"Your Majesty, the Empress, I implore you, for the sake of my late second aunt, Wang Qin is her only bloodline. Please show leniency in your judgment."
Liu Meng Han's tone was gentle, her expression earnest.
The Empress seemed touched. She sighed, feigning regret, her eyes gradually moistening.
"Wang Qin, your conduct has been unruly, disrespectful to the main consort, and you have dared to bully Princess Jianing. However, considering you have already been punished, I shall sentence you to transcribe Buddhist scriptures one hundred times to pray for the prosperity of Eastern Chu. Were it not for my deceased sister, I would have imposed a much heavier penalty today."
"This concubine admits her mistakes and thanks the Empress for her punishment. I shall rectify my behavior today."
"It is good that you know your mistakes." The Empress then turned to Feng Jin and Lin Yu Wei, "I have already punished her. You are sisters, and you will see each other often. Today, with my decision, let the grievances between you be settled."
Feng Jin offered a strained smile, laced with sarcasm, "The Empress handles matters with fairness and impartiality. Since a judgment has been rendered, this concubine naturally has nothing more to say."
Anyone with discerning eyes could see how light the Empress's punishment was. Feng Jin was too lazy to argue with them. As long as they didn't cause her trouble, she wouldn't bother engaging in a power struggle with them.
"Sister Feng Jin is correct. The Empress handles matters justly, and your daughter-in-law has no complaints."
Lin Yu Wei echoed Feng Jin's sentiment. Their words, seemingly flattering the Empress, were in fact veiled with sarcasm that was evident to any astute observer.
The Empress had intended to use this incident to put Feng Jin and Lin Yu Wei in their place. However, she had inadvertently shot herself in the foot and now had to maintain a pleasant demeanor.
All because she had an imbecilic niece, Wang Qin, who insisted on being cunningly appointed as a concubine to Prince Jing. Knowing that Prince Jing's marriage was personally arranged by the Empress Dowager, and that the young couple had only recently wed, rushing to appoint a concubine was a clear insult to the Empress Dowager.
"You two children are indeed sharp-witted, knowing that the Empress handles matters justly."
The Imperial Noble Consort chimed in, her mockery evident. The Empress's current tactics were truly subpar. Openly assigning a concubine to Prince Jing, as if she wished to marry all the daughters of the Liu family to the princes. Did she truly believe this harem was her Liu family's domain?
She wondered how the Empress Dowager would react if she heard about this.
"Sitting here all morning has been quite taxing. Thankfully, the Empress arranged such an entertaining spectacle for us. Otherwise, it would have been terribly dull just sitting here!"
The Imperial Noble Consort stretched her neck and chatted with a nearby consort, completely unfazed by the Empress's increasingly displeased expression.
"Princess Jianing, Consort Jing, I am going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Perhaps you would care to join me."
Feng Jin smoothly accepted the Imperial Noble Consort's invitation, "This concubine had the same intention. I am honored that Imperial Noble Consort does not disdain me, and I am willing to accompany you."
"Let's go. Your Majesty, Empress, this consort shall take her leave now."
The Imperial Noble Consort curtsied to the Empress and then turned to leave, with Feng Jin and Lin Yu Wei following closely behind.
Upon seeing the Imperial Noble Consort depart, the lower-ranking consorts also found excuses and left one by one.
Only the Empress and two others remained in the vast hall.
"You can rise now, stop kneeling. Everyone has left," the Empress glanced at Wang Qin, who was still kneeling on the floor, her tone laced with displeasure.
"Sister, please rise first."
Liu Meng Han reached out to help Wang Qin, but was abruptly pushed away. If not for the maidservant behind her, Liu Meng Han would have fallen to the ground.
"You dare to touch me? You little wretch born to a servant girl," Wang Qin's face was filled with malice.
"You scoundrel! If it weren't for Han'er pleading on your behalf just now, do you truly think you could have escaped so easily? Or do you believe I dare not punish you!"
The Empress was truly enraged. She possessed considerable skill in internal squabbles, but was so useless when dealing with outsiders.
"Your Majesty, Empress, Han'er is fine. Sister is feeling agitated, and I should not have been in her presence."
Liu Meng Han's eyes were as pitiful as a young deer's. Such a woman, no one could bear to scold her.
"Putting on an act, just like your mother."
Wang Qin's tone remained imperious. She detested Liu Meng Han's pathetic demeanor the most, and it was because of this that she had suffered many setbacks at Liu Meng Han's hands.
"Shut up! Get out of here and stay at Prince Jing's residence. Do not enter the palace unless absolutely necessary," the Empress waved her hand dismissively, ordering Wang Qin to be expelled from the hall.
Looking at this foolish Wang Qin any longer would truly enrage her to death.
After Wang Qin left, the Empress drank some tea, and her suppressed anger began to subside.
"Aunt, I had the kitchen prepare some osmanthus and lotus seed soup for you. Please have some."
Liu Meng Han carried a bowl, serving the Empress.
"You are such a thoughtful child. It is a pity you are implicated by your mother."
The Empress looked at Liu Meng Han with affection mixed with calculation in her eyes. Her original choice of candidate was not Liu Meng Han. But that child was too restless and incapable of being used. Only then did she shift her focus to Liu Meng Han.
Her only drawback was that although Liu Meng Han's mother was the legitimate wife, she was of humble origins, having been a servant.
However, fortunately, Liu Meng Han was outstanding. She was proficient in poetry, calligraphy, music, and painting, and her beauty surpassed even that of Feng Ruoyan. Her gentle and understanding nature was precisely what Chu Yan Xi favored.
She was confident that within a short period, Liu Meng Han would firmly capture Chu Yan Xi's heart.
"Han'er knows her humble origins and is unworthy of the Third Prince. I am grateful that the Empress does not look down upon me. Han'er will always prioritize the Third Prince and care for Your Majesty."
The Empress nodded with satisfaction, "This is the kind of obedient and well-behaved daughter-in-law I need. As long as I am here, no one will dare to mock your origins. In two days, it will be the Emperor's birthday. You must strive to make a remarkable impression, and then I will petition the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon you and the Third Prince."
"I thank Your Majesty the Empress for your benevolent decree."
"Rise. It is true that Feng Ruoyan will marry into the Prince's residence before you. However, you need not worry too much. I will have Nanny Wang accompany you to the Third Prince's residence to manage affairs. Before you give birth to the eldest legitimate son, I will not allow Feng Ruoyan to give birth first."
The Empress understood the importance of the eldest son very well. Years ago, she had been negligent, relying solely on her childhood affection with the Emperor, which led to the Imperial Noble Consort, that wretched woman, giving birth to the First Prince first. Following that, Consort Jingyi gave birth to Chu Chen Yi.
Fortunately, the First Prince was weak and not a candidate for the throne, and Chu Chen Yi had broken his leg. Only then did Chu Yan Xi have an opportunity to rise.
Without her meticulous planning, how could they have a place in this harem for her and her son?