Consort Jia's words immediately made Lan Miao the target of public criticism.
Lan Miao knew she couldn't escape. Calm and composed, she stepped forward and slowly walked up to the crowd.
"I've already reported exactly what I heard. It was just a coincidence. I had no intention of deliberately targeting any imperial concubine," she said calmly and soothingly.
The noble consort, who had been nervous before, seeing Lan Miao's calm demeanor, no longer stared at her. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Consort Jia.
"Consort Jia, did you hear that? She made it very clear. Those three audacious palace servants have also confessed. When did anyone ever mention my name?"
The noble consort thought she had the upper hand and became aggressive.
Without evidence, the strategy that Concubine Xie had come up with for her was truly flawless. If it weren't for so many unexpected events, the Third Prince would have been deposed long ago, and she could have escaped unscathed.
Consort Jia, who considered herself intelligent, was extremely annoyed to be played by the noble consort, whom she had always regarded as dull.
"Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"The mastermind behind the scenes that Lady Lan heard about shouldn't be just Noble Consort You. Your Majesty, Lady Lan was almost hurt by these villains because of what she heard. You should seek justice for her, right?"
Consort Jia's words made Lan Miao feel like a thorn was in her back.
She felt the gazes of several people in the hall fall on her all at once, especially the noble consort's slightly surprised and disdainful look.
Consort Jia noticed.
— She noticed the special affection Emperor Jingxiang had for Lan Miao. So when she saw that His Majesty might spare the noble consort, she threw Lan Miao out.
Consort Jia was taking a gamble, betting on whether Emperor Jingxiang would seek justice for Lan Miao.
Sweat gradually broke out on Lan Miao's forehead.
After a long while, Emperor Jingxiang raised his cold eyes and finally made his final decision. "Noble Consort You shall be beaten to death with a cane. All other involved parties shall be executed. The three who dared to chase and intercept in the palace by defying their superiors shall have their nine generations of kin executed."
His words were flat, without any rise or fall.
Calm and unruffled.
However, as soon as these words were spoken, no one knew how many people would die.
Lan Miao only felt that her own life had somehow become intertwined with this palace, closely related.
Consort Jia froze.
The proud smile on the noble consort's face only paused for a moment. Emperor Jingxiang rolled his black - and - white eyes and then continued, "Since I've given the noble consort the power to assist in managing the six palaces, you shall execute the punishment personally. You are responsible for killing Noble Consort You. No one else is allowed to interfere. If you can't do it, you don't need to manage the harem either."
??
The noble consort only felt a buzzing in her head.
Noble Consort You was to be beaten to death with a cane. His Majesty wanted her to execute the punishment personally and didn't allow others to do it. That meant she had to pick up the cane and beat Noble Consort You to death with her own hands?
At this moment, the noble consort only felt sweat pouring down her body.
Although she wasn't inexperienced in punishing people.
But it wasn't like giving someone poisoned wine. To beat someone to death with her own hands... how could she bring herself to do it?
"Your Majesty, this... this subject can't do it," the noble consort said, gaping. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had said something stupid.
Emperor Jingxiang's eyes darkened.
"No, Your Majesty, this subject was confused. This subject can do it..."
The noble consort quickly tried to make up for her words.
"Then go and execute the punishment now," Emperor Jingxiang's cold words echoed in the hall.
Consort Jia, who had been shouting all along, had nothing more to say. His Majesty's attitude was clear. Although she had suffered a loss this time, His Majesty clearly was tired of the noble consort and her son. As long as she got another chance, she could completely bring the noble consort down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for seeking justice for this subject," Consort Jia wiped away the non - existent tears from her eyes and was about to say something affectionate to Emperor Jingxiang, but was mercilessly interrupted by him.
"I'm tired. All of you, leave."
From the grassland fire to the current disposal of these people, it had almost taken a whole day. Everyone was extremely exhausted.
The others left one after another.
The palace servants to be executed were also dragged out by the guards.
