Chapter 18: Imposing Punishment

Chapter 18: Imposing Punishment

Kneeling as a Form of Discipline

Yu Ling smiled and stepped forward to greet her, saying gently, "This servant greets Lady Su, congratulating you on your transfer to a new residence in the palace."

The two selected attendants behind her immediately realized who she was. Indeed, this was the recently favored Lady Su. She truly was beautiful, captivating to the eye.

One of them quickly bowed to Su Jiaojiao, while the other, with a somewhat cold expression, glanced at her before reluctantly bowing.

Su Jiaojiao subtly observed the two selected attendants.

The one who bowed first was bright and charming, very polite and tactful. The one who bowed later was even more beautiful, with a hint of proud determination in her eyes. Noticing Su Jiaojiao's puzzled expression, Yu Ling smiled and explained, "The one on the left is Selected Attendant Yun, and the one on the right is Selected Attendant Xiao."

Selected Attendant Xiao.

So, it seems you are the eldest daughter of the Xiao family who entered the palace this year," Su Jiaojiao said softly, looking at the one who bowed later and smiling.

Selected Attendant Xiao, granting her another look, saw that Su Jiaojiao had some discernment.

In the Yeting, she had heard all the details of the palace affairs. She was well aware of the ranks and positions of those who had recently gained favor.

If the Zhong family had been granted the rank of Lady, she could accept it, given their prominent status. But this unassuming Su, despite her father holding a high position, came from a minor family. How was she also granted the rank of Lady? It was truly discouraging.

Especially since she hadn't even left the Yeting yet, while those she considered her inferiors had already gained favor, which made her feel like a laughingstock. Now that her cousin Consort Mi had regained favor, she couldn't stay in the humble Yeting any longer!

Yu Ling curtsied, saying, "Please, my lady, don't keep Her Highness waiting."

Inside the Jiangyun Palace.

Consort Mi, assisted by her attendants, rose from her luxurious bed, draped a wide-sleeved robe over herself, and slowly walked to the main seat.

Her hair was styled beautifully, and the pearl hairpins made her look radiant, her complexion much better than a month ago. She glanced at the door as Yu Ling was leading several people into the main hall.

Su has come?

Indeed, today is her day of moving to a new residence. Having helped Su so much, it was only right that Su come to express her gratitude today.

Remembering how Su Jiaojiao had gained the emperor's favor these past few days, Consort Mi sneered and slammed her cup down. Just as she felt a moment of annoyance, she suddenly remembered that Su had finally been of some use, having somehow managed to bring the Emperor to Jiangyun Palace, allowing her to regain favor. Her mocking expression slowly disappeared, replaced by calm.

Jealousy among the women of the harem was common, but since she had taken Su into her service, they were in the same boat. If she wanted Su to be useful, she needed to treat her well.

Besides, even the most docile rabbit would bite if cornered.

Now that she had regained favor, Xiao Shaoyi would certainly not want to remain unnoticed in the Yeting. Although she didn't like this arrogant and naïve cousin, she was the only relative in the harem, and their families were closely connected. She had to help Xiao Shaoyi gain favor.

Even if it was just to balance Xiao Shaoyi in the future, Su was a pawn that had to be used well.

Su Jiaojiao followed Yu Ling into the inner chamber, her beautiful eyes daring only a glance before she looked away, still as uneasy and respectful as the first time she came. She bowed her head and, along with the two selected attendants, greeted Consort Mi: "This humble Su greets Your Highness, thanking Your Highness for your great kindness and care..."

Consort Mi glanced at her, seeing that despite gaining favor, Su had not become arrogant and remained humble. She lazily acknowledged with a "Hmm," and said, "Rise, take a seat."

Su Jiaojiao smoothed her skirt and obediently sat in the lower seat, subtly observing the two selected attendants still kneeling in the hall.

Unlike Selected Attendant Yun, Selected Attendant Xiao, knowing she was related to Consort Mi, thought she should be treated differently. But now, even Su had risen, while she was still kneeling on the ground. A look of dissatisfaction crossed her face. She looked up at Consort Mi and muttered, "Cousin..."

Consort Mi looked at her coldly: "Can't endure this?"

"In the palace, what you'll have to endure is more than just kneeling for a short while. Did you really think entering the palace would mean a lifetime of wealth and luxury?"

Selected Attendant Xiao, confident in her beauty and noble birth, always held her head high and never took others seriously. Hearing Consort Mi's reprimand, she straightened her back and shot back defiantly: “We come from prestigious clans; how can those from humble backgrounds even compare to us? My cousin and I will advance together, becoming favored consorts as easy as flipping our hands!”

Consort Mi was angered by these words and slammed the table, scolding, “Utterly foolish!”

She pointed directly at Su Jiaojiao and sternly said, “In the harem, hierarchy is clear. No matter how high your birth, power, rank, and the emperor's favor are what matter most! Just like now, if Su Jiaojiao orders you to bow, you must kneel obediently. If you resist, even if the empress punishes you, you will have no defense!”

Facing her naive and foolish cousin, Consort Mi felt a migraine coming on, her heart filled with irritation. “The emperor is deep-minded and the court is stable. In the harem, he does as he pleases, favoring whoever he wishes. What use is birth?”

Seeing Consort Mi so angry, Xiao Shaoyi quietly turned her head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Her cousin’s words were sharp and piercing, causing her ears to burn. She hadn’t even left the Yeting Palace yet, and her thoughts were all theoretical, making her feel somewhat unconvinced. But precisely because she hadn’t left the Yeting Palace, Xiao Shaoyi still felt somewhat unconvinced.

