"My lady, you..."
They knew about yesterday’s incident too, but they dared not persuade her! Each of them could only keep their mouths shut.
In their hearts, they dared not speculate, unaware of what exactly had transpired between their mistress and the Emperor.
Clearly, everything had been fine during last night’s meal. The table had been full of delicious dishes, and there was laughter and chatter. But how could it have suddenly... turned into an argument in the middle of the night?!
Alas!
"Go to Jiaofang Hall and tell them I’m ill and cannot come to pay my respects!"
Zi Yue quickly acknowledged.
"Alright!!"
With that, she left.
Xia Ruqing turned over in bed and didn’t get up. She didn’t want to pay respects, didn’t want to go out and be ridiculed, nor did she want to endure the cold remarks of others. Anyway, she hadn’t slept well at all last night. So, she just got up, washed, ate something, and went back to sleep.
And sure enough, Jiaofang Hall was in an uproar, like an overturned pot. Before the Empress arrived, everyone was chattering, full of mockery and derision.
"I thought Consort Xian Pin would always be favored. Who knew... it would end so quickly!" Consort Yun Pin chuckled.
Consort Zheng Pin mused for a moment, then added her own comment.
"So quickly, she’ll be like us? I don’t think so!"
"After all, she has a Prince!"
Consort Yun Pin’s expression faltered when she heard the word ’Prince’. Then she gave a cold laugh.
"Nothing is certain, though!"
It was the same old saying—truly offending someone could even lead to a ’death by illness’! But she dared not voice this aloud. After all, everything was still unknown. Who knew what had happened last night?
Inside the inner chamber, the Empress was at her toilette. Yu Lan reported to her while arranging her hair.
"Your Majesty, it’s pandemonium outside. It seems last night’s incident really stirred up quite a fuss!"
The Empress smiled faintly.
"Oh?"
In her heart, she was pleased. The more chaos in the Harem, the more secure her position. It would be best if they all couldn’t stand the sight of each other and started fighting—that would be perfect! Then she could concentrate on raising the Third Princess and nurturing her relationship with the Emperor. Conversely, if all the women in the Harem banded together, she would truly be in trouble! So, deep down, the Empress felt quite smug!
Sister Ji came in with a nourishing soup. She asked with a hint of suspicion, "It’s unclear what exactly happened last night! And how did Consort Xian Pin manage to anger the Emperor?"
Just a mere Consort, not even holding a more senior title, yet so bold and presumptuous merely because she has the Little Prince? The Empress was puzzled too. Consort Xian Pin was known to be sensible, courteous, and low-key in her conduct. The Emperor had always liked her. Now, with the Little Prince born, the Emperor spent most of his time with her. Moreover, the Emperor generally disliked quibbling with women over trivial matters. To have caused such a stir, it must not have been a trifling matter. But a serious matter... "It seems there’s been no significant issue within or beyond the palace walls!"
The Empress furrowed her brows and pondered for a good while. Ultimately, she couldn’t find an answer and shook her head.
Sister Ji took another step forward and whispered softly, "Your Majesty, should we... add fuel to the fire?"
The Empress’s gaze brightened for a moment. She was about to agree when she suddenly felt it wasn’t right. In the end, she cautiously said, "Let’s not take any action yet. Relying on a moment’s judgment might be inaccurate. Let’s wait a few more days! At the very least, we need to wait until the Emperor’s anger has subsided."
In the past, cases of ’directly infuriating the Emperor’ typically resulted in light penalties such as confinement. More severe ones included solitary confinement or even banishment to the Cold Palace. But now... Consort Xian Pin was different. She still had a Prince.
"Perhaps... it was just a momentary tiff. We’ll have to wait at least a month to find out."
Sister Ji nodded. "Your Majesty has considered everything. We really should be cautious!"
After all, everything she had today had not come easily! The Empress understood this and decided not to take any action for the time being.
Just as her hair was finished, Yu Fu came in to report.
"Your Majesty, Consort Xian Pin has sent word that she’s ill and cannot come to pay her respects. She’s asking for leave."
The Empress rose with a smile. "Let her be. Just keep a discreet watch to ensure there are no issues. Send an Imperial Physician to examine her."
Yu Fu acknowledged and left.
Satisfied, the Empress went to check on the Little Princess. She inquired about the Little Princess’s condition from the previous night: how often she had eaten, how often she had woken, whether she had slept well, and if she had eaten heartily. In short, her concern was meticulous.
Having addressed these concerns, it was about time for her to proceed. She then proceeded to the front hall.
All the Concubines had already arrived and rose in unison to pay their respects.
"You may rise."
The Empress spoke indifferently and seated herself on the main seat. With the Empress’s arrival, the previously lively atmosphere immediately ceased.
However, the Empress wasn’t annoyed. Even with her eyes closed, she knew what this group was discussing. So, she pretended not to hear. She simply smiled and said, "Thank you, my sisters, for gracing us with your presence yesterday. Our Little Princess was excited all night long! Especially... the jade gourd that Honored Lady Jiang presented. The Little Princess clung to it, nibbling again and again, and wouldn’t let go even before sleep!"