Dongfang Yi raised her eyebrows. She wasn't surprised by this scene.
The little maid was naturally unwilling to die like this. Her shrill cries had been ringing out since the guards grabbed her: "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly! This servant is truly innocent!"
Even in broad daylight, Dongfang Yi felt a chill run down her spine at those cries.
This outcome was for the best. She wasn't a soft - hearted person. To be the queen was like holding a precious jade, which invited trouble. Since she was in the position of queen, it was impossible for her to be free from any blood on her hands!
After the shrill cries finally faded away, Helian Qi slowly said, "Rise. Go and rest first. I'll order the imperial physician to examine you."
Dongfang Yi got up and forced a fake smile. Now he remembered to call the imperial physician? What was he doing earlier?
Seeing that Dongfang Yi wasn't very satisfied, Helian Qi slightly raised his eyebrows and joked, "The queen doesn't seem very satisfied? Do you think the punishment I gave her was too severe?"
Helian Qi thought that after all, the maid was from his palace, so perhaps Dongfang Yi couldn't bear to see such a scene.
Dongfang Yi blinked.
She didn't think the punishment was too severe at all. In fact, it was too light. As the old saying goes, pitiful people must have something hateful about them. That maid dared to treat her, the queen, like this. How could the crime of insubordination be easily forgiven?
Moreover, she always returned tit for tat.
"Does Your Majesty know the punishment of being torn apart by five horses?" Dongfang Yi raised her eyes. "I think it's quite good. Or execution by slow slicing might also be an option."
Hearing this, Helian Qi was stunned for a moment. What a ruthless woman! She was really interesting.
After this incident, all the maids serving her were replaced. Although the order of house arrest hadn't been lifted, the situation was much better than before. At least the treatment that originally belonged to the queen had been restored. Dongfang Yi ate delicious food every day and had almost forgotten which era she was originally from.
Meanwhile, this incident reached the ears of Concubine Chu, who was currently in favor. It was like a slap in the face for her, making her grit her teeth in anger. She secretly speculated that Dongfang Yi must have used some kind of seductive tricks again.
Thinking of this, Concubine Chu rushed straight to the Palace of Gathered Elegance.
Dongfang Yi had just finished her lunch and was playing with the newly - bloomed plum blossoms when she saw several gorgeously - dressed women barging in without any announcement. Dongfang Yi was surprised that they could walk so fast in their high - heeled Manchu shoes. Before she could react, she received a hard slap from one of them.
It was the time for enjoying the flowers, and she was about to return to her bedroom to rest. But the unexpected slap made her face burn with pain. Dongfang Yi's anger flared up instantly.
Concubine Chu!
Her good younger sister!
Memories came flooding back. The former owner of this body was soft - hearted and kind, while Concubine Chu was cunning and scheming. It was Concubine Chu who had secretly arranged for the queen's house arrest.
The day before, the emperor had sent an imperial physician to examine her body, which was in a very poor condition. Her body was covered in scars, her internal organs were severely affected by the cold, and her hands were full of chilblains that itched unbearably at night.
"Sister hitting the elder sister. I wonder if you're so arrogant that you look down on everyone or if you simply don't know your place?" Dongfang Yi said coldly. "To hit me in the Palace of Gathered Elegance, Concubine Chu, you have a lot of nerve!"
She had no good impression of Concubine Chu and was even annoyed by the thick layer of makeup on her face.
Concubine Chu didn't seem to be intimidated by Dongfang Yi's words. She reached out her hand and tried to grab Dongfang Yi: "I'm hitting you, Dongfang Yi! Who do you think you are!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Dongfang Yi slapped her to the ground. The jewels and ornaments fell all over the place, and Concubine Chu let out a shrill scream.
There was obvious disgust on Dongfang Yi's face. She couldn't show any mercy to the person who had caused the death of the former owner of this body! Concubine Chu had bullied the former Dongfang Yi, and now it was time for her to get some revenge! Dongfang Yi knew very well the bloodshed and cruelty in the harem. If she didn't trip others up today, she might be in danger tomorrow.
There was a sandalwood block on the couch that was used to soothe the mind. It was very hard. Dongfang Yi picked it up and threw it at Concubine Chu.
It hit her knee precisely. With so much force, Concubine Chu let out a painful scream.
"Little sister didn't know to salute when she saw me, she showed insubordination, and she even spoke abusively. She doesn't have the demeanor that a royal concubine should have. Since little sister is so ignorant of etiquette, then you don't need this knee. You can save the trouble of saluting."
Concubine Chu was in so much pain that she couldn't speak. Her knee hurt badly, and she was afraid it might be useless. When the maids heard the scream, they rushed over in a hurry. But when they saw this scene, they were also a bit stunned.
Concubine Chu's maids were especially frightened by Dongfang Yi's sudden fierceness. Moreover, the day before, the emperor had executed a maid that Concubine Chu had placed beside the queen. At this moment, no one dared to step forward rashly.
Concubine Chu had never been treated like this since she was a child, especially after having her knee hit. Back in the Prime Minister's Mansion, although her status was much lower than that of the legitimate daughter, she still lived a pampered life. Not to mention after entering the palace and being favored by the emperor. When had she ever suffered like this?
"You can't even remember your place, but you still try to show off your superiority in front of me? As long as I'm here, you'll always be just a concubine." Dongfang Yi's eyes were full of contempt. Probably feeling bored and thinking it was time to rest, she waved her hand. "Help your mistress down. I'm going to rest."
"Dongfang Yi! You wait for me! I'll tell the emperor right away and let him know your true face!" Concubine Chu seemed to be extremely angry, and her voice was a bit hoarse from shouting. She was in a complete mess now, with her knee bent in pain and her hair a bit disheveled because of the fallen ornaments.
Dongfang Yi curled her lips, picked up the sandalwood block and threw it again, scaring Concubine Chu into fainting on the spot.
Although the queen was in charge of the harem, this was no small matter. Moreover, she had hit the knee of Concubine Chu, the emperor's favorite concubine. The queen's situation wasn't very good either. After some private discussion, the maids reported this matter to the emperor.
Helian Qi had just finished reviewing today's memorials when the eunuch beside him came to report. The eunuch reported the matter to Helian Qi word by word without any bias.
A faint chill gradually crept into Helian Qi's eyes, and he pursed his lips.
The eunuch watched his expression nervously. After thinking for a moment, he still said, "Your Majesty, it's well - known that there are always intrigues in the harem. But did the queen go too far this time... After all, Concubine Chu is the queen's younger sister from the Prime Minister's Mansion. The imperial hospital said that Concubine Chu's leg might be seriously injured... A good woman can't walk properly. This..."
The eunuch was also unsure. Usually, the queen was weak and easy to bully. She always tolerated her younger sister. Why did she hit her like this today?
Women's hearts were truly unfathomable. It seemed that there was going to be a change in the harem.
Helian Qi remained calm. His index finger gently stroked his jade ring. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to the Palace of Gathered Elegance."