A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 491: Confused

Without offspring, without favor, and if without power too,

Despair filled the Empress’s eyes instantaneously.

The Empress could no longer maintain her composure, continuously kowtowing.

"Emperor, your concubine will not dare again! Your concubine will not dare again! Please grant your mercy, Emperor!"

The Empress was sick with regret.

The Noble Consort wasn’t in a much better position either.

Lady Wang, kneeling to one side, breathed a sigh of relief. She remained kneeling silently on the ground.

The Emperor remained silent. The atmosphere in the grand hall was as if frozen, sending a suffocating chill to the core.

After a long while, Zhao Junyao finally spoke slowly. "The Empress has managed the Harem poorly; thus, she will be penalized half a year’s allowances. If there is a next time, she will not be spared lightly! Lady Wang, there is no need for you to appear unless necessary. Stay in the Harem and recuperate! As for Noble Concubine Shih..."

Zhao Junyao paused.

Noble Concubine Shih’s heart clenched. This incident had indeed escalated quite a bit.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment, then said, "This time, the Noble Consort shall remain in the palace and reflect properly! The Third Princess will be taken to Jiaofang Hall first. When you have reflected properly, it won’t be too late to care for the Princess! If there is a next time..."

That single sentence seemed to drain the Noble Consort of her soul and spirit.

Noble Concubine Shih dared not continue the thought.

The Empress and Lady Wang kowtowed in agreement. Yet Noble Concubine Shih was ashen-faced, completely stunned.

Then, Zhao Junyao continued, "All of Lady Wang’s palace attendants will be executed by caning. As for the Noble Consort’s..." Zhao Junyao looked toward Ying Yue, knowing she was the Noble Consort’s dowry maid, so he decided to spare her life. "Demote her to the Laundry Bureau!"

Ying Yue collapsed on the spot.

Ying Yue trembled as she looked towards Noble Concubine Shih. But she found her mistress equally pale.

After Zhao Junyao finished speaking, he strode away. No one could resist the final verdict.

Lady Wang’s palace maids were executed by caning, and new ones were assigned to her. Noble Concubine Shih experienced the same. With Ying Yue sent to the Laundry Bureau, the Empress had new palace maids assigned to serve her.

Although the Empress had been penalized half a year’s allowances, she unexpectedly obtained temporary custody of the Little Princess, which was an unexpected boon!

This time, the Empress appeared to have suffered an undeserved calamity, but in truth, she had been subtly elevated despite the outward demotion. For a moment, she was extremely pleased!

The Empress rose to her feet with a grand sweep of her arm and signaled for everyone to disperse as well. As she was leaving, she said with a casual smile, "Regarding the Emperor’s hunt, I will draft the list later so that everyone can prepare well in advance!"

"Yes!"

The crowd bowed and retreated.

Upon returning to her inner chamber, the Empress couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "The Emperor is truly wise! He realized this calamity was unmerited for me and only deducted half a year’s salary."

Sister Ji also smiled. "Indeed! The Noble Consort received a truly hefty punishment!"

The Empress snorted coldly. "That’s what she deserves. This time, I was almost led astray by her and nearly capsized in a gutter!"

Sister Ji said, "Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise, and we also didn’t directly confront Consort Xian Pin!"

On second thought, the Empress quickly corrected her. "Sister Ji, do not speak recklessly. Consort Xian Pin had nothing to do with this incident! The Imperial Forest Army belongs to the Emperor. Besides, this matter of illicit affairs is too scandalous—a great taboo for the Royal Family! The Emperor’s favoritism towards us this time might well be because of Consort Xian Pin! She is currently favored, so naturally, I must show her some respect! After this incident, Sister Ji, do you still not see clearly?"

A heavy feeling settled in Sister Ji’s heart. Realizing her words had been inappropriate, she quickly stepped back and bowed. "This old servant is at fault!"

The Empress narrowed her eyes, observing her. "In the future, Sister Ji, think carefully before you speak, no matter the situation!"

"Yes!" Sister Ji bowed her head in acknowledgment.

Yu Lan brought in freshly cut fruit. The Empress picked up a piece and tasted it; it was sweet.

Seeing Sister Ji standing aside, Yu Lan asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, when the Little Princess comes to us, where will she stay? Should the Sister and the Wetnurse Nanny be replaced?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress exclaimed, "Ah!" She had been so preoccupied with her joy that she had forgotten this detail. She quickly set down her fruit dish and stood up, looking around before saying with a smile, "The west wing room is still vacant. It’s separated by a hall, so it’s not too far. The Little Princess can stay there! There’s no need to change the staff; just move their belongings over! Yu Lan, Yu Fu, you two go and prepare quickly. Sister Ji, you go as well!"

The three hurriedly agreed and departed.

After the midday meal, the rooms were arranged. The Empress eagerly sent people to fetch the Little Princess. But let’s not dwell on that.

「Xifu Palace」

The atmosphere in the Noble Consort’s quarters was far from the joyous one at the Empress’s.

Ying Yue didn’t even have time to pack her belongings before she was dragged off to the Laundry Bureau. The Noble Consort couldn’t save her and wasn’t even allowed to exchange a few last words. Her dowry maid, Ying Yue, who had just this morning helped her comb her hair, was taken away just like that.

The Noble Consort looked somewhat dazed. She sat on the kang, gazing vacantly at the Little Princess sleeping soundly in her small cradle. The Wetnurse Nanny and the Sister stood nearby, too terrified to speak.

After what seemed like an eternity, Noble Concubine Shih finally spoke. "Go, call Shih Jieyu over!"