Chapter 1221: Chapter 1217: Severe Punishment

Chapter 1221: Chapter 1217: Severe Punishment

If other men had heard her, even if they did not immediately fall for her, they would feel some pity for her.

But in Chu Yihan’s case, her voice held no uniqueness, and was even somewhat bland and tasteless.

“Leng Shuqing, who gave you the courage?”

Chu Yihan did not allow her to rise, he questioned her coldly.

Leng Shuqing stiffened all over, “Your Majesty… what are you talking about?”

“Allowing Wang Yun into Song Garden, were you trying to create a misunderstanding between the emperor and the empress?” Chu Yihan’s tone was cold and oppressive, exuding a deadly sternness.

...

“This concubine dares not!” Leng Shuqing bowed her head in a kowtow, very solemn and meticulous, “This concubine knows well of Your Majesty’s affection for the empress, how dare she cause any misunderstanding between Your Majesty and the empress!”

“Shall I bring Wang Yun for interrogation?” Chu Yihan stood in front of her, overbearing and godlike.

Leng Shuqing adored this man, high above her, which is why she couldn’t help wanting to do something!

But she hadn’t expected Chu Yihan to be so fierce!

The one who came to accuse her wasn’t the jealous Su Yingxue, but him!

Leng Shuqing bit her lip, but now, she could admit nothing; she could only kneel on the ground and defend herself, “Your Majesty is wise, this concubine merely happened to meet that young lady at the gate of Song Garden, and, remembering her wish to thank Your Majesty, wanted to help her express her gratitude by allowing her into the garden, with no other intentions.”

She knew that in her defense, less was more.

By saying this much, it was enough to prove her innocence!

However…

Leng Shuqing’s eyebrows knitted tightly, she feared Chu Yihan might not believe her, and she did not know how Chu Yihan planned to deal with her.

Chu Yihan sat down on the main seat, sweeping his robe elegantly, and Leng Shuqing immediately crawled on her knees, turned around, continued bowing her head, respectfully kneeling before him as per protocol.

Chu Yihan rarely took a moment to size her up, then asked her, “Do you know what the empress is like in front of me?”

Leng Shuqing was slightly startled, she had a moment of confusion.

Why would Chu Yihan say such a thing?

She quickly steadied her mind, then spoke flatteringly, “The empress, being the role model for the imperial harem in front of Your Majesty, naturally serves with even greater caution, the empress is the example for all concubines.”

“An example?” Chu Yihan laughed lightly, “Wrong, the empress in front of me behaves improperly, utterly devoid of discipline, in terms of etiquette she does not measure up to you in the slightest.”

Leng Shuqing’s hands, neatly folded at her abdomen, trembled slightly with nerves.

She did not understand Chu Yihan’s meaning!

Behind her, the maidservant Yu Lu was even more puzzled.

Chu Yihan was known to adore Su Yingxue profusely, yet now, he was unexpectedly criticizing her in front of Leng Shuqing, saying she behaved improperly and was less disciplined than Leng Shuqing?

Yu Lu suddenly felt a bit of joy, she whispered to Leng Shuqing, “Your Highness, could it be that His Majesty has noticed your virtues?”

After all, how could a royal emperor situated high in his throne not favor a noble lady of stern rituals and dignified elegance from an esteemed family?

Su Yingxue, coming from the Marquis’s Manor, was completely without etiquette and style!

With such a person as the empress, the emperor might already be weary of her!

Yu Lu rejoiced for her master, now she finally had her day!

Leng Shuqing cast her a warning glance, cautioning her not to speak out of turn.

Her mind was steady and focused, how could she not realize that Chu Yihan was not complimenting her!

She was merely perplexed and murmured softly, “This concubine does not dare compare with the Empress, for surely the Empress is unparalleled in this world.”

“If you speak words of submission, why do you not behave accordingly?”

Chu Yihan’s smile faded from his lips, and he became serious, like a towering iceberg, “In front of me, the Empress behaves without formality because I permit it. She and I are married for life, husband and wife are not bound by the rules of sovereign and subject, but you, do you still not comprehend your own position?”

The calmness Leng Shuqing had just regained was instantly demolished by Chu Yihan’s stern words.

Her kneeling posture deepened, “This concubine listens humbly to Your Majesty’s instruction.”

She sensed that Chu Yihan had even harsher words waiting for her!

Chu Yihan’s reproach was merciless, “Were it not for your title as the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Estate, were it not that I needed to stabilize the Empress’s position at that time, you would have had no chance to enter the palace, let alone receive the status of an Imperial Consort. However, you must understand, whether you are the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Estate or an Imperial Consort in the palace, to me, you are merely a stranger. I hold no affection for you and do not plan to keep you in the palace for long. If you remain compliant, I will grant you a dignified exit from the palace. Should you behave improperly again, like today’s incident reoccurring…”

Leng Shuqing’s breathing halted at his pause, her entire spirit trembling.

Chu Yihan’s eyes sharply focused on her, “All the effort your uncle has made on your behalf will be in vain, and I will make your life a living hell!”

“Your Majesty!”

Leng Shuqing’s heart felt as if it had been pierced, her lips quivered, trying to say something, but it was too late.

Chu Yihan’s departing footsteps were so swift she could barely follow with her eyes. For the first time, disregarding her image, she wanted to chase after him, to salvage something, but as she reached the doorway, Mo Qi stopped her, “Imperial Consort, His Majesty has decreed that from today you are confined to this place; you must not leave without summons. If you leave without permission, you will be executed immediately.”

“Executed?” Yu Lu exclaimed in shock, unable to believe that this command was really issued by the emperor toward the Imperial Consort!

Even though there was no affection between him and Leng Shuqing, they had to consider Leng Shuqing’s status; she was the legitimate eldest young miss of the Prime Minister’s Estate, the blood niece of the current Prime Minister, Zhuo Jun Li!

But Mo Qi had even harsher words to deliver, “His Majesty also commanded that in the coming days, please kneel in the courtyard to reflect on your mistakes, what can be done and what cannot be done. Consort, please think carefully to ensure there is no next time, otherwise…”

The rest of the sentence, out of consideration for Leng Mu Ling, Mo Qi did not utter to avoid upsetting Leng Shuqing.

But he did not sympathize with Leng Shuqing at all; instead, he had people lock her in this courtyard, ensuring she could not leave. Moreover, he assigned someone to supervise Leng Shuqing, enforcing her daily task of kneeling and reflecting.

Leng Shuqing’s strength drained from her body, she collapsed to the ground, her eyes empty and lifeless, like someone who had fallen into an abyss, devoid of any sparkle.

Leng Shuqing’s heart shattered. She could not have imagined…

It was just once, she had only done such a thing once!

Why was Chu Yihan so ruthlessly decisive against her?

He even intended to grant her a dignified departure from the palace?

No!

She could not leave the imperial palace; having entered the palace meant she was married to Chu Yihan, bound to stay with him for life!

Even if she couldn’t share a tomb with him in the future, as his posthumous consort, she would be buried in his mausoleum, eternally his alone!

How could he be so heartless as to drive her away?

“No…this cannot be!”

Leng Shuqing’s blood-drained lips trembled forcefully, “Her Majesty will never leave!”

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