Chapter 404 - 398_1
After learning the whole story from the Hidden Guard, Jiang Ziqi was preparing to summon all the concubines and Xiaofang he had taken in, when a servant came to report that Concubine Chen sought an audience. Jiang Ziqi ordered Concubine Chen to be brought in.
"You wanted to see me?" Jiang Ziqi eyed Concubine Chen with a cold gaze that terrified her. The certainty and courage she had felt beforehand vanished, and she regretted acting impulsively in coming here. But since she had already come, there was no turning back. Despite being a woman, Concubine Chen still possessed some decisiveness and boldness.
"I am guilty and have come to request punishment from the Family Head. Please deal with me as you see fit," said Concubine Chen as she knelt down with a thud, kneeling so forcefully on the stone-paved floor that her knees hurt terribly.
Upon hearing her, Jiang Ziqi knew the purpose of Concubine Chen’s visit. The woman did have some smarts, but she had erred in joining those fools to make things difficult for Xiaoyue. His expression turned grimmer, and his gaze colder as he looked at Concubine Chen, "Oh, tell me what crime you have committed?"
Seeing the Family Head’s reaction, Concubine Chen knew that he must be fully aware of what had happened in the garden today. She was internally relieved about her decision, though she wasn’t sure if it would spare her from punishment, it would at least lessen the severity. As for those fools, they’d have to fend for themselves; the Family Head seemed truly angry about the incident.
"I should not have been persuaded by the other concubines and conspired with them to bribe Xiaofang, the maid serving at Qiwu Courtyard, making things difficult for Madam Lin in the back garden. I was momentarily bewitched and ask the Family Head to punish me!" Although Concubine Chen tried to stay calm, she still sounded anxious as she spoke these words.
Jiang Ziqi glanced at Concubine Chen, "You think this will spare you from punishment? You’ve made the wrong assumption if so."
"I wouldn’t dare believe that. I am simply troubled at heart, fearing that Madam Lin might grow distant from the Family Head because of today’s incident, which is why I’ve come forward to admit my wrongdoing. I have no intention to evade my punishment."