Ji Mingfu left after less than an hour.
Seeing Zhichao coming to clean up, Ji Mingxuan asked, "Who was guarding the outer duty today?"
Zhichao said, "It was Hongzhu and Luozhu."
Ji Mingxuan said, "Go call all the palace girls and eunuchs into the grand hall."
Zhichao didn't understand, but seeing Ji Mingxuan's serious expression, she sensed an ominous premonition.
In no time, six palace girls and five eunuchs gathered in the grand hall.
Then, Zhichao helped Ji Mingxuan enter the hall.
Everyone was curious, "Servants/eunuchs, please report to the master/servant, the master/servant is safe."
Ji Mingxuan looked at everyone, calmly saying, "Get up!"
Everyone stood up. Ji Mingxuan looked at Hongzhu and Luozhu, calmly asking, "Why didn't you announce when Consort Rong came today?"
Hongzhu and Luozhu were shocked.
They quickly knelt down.
Hongzhu said, "Master, it was Consort Rong who stopped you. I thought Consort Rong and Master..."
Luozhu interrupted Hongzhu's words, kneeling and apologizing, "Pardon me, Master."
Hongzhu instantly realized what had happened, her face changed, and she started kneeling.
"Imagining the master's intentions is a grave offense. What should I do, Your Highness?"
Luozhu's hands trembled slightly. After a long while, she said, "Please punish me, Your Highness. I won't repeat my mistake."
Ji Mingxuan sighed, "Hongzhu, what about you?"
Hongzhu looked up, meeting Ji Mingxuan's sharp gaze. For some reason, she felt extremely scared. She remembered what the master said when she entered the palace recently and begged, "Please don't send me to the Criminal Execution Office."
Ji Mingxuan lightly laughed but didn't answer.
Hongzhu and Luozhu were terrified.
Ji Mingxuan looked at the others, all of whom lowered their heads.
"You're already servants/eunuchs in the Jing'an Palace, so your servant/master identity is fixed. When the master is not well, serving a servant/eunuch can still help. Although I may suffer, at least I can cause trouble for a few servants/eunuchs."
Not only Hongzhu, but Luozhu, everyone in the room felt a twinge of sympathy.
The master is still the master, and dealing with a servant/eunuch is simple.
"Don't expect to betray the master for personal gain. Even betrayal, no one likes it." Ji Mingxuan said coldly.
Everyone's hearts tightened. Ji Mingxuan's voice softened slightly, and she continued, "Recently, you should know that I'm not a harsh person. Today, I'm putting everything aside. Anyone who finds another favorable master can go. I won't hold grudges."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly tensed up.
Ji Mingxuan waited for a moment, but no one came forward.
Ji Mingxuan looked at Hongzhu and said, "Hongzhu and Deyi Palace's Cixier are good friends?"
Hongzhu's face instantly changed.
Ji Mingxuan said calmly, "You like Deyi Palace. Tomorrow, I'll send you there."
Hongzhu pleaded, "Please spare my life."
Ji Mingxuan said, "What nonsense. I'm sending you there to help you. Although you won't become a major palace girl, based on your friendship with Cixier, you can probably become a minor servant/eunuch."
Hongzhu shook her head, begging, "Please revoke your command."
Ji Mingxuan ignored her and looked at the others.
Everyone knew Hongzhu's future, feeling anxious.
"The rest of you, if you like other palaces more than Jing'an Palace, confess now and swear loyalty to me. I won't hold grudges. Otherwise, if I find out, I'll send you to the Criminal Execution Office. Whether you can return to the master you like depends on your fate!"
Before she finished speaking, several people fell to their knees, including Hongzhu.
Great!
Constantin, Dan Xiujuan, and Humble Empress Xiuhua's people were all present. Although they were minor servants/eunuchs, they shouldn't be underestimated.
Ji Mingxuan scanned the others.
Finally, three people fell to their knees—Xing'er, Jiuer, and Xiaozhongzi.
Good! Constantin, Dan Xiujuan, and Humble Empress Xiuhua's people were all here. Though minor servants/eunuchs, they were not to be taken lightly.
She scanned the remaining four—Lüozhu, Zizhu, Xiaozhuangzi, Mu Rou, and Xiaodengzi.
Despite their fear, their faces were surprisingly composed.
Ji Mingxuan smiled lightly and said, "Since you've confessed, remember what I said. If you need help in the future, feel free to talk to me. I'll always stand up for you."
