Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

"Today I specially prepared a soup with the finest wild ginseng, which is most nourishing and invigorating. I hope Your Majesty will have some and take good care of your health."

Xiao Huizi opened the food box, took out the soup, tested it for poison, and then placed it on the imperial desk.

Nangong Xuanyu did not drink, but simply said, "Your Highness is very kind."

Seeing that his expression was indifferent and he had no intention of talking much, Consort Zhuang knew that His Majesty probably did not have the leisure to talk to her at the moment.

She didn't beat around the bush and gently got to the point: "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and I should not bother you with trivial matters."

"However... this concerns the harmony of the harem. After much deliberation, I still feel that I should inform Your Majesty."

Nangong Xuanyu raised his eyes and looked at Consort Zhuang: "What is it?"

"It's about Consort Mei's younger sister in Xianfu Palace."

Consort Zhuang advised, "Your Majesty, Consort Mei has been confined to her quarters for over a month."

"I have heard that she has been reflecting on her actions in seclusion at Xianfu Palace these past few days, repenting day and night. She deeply regrets her inappropriate words and deeds that offended the Imperial Noble Consort. She also showed a lack of consideration for the greater good, disturbing the peace of the inner palace. Every time she thinks about it, she is filled with remorse."

"Consort Mei is young and has only been in the palace for a short time, so her temperament is inevitably a bit impulsive. She must have learned her lesson from this incident."

"The Zhuang family has been a scholarly family for generations, and their family education is very strict. Consort Mei is also a person who can admit her mistakes and correct them. She has already tearfully told me that she is willing to go to Yongshou Palace in person to kowtow to the Imperial Noble Consort and apologize, and beg the Imperial Noble Consort for forgiveness."

"Your Majesty believes that harmony is paramount in the inner palace. Since Consort Mei has shown remorse and has been confined for these past few days, she understands His Majesty's intention in punishing her. If she is kept in confinement for too long, it may harm her physical and mental health, which is not in line with His Majesty's benevolent teachings."

"Therefore... I humbly request Your Majesty to consider that this is Consort Mei's first offense, and that she has acknowledged her mistake and is willing to correct it, and to grant her the grace to lift her confinement?"

These words are reasonable and well-reasoned.

After listening, Nangong Xuanyu remained silent for a moment.

When Consort Zhuang mentioned it, he suddenly remembered that there was indeed a Consort Mei in the harem.

For more than a month, he was exhausted by matters concerning the previous dynasty and the northern border, and had long forgotten about Consort Mei, who was confined to her quarters for causing trouble with her words.

Looking back now, being confined for more than a month is not a short time.

The daughter of the Zhuang family should be given a minor punishment as a warning. If she were imprisoned for too long, it would damage the Zhuang family's reputation and make him, the emperor, appear overly harsh.

Since Consort Zhuang personally pleaded for her and made a good show of it, Consort Mei was willing to go to Yongshou Palace to admit her mistake.

"Never mind."

Nangong Xuanyu said, "Since the Imperial Concubine has personally pleaded for her, and Consort Mei has already admitted her mistake, let's lift her confinement."

Consort Zhuang felt reassured, but her expression remained unchanged. She respectfully curtsied and said, "On behalf of my younger sister, Consort Mei, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

"Your Majesty's magnanimity is truly a blessing to the harem!"

"Your Majesty, I will certainly discipline Consort Mei strictly, so that she will remember this lesson and behave herself."

Nangong Xuanyu waved his hand: "If the Noble Consort has nothing else to say, she may leave."

"Yes. Your Majesty, I take my leave. May Your Majesty take care of your health."

Consort Zhuang bowed again, then turned and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Nangong Xuanyu's gaze fell on the ginseng soup brought by Consort Zhuang, and he said to Xiao Huizi, "It's a reward for you."

Xiao Huizi exclaimed joyfully, "This servant thanks Your Majesty!"

……

Xianfu Palace.

The door, which had been closed for many days, finally opened slowly.

