Chapter 21

Chapter 21 When the dinner arrived we moved to the hall of the king's palace. He sat with the queen mother, the king's father and Prince Ri on an elevated platform. In front of them was a vast space of mine where on each side we were present the wives of the king and the high officials of the empire and the guests. We have our own table so we can be honest. The three of us were facing each other in front of the king's table, so the atmosphere was not good, especially when Consort Xiao's tongue started to itch. "Dear Queen, I don't want to say this anymore but I've noticed you before. The beauty you have today is unique. " He smiled so the dear queen stopped chewing and laughed a little and modestly."It's not Consort Xiao. I look no different than I used to be. " Smiling at this response. Oh no dear queen. If anything, your beauty is really unique, that's why you enjoyed the dear king and spent the night in your palace last night. I feel like there will be small and interesting children prince and princess here in the inside palace. " Oh Consort Xiao, don't brag about that here, it's embarrassing to the guests. " The queen smiled in a humble tone. I was just quiet then and the dear king I was sure was listening to the conversations because we were only close to him.You Imperial Noble Consort Ling, why are you so quiet ?!" the queen turned on me so I stopped eating. Dear Queen, I can't tell you anything but Consort Xiao is right, you have a unique beauty." I promised before smiling. Or maybe you can't tell anything because the obscenity you did isn't a story." Consort Xiao whispered but I knew he still meant to let us all hear it.Consort Xiao, that's enough." The queen rebuked him calmly but he spoke again. Dear Queen, you know that what he did should only be talked about and not just forgotten because it is a blasphemy." he still defends. After he said that, the officers looked at me and the guests who heard but they could not react out of respect for my status and title. The king was also silent as his Consort continued to roast me. Although I understand him, the law states that the king should not comment on the dispute between his two wives until he has investigated and evaluated which of the two is right and who is wrong so he is just a judge watching. only and observing. Prince Ri was also just quietly sneaking a peek at me and his brother.What, I haven't heard anything about the punishment that will be awarded to the dear Imperial Noble Consort Ling…" Consort Xiao said while staring at me so I stopped eating. I drank some water modestly and elegantly before wiping my mouth before I looked at him directly.Consort Xiao, you seem to be interested in the sharpness of your tongue but go ahead for your peace of mind I'll answer you." I start with a gentle and calm tone. He just gave me a defiant smile. There will be no punishment because no one should be punished." I added so he laughed softly before speaking. Are you saying you shouldn't be punished for the blasphemy you did-" she's starting to before I cut her off. And are you also saying that the dear king is incapable of investigating and finding out the truth about the event in the garden? The mere fact that I am here at this gathering and not in prison only indicates that I have committed no sin and implies that you should keep your mouth shut about this matter because first of all, you have just entered this empire and you have no right to indulge in such things. You are just a Consort, you will remember your state Consort Xiao. " Calmly but sarcastically I promised reason to glare at his eyes and blush with anger but he still tried to answer. "But-" he couldn't finish what he was going to say when I cut him off again. Consort Xiao, shut your mouth and listen to what I have to say! The law of the empire can be compared to our breath that must be obeyed and done to live because when we do not do it then immediate and certain death awaits us. If I had really sinned yesterday, today should not have been a feast for your consecration but my death! Anyone with a dull brain who grew up in the empire knows about it! " I spoke sarcastically again but still calmly. And are you saying my brain is dull Imperial Noble Consort Ling?" His eyes glazed over and he almost stood up when he promised so I smiled a little.I'm not saying that but is that what you're thinking? That's up to you then. " And you're really insulting me-" Consort Xiao, I repeat, keep your mouth shut and listen carefully. You speak more of your status. You should not interfere and speak like that in front of the dear king, that is not the duty of you, me, or even the dear queen here in the palace. Also, remember, I am much higher than you but there is no doubt that you are insulting me, because then you can be punished right now under my state as that Imperial Noble Consort! I warn you. " My every utterance was so calm but emphatic that he was stunned and could not speak. Only his glaring eyes were still resisting. Shortly after I also spoke I stood up. I addressed the dear queen and the dear king before I bowed. "I'm sorry but, I suddenly felt worse. I want to rest. " I calmly and politely promised and I turned away even without the consent of the king because he was just silent. People looked at me even Prince Ri but I just kept walking while Pim was supporting me. When we got out of the palace gate I breathed a sigh of relief while Pim had a huge smile. Oh Pim, why are you smiling?" I comment on him."I don't have a dear consort, I'm just happy for you."And why is that?" My question is confused. You are very smart. That's why you didn't bother to go to the dear king to explain and apologize. You know very well that the king knows you are not doing anything wrong because of course, only yesterday there must have been some imperial court staff who went to the green hill palace to take you and imprison you to be investigated for the punishment awaiting you. yours today as well. " He couldn't believe his promise so I just smiled sparingly."Didn't I tell you to trust me?" "Yes, Your Majesty, I am sorry for carving you. How come the dear king looks so angry with you when he leaves the garden. Then maybe he was just jealous. Yiehhh, Your Majesty, I'm really in love with you! " He was happy and stubborn so I smiled but I got serious again. But