Cining Palace.
"Oh, she really made Noble Lady Wei kneel for a whole Shichen?"
Atop the main seat of the palace, a woman clad in splendid garments arched her eyebrow; she appeared to be in her thirties and was exceptionally well-maintained, not even a fine line visible at the corners of her eyes.
Yet the keen glint in her fierce phoenix eyes hinted at an authority that was not to be underestimated.
This was none other than the Empress Dowager of the current dynasty, Lady Qi.
The Empress Dowager herself was quite capable. During the Late Emperor's reign, he had kept the six palaces empty for her sake. Had it not been for her lack of a son, the title of Emperor might still be up for debate...
Because the Emperor was not her biological son, there was a certain delicateness to the mother-son relationship.
A hint of disdain flashed through the palace maid's eyes: "Answering the Empress Dowager, this servant witnessed it with her own eyes."
Consort Shu, sitting by her side, immediately became restless and indignantly raised her voice, "Auntie! You see how insufferable that wretch is!"
Today, she wore a high-collared garment and purposefully wrapped a scarf around her neck, precisely to conceal the marks left the other day.
Consort Shu dared not blame the Emperor; naturally, she directed all her resentment towards the chief culprit, Mingshu.
In her view, had it not been for Lady Ji's provocation, how could the Emperor, who had always been quite gentle to her, treat her like that!
The Empress Dowager gave her a light, fleeting glance, the corners of her lips curling into a smile: "Being bullied by such a creature and yet you still have the face to come to Us with your grievances?"
Although her expression was indifferent, Consort Shu, who was just brandishing her claws and teeth, abruptly fell silent, her head drooping down as she said in a wronged tone, "Auntie..."
"Enough." The Empress Dowager's gaze shifted away, carelessly flicking the tea leaves in her cup, and shook her head, "How did We end up with such a spineless niece?"
Consort Shu pursed her lips, seething with anger yet unable to speak.
The Empress Dowager stared at the surface of the tea and suddenly laughed lightly, her tone chilling: "However, this Lady Ji does need a warning, not to act so lawlessly."
Consort Shu's face instantly brimmed with joy, the gloom between her brows swept away as she cozied up with flattery: "I knew it, auntie cares about me the most!"
"Hmph." The Empress Dowager fixed her gaze on her, uttering a prolonged hum.
She wasn't taking vengeance for her foolish niece.
Lady Ji's actions were a slap to her face, and inadvertently, they had also spoiled her soup.
Was it intentional or an accident...
The Empress Dowager's eyes shimmered, and her lips slowly curled upwards.
It didn't matter, she thought; better to wrongfully punish than to let off.
This was also a good opportunity to test just what the Emperor's attitude towards this Noble Consort was.
＊
Mingshu slightly raised an eyebrow, looking at the stern-faced Sister Li as if she had heard a joke, her expression one of amusement: "Are you saying that the Empress Dowager is summoning this Consort to the Buddhist Hall to pray?"
Sister Li's eyes held a contemptuous light, her brows slightly furrowed, her demeanor stern: "Does the Noble Consort have any dissatisfaction with the Empress Dowager's decree?"
Mingshu's lips curled up as she slowly stood: "No, you misunderstand."
She took two steps forward, her eyes filled with puzzlement, "This Consort just wishes to know, does the Emperor know about this matter?"
Sister Li's disdain grew deeper as her tone became somewhat impatient: "Of course he knows. Does the Noble Consort have any more questions?"
Initially, Sister Li thought this Noble Consort was cunning enough to incite the Emperor to act on her behalf, a woman of schemes, but now it seemed she was nothing special, immediately turning to the Emperor when problems arise.
Did she not consider whether the Emperor would defy the Empress Dowager for her sake?
Truly ignorant!
"I see..." Mingshu nodded thoughtfully and suddenly smiled, "Then there's no problem."
Sister Li was taken aback.
Mingshu had already taken two steps forward, then turned back to look at her, her tone puzzled: "Aren't we going to the Buddhist Hall to pray? What is Sister Li waiting for? Don't miss the Shichen."
Sister Li: ???
Mother of God, miss the Shichen!
Did she know she was being punished?
Seeing her unwavering stride, Sister Li suspected there was a trick!