Yan Qing returned to her seat. The room was silent except for the sounds of Consort Xian's commotion. No one dared to speak. The title of illegitimate daughter was a taboo for Noble Consort Yan, and they all knew it.
"Consort Xian shows no respect for her superiors, speaks disrespectfully, and even engaged in a physical altercation with other palace consorts, which is unbecoming of her station. She shall be punished with twenty strokes of the bamboo stick to the palm as a reprimand. Furthermore, as per His Majesty's decree, she shall be confined to her own palace." Yan Qing toyed with her hand, and it was clear to everyone that she was angry.
Consort Xian was unconvinced, but what could she do? She was dragged away. Consort De glanced at Wen Xi beside her. Wen Xi immediately understood and followed them out.
"Are you unhappy?" Consort De peeked at Yan Qing stealthily.
"You're the one who made me unhappy. Why did you have to stir up trouble out of nowhere? Are you bored?" Yan Qing looked at her.
"I was just too bored. It was a rare chance to watch a show, and I couldn't help myself..." Consort De also felt a little guilty.
"You weren't bored at all. You just wanted to vent your anger, didn't you? You've been in a bad mood lately? Because of the Eldest Princess?" Yan Qing could see right through her. She understood Consort De best.
"...I did not." Consort De was still denying it.
"The Eldest Princess is still young and inevitably naive. There's no need for you to take it so seriously," Yan Qing said.
"After all, she used to live with her birth mother. It's natural for a child to be close to her own mother. In time, she will naturally forget. If you are truly good to her, she will remember it in the future," Yan Qing added.
She knew that although Consort De didn't say it out loud, she still had some reservations. The child she was raising now was devoted to her former birth mother. While Consort De was impulsive and direct, she was also someone who easily invested her emotions.
In the past two months, she had also developed feelings for the Eldest Princess, which was why she cared. Feeling uncomfortable, and not wanting to take her anger out on the Eldest Princess, she had gone after Consort Xian.
"I know," Consort De replied, somewhat reluctantly, perhaps feeling awkward at having her thoughts guessed.
"You should rein in your temper a bit. If you ever cause serious trouble in the future, I won't be able to protect you. You'll be confined to your palace after going back today." Yan Qing said.
Consort De immediately protested, "No, why should I be confined too? It was all her fault."
Yan Qing gave her a look, "Didn't you go and provoke her first?"
"Yan Qing~" Consort De directly called her by her name.
"Enough. Being confined is for your own good. It's a chance to calm down and properly handle your relationship with the Eldest Princess." Yan Qing's words left no room for refusal.
Consort De: "..."
"Fine, confined it is. I'm leaving. I can't be bothered to talk to you anymore. Why are you so strict? Just like my father." Consort De said and walked away. Yan Qing watched her departing back with some helplessness.
"Consort De's temperament hasn't changed at all," a palace maid said as she refilled Yan Qing's tea.
"It's not easy for her to still have this personality after so long in the palace. But this is not necessarily a good thing," Yan Qing said with a worried expression.
"With you here, what trouble could Consort De get into? Please don't worry too much, Your Ladyship," the palace maid advised.
"There are always areas I can't see. In another month, there will be a selection of new consorts. When new faces arrive, this harem will become even livelier," Yan Qing took a sip of her tea.
The positions of the four consorts were already filled. Those below, wanting to climb higher, would undoubtedly resort to various schemes. Moreover... His Majesty had never established an Empress.
Thinking of this...
"Does His Majesty still go to Hean Hall every day?" Yan Qing asked.
"Whenever His Majesty enters the inner palace, he goes directly to Consort Chenshu. He hasn't been anywhere else," the palace maid replied.
"Stay away from Hean Hall recently. Don't provoke them. Also, remind the people under Consort De to be careful not to offend anyone carelessly," Yan Qing instructed.
"Yes."
"My head hurts. I'll rest for a while. Don't disturb me unless it's urgent," Yan Qing said, standing up with the help of her attendants. The affairs of the harem were numerous, and she had been feeling exhausted lately.