The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 15: I’ll Knock Them Out from Behind

　　Madam Jiang said, “As long as Her Grace is living well, I can finally put my heart at ease.”

　　She lifted a handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes, putting on a sorrowful expression. “When Her Grace was still in the Manor, I cherished her dearly. The family even prepared a dowry for her. I started preparing it the moment the physician confirmed my pregnancy. I only wished to see her married in glory, with a magnificent wedding procession stretching for miles. Who would have thought that once she entered the Palace, she’d be blessed with such incredible fortune. Truly, thank heavens.”

　　As Madam Jiang spoke, her tone was so sincere and deeply emotional that it sounded as if she truly adored Shen Ling to no end, as if she really had prepared a dowry for her. Even the eunuch guiding her listened and believed every word, completely convinced that Madam Jiang was a loving and devoted mother.

　　He thought to himself that Madam Jiang and Shen Ling must share an excellent relationship, a perfect picture of maternal love and filial devotion. Wanting to please her, he began telling Madam Jiang even more about Shen Ling’s life in the Palace.

　　He was determined to satisfy her so called loving motherly heart.

　　Madam Jiang, “……”

　　That was really unnecessary.

　　The eunuch continued, “His Majesty dotes on Her Grace greatly. Every night, he has people summon Her Grace to Taiji Hall to attend him in bed. Sometimes, you can even hear His Majesty’s laughter. Her Grace is the best at serving His Majesty that this servant has ever seen.”

　　“His Majesty has rewarded Her Grace with countless rare treasures. I heard that even Chang Le Palace is running out of space. The fine brocade gauze specially supplied from Jiangnan, Her Grace cuts it up to make hair ornaments. As for the precious eastern pearls, Her Grace spreads them across the floor just to listen to the sound they make when they collide……”

　　Madam Jiang, “……”

　　The smile on her face was on the verge of cracking.

　　What kind of life was Shen Ling living, exactly?!

　　Inside a pavilion with upturned eaves at all four corners, Jing Fei gently fanned herself while watching the fish sway through the pond. Catching a glimpse of a figure ahead out of the corner of her eye, she lifted her gaze and saw an unfamiliar noblewoman.

　　Jing Fei asked, “Who is that?”

　　The palace maid attending Jing Fei glanced over, but did not recognize Madam Jiang. She replied, “This servant has never seen that madam before.”

　　Jing Fei curled her lips in displeasure. “I ask you something and you know nothing. What use are you to me? You are not even half as capable as Nanny Zhou…”

　　Her words cut off abruptly. She closed her mouth, and the hand lightly fanning herself also came to a stop.

　　“I heard that Bao Fei’s family submitted a request to enter the Palace today. Could that woman be Bao Fei’s mother?”

　　Jing Fei’s eyes lit up. She looked toward Madam Jiang and said, “Hurry and bring her over here. I want to see her.”

　　“Yes, Your Grace,” the palace maid responded.

　　In the corridor, Madam Jiang looked at the maid in front of her and asked, “You are saying that Jing Fei wishes to see me?”

　　The maid nodded. “Yes.”

　　Madam Jiang naturally knew of Jing Fei. Her father was Prime Minister Yang. Although she did not know why Jing Fei wanted to see her, considering Prime Minister Yang’s status and her own intention to keep Shen Ling hanging just a little, Madam Jiang agreed. “Lead the way.”

　　Seeing Madam Jiang about to follow the maid to meet Jing Fei, the eunuch was completely stunned.

　　He hurriedly reminded her, “Madam, you have not yet gone to see Bao Fei.”

　　Madam Jiang was in no rush to see Shen Ling and instead agreed to meet Jing Fei first. What kind of move was this supposed to be? He truly could not understand it.

　　Madam Jiang frowned. “Since Jing Fei has summoned me, and I already know she is nearby, how could I not go pay my respects? I will return after seeing Jing Fei. You wait here.”

　　With that, she followed the palace maid and left.

　　The eunuch said nothing.

