Everyone was shocked to see the ruthless side of Zhao Ming and her indifferent expressions were making her look more dangerous and unapproachable.
She was looking like a different person and her att.i.tude and aura were strange and unforgiving.
When Xiao Li heard Zhao Ming"s words, she was stunned to see the ruthless side of Zhao Ming.
In the past, Zhao Ming was not this ruthless with her punishments and was forgiving. Her heart melts easily and she was easy to fool.
That"s why she got into many traps laid by Xiao Li and never doubted her even once in the past.
Xiao Li always pretended to be sweet and innocent in front of Zhao Minn but was planning behind her to remove her from her way.
However, it was hard to believe that Zhao Ming could throw someone out of the palace in a punishment, that too it"s someone who came with Xiao Li into marriage.
She actually kicked someone put from the palace just because she did not greet her and gossiped about her.
It was not the first time when servants were rude to her and gossiped about her in front of her.
But at that time, she pays no heed to them and pretends like nothing happened. She never bothered about it before.
Everyone took her for granted but today she took action and kicked someone out of the palace.
Xiao Li glared at Zhao Ming because she kicked out her maid which comes with her in the marriage.
Though she doesn"t care about her but she was her maid. Her pride was attached to it.
It was like a question of her pride. Zhao Ming kicked her maid out which shows that now Zhao Ming has an upper hand over Xiao Li.
She can punish anyone she wants even if it is Xiao Li"s person.
Earlier people were not scared of Zhao Ming and always b.u.t.tered Xiao Li to gain her favor. Because they knew that if they gain her favor, then they will be safe and well in the palace.
But now Zhao Ming punished someone and that too in front of Xiao Li. This hurt the pride of Xiao Li and also her value in the palace will decrease from now onwards.
She clenched her fists and glared at Zhao Ming.
She can"t do anything unless Wen Xu comes back. She can do nothing without her a.s.sistance.
Hao Mei was shocked when she heard Zhao Ming"s words. She could not believe that Zhao Ming could actually kicked her out of the palace.
Her body s.h.i.+vered when her eyes met with Zhao MIng"s sharp and dangerous eyes.
Her eyes turned red as she looked at Zhao Ming. Her lips were quivering as she heard her order.
Seeing her indifferent gaze, she turned to look at Ji Cheng who did not have any intention to say anything.
Ji Cheng did not say anything and just looked at Zhao MIng with his gentle gaze. He did not look at anyone else other than Zhao Ming.
He didn"t even bother with Hao Mei. He was just looking at Zhao Ming from side-eyes.
Even Zhao Ming was feeling uncomfortable under his scorching gaze which was fixated on her.
Hao Mei gritted her teeth as she felt that she was not only demoted from her position but was actually got kicked out of the palace.
She turned to look at Xiao Li in the hope of any a.s.sistance. She has thought Xiao Li as her elder sister and thought that Xiao Li will never abandon her.
She felt that even in this critical situation, Xiao Li will help her and support her.
But when she turned to look at Xiao Li with her welled up red eyes, Xiao Li glared at her and turned her head away.
Hao Mei: -_-
The look in Xiao Li"s eyes was not sorry that she couldn"t help her but it was more like a mocking and, " You deserve it, " kind of gaze.
She was surprised and stunned to see such emotions in her eyes.
Hao Mei thought that Xiao Li could help her and save her from getting kicked out of the palace but she turned her head away.
She didn"t even bother to say anything to Zhao Ming or Ji Cheng. She abandoned her when she needed her the most.
Only a few minutes ago, she was crying for her and was saying that she will take the punishment for her.
But now she was ignoring her?
Hao Mei never thought that Xiao Li could abandon her so easily.
Other maids also saw this scene and felt pity for Hao Mei at this moment. They all thought that Consort Xiao Li is so nice and kind. She takes care of their servants like her family.
But in the end, she abandoned Hao Mei so easily. Hao Mei was the maid who came from her home country and lived with Xiao Li from her childhood. But Xiao Li did not hesitate to abandon her.
She did not show any signs of remorse either.
They all thought that Zhao Ming was still better than her. At least she does not treat her servants this way. She cares for them as her family and Lu s.h.i.+ was much better than Hao Mei in this sense.
Hao Mei was distressed that she was not only getting kicked out from the palace but also abandoned by her master as well.
When she worked at the palace, her status was different and did not have to worry about her living.
Working at the palace, has many benefits but now if she was getting kicked out, what will she do now?
Hao Mei turned to Zhao Ming when she realized that no one can save her other than her.
" Her high..ness. I am sorry. Please forgive me and give me another chance. I will do anything for you and was willing to serve you at the lotus pavilion as well." she stuttered as she spoke.
She was drenched in sweat and was looking extremely pitiful. Tears started to roll down to her cheeks and her face has turned red.
" Even if you give me a less position, I am willing to serve you. But please let me stay. I know that I should not have gossiped about you but please forgive me. I won"t do this again. Please forgive me." She said while sobbing pitifully.
Hao Mei"s face was covered in tears and her snot. Her state was a mess and was in a very pitiful condition.
Ji Cheng glanced at Zhao Ming to see what was she thinking seeing Hao Mei crying like this.
He thought that Zhao Ming would feel pity for her but when he saw her, he was surprised to see her silent and indifferent expressions on her face.
If this have been previous Zhao Ming who was kind-hearted and emotional, she would have forgiven her.
But when he looked at cold and indifferent demeanor, a smile plastered on his face.
He does not want to forgive this maid because it will not be a good example to return on her words.
She should not forgive her so easily otherwise next time other servants will do the same and will expect the same.
They will think that they can get out of any punishment just by crying and begging for forgiveness.
This will make them stubborn and will make Zhao Ming look easy as the Empress. Then her words will not hold any weight in them.
Zhao Ming"s expressions didn"t soften and looked at Hao Mei with her cold and indifferent look.
" Hao Mei, didn"t I told you to pack your clothes and leave quietly. If you say another word, then you will not only be kicked out of the palace, but outside the city. if you wanted to get kicked out of the city as well then say another word."
" And I will personally send Feng Ju to throw you out of the city." She warned her firmly.
Hearing Zhao Ming"s words, Hao Mei was shocked. She wanted to cry again, but pursed her lips tight and bit her lower lips to not make another noise.
She had thought that she could get Zhao Ming"s forgiveness just by crying and begging but not only did she forgive her but she threatened to throw her out of the city.
She could not dare to make another noise. otherwise seeing her att.i.tude, she would throw her out.
* The cities in ancient times were the populated important town for trade and commerce and was governed by certain authority. The city here is the capital city of the Ji Empire where the palace is situated and was important for trade and commerce.*