bookcurios Chapter 1478: The status and reputation cultivated over many years were completely lost.
Chapter 1478: The status and reputation cultivated over many years were completely lost.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Only then did everyone dare to stand up and return to their seats.
Only Consort Dun, upon seeing Nangong Xuanyu's icy gaze, was so frightened that her legs went weak and she knelt down on the ground once again.
Shen Zhinian turned her head and asked, "Why has Your Majesty come at this time?"
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he said gently, "I've finished reviewing the memorials. I originally intended to come and see you and Axu, but I ran into Granny Xiao on the way."
He gave a brief explanation, then his gaze fell on Consort Dun, who was trembling on the ground, and his eyes instantly turned cold: "I heard it clearly outside just now."
"Your lax management of your subordinates has allowed them to act with arrogance and slander their superiors, which is already a serious crime. But to dare to publicly contradict the Imperial Noble Consort, speak rudely, and fabricate false accusations is an even greater offense!"
Consort Dun was terrified, her previous arrogance completely gone: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!"
"I was just confused for a moment and spoke without thinking..."
"Your Majesty, please have mercy! Considering how devoted I have been to raising the Third Prince, please forgive me this time..."
Nangong Xuanyu, however, was too lazy to listen to her any further and interrupted her directly: "Consort Dun is demoted to the rank of concubine effective immediately and is confined to her quarters for three months to reflect on her mistakes!"
Demotion?!
A stay-at-home order?!
Consort Dun felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, and almost fainted...
Disregarding all decorum and dignity, she raised her head and crawled forward two steps on her knees, pleading, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, have mercy! I know I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong..."
"It was my fault! I was foolish! I failed to control Xiao Tianzi, allowing him to do such lawless things."
"I have failed in my duty to manage my subordinates, and I accept the punishment! But... but demotion and confinement for three months... this punishment is far too harsh..."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me this time, considering that I have served you for many years and have worked hard even if I have not made any great contributions! I will definitely discipline the palace servants strictly in the future, abide by the palace rules, and never commit this offense again!"
Consort Dun cried until she was hoarse, lowering herself to the extreme, hoping that her years of affection could touch the emperor's cold heart and bring about a change of fortune.
Nangong Xuanyu's face remained unmoved as he coldly said, "What? You don't even want to keep this concubine's title anymore?"
These words utterly broke Consort Dun. She dared not plead any longer, and choked out, "...Your Majesty...thank you for your grace..."
"Your Majesty accepts the punishment..."
Consort Zhuang lowered her eyelids, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across her eyes.
She originally intended to use Consort Dun to test the Imperial Noble Consort's abilities, and it would be best if she could cause the Imperial Noble Consort some trouble.
Unexpectedly, Consort Dun was so useless. Not only did she fail to harm the other party in the slightest, but she also got herself into trouble and lost her position as a consort.
This made Consort Zhuang realize even more clearly that the current Imperial Noble Consort held a far greater place in His Majesty's heart than she had previously anticipated.
After dealing with Consort Dun, Nangong Xuanyu slowly swept his gaze over the silent concubines in the hall and said in a deep voice, "The palace selection has been postponed because I have been busy with state affairs recently and have no time to spare for this matter."
"If I hear of anyone using this as an excuse to stir up trouble, spread rumors, or speak ill of the Imperial Noble Consort, I will not let them off lightly!"
This statement is both an explanation and a warning.
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and quickly stood up, respectfully replying, "Your Majesty, we will obey your teachings and dare not speak recklessly."
Having witnessed Consort Dun's fate and received a personal warning from the Emperor, who would dare to provoke such bad luck again?
Everyone was sensible and knew that His Majesty must want to be alone with the Imperial Noble Consort at this moment, so they all found excuses to respectfully bow and take their leave.
Consort Dun looked ashen-faced and, supported by Tingzhu, walked unsteadily at the back of the group.
She hadn't yet recovered from the shock of being publicly demoted and confined to her quarters...
At that moment, a bright figure deliberately slowed down and walked alongside her.
It was Consort Xuan.
Consort Xuan turned her head to look at Consort Dun's distraught appearance, a mocking smile playing on her lips. Her voice was clear and crisp: "Oh, Consort Dun, weren't you quite eloquent in the palace just now? How come you look like a wilted eggplant now?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Dun looked up, her eyes instantly blazing with fury!
She stopped in her tracks, her chest heaving, and turned to stare intently at Consort Xuan: "Consort Xuan is quite imposing these days, always spouting about etiquette and rules!"
"Even if I have made a mistake and have been punished by His Majesty, that is a matter between me, His Majesty, and the Imperial Noble Consort. When did it become your place to interfere and kick me when I'm down?"
"Has Consort Xuan forgotten how she established herself in the palace? Now that she's climbed the social ladder, she's eager to trample on her old friends. Is this the kind of behavior you speak of as proper etiquette?!"
Her words were quite blunt, not only implying that Consort Xuan relied on the Imperial Noble Consort, but also subtly implying that the other party had forgotten her roots.
Consort Xuan was not angered by Consort Dun's exasperated appearance. She raised her eyebrows slightly and slowly reminded her, "Sister Consort Dun, you are no longer a consort. When you see me, don't forget the proper etiquette."
Consort Dun's body stiffened instantly...
Yes, she is now a concubine, while Consort Xuan is a high-ranking concubine; her own rank is one grade lower.
If she were to contradict him now, it would be considered insubordination, and Consort Xuan could easily use this as another pretext to frame her...
Consort Dun bit her lower lip hard, tasting the blood, but she could only swallow her anger and squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "...Consort Xuan is right to teach her a lesson!"
Seeing her frustrated and resentful expression, Consort Xuan snorted, finding it uninteresting, and didn't bother to waste any more words with Consort Dun. Holding Zhu'er's hand, she turned and left gracefully.
To Consort Dun, the figure from behind exuded the arrogance of a victor.
After Consort Xuan had walked away, Consort Dun shook off Tingzhu's hand that was supporting her, and gritted her teeth as she stared at the other's retreating figure, saying, "What's so arrogant about her?! She's nothing more than a barking dog by the side of the Imperial Noble Consort!"
"Relying on someone's backing, you dare to step on me!"
Looking at Consort Dun's resentful and twisted face, Tingzhu recalled Xiaotianzi's pitiful pleas for mercy as she was dragged away...
She felt a sense of impending doom and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, let's... let's go back to our own palace first. Given the current situation, we must be patient..."
The thought that she had gone from being a dignified imperial concubine to a lowly concubine made Consort Dun feel dizzy and disoriented.
This was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead. It didn't cause the Imperial Noble Consort any trouble at all, but instead completely ruined the status and face that he had worked so hard to build up over the years!
Consort Dun said nothing more, her face ashen, filled with resentment and unwillingness, as she walked towards Yikun Palace.
The setting sun cast her shadow long, giving her an indescribable air of dishevelment...
the other side.
Consort Xuan, supported by Zhu'er's hand, walked back to Chengqian Palace.
Zhu'er gently advised, "Your Highness, Consort Dun has lost all face and dignity. To put it bluntly, she's like a drowning dog."