Punishment on Behalf of the Princess Consort
âYou think I wonât dare to punish you?â
âThis humble son is willing to accept punishment. Please, Your Majesty, punish me severely!â Jiang Ning rubbed her leg.
The Emperor ignored her little action, sneering coldly, âGo kneel for half a month!â
âEmperor Father,â Li Hongyuan spoke, âJiang Ningâs leg still hasnât fully healed,â
âIf I donât punish her, others wonât be appeased.â
âI beseech Emperor Fatherâs forgiveness. This humble son is willing to bear the punishment in place of the Princess Consort.â Li Hongyuan bowed his body.
The Emperor looked at him for a moment and said, âThen, as you wish. Jiang Ning, you wonât need to take the punishment, but you must go and apologize to Concubine Xian.â
âI have to apologize to her?â
âHm?â The Emperorâs cold gaze swept over her.
ââ¦This humble daughter obeys.â
âYou all may leave.â The Emperor waved his hand.
The matter was settled like this.
The Crown Prince took the punishment in place of the Princess Consort, kneeling half a month at the Ancestral Temple. Jiang Ning, as the âmastermind,â needed to go to Prosperity Palace to apologize to Concubine Xian in person.
As they came out of the Crystal Frost Hall, the warm sunlight of spring was shining on their bodies, making them feel warm and cozy.
Li Hongyuan looked at Jiang Ning, and Jiang Ning grinned at him.
âAs such, Iâm afraid this will be hard on Your Highness the Crown Prince.â Her tone was cheerful, waving her hand as she intended to leave.
Li Hongyuan casually pulled her back and said calmly, âYou seem carefree. Youâre not even slightly grateful or apologetic. You have the thickest face Iâve ever seen.â
Jiang Ning moved closer and held onto his arm, âIâll bring you food every day. Iâll cook it myself.â
âIâm not Concubine Mother. I wonât be tempted by your treats.â Although Li Hongyuanâs tone was light, he didnât pull his arm away and let her hold it. âWhat would you like me to do then?â
âI hope that next time, try not to let others catch you in the act. Otherwise, even if you vented your anger, youâll still have to pay the price in the end.â
Jiang Ning said, âI thought you would blame me or scold me.â
âIf I were there, Concubine Xian might have been hurt worse.â Li Hongyuan raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder, âFor this half month, Iâll leave the East Palace in your care. Also, watch out for Concubine Xianâs retaliation. She wonât let it go this easily after suffering such a big loss. Although Emperor Father doesnât really like her, Concubine Xianâs family still has some power. If you have any difficulties, come find me.â
With that, he walked towards the Ancestral Temple.
Sanli and Ding Sanjin hurried to catch up.
Jiang Ning watched his retreating figure, thinking that he had just returned and hadnât even had time to rest before being punished again.
Truth be told, these past two years, every time he was punished, it was because of her.
âLetâs go back to the East Palace.â Jiang Ning said.
Huang Ying followed, âAre you going to Prosperity Palace to apologize?â
âWho would dare to defy His Majestyâs decree?â
âAre you going now?â Huang Ying asked, âI can tell that Concubine Xian wonât let this matter rest even if we go to apologize. Sheâll be troublesome in the future.â
Jiang Ning thought for a moment, âI wonder how the Prince of Huai and his Princess Consort are doing.â
Last time she said she would deal with them, but she had been too busy to accomplish it.
âHuang Ying, you go back to the East Palace and let Xiaoman guard the gate. Before I return, donât let anyone in or out.â
âWhat about you, Princess Consort?â
âIâm going to leave the palace for a while.â
âThis slave will go with you.â
âGucheng will be enough to accompany me.â Jiang Ning waved her hand, âHuang Ying, you go back first. Iâll be back before nightfall.â
Huang Ying looked around and knew that Gucheng would follow her.
Jiang Ning left the palace alone, unimpeded and unhindered all the way.
She had become a familiar face in the palace now.
From top to bottom, there was no one who didnât recognize her..