The pleading servants/eunuchs heaved a sigh of relief, kneeling down.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ji Mingxuan added, "You've lived together for two months. Have any of you noticed anything suspicious about the remaining five?"
The remaining five were horrified. Since they had submitted, they were truly static members of Jing'an Palace. Initially fearing punishment, they now had a chance to redeem themselves, so they spoke freely.
Xiaozhongzi suddenly pointed at Xiaodengzi.
"Your Highness, Xiaodengzi often goes to the garden under the west wall. One day, I saw him meeting a palace girl from the outer palace."
Xiaodengzi was frightened, touching Ji Mingxuan's seemingly smiling but stern gaze. He hurriedly knelt.
"Your Highness, I met that palace girl because we are neighbors... No..."
Ji Mingxuan smashed a cup, its shards precisely hitting Xiaodengzi's hand resting on the ground.
"Why meet neighbors at midnight? If you weren't guilty, you should wait for me to speak. But now you're explaining hastily, this act is too fake."
Xiaodengzi heavily knelt: "Your Highness, I met the palace girl because we are neighbors, though she is from the Rongshou Palace."
Silence filled the room.
Ji Mingxuan said, "Who is she?"
Xiaodengzi said, "Lain'er."
Ji Mingxuan's eyes flickered, and she said, "Little Dingzi, take him back and whip him ten times."
Little Dingzi calmly accepted the order.
Xiaodengzi breathed a sigh of relief, kneeling and saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Ji Mingxuan looked at Xiaozhongzi and smiled, saying, "Study well with Little Dingzi from now on."
Xiaozhongzi's face lit up. Little Dingzi was a big eunuch, and this meant he could become a big eunuch soon.
Ji Mingxuan ignored him, looking at the others. Everyone bowed their heads.
"Is there anything else to say?"
No one spoke, and Ji Mingxuan sighed inwardly. Well then.
"Get up!" Her voice was soft.
"What should be said and what shouldn't be said, the queen will naturally notify Zhichao. From now on, watch each other, reward the good, and punish the bad."
Everyone said in unison, "Servant, obey the command."
Ji Mingxuan swept her gaze towards Hongzhu who was still limply lying on the side.
Feeling Ji Mingxuan's gaze, Hongzhu felt like she had found a life-saving herb and said, "Mistress, I know my mistake. Please spare me this time, Mistress. I won't dare to betray you again..."
Ji Mingxuan swept her gaze towards everyone and frowned.
Hongzhu's heart stirred as she crawled over, grabbed Ji Mingxuan's skirt hem, adopted a pitiful expression, and looked at the blood on her forehead. Ji Mingxuan said, "Zizhu, Luezhu, you two take her into the house and give her ten strokes each."
Hongzhu let go of her hand, saving herself.
"Thank you, Mistress."
Zizhu and Luezhu bowed and said, "Servants, obey the command."
Ji Mingxuan said, "Today is just because it's our first offense. If there's another one, don't blame this cultivator for being harsh."
Everyone's hearts tightened.
They lowered their heads and knelt before Ji Mingxuan.
Ji Mingxuan glanced at Zichao and Zichao hurriedly helped Ji Mingxuan enter the inner chamber.
Not long after, Zichao came out from the inner chamber, holding more than ten pouches. Then, she distributed them one by one. The originally fearful palace maids and eunuchs' hearts were put at ease. Recalling what Zichao said to them, rewarding those with merit and punishing those who made mistakes, they reinvigorated themselves.
In the room, only Ji Mingxuan remained. She lay on the bed, looking somewhat worried.
Although she had been dazzling when she entered the palace initially, she lived in the remote Jingan Palace later and received little affection. However, she had many spies within her palace, so she could imagine the situation in other parts of the harem.
The water in this palace is truly deep.
Zichao walked in, saw Ji Mingxuan lying on the bed, and quickly pulled the blanket up for her. She said, "Mistress, it's autumn now. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Ji Mingxuan allowed her to cover herself and asked, "How are they?"
Zichao said, "They should be fine."
Ji Mingxuan smiled and said, "From now on, you must be vigilant. If anyone betrays us again, send them directly to the Serious Punishment Bureau."
Zichao shivered inwardly. Ji Mingxuan's eyes were stern: "My people can't tolerate any treachery in my palace."
