Peasant Woman's Decreed Life as a Wife

Chapter 1198: Chapter 1195: Leaving the Palace

Noble Consort Qi suddenly threw herself at Emperor Xuanming’s legs, crying and begging him, but she was promptly dragged away by the palace attendants and forcibly sent to Yichun Palace.

Compared to the Lingxi Palace where Noble Consort Qi currently resided, Yichun Palace was smaller, more secluded, and farther away. It was generally the residence of concubines who had fallen out of favor. Although it was not officially stated, everyone in the imperial harem tacitly agreed to this understanding.

Empress Lin was also somewhat surprised by the Emperor’s reaction. She looked at the evidence on the ground, glanced out of the corner of her eye, and indeed, Nanny Yan had confessed. She said it was by Noble Consort Qi’s order, and that the belt was also procured by bribing someone outside the palace to steal it.

Indeed, she believed that this matter must have been a setup by Noble Consort Qi.

But Nanny Yan was Noble Consort Qi’s right-hand person; if interrogated carefully, who knows what past secrets might be revealed. Logically, Nanny Yan should have chosen to die rather than betray her mistress, so how could she have actually confessed?

Moreover, the Emperor’s reaction this time was harsher than she had anticipated. Noble Consort Qi had been favored for many years and must have pleased the Emperor in many ways. Yet now he was willing to just discard her, demoting her from a first-grade Palace Consort to a third-grade Imperial Concubine. This difference, even with good luck, would take decades to bridge.

Could it be that the Emperor was truly discarding Noble Consort Qi … oh no, Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi?

“Minister Chu, now that the truth has come out, reward with a pair of Ruyi jade, a Bean Green Palace Ribbon Double Fish and Rose Pendant, and a Gold Thread Eight Treasures Gathered Pearl Bun…”

After being awarded a long list of jewels and decorative items, Ye Muyu was allowed to leave the palace ahead of time.

As she walked out of the palace, looking at the majestic complex of buildings, Ye Muyu took a deep breath and leaned tightly against Chu Heng, “That scared me to death.”

Being at the mercy of others, controlling her fate, was indeed a terrible experience.

Chu Heng, suppressing his urge to hug her and offer comfort, said softly, “Don’t be afraid, I am here.”

His words allowed Ye Muyu to relax completely. Now, after the fear had passed, she became a bit curious, “Ah Heng, the issue with the new belt, did you really do that because you were worried I would worry?”

“Yes.” Chu Heng did not lie. Compared to a flawlessly perfect subject, the Emperor preferred those with weaknesses, and his weakness was his family.

While ensuring that the Emperor felt at ease about him, he had long noticed the actions of the Qi family. He naturally acted accordingly, losing the belt, and with the bizarre thoughts in Ah Yu’s mind, she would probably guess it soon enough. To avoid her worries, he had remained silent.

After all, in the palace, Ah Yu was already quite uncomfortable.

Ye Muyu turned her head, her eyes gleaming with joy, “Ah Heng, so you can actually speak romantically.”

Chu Heng’s ears turned slightly red as he looked aside at her, “What I said wasn’t romantic talk. It was the truth.”

He didn’t think of himself as henpecked; he simply couldn’t bear to see her distressed. If she was happy, then he was too. In the end, it was all for himself.

Ye Muyu walked with her hands behind her back, her steps much lighter, her demeanor jolly, “Then you’re done for, people at the yamen are going to tease you.”

Chu Heng smiled slightly, “Walk properly, don’t catch a cold.”

“No, I’m actually quite warm. It’s cold when I sit, but it’s warm when I walk,” Ye Muyu muttered softly.

Chu Heng just smiled without saying a word, straightening her cloak as they walked side by side, chatting. The harmonious atmosphere made the palace lady and eunuch who escorted them out envious.

This Lord Chu, indeed, shared a great affection with his lady. No wonder he waited outside the palace gate every day.

Due to Noble Consort Qi’s demotion, the salary of Minister Qi was docked for half a year, and the entire affair of the once Noble Consort Qi , now Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi, plotting against the Empress spread throughout the imperial court.