The next day, news spread from Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager would be dedicating herself to Buddhist rites and would not be receiving visitors for a period, seeing no one. This was not the first time, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.
Previously, the Empress Dowager would do this, but that was a year ago. After Nan Ziyun entered the palace, the Empress Dowager had not. Yan Qing, upon hearing this, merely instructed for vigilance and to ensure no one was neglected.
That morning, during the customary morning greetings, the imperial consorts had all arrived at Yunpeng Hall. Most were present, with only Nan Ziyun and the recently punished Consort Xian absent.
"Consort Shu puts on quite the airs, not even sending word before failing to appear," Concubine Xu was the first to speak. She had now adapted to her current status, and beyond her unwillingness, there was little else she could do. (Previously, at the beginning, she was Imperial Consort De.)
"Consort Shu enjoys sleeping in. Let her be. His Majesty has already granted her leave, why should Concubine Xu fuss?" Yan Qing commented.
"Imperial Consort Gui, please do not take offense at my frank words, but Consort Shu clearly does not hold you in high regard," Concubine Xu added.
"Concubine Xu, no one would think you mute if you kept quiet. From the rank of Imperial Consort De to Concubine, you haven't reflected on yourself and yet you speak rashly. Is your mind not well?" It was Imperial Consort De.
Concubine Xu glared at her, somewhat resentful. That position should have been hers!
"Why are you glaring at this empress? Do you wish to scold me? Concubine Xu, do not forget your place. This empress has already dealt with Consort Xian; do you, a mere concubine, believe I wouldn't strike you dead?" Imperial Consort De was not backing down.
"Enough, Imperial Consort De. You too. Still the same temper. I've told you to restrain yourself," Yan Qing looked at Imperial Consort De with a helpless expression. Imperial Consort De rolled her eyes at Concubine Xu, but did not continue speaking afterward.
"Consort Shu's constitution is delicate, and she is currently favored uniquely by His Majesty. Concubine Xu, it is best not to speak such words," it was Zhao Zhaorong who spoke this time. (The birth mother of the Second Princess Yu Wan'er, she had just been punished with kneeling in Heyan Hall in the previous chapters.)
"Rest assured, Zhao Zhaorong. Naturally, I would not shamelessly seek favor with Consort Shu only to be made to kneel at the palace gates. After all, you are the birth mother of the Second Princess. Zhao Zhaorong, you must feel quite stifled," Concubine Xu's mouth was as sharp as ever.
"Heh, I wonder who was made to kneel for a whole day not long ago? Has your leg recovered so well? A few days ago, you were dragged out when you went to Zichen Palace too," it was Imperial Consort De again.
Yan Qing glanced at her. Imperial Consort De shrugged, feigning helplessness, and said, "It's not that I want to say it, it's just that she speaks so infuriatingly that I can't help myself. She doesn't speak of her own actions but only picks at others. If I were her, I wouldn't dare show my face. Only she has such a thick skin." Imperial Consort De truly seemed relentless.
Concubine Xu's face turned green with anger, but she dared not retort. Her current rank was too low.
"Imperial Consort Gui... while some words may be inappropriate, I believe they should still be spoken," Zhao Zhaorong hesitated to speak.
"Zhao Zhaorong, please speak your mind freely," Yan Qing always maintained a calm and detached demeanor, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts.
"His Majesty has been staying at Heyan Hall recently. I fear this is not proper. Imperial Consort Gui, since you now hold the authority to manage the affairs of the six palaces, you should advise His Majesty," Zhao Zhaorong said.
"If you want to seek favor, go yourself. Why should Imperial Consort Gui go? You don't dare find your own reasons to ask Imperial Consort Gui to go, and then if His Majesty becomes angry, wouldn't Imperial Consort Gui bear it all alone? What are your intentions, each of you?" Imperial Consort De defended again.
No one dared to confront Imperial Consort De. After her words, no one dared to speak.