Chapter 1074: Punishment

Ma Liyi knew she was going to be in trouble.

After Li Shengan left, she obediently knelt in Consort Zheng’s main hall, keeping her head down and saying nothing.

Consort Zheng looked down at her with a face of sarcasm.

"What’s wrong?"

"Now you’re scared?"

Ma Liyi kowtowed and confessed her guilt.

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

Though in her heart, she did not feel she had done anything wrong.

However... forced by circumstances, she had no choice but to admit guilt.

Consort Zheng slowly got up, walked over to her, and lifted her beautiful, delicate face with a sneer.

"You’re guilty?"

"Ha! You’re not just guilty, you’re shameless!"

Consort Zheng forcefully tossed her face to the side.

Ma Liyi tilted her head, motionless, not daring to speak.

In fact, she was inwardly despising Consort Zheng.

’Pah! Just an unloved and stagnant shell!’

’Even if you have a high status, what’s the use?’

’After all these years, still without a son or daughter!’

She had long found out, the Eldest Princess wasn’t born to her!

So...

An unloved concubine without children, what does she have to fear?!

Consort Zheng saw her eyes seemed defiant and laughed coldly.

"It seems Sister Ma is not convinced!"

"I’ve seen plenty of such eyes!"

"Indeed, you’re young and beautiful, you’re of noble birth, so you’re not convinced..."

"But..."

Her tone suddenly changed with a smile.

"How about this? Now I’m the main seat!"

"No matter how noble you are, you still have to listen to me!"

After saying this, she strode back to the main seat and waved her hand.

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

"The Emperor said you haven’t learned your manners well, Sister Ma, you should copy them a hundred times!"

"Submit it to me for review in half a month’s time!"

Consort Zheng fiddled with her nails and said casually.

"A hundred times?!"

Ma Liyi looked up in disbelief.

Consort Zheng wondered.

"What? Too few?"

"Then make it two hundred times!"

Ma Liyi quickly pleaded.

"No, no, not too few! A hundred times it is, Consort, rest assured I will write them properly!"

Saying this, she kowtowed again and spoke kindly.

Not knowing whether it was the ’Cold Palace’ mentioned by the Emperor that frightened her, or the ’copying’ that scared her.

In any case, Ma Liyi agreed very readily.

Consort Zheng didn’t bother to lift her eyelids.

With a cold snort in her heart:

’At least you’re not completely stupid!’

’But... with this little capability, you want to seduce the Emperor in the Imperial Study Room!’

’What a fool’s dream!’

...

After sending Ma Liyi away, Consort Zheng returned to her inner chamber.

Lying on the beauty couch, she asked Hong Yun.

"What has the Eldest Princess been doing these days?"

Hong Yun replied with a smile.

"The Eldest Princess has been learning painting recently!"

Consort Zheng frowned.

"Why is she learning painting again? Has her posture improved?"

The Eldest Princess suffered under Honored Lady Dou’s torment since childhood, learning too much embroidery.

Her body didn’t develop well, often slouching and hunched.

No matter how tall, knowledgeable, or talented a girl might be.

Once she slouches, all her presence is lost.

She only appears timid, maybe even awkward.

Not to mention the grace of an imperial princess.

Even the genteel ladies and lovely young women in the Capital City can’t compare.

Hong Yun awkwardly smiled.

"Consort!"

"To be honest... about the Eldest Princess’s posture, even Sister says..." it can’t be fixed.

The Eldest Princess is already sixteen years old.

She has grown into a young lady, how could this be changed?

Consort Zheng’s gaze darkened, and she sighed.

"I also know it’s difficult!"

"But..."

"You know, she is already sixteen, soon it’ll be time to discuss marriage!"

A princess must not marry later than eighteen.

If not discussed by the end of the year, a marriage proposal must be decided early next year.

Otherwise, wouldn’t a girl be delayed?

So...

She’s been so eager about this!

Hong Yun tried to console her.

"Consort!"

"I understand what you’re saying!"

"But... the fact is, her posture can’t be improved!"

Consort Zheng felt a bit frustrated.

Shaking the fan in her hand, she still got up.

"Let’s go, I’ll go see her!"

"Ah!"

Hong Yun readily responded.

...

The Eldest Princess is sixteen this year.

Raised by her biological mother in her early years, she learned mostly embroidery and crafts.

Not only did it curve her back.

She hasn’t read any of the books girls should read.

Even though she tried to catch up later, it was too late.

Now she is.

She can’t study well, can’t write well, can’t improve her posture.

No talent, no grace, no presence.

Even when her father sees her, his attitude is indifferent.

Not to mention comparing with her fourth sister.

Even his attitude towards her second and third sisters is much better than towards her.

So...

She is completely engulfed in endless self-pity.

When Consort Zheng came in.

The Eldest Princess was looking at a painting with a troubled expression.

Silently approaching to take a look.

She saw the painting was of landscapes, flowers, and birds.

Even though Consort Zheng isn’t very talented, she has seen many good things.

At a glance, she could tell the painting was really poor.

Um... hasn’t she been learning for so long? Why is it still like this?

Consort Zheng was full of doubts.

At this time the Eldest Princess noticed her and quickly stood up to greet.

"Consort Mother Zheng!"

Consort Zheng smiled.

"Sit down!"

"What are you thinking about?" she asked gently, holding the Princess’s hand.

Consort Zheng has been lonely in the palace for many years, finally the Emperor promoted her and let her raise the Princess.

Even if the Eldest Princess isn’t likable, she is still a Princess.

In the Royal Family, there’s a belief that nurturing is as important as parenthood, and she has raised her for several years.

If she can gain favor with the Eldest Princess, it might benefit her in her old age.

Therefore, Consort Zheng cares for the Princess diligently.

The Eldest Princess looked down with a face of self-pity.

"No... nothing!"

Consort Zheng sat down on the bed beside her, intending to pick up the painting scroll, but the Eldest Princess stopped her.

"Consort Mother Zheng... forgive my impoliteness..."

"This painting is really poor, Consort Mother Zheng might as well..."

Consort Zheng smiled.

"Alright, I won’t look!"

"Tell me how you’ve been lately?"

The Eldest Princess bit her lip and said.

"Thank you for your concern, Consort Mother... I’m doing well!"

Consort Zheng asked again.

"Do you... want to visit your mother?"

"A new Lady has moved into Zhaohua Pavilion..."

Consort Zheng never disapproved of the Eldest Princess visiting Honored Lady Dou.

On the contrary, she encouraged it.

She is very clever.

The deep feeling nurtured from childhood remains, forcefully tearing it apart is useless.

It’s better to go with the flow and do her a favor.

Whether grateful or happy, she can gain something.

That’s enough!

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess seemed moved.

She hasn’t visited Zhaohua Pavilion even once all this time.

From Consort Mother Zheng’s few words, she knows her mother’s days are tough.

But...

How good have her own days been?!

A hint of resentment faintly flickered in her eyes, her fists clenched tightly in her sleeves.

After hesitating for a while, she shook her head.

"No, I won’t go!"

Yes, she didn’t want to.

Her mother tormented her for so many years.