Chapter 72 Princess De Ning

Chapter 72 Princess De Ning

It was only later that A Wu learned that Princess De Ning had previously gone to the Jingxi Emperor’s Fengtian Palace to see him and submit her penitent letter, but the Jingxi Emperor had been dismissive and ignored her completely.

This happened repeatedly over the course of more than a month. When Princess De Ning finally wrote her fifth letter of remorse, the Jingxi Emperor agreed to see her in the Fengtian Palace.

At the time, A Wu was also present and quickly ducked behind the curtains to avoid embarrassing Princess De Ning.

Even so, she could still hear the commotion outside.

She heard a sudden *thud*, as if Princess De Ning had knelt down.

Then came the sound of weeping—*sniffles*—heartbroken and full of misery.

A Wu’s heart ached just listening to it.

But the Jingxi Emperor paid no attention, listening coldly, seemingly keeping on reading reports without stopping.

Princess De Ning cried for a long while before gradually quieting down.

Wiping her tears, she said in a low voice, "Father, I know I was wrong."

Her voice was hoarse, still choked with sobs.

Only then did the Jingxi Emperor lift his gaze slightly to look at his kneeling daughter. "You’ve written eight letters of self-reflection in total. Have you finally realized where you went wrong?"

Princess De Ning sniffled and said, "I should not have openly questioned the court’s ceremonial protocols during the banquet, nor should I have insulted Father, being disrespectful and unfilial—reckless and insolent."

The Jingxi Emperor asked, "Do you still resent Noble Consort Ning in your heart, believing that your father favors her and is thus so harsh on you?"

Princess De Ning bit her lip and bowed her head silently, not daring to answer.

The Jingxi Emperor let out a cold laugh and abruptly threw down a stack of papers. "Look at this—what is all this nonsense?"

With a *rustle*, the thick pile of papers scattered before Princess De Ning, some even fluttering onto her face.

When Princess De Ning saw them, she went pale.

She stared in shame, at a loss. "I’m useless."

These were the essays she had written after being sent to the Imperial Academy—all covered in corrections by the palace tutor, a disaster.

She had thought she was only being punished by being forced to attend the academy, so she hadn’t put in any effort and had ignored the corrections. Never had she imagined these papers would end up before her father.

Her face burned with humiliation, wishing the ground would swallow her.

The Jingxi Emperor said, "As a young woman raised in the women’s quarters, compared to your imperial brothers, I have indeed devoted less attention to you."

Great Hui placed great emphasis on the separation of men and women. Even as her own father, his interactions with her had diminished after she turned eight. Moreover, the education of daughters differed from that of sons—he couldn’t exactly teach her archery and riding as he did with the crown prince.

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "But I have always insisted that you study diligently under the guidance of the palace tutor. When you caused trouble for the imperial consorts during the lectures, I sent you to the Imperial Academy not just to punish you, but because you have already passed the age of fifteen. In a year or two, you will be married—shouldn’t you learn to manage a household and govern a family?"

Princess De Ning kept her head deeply bowed, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The Jingxi Emperor said, "Yet you still act willfully, running with a bad crowd and showing utter disrespect to the palace tutor! And now, you even dare to openly question your father in court, insulting your stepmother and disregarding propriety! Look at yourself—do you even act like a princess of Great Hui?"

Hiding behind the curtains, A Wu listened to all this, both amused and sorry for her.

This foolish princess—who asked her to be so spoiled and stubborn? She deserved it.

She never fully understood that she was born into an imperial family, not an ordinary household where she could act spoiled and willful as she pleased.

Princess De Ning finally couldn't hold back any longer and sobbed, "But... but Father, your daughter feels wronged."

Jingxi Emperor: "Wronged? What wrongs have you suffered?"

Princess De Ning hesitated, too afraid to speak.

She knew her father now favored this newly promoted Noble Consort Ning. She had previously bullied Noble Consort Ning, and if the consort whispered complaints into his ear, she would be ruined.

Jingxi Emperor: "Speak."