Zichao kneeled down and said, "Servant, obey the command."
Ji Mingxuan's tone softened slightly: "Zichao, we've grown up together since childhood. In this palace, you're actually more trustworthy than Second Sister."
Zichao's heart warmed as she raised her head and said, "Young lady, please rest assured. I will die following you."
Ji Mingxuan got up from the bed and personally helped her up.
"Don't be too formal in private,"
Zichao nodded, but she still performed the formal bow. She didn't want to leave any traces that could be used against her and her mistress.
***
Time passed quietly, and soon half a month had gone by.
That day, the matter regarding Ji Mingxuan's arrangements in Jingan Palace did not spread. This showed that the people in Jingan Palace were intimidated by Ji Mingxuan. Therefore, in the days that followed, they all sent messages to 'the former sovereign's' palace under Ji Mingxuan's instructions.
Today was the day the concubines were released. After the concubines paid respects at the Zhaofeng Palace, those who were favored naturally wanted to return early. Those who were not favored gathered in small groups, preparing for the good show that was yet to come.
Ji Mingfu was also like this, though not out of fear but to see Changfei. If she could win back his favor, that would be best. If she couldn't, she could establish a good image of knowing propriety. But how things turned out was beyond her control.
Seeing Ji Mingfu depart, Ji Mingxuan led Purplezhu and Little Sutra Child to stroll in a secluded garden.
After walking not far, she spotted Ning Jiejue and Yu Meiren strolling ahead, chatting happily.
Ning Jiejue was known in the palace for her kind and benevolent demeanor, making her very popular.
Yu Meiren, although braver than when she first entered the palace, was still considered unsuitable for public appearances. Normally, Yu Meiren returned straight to the palace. Why was she walking with Ning Jiejue today?
When Ji Mingxuan saw them, they naturally saw Ji Mingxuan too.
They walked over, and Ji Mingxuan bowed respectfully. "Lady Ning, well." Yu Meiren hurriedly bowed back.
Ning Jiejue quickly called her up and asked, "Sister Ji, why aren't you returning home?"
Ji Mingxuan shook her head while personally helping Yu Meiren get up and said, "This place has beautiful scenery. It's a nice day to visit, so I came to take a look."
Ning Jiejue knew it was just courtesy and didn't pry. She nodded.
Yu Meiren stood up, and Ji Mingxuan was about to retract her hand when her fingers accidentally brushed against Yu Meiren's wrist. Her heart skipped a beat.
Then, without leaving a trace, she gently brushed past Yu Meiren's wrist and smiled, "Miss Yu looks much better today."
Yu Meiren blushed. Since she had served the emperor that day, she naturally looked good.
Ning Jiejue glanced at Ji Mingxuan. Compared to when she first entered the palace, she now had a more regal air.
Affection and honor explained why Ning Jiejue...
Yu Meiren couldn't help but raise her head to look at Ji Mingxuan. Seeing Ji Mingxuan looking energetic, she noticed slight black marks around her eyes.
Everyone in the palace knew that Ji Family sisters had a close relationship. Yu Meiren recalled that Lady Rong left hastily today and realized something. Ning Jiejue said right, for this Ji Mingxuan, she should keep things simple.
Yu Meiren didn't respond further. Seeing this, Ji Mingxuan said, "I have matters to attend to. I won't disturb Lady Ning and Miss Yu..."
Ning Jiejue laughed and said, "Sister Ji, goodbye."
Yu Meiren was taken aback but nodded.
Ji Mingxuan perked up and slowly left.
While Ning Jiejue and Yu Meiren lingered behind.
"Sister, should we..."
Ning Jiejue shook her head, "No rush. Let's see first."
Yu Meiren didn't say anything else.
Ji Mingxuan returned to the palace, recalling the pulse she felt earlier. This Yu Meiren was pregnant, even a bit older than her. Thinking about serving in the imperial bed yesterday, she shook her head. Even if she didn't know it, Ji Mingxuan wouldn't remind her anytime soon.
Yu Meiren had always been favored. Pregnancy wasn't unusual for her. For Ji Mingxuan, this was both good news and bad news.
Good news: Having someone to share the attention she received.
Bad news: The level of importance she received would halve.
Now that pregnancy symptoms had started, and assuming no unexpected events, the emperor would likely call her to serve in the imperial bed soon. She couldn't hide it for long.
Only a month, and this danger had increased significantly.