The summer sun eagerly poured in.

Consort Mei stood inside the threshold, her eyes slightly narrowed, as if she were in another world.

The ban has been lifted.

She's really out of the ban!

Han Cui and Xue Fu followed behind Consort Mei, their faces also beaming with joy: "Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Consort Mei turned around, a bright smile blooming on her face: "Help me with my hair and makeup."

"Yes!"

After a flurry of activity, the woman in the mirror seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

She wore a silver-red summer dress embroidered with gold hibiscus patterns, which made her skin appear as white as snow. Her hair was styled in the fashionable "Jinghong" bun, with a red-gold hairpin tucked into her hair, and a few fresh pink palace flowers adorning her hair.

Her eyebrows and eyes were meticulously drawn, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye was touched with rouge, adding to her charm. Her lips were painted with full cherry-red lipstick, making her smile alluring and captivating.

Consort Mei took a deep breath, straightened her back, and, supported by Han Cui, walked outside: "To Changchun Palace, to express our gratitude to the Noble Consort!"

The sedan chair was already prepared.

Consort Mei sat down.

The red walls and yellow tiles on both sides of the palace road, the palace servants hurrying to make way and bowing... all the scenes she was used to seeing seemed particularly vivid in her eyes at this moment.

The taste of freedom is so wonderful!

Changchun Palace is right in front of Xianfu Palace, and we arrived there quickly.

Consort Zhuang sat in the main hall, looking at Consort Mei who had arrived in full regalia, her face full of grateful smiles, and secretly shook her head.

Consort Mei bowed gracefully, her tone filled with utmost sincerity: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Highness. May Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

"If it weren't for my cousin speaking well of me before His Majesty, I don't know how long I would have been trapped in Xianfu Palace..."

As she spoke, her eyes actually reddened.

Consort Zhuang raised her hand in a gesture of support: "Get up. We're sisters, there's no need for that."

"You were able to come out because His Majesty was merciful, and also because you yourself have realized your repentance."

"After this incident, you should know how difficult it is to survive in the harem. From now on, you must think twice before you speak or do anything."

"The four words 'be careful with your words and actions' must be engraved in your heart. Do not make mistakes again because of momentary pleasure in your words, thus failing His Majesty's tolerance and tarnishing the reputation of the Zhuang family."

The last sentence was a bit harsh.

Consort Mei's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly bowed again: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered! I will definitely follow the rules and regulations from now on and will never dare to act willfully again."

"Just remember that."

Consort Zhuang said, "Since His Majesty has shown you mercy, you should thank me and then go to Yongshou Palace."

“You were in the wrong that day. Since you sincerely repent, apologizing in person will show your sincerity.”

Go to Yongshou Palace...to apologize to the Imperial Noble Consort?

Consort Mei's smile froze for a moment, and a hint of humiliation flashed in her eyes.

She lowered her eyes, concealing all her emotions, and said obediently, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant. I will prepare gifts and go to Yongshou Palace to apologize to the Imperial Noble Consort later."

Consort Zhuang waved her hand: "Go."

"Chen and concubine retire."

As soon as she left Changchun Palace, Consort Mei's smile faded, and her chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making her feel suffocated.

But she knew that this step was unavoidable.

My cousin is right; we must put on the right attitude.

Upon returning to Xianfu Palace, Consort Mei ordered the storeroom to be opened and carefully selected several gifts.

A statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, made of white jade, symbolizes good fortune.

Two pieces of shimmering, colorful Jiangnan tribute satin.

There is also a box of high-quality pearls.

The gift wasn't extravagant, but it was certainly respectable.

Immediately afterwards, Consort Mei boarded the sedan chair again and went to Yongshou Palace.

As her entourage traveled along the palace road, they encountered several lower-ranking concubines walking together.

Upon seeing Consort Mei's entourage from afar, they quickly stepped aside, bowed their heads respectfully, and said, "Your Highness, may you be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

The sedan chair did not stop.

Consort Mei walked past without glancing to the side.