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In that moment, Talented Lady Jia felt as if she had died once, her body drenched in cold sweat. For an instant, she thought His Majesty was going to cut her tongue out, a punishment reserved only for those who committed grave crimes. If it were truly severed, she would have been ruined.

Thinking of such a possibility, being demoted to Daying actually seemed like a reprieve, a great act of imperial grace. Though she was demoted two ranks, at least she remained a mistress, a consort.

In a panic, she exclaimed, "Thank you for Your Majesty’s mercy, thank you for Your Majesty’s mercy," continuously knocking her head in gratitude.

After dealing with Talented Lady Jia, the Emperor glanced over the others and let out a cold laugh. He spoke to Zhang Qing, "Someone, bestow a copy of the palace regulations to everyone in the hall. If there is no pressing affair, they should stay in their own courts and thoroughly read it."

Zhang Qing hastened his steps and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

All the concubines in the hall knelt down and said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the generous gift."

Their hearts trembled with fear. This was a veiled confinement, a warning from His Majesty that if there were a next time, the consequences might be far worse.

They felt anxious inside yet let out a huge sigh of relief, for this outcome was a thousand times, no, ten thousand times better than what befell Daying Jia.

Lian Hua looked around. It seemed that she too was in the hall. Uh, was she also supposed to receive a copy of the palace regulations and kneel down to express thanks?

Thinking of the palace regulations, her face soured. She had a poor memory, and when Nanny Qi had just arrived, she had recited them to her, specifically asking her to memorize them.

Alas, was there no escaping it...

Before she could figure it out, the Emperor took her hand and walked towards the distance.

Only then did the consorts in the hall collapse, each one needing the support of their servants to stand firmly, no longer in the mood to talk to one another.

It was a close call. The fate that befell Talented Lady Jia could have been theirs, each soaked in sweat as if fished out from water.

Before His Majesty demoted Talented Lady Jia, some had discerned the implication in His Majesty’s initial words, which suggested that he intended to clip Talented Lady Jia’s tongue. However, for some unknown reason, he changed his mind, allowing Daying Jia to narrowly escape calamity.

In the past, they had heard of some cruel punishments in the Imperial Prison. Jieyu Wei, who had transgressed before, was sent through the Imperial Prison, and it was said that when she came out, she was hardly recognizable.

Back then, they could still treat such stories as jokes to be shared, but now, witnessing the outcome of Talented Lady Jia, they could no longer scoff.

How could they not be terrified and petrified, knowing that such a fate almost befell them, that they nearly faced a bloody end?

The Noble Consort was helped up. She gazed motionless at the direction where the Emperor and Lian Hua were heading.

His Majesty has become more restrained than at the time of his enthronement, but she knew he hadn’t changed at all. His swift and decisive iron-fisted approach was still present, as the incident with Jieyu Wei exemplified.

During the initial purging of the harem, he had executed many treacherous consorts and servants left by the late Emperor, without any hesitation or mercy, never fearing rebuke for his apparent lack of compassion or leniency.

Who now had changed him, allowing him to show leniency? Was it Beauty Lian by his side?

A woman born a palace maid, did she truly have such great influence?

The Noble Consort also felt fearful, yet her heart was filled more with desolate sorrow, a grievance she could not voice. His Majesty had changed, no longer willing to regard her dignity.

The tactic he employed just now, a warning shot to the entire harem, served as a warning to its members not to speak out of turn, not to wag their tongues, not to act rashly, not to touch his beloved Beauty Lian...

The other concubines in the hall slowly recovered and began to bid farewell one by one to Noble Consort Xue, who seemed to be in a daze.

Beauty Zhao was truly frightened just now. If it hadn’t been for Talented Lady Jia taking the fall, the one to suffer might have been her.

But she was cornered, having spoken under the Noble Consort’s instruction. She was in an unspeakable predicament.

In this group of people, the one in the best situation was undoubtedly Changzai Zhou.

Changzai Zhou, supporting Beauty Zhao, watched the dispirited state of Noble Consort Xue with a flash of mockery in her eyes that quickly disappeared.

Xue Wanjun, I’m afraid this is just the beginning; your era is about to pass, and your good days are coming to an end, just wait.

A trace of satisfaction quietly faded from the corner of her mouth as she, too, supporting Beauty Zhao, took her leave.

Behind her, only Daying Jia remained collapsed on the ground, utterly terrified, having nearly wet herself just moments ago.

Once Noble Consort Xue collected herself, she saw her still there, and with an icy glance at her, turned and went back to the inner chamber.

Leaving behind a few servants who shooed away Daying Jia and her servants as if they were chasing flies.

Meanwhile, at the Emperor’s side with Lian Hua.

"Your Majesty, you are truly formidable, just one glance and everyone is too scared to speak."

On the way back to Canglan Court, Lian Hua chattered non-stop to the Emperor about the recent events.

The Emperor responded indifferently with a "Hmm."

This time, he wouldn’t be fooled by his Little Concubine’s sweet nothings again; upon returning, no punishment that should be meted out would be spared.

As for what happened in Huaqing Palace, whatever his Little Concubine wanted to say, she could say. He wouldn’t ask more, for fear of reminding her of something unpleasant. He would inquire about the details from Xiao Linzi later.

Lian Hua, hand in hand with the Emperor’s firm grasp, mused as they walked: "Your Majesty, if only I could be that formidable, how wonderful that would be..."

Then she wouldn’t have been so exhausted back at Huaqing Palace. She just needed to cast a glance and people would obediently shut up; oh, the thought was delightful—she could silence everyone she disliked.

In that case, His Majesty was even more formidable than Nanny Qi; with just one glance at the Noble Consort, even the Noble Consort dared not speak.

Indeed, this power was not the least bit inferior to unleashing a pack of dogs—actually, it was even more effortless. Yes, yes, His Majesty was extremely formidable.

With that thought, Lian Hua’s eyes filled with admiration as she looked at the Emperor and exclaimed with stars in her eyes, "Your Majesty, just now I was looking at your silhouette from behind and thought to myself how mighty you looked."

As she spoke, she began to wonder, "How could I have missed this before? Ah, what an oversight. I was always so focused on looking at your face, I neglected to notice anything else. Perhaps it’s because you are so handsome it’s easy to overlook the rest."

The Emperor arched an eyebrow and gave her a sidelong glance, ignoring her to let her ramble on by herself.

If it were someone else who said they only noticed his looks, he would have a thousand and one ways to show them the cruelty of this world.

But if it was his Little Concubine, there was only one way to make her realize just how wrong she was.

This issue would be discussed later upon their return.

Lian Hua was talkative, the Emperor less so. She was already used to His Majesty not responding; as long as he was listening, that was enough for her. The Emperor not speaking was just his nature, and either way, she could keep the conversation going herself.

Indeed, the Emperor understood her well. She fondled her chin in thought and began musing aloud again, "It seems that it’s also because you seldom show me your back. Yes, that’s it; no wonder I failed to discover the formidable sight of your silhouette."

Thinking about it that way, His Majesty was really good to her; during their private times together, apart from the initial moments, His Majesty always faced her directly, and most of the time she could see him just by turning around.

Her heart felt sweet, and she couldn’t help asking with a beaming smile, "Your Majesty, is it because you can’t bear to turn your back on me?"