Who Would Understand, Her Ladyship Wrote A Hundred Palace Regulations - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Will the Emperor Come?

“This concubine pays her respects to Jieyu. I hope Jieyu is well,” Ning Wanyin said, bowing.

Li Jieyu looked Ning Wanyin up and down, feeling a bit disheartened. Ning Wanyin was stunningly beautiful, making her look dull in comparison.

She had planned to divert the emperor’s attention.

But since the emperor hadn’t visited Yonghe Palace in a while, she hadn’t had the opportunity to do so.

Now, it seemed that it wouldn’t be easy to divert the emperor’s attention.

The only thing she had over Ning Wanyin was her rank.

“Ning Meiren is truly a beauty. No wonder the emperor favors her so much,” Li Jieyu said, not letting Ning Wanyin stand up, and continued to praise her with a smile.
“Oh, this butterfly hairpin is so pretty…”

Seeing that Li Jieyu was about to continue talking, Ning Wanyin interrupted her. “It’s getting late, and I need to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Wait,” Li Jieyu tried to stop her.

“Jieyu might not be in a hurry, but I dare not be late,” Ning Wanyin said apologetically. “Please excuse me, Jieyu. I’ll take my leave first.”

Li Jieyu was taken aback. If she wasn’t in a hurry, did that mean she was being disrespectful to the Empress Dowager?

Ning Wanyin had a way with words!

It was clear that the one who was truly being disrespectful was Ning Wanyin herself!

Li Jieyu was speechless with anger but didn’t dare to stop Ning Wanyin again, fearing that she would be blamed for disrespecting the Empress Dowager.

…

The palace walls were long and imposing, with multiple gates and deep courtyards. The sky was just starting to brighten, and Lian Rui led the way with a lantern, looking worriedly at Ning Wanyin. “Mistress, today might not just be Li Jieyu who will make things difficult for you.”

Ning Wanyin knew that she had become a favored concubine, and many people would be jealous of her.

But if she didn’t act like a favored concubine, the concubines with higher ranks would not just make things difficult for her verbally, but also trample her.

She wasn’t afraid of being plotted against, but she was afraid of being oppressed by those in power.

“It’s fine,” Ning Wanyin said. “We’ll deal with each situation as it comes.”

Most of the concubines were already at Jingxi Palace, stretching their necks to catch a glimpse of the famous Ning Meiren.

As the morning light shone on the jade steps, a figure in bright red walked into the palace.

Her steps were calm and confident, and the sound of her jade pendants could be heard.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her presence was radiant.

The golden butterfly ornaments in her hair seemed to flutter in the light, exquisitely crafted.

She was like the butterfly, flawless and dazzling.

“This Concubine Ning pays her respects to Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang!” Ning Wanyin said, bowing to both of them with perfect etiquette.

Consort Shu smiled warmly. “Get up, Ning Meiren. I’ve been wanting to get to know you better, but you’ve been unwell. It’s a pleasant surprise to see you today.”

“Everyone else is fine, but you’re particularly delicate,” Consort Zhuang said, staring at Ning Wanyin since she entered the room. Seeing how beautiful she was made Consort Zhuang even more displeased.
“Since you’re so frail, I don’t think you’re suitable to serve the emperor.”

Both Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang were criticizing her for not paying her respects after attending to the emperor.

Ning Wanyin smiled calmly. “Consort Zhuang is right. But the emperor favors me, and I wouldn’t dare disobey his will. I’ll try to take care of myself and live a long and healthy life to accompany the emperor.”

“Perhaps the palace’s blessings are nourishing, and you’re already much better,” Ning Wanyin said, smiling.
“Thank you for your concern, Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang.”

Consort Zhuang rolled her eyes in anger. You think you’ll accompany the emperor for a long time? You’re not worthy!

“You should have a realistic understanding of yourself,” Consort Zhuang sneered. “You’re just dreaming if you think you’ll be with the emperor forever.”

Consort Shu smiled but didn’t say anything. The other concubines watched the exchange with interest.

Consort Zhuang was attacking Ning Wanyin directly, without giving her any face.