　　Watching Madam Jiang’s retreating figure, he wiped his face helplessly. Did Madam Jiang even know that outsiders were given very little time whenever they were allowed to meet the palace consorts?

　　If she wasted it all on Jing Fei, would she still have enough time left to speak properly with Bao Fei?

　　When Jing Fei saw Madam Jiang, she only spoke after Madam Jiang finished her salute. “Get up quickly. I do not stand on all those tedious formalities.”

　　Madam Jiang smiled. “Rituals cannot be discarded.”

　　If Jing Fei truly disliked people paying respects, she would not have waited until after Madam Jiang finished saluting to say such words.

　　Best to just listen and not take it seriously.

　　Jing Fei held Madam Jiang’s hand and said warmly, “Our two families have a good relationship. My father has mentioned before that he greatly values Minister Shen. Our families should be visiting each other more often.”

　　Madam Jiang knew very well that in the past, the Shen Manor and the Prime Minister Yang’s Manor had no such relationship. But since Jing Fei put it that way, she naturally went along with it. Building ties with Prime Minister Yang was only beneficial.

　　Madam Jiang replied, “Your Grace has been in the Palace for many years. In virtue, conduct, speech, and skill, you excel knowing all. Bao Fei only just entered the Palace and still has many things she does not understand. Please rest assured, after I see Bao Fei, I will tell her to look to Your Grace for guidance in everything.”

　　Jing Fei looked thoroughly pleased. She was very satisfied with how perceptive Madam Jiang was. Did Madam Jiang really think she had been summoned here just to exchange pleasantries? This was exactly the attitude Jing Fei wanted. She intended to use Madam Jiang to keep Shen Ling in check.

　　“Since you mentioned Bao Fei, I happen to have something to say,” Jing Fei continued. “I know she is favored, but she is far too unrestrained. There are already rumors in the Palace saying she clings to His Majesty all day long. Some of the other consorts are dissatisfied with her. If I had not suppressed those rumors and held the other consorts back, who knows, perhaps gossip about her would already be spreading everywhere outside the Palace.”

　　Jing Fei made it all up casually.

　　Clearly, she had completely forgotten how she once led Jiang Jieyu and the others, all harboring ill intent toward Shen Ling, to Chang Le Palace just to watch the spectacle.    

　　If there really were rumors spreading in the Palace, Jing Fei would definitely be one of the masterminds behind them. It was just that with Xie Yuanxun around, none of them dared to act recklessly.

　　Cause trouble and you die. Who would dare?

　　No one.

　　Madam Jiang let out a sigh first, then looked at Jing Fei with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Your Grace, for protecting Ling’er.”

　　Jing Fei waved it off. “No need to thank me. It was nothing. If you really want to thank me, just make sure she treats me as her guiding star. That would be the best thanks.”

　　Madam Jiang replied, “Please rest assured, Your Grace.”

　　Jing Fei smiled, fully satisfied. She shot a glance in the direction of Chang Le Palace and thought coldly, Just because you became a Bao Fei, you think you can step on my head now? Hmph.

　　There was still one ultimate weapon in this world, after all.

　　It was called: your mother.

　　Jing Fei refused to believe that Shen Ling would dare disobey her own mother, Madam Jiang.

　　Shen Ling: Heh.

　　……

　　Chang Le Palace.

　　After waking from her afternoon nap, Shen Ling let Liu Zhu help her change and fix her hair. Thinking of how Madam Jiang was supposed to enter the Palace today, she asked, “What time is it now?”

　　Liu Zhu replied, “It’s ¹Wei hour.”

　　Shen Ling raised an eyebrow. “My mother, the Minister’s wife, still hasn’t arrived?”

　　“No.” Liu Zhu shook her head, then lowered her voice after glancing at Shen Ling. “This servant had someone ask around. From the eunuch who was guiding Madam, we heard that she was invited away by Jing Fei. They’re still chatting happily in a pavilion.”    

　　Shen Ling: “……” What kind of unhinged move was this?

　　Madam Jiang and Jing Fei actually went and huddled together?

　　Liu Zhu asked, “Your Grace, should this servant send someone to invite Madam over?”

