After the previous argument, the King of the Western Regions now showed no mercy to the Princess Consort.
"Enough! You're nothing but a jealous shrew. I've never seen anyone as presumptuous as you. You've even ridden roughshod over me in the palace. With your Zhao family's influence outside, would they not try to usurp the throne of the Western Regions?"
The Princess Consort felt weak, her body swaying unsteadily.
"I've never had such thoughts."
She opened her mouth, but the rest of the words remained unsaid. If she had such ambitions, why would she have supported him all these years? Despite the overwhelming power of her family, they had been toiling for him and the Western Regions without cease.
Suddenly, the Princess Consort felt aggrieved. After all these years of hard work, she still couldn't win this man's heart.
She had never been so submissive before, which surprised the King of the Western Regions.
He began to wonder if he had been too harsh just now. The woman in his arms, of course, sensed his hesitation and immediately felt discontented.
But on the surface, she had to hide it. She had to maintain her persona.
"Sister Princess Consort, don't be so aggrieved. As a man and a high - ranking monarch, the King should be assertive. But he said those words for your own good. You're the queen of a country and hold great power outside. If you don't give the King face, how can he maintain his dignity in the future?"
Every word she said was in the name of caring for the King of the Western Regions. Naturally, the King had no doubts. Instead, there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes when he looked at the Princess Consort.
Yes, the Princess Consort's maternal family held most of the power in the court. A person like her would never admit her mistakes.
Thinking of all the past events, now that she had taken the initiative to admit her wrongdoings, perhaps she had ulterior motives.
With this thought in mind, the King of the Western Regions withdrew the last bit of pity in his heart.
With a cold face, he said something he had never said in the past few decades.
"The Princess Consort is overly jealous and has allowed her subordinates to attack the concubines in the harem. This is not the demeanor befitting a queen. I shall give you a minor punishment as a warning. From now on, the Princess Consort shall be confined to her quarters for a month."
As soon as the words fell, the Princess Consort was taken away by several palace servants.
She never expected that after all these years, she would be defeated by such a widow.
"Your Majesty, this matter wasn't my fault. Why are you punishing me?"
"Enough! This is my harem. You have no right to question me."
Before long, the Princess Consort was taken away. Concubine Ning shivered beside them. After much thought, she decided to admit her mistake voluntarily.
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have treated Concubine Rui like that. I'll take good care of her from now on."
Hearing this, the King of the Western Regions looked at the woman in his arms and finally left the decision to her.
"If you don't want to, I'll follow your wishes. I'll never tolerate anyone who does wrong."
A hint of contempt flashed in Concubine Rui's eyes, and soon she resumed her pitiful look.
"It's good that Your Majesty can think for me. Since Your Majesty has said so, I can't keep dwelling on this matter. Concubine Ning was misled by others, so I don't blame her. But I still want to live alone so that I can guard against those with ill intentions."
The sorrow in her eyes was irresistible to any man, including the King of the Western Regions.
Even though he had seen many women over the years and had once had a beloved, he now fell at Concubine Rui's feet.
"Whatever you say goes. Everything shall be as you like."
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand. "Servants! Immediately vacate the Kunning Palace."
Concubine Ning couldn't sit back and do nothing now.
How could that slut live in the Kunning Palace? It had taken her so long to reach her current position, and she still had to be cautious.
Concubine Rui had done nothing but feign weakness, yet she could live in the palace where the Empress Dowager used to reside. It was unfair.
If she could live in the Kunning Palace now, would she take the position of queen in the future?
No, it mustn't happen.
"Your Majesty, the Kunning Palace has always been reserved for the queen. Sister has just arrived. Isn't it inappropriate for her to live there? Even when the previous king was alive, there was no such precedent."
"What? Are you questioning my words? Or do you think there's something wrong with what I said?"
"No, but Your Majesty, you should at least consider what the court officials and the common people will think."
Concubine Ning was desperate. She had to put Concubine Rui in her place today, or else Concubine Rui would ride roughshod over her in the future.
Moreover, she had the support of important court officials behind her. What was a widow who came from a foreign land? Could she possibly defeat her?
With this thought in mind, her eyes became more determined.
The King of the Western Regions knew exactly what was on her mind, but today he was the one in charge.
"What? Concubine Ning, do you also think that just because your family has some power, you can do whatever you want? When did it become the turn of you harem concubines to tell me what to do? Can't you be like Concubine Rui and know how to share my burdens?"
Concubine Ning gritted her teeth. From her angle, she could just see the provocative look in Concubine Rui's eyes.
Bitch! She was truly a bitch. How dare she be so arrogant? Once the King's interest in her waned, it would be the time for her and the Princess Consort to take revenge on her.
Thinking of this, Concubine Ning's expression improved a lot, and she was no longer as aggressive as before.
"Your Majesty is right. I was thoughtless. But of course, I have no other intentions. Your Majesty is the ruler of the country. These matters should, of course, be decided by you."
"Humph, you'd better think so. Otherwise, if I ever catch you doing something wrong, I won't let you off easily."
"I understand."
Concubine Ning was fuming with anger. She had thought the matter would end like this, and she could go back to vent her anger, or else she would be suffocated.
But then, Concubine Rui made an even more excessive request.
"Sister, please wait a moment. I just have something to ask of you."
"What is it?"
Even though she was extremely annoyed inside, she still had to smile at her on the surface. This feeling was really terrible.
"Sister asked Ling'er to take care of me before. I think this maid has done a great job. Could you please part with her?"
Of course, Concubine Ning couldn't agree. Ling'er had handled things so well last time. There were few people around her who could make her feel so comfortable. If she gave Ling'er to Concubine Rui this time, maybe there would be no such smart person around her next time.
But Concubine Ning couldn't refuse too directly. She could only decline euphemistically.