His voice was so stern that Princess De Ning jumped in fright and had no choice but to say, "Why is my birth mother's rank so low? Noble Lady Ning was just promoted to Noble Consort Ning after becoming pregnant and even received the golden treasure. Isn't my mother also Your Majesty's consort?"

Hearing this, the Jingxi Emperor laughed.

He raised an eyebrow and said coolly, "De Ning, you must understand that from the moment you were born, as my own blood, you were destined to enjoy all the world's luxuries. As a princess of Great Hui, your father is the emperor, and your elder brother will also be emperor. You'll never experience true hardship in this life. What you call 'wronged' is nothing but the arrogance of one who thinks too highly of herself!"

Princess De Ning was stunned, gazing blankly at the emperor above her.

Jingxi Emperor: "When you were born, I issued a general pardon across the land. When you came of age, the palace bureaus prepared for two months in advance. When you marry, it will be the grandest wedding in the world with a dowry procession stretching ten miles. You are precious royal offspring, living in privilege and luxury, yet you remain unsatisfied, treating it all as your due. Now you even complain that I haven't granted your mother a higher rank?"

Princess De Ning seemed to realize something, the color slowly draining from her face.

Jingxi Emperor: "Have you ever seen any other young woman dare interfere in her father's household affairs? If one day you marry, will you also meddle in your husband's household? Or if your in-laws show the slightest neglect, will you arrogantly confront them in their own hall?"

His expression turned icy: "Let alone that this is the imperial harem—these consorts are all your stepmothers. They hold ranks and titles as ladies of the imperial court. Today, whether it's a noble consort or even a lowly eighth-rank attendant, it's not your place to comment on such matters!"

Princess De Ning's lips trembled as she murmured, "Your daughter recognizes her faults now, truly recognizes them. I only asked because I saw my mother weeping day after day, and it pained my heart. I never meant to deliberately provoke anyone, nor did I expect my moment of impulse would lead to such grave mistakes."

Jingxi Emperor said indifferently, "De Ning, go back thirty years—Great Hui has had princesses married off to foreign states for alliances or confined to the depths of the palace. Do you think without your father, you would enjoy today's glory? Who gave you the audacity to act so insolently before me?"

Hearing this, Princess De Ning trembled with fear: "Now I understand. My mother is already honored as Consort Kang—this is Your Majesty's magnanimous favor, showing consideration for my standing to grant me dignity."

At last, she faced the truth: her father held not an ounce of affection or pity for her birth mother.

Granting her mother the rank of Consort Kang was already for her sake—any higher was impossible.

Because her mother remained unsatisfied, growing greedy, she was stripped of even that rank and demoted to a simple concubine.

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his gaze, silently watching his tearful daughter below. The earlier iciness in his expression faded slightly.

After all, this was his own child.

Hidden in the back, A Wu faintly sensed the subtle shift in the emperor's mood—his anger seemed to lessen, replaced by pity for his daughter.

Finally, the Jingxi Emperor spoke again, his voice still cold: "De Ning, you may think I've been too harsh today, but you must understand—I could select a husband for you this instant and send you off with a ten-mile dowry procession, and no one at court would dare criticize me. As for your birth mother—since she committed faults, why should I tolerate her? With one edict, I could banish her to the Cold Palace without another word from her!"

Princess De Ning hung her head low, burning with shame.

Jingxi Emperor continued, "Truthfully, I've long held many dissatisfactions toward you and your elder brother, often feeling you weren't the children I wanted."

Princess De Ning looked up in surprise—she hadn't expected her father to say such things.

Jingxi Emperor: "But I also understand that you were born as yourselves. Even as my children, I cannot shape you like bonsai trees. So I must accept it."

Princess De Ning was profoundly shaken, murmuring, "Father..."

Jingxi Emperor: "Despite all my dissatisfactions, the one thing I'm grateful for is that you both remain kind by nature—not the type of children who throw their weight around."

Upon hearing this, Princess De Ning's tears instantly fell, flooded with gratitude and fear.

