If You Were Our Empress (Part Two)
Liu RuYi received the honor and was endlessly thankful.
“Your Majesty, this girl wishes to perform a dance to celebrate Your Majesty.”
Ning ChengZhi politely nodded and sized up Liu RuYi. He thought to himself that this girl was so old yet had not yet gotten married.
Princess DanYang getting married at the age of 16 was already a little late, but this girl was probably around 17 or 18, right?
He quietly complained to himself. Why had Imperial Consort Li chosen this sort of girl to be the first to perform? Eunuch Chi leaned down and whispered something into his ear, and he shot an angry look at Imperial Consort Li.
“That damn Imperial Consort Li! She clearly knows that We like Yu Fu, yet she deliberately chose someone who is Yu Fu’s rival to gain glory!”
He gnashed his teeth at Eunuch Chi, and the latter reassured him: “Your Majesty, calm down. Young miss Liu did indeed offend the princess, but she could not be said to have opposed her. Look at the princess’ expression. When has she ever even thought of this person as a rival?”
Ning ChengZhi looked toward Yu Fu and saw her carefreely watching Liu RuYi’s dance. From time to time, she would lower her head to take a sip of tea. There was absolutely no sign of any change in her expression.
Only now did he relax.
He then motioned for Eunuch Chi to lean over, “Imperial Consort Li actually dared to act so brazenly. For the next month, don’t let her come to Our place. We do not wish to see her!”
Eunuch Chi bowed and accepted the order. When he raised his head, he glanced at Imperial Consort Li with a look of delight.
One month earlier, Imperial Consort Li wanted to go to the imperial study. By saying that she was the highest ranking member of the inner palace, nobody dared to stop her; however, Ning ChengZhi happened to not want to see her. As a result, Imperial Consort Li cussed out Eunuch Chi.
Today, he finally got revenge.
Imperial Consort Li, however, did not notice anything. On the contrary, she was cheerfully watching Liu RuYi’s dance while occasionally observing Yu Fu’s expression.
Liu RuYi’s dance was completely unremarkable. The only point worth noting was that her flowing sleeves moved with vigor. Her sleeves’ movements were as sharp as swords, which attracted some applause.
Hearing the cheers while she danced in the hall, she could not help but feel a little delighted. Thinking back to the previous Mid-Autumn Banquet and the humiliation that she had suffered there, she wanted to get justice.
Thinking like this, she flicked her flowing sleeves directly at Yu Fu. The latter raised her eyes to look at her without any intention of dodging.
The sleeves did not reach Yu Fu, as the sound of soldiers pulling out blades came from all around. Countless soldiers moved to protect her. When she raised her head, she saw countless bits of white cloth fluttering in the air.
They were from Liu RuYi’s flowing sleeves.
Yin Shuo was the one closest to Yu Fu. Upon realizing that something seemed off, he moved to try and protect her. Gu ShuBai was also paying close attention to Yu Fu. Seeing the grim situation, he chose to throw his cup at the flowing sleeves.
Who knew that the leader of the imperial guards, Meng Fei, who had been standing next to Ning ChengZhi would rush forward. He initially intended to cup the sleeves, but because of the cup that had been thrown getting in the way, it was shattered into small pieces.
Liu RuYi stupidly stood there. Her flowing sleeves had been cut, and she could no longer continue dancing. The atmosphere became awkward.
Yin Shuo retreated to his seat, while Meng Fei returned to Ning ChengZhi’s side.
Yu Fu looked up at Liu RuYi. She was already in a bad mood tonight. She did not think that Liu RuYi would dare to do anything to her after being rude to her back then.
Her eyes were utterly merciless.
Liu RuYi was a little afraid. Remembering that Yu Fu was a princess and no longer a little girl who could be bullied, she looked to Imperial Consort Li for help.
Imperial Consort Li thought for a moment then slowly stood up.
“You dare to act so discourteously when given honor and nearly hurt the princess!”
Before she could speak, Ning ChengZhi stood up and slammed the table, giving her a fright, “Guards, take Liu RuYi out and give her 50 strikes!”
Liu RuYi’s knees wobbled, as she immediately dropped to her knees, “Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! This girl did not do it on purpose!”