Pim, we may have succeeded now, but obviously Consort Xiao won't stop so we have to be careful." I promised he nodded but he seemed to remember something so he spoke again.But Imperial Consort Ling, how come it's obvious that the dear king is still angry with you. How can you get back together? " I took a deep breath before speaking. "Pim, starting today, we will not leave the palace first. We will be locked up there for a few days. " Go to jail, aren't we going to the dear king? What about the upcoming appointment of Lady Lawana as Consort, won't we attend? " "Pim, I will repeat this to you again, just trust me. Everything will be fine too. " I calmly replied and I got into the sedan that had been waiting for me. 3rd Person POV A few days passed and neither Imperial Noble Consort Ling nor even Pim came out of the green hill palace. This astonished the king. He even took a walk every morning in the garden in case his Imperial Consort could be seen there but it was not there. Dear King, we have been coming here to the garden every morning for the fourth day but the Imperial Consort Ling is not there. Who don't you just go to him- " What? No, I'm not going to him. Just because I missed what I saw them do with my brother doesn't mean I forgive him. My brother clarified what I saw but he should have talked to me as well. He should be the first to approach me to coax me. Also, I won't talk to him first, I just want to see him even from afar but why doesn't he come out. " The dear king smirked at Mr. Khut who then let out a stubborn smile. Then we will have to wait a long time, dear king." Long time? And why did you say that ?! " Your Majesty, do you really want me to answer that? You two know the dear Imperial Consort Ling and he is also stubborn. " His small but smiling response made the king think. You are right, but I am more stubborn than him. He doesn't want me to come and negotiate because he and his servants are still comfortable while locked up in his palace! " what do you mean, dear king?" I had to give him a reason to come to me and apologize. Imperial Consort Ling loves his servants and I know he doesn't want to see them suffer. "What do you want to do dear king?" Send a message to the food and supply department of the empire. You declare the king wants to reduce the monthly supply of green hill palace. They will reduce the one-month supply and make it only a three-week supply. " Only a three-week supply of food will be sent to green hills for their one-month supply? You heard what I said didn't you? If anything, you did it again. " He sarcastically promised before smiling. But dear king, if all the servants of the Imperial Noble Consort Ling in the Green Hill palace are more than thirty, let us include his assistant Pim. How can they fit the third week's supply in just one month? I know that Imperial Consort Ling will not go hungry because most of all he will be the first to get enough food for a month, but his stewards, they will definitely go hungry. " Mr. Khunt made a long promise when he was lightly punched in the head by the king. That's my point are you listening. You think their boss won't let that happen. That is why he will immediately come to me to talk to me and apologize so that I can remove the punishment I imposed. Oh, of course. I didn't think of that, dear king. " He promised before smiling. In that case, go to the food and supply staff so that they can deliver the message to the green hill palace today. I am sure that the Imperial Noble Consort will also visit me tonight. " Full of hope the king promised before smiling mischievously.Your Majesty will follow." Mr. Khut also smiled in response and left. In the afternoon while the Imperial Noble Consort was in the gardens of Green Hill Palace and ventilating Pim arrived. Imperial Noble Consort Ling." Pim, what are you up to?" Dear Imperial Consort, the chief administrator of the food and supply department is now at the gates of Green Hill Palace. They want to talk to you. Shall we let them in? " And why not. Pim, you shouldn't have blocked them yet. Hurry up and let them in. I will wait in the hall. I ordered and obeyed to go to the hall of my palace where I was receiving guests. Mr. Pong, why did you come to my palace. What is your intention? " I asked softly after they greeted me and knelt before me in respect."Dear Imperial Noble Consort Ling, please excuse our sudden arrival but also give us a sudden order from the dear king." Mr. Pong's polite promise. My forehead wrinkled because of that."Order from the dear king? And what is this? " Imperial Noble Consort Ling, according to the letter handed to me by Mr. Khut, starting today, the supply of food that will be brought here to the green hill palace for a full month is only a third week supply. This is part of your punishment for your sin, dear Imperial Noble Consort Ling. That's all. Mr. Pong's humble but polite priest's statement after reading a roll of messages from the dear king. I'm sure it came from him because I could see the King's seal on paper. Third month supply of food for a month ?!" Pim answered loudly so I hushed her." Pim, you shouldn't interfere." I scolded him so he apologized and nodded. "Imperial Noble Consort Ling, we are also bringing your three-week supply for a month now here at green hill palace. The managers of your kitchen have already taken over. Only the king will decide if your supply from our department needs to return to normal, so it's up to you if you talk to him. " I understand. Don't worry because I won't blame you. " I responded calmly. After that he bowed to me again and said goodbye. I sent them out to Pim. I went back to the garden after that conversation to think that when Pim came he was teasing me again. "Dear Imperial Consort, will you not go to the dear king to talk to him? Our food supply will not be enough for a month if it is only for three weeks! Dear Imperial Consort, the king may still be angry with you. " Why Pim, why do you think he is punishing me like this? He does this so that I can go to him and talk to him or apologize and we will not give that to him. His head would only grow bigger when I did that. One more, maybe he forgets who and what I am? I think I'm from the Philippines, I'm Filipina, I'm used to hard work. " I sarcastically promised before smiling. To Be Continued..