Chapter 54 Kneeling as punishment
As the sun sets, the sky becomes filled with a rosy glow.
Between light and shadow, Prince Dijin’s palace is as tranquil as a painting.
Yan Yu sat on the couch, looking at the pond outside the window. The waves were gradually tinged by the setting sun. She stared at it for a long time, her eyes dark.
Gao Jing came in to deliver the message.
"Your Majesty, Qiu Bi requests to see you."
Yan Yu remained calm and continued to enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the window.
"What's the matter?"
When it comes to Ning Yunxi, Gao Jing becomes defensive and only repeats unimportant things.
"It's not a big deal."
"It is said that the Imperial Concubine Yi summoned Miss Ning San to the palace, intending to embarrass her."
Yan Yu nodded slightly.
"Oh, I see."
"not see."
Gao Jing was delighted when he heard this.
"Your Majesty is wise."
After Gao Jing left, Lin Mu spoke.
"The prince already knows about the matter of Tinghetai's token."
"Noble Concubine Yi summoned you with bad intentions indeed."
"Why didn't you save Miss Ning San? Do you still have doubts about Prince Chen's plan?"
Yan Yu's face was calm and peaceful, with dots of sunlight reflecting on it.
"No."
"I think there are some things that we should not prevent her from experiencing. She will never wake up until her life is in danger."
Lin Mu understood the meaning and nodded.
"The prince is still thoughtful."
"Then I will stay in the Imperial Hospital as much as possible these few days and observe the situation at any time."
There was still a hint of worry in Yan Yu's eyes.
"Ah."
"Watch her closely, don't really hurt her."
Lin Mu smiled with relief.
"It seems that the prince still values talent."
Yan Yu's brows moved slightly, her words and actions emerged in his mind, and unknowingly, a sweet taste appeared on his lips.
"But I always feel that this is not a matter of cherishing talent."
"But..."
Having said this, he swallowed as if he was about to say something else.
"Go back to the Imperial Hospital. If there is any situation, inform me immediately."
Lin Mu saluted in response.
"Yes, then I will take my leave."
In the evening, the setting sun gathers its last rays of light.
Under the cloudless night sky, Zhaoyi Palace was shrouded in a dark and gloomy atmosphere.
Mu Yan walked into the main hall slowly.
Ning Yunxi has been kneeling in the main hall for a full hour since she entered the palace.
Upon seeing this, the palace maids knelt down and saluted.
"Welcome the Imperial Concubine back to the palace."
Hearing the palace maid's words, Ning Yunxi straightened her kneeling posture and lowered her eyes slightly, without losing any respect.
"Welcome the noble concubine aunt back to the palace."
Mu Yan's pretty face was still gentle and kind.
"The Emperor urgently summoned me to dine with him. Thank you for waiting for me."
"No need to be so polite, just stand up."
Ning Yunxi bowed.
"Thank you, Auntie Royal Concubine."
As she stood up, she staggered.
Mu Yan pretended not to know.
"You, kid, are your knees tired just from doing a salute?"
Xianglu stepped forward quickly and helped Ning Yunxi steady in time.
"Your Majesty, you may not know that the Third Young Lady has been kneeling in the main hall for an hour."
Mu Yan frowned and glared.
"what happened?"
"I didn't punish her to kneel. Who dared to make Xier kneel for so long?"
Ning Yunxi was too lazy to pay attention.
Xianglu cooperates with the acting.
"Ugh."
"It's Lord Mu, the Prime Minister of Tinghe."
"I have tried to persuade her for a long time, saying that Her Majesty would be distressed if she saw this, but Lord Mu refused to listen and insisted on doing so."
Mu Yan sighed helplessly.
"So that was what Fourth Brother meant."
"No wonder, he has always been strict with Xi'er."
"But your point of view is good. Like me, you hope that Xi'er will be smart, well-behaved, and well-mannered."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Ning Yunxi.
"Xi'er will surely understand what your uncle is saying, right?"
Ning Yunxi acted obediently and nodded.
"Yes."
Mu Yan praised with a smile.
"Xi'er is really sensible."
"Then you must understand that I summoned you to the palace instead of letting Yin Sitai deal with you. I am thinking about you, right?"
Considering Qiu Bi's safety, Ning Yunxi reluctantly gave in.
"Yes."
"Thank you for your kindness, Auntie."
"Thank you, your humble servant."
Mu Yan held her hand, caring for her very much.
"I know everything that happened today."
"Whether you have used the token privately or not, as long as it is found on you, you are at fault."
"I know that the token was actually found in Qiu Bi's parents' luggage."
"If you want to protect your shortcomings, you should show an appropriate attitude."
"I don't mind it, but it's hard to explain to the emperor and your uncle."
"The emperor's intention is that this is a matter concerning the people, and he has to deal with it severely; your uncle's intention is that if you kneel for a few days and show an attitude, the matter can be resolved."
"You are kind-hearted and have saved so many people. I think if you take the blame, the public anger will soon subside."
"Therefore, I summon you to the palace and let you be protected by me. I will punish you by making you kneel in a side hall and reflect on your actions."
Ning Yunxi understood the meaning of her words and was surprised.
"Aunt Noble Concubine knows that I have studied medicine for many years and is afraid that I will be able to see through the herbal pills at a glance, so she found another way and came up with this idea?"
"Yin Sitai can still ensure that your servant is unharmed and has warm clothes and adequate food."
"I never thought that being protected by my aunt would be worse than staying in Yinsitai?"
There was a hint of ferocity in Mu Yan's slightly dark eyes.
"I can also ensure that you are safe and sound, and have warm clothes and adequate food,"
As he spoke, he lowered his voice.
"Unless... the palace servants are not aware of it."
Ning Yunxi smiled bitterly.
"Aunt Noble Concubine has already chosen a scapegoat?"
Mu Yan smiled.
"It was the maid you hated the most when you were a child."
"I will vent your anger and use this opportunity to deal with her, okay?"
Ning Yunxi was unhappy.
"In that case, I should thank you, aunt?"
Mu Yan gently stroked her temple, still with his usual caring look.
"No need to thank me, this is what I should do."
"Just starve yourself. When you run out of breath, I will have that maid go down to be buried with you."
Ning Yunxi reminded quietly.
"Aunt, aren't you afraid that people will accuse you of intentionally murdering your niece?"
Mu Yan hooked her nose lovingly.
"I have always loved you, who would think so?"
"Don't misunderstand me. I have absolutely no such intention."
"By the way, Qiu Bi went to Prince Dijin's mansion and was turned away."
"So, you don't need to have any more wishful thinking. He won't come to save you."
"Just go ahead and relax."
"Someone, take Miss Ning San to the side hall and punish her by kneeling down."
Then, Ning Yunxi was taken to a side hall and punished to kneel under the portrait of the late emperor.
After kneeling for only an hour, the door of the side hall suddenly opened.
Ning Yunxi turned around and saw Qiu Bi walking in.
"Qiu Bi?"
Qiu Bi trotted forward and looked Ning Yunxi around with concern.
"Is the girl okay?"
Ning Yunxi looked helpless.
"What are you here for?"
Qiu Bi explained.
"The Imperial Concubine said to the public that she was afraid that the young lady would not be used to being served by others, so she allowed this servant to enter the palace and take care of you personally."
Ning Yunxi was even more helpless.
"I guess that's the reason."
"I thought my brother would protect you. He clearly said that he didn't misunderstand me... Never mind. Now that things have come to this, I'll find another way to get you out."
Qiu Bi shook her head.
"Since I have entered the palace, I have made up my mind. I will rise and fall with you."
"I don't want to be alone."