novelraw Chapter 167 Never to be born
Chapter 167 Never to be born
Xiao Yan said coldly, "If everyone were as vicious as you, and everyone used their status to commit evil, what kind of order would the harem be? Effective immediately, you are stripped of your title and rank, and sent back to Yun Shuo Kingdom. I will write a letter to your father, the Emperor, to deal with you according to the law."
Everyone present was taken aback by these words.
Qing Xiuyi's face was ashen, and she remained stunned for a long time.
If she were sent back to Yunshuo Kingdom, how could she possibly live with herself?
She was originally a princess sent for a political marriage, but now she has become a banished and abandoned concubine, and will surely become a laughing stock in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Not only would he be ridiculed by the royal family and relatives of Yunshuo Kingdom, and mocked by all the officials in the court, but wherever he went in the future, he would not be able to escape the contemptuous gazes of others.
Even her father and mother would regard her as a sinner who disgraced the royal family.
Consort Qing crawled to Xiao Yan's feet, crying out in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! Your Majesty, please don't send me back!"
She kowtowed desperately, her hair disheveled, strands of hair clinging messily to her sweat-dampened face.
Seeing that Xiao Yan remained unmoved, she crawled towards the Empress on all fours, clinging tightly to her robes and pleading, "Your Majesty, you have always been so kind to me. Please help me, Your Majesty! I cannot go back!"
The phrase "In the past, you were the most lenient with me" drew scrutinizing glances from Song Shuangning and the others.
The Empress's face suddenly darkened, and she forcefully brushed away Consort Qing's hand, as if trying to sever all ties with her.
"You committed the grave mistake of plotting to harm the imperial heir first. What's the use of begging now? I can't save you."
Afterwards, the Empress bowed to Xiao Yan and said with great sorrow, "Your Majesty, Consort Qing's plot to harm the imperial heir is a clear crime, and she deserves to be punished! As the mistress of the harem, I am also deeply shocked by this evil deed. Your Majesty's handling of the matter is truly fair."
Consort Qing was struck dumb, staring blankly at the Empress. The Empress's gentle features now seemed so unfamiliar.
Is this still the same empress who was gentle, tolerant, and caring towards her?
She collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted and plunged into despair.
Xiao Yan spoke slowly, his gaze falling on the Empress, a half-smile playing on his lips: "The Empress is also deeply shocked by this heinous act? Then, is the Empress's past favor towards Consort Qing... also an accomplice in today's events?"
His tone was light, but the coldness in his words sent chills down one's spine.
Song Shuangning and Consort Shao exchanged a glance, both looking surprised.
Since when has the Emperor become so ruthless towards the Empress?
The Empress did not expect that the Emperor would disregard her dignity as the head of the six palaces in front of Consort Yuan and Consort Shao.
She clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand, her knuckles turning white, and tried her best to maintain her composure: "Your Majesty, I don't know what you mean by this. I really didn't expect that Consort Qing would have such a vicious heart."
Song Shuangning gazed at the chaotic scene inside the hall, her eyes sweeping over the Empress, her gaze turning slightly cold.
Qing Xiuyi is nothing special; she's just talkative and holds grudges. But was the plan to harm her and her child really devised by Qing Xiuyi herself? That's hard to say.
She originally intended to proceed gradually and not rush to take action against the Empress.
After this experience, she wants to accelerate all the pace.
Song Shuangning bowed gracefully to Xiao Yan and said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Qing was originally a princess sent for a political marriage. If she were to be sent back to her country rashly, it might damage the harmony between our two nations. I am fortunate to be unharmed, and there is really no need to jeopardize our relations over this matter. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order, to consider the greater good, and not to damage the long-standing friendship between our two countries because of my personal situation. However, right and wrong are clearly distinct, and should be dealt with according to palace regulations."
Qing Xiuyi stared at Song Shuangning, stunned and unable to react; her earlier cries were stuck in her throat.
As long as I'm not sent back to Yunshuo Kingdom, that's fine.
Once she returns, she will have no face to live in the world, and her father will surely punish her severely.
According to palace rules, at most, the punishment would be demotion and confinement, which would not seriously affect Consort Yuan Xian.
Thinking this, a hint of relief appeared in her eyes.
However, the emperor's next words plunged her into even deeper despair.
Xiao Yan glanced down at her, his words devoid of any warmth: "Since the Virtuous Consort has pleaded for her, the clause about sending her back to her country will be waived. According to palace regulations, strip her of her title and rank, imprison her in Jingyang Palace, and never let her out for the rest of her life."
"As for your motherland, I will still write a letter."
He was stripped of his title and rank, imprisoned in Jingyang Palace, and never to leave again.
Qing Xiuyi asked herself in a daze, "How is this any different from being a commoner?"
She lost both the honor of a princess and the rank of Xiuyi, ultimately ending up imprisoned for life in a palace.
Is this treatment better than deportation, or is it more cruel?
Xiao Yan waved his hand impatiently, and the palace servants immediately stepped forward, lifted the limp Qing Xiuyi, and dragged her away.
The matter is settled.
"Go back, everyone."
The Empress and Consort Shao bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, we take our leave."
When the dust settled in the hall, the water clock had already struck three times.
Song Shuangning took the warm water offered by the palace maid and handed it to the Emperor, saying softly, "It's getting late, Your Majesty should rest early."
Xiao Yan simply hummed in response, his tone lacking the imposing authority he had displayed in the palace, yet also completely different from the tenderness he showed during their intimate moments.
Song Shuangning stared at him for a while, and seeing him rubbing his knuckles with his eyes lowered, she silently looked away.
Xiao Yan untied his jade belt and lay down on the outer side of the bed.
This was their custom for sleeping together. Ever since she entered the palace, he had always adhered to this unwritten rule and never let her sleep outside.
Song Shuangning changed into her nightgown, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and gently lay down, resting her head on the mandarin duck pillow on the inside.
She looked at Xiao Yan's calm profile, his high nose bridge and lips pressed into a cold, hard line, and couldn't help but ask softly, "What is Your Majesty thinking?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan looked down at her. His gaze was long and deep, as if it contained a thousand words, yet it was unfathomable, carrying an indescribable scrutiny and inquiry.
Those eyes seemed to hide hooks, able to instantly ensnare a person's thoughts.
After a long silence, he slowly said, "It's nothing, go to sleep early."
Song Shuangning moved closer to him, her voice softening slightly: "If Your Majesty has any doubts, you can speak with me. I don't want Your Majesty to keep them to yourself."
She had a vague feeling that the Emperor must have sensed something.
Xiao Yan simply responded with a faint "Mm," then closed his eyes and said nothing more.
An hour later, the bedchamber was so quiet that the chirping of insects could be heard outside the window.
Song Shuangning's breathing gradually calmed down, while Xiao Yan remained awake, his eyes reflecting the faint light from the window, showing no signs of sleepiness.