Mei Lan showed no mercy. She harbored disdain for both Xuanyuan Mo and An Ningxiang, yet could do nothing against them.
However, for a mere palace maid like Chunxue before her, she had no intention of holding back.
A series of sharp slaps landed with crisp precision. Having trained in martial arts from a young age, Mei Lan’s strikes carried substantial force, leaving Chunxue’s face swollen almost instantly.
Mei Lan found it immensely satisfying. Everyone in the palace assumed her mistress was favored, but how many knew of the grievances her mistress had endured?
Hypocrites—hypocritical.
Heartless and ungrateful people—heartless.
Slap! Slap!
Mei Lan maintained a cold look on her face as she delivered each blow. Chunxue, just a lowly maid, dared to humiliate her mistress? Did she even realize how insignificant she was? If not for Mei Lan’s remarkable self-control, she would have ended Chunxue’s life on the spot.
And so what if An Ningxiang had been crowned empress? Did her mistress even care? Certainly not.
Over the years, Mei Lan had uncovered a secret. The general was alive and working on something significant. When she first heard this, tears of joy streamed down her face, it seemed the heavens had finally shown mercy. Later, she learned that Xuanyuan Mo had tried to frame the general for treason.
It was laughable, no, infuriatingly laughable. The general had devoted himself to the nation since his teens. Without her mistress’s intervention, Xuanyuan Mo might have succeeded, and her mistress would have been unjustly banished to the Cold Palace long ago.
Xuanyuan Mo was a heartless and ungrateful man. But there was Xuanyuan Mie, who adored her mistress wholeheartedly. With the general still alive, he would undoubtedly become a significant source of support for her mistress in the future.
Mei Lan had once asked why her mistress didn’t leave. Initially, she thought it was because her mistress couldn’t let go of Xuanyuan Mo. But later, she realized the truth, it wasn’t about affection but revenge. Her mistress stayed because of the hatred she bore for Xuanyuan Mo. Leaving quietly would only allow Xuanyuan Mo and An Ningxiang to enjoy an unearned peace.
“Enough.”
Tang Guo saw that Chunxue was about to faint and stopped Meilan, who was about to strike again. “Don’t beat her to death. Treat her wounds, and for now, don’t send her back to the Empress. We don’t want the Empress to be frightened when she sees her.”
“Yes.” Mei Lan withdrew her hand, glanced at Chunxue, whose face was unclear, and waved her hand. “Take her to the side hall to recuperate. Once her face is healed, send her back to the Empress.”
Dare to bully her Imperial Noble Consort? Then be prepared to get slapped in the face.
Mei Lan felt a surge of confidence.
It didn’t take long for the news of the Imperial Concubine punishing the Empress’s personal maid to spread throughout the harem.
When Xuanyuan Mo heard about it, he rushed to An Ningxiang’s quarters to comfort her. With Ningxiang pregnant, it was unacceptable for the Imperial Concubine to lose her temper at such a time.
“Ningxiang, you must feel so wronged,” Xuanyuan Mo said, holding her hand and pulling her into his embrace. “I’ll deal with the Imperial Concubine later.”
“It’s better not to,” An Ningxiang replied. “The Imperial Concubine must have been upset and took it out on Chunxue.” Although she had been humiliated in public today, An Ningxiang still couldn’t swallow her anger.
The Imperial Concubine is truly overbearing. In the past, when others mentioned her, she hadn’t really experienced it firsthand because of limited interaction.
But today, she truly understands. The Imperial Concubine indeed has a bad temper. She smiles while saying she’ll hit someone, and then does it without hesitation. Her words are sharp, leaving no chance for anyone to react.
And then there were Mei Lan and Mei Qing, the Imperial Concubine’s two chief maids. They were both shockingly capable. Mei Qing had escorted her back earlier, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break free.
When An Ningxiang tried to scold Mei Qing, the maid had responded deferentially, “I dare not let go of the Empress, for fear you might trip or injure yourself, and that it would be my fault.”
The exchange left An Ningxiang fuming with pent-up frustration she had no way of releasing.
Not only had the Imperial Concubine dared to beat Chunxue, but she also refused to send her back, citing the excuse of needing time to heal. It was a blatant slap to her face.
“Ah Mo, I’m worried about Chunxue,” An Ningxiang said softly, her voice tinged with worry. “Please ask the Imperial Concubine to return her. I’ll make sure to guide her properly in the future. That girl just has a hasty temperament and can’t bear to see me suffer.”
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