For a moment, there were cries of wailing everywhere.
The noble consort couldn't leave.
An He and several other palace servants walked over, fetched the torture instruments for beating with a cane, and handed them to the noble consort. "Noble Consort, please."
The noble consort's body sank.
Concubine Xie behind her gave her a support. Concubine Xie whispered in her ear, "Your Highness, His Majesty is warning you. Hurry up and do it."
"... How can I do such a terrible thing?" the noble consort gritted her teeth and deeply felt His Majesty's malice.
No matter how ruthless she was, she had never beaten someone to death alive. Giving her a knife or poisoned wine would be fine, but His Majesty gave such an order.
The noble consort took the torture instrument from An He's hand with a trembling hand. Noble Consort You was tied up in the courtyard. In front of many people, the noble consort had no choice but to beat Noble Consort You with her own hands.
Screams came from Noble Consort You's mouth.
The terrifying sound echoed throughout the palace. The noble consort got tired after beating for a while, but Noble Consort You was still alive.
In the distance, the sky was filled with crimson sunset clouds. The bright red blood cast a thick shadow over the sunset clouds.
In the side hall, Lan Miao covered Xue'er and Yu Jia's ears, not wanting them to see this bloody scene.
Even though they were quite a distance away, the pungent smell of blood seemed to reach here.
Lan Miao didn't feel pity.
His Majesty's way of handling the matter was quite unique. He neither made a big deal out of it and maintained the dignity of the two countries, nor did he shock the noble consort and silence Consort Jia.
However, being in the middle of it, it was hard not to feel flustered.
Emperor Jingxiang, however, had returned to Yangxin Hall early to deal with the memorials because of an important matter reported from the previous court.
After another hour, the noble consort finally beat the person to death and reported to An He.
Lan Miao watched as the noble consort's back seemed to have aged ten years. Supported by the palace servants, she limped away.
Seeing that the person was dead, Consort Jia left right after. Before leaving, she said to Lan Miao meaningfully in a soft voice,
"I really need to thank Lady Lan for today's matter. If it weren't for your outspokenness, I would still be kept in the dark. I just don't know when Lady Lan will leave the palace. I can then calculate the time to entertain you properly."
"This... it depends on whether the Empress Dowager has any other orders. I'm not quite sure either," Lan Miao thought for a while and said helplessly.
Consort Jia raised her eyes, carefully sized Lan Miao up for a while, and finding that Lan Miao didn't seem to be lying, she laughed. "I understand. Lady Lan must live well in the palace. Only then will I be at ease."
"Thank you, Consort Jia, for your concern," Lan Miao curtsied slightly and saw Consort Jia off.
Just as Lan Miao was about to escort Xue'er and the others away, Princess Kaiyun somehow got around to her side and whispered, "Is Lady Lan going to Cining Palace?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Come on. I'm also going to Mother's place. Come up and sit with me."
Princess Kaiyun's entourage was right beside them.
The specifications of a princess were only slightly lower than those of a king, but it still looked extremely luxurious and imposing. Lan Miao declined politely for a while but finally got on.
Xue'er and Yu Jia also sat with the Prince of Li in the back.
Princess Kaiyun seemed to like Lan Miao very much. She asked softly, "What does Lady Lan think of His Majesty's handling today?"
"How dare I make random comments on His Majesty's actions, Your Highness? Don't joke," Lan Miao said.
The sedan chair beneath them was moving steadily, but Lan Miao felt slightly uneasy in her heart.
"I just hope Lady Lan won't think that Brother Emperor is cruel, or have any objections to his not punishing the noble consort," Princess Kaiyun sighed softly.
"How could I have any objections to His Majesty? At present, there is really no evidence pointing to the noble consort. His Majesty's handling is reasonable," Lan Miao smiled gently.
Hearing Lan Miao say this, the smile in Princess Kaiyun's eyes deepened. "Lady Lan is really intelligent and considerate. Brother Emperor just lacks such a considerate person by his side."