abcnovels
Chapter 254
Chapter 254
She strode over and picked up the portrait of Jiang Xinyue from the table, examining it carefully.
In Painter Xie's portrayal, Jiang Xinyue had skin like polished jade, a slender waist, exquisitely drawn features, and ruby-red lips with pearl-white teeth. Her vivid eyes seemed to breathe life into the otherwise static portrait, making the entire painting come alive.
Even the beautiful smile in the portrait seemed to mock her current unsightly behavior.
"Consort Yu keeps insisting that I have an affair with Painter Xie, and brings forth such ridiculous evidence. You've brought so many concubines here to catch us in the act, hoping to see me humiliated and executed by the Emperor. You even dared to brazenly call the Sixth Prince a bastard. Your Majesty, tell me, how should such crimes be punished?"
"Concubine Zhen!"
A childish voice rang out from the entrance: "Concubine Zhen, I... Ming Yu apologizes on behalf of my mother. Concubine Zhen... I'm so sorry..."
The eldest princess wept profusely, throwing herself at the feet of the Emperor and Jiang Xinyue, repeatedly kowtowing: "Father, Concubine Zhen, my mother lost her mind and was easily manipulated by ill-intentioned people. I'm not trying to excuse her actions - you both know well that mother has always been foolish. Please punish her severely... but... but I beg you both to spare her life for my sake."
"Ming Yu!"
Consort Yu was shocked, crouching down to embrace her: "What are you doing? You..."
The eldest princess shook her head, kneeling alongside Consort Yu, and ordered the palace maids: "Bring him in."
Soon, Painter Li was dragged in, disheveled, and forced to kneel before Jiang Xinyue: "Imperial Noble Consort, please spare my life! I... I was merely jealous of Painter Xie's favor with the Emperor, so I spoke ill of him behind his back. When I was painting Consort Yu's portrait, I knew she also had grievances against Painter Xie, and when she mentioned how well-matched Imperial Noble Consort and Painter Xie were, I hatched this evil plan. I encouraged Consort Yu to frame Painter Xie and Imperial Noble Consort. I know I was wrong, truly wrong..."
He wept bitterly, but failed to evoke any sympathy from Jiang Xinyue.
Just because he was jealous of Painter Xie's talent, he tried to frame him for having an affair with the Emperor's most beloved consort - wasn't she, an innocent party, being wronged too severely?
If the Emperor had believed it, and she and Painter Xie couldn't prove their innocence, they both would have died.
The Emperor's rage might have even implicated their entire families.
Should they pay such a heavy price merely because of his jealousy?
The Xuanwu Emperor intended to help the eldest princess up, but catching sight of Jiang Xinyue's expression, he withdrew his half-extended hand: "Yue'er..."
"Has the eldest princess considered this carefully?"
Given Jiang Xinyue's character, she wasn't one to strike hard but let go easily.
Anyone who tried to scheme against her would receive double in return.
Consort Yu had plotted against her life; according to her principles, it demanded a life in return.
"If the eldest princess insists on pleading for Consort Yu today, then from this day forward, our friendship will be over. If Consort Yu dares to try anything again, I won't just deal with her - I'll settle accounts with you as well."
Otherwise, Consort Yu would think she was truly kindhearted and wouldn't harm the eldest princess, emboldening her to continue attacking and even trying to harm the Sixth Prince.
The eldest princess bowed deeply to the ground: "Concubine Zhen, I will forever remember your kindness to me. If you spare my mother's life this time, I will ensure she never causes trouble again. If there is a next time, you may deal with her as you see fit, and I will have no complaints."
She knew Consort Yu's actions were worthy of death, but she was still her mother!
She couldn't abandon her.
Jiang Xinyue took a deep breath, casting a cold glance at the Xuanwu Emperor, her heart full of anger: "While the capital offense may be pardoned, punishment cannot be avoided. Your Majesty may handle this as you see fit! I am tired and will take my leave."
She gave a perfunctory curtsy and departed amid the trembling gazes of the other concubines.
This time, they had all been badly compromised by Consort Yu.
The Xuanwu Emperor wanted to follow immediately, but there was still a mess to deal with, and he couldn't just walk away.
Grinding his teeth in frustration, he furiously turned to Painter Li: "Take this man away and execute him! As for Consort Yu, for leaving the palace without permission, slandering the Imperial Noble Consort, and speaking ill of the Sixth Prince, she shall receive forty lashes and be demoted to Low Level Consort Yu, relocated to Yanxi Palace. Consort Jiang is hereby promoted to Noble Lady Jiang and granted residence in the main hall of Shunan Palace."
Not only was she beaten, but she was also demoted from consort to a lower rank, and even Consort Jiang, who once had to bow to her, was now promoted above her. Getting her current residence reassigned to Noble Lady Jiang was a clear slight - was this showing everyone the consequences of falsely accusing the Imperial Noble Consort?
The assembled concubines exchanged glances. Of all who came to catch the supposed affair tonight, except for the newcomers from Lanyue Pavilion who hadn't come, only Consort Jiang had stayed out of it and even benefited.
Low Level Consort Yu, born to a noble family and raised in luxury, had never experienced physical punishment. Forty lashes would if not kill her, take half her life.
After announcing the punishments, the Emperor hurriedly left, leaving behind a group of concubines discussing Consort Yu: "I only came because she said she had solid evidence of Imperial Noble Consort's affair with Painter Xie. Now look what happened - we've lost everything and gained nothing."
"We shouldn't have knelt down earlier to ask the Emperor to punish Imperial Noble Consort. From the Emperor's attitude, it seems even if she did something to wrong him, he wouldn't bear to punish her severely."
"We were just trying our luck, weren't we? Fortunately, we weren't the masterminds, just deceived by Consort... hmpf! By Low Level Consort Yu."
"Exactly! Surely Imperial Noble Consort won't take revenge on us! All the offensive words were spoken by Low Level Consort Yu, we didn't say anything!"
"The Sixth Prince's face is exactly like the Emperor's, how could Low Level Consort Yu say he was... she's truly foolish."
"Enough! However low Low Level Consort Yu has fallen, she still has the eldest princess! The Emperor dotes on his princess and princes. If your words reach his ears, how could that end well?"
"Alright, alright, it's late. Let's go back to sleep!"
"Painter Xie! Lord Xie!"
Painter Li, who was about to be dragged away for execution, was terrified out of his wits. He crawled to Xie Chenghui's feet like a dog: "I was wrong, I was just running my mouth, I really didn't know Consort Yu would be foolish enough to bring this to the Emperor. Lord Xie, please save me. If you just plead with Imperial Noble Consort on my behalf, I'll serve you like an ox or horse to repay you, I..."
Xie Chenghui stepped back two paces, his clear eyes showing a trace of killing intent. Before the eunuchs and guards could rush forward, he said something in an extremely low voice.
Painter Li instantly fell silent...