Chapter 266
**Chapter 264: A Lesson in Humility**
A moment of dead silence enveloped the surroundings.
Xiao Qin's face turned pale, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
Who would have thought that the seemingly kind-hearted Zhang Miaoyu would utter such terrifying words?
Lu Xuan's expression gradually grew serious as she calmly said, "If the Consort Chen makes a grand show of punishing a palace maid, word will spread, and people in the palace might mistakenly believe she is tyrannical."
Shen Wei smiled faintly, her tone nonchalant, "If the Shu Consort feels wronged, she can certainly go to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to voice her grievances."
Lu Xuan bit her lip lightly.
In the harem, harmony was paramount. Spreading rumors that could tarnish someone's reputation was dangerous; if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor found out, Lu Xuan herself might face punishment.
After a moment's thought, Lu Xuan revealed a relieved smile and turned to Xiao Qin, "You spoke without thinking, which is indeed a mistake. I shall punish you to kneel in the courtyard for four hours—a small punishment to teach a big lesson. The Consort Chen is known for her kindness and will surely forgive your transgressions."
Xiao Qin immediately interjected, taking the initiative to admit her fault, "Your Highness, I will certainly repent. My mistress is with child and cannot bear the sight of bloodshed. I will kneel and reflect on my actions right away."
Shen Wei nodded, "To recognize one's mistakes and correct them is a virtue. Should you err again, you will bear the consequences."
Xiao Qin promptly got up and knelt on the stone slabs of the courtyard.
She knew the current harem was under the control of Consort Chen, who had the authority to reprimand and punish palace maids. If she did not admit her fault, even with the Shu Consort's protection, Xiao Qin's life would likely be in jeopardy today.
If this escalated and disturbed the Emperor and Empress Dowager, revealing the Shu Consort's rumor-mongering, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A breeze rustled the gauzy curtains of the pavilion. Cai Lian poured another cup of sour plum soup and set it in the ice water to chill. Zhang Miaoyu eagerly took a sip and praised, "It's sweet and sour, truly delicious!"
Shen Wei also took a small sip, "It really is good."
Lu Xuan's eyes darkened.
Zhang Miaoyu and Shen Wei drinking the sour plum soup in front of her was not merely for tasting. The main purpose was to demonstrate that the sour plum paste Shen Wei had gifted was harmless.
Having consumed most of a cup in plain view, they showed no ill effects. In the future, if Lu Xuan tried to use the sour plum paste against Shen Wei, claiming she had poisoned the dragon heir, that tactic would be ineffective.
Lu Xuan lowered her beautiful eyes, her nails digging into her palm. At that moment, a palace maid's anxious voice called from the other end of the courtyard, "Your Highness, please slow down!"
A small boy, chubby and delicate, stumbled over, his little body swaying.
That was Lu Xuan's son, Li Chengjue.
He was quite lively, and ever since he learned to walk, he loved to roam about. The little boy took his short legs and opened his chubby, lotus-like arms, happily making his way toward the pavilion.
Shen Wei's eyes flickered, and she deliberately smiled brightly, waving at the little boy. A child just over a year old knew nothing of palace intrigues; seeing Shen Wei's friendly face, he eagerly approached.
Lu Xuan's heart raced.
Seeing the boy, Shen Wei teased, "Time flies! Chengjue can already walk. In just a couple of years, it will be time to invite a tutor for his enlightenment. Shu Consort, you must take good care of him; we wouldn't want him to give the tutor a headache."
Lu Xuan's expression darkened. Shen Wei appeared to be all smiles, but every word concealed a warning.
It seemed Shen Wei had a fondness for Lu Xuan's son. She half-squatted down, pulling a thin handkerchief from her sleeve, gently wiping the little boy's face, "It's hot out, and you've worked up a sweat. Let Consort Chen wipe your brow."
Lu Xuan felt a surge of anxiety.