Even so, she hadn’t yet received the emperor’s favor—how could her cousin know she wouldn’t succeed?

As the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, if she were favored, wouldn’t it be easy to be granted the rank of a beauty like the Zhong and Su clans? Then, those lower-ranking consorts would have to bow to her, and she wouldn’t be the one humiliated!

With these thoughts, Selected Attendant Xiao's heart burned with ambition. She looked up again, her tone softening slightly, begging, “Cousin, I just want to leave the Yeting Palace. Look, those inferior to me have all left, only I remain among the noble ladies. If I don’t leave soon, won’t I become a laughingstock?”

Consort Mi looked at her calmly for a while before letting out a breath and saying coldly, “I will think of a way for you. But remember this, rein in your arrogance. If you don’t heed my advice and something happens later, don’t expect me to save you!”

Selected Attendant Xiao was taken aback by Consort Mi's coldness. She pressed her lips together, straightened her back, and said, “I understand.”

Seeing that Xiao Shaoyi had finally calmed down, Consort Mi's headache finally subsided. She asked a few more questions of Selected Attendant Yun before rubbing her temples and saying, “Have someone see Selected Attendant Xiao and Selected Attendant Yun back. When the time comes, I will arrange things.”

After the two newcomers left, Su Jiaojiao cautiously looked at Consort Mi.

Consort Mi noticed her gaze and impatiently frowned, “Alright, you may leave!”

As Su Jiaojiao stood up, Consort Mi suddenly added, “No one is to speak of the conversation between me and Selected Attendant Xiao. Yu Ling, go and tell Selected Attendant Yun that under my command, loyalty is paramount. If anyone betrays me, I will skin them alive!”

Su Jiaojiao trembled, quickly turned around, and knelt down, “I would never dare to be disloyal, please be at ease, Your Highness!”

Consort Mi stared at Su Jiaojiao for what felt like a long while before lazily leaning back on the soft couch, her phoenix-like eyes narrowing, “I know that.”

It was already afternoon when they left the Crimson Cloud Palace.

After the midday rest, the palace paths gradually became busier.

The journey from the Palace of Eternal Joy back to the Palace of Guanju was short, taking only the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.

On the broad palace path, half a tree of pink cherry blossoms peeked over the vermilion palace walls, like a cloud of rosy clouds falling.

She seemed to be admiring the flowers but paused for a moment.

Though she appeared to be admiring the flowers, she was actually thinking about the incident with Selected Attendant Xiao and Selected Attendant Yun.

Though Consort Mi and Selected Attendant Xiao were cousins, their relationship was superficial and not close. Consort Mi was already known in the palace as domineering and arrogant, but her cousin Selected Attendant Xiao was even more so, truly laughable.

Once the Xiao family gained favor, Consort Mi would likely have even more headaches.

But…

Having someone to take the fall could also be a good thing.

Su Jiaojiao reached out to touch a cherry blossom, her eyes sparkling with a charming smile.

Beside her, Yu Ying and Yu Ye also looked up at the half-tree of pink cherry blossoms, giggling, “Mistress, why don’t we have someone go around and pick a few branches for you to place in a vase? It could add some color to the Pixiang Palace.”

Su Jiaojiao smiled and said, "How would we know what's on the other side of the wall? I find the Pixiang Palace quite grand already. The Internal Affairs Bureau has arranged many fresh flowers today. We're not missing out on a few more flowers."

Just as the three of them were talking, a few people in the distance noticed them and soon quietly came closer.

Since Su Jiaojiao hadn't seen them coming, the maid beside the woman sharply rebuked, "Bold! How dare you not pay respects to Min Chongyi!"

Su Jiaojiao was startled for a moment but soon collected herself, looking at Min Chongyi in front of her.

Min Chongyi was dressed in a lake-blue palace gown, her hair styled in an elaborate flying fairy bun, adorned with dazzling pearls and jade.

The maids behind her carried brocade boxes, clearly on their way to another palace. If they had a destination, why come all the way over here? It was obvious they were here to pick on her.

Su Jiaojiao was on guard. She hadn't forgotten how Min Chongyi had singled her out just two days ago in the Empress's palace.

To avoid giving anyone a chance to fault her, she hastily stepped back and bowed to Min Chongyi, her voice hurried and filled with apology, trembling as she spoke: "Your humble servant pays respects to Lady Chongyi. I failed to notice and greet you earlier; it is my fault."

Min Chongyi scoffed coldly, slightly raising her chin, "My entourage consists of eight people, such a grand presence, yet you didn't hear a sound. Was it truly an oversight or was it deliberate? You know better than I, Su Jiaojiao."

It was clearly Min Chongyi who had deliberately lowered her voice, yet now she was blaming it on her!

Su Jiaojiao felt extremely wronged, tears welling up in her eyes as she bit her lower lip and said, "I would never dare to disrespect you, Lady Chongyi. Please believe me, I had no such intention..."

A beauty in tears, crying so pitifully. Su Jiaojiao was exceptionally beautiful, one of the top beauties in the entire palace. Her delicate features and slender figure made her look even more pitiful when she cried.

Even women couldn't bear to see her suffer and cry.

But precisely because she was so captivating, Min Chongyi felt even more displeased with her. Seeing her crying and sobbing only fueled her anger, and she coldly said, "What, it's clearly your fault, and now you're crying in front of me, making it seem like I'm the one bullying you!"

"You did the same thing at Fengyi Palace, and now you're trying the same trick again! The Emperor likes your seductive appearance, but I won't fall for it!"

Min Chongyi sternly ordered, "Su Jiaojiao, for disrespecting your superior, you are to kneel for two hours as a warning to others!"