Liwei sighed softly not letting others see how disappointed he is of Chonglin. He had truly pampered and spoiled Chonglin too much, causing her to act this way. Now that he is King, she should learn how to act like a Noble Consort instead of a common woman.
"There is no justice to uphold for there is nothing to bring justice to." Liwei said as he looked at his crying woman. He harden his heart not to go to her. Hopefully, this would be a learning lesson for her.
"What Queen Iwa said is right. There are laws that we all must follow, should those rules be broken punishment would be given. And as for you, Chonglin Mei, your punishment will be as Queen Iwa says."
Chonglin looked up to Liwei in utter surprise.
- He actually took Queen Iwa's side!? How could he do this to me!! Did he not love me the most!?? - Chonglin could only keep her angry thoughts to herself as her heart broke even more when he saw Liwei wave his hand at her, indicating for her to leave.
Chonglin's maid came forward and helped her stand up. Chonglin then bowed and left quietly. However every couple of steps she would stop and look back at Liwei, silently pleading he would take back his words and hoping he would run up to her and embrace her while telling her he's sorry and he was wrong.
But Liwei did none of those. Instead, his gaze was so focused on Queen Iwa that he didn't look at her, at all! He was even holding Queen Iwa's hand!
When Chonglin finally walked out of the room, she felt a fire of hatred burn brightly inside her heart and ran wildly in her veins. At that moment she decided, she would make Queen Iwa feel the same kind of humiliation and pain she experienced today, even if it was the last thing she would do. She will make Queen Iwa lose everything that she would wish she were dead instead.
~ Back inside the receiving room ~
"Now that everyone is here, I, your Queen, would want you all to pay more attention to the back palace rules and follow them. At the same time, I would also like to amend one of those rules. ." Quirra announced while looking at each of the women present inisde the room, "One of the rules stated that you have to greet this Queen everyday when the sun rises, as this is the custom. However, this Queen finds this rule unnecessary and tedious. So from this day forth, you will only greet me every three days instead."
Liwei's right eyebrow rose in questioning. - Why would Iwa change the back palace rules? What is her motive behind this? - He can't help but thought to himself as he was surprised by his wife's sudden announcement.
"Are there any grievances you have that you would like to speak up about, today?" Quirra asked the concubines and Noble consort Ran Mao. She spoke so softly and tenderly that it seemed she really do care about them.
When no one spoke up, Liwei quickly dismissed all of them. However, as the concubines left, some of them kept looking back at him with hope in their eyes, just like Chonglin did.
But unlike Chonglin, these unfavored concubines looked back at him because they do not know when they will have a chance to see him again and maybe even win his favor.
"Just look at them, my King...." Quirra suddenly said as the concubines were slowly exiting her receiving room, "You have so many beautiful flowers in your back palace, and so many that wants to shine brightly for you. You should look upon them once in a while. For their beauty is fleeting, just like their youth. Once gone, they can never get it back. So they have to enjoy it while they still can. And so should you, my King."
Liwei's eyebrows scrunched together when he heard this. He came here to spend time with his Queen wife yet here she is, telling him to spend his time with others instead. Shouldn't she feel happy that he graced her with his presence??
Oblivious to Liwei's raging thoughts, Quirra continued speaking; "In regards to Noble Consort Chonglin Mei, this Queen knows that you favor her above the rest. However, she is no longer a commoner but your Noble Consort. She should know the palace laws and follow them well. Should another dignitary see how your beloved Noble Consort behaves, it will bring us all dishonor and shame." Quirra softly reminded the King. "But put this in mind, my King, that this Queen did not say this out of malicious intent."
"Rest assured, this King knows." Liwei calmly replied.
"This Queen had tolerated Noble Consort Chonglin Mei's behavior to give face to King Husband, however she needs to re-learn the Womanly Virtues and take it to heart as well as the laws of the back palace. King husband needs to explain this to Noble Consort Chonglin Mei that this is for her own good. This Queen fears that if this Queen tries to explain it to her she would cry wolf and say that this Queen is bullying her." Quirra suggested.
Liwei nodded at her and answered; "This King will do as Queen wife says."
"Thank you, my king. That is good to hear for this Queen will not need to worry about it anymore." Quirra replied as she stood up from her seat. "Will King husband accompany this Queen for a while? Or does King husband have something important to attend to?" She asked Liwei as she turned towards him who is still sitting down on his seat beside hers.
"This King will gladly accompany you for a walk." Liwei told her as he stood up and then took her hand after which they slowly walk outside of the room. Holding hands.