"Master..."
Ji Mingxuan gave a glance to Purplezhu beside her, who silently walked over. She opened the door.
Hongzhu walked in, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Master, Lady Rong was punished."
Ji Mingxuan asked, "Tell me exactly what happened."
Hongzhu replied, "Just now, there came news that Lady Rong offended Consort Changfei and was sentenced to kneel for two hours."
Ji Mingxuan frowned. Although she didn't know the secret behind Consort Changfei's miscarriage, she could guess that she had been provoked. Even after falling into the trap, Ji Mingxuan couldn't speak.
Her three-month banishment was the golden period of the palace. The empress dowager's reputation and virtue left a clear impression on new concubines. This gradually caused the concubines to only know the empress dowager and ignore Consort De and Changfei.
More importantly, once they were confined, the influence and power in the harem were all suppressed by the empress dowager. This reduced the power and influence of Consort De and Changfei drastically. They needed to regain their glory by establishing their positions among the new concubines. As a concubine, having the empress dowager's kindness in front of her, she might appear virtuous and magnanimous but wouldn't achieve the desired results.
At this moment, Ji Mingfu was caught between old and new grudges. Being punished was predictable.
Once this news spread, despite the true reason being Consort Changfei's overstepping, she was the palace matriarch, and the punishment was given to a minor in her palace. Not only would people not gossip, but they would point at Ji Mingfu, saying she was rude to others.
Even though there were three people who could stop it, Ji Mingfu hadn't gained enough influence yet.
The emperor rarely intervened in palace affairs, so even if he did, he would quickly figure out which one was lighter or heavier.
The empress dowager managed everything, but Consort Changfei's provocation made it difficult for the empress dowager to take action. Furthermore, the empress dowager had ruled with authority for a long time, so this trivial matter was something she wouldn't care about.
All these reasons combined meant that Ji Mingfu would suffer some punishment.
What Ji Mingxuan understood, Ji Mingfu surely understood too. Since this was something she chose, Ji Mingxuan cooperated with her, hoping this punishment would bring the expected returns!
"In Qi Fang Palace?" Ji Mingxuan asked.
Hongzhu nodded, "And outside the gate."
Ji Mingxuan's heart sank. Being punished outside the gate was an extremely humiliating act. Purplezhu and Hongzhu didn't dare to look up, creating a tense atmosphere inside the room.
The queen swept away the pale face of Ji Mingfu, and Ji Mingfu's face was extremely calm. She bowed: "Your Majesty has put much effort into this, so Empress is grateful."
"Little sister has worked hard."
Changfei smiled warmly as she said she did not dare.
The queen continued, "Some days ago, the prayer-for-blessing monk came to the Rongshou Palace to pray for Mother Queen. Your Majesty invited her to the Zhaofeng Palace to divination for all the little sisters. The result was that Little Sister and Longguo were likely to collide with each other in the near future. As expected, it turned out just like what the monk predicted. To prevent Little Sister from being affected in the future, Your Majesty decided to issue an edict to move Longguo out of the Qi Fang Palace to Mingyi Pavilion East Yard. Does Little Sister have any objections?"
Changfei's eyes flashed slightly, but she hated deeply. Even if the monk's words were false, she couldn't investigate further. Who called her the emperor's imperial aunt? So she kept smiling and softly said, "Your Majesty is truly virtuous and benevolent. Since Your Majesty is doing something good for Little Sister, Little Sister naturally won't refuse. However, Little Sister and Longguo lived together in the Qi Fang Palace for three months. As the elder sister, I'm very reluctant to let go." She paused and then said sadly, "So I respectfully request Your Majesty to allow Little Sister to personally handle the relocation affairs for Longguo so we can fully maintain our sisterly relationship." After saying this, she also bowed to the queen.
The queen helped Changfei up: "Since Little Sister is so considerate, Your Majesty agrees." Changfei smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor."
Turning to Ji Mingfu, she said, "This time, forget about it. Get up, Your Majesty will personally send you to relocate."
Ji Mingfu trembled inside. Although she had long prepared to offend Changfei, when the moment arrived, she still felt anxious and afraid. She bowed: "Empress thanks Lady Changfei."
Changfei hated her heartily, but could only keep a smile on her face. "Longguo, don't worry. After all, she came out of the Qi Fang Palace. Your Majesty naturally won't be stingy."
Ji Mingfu thanked again.