Shen Wei's fingers were slender and fair, her nails neatly trimmed. As she wiped the child's face, her slightly longer nails grazed the boy's chubby cheeks. The little boy, blissfully unaware, giggled innocently.
To Lu Xuan, this scene felt like a cruel demon preparing to devour a defenseless child.
It was unsettling.
Before Shen Wei returned to the palace, Lu Xuan had been the most favored among the six palaces. To pave the way for her son, she had caused the death of the Empress's eldest son, suppressed the children of other consorts, and secretly caused miscarriages among her rivals, employing every means possible.
Lu Xuan prided herself on her intelligence, always looking down on the foolish consorts in the harem. She relished the fear she saw in their eyes.
But now, she was the one being suppressed!
The whip that had once fallen on others now struck her, and the pain was unbearable.
Seeing the moment was right, Zhang Miaoyu stretched lazily, "It's getting late. Consort Chen, let's head back and let the Shu Consort rest well during her pregnancy."
Shen Wei nodded in agreement.
Zhang Miaoyu and Shen Wei left Changxin Palace. Before departing, Shen Wei flashed Lu Xuan a bright smile, "I’ll come to visit the Shu Consort again soon. You must take good care of yourself and ensure a safe delivery."
The sunlight illuminated Shen Wei's radiant beauty, her gaze carrying a hint of coldness, piercing Lu Xuan's heart like a sharp thorn.
Lu Xuan stood at the door, watching the two retreating figures, her nails digging deep into her palm.
Returning to the palace, her son Chengjue happily ran over and leaped into Lu Xuan's arms. She held him tightly, her heart still racing.
She called over two palace maids responsible for caring for the child and scolded, "I won't keep useless fools around. Go to the Yeting and do hard labor."
The two maids hurriedly bowed and pleaded for mercy, but it was of no use.
Xiao Qin was still kneeling.
Lu Xuan seethed, "The humiliation of today, I will repay tenfold."
Xiao Qin, kneeling on the ground, clutched Lu Xuan's skirt, pleading earnestly, "My lady, please don’t act impulsively. I can endure some hardship. You are with child now; you should prioritize the dragon heir in your womb. The physician has said that maintaining a peaceful mind during pregnancy is crucial. Wait until the child is born before seeking revenge."
Lu Xuan's chest burned with anger as she caressed her visibly rounded belly. As the daughter of a noble duke, she had been brought low by a mere farmer's daughter in just a few months.
In the current harem, the Emperor still favored Consort Chen the most. The Empress Dowager cared for Consort Chen's child, extending her affection to Consort Chen as well.
Lu Xuan gazed at the wilting begonia flowers in the courtyard, her heart simmering with frustration. She could only console herself that the Emperor was not a man of steadfast affection; his favor for Consort Chen would not last long. His indulgence was merely a fleeting whim.
The path Consort Chen walked now was one Lu Xuan had traversed before; they were merely two sides of the same coin.
But... Lu Xuan closed her eyes tightly, unwilling to accept her fate.
...
...
Meanwhile, Shen Wei and Zhang Miaoyu strolled along the palace path.
Zhang Miaoyu, her round face alight with excitement, chuckled, "We’re like the villains from a storybook, specifically targeting the Shu Consort. Just look at her face; it was as long as a horse's!"
Shen Wei raised an eyebrow, her tone cool, "An enemy's cruelty demands a response."
Shen Wei held grudges.
Lu Xuan had repeatedly targeted her, both openly and covertly, and Shen Wei would not swallow her anger. In this harem, for the Emperor's favor, for the future of their children, for survival, and for the glory of their families, the consorts fought in their own ways, both overtly and covertly.
No one could remain aloof.
Zhang Miaoyu shrugged, "After today’s warning, the Shu Consort will probably behave for a while. Seeing her humbled like that really makes me feel good. I’m going to celebrate with a big feast!"
Zhang Miaoyu's tone was laced with schadenfreude. Shen Wei, curious, asked, "Has the Shu Consort ever harmed you?"
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