Chen Xiurong also understood this principle, but having held back her temper for so long, she wasn't going to tolerate it any longer.
"Although it was a gift from the Empress Dowager, it is now also a result of your lack of discipline, Consort Nan," Chen Xiurong was determined to cause trouble. The lower-ranking concubines accompanying her also looked on as if watching a play, none willing to intercede.
"Consort Nan, who is ignorant of her position, does not abide by the palace rules, is arrogant, and deliberately offended me, how should she be punished?" Chen Zhaoyuan asked the concubines around her.
"For speaking disrespectfully, she should be slapped," Concubine Yang sneered.
"For poor discipline and not abiding by palace rules, perhaps she should be punished with kneeling to reflect," Consort Lin also said.
"I am merciful and, considering you have just recovered from a serious illness, I will not punish you too severely. Thus, you shall be slapped ten times and kneel for an hour," Chen Zhaoyuan walked to Nan Zhiyun's side and whispered into her ear, "Nan Zhiyun, the Emperor favored you a bit these past few days, and you thought you had turned things around? That was merely because the Empress Dowager was about to return."
"Look, has he visited your chambers these past few days? Before, it was only because he was afraid you would die from your illness. The Emperor's favor is only for me. Even if he was angry with me, he never gave me any substantial punishment, only a few words of reprimand. I only need to act spoiled with the Emperor, and he forgives me. See, not even a shred of his affection has diminished these days."
"Today, I intentionally want to punish you because I can't stand you, and at the same time, I want you to see clearly that even if I punish you today, the Emperor will not do anything to me. Do you remember when you were first demoted to the rank of Cai Ren and were slapped twenty times by the Emperor for offending me?" Chen Zhaoyuan said.
Seeing Nan Zhiyun's complexion turn a shade paler, she smiled with satisfaction. She knew what Nan Zhiyun's sore spot was, but she insisted on stepping on it!
"Guards, slap her!" Chen Zhaoyuan called out.
Following her command, servants came to restrain Nan Zhiyun and mercilessly slapped her across the face. Nan Zhiyun's head was forced to the side, and a conspicuous red handprint appeared on her face.
After just two slaps, blood began to ooze from the corner of Nan Zhiyun's mouth. The words Chen Zhaoyuan had just spoken felt like sharp blades piercing her heart.
Previously, when she had just been demoted to Cai Ren and had offended Chen Zhaoyuan, who was still Xiurong at the time, Emperor Yu Jingchen had decreed twenty slaps with a wooden board. Her entire face had been so badly beaten that she couldn't speak for a long time.
Perhaps it was numbness, Nan Zhiyun no longer wanted to struggle. Since Emperor Yu Jingchen had punished her because of Chen Zhaoyuan back then, he naturally wouldn't punish Chen Zhaoyuan now for punishing her. This was why Chen Zhaoyuan dared to act so shamelessly.
After the ten slaps, Nan Zhiyun's ears were ringing, and the burning pain on her face made it impossible for her to open her mouth. The group of people before her merely saw her as a joke...
"Since the ten slaps are finished, then kneel here. You can get up after an hour. I am doing this for your own good, Consort Nan. I hope you can understand my good intentions and truly remember this lesson, reflecting deeply on yourself." Chen Zhaoyuan's face was flushed with triumph.
Then, she waved her hand and said, "The Emperor's morning court is about to end, and I need to attend to him shortly. I shall take my leave."
With that, she led the consorts away.