She quickly protested, "Father, I wasn’t trying to pick on Noble Consort Ning. When she was still a Noble Lady, I did say a few things, but... I truly didn’t mean to!"

A Wu, hiding in the shadows, sucked in a sharp breath.

She actually brought this up again...

Jingxi Emperor: "Oh? Then speak truthfully. I wish to hear it."

Princess De Ning then blurted out everything, even mentioning the incident with the red gourd charm—she recounted it all!

A Wu was speechless. She herself hadn’t gone into such detail and had already brushed it off, yet Princess De Ning suddenly brought it up again, just asking for trouble!

She didn’t want Jingxi Emperor to start grilling them again!

Worse yet, Princess De Ning even described how she had scolded A Wu for wearing it, recounting everything exactly as it happened.

A Wu cringed in embarrassment, willing her to shut up immediately!

In her panic, she accidentally made a noise.

She quickly covered her mouth, but it was too late.

In the hall, Princess De Ning’s eyes went wide, looking toward the back of the chamber.

Jingxi Emperor glanced back impassively and commanded, "Come out."

A Wu wanted to sink through the floor. She wished she could hide away and vanish completely.

Jingxi Emperor repeated, "If you don’t come out now, I’ll have someone drag you out."

A Wu had no choice but to steel herself and step forward shakily, bowing to the emperor.

Given her pregnancy, she was specially exempted from kneeling.

The moment Princess De Ning saw A Wu, her face burned with humiliation. She hadn’t expected A Wu to be present and was mortified that her earlier words had been overheard, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

Jingxi Emperor’s face gave nothing away. "De Ning, continue."

A Wu quickly interjected, "There’s no need to say more. It’s nothing serious."

Princess De Ning looked at A Wu in surprise.

Then, it clicked. "So... you didn’t report me."

A Wu saw red. She glared coldly at De Ning.

De Ning, though displeased, had already learned her lesson and dared not speak recklessly before her father, so she bit her lip.

Jingxi Emperor knew exactly what was going on and asked, "De Ning, do you have anything to say?"

De Ning felt trapped and unfairly accused, muttering, "Father, I didn’t know she hadn’t reported me. As for the lecture incident, wasn’t it her who—"

A Wu let out a bitter laugh. "That’s a lie! That wasn’t me. I never reported you!"

De Ning: "You didn’t?"

Jingxi Emperor: "Noble Consort Ning has never reported you. I learned of the lecture incident from elsewhere. As for the jewelry matter, you were way out of line. Are you the only one in the world allowed to wear such things, while others are forbidden?"

Princess De Ning panicked and quickly said, "At the time, I just wanted to humble her. I only said it casually—who knew she’d take it seriously..."

A Wu found this even more amusing: "No wonder you picked on me during the lectures. So you thought I was an easy target? Just because I didn’t complain, you kept bullying me? So as a princess, you’re just a bully who targets the weak?"

Princess De Ning grew even more aggrieved: "I didn’t! I only teased you a little!"

The Jingxi Emperor interjected, "Said? What do you mean by 'said'? Tell me exactly—what did you say to her?"

Princess De Ning flinched, too scared to mention it in front of her father.

The Jingxi Emperor turned to Noble Consort Ning: "What did she say?"

A Wu lowered her head and remained silent.

Princess De Ning didn’t dare speak, and A Wu didn’t want to make things worse.

The Jingxi Emperor cast a cold look over the two of them below the steps, his expression stern. "De Ning, you have constantly bullied Noble Consort Ning in the past. First, apologize to her for all your past actions, and then perform the *wanfu* bow to her."

A Wu glanced at Princess De Ning.

Though reluctant, under the Jingxi Emperor’s authority, Princess De Ning eventually offered a reluctant apology and performed the *wanfu* bow to A Wu.

Then, the Jingxi Emperor added, "Noble Consort Ning, acknowledge her with a nod."

A Wu was stunned.

The Jingxi Emperor pressed, "Well?"

Princess De Ning gasped in surprise.

The *wanfu* bow was a gesture of respect from a junior to a senior of equal status, while a nod in return was a sign of acknowledgment from a senior to a junior—or could also be used between peers.