Imperial Consort Li quickly sat back down while nobody was paying attention and acted as if she had not stood up to speak.
Liu Zhen hastily stood up from his seat to try and plead for his daughter, “Your Majesty, please be lenient! She definitely did not intend to offend the princess. 50 strikes would kill her. I beg Your Majesty to be lenient!”
“Hmph.”
Ning chengZhi did not even bother looking at Liu Zhen and simply said to Yu Fu: “What does princess think?”
Yu Fu was unhappy with Liu RuYi’s actions; however, she knew just how heavy of punishment this was. If Liu RuYi was really made to endure that punishment, she really might lose her life.
Liu RuYi was guilty, but she should not die for that.
She stood up and said: “Forget it, I indeed was not injured. Your Majesty, please spare her.”
Ning ChengZhi was very displeased upon hearing this, “Though you were not hurt, it is indeed a fact that she acted discourteously when given an honor. Hear Our decree, punish her with a length of white silk!”*
Liu RuYi passed out in fear, while Liu Zhen felt completely drained.
There was a chance of surviving 50 strikes; however, there was no such possibility!
Yu Fu did not think that her pleas would have an adverse effect. All of the officials looked at Ning ChengZhi with looks of fear and disappointment.
How could their ruler be this sort of person? How could he be willing to have one of his subject’s daughters sentenced to death over such a trivial matter? Would this not chill the hearts of all officials?
The dazzling banquet hall lost its warmth and became chilly. Amidst the silence, only Liu Zhen’s begging and kowtowing could be heard.
Thunk, thunk.
Yu Fu revealed a difficult expression, “Although young miss Liu acted discourteously when given an honor, it was a result of a disagreement with me. I hope that Your Majesty will spare young miss Liu on my account.”
Ning ChengZhi had been waiting for this moment.
“We also wish to do something on your account. Unfortunately, you are just a princess. If you were Our empress, We would surely be reluctant to oppose your wishes.”
*TN: Being given three feet of white silk was a form of capital punishment. Once the person was sentenced and given the silk, they would hang themselves using the silk.
If You Were Our Empress (Part Two)
Liu RuYi received the honor and was endlessly thankful.
“Your Majesty, this girl wishes to perform a dance to celebrate Your Majesty.”
Ning ChengZhi politely nodded and sized up Liu RuYi. He thought to himself that this girl was so old yet had not yet gotten married.
Princess DanYang getting married at the age of 16 was already a little late, but this girl was probably around 17 or 18, right?
He quietly complained to himself. Why had Imperial Consort Li chosen this sort of girl to be the first to perform? Eunuch Chi leaned down and whispered something into his ear, and he shot an angry look at Imperial Consort Li.
“That damn Imperial Consort Li! She clearly knows that We like Yu Fu, yet she deliberately chose someone who is Yu Fu’s rival to gain glory!”
He gnashed his teeth at Eunuch Chi, and the latter reassured him: “Your Majesty, calm down. Young miss Liu did indeed offend the princess, but she could not be said to have opposed her. Look at the princess’ expression. When has she ever even thought of this person as a rival?”
Ning ChengZhi looked toward Yu Fu and saw her carefreely watching Liu RuYi’s dance. From time to time, she would lower her head to take a sip of tea. There was absolutely no sign of any change in her expression.
Only now did he relax.
He then motioned for Eunuch Chi to lean over, “Imperial Consort Li actually dared to act so brazenly. For the next month, don’t let her come to Our place. We do not wish to see her!”
Eunuch Chi bowed and accepted the order. When he raised his head, he glanced at Imperial Consort Li with a look of delight.
One month earlier, Imperial Consort Li wanted to go to the imperial study. By saying that she was the highest ranking member of the inner palace, nobody dared to stop her; however, Ning ChengZhi happened to not want to see her. As a result, Imperial Consort Li cussed out Eunuch Chi.
Today, he finally got revenge.
Imperial Consort Li, however, did not notice anything. On the contrary, she was cheerfully watching Liu RuYi’s dance while occasionally observing Yu Fu’s expression.
Liu RuYi’s dance was completely unremarkable. The only point worth noting was that her flowing sleeves moved with vigor. Her sleeves’ movements were as sharp as swords, which attracted some applause.
