The hall was utterly silent, the Dowager Empress raising an eyebrow and giving a small, imperceptible smile. Qin Ruan just maintained a nonchalant stance, that battle was not hers. Seeing Mulan's stunned gaze, the smile on the empress's face deepened. The men were unwilling to get involved in this petty dispute, so everyone threw everything at Mulan.
"Bunch of bitches" – Mulan cursed internally. They get her in trouble and expect her to work it out on her own. These were the famous 'bitches' from period romances. It could only be a joke, if only she had ended up in ancient Egypt.
"Be careful what you wish for" – Hong spoke in his mind. Mulan cursed his luck again and Hong was not helping him. And now what was she doing? Had she offended the empress or was she being used to criticize someone? What to answer?