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There’s an old saying, "A higher rank by one level crushes a person beneath." The Noble Consort ranked higher than Consort De by one level, and who knew what would happen next? As the Chief Steward of the Punishment Bureau, he absolutely could not extricate himself.

Sure enough, just as he was thinking this, he heard the commanding voice of the Noble Consort in front: "Where is the Chief Steward of the Punishment Bureau?"

He truly wished he could slap himself, how could he have predicted so accurately?

Bracing himself, Ji Yunlai clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "This servant is here."

The Noble Consort’s face was cold as ice as she looked at him and asked, "Ji Yunlai, come and tell this palace, what crime is it if someone, despite my intervention, brutally flogged a servant and showed contempt for me?"

Ji Yunlai broke out in a cold sweat, swallowing hard, "This... this..."

He hesitated, stammering fearfully. He dared not tackle that question.

From the side, a leisurely voice chimed in: "Consort is mistaken in her words, this matter depends on circumstances. If the whipped servant committed an act and attempted to escape during his punishment, with astonishing strength, having knocked down three people, if no one had intervened, I’m afraid this old lady would have collided with consort.

The person not only is not at fault but should indeed be commended. "

Consort De smiled towards the Noble Consort, gracefully walked to her original seat, leisurely sat down, leaned back, crossed her long legs, and began sipping tea from the cup in her hand.

People in Huaying Hall followed suit, some even started to check if the tea was still hot, which was in stark contrast to the tense and ready scene at the Noble Consort’s side.

"Ha!" The Noble Consort laughed as well, staring fixedly at Consort De, her laughter not reaching the depths of her eyes, "Committed an act? Alright, one plausible explanation. Now, what about this servant who was beaten to death? What do you have to say about that?"

Cai Qin and her followers respectfully stepped aside revealing the tragic scene before them.

Consort De lifted her eyelids, glanced at the scene, and then set down her teacup, "He too had committed an act."

"Ha, what an ’act.’ " The Noble Consort supressed her smile, slapped the armrest of her chair, and suddenly stood up, shouting angrily, "Consort De, His Majesty appointed you to assist in managing the Harem, not to abuse your power by torturing and killing servants!"

"You disregard superiority and inferiority, lack compassion, have no rules, are cruel and tyrannical, to intimidate palace attendants you commit ruthless acts, having beaten two servants to death in a row, such brutality is despicable to this palace. If a bloodthirsty person like you manages the Harem, everyone will be in danger, leading to unrest, destabilizing His Majesty’s support and subsequently affecting the court.

What are your intentions? Guards, take down the Treasonous Consort Xu! "

The Noble Consort stepped out from her seat, rebuking loudly in front of everyone and finally pointing directly at Consort De, her voice severe and her face full of solemn authority, looking at Xu Rongying as though she was an utterly unforgivable criminal.

A tremor passed through those present. Was Consort De about to be charged?

The officials from the Punishment Bureau, upon hearing the Noble Consort’s command to apprehend Consort De, stirred slightly, all looking towards Ji Yunlai.

Seeing that Ji Yunlai still hung his head, maintaining the posture he had earlier without moving, they too lowered their heads and remained still.

Noble Consort Xue narrowed her eyes at Ji Yunlai, chuckling coldly, "Consort De really knows how to manipulate, even bribing the Chief Steward of the Punishment Bureau?"

As the crisis loomed, Ji Yunlai felt surprisingly calm, firmly remembering the words Zhang Qing had said to him.

In this palace, the most important individual was not the Noble Consort or Consort De, but His Majesty, and Zhang Qing was undeniably the one who understood His Majesty’s intentions best.

He stepped forward and said, "Replying to the Noble Consort, the Punishment Bureau obeys the imperial decree strictly, managing the punishments in the Harem; no one can bribe this servant.

Consort De presided over the trials of these two servants with this servant in attendance; everything was conducted according to regulations and rules, without any transgressions, thus the servants did not dare act rashly against Consort De. Please, Consort, see clearly."

Noble Consort Xue laughed uproariously as if she had heard a joke, then suddenly stopped, her phoenix eyes wide: "With such brutal acts, you still have the gall to spout lies.

Has my leniency over the years allowed you all to disregard me so, that even a servant dares to disrespect me?

Today, I will show you what proper conduct is!

Someone, seize that Treasonous Consort first, and as for the people of the Etiquette Bureau, well. .."

As she spoke, Noble Consort Xue let out an ominous laugh, moved quickly back, and resumed her seat, then swiftly signaled Eunuch Sha Qiandao with a glance. The people of Huaqing Palace quickly surrounded her, protecting her from all sides.

Eunuch Sha Qiandao immediately understood, his heart trembling slightly. Succeed or die, riches are won through risks. If he handled this well, he would be in charge of Huaqing Palace from then on; if he failed, it would not bring trouble to his relatives outside the palace.

He licked his back molars, steeled his heart, and with a fierce look on his face, led his men to seize Consort De.

The people of Huaying Hall immediately blocked their way, and the two sides began to push and shove, melding into one chaotic group, indistinguishable from one another.

Noble Consort Xue sat securely on her throne, deep murderous intent surfacing in her heart. Let them block, the more chaotic the better.

The more the people of Huaying Hall resisted, the more solid the accusations against Xu Rongying would become. If someone from her side were to get injured, all the better.

This time, she was determined to spread the word of Xu Rongying’s brutal acts, having her father join forces with others to harshly denounce both Xu Hu and Xu Rongying in a memorial.

She had already figured out the memorial; Xu Hu’s poor teaching methods, Lady Xu’s arrogant and insubordinate behavior, openly disobeying the sovereign, bloodthirstiness, lawlessness—even if His Majesty protected her, she would ensure that Xu Rongying was severely punished!

That vulgar barbarian girl thinking she could contend with her for control over the harem, dreaming!

Those present would each be dealt with later, especially Ji Yunlai—she had tolerated him for a long time already!

A malicious smile played around the lips of Noble Consort Xue.

The managers of the palace looked on at the disorder, each one terrified, shrinking back, leaving space for the wrangling groups, fearing they’d get involved.

Just as Eunuch Sha Qiandao gave another signal to someone and was about to pull out a weapon to proceed with the plan amidst the chaos, a hand suddenly reached out from nowhere, clamped around his wrist, and held him firmly in its grip like an iron vice.

Looking up the arm, he saw Consort De approaching unnoticed, giving him a slight smile. His heart raced with horror, followed by him being sent flying through the air with another eunuch who also held a weapon.

Ming Jing shouted loudly: "People of Huaying Hall, heed my command—someone is attempting to assassinate Consort De amidst this chaos! Quickly, protect the Consort!"

"Yes!" the people of Huaying Hall responded loudly, regrouped swiftly, and formed a protective circle around Consort De, glaring menacingly at the people from Huaqing Palace.

The remaining attackers from Huaqing Palace, who had come to seize Consort De, stood bewildered on the spot, their minds echoing, "Weren’t we here to seize Consort De? How did it turn into an assassination attempt? What is Eunuch Sha holding?".

The laugh on Noble Consort Xue’s face froze; she stood up and pushed away the people blocking her view to see Eunuch Sha Qiandao and another lying on the ground, each holding an arrow.

Fools, they can’t even harm themselves properly!

Her face expressionless, she looked coldly toward the other side, her fists unconsciously clenched—her armor dug deeply into her flesh, yet she felt no pain.