“This concubine’s words are indeed foolish,” Ning Wanyin said calmly. “But the emperor favors me deeply, and I can’t help but hope that one day I’ll be able to accompany him for a long time. Perhaps when I’m no longer favored, I’ll be as rational and clear-headed as Consort Zhuang.”

The palace fell silent.

Consort Zhuang took several moments to react, pointing at Ning Wanyin in disbelief. “You’re cursing me! You’re saying I’m no longer favored!”

“Please calm down, Consort Zhuang. I was talking about myself…” Ning Wanyin explained seriously.

“You… you’re clearly implying that I’m no longer favored! You’re speaking in riddles!” Consort Zhuang’s anger boiled over, and she spluttered with rage.

Consort Shu almost smiled. Yes, Ning Wanyin was speaking in riddles, but she was also praising Consort Zhuang for being rational and clear-headed. She didn’t mention Consort Zhuang’s loss of favor at all.

Consort Zhuang was easy to provoke but couldn’t defend herself. It was better to let someone else deal with Ning Wanyin.

Consort Shu smiled and intervened. “Let’s not argue about this. It’s getting late, and we should pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. Is anyone else missing?”

“Xue Zhaoyi,” Fang Zhaoyi replied.

“Then let’s not wait. The Empress Dowager summoned Xue Zhaoyi early this morning. Let’s go,” Consort Shu said.

The concubines arrived at Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

This was Ning Wanyin’s second time meeting the Empress Dowager. Last time, the Empress Dowager hadn’t remembered her…

But this time, she had clearly seen Ning Wanyin’s portrait beforehand and stared at her with an intense gaze.
“Ning Meiren, your etiquette is lacking. You need to practice your bows. You’re an imperial concubine, and you can’t afford to be careless. Go outside and kneel down to reflect on your actions.”

Ning Wanyin’s bows were perfect, and there was nothing wrong with her etiquette.

The Empress Dowager was just looking for an excuse to punish her.

The concubines, including Consort Shu, looked at Ning Wanyin in unison. Just now, she had faced Consort Zhuang’s provocation without fear and had fought back.

She had also been arrogant and hadn’t paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, giving the impression that she was a person who took her favored status for granted.

This time, she would likely clash with the Empress Dowager!

Many concubines were looking forward to a lively show, hoping for a dramatic scene.

But Ning Wanyin didn’t say a word and bowed obediently. “This concubine accepts the punishment.”

Then she left Cining Palace to kneel outside.

Everyone was taken aback.
Ning Wanyin didn’t make a scene?

The Empress Dowager was also surprised, not expecting Ning Wanyin to be so obedient.

She had wanted Ning Wanyin to make a scene so that she could have a reason to punish her severely and vent her anger.

Ning Wanyin’s response was like punching a fist into cotton, and it didn’t give the Empress Dowager the satisfaction she was looking for.

The Empress Dowager didn’t keep the concubines for long and soon dismissed them.

Every concubine saw Ning Wanyin kneeling by the door. Most of them just glanced at her quietly, with various expressions, without saying a word.

Only Consort Zhuang walked over to Ning Wanyin, looking smug. “Hmph, you didn’t know etiquette, and the Empress Dowager punished you well.”

Ning Wanyin was deep in thought and didn’t respond.

Consort Zhuang saw that Ning Wanyin was ignoring her and became displeased. “I’m talking to you! How dare you ignore me?”

Ning Wanyin came back to her senses, looked up at Consort Zhuang, and said calmly, “Please forgive me, Consort Zhuang. I’m reflecting on my mistakes today and can’t afford to be distracted. If you must speak to me, perhaps you should ask the Empress Dowager if I’m allowed to chat with you while I’m reflecting.”

Consort Zhuang was speechless again. The Empress Dowager didn’t like her either. Would she go and embarrass herself?

She was kneeling, and Consort Zhuang couldn’t win against her!

Consort Zhuang was furious and frustrated, but she couldn’t do anything to Ning Wanyin, so she stormed off.

Song Meiren saw this scene and couldn’t help but think of her own experience of being bullied by the Empress Dowager.

She should feel sympathetic, but for some reason, she felt anxious and worried. Would the emperor come to save her?

She hoped the emperor wouldn’t come.