At this moment, she was kneeling on the ground, waiting for the "Empress" to speak.
This went on for a few moments. Finally, Si Junlin spoke up, "Concubine Mei, get up. Remember in the future, never be so late again." He imitated Su Wan'er's tone as much as he could when speaking to Concubine Mei.
Normally, Concubine Mei should have gotten up upon hearing this. But to everyone's surprise, she still knelt there straight as a ramrod. An on - looker might even think she was dead.
Si Junlin had thought she had learned to be more submissive, but now it seemed she still didn't know the meaning of "restraint".
It had to be said that at this point, Si Junlin was really getting angry.
Taking a few deep breaths, Si Junlin managed to suppress his anger. His tone was slightly cold, "Are you sure you won't get up?"
Concubine Mei didn't say a word and just kept kneeling.
"Fine, very good. Since you like kneeling so much, I'll grant your wish," Si Junlin said calmly.
He was really opening his eyes today. What kind of extraordinary women had he taken a fancy to before?
However, since she didn't want to get up, he wouldn't force her.
"Dear sisters, the chrysanthemums in the imperial garden are in full bloom. The weather is perfect today. Would you sisters like to go with me to enjoy the flowers in the imperial garden?" Si Junlin invited the concubines.
Everyone knew that the Empress was different from before. After the example of Concubine Hua, in order to survive in the harem, no one would offend the Empress for a trivial Concubine Mei.
Although Concubine Mei had once received the Emperor's favor, the times had changed. Now it was the Empress who was in favor. Naturally, they ignored Concubine Mei.
Even when they passed by Concubine Mei, no one dared to look at her and they all walked around her.
After Si Junlin and all the concubines left, Cuisi stepped forward and wanted to help Concubine Mei up.
Unexpectedly, as soon as her hand touched Concubine Mei, it was pushed back.
"Your Ladyship..." Cuisi didn't understand what was wrong with Concubine Mei. Why did she insist on kneeling?
Concubine Mei didn't look at her. She still stared at the throne in front that belonged to the Empress. "Just let me kneel here. I'd like to see if the Empress really has the guts to let me kneel like this forever."
Cuisi looked at Concubine Mei's stubborn face and could only shake her head and step back.
She really didn't know where her mistress got her confidence. The Emperor already disliked her. Did she still think that as an out - of - favor concubine, she could threaten the Empress in any way?
After all, it was she who was suffering now, while the Empress was off happily enjoying the flowers with others.
Leaving Concubine Mei aside for now, on the other side, Si Junlin led the concubines to the imperial garden. Just as he had said, the chrysanthemums here were in full bloom.
The whole garden was golden, as if gold had fallen on the branches, which made the concubines marvel.
At this moment, who would still remember that there was a concubine kneeling in the Empress's palace?
Si Junlin had thought that Concubine Mei was just throwing a tantrum. If he ignored her, she would stop.
But he didn't expect that Concubine Mei knelt until she fainted.
As the Emperor, when one of Su Wan'er's concubines had an accident, she naturally had to go and check.
When Concubine Mei heard that the Emperor was coming, she hurriedly tried to get up from the bed.
Su Wan'er told Fang Xi to hold her down. "Stop. Your leg is injured. Just lie down properly."
Concubine Mei looked like a delicate little bird, weak and charming. If Su Wan'er were a man, she might have been moved. But unfortunately, Su Wan'er was a woman. Seeing Concubine Mei like this, she just felt goosebumps all over her body.
Unable to stand it any longer, Su Wan'er suddenly stood up. "Concubine Mei, you can just rest here. I still have government affairs to deal with, so I'll leave first."
After saying that, regardless of whether it was too abrupt to leave like this, she turned around and left.
Looking at the "Emperor" who disappeared in an instant, Concubine Mei's face was full of grievance.
Was she really so ugly that she couldn't catch the Emperor's eye?
"Your Ladyship..." Cuisi was worried that Concubine Mei might really hang herself if she got too sad looking at her aggrieved face.
"Cuisi, am I really so ugly that I can't show my face?" Concubine Mei said with a sob.
Cuisi quickly comforted her, "No, no, no. How could you have such a thought, Your Ladyship? You're the most beautiful lady I've ever seen."
Concubine Mei sneered disdainfully. "You said I'm the most beautiful lady you've ever seen. Have you seen many ladies?"
Cuisi was slightly stunned. After a long pause, she said, "There are so many ladies in the harem. Since I often walk on the palace paths, I've naturally seen them."
Concubine Mei sighed and said to her, "You can go out first. I want to be alone for a while."
"Yes." A look of uneasiness flashed across Cuisi's eyes. Then she turned around and left. When she went out, she also closed the door for her.
After Su Wan'er left Concubine Mei's palace, she rushed towards Shou'an Palace.
Yes, after the news of Concubine Mei's accident spread, Si Junlin had been summoned to Shou'an Palace immediately. She was going to Shou'an Palace at this time to smooth things over in time.
The atmosphere in Shou'an Palace was gloomy. The Empress Dowager was looking seriously at Si Junlin who was kneeling on the ground.
"Empress, you're really bold. You even dared to let Concubine Mei kneel until she fainted?" The Empress Dowager slapped the armrest forcefully and looked angrily at the person kneeling on the ground.
Si Junlin said innocently, "Mother, I didn't do anything. First, Concubine Mei knelt on her own. I've already sent someone to help her up, but she insisted on kneeling. She even ignored her own physical condition and knelt until she fainted. I really had no way to deal with her."
"You still dare to argue?" The booklet in the Empress Dowager's hand flew towards Si Junlin.
Just as it was about to hit Si Junlin, a hand suddenly reached out and caught the flying booklet at the critical moment.
Everyone's eyes turned to the owner of the hand.
"Greetings to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" The maids around knelt down to pay their respects.
Su Wan'er ignored them. She first bowed to the Empress Dowager and said, "Mother."
"Lin'er, why did you come here?" the Empress Dowager asked in confusion.
Su Wan'er gave the booklet in her hand to Fang Xi who was standing beside her and told Fang Xi to put the booklet back on the tea table beside the Empress Dowager. Then she explained why she had come.
"I heard that mother summoned the Empress here for a chat. I thought some things should be explained in advance," Su Wan'er bowed to the Empress Dowager and said.