Who Cares

169

Chapter 169 Showing Prestige
Seeing the empress put down the teacup heavily and splash a lot of tea on the table, obviously really angry, Pan Jieyu not only did not feel panic, but instead very happy. She only said that she was rude and straightforward, but she never criticized the Empress even a single sentence. What the other person could do to her? If she was angry, it would only show how petty she was. If you can’t stand even this bit of verbal wit, you should go home as soon as possible, and don’t try to trample everyone under your feet just because Hunnar likes you.

When the rest of the concubines saw that the two were at each other throats, some gloated, some stood by, and some shrank back a little for fear of getting the burnt. Only one person calmly sat in the head seat of the Han Concubine’s side. Neither looking at the top nor looking at the side seats, only drinking tea by herself, with a leisurely demeanor, like an outsider who had nothing to do with it all. She was Shen Jieyu, Shen Shuniang, who was on the same level as Pan Duolan. Her father was an official of Ministry of Ceremonies, Shen Wei. Although he was only a small official with income of four hundred stone, she was considered to be the most noble among the concubines in the harem, second only to Pan Dolan.

The rest of the people came from common origin, and they were selected to serve the emperor in the palace only because of their beauty.

Guan Suyi received everyone in Jiaofang Palace today. If she allowed Pan Duolan to display her strength, then her dignity as the empress would be greatly damaged. Don’t even mention being in charge of the Six Palaces and fulfilling the responsibility as the mother of the country, she wouldn’t be able to manage these twenty or so concubines. What’s the use of an empress who couldn’t even manage her concubines? Even if she was favored by the emperor, sooner or later, she would be chewed to the bone by others.

As the so-called the new official takes office with three fires, now she not only had to set fire, but she also must set the most arrogant Pan Duolan on fire, only then she could truly establish her dignity as the empress.

Thinking like this, Guan Suyi leaned over slightly, stared at Pan Duolan’s hidden smugness inside her eyes, and said word by word, “Pan Jieyu, This Palace asks you, what do you think of yourself now? A female general who follows the grand princess to fight on all side or the imperial concubine who serves the emperor?”

Pan Duolan lowered her eyes and said, “Since has entered the palace, naturally an imperial concubine. Although this concubine never forgot the years of fighting with His Majesty, this concubine will not fail one’s duty.”

Guan Suyi said lightly, “This Palace is also a straightforward person, and likes to interact with women like Pan Jieyu the most, because there is no need to mince words and act in a roundabout way. If This Palace have something to say in one’s heart, then will say it directly. If there’s any offense, please be magnanimous enough to forgive.”

“If niangniang have something to say, please speak bluntly.”

“Very good.” Guan Suyi nodded in satisfaction, “In the eyes of This Palace, where Pan Jieyu not failing her duty, you obviously forgotten this long ago.”

Pan Duolan’s eyebrows shoot upright, seemed wanted to get angry, but she quickly suppressed it and said, “How did this concubine fail her duty? Still ask niangniang to make it clear.”

Guan Suyi spread her palm, and Minglan immediately handed her a cup of hot tea. She slowly skimmed the tea foam and said, “You keep saying that you dare not forget the duties of a soldier even for a day, but do you remember what the duties of a soldier are?”

Pan Duolan said without hesitation, “It’s to protect the family and defend the country.”

“Very good. As a soldier, you should protect your family and defend your country. As far as This Palace know, female generals like you are not a minority among the Jiuli clan, especially those under the grand princess. When the Wei kingdom was established, one after another they took up their duties to defend the border and wasn’t able return for several years, sacrificing almost everything for the country and the people. They never flaunt how noble they are or how loyal they are. And you? You stay in the splendid palace and enjoy glory and wealth, peace and comfort, wake up every day to practice martial arts, and then stop to enjoy the scenery, sit and play the instrument, but still talk about the duties of a soldier. This Palace ask you, have you contributed even half of effort to the peace of the border in all these years? Have you ever shed a drop of blood for the people of Wei? If you haven’t, how can you say it’s your duty?”