurriedly sent her to deliver it, not expecting to upset the Consort." Beautified Hui explained.

Yun Li remained silent, offering no explanations, only giving Emperor He Jingxin a look that he understood.

That look said...

'Is this the person you've uplifted? Aren't you embarrassed?'

Emperor He Jingxin was livid.

"Consort Yun, did you lay hands on her?" Emperor He Jingxin inquired.

"This girl was rude to me. I am, after all, a consort. I'm allowed to hit her, aren't I?" Yun Li stated.

"When did I ever disrespect you?" Liang Yu hastily interjected.

"Now. I'm speaking with His Majesty, and you dare to speak like this. Isn't that disrespect? Spouting nonsense? Tsk tsk, Beautified Hui has taught you well," Yun Li said indifferently.

"Even if Liang Yu was at fault, what about me? I did nothing wrong, yet you still struck me," Beautified Hui argued.

"Oh, it's because I don't appreciate being mocked. His Majesty has yet to convict me, so I remain Consort Yun. As long as I am Consort Yun for even a day, I do not take kindly to being disgusted by something as disgraceful as you," Yun Li scoffed. "If you dislike it, then strive for a higher rank. There are still the Virtuous Consort and the Kind Consort above me. Climb your way up."

"You... you..." Beautified Hui trembled with rage, her facial expression twisting.

Making her look even worse.

"Enough of this disgraceful spectacle, haven't you knelt enough?" Emperor He Jingxin couldn't stand it any longer.

Beautified Hui truly felt like she was about to die from frustration and humiliation, refusing to rise: "I beg His Majesty to stand up for me. I cannot accept Consort Yun's behavior."

Yun Li glanced down at her, then at Emperor He Jingxin, and with a serene bow said, "I shall return and reflect behind closed doors, awaiting His Majesty's punishment."

Emperor He Jingxin wanted to laugh at this moment, truly, a laughter borne of frustration.

So, he genuinely laughed: "Since Consort Yun is so self-aware, go and confine yourself."

This woman is too temperamental.

With a bow, Yun Li truly departed.

Instantly, only the gatekeepers remained at the grand entrance.

The gatekeepers kept their heads low, fearing even a glance from His Majesty.

My lady, is it really okay to leave His Majesty hanging? He's here, wouldn't it be better to just go along with it?

The answer is no.

At this moment, Emperor He Jingxin was indeed a bit angry and naturally wouldn't enter.

Thus, seeing the incessant Beautified Hui only fueled his anger more.

"Since this servant is of no use, she should be expelled," Emperor He Jingxin addressed Beautified Hui. "You have erred time and again, and I have been sufficiently lenient. Should there be another instance, I wouldn't hesitate to send you out as well. It wouldn't be the first time someone has been expelled."

This time, Emperor He Jingxin remembered Qi Qingluan.

Beautified Hui was stunned into silence.

With a huff, Emperor He Jingxin turned and departed.

Beautified Hui struggled to her feet, staring at the emperor's retreating figure, unable to utter a word for a long while.

Only after returning did she complain, "Is Consort Yun that admirable? She dared to disrespect His Majesty, and he just tolerated it?"

Hongchou remained silent, thinking, 'Where did His Majesty show tolerance? Didn't he vent his frustration on you immediately afterward?'

"What about Liang Yu?" asked someone.

"The emperor expelled her; what can I do but give her two taels of silver as a parting gift?" Beautified Hui waved off.

Hongchou acknowledged quietly.

Liang Yu brought it upon herself, but with Beautified Hui acting this way, it likely disheartened those below her.

Word of the incident, where Beautified Hui troubled Consort Yun only to be caught by the emperor, spread quickly.

She stirred up quite the commotion.

The next morning at the greeting ceremony, she was ridiculed.

Who would side with her?

"Oh, what happened yesterday? I heard Beautified Hui was in quite a sorry state," commented someone who had seen her covered in sticky rice, which was disgustingly funny.

Wasn't Wuzhao Rong the first to gossip?

"Why did Beautified Hui rush to Consort Yun's palace to make a scene? Tsk, no offense, but she really loves being in the thick of things," Lady Yu laughed behind her hand.

"Sister Hui had good intentions, bringing Consort Yun pastries," Lady Pei chuckled.

"What precious pastries, fussing so much to deliver them?" Lady Ye also laughed.

"Consort Yun disregards all rules, acting recklessly, and you all find this amusing?" Beautified Hui snapped, "Yesterday it was me; who knows who it will be tomorrow? If she gets away with it, do you think any of you can be at peace?"

"Beautified Hui!" The Noble Consort entered, "What are you blabbering about with your mouth open?"

"Greetings, Noble Consort," everyone bowed.

"What's this talk? Weren't you the one who went there yesterday?" Consort Jin followed in, smiling.

"My respects to the Noble Consort and Consort Jin," Beautified Hui begrudgingly greeted.