　　Shen Ling waved her hand. “No need. Since they’re chatting so happily, let’s not disturb them.”

　　Shen Ling did not have much emotional attachment to Madam Jiang. She was not about to sit around in the hall, staring at the door and waiting bitterly for her. She also had no interest in whatever sneaky little intentions Madam Jiang had in going to see Jing Fei. To Shen Ling, whether Madam Jiang entered the Palace or not made zero difference to her daily rhythm. When it was time to have fun, she had fun. When it was time for a nap, she took her nap. When it was time to see Xie Yuanxun, she went to see Xie Yuanxun.

　　“I should head to see His Majesty now,” Shen Ling said. If she did not go find Xie Yuanxun herself and waited for him to come looking for her instead, well, who knew what kind of nonsense he would pull then.

　　Every single time Xie Yuanxun came to her, nothing good ever happened. Shen Ling mentally reviewed his past crimes. The Skinny Beauty. The dead panda. His record was honestly atrocious.

　　She had originally planned to see Madam Jiang first before going to Xie Yuanxun. Since Madam Jiang clearly was not interested and had other plans, then fine, let her do as she pleased. Anyway—

　　She was not that keen on seeing Madam Jiang in the first place.

　　Shen Ling brought her people and headed straight for Taiji Hall.

　　When she found Xie Yuanxun, he was practicing archery. Dressed in black robes, his brows and eyes were cold and detached. Every arrow he released carried a chilling killing intent, sharp and oppressive.

　　—If those arrows were aimed at a person, their legs would definitely go weak.

　　Shen Ling lifted her foot. “Your Majes…”

　　Xie Yuanxun drew out another arrow, pulled it tight against the bowstring, turned around, and aimed the razor sharp arrowhead straight at her.

　　Shen Ling: “……”

　　No, wait. What just happened? Why was he pointing the arrow at her? Shen Ling completely froze.

　　Xie Yuanxun’s gaze slid down to Shen Ling’s legs, and he clicked his tongue. Tsk—

　　Her legs did not go weak.

　　Shen Ling’s body stiffened. Her mind went completely blank, not a single thought left inside. She was in full dumbfounded mode, while the surroundings fell eerily quiet. All the palace attendants lowered their heads.

　　Xie Yuanxun said, “Come here.”

　　Shen Ling walked over mechanically. She had no idea how she even managed to move her feet. If she really had to explain it, it was probably like this:

　　Brain: scared, do not move.

　　Legs: already moving.

　　Brain: ……

　　Although Xie Yuanxun did not get the result he wanted, which was her legs turning to jelly, seeing Shen Ling walk over so calmly, without screaming her head off in fear, still left him rather satisfied.

　　Shen Ling: That was not calm! That was numbness!

　　In a pretty good mood, he asked, “Do you know how to shoot arrows?”

　　Shen Ling shook her head. “No.”

　　With the arrow no longer pointed at her, the fog in Shen Ling’s mind finally cleared. Her expression returned to normal, without obvious fear. Life and death moments were indeed terrifying, but she had experienced way too many terrifying things around Xie Yuanxun. As a result, her lingering fear always came fast and faded just as fast.

　　Xie Yuanxun said, “You do not even know that?”

　　Shen Ling: “……”

　　—I know how to knock people out with a club! Specially the kind aimed right at your head!   

    

________________

Glossary: 

¹Wei Hour (未时)

Time: Approximately 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Traditional Chinese timekeeping divides the day into twelve two-hour periods. Wei Hour refers to the early afternoon, often associated with rest and quiet activities.

Common Contexts in Story:

🎗️Afternoon rest or waking from a nap

🎗️Light household activity after lunch

🎗️A calm, slower period before evening duties begin

Example Usage:

“It was already Wei Hour when she woke from her afternoon nap.”

“By Wei Hour, the palace had settled into a lazy afternoon calm.”

Translation Note:

“Wei Hour” is kept in pinyin to preserve historical and cultural flavor. It may be glossed once for clarity but does not need conversion to modern time in narration.　

  

  

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