Hearing the cheers while she danced in the hall, she could not help but feel a little delighted. Thinking back to the previous Mid-Autumn Banquet and the humiliation that she had suffered there, she wanted to get justice.
Thinking like this, she flicked her flowing sleeves directly at Yu Fu. The latter raised her eyes to look at her without any intention of dodging.
The sleeves did not reach Yu Fu, as the sound of soldiers pulling out blades came from all around. Countless soldiers moved to protect her. When she raised her head, she saw countless bits of white cloth fluttering in the air.
They were from Liu RuYi’s flowing sleeves.
Yin Shuo was the one closest to Yu Fu. Upon realizing that something seemed off, he moved to try and protect her. Gu ShuBai was also paying close attention to Yu Fu. Seeing the grim situation, he chose to throw his cup at the flowing sleeves.
Who knew that the leader of the imperial guards, Meng Fei, who had been standing next to Ning ChengZhi would rush forward. He initially intended to cup the sleeves, but because of the cup that had been thrown getting in the way, it was shattered into small pieces.
Liu RuYi stupidly stood there. Her flowing sleeves had been cut, and she could no longer continue dancing. The atmosphere became awkward.
Yin Shuo retreated to his seat, while Meng Fei returned to Ning ChengZhi’s side.
Yu Fu looked up at Liu RuYi. She was already in a bad mood tonight. She did not think that Liu RuYi would dare to do anything to her after being rude to her back then.
Her eyes were utterly merciless.
Liu RuYi was a little afraid. Remembering that Yu Fu was a princess and no longer a little girl who could be bullied, she looked to Imperial Consort Li for help.
Imperial Consort Li thought for a moment then slowly stood up.
“You dare to act so discourteously when given honor and nearly hurt the princess!”
Before she could speak, Ning ChengZhi stood up and slammed the table, giving her a fright, “Guards, take Liu RuYi out and give her 50 strikes!”
Liu RuYi’s knees wobbled, as she immediately dropped to her knees, “Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! This girl did not do it on purpose!”
Imperial Consort Li quickly sat back down while nobody was paying attention and acted as if she had not stood up to speak.
Liu Zhen hastily stood up from his seat to try and plead for his daughter, “Your Majesty, please be lenient! She definitely did not intend to offend the princess. 50 strikes would kill her. I beg Your Majesty to be lenient!”
“Hmph.”
Ning chengZhi did not even bother looking at Liu Zhen and simply said to Yu Fu: “What does princess think?”
Yu Fu was unhappy with Liu RuYi’s actions; however, she knew just how heavy of punishment this was. If Liu RuYi was really made to endure that punishment, she really might lose her life.
Liu RuYi was guilty, but she should not die for that.
She stood up and said: “Forget it, I indeed was not injured. Your Majesty, please spare her.”
Ning ChengZhi was very displeased upon hearing this, “Though you were not hurt, it is indeed a fact that she acted discourteously when given an honor. Hear Our decree, punish her with a length of white silk!”*
Liu RuYi passed out in fear, while Liu Zhen felt completely drained.
There was a chance of surviving 50 strikes; however, there was no such possibility!
Yu Fu did not think that her pleas would have an adverse effect. All of the officials looked at Ning ChengZhi with looks of fear and disappointment.
How could their ruler be this sort of person? How could he be willing to have one of his subject’s daughters sentenced to death over such a trivial matter? Would this not chill the hearts of all officials?
The dazzling banquet hall lost its warmth and became chilly. Amidst the silence, only Liu Zhen’s begging and kowtowing could be heard.
Thunk, thunk.
Yu Fu revealed a difficult expression, “Although young miss Liu acted discourteously when given an honor, it was a result of a disagreement with me. I hope that Your Majesty will spare young miss Liu on my account.”
Ning ChengZhi had been waiting for this moment.
“We also wish to do something on your account. Unfortunately, you are just a princess. If you were Our empress, We would surely be reluctant to oppose your wishes.”
*TN: Being given three feet of white silk was a form of capital punishment. Once the person was sentenced and given the silk, they would hang themselves using the silk.
