strictlysupreme Chapter 295 What is Imperial Power?
Chapter 295 What is Imperial Power?
Madam He raised her head, her voice filled with sorrow.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's wife had no intention of disobeying him; she is truly not guilty of such a crime!"
She and Qin Jiuwei had never spoken before, yet she was willing to save her in a moment of crisis.
How could she just stand by and watch her be punished?
"Your Majesty, today's spring hunt is a gift from His Majesty. It would be inappropriate to punish the Crown Prince's wife for such a trivial matter!"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
They're not stupid; they can see through it.
Qin Jiuwei's words just now were all in their defense.
She helped them, and they were willing to help her in return.
Of course, not all the noblewomen present were on Qin Jiuwei's side.
But today, being forced to ride horses and suffering great fright, they already harbored resentment.
If Consort Chen were to punish Qin Jiuwei now, who could guarantee that they wouldn't be the next ones to be punished?
They cannot openly defy Consort Chen, but if they join forces to plead for her, the situation could become unmanageable.
Consort Chen's face suddenly darkened.
Staring at the kneeling crowd, his fingers clenched tightly, and a chill ran through his eyes.
She originally thought that as long as she gave the order, she could completely suppress Qin Jiuwei.
But who knew it would escalate to this point!
She is the true imperial concubine! She is currently the woman with the highest status in the harem!
Why can't I do the things I want to do?
It's the other way around!
She's going to punish all these women! Let them know what imperial power is!
Consort Chen's chest heaved violently, and she spoke immediately.
Upon seeing this, Chun'er quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty..."
She said softly, "No...no, that's not possible."
This soft exclamation nearly pulled Consort Chen back from the brink of losing her composure due to her anger.
She can't punish them all.
The ministers who could accompany the emperor on the spring hunt were naturally important officials in the court and the emperor's confidants.
The Emperor has just experienced the rebellion of Prince Qi, and is therefore being extremely cautious in his attitude toward his court officials.
If the emperor felt that she was forcing these noblewomen, it would only displease him...
But she was truly unwilling to accept it!
Consort Chen was so angry she almost gritted her teeth!
She took a deep breath, barely suppressing her anger, and sneered through gritted teeth.
"Since all the ladies have pleaded for me, I am not an unreasonable person. You may all rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ladies nodded and rose.
Looking at the faint smiles on their faces, Consort Chen felt her anger, which she had just suppressed, suddenly flare up again.
Enduring it for a while might cause breast hyperplasia, but taking a step back will only make you angrier the more you think about it.
During this time, she has been a powerful figure in the harem. When has she ever suffered such humiliation?
No!
She's going to find Gao Xian! She's going to cry to him and ask him to stand up for her!
Consort Chen turned around and strode towards the hunting grounds.
The crowd looked at her retreating figure, exchanging bewildered glances.
Fifteen minutes later, Consort Chen hurriedly arrived at the entrance of the hunting grounds.
Before me lay a lush, verdant forest, its branches and leaves intertwined.
The mist in the forest had not yet dissipated, and the deep barking of hunting dogs could be faintly heard in the distance, with occasional startled birds fluttering across the treetops.
Upon seeing Consort Chen, the guards at the entrance immediately sheathed their swords, clasped their hands in greeting, and bowed in unison: "Greetings, Your Highness Consort Chen."
Consort Chen couldn't wait a moment longer and said directly, "I want to go in and see the Emperor."
Several guards paused, and the leader looked troubled.
After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently hunting in the forest. The hunting grounds are heavily guarded, and no one may enter without permission."
"I am the Emperor's bedmate!" Consort Chen's face instantly turned cold. "Do I need your permission to see him?"
The lead guard immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Before his departure, His Majesty specifically instructed that during the hunt, all concubines in the harem must not set foot in the hunting grounds to avoid any accidents."
"It is my duty, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."
Consort Chen gripped her sleeve tightly with her fingers.
The anger in my heart was reignited.
"I really have urgent business with the Emperor! Please let me in immediately!"
The thought of Qin Jiuwei publicly contradicting him and having so many noblewomen plead for her brought a surge of resentment and anger to his heart.
Her eyes immediately reddened, and tears fell uncontrollably.
Consort Chen bit her lip, tears streaming down her face, looking both angry and helpless.
Upon seeing this, the guards panicked.
Although they were ordered to guard the entrance to the hunting grounds, everyone knew that Consort Chen was the Emperor's most favored concubine.
Seeing her crying like this now, could it be... that she really has something urgent to report?
The leading guard hesitated.
He glanced at his colleagues and then at Consort Chen's expression, finally gritting his teeth.
"Since Your Majesty has urgent business, I will not stop you any longer. Please be careful, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen immediately looked up and wiped away the tears on her face.
Without saying anything more, he stepped straight into the hunting grounds and strode quickly toward the direction of the hunt.
She was seething with anger, determined to make the Emperor know how Qin Jiuwei had shown no respect for hierarchy and humiliated her in public!
Deep within the hunting grounds, Gao Xian and Xie Yanli were both mounted on horseback, their figures upright, riding slowly.
Entering the dense forest, the space opens up as you walk deeper into the woods.
The flat grassland stretched out in a continuous expanse, almost as far as the eye could see.
A falcon circled high in the sky, and in the distance, several startled deer ran past.
At the very edge of the grassland, a natural cliff suddenly appears.
Below the cliff lies a dense, unfathomable forest.
Gao Xian sat upright on his horse, his expression calm and his sharp eyes scanning the hunting grounds.
He held an exquisitely carved longbow in his hand, clearly having just finished hunting.
Xie Yanli stood beside him, his expression calm.
His dark military uniform accentuated his tall and slender figure, while his shoulder and wrist armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
The guards and several ministers followed on horseback not far away.
Suddenly, some noises came from the nearby jungle.
The two men's expressions instantly hardened, and their eyes quickly met.
Gao Xian's thin lips moved slightly, and he quietly mouthed, "Is it about time? Now?"
Xie Yanli's eyes were sharp, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
The next instant, Gao Xian suddenly pulled on the reins, his palm slightly clenched.
The horse beneath him immediately reared up, neighed, and prepared to go.
However, at that moment, a woman's voice, trembling with sobs, suddenly rang out.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Gao Xian abruptly stopped and immediately turned to look behind him.
Seeing the stumbling figure running towards him, Gao Xian froze on the spot.
Okra?!
Why did she suddenly come?