Chapter 3

Chapter 3

A trace of anger finally appeared on the Empress’s ever-gentle face.

“Noble Consort Chen, you have always been undisciplined, and I have indulged you. But this time…”

Her expression turned pained. “A child is such a rare blessing…”

I sighed.

First Attendant Yin, who shared the same residence hall as Noble Lady Liang, was so frightened that her lips trembled. “After she was demoted, she was despondent. She copied scriptures, then went to the Buddhist hall to kneel and recite them. In the end, she knelt for so long that the prayer mat was covered in blood…”

“Wait.”

I cut her off, ignoring the hostile looks from every consort in the hall. “I punished her by making her copy the Heart Sutra! The Heart Sutra! The entire text is only two hundred and sixty characters! Copying it twenty times would take less than an hour, wouldn’t it? Reciting it fifty times would take less than half an hour, wouldn’t it?”

First Attendant Yin wept beautifully. “I don’t know. I was just frightened. There was so much blood…”

I cut her off again. “What? Have you never seen blood when you get your monthly courses?”

First Attendant Yin finally stopped crying.

She glared at me, as if choking on her own indignation.

I spread my hands. “Empress, this really has nothing to do with me.”

She looked at me, still frowning.

“Noble Consort Chen, I am also at fault in this matter. Therefore, you and I shall each copy the Heart Sutra fifty times a day, then recite it three hundred times, for ten consecutive days, to pray for Attendant Liang’s child.”

The consorts all bowed to the ground. “Your Majesty is kind and compassionate. We shall naturally follow your example.”

I clicked my tongue. “I’m not going.”

It wasn’t my fault. If I went, the blame would truly land on my head.

The Empress gritted her teeth as if forcing down her temper. “Noble Consort Chen, while this cannot be blamed entirely on you, you and I ought to set an example for the inner palace.”

I said, “I won’t.”

I came here to be arrogant and overbearing, not to be a model concubine.

The Empress lost her temper. “Servants! Noble Consort is going today whether she wants to or not! Help her up.”

I remained firmly seated, watching several senior palace maids approach.

What a joke. If you people can move me, then I learned the Thousand-Pound Drop for nothing.

“Where is she going?”

Without warning, a man’s voice cut in.

The Empress hurriedly bowed. “Your Majesty!”

She sounded a little annoyed. “Your Majesty entered without even being announced. My palace is becoming more unruly by the day!”

The Emperor waved a hand. “I heard it was lively in here, so I told them to withdraw.”

He asked again, “Where are you taking Noble Consort?”

The Empress paused. “I asked Noble Consort Chen to come with me to pray for the child Attendant Liang miscarried.”

The Emperor glanced at me.

“What does that have to do with Noble Consort?” His voice was calm. “I was the one who demoted her. Go tell the Imperial Household Department to provide for her according to a Noble Lady’s allowance from now on. Consider that compensation.”

He reached out and took my hand. “Let’s go.”

Warmth passed from his fingertips, and only then did I realize my hand was a little cold.