The Emperor's Cunning Wife

Chapter 5

"N-Niang Niang, Us nubis admit our mistakes. May Niang Niang bestow the punishment on Us Nubis, whatever Niang Niang deemed fit." Xiao Yan swallowed her fear looking at the floor and her palm that was soaked with sweat. Niang Niang's presence alone was enough to scare Xiao Yan out of her wits.

Ning Lou's unyielding back stood straight, observing the behaviors of the two, she then concluded that they were now submissive. The feeling she felt was great, all she did was changed the tone of her voice and imagined herself as the President. Con artists act a lot but what make them differ from others is that, they exude confidence. Even the professionals of the modern era were preyed to bankrupt. What more can a maid be? Ning Lou smiled knowing these two would be more compliant.

"Now you admit your wrongs Bengong would bestow punishment. You two stay and kneel, don't ever stand up unless Bengong says so. The next time, Bengong will not be lenient." Ning Lou continued noticing the door a few feet away. Tiptoeing, she made her way to it.

Xiao Qu calmed down a bit after knowing their lives were preserve. She then tried to peek at Her Highness, but Ning Lou scolded her.

"Don't you dare try to lift your head, or you'll be sentenced to a heavier punishment."

After hearing it, Xiao Qu and Xiao Yan never lift their heads and continued to kowtow. Their lives were at stake and they will do their best to preserve it.

Smiling triumphantly, she continued to walk silently while examining the antique furnitures. Such a pity, these furnitures would fetched tons of money. Talk about fraud biddings, foreign exchange rates, and lots of investment scams, even one of these would generate millions of cash flows. Her eyes flickered with dollars signs.

"If Niang Niang is hungry, nubi will go fetched some light meals in the kitchen. The Imperial Physician said that Niang Niang can eat light meals."

Ning Lou's smile cracked. "Are you trying to excuse yourself out of your punishment. It seems the current punishment will not suffice. Will the beatings from the rod teach your mouth?" Ning Lou was only stalling time, even she couldn't believe her own words. She herself, was against inhumanity. Maids from this time were treated like grasses and she was feeling guilty about it.

"Niang Niang, nubi doesn't dare. Nubi spoken out of turn. Nubi asked for Niang Niang's forgiveness." She was in deep trouble. The Empress before her was entirely different. There were no traces of her past arrogant self. This pressure doesn't come from her haughtiness, rather it comes from confidence. For a moment, she felt speaking to the Esteemed Empress Dowager.

"Remember this, if others found faults in the two of you, it will tarnished Bengong's name. Even if Bengong cannot silence a hundred mouth, Bengong can still discipline a disrespectful servant."

Xiao Qu wanted to cry but she covered her mouth. Instead, she mustered her courage and spoke. "Your Highness, Xiao Yan just spoke out of concern, she didn't have any other intentions. May Your Highness forgive us, servants."

Ning Lou felt clapping herself clapping for these two's loyalty to each other. This was truly rare in especially in feudal times where betrayal was common.

"Alright... Alright... Since you two have served Bengong well in the past, Bengong would let this matter slipped. But, in the future, Bengong can't guarantee a lighter punishment. May this serves as a lesson for you two." Ning Lou smiled and stared at the door in front of her.

"Us nubis, thanks Niang Niang for the magnanimous grace. May Your Highness live for ten thousand of years."

"May Your Highness be blessed with healthy years."

For a moment there, the felt their soul came back to their bodies. Carving this scene in their mind, they held Ning Lou in different light. With utmost enthusiasm, they inwardly dedicated themselves in serving Ning Lou.

"Un. Stay put and reflect." Ning Lou replied and saw the two heads nodding in a vigorous manner.

Fixing her gaze on the piece of wood, she almost burst laughing. Lifting it, a sense of overwhelming happiness clouded her mind. One step closer in escaping. Looking back once more, the two appeared occupied with the punishment leaving Ning Lou with her plan.

Seizing this opportunity, she pulled the separate doors slowly, thus preventing screeching noises from alarming the two. Her heart beat faster as the doors to freedom slowly opened. As she was about to fully enjoy the sight of outside halls, a familiar face obscured her way.

"Why is Empress at the door receiving Aija? Where are the maids serving the Empress?" An old woman with a graceful bearing in a purple hanfu questioned the stunned Ning Lou.

Is the heavens playing a joke on her, because this Old Lady before her looked exactly like the one she fooled in her past life. The mother of one of the FBI who relentlessly pursued her, one of the board of director holding a major share of Atelius's stocks, Madam Ling Shi!

______________________________________

I updated two chapters to give you special treats because it is school tomorrow.

I hoped the chapter didn't end with a cliffhanger. :)