Chapter Two: Open Defiance in the Imperial Garden

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Wei Yanqiao’s grand procession swept into the Imperial Garden with great fanfare.

By this time, all the imperial consorts and the distinguished Empress Tang Yuyong had already gathered there to admire the splendor of spring. Tang Yuyong’s gentle face was illuminated by a radiant smile, and when she saw Wei Yanqiao approaching, she greeted her with a warm, melodious voice that was as soft as a spring breeze, “Consort Wei has arrived.”

At her words, the other consorts and concubines promptly offered their respects, bowing and saying, “Peace and blessings to Your Ladyship, Consort Wei.”

Yet, in the face of such warmth and courtesy, Wei Yanqiao did not, as was customary, salute Tang Yuyong or offer her greetings. Instead, she lifted her chin arrogantly, her expression haughty and her eyes glinting with undisguised contempt. “The scenery here in the Imperial Garden is as exquisite as a painted scroll, but what a pity such beauty is ruined by a swarm of flies, making it quite impossible to enjoy. Truly dispiriting.”

The moment her words fell, the expressions of all present darkened. Wei Yanqiao had dared to utter such blatant insolence before the Empress and so many consorts—her reference to “flies” was a thinly veiled insult, likening the Empress and her peers to bothersome, noisy pests.

Lady Lin, who stood behind Tang Yuyong, spoke up indignantly on the Empress’s behalf: “Her Majesty is the mother of the nation, her status supremely noble. How dare you commit such treason, comparing Her Majesty to a fly?”

Wei Yanqiao’s long, alluring phoenix eyes swept coldly over Lady Lin. Her crimson lips parted in a mocking half-smile. “I never said that. Those were your words, not mine.”

Lady Lin flushed with both anger and shame, then glanced anxiously at Tang Yuyong at her side. Tang Yuyong silently regarded Wei Yanqiao, while Lady Lin, emboldened by her indignation, pointed at Wei Yanqiao and argued furiously, “You clearly just said the beauty of the Imperial Garden was ruined by hateful flies. Is that not an obvious insinuation that Her Majesty and all of us are detestable flies?”

Wei Yanqiao’s lips curled into a scornful smile. Her figure swayed gracefully as she walked slowly toward Lady Lin, each step radiating an invisible pressure. Before the others could react, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped Lady Lin hard across her delicate face.

A sharp crack echoed in the air. Instantly, the garden fell into dead silence.

Everyone was stunned by Wei Yanqiao’s brazen act—no one had expected her to strike someone right in front of Tang Yuyong.

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At last, Tang Yuyong, who had maintained her silence, could no longer restrain herself. Her voice rang out, stern and angry: “Consort Wei! What is the meaning of this?”

Wei Yanqiao remained unruffled. She casually shook her right hand, which still stung from the blow, and met Tang Yuyong’s gaze with a look of insolent challenge. “Lady Lin dared to speak out of turn and show disrespect to me. I merely gave her a slight punishment, a lesson in proper conduct and respect. If Your Majesty disapproves, you may punish me as you see fit.”

Wei Yanqiao locked eyes with Tang Yuyong, a spark of defiance and contempt flashing in her own. The Emperor and Empress had always acted as a united front, but Tang Yuyong’s continual forbearance had led Wei Yanqiao to believe that the Empress was powerless against her, and with the Emperor’s growing favor, her arrogance had only deepened.

Tang Yuyong’s deep, inscrutable gaze grew even more enigmatic. Her tone turned icy. “Lady Lin, as a consort of the palace, failed to observe proper decorum before Consort Wei. A slight punishment from Consort Wei is not unreasonable.”

Lady Lin could only swallow her indignation and mutter, “Yes, I admit my mistake.”

Wei Yanqiao’s lips twisted into a sharper, mocking smile. Her eyes sparkled with derision as her laughter rang out, clear and cutting. “Look at you as Empress—so timid, so spineless, you don’t even dare punish me! Truly pathetic! Aren’t you afraid I’ll one day take your place as Empress?”

“How dare you! You are out of line, Consort Wei!” Tang Yuyong’s face darkened, her almond eyes blazing with fury at Wei Yanqiao’s outrageous arrogance. In the past, she had tolerated Wei Yanqiao’s antics for the Emperor’s sake, but now, Wei Yanqiao had gone so far as to openly threaten her position.

Everyone else held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Yet Wei Yanqiao only grew more brazen. “Yes, I am insolent—so what? You’re the Empress, but what can you do to me? I am His Majesty’s most favored consort!”

She had only entered the palace a year ago; aside from her overbearing personality, she had caused no real trouble. With her father as Grand Chancellor and her brother a famed general defending the borders, she relied on her powerful family. The Emperor would not dare move against her lightly.

Tang Yuyong, ablaze with fury, shouted, “Guards! Consort Wei has shown grave disrespect—take her away and give her thirty strokes as punishment!”

“Who dares lay a hand on me? Are you all so eager to lose your heads?”

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At that moment, a shrill cry rang out from the distance: “The Emperor arrives!” The announcement cracked through the tense air like thunder, abruptly shattering the standoff.

The faces of all present turned pale with shock. They hurriedly straightened their attire and, bowing low, called out in unison, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Wei Yanqiao, eyes downcast, caught sight of a pair of black shoes embroidered with majestic dragons approaching with steady, powerful steps.

Xiao Ceyun had always favored black; even his imperial dragon robe, symbol of supreme authority, was a deep, enigmatic shade.

His voice was cold and commanding. “What is this commotion in the Imperial Garden? What disgraceful behavior!”

Lady Lin immediately stepped forward and tearfully pleaded, “Your Majesty, please grant me justice! Consort Wei has been unspeakably rude to Her Majesty in the garden today. She dared to compare our noble Empress to a detestable fly. I could not bear it and spoke up for the Empress, but instead of repenting, she relied on Your Majesty’s favor and struck me in front of all!”

With that, Lady Lin began to weep pitifully, her tears falling like rain, her appearance delicate and pitiable.

Wei Yanqiao, in turn, shrank like a startled rabbit, her entire demeanor transforming into one of fragility and fear. Her voice trembled with sobs as she hurried to defend herself, “Your Majesty… I did not… I would never…”

Xiao Ceyun gazed at the frightened, pitiable Wei Yanqiao, and with utmost gentleness, soothed her, “Don’t be afraid, my beloved. I believe you, always.”

Having spoken thus, he slowly turned, his gaze sharp as a blade, fixing on the weeping Lady Lin.

Gone was the warmth he had shown to Wei Yanqiao; his face was now a mask of chilling coldness, his eyes like icy daggers.

His tone was merciless. “You, a mere beauty, dare to reprimand Consort Wei on behalf of the Empress? Is the Empress mute, then? Or do you believe Her Majesty is so powerless she needs a beauty like you to manage the harem and mete out justice to Consort Wei?”