"Yes, this concubine understands." With the Empress Dowager's permission, the Imperial Noble Consort felt even more confident.
Seeing Madam Liu unhappy brought her great comfort. Witnessing Madam Liu grovel at her feet and be utterly defeated was the most joyous thing for her.
"Go on."
The Empress Dowager said faintly and was about to dismiss the Imperial Noble Consort.
"This concubine takes her leave."
The Imperial Noble Consort was eager to find fault with Madam Liu and left in a hurry.
"Nurse Qin, we..."
The Empress Dowager subconsciously called out, but her outstretched hand fell empty. Only then did she realize that Nurse Qin was no longer there, and a great sense of desolation washed over her.
A cold wind blew, chilling her to the bone. She truly felt like a solitary figure now.
The Empress Dowager slowly returned to her palace alone. All the palace maids and eunuchs were busy in an orderly fashion, as if the rebellion had never happened and everything was as it used to be.
Yet, the palace lacked that one busy figure. Seemingly unremarkable, but as if indispensable.
"This servant greets Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager. Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, this servant has already brewed the tea you usually drink. Would Your Ladyship like to have a cup of tea to moisten your throat?"
These words were just like what Nurse Qin usually said to her, immediately pulling the Empress Dowager's thoughts back, as if Nurse Qin were still by her side.
Coming back to her senses, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell on the maid standing beside her. She observed her carefully: "What is your name?"
"Replying to Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, this servant is named Bai Zhi."
"Bai Zhi, that is a very elegant name. Who instructed you to say those words just now?"
"Replying to Your Ladyship, those words were instructed by Nurse Qin. Nurse Qin instructed this servant a few days ago about Your Ladyship's dietary habits and ordered this servant to serve Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager well."
The Empress Dowager's softest spot was touched, and she felt a stinging sensation in her nose. She took a deep breath: "Are you saying these things were told to you by Nurse Qin earlier?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, Nurse Qin instructed this servant several times before she was at ease."
So, Nurse Qin had foreseen that she would face such a day. Fearing that some palace maids might not serve properly, she had already made all the arrangements. She was truly thoughtful and hardworking.
"Your name is Bai Zhi?"
"Yes, this servant is named Bai Zhi. Nurse Qin gave this servant this name when I entered the palace."
"Since Nurse Qin has personally taught you, you shall remain by my side to serve me from now on."
"This servant obeys your command and will serve Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager well, to the death."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively, saying nothing more. Even if trained well and loyal, they were not the same as the original person. It was ultimately different.
However, since it was Nurse Qin's arrangement, she only wished for Nurse Qin to rest in peace. Thus, she kept Bai Zhi.
...
"Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort, the Empress... everyone from Madam Liu's palace is here. They are all people who served Madam Liu."
The female official who replied wanted to respectfully address Madam Liu as Empress, but after encountering the Imperial Noble Consort's warning gaze, she quickly corrected herself.
After all, the entire imperial palace was now the Imperial Noble Consort's domain. If she were to inadvertently offend the Imperial Noble Consort, her life would not be easy. It was best to be cautious in all matters.
"Are they all here? Are there any omissions?"
"Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort, please rest assured. This servant has checked several times and there will be absolutely no oversights."
The Imperial Noble Consort put down her teacup, sat up straight, and adjusted her clothes. Every movement exuded grace and nobility. Her gaze swept across the kneeling crowd. Many of them were familiar faces; they were indeed people who had served Madam Liu closely.
"I remember you. You have always served Madam Liu personally and were the one she favored most. You were also the one who controlled Yue Guipin last time, correct?"
The palace maid, pointed out by the Imperial Noble Consort, immediately trembled as if her soul had been partly lost. She knelt on the ground, too scared to even lift her head.
They were all people who served Madam Liu closely, and naturally, they knew that the Imperial Noble Consort had always been at odds with Madam Liu. The two could be described as fire and water. Now that Madam Liu had fallen, and the Imperial Noble Consort was favored, she was undoubtedly the foremost figure in the harem.
This grand mobilization must mean that she would not let them off easily. Perhaps she would vent her anger on them first before dealing with other matters.
"Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort, please see clearly. The things this servant did before were all at Madam Liu's command. This servant is merely a servant by Madam Liu's side, how could I dare to disobey my mistress's orders? These actions were truly not from my heart. Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort is benevolent, please spare this servant's life. This servant will surely repay Your Ladyship's kindness with her life!"
The Imperial Noble Consort looked at the palace maid, who was willing to do anything to survive and was even directly implicating Madam Liu, with a mocking glint in her eyes. If she had shown some backbone just now, perhaps the Imperial Noble Consort would not have looked down on her so much and might have considered sparing her life.
But now, she wanted to kill her even more. Such a disloyal and unrighteous person was a waste of food in this world, having no purpose at all.
"Someone like you, who can turn their back on their master in an instant, I would not dare to use. Perhaps one day you will do the same to me and sell me out again. I don't want to be a fool!"
The Imperial Noble Consort stood up with the help of a palace maid and walked among the kneeling palace maids and eunuchs, looking down at them all: "If you wish to live, I can give you an opportunity. It depends on whether you know how to cherish it."
"Please, Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort, speak clearly. As long as this servant can do it, I will spare no effort, even unto death."
When a person is pushed to desperation, offering them a lifeline will indeed make them cling to it tightly, unwilling to let go even a little.
The Imperial Noble Consort walked in front of the replying palace maid, a faint smile on her lips: "You are quite sensible. Your allegiance has shifted very quickly. Seeing Madam Liu's downfall, you've started spilling everything to save your own life, regardless of anything else."
"Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort, please see clearly. This servant is willing to serve Your Ladyship the Imperial Noble Consort as a cow or a horse."
"Rise. Speak clearly about all the evil deeds Madam Liu committed. Tell me everything, in detail. If you dare to conceal anything, you shall accompany Madam Liu."