In the Jingxi Palace,
Consort Shu was in an unusually good mood. The Emperor had actually favored a noblewoman from a marquis' family. The two Imperial Concubines were bound to be furious.
This promised to be quite the spectacle.
Consort Zhuang, who harbored equal disdain for all the other concubines, was prepared to scold Ning Guiren once she arrived.
She had no recollection of Ning Guiren at all...
In fact, she couldn't even remember what she looked like.
But after waiting for quite a while, the protagonist had still not appeared.
It wasn't until Lianrui arrived late to report:
"Esteemed mistress is unwell and unable to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, I have come to request leave on her behalf."
The palace fell into complete silence.
"What?" Consort Shu exclaimed, incredulously. This insignificant noblewoman was being so audacious.
Consort Zhuang's eyes widened as well. Even she wouldn't dare offend the Empress Dowager; how could this mere noblewoman act so recklessly?
The entire Jingxi Palace was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Xue Jieyu immediately looked at Cen Jieyu, wondering if the Cen family was behind this, intentionally humiliating the Xue family.
But when she saw Cen Jieyu's surprised expression, a surge of disdain for Ning Guiren formed in her heart.
Without the support of the Cen family, this insignificant noblewoman, seeking her own demise, was now dragging the Xue family down with her.
What an idiot.
Consort Shu suppressed her shock and said, "It's getting late. We should proceed to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Ning Guiren is unwell, but I will explain the situation to Her Majesty. You may return now and tend to your mistress."
She refrained from reprimanding Ning Wan Yin.
It was the Empress Dowager's dignity at stake; why rush to deal with it?
Lianrui, seemingly oblivious to the expressions around her, curtsied and withdrew.
Consort Shu, in high spirits, led the various concubines with differing expressions to the Cining Palace.
Upon their arrival, Consort Shu led the courtiers to pay respects.
The Empress Dowager, with a quick glance, asked, "Which one is Ning Guiren? Step forward, let this old body take a look."
The atmosphere became tense.
Consort Shu stepped forward and replied, "Ning Guiren said she was unwell and thus unable to pay her respects to you, Your Majesty…"
The palace fell silent.
The eunuchs and palace maids of Cining Palace were all in shock.
The Empress Dowager herself froze for a moment before her face turned crimson with rage!
How dare she fail to show respect to her? This was a blatant slap to her face!
In front of the entire harem, this woman did not even acknowledge her, the Empress Dowager!
If she did not punish her severely, wouldn't that send the message that the Empress Dowager and the Xue family were weak and easily trampled upon?
"This is the first time I have seen such an ill-mannered woman!" The Empress Dowager's face darkened.
Xue Jieyu stepped forward, taking over the conversation, "Aunt, Ning Guiren's disrespect towards the Empress Dowager deserves to have her title revoked and be sent to the Cold Palace."
"Consort Shu, go, take her to the Cold Palace," the Empress Dowager commanded coldly.
The Emperor had been chosen by the Xue and Cen families. The Empress Dowager held power and influence, and as the emperor's biological mother, even he had to show respect to her.
What could a mere noblewoman do?
The crime of not paying respects could either be trivial or severe. If left unpunished, it would appear that she had no regard for the Empress Dowager, showing ingratitude and disrespect. Such a person was unworthy of being a concubine and should be removed.
Consort Shu glanced at Cen Jieyu, who said nothing, and then obediently received her orders.
Though the Xue and Cen families were at odds, they had an unspoken understanding to remove any third party that might cause trouble.
Consort Shu, accompanied by a group of eunuchs, surrounded Lingxue Pavilion.
The eunuchs and palace maids in attendance were frightened out of their wits.
"Miss—" Lianrui hurriedly looked at Ning Wan Yin. Though she would follow her mistress' every command without question...
She was deeply unsettled about not paying respects to the Empress Dowager.
"No need to worry, help me up to pay my respects to Consort Shu," Ning Wan Yin said, having only rested for a short while. Her expression was languid and she looked unwell.
The maid Dan Li was beside herself with worry. Was this really about paying respects to Consort Shu? They were about to send her to the Cold Palace!
