Chapter 1028 - 12: I Can See All the Cheats

Consort Rong finally saw the approaching Empress Dowager, and her previously arrogant expression instantly became a bit flustered. The Empress Dowager had always been gentle and majestic, and seeing her punish a low-ranked concubine like this would surely displease her. Hastily, she paid her respects to Tianmiao.

The Noble Person kneeling on the ground had a hint of satisfaction flash in her eyes.

Tianmiao raised her hand, signaling Consort Rong to rise. Consort Rong was the daughter of a military family, bold and straightforward in nature, and Tianmiao didn’t dislike such a woman.

"Consort Rong, what has happened here?" Tianmiao asked calmly, glancing at the kneeling Noble Person.

The Noble Person, full of grievance, paid her respects to Tianmiao, suppressing her emotions, and lightly bit her lip, the meaning in her eyes almost overflowing. Empress Dowager, please stand up for me; I feel wronged.

However, Tianmiao evidently overlooked these signals and instead turned to look at Consort Rong.

"I..." Consort Rong furrowed her brows tightly, looking conflicted. How should she explain, and would the Empress Dowager believe her?

"Let’s sit and talk in the pavilion," Tianmiao smiled at Consort Rong and said.

"Yes," Consort Rong was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to be so amiable despite seeing her punish the Noble Person.

The Noble Person also wished to stand up, but the Chief Palace Maid beside Tianmiao scolded, "The Empress Dowager has not commanded the Noble Person to rise."

The Noble Person’s eyes widened, looking more aggrieved towards Tianmiao. How could this be? Shouldn’t the Empress Dowager pity the punished and weak me? According to the Empress Dowager’s favor, it should be above the passing line. There are sixty-five points!

Consort Rong was a bit uneasy and glanced at Tianmiao, who still smiled, "Consort Rong, I’ve heard you are skilled in martial arts. You practiced with your brothers as a child, sometimes even beating them until their heads were swollen?"

Consort Rong’s face flushed red in an instant, embarrassedly grasping her handkerchief and saying, "Those, those were childhood matters."

"Come, tell me about it. I enjoy hearing such amusing stories. And next time during a hunt, you mustn’t shy away. Catch more game," Tianmiao extended her hand to Consort Rong, who was taken aback and hurriedly supported Tianmiao as they walked into the pavilion and sat down.

"If there’s a hunt, I will certainly give my all," Consort Rong’s previously anxious mood vanished completely, and she spoke with some excitement.

"Well, I have a small request," Tianmiao lowered her voice.

Consort Rong looked puzzled, blinking at Tianmiao.

"If you go hunting with the Emperor, you must save him some face. The Emperor’s riding and archery, you know," Tianmiao blinked at Consort Rong, speaking meaningfully.

Consort Rong’s heart instantly brightened. The Emperor’s riding and archery, haha, is indeed very poor. Because the Emperor used to love eating, having a bit of a plump figure, disliking exercise, he wouldn’t ride a horse if he could avoid it. She wanted to maintain a ladylike smile but couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud, then quickly closed her mouth. What was she doing laughing so boldly in front of the Empress Dowager?

"Haha, laugh if you want. What I said is the truth," Tianmiao also laughed, "You’re vibrant like this, you’re truly yourself. I hope you don’t completely lose your old self after entering the palace."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Consort Rong felt a complex emotion upon hearing this, mostly moved and bittersweet.

"Well, I’ll continue my walk. If you’re free, you can come find me. I’ve heard your sword dance is unparalleled. Show me your world-class sword dance when you have the chance, and tell me your childhood stories," Tianmiao said as she was about to leave, not mentioning the Noble Person’s matter at all.

When Consort Rong saw Tianmiao about to leave, she hesitated to speak. Wouldn’t the Empress Dowager ask me why I punished the Noble Person?

"Empress Dowager, the Noble Person was disrespectful to my father, so I punished her," Consort Rong couldn’t help but speak out as Tianmiao was about to leave.

"Well, that’s deserving of punishment," Tianmiao nodded with a smile, "Your father and brothers have been guarding the border for years, protecting the land, and should be respected by everyone, including me and the Emperor."

Consort Rong’s nose tingled, suddenly wanting to cry. Initially, she held resentment and reluctance about entering the palace. She thought it was a transaction, a balancing act by the Emperor’s court. She anticipated facing indifference and perfunctory treatment after entering the palace. But today, after interacting with the Empress Dowager and hearing her words, she felt that her father and brothers’ loyalty was not misplaced!