The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 354 - Making a Complaint

The slap landed forcefully, splitting Song Liangyuan's lip.

Wiping the blood with a handkerchief, Song Liangyuan's gaze darkened.

Yang Fei scoffed, "What? You're not satisfied?"

"I didn't say anything wrong. Why did you hit me?" Song Liangyuan's temper flared.

Since her near-death experience, she'd become more sharp-tempered.

"Why did I hit you?" Yang Fei laughed as if it was the most absurd question. "I hit you because I felt like it. Do I need a reason? You think you're untouchable? I might not dare to cross Zhao Fei, but I can handle you."

As she spoke, Song Liangyuan's hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched into a fist.

Realizing there was no peaceful way out, she decided to escalate the situation.

Stubbornly, she replied, "According to palace rules, one cannot harm a consort's appearance without cause. Even maids rarely get slapped without reason. If I've done wrong, you should report it to the Empress for punishment.

You, hitting me without cause, violated palace rules. If anyone's in the wrong, it's you, Yang Fei. I'll report this to the Empress and seek justice."

Turning to leave, Song Liangyuan's words had already enraged Yang Fei, who wouldn't let her go.

Yang Fei ordered her restrained.

Siqi directed two maids to pull Nianshuang aside while two eunuchs firmly held Song Liangyuan. Both master and servant were restrained.

Yang Fei, watching Song Liangyuan struggle, coldly instructed, "Song Liangyuan, insolence, and disrespect. Slap her twenty times!"

"Please, no!" Nianshuang cried, struggling to move forward.

"Yang Fei, our mistress didn't mean it. Punish me instead. Twenty slaps will ruin her face, damaging your reputation too!"

Nianshuang's reasoning made Yang Fei reconsider. Eyeing them, she coldly decreed, "Since a loyal servant wants to share the punishment, split it between them. Ten slaps each!"

Yang Fei believed Fang Yun wouldn't confront her over Song Liangyuan, just as she hadn't intervened for Yun Qian.

With her brother gaining military merits and her family actively supporting the court, Yang Fei felt more secure, having received several visits from the Emperor this month.

After ten slaps each, Nianshuang was more severely injured than Song Liangyuan. Despite Yang Fei's anger, Siqi knew not to harm a consort too much, while a servant like Nianshuang received no mercy.

Both looked disheveled, their faces red and swollen.

Yang Fei, satisfied, left them to kneel in the garden for two hours.

After she departed, Nianshuang, teary-eyed, knelt by Song Liangyuan.

"Liangyuan, why anger Yang Fei? You know she's trouble. Your face..."

"It's nothing," Song Liangyuan touched her face, wincing. "I'm just afraid she didn't hit hard enough."

Confused, Nianshuang asked, "What do you mean?"

Song Liangyuan didn't answer, instead calling a nearby eunuch.

Giving him her silver earrings, she instructed him to inform Zhao Fei of everything that had happened.

Bribed, the eunuch hurriedly complied.

Nianshuang hesitated, but Song Liangyuan, noticing her confusion, whispered, "Zhao Fei won't ignore this. Since Yang Fei was going to trouble me anyway, I might as well escalate the matter, giving Zhao Fei leverage against her."

Understanding, Nianshuang nodded.

At Yuzhang Palace, Fang Yun was embroidering when she received the news. Her eyes flashed with determination, and without changing her clothes, she hurried out.

She went straight to the imperial garden, collected Song Liangyuan and her maid, and headed to Jingqian Palace.

Meanwhile, Yang Fei, having just returned to Zhongcui Palace, heard about the incident from her servants.

Frowning, she muttered, "What does Fang Yun intend, causing a scene over Song Liangyuan?"

"Your Highness, I heard from the messenger that Zhao Fei was furious. Perhaps it's wise to prepare for this," Siqi suggested worriedly.

Yang Fei scoffed, "What preparation? Do you think the Emperor will humiliate me over Song Liangyuan? Even if Song Liangyuan is close to Zhao Fei, she's not Zhao Fei herself. At most, the Emperor will placate her."

Though still uneasy, Siqi said no more.

When Fang Yun brought Song Liangyuan and her maid before Pei Yao, he was shocked.

"What happened? Your face is injured."

"Your Majesty, it's terrible. But do you know who did this and with what malicious intent?" Fang Yun, visibly angry, continued, "If I hadn't come in time, Song Liangyuan would still be kneeling in the garden."

Fang Yun rarely complained, and this was her first time doing so, prompting Pei Yao to ask for details.

After hearing Song Liangyuan's account, Pei Yao's expression darkened.

"Yang Fei's actions were indeed excessive."

Fang Yun softened, sighing, "More than excessive. Look at that maid's face; ten slaps left severe marks. Yang Fei knew she shouldn't harm a consort, so she had her maid hold back. Otherwise, Song Liangyuan's injuries would be worse. Your Majesty, Yang Fei acted knowingly."

"Indeed, hitting others is wrong. Song Liangyuan, you've been wronged. Let someone see to your face," Pei Yao ordered Hong Zheng, "Take Song Liangyuan to the side hall for the physician."

Hong Zheng complied, leading Song Liangyuan away.

Pei Yao wanted to remove Song Liangyuan from the room. With no one else present, he sighed, looking at Fang Yun with resignation.

"Yang Fei went too far this time. But we're at a critical point, needing both soldiers and officials. Though the Yang family has its faults, I must give them some face."