Chapter 279: Chapter 280: Punished to Kneel

The Emperor was enjoying a massage from Consort Liu when he suddenly heard the news of Lady Liang’s injury.

He sat up at once, frowning as he asked.

"Didn’t she leave the palace? How could she have suddenly gotten injured?"

Zuo Ji did not dare to conceal the truth and answered honestly.

"Princess Consort Zhao injured Lady Liang with her own hands. She smashed a large gash into her forehead. I heard she lost a lot of blood."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liu was also startled.

She asked in surprise, "Why would Princess Consort Zhao attack Lady Liang out of the blue?"

Zuo Ji said cautiously.

"I heard it was because of a conflict between them, but as for the specifics, this servant is not clear."

The Emperor asked, "Where is Lady Liang?"

Zuo Ji replied, "She has been sent to the Imperial Hospital to be treated by the Imperial Physicians."

The Emperor gave an immediate order.

"Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Imperial Hospital!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

By the time the Emperor’s Dragon Carriage arrived at the Imperial Hospital, Lady Liang was already awake.

When she saw the Emperor, it was as if she were a drowning woman clutching at a straw. She grabbed his sleeve tightly and refused to let go.

She begged through her sobs.

"Your Majesty, please save me! Princess Consort Zhao wants to kill me! I’m so scared."

Due to her blood loss, her face was even paler than usual. Her forehead was wrapped in thick gauze, with faint traces of blood seeping through. Paired with her tear-filled eyes, she looked exceptionally frail and pitiful.

The Emperor asked in a deep voice, "Why would Princess Consort Zhao want to harm you?"

Lady Liang replied, "Her mother was injured, and she insisted that I was the one who harmed her. But I’ve never even met her mother, let alone hurt her! I wanted to explain, but she just wouldn’t listen. She attacked and injured me. My head hurts so much... Am I going to die?"

As she spoke, she began to cry even louder, large teardrops rolling down her cheeks.

The Emperor ordered the Imperial Physicians to take good care of Lady Liang.

He rose, walked out, and sat down in the adjacent Warm Pavilion, ordering his attendants to summon Prince Zhao and his wife.

Soon, Hua Manman and Li Ji were brought before the Emperor.

The Emperor’s gaze was heavy as he looked at the two of them.

"Why did you harm her?"

Hua Manman had long been prepared to be held accountable, so she appeared exceptionally calm.

"In response to Your Majesty, it is because Lady Liang hired someone to injure my mother. I wished to avenge her."

The Emperor asked if she had any proof.

Just then, Li Ji spoke up.

"I have found the person Lady Liang hired," he said. "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may summon him at any time."

Seeing how convincingly he spoke, the Emperor was already half-convinced.

’Given Lady Liang’s bratty personality, it wouldn’t be surprising at all for her to do something so foolish.’

Nevertheless, the Emperor’s expression darkened, and he reprimanded them with displeasure.

"Since you already found a witness, why didn’t you report this matter directly to me? Did you think I would not seek justice on your behalf?"

Hua Manman did not answer.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered reporting the matter to the Emperor and letting him handle it.

But she had thought it through. Given the Emperor’s way of doing things, he would probably give Lady Liang a light punishment for Prince Zhao’s sake.

With the Xiliang Delegation still in Shangjing, Lady Liang’s punishment was bound to be light.

At most, he would have her confined to reflect on her actions for a while and then make her apologize to her mother.

After all, her mother was merely Elder Zhong’an’s second wife, not someone of high station.

If she didn’t have a daughter who was the Princess Consort Zhao, the Emperor likely wouldn’t have cared much even if she had been beaten to death.

Hua Manman could not accept such an outcome.

She refused to let the matter be brushed aside so lightly.

That was why she had to take revenge herself.

She needed to see Lady Liang’s head broken and bleeding with her own eyes!

Li Ji tried to defend her.

"I was the one who brought her into the palace. I was also the one who captured the hired man..."

The Emperor cut him off. "But she was the one who injured her."

Li Ji wanted to say more, but Hua Manman discreetly tugged his sleeve.

She was signaling for him to say no more.

Even though Lady Liang was the one at fault, her status was undeniable. As the Commandery Princess sent from Xiliang for a political marriage, she was a symbol of peace between the two nations.

Now that she had been injured within the palace, the Xiliang Delegation would surely not let the matter rest.

To appease Xiliang, the Emperor would have to punish the one who had injured Lady Liang.

The moment Hua Manman decided to injure Lady Liang with her own hands, she had already thought all of this through.

She was prepared to bear all the consequences alone.

Li Ji had clearly thought of this as well, and his expression turned grim.

He ignored Manman’s signal and insisted.

"If I hadn’t brought Manman into the palace, she wouldn’t have injured Lady Liang. I am also at fault in this matter. If Your Majesty must issue a punishment, then please punish us together!"

But the Emperor, acting as if he hadn’t heard a word Li Ji said, spoke calmly.

"Princess Consort Zhao, for injuring Lady Liang, you should be caned according to the law. However, considering you acted to avenge your mother, a commendable display of filial piety, I can grant you a lighter punishment. Go and kneel outside Hanzhang Hall. You may not rise until nightfall."

Hua Manman curtsied. "Thank you for your leniency, Your Majesty."

It was the dead of winter, and snowflakes drifted from the sky.

Though the palace paths were swept regularly each day, a thin layer of snow remained.

Hua Manman knelt in the snow, and the slush quickly soaked the hem of her dress and her trousers beneath.

A bone-chilling cold seeped into her knees and calves.

Back inside the Imperial Hospital, Prince Zhao was still arguing with the Emperor.

Li Ji wanted to take the blame upon himself.

But no matter what he said, the Emperor had no intention of changing his mind.

The Emperor looked at the way Li Ji’s eyes had reddened with anxiety and grew even more irritated.

’I don’t even like Princess Longzhu, yet I had to hold my nose and accept her into the harem. And for what? Wasn’t it all to spare Li Ji some trouble! But not only does he fail to appreciate my efforts, he’s now arguing endlessly with me over a mere woman.’

Neither was willing to back down, and they ended up parting on bad terms.

After leaving the Imperial Hospital, Li Ji went straight to Hanzhang Hall.

When he saw Hua Manman kneeling alone in the snow, his heart clenched painfully.

He strode over and tried to pull Hua Manman to her feet.

Hua Manman did not move.

Her voice trembled from the cold.

"If I get up now, it would be defying an imperial edict."

Li Ji said, "I have the Iron Certificate. It can protect you from punishment."

Hua Manman said helplessly, "The Iron Certificate is a life-saving talisman His Majesty gave to you. It can only save your life, not anyone else’s."

Li Ji couldn’t argue with that.

So he simply lifted the hem of his robes and knelt down in front of Hua Manman.

"If you must kneel, then I will kneel with you."

Hua Manman said quickly, "My Prince, you don’t have to do this. I’m fine kneeling by myself."

Li Ji stated as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"We are husband and wife. We are supposed to share our hardships."

Hua Manman knew his mind was made up and sighed.

"Why must you do this?"

Li Ji had no regrets at all. In fact, he was beaming.

"Don’t you think this looks a bit like we’re performing our wedding bows?"

Hua Manman froze.

They were kneeling face to face, about an arm’s length apart.

At first glance, it really did look as if they were performing their wedding bows.

...