This clumsy scramble scared everyone, except for Concubine Yin who was gleeful.
"Your Ladyship..." Qian Xia was extremely worried. Several people moved the palanquin and sedan chair that had fallen onto Nan Zhiyun's feet. Nan Zhiyun's face turned pale from the pain, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hurry and send for the imperial physician!" Qian Xia yelled.
"Yes," Xia Yi quickly ran towards the Imperial Physician's office.
"We're almost at Yunpeng Hall. Go find the Noble Consort and tell her that Her Ladyship has fallen." There were no tools here to carry Nan Zhiyun away, and walking was impossible.
"Yes," Qiu Yun also headed towards Yunpeng Hall.
"Tsk, weren't you quite arrogant? Nan Zhiyun, don't think you can lord over me just because you're now Noble Consort Shu." Concubine Yin still showed no remorse.
Nan Zhiyun was in too much pain to speak, so she couldn't bother with her for now. However, Chun Hua wouldn't tolerate this. She was an old嬷嬷 (wet nurse/senior palace maid) in the palace, so what was this kind of incident to her?
She slapped Concubine Yin again. This time, Concubine Yin couldn't stand it and wanted to retaliate, but how could a pampered young lady like her compare to a嬷嬷 who was used to doing rough work?
Chun Hua directly pushed her down.
"Concubine Yin has violated palace rules, offended Noble Consort Shu, and caused her injury. Dong Wan, slap her!" Chun Hua commanded.
Dong Wan had long been displeased. Upon hearing this, she immediately stepped forward and began slapping Concubine Yin. The other palace servants, understanding the situation, quickly restrained Concubine Yin.
As for Concubine Yin's attendants... they were facing Noble Consort Shu, so they dared not intervene.
When the Noble Consort sent a palanquin, Qian Xia and the others helped Nan Zhiyun onto it.
"Make her kneel..." Nan Zhiyun said.
"Yes, Dong Wan, watch her closely. If she dares to move, hit her!" Chun Hua understood.
"Yes, this servant will watch her properly." Dong Wan was happy to do so. This Concubine Yin dared to offend their Lady today, so she was definitely finished. She couldn't understand how anyone could be so foolish...
It wasn't just her who thought so; everyone else did too. Precisely because no one expected Concubine Yin to do something so extreme, they were completely unprepared. Was there really such a foolish person? It wasn't until much later... that people realized it wasn't that Concubine Yin was too foolish, but that someone was too clever...
Yunpeng Hall was the closest, so Qian Xia had no choice but to have Nan Zhiyun taken there first. When she arrived at Yunpeng Hall, Noble Consort Yan and Consort De were both there. As for Consort Xian... she was still copying palace rules. (Refer to 204. Earlier, when the Empress Dowager returned, she spoke disrespectfully to the Empress Dowager and was punished.)
Besides Noble Consort Yan and Consort De, there were also ladies of the court. Seeing Nan Zhiyun being carried in, the Noble Consort immediately went forward to show concern.
"Quick, send her in. I've already had someone tidy up the rooms inside," Noble Consort Yan said, her worry evident on her face.
"Thank you, Noble Consort," Qian Xia said, expressing her gratitude before quickly taking Nan Zhiyun into the room.
The Noble Consort did not follow them in. There were still ladies of the court present, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to abandon them.
Today, in addition to these ladies of the court, they had also brought their younger family members, so there were quite a few people.
"How is Noble Consort Shu? This humble woman saw that Her Ladyship seemed to be quite severely injured." These officials' wives had also been startled by Nan Zhiyun's appearance.
"The imperial physician has not yet arrived. Do not worry. Noble Consort Shu is blessed by heaven and will surely be fine. Shall I inform His Majesty?" Noble Consort Yan asked.
"Someone has already been sent to report," Chun Hua replied.
"Mm," the Noble Consort acknowledged, saying nothing more.
Those seated below also continued to express their concern, at least on the surface. After all, one had to maintain appearances.
"One must say Concubine Yin is quite impulsive. How could she be so ruthless?" one lady said.
"Perhaps it's jealousy. She's not happy about being demoted," replied a young lady from a scholarly family.
"Yan'er," her companion warned, calling out softly.
"That's what happened. My daughter isn't wrong, is she, Brother? You agree, right?" The girl looked at the man beside her, who exuded a cool, refined aura.
"Yan'er, you mustn't speak carelessly." The man smiled faintly, gentle and elegant, giving one the feeling of a spring breeze.
The girl named Yan'er pouted and fell silent.
"Noble Consort, please forgive us. My daughter has been impolite." The woman was dignified and elegant, displaying refined manners, clearly well-educated.
"It's nothing. The County Princess is lively, which is a good thing," Yan Qing said.
This was Princess Ning An. The woman beside her was the Consort of Prince Yu. Prince Yu, the third son of the late Emperor, had been frail since birth and never had good health. After returning to the capital this year, he had stayed in his original mansion and had not ventured out, fearing he might fall ill again.
Consort Yu's family background was quite ordinary, but Prince Yu had only one consort and no other concubines or maids. They had a son and a daughter, Yu Jiangyan and Yu Yan, respectively. The couple had a very good relationship.
"It's quite unexpected that Heir Apparent Jiangyan is also in the palace today," a male voice sounded. Following the voice, they saw a man in a blue robe. Compared to Yu Jiangyan's gentle jade-like demeanor, he appeared much more sharp and imposing.
This was the son of the Duke of Liu, Liu Yi.
It was no wonder he said that. Yu Jiangyan had been a person who disliked going out in the capital, especially to banquets. When they were classmates in childhood, this person was also quiet and didn't interact with others.
"Young Master Liu," Yu Jiangyan nodded slightly and said no more. Liu Yi felt awkward and glanced disdainfully before drinking the tea in front of him. What was so aloof about him?
The drama unfolding here didn't cause much of a stir. On the other hand, at the Hall of Diligent Governance...
Upon hearing that Nan Zhiyun was injured, Yu Jingchen immediately put down his memorial and rushed over. After hearing the entire cause and course of events, Yu Jingchen truly regretted that he had punished her too lightly back then...
"Your Majesty, Concubine Yin is still kneeling. How do you wish to handle her?" Xing Lai asked. It was certain she wouldn't survive... or perhaps her fate would be even worse than death..., as there was a saying, "better to be dead than alive."
"Then let her kneel. We will deal with her later," Yu Jingchen said. He didn't have the time to deal with her now; he only wanted to know Nan Zhiyun's current condition. If it was serious... Yu Jingchen's gaze turned cold. If it was very serious, her life might not be enough to pay the price.
When Yu Jingchen arrived at Yunpeng Hall, these ladies of the court had not yet left. Seeing His Majesty arrive, they quickly rose to bow. However, Yu Jingchen didn't even glance at them and walked directly into the inner chamber.