Now that the Jingxi Emperor had instructed A Wu to return the greeting with a nod, Princess De Ning felt she had salvaged some pride.

She cautiously glanced at her father, looming above, and found a small comfort in her heart.

Then, she turned to A Wu beside her.

A Wu decided it wasn’t worth making a fuss and returned the gesture.

The Jingxi Emperor declared, "I know well of De Ning’s past wrongdoings and have already punished her. De Ning, I hope you learn from this and never repeat such actions. If you do, I will not be lenient."

Princess De Ning recalled the punishments she had endured, as well as her mother’s demotion, and though it pained her, she dared not protest. She could only mumble, "Yes."

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "Now, De Ning, return to your chambers and continue your self-reflection in seclusion."

Princess De Ning’s chest tightened further. She hung her head, fighting back tears again.

She had actually come to plead for mercy, but now it seemed hopeless.

Then, to her surprise, the Jingxi Emperor added, "In a few days, it will be the Shangsi Festival. I will be taking Noble Consort Ning on an outing to the countryside. You may accompany us."

Princess De Ning gasped, looking up at the Jingxi Emperor in disbelief.

She was floored—this was something she had never experienced before.

The Jingxi Emperor went on, "Noble Consort Ning is your stepmother and is now carrying your younger sibling. During the outing, you must look out for her. This is also to help you understand your future role as an elder sister and to fulfill your responsibilities accordingly."

Princess De Ning was caught off guard.

After a moment, she tilted her head and curiously glanced at A Wu’s abdomen.

There was already a noticeable bump there, which made her both curious and expectant: "When will my little brother or sister be born?"

A Wu replied, "Maybe even tomorrow."

Princess De Ning was astonished and gave A Wu a skeptical look: "I don’t believe it. How could that be... Are you lying to me?"

A Wu shrugged and said, "Yes, I am lying to you. You really fell for that?"

Princess De Ning: "..."

She was at a loss for words.

The Jingxi Emperor's lips twitched in amusement, but he still commanded, "Stop teasing her."

Then he instructed Princess De Ning, "Noble Consort Ning is now the highest-ranking consort, the foremost among the imperial consorts, and also your elder. You can call her 'Mother Consort.'"

De Ning froze at his words.

She silently looked up, only to meet her father’s unshakable authority.

A Wu, seeing this, kept her mouth shut and remained silent.

The Jingxi Emperor saw right through the thoughts of the two below him. He was in no hurry to push the matter and instead said, "It’s getting late. I shall accompany Noble Consort Ning for lunch. You may withdraw now."

Princess De Ning's heart sank a little upon hearing this.

She was afraid she’d let him down and wondered if she should comply. But for the moment, she wasn’t ready to accept it.

Apart from her real mother, Consort Kang, she had only ever addressed the Empress as "Mother Empress."

She wanted to say something, but seeing her father’s unwillingness to discuss it further, she could only bow and step back.

As she walked out of the Fengtian Hall, her mind was filled with countless thoughts. But recalling the upcoming spring outing on the Shangsi Festival, she felt a little better.

If she hadn’t understood before, she now vaguely grasped it.

Her father had punished her real mother and had been distant with her, but now he had summoned her to the Fengtian Hall and spoken so much to her—it was meant to instruct her, not to completely cast her aside as her mother had claimed.

For an emperor, the most direct way to get rid of a daughter was to arrange a lavish marriage and send her away, never seeing her again, completely severing ties—not to speak to her with such earnest words.

Her father cared about their bond as father and daughter.

As for Noble Consort Ning, she was indeed favored. The Emperor had never accompanied any other imperial consort for lunch—not even the Empress, let alone her own mother.

Clearly, to her father, Noble Consort Ning was different—like... his true wife.

This felt unfamiliar to Princess De Ning. She had always thought of her father as an emperor, with the imperial harem as his subjects. But now, it seemed to have changed... He was just like any other man, any other husband.

But only in front of Noble Consort Ning.