A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1074: Punishment

Ma Liyi realized she was heading straight for trouble.

Once Li Shengan had departed, she knelt obediently in Consort Zheng’s main hall, head lowered, remaining utterly silent.

Consort Zheng gazed down at her, her face twisted in sarcasm.

"What’s wrong?"

"Now you’re scared?"

Ma Liyi kowtowed deeply and admitted her wrongdoing.

"Consort Zheng, I... have sinned!"

Deep down, though, she didn’t believe she’d done anything wrong.

Yet... circumstances left her no option but to confess.

Consort Zheng rose slowly, approached her, and with a sneer, lifted her exquisite, delicate chin.

"You’re guilty?"

"Ha! You’re not just guilty—you’re utterly shameless!"

Consort Zheng roughly shoved her face aside.

Ma Liyi’s head tilted, frozen in place, too afraid to utter a word.

In truth, she secretly scorned Consort Zheng.

’Pah! Nothing but a neglected, barren husk!’

’High status or not, what good is it?’

’All these years, and still no son or daughter!’

She’d already discovered that the Eldest Princess wasn’t her own child!

Thus...

A childless, unloved consort—what was there to fear?!

Consort Zheng noticed the defiance in her eyes and let out a cold laugh.

"Looks like Sister Ma isn’t convinced!"

"I’ve seen those eyes plenty of times!"

"Sure, you’re young and stunning, born noble, so naturally unconvinced..."

"But..."

Her voice shifted abruptly, a smile creeping in.

"Here’s the thing: I hold the main seat now!"

"No matter your noble blood, you answer to me!"

With that, she marched back to her seat and flicked her hand.

"Someone! Fetch the rules of conduct and palace regulations!"

"The Emperor says your manners need work, Sister Ma—copy them a hundred times!"

"Hand them over for my inspection in half a month!"

Consort Zheng toyed with her nails, speaking offhandedly.

"A hundred times?!"

Ma Liyi’s head snapped up in shock.

Consort Zheng remarked coolly.

"What? Too little?"

"Fine, two hundred then!"

Ma Liyi hastily begged.

"No, no, not too few! A hundred is perfect, Consort—don’t worry, I’ll copy them diligently!"

As she spoke, she kowtowed once more, her tone soft and pleading.

Whether it was the Emperor’s mention of the ’Cold Palace’ or the punishment of copying that terrified her, who could say.

Either way, Ma Liyi accepted without hesitation.

Consort Zheng didn’t even bother raising her eyes.

With a chilly huff inwardly:

’Good, you’re not total fool!’

’Still... dreaming of seducing the Emperor in the Imperial Study with your meager skills!’

’Foolish fantasy!’

...

After dismissing Ma Liyi, Consort Zheng retreated to her inner chambers.

Reclining on the beauty couch, she questioned Hong Yun.

"What’s the Eldest Princess been up to lately?"

Hong Yun smiled as she answered.

"The Eldest Princess has taken up painting lessons recently!"

Consort Zheng’s brow furrowed.

"Painting again? Any progress on her posture?"

The Eldest Princess had endured Honored Lady Dou’s harsh training since childhood, focusing excessively on embroidery.

Her figure never developed properly, leaving her with a perpetual slouch and hunch.

No matter how tall, learned, or gifted a girl was.

A slouch ruined her entire bearing.

She’d seem timid, perhaps even clumsy.

Forget imperial princess grace.

She couldn’t even match the refined ladies or charming maidens of the Capital City.

Hong Yun gave an awkward smile.

"Consort!"

"Truth be told... even Sister admits the Eldest Princess’s posture..." can’t be fixed.

The Eldest Princess was already sixteen.

She’d matured into a young woman—how could it change now?

Consort Zheng’s eyes dimmed as she let out a sigh.

"I know it’s tough!"

"But..."

"She’s sixteen already—marriage talks are looming!"

Princesses couldn’t wed past eighteen.

If no betrothal by year’s end, it had to be settled early next year.

Otherwise, the girl would be held back.

That’s why...

She’d been so urgent about it!

Hong Yun offered comfort.

"Consort!"

"I get your worry!"

"But reality is, her posture won’t improve!"

Consort Zheng grew irritated.

She shook her fan, then stood up anyway.

"Come on, let’s visit her!"

"Ah!"

Hong Yun agreed eagerly.

...

The Eldest Princess turned sixteen this year.

Raised by her birth mother early on, she’d focused on embroidery and needlework.

Not only did it warp her spine.

She’d skipped all the books proper young ladies study.

Even her later efforts to catch up fell short.

Now, she struggled.

Unable to excel in studies, writing, or posture.

Lacking talent, poise, or aura.

Even her father regarded her indifferently.

No need to mention her fourth sister.

His warmth toward her second and third sisters far exceeded hers.

Thus...

She drowned in endless self-pity.

Consort Zheng arrived to find.

The Eldest Princess frowning over a painting.

She crept closer for a peek.

The artwork depicted landscapes, flowers, birds.

Though no artist herself, Consort Zheng had viewed countless masterpieces.

One glance revealed its mediocrity.

Hmm... after all this practice, still so lackluster?

Consort Zheng brimmed with questions.

Spotting her then, the Eldest Princess rose swiftly to pay respects.

"Consort Mother Zheng!"

Consort Zheng smiled warmly.

"Sit!"

"What’s on your mind?" she asked softly, clasping the Princess’s hand.

Years of palace isolation for Consort Zheng, until the Emperor elevated her to raise the Princess.

Not the most endearing, yet still a Princess.

In the Royal Family, raising equaled birthing; several years of care bound them.

Winning the Princess’s favor could secure her later years.

So, Consort Zheng tended to her with devotion.

The Eldest Princess lowered her gaze, steeped in self-pity.

"No... nothing!"

Consort Zheng settled beside her on the bed, reaching for the painting, but the Princess halted her.

"Consort Mother Zheng... pardon my rudeness..."

"This painting’s dreadful—best not to see it, Consort Mother Zheng..."

Consort Zheng smiled reassuringly.

"Fine, I won’t peek!"

"How have you been faring?"

The Eldest Princess bit her lip before replying.

"Thanks for asking, Consort Mother... I’m fine!"

Consort Zheng pressed gently.

"Would you... like to see your mother?"

"A new Lady’s taken up residence in Zhaohua Pavilion..."

Consort Zheng never opposed the Eldest Princess visiting Honored Lady Dou.

Quite the reverse—she urged it.

Her cunning knew.

Childhood bonds ran deep; severing them forcibly failed.

Better to encourage and earn gratitude.

Happy or thankful, she’d reap rewards.

That sufficed!

Hearing this, the Eldest Princess wavered.

She hadn’t set foot in Zhaohua Pavilion once.

Consort Mother Zheng’s words hinted at her mother’s hardships.

Yet...

Had her own life been any easier?!

Resentment flickered subtly in her eyes, fists balled in her sleeves.

After a pause, she shook her head.

"No, I won’t go!"

Indeed, she refused.

Her mother had tormented her for years.