Mei Lang, still kneeling with tears streaking her swollen face, looked toward the emperor with eyes full of grievance. She had hoped for his justice, but his words struck her like thunder.
"Since it was Shun Wenyuan who was in the wrong, there is no need to punish Concubine Zhao," Xiang Long Wei said coldly, his gaze sharp. "But remember—this is not the Forbidden City or the Imperial Palce. We are now at the border, where every action draws eyes. Think carefully before you act again, lest you invite trouble upon yourself, Xiang Long Wei said coldly."
Mei Lang's lips trembled. The emperor's dismissal felt like a blade cutting away her last hope.
Mei Liang, however, lowered her head in acknowledgment. She understood. Her punishment of Mei Lang had indeed drawn attention, but she had needed to act. If she had let it go, her brother would have been slandered, his honor trampled.
For too long she had endured