Who knew whether the Empress Dowager would show mercy, or if they would face punishment for not attending to her properly?
The faint morning light illuminated the Lingxue Pavilion, the windows clear and spotless.
The woman in a pale lotus-colored gown casually gathered her dark hair, walking out with the support of a palace maid.
She had not applied any makeup, and though there was a trace of exhaustion in her brows and eyes, it was clear she possessed a natural beauty.
Consort Shu cast a glance at Ning Wan Yin, thinking to herself: This is indeed a beauty, but the harem was never lacking in such beauties, and countless others had been buried without a trace.
"Your servant pays respects to Consort Shu. I am humbled by your personal visit," Ning Wan Yin said with a smile.
Consort Shu, too lazy to exchange words with this foolish woman, coldly responded, "The Empress Dowager has issued an edict. You failed to show respect, and you are to be sent to the Cold Palace for reflection!"
Ning Wan Yin feigned surprise, "Consort Shu, what do you mean? I have always shown respect to the Empress Dowager."
"You are arrogant and disrespectful, failing to pay your respects. This is grave disobedience!" the head eunuch from Cining Palace shouted angrily.
Ning Wan Yin looked innocent, "I am unwell and meant no disrespect. Moreover, His Majesty relieved me of the duty to pay my respects... Should I not follow His Majesty's wishes? Is that what you mean, Consort Shu?"
Consort Shu was momentarily speechless. How audacious, using the Emperor's casual words as a shield...
Was this arrogance or foolishness?
She refused to engage in the matter, "I have no such intentions. I am merely acting on the Empress Dowager's command."
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached from outside. Wang Degui, leading a group of eunuchs, rushed in and, upon seeing the scene, quickly knelt to offer his respects:
"This servant greets Consort Shu, Ning Guiren. I apologize for my incompetence in failing to convey His Majesty's command to the Empress Dowager in time. His Majesty has issued an edict that Ning Guiren, having served His Majesty, is excused from paying her respects today. Please, Empress Dowager, show mercy."
Wang Degui bowed deeply towards Consort Shu, "I am deeply sorry for the misunderstanding. Ning Guiren never intended disrespect, and she was merely following the Emperor's orders. It was my fault for not explaining the matter sooner."
Of course, the truth was...
The Emperor had only given the order after hearing that Cining Palace was sending someone to seize Ning Wan Yin. He had wanted Wang Degui to deliver the message.
A servant could hardly admit to the Emperor's negligence. Instead, he had to claim that he was simply slow.
Wang Degui thought to himself: The Emperor didn't seem to have forgotten. It appeared that he had purposely let the Empress Dowager make her move, only to strike back later.
Consort Shu's previously indifferent expression grew more serious upon seeing Wang Degui.
So this was His Majesty's wish.
She had known for some time that the Emperor was at odds with both the Xue and Cen families.
Years ago, upon his ascension, the Emperor had subtly suggested that she distance herself from the Cen family. After all, her family only had a marital connection with them and was not bound by blood.
With her son and her power, she was the best candidate to suppress both the Xue and Cen families in the harem.
But Consort Shu feigned ignorance.
Her position was secure; why take risks?
A wise person always stays in the shadows, letting others fight while reaping the benefits, without standing in the line of fire.
It seemed that Ning Guiren had been chosen to play the Emperor's game.
Consort Shu glanced at Ning Wan Yin again, almost having mistaken her for a fool.
But now she saw that everything had been planned with the Emperor's full cooperation.
Yet being a pawn was no easy feat.
One misstep, and it could mean death.
She had the courage to be a target, but did she have the wits to survive?
Consort Shu naturally wouldn't interfere with the Emperor and Empress Dowager's conflict. She swept a cold glance over Ning Wan Yin, then smiled at Wang Degui:
"Your words are too much. Since His Majesty has issued an edict, I will return to report to the Empress Dowager."
Consort Shu, her expression unchanged, turned and climbed into the palanquin. The head eunuch of Cining Palace, however, shot Ning Wan Yin a furious, venomous glare.
After paying his respects to Ning Wan Yin, Wang Degui hastened to Cining Palace.