Changxin Palace, the residence of the current Empress Dowager.
To the north of the six palaces, the terrain is secluded, far from the noisy harem, surrounded by independent walls, with blooming flowers inside and outside the walls.
Although it is October, all kinds of precious flowers and plants are still blooming gracefully, in a riot of colors, and with a gentle breeze, a wave of intoxicating fragrance drifts by.
This place was specially built for the Empress Dowager, a place suitable for the elderly to recuperate.
The palace eaves, built with glazed golden walls, resemble rolling clouds, with majestic and luxurious white jade railings. In front of the palace gate, the trees are lush, and exotic flowers bloom brilliantly. Palace maids in ornate dresses shuttle back and forth, creating a lively scene.
In the inner hall, a large red carpet is spread in the center, with golden threads depicting phoenixes flying among flowers. Wafting wisps of sandalwood incense, vibrant red silk gauze floats, creating a luxurious and grand atmosphere.
At the head of the hall, on a luxurious phoenix chair inlaid with gold and jade, sits a woman with enchanting eyes. Her peach blossom eyes are slightly narrowed, exuding charm, and her skin is smooth and radiant, like fine ancient jade.
Her thin lips are now tightly pursed, indicating her extreme displeasure. Her cold face sweeps across the hall towards a woman sobbing softly on one side.
That woman is Consort Lan, and the woman exuding charm at the head of the hall is none other than the current Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Guang. Judging by her appearance alone, it is difficult to imagine that she is the birth mother of the current Emperor, Ye Lan Zhi.
Indeed, she lives up to her reputation as the most beautiful woman in Yan capital of those years, with beauty that could overturn cities and a peerless countenance.
"Why are you crying? You can't even handle a fool, and you still have the nerve to cry."
The Empress Dowager reprimanded her sharply. With her jade-like fingers, manicured with red nail polish, she lazily accepted the fragrant tea offered by a nearby palace maid, her peach blossom eyes filled with annoyance.
Hearing the Empress Dowager's tone, Consort Lan dared not be presumptuous and whispered.
"Don't underestimate her because she's foolish; she's incredibly strong. This servant couldn't beat her."
"A fool has a fool's strength, that's natural. But why did you go looking for her?"
The swirling mist lightly stirred, and a pair of clear, cold eyes were hidden in the haze, yet there was a dangerous glint within them. Although she turned a blind eye to many things in the palace, it did not mean she paid no attention to anything. Moreover, if their actions were to reach the ears of the Regent Yun Mo, it would likely bring them trouble.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Consort Lan paused, her eyes flickering uncertainly. She dared not say that she had gone to see if the Empress was dead, or that she had broken the fool's jade hairpin, for fear of not being well-received.
Just as she was contemplating a strategy, a young eunuch ran in from outside the hall and respectfully reported.
"Reporting to Her Imperial Majesty, Consort De has arrived?"
"Why is she here?" The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, glancing knowingly at Consort Lan below. It seemed that what Consort Lan had done was related to Su Xue.
Consort De, Ye Su Xue, was the Empress Dowager's niece and the Empress's cousin. She was deeply favored by the Emperor and was one of the most currently favored consorts.
The Empress Dowager doted on her niece immensely, hence Consort De held more prestige in the palace than any other consort.
Moreover, everyone knew that the position of Empress would eventually fall to the Ye family, it was only a matter of time. How long could a fool survive in the palace?
"Let her in," the Empress Dowager handed the white jade tea caddy to a nearby palace maid and waved her hand.
The young eunuch immediately retreated. Soon, a delicate and alluring figure appeared at the entrance of the hall. She was wearing a silver-vermilion huanhe long dress, making her look like a streak of rosy clouds.
She wore a pale green cloak embroidered with hidden bamboo over it. The white and red complemented each other, making her stunningly beautiful. Her eyebrows were like soaring clouds, her eyes like shooting stars, and a hint of shrewd wisdom flickered in her pupils. She walked into the hall calmly and gracefully, and respectfully bowed.
"Your humble subject pays respects to Mother Empress."
The Empress Dowager at the head of the hall nodded with satisfaction. Looking at her outstanding and intelligent niece, she felt immeasurable pride. Which other woman in the harem could compare to Su Xue? The position of Empress would surely belong to the Ye family sooner or later. Thinking of this, her mood greatly improved.
"Rise, and come sit beside Mother Empress."
"Thank you, Mother Empress."
Ye Su Xue knew that her aunt doted on her, but she never took advantage of it. She did not monopolize the Emperor. There were many consorts in the harem, and the Emperor's favor was distributed evenly. As long as no one was exclusively favored, that was all that mattered. This was what her aunt was most pleased with and also the reason for her favor.
As Ye Su Xue rose to her feet, Consort Lan, standing to the side of the hall, swayed over and paid her respects.
"Greetings, Consort De."
"No need," Ye Su Xue extended her hand and gently supported Consort Lan. After Consort Lan stood up, Ye Su Xue clearly saw her disfigured face and could not help but exclaim.
"Consort Lan, your face?"
Consort Lan, who had just stood up, heard Consort De's concerned words and knelt down again, weeping. "Consort De, you must uphold justice for your humble subject. The Empress struck me."
"That fool?"
Ye Su Xue seemed incredulous. That fool had always been timid and incompetent, and utterly foolish. The fact that she had actually struck someone was difficult for her to believe.
Just as Consort Lan was about to say something, the Empress Dowager on the raised seat's expression darkened. She let out a cold cough, and the two immediately regained their composure. Ye Su Xue walked past Consort Lan to the phoenix chair at the head of the hall and said softly.
"Mother Empress?"
The Empress Dowager reached out and pulled Ye Su Xue to sit beside her. Her clear voice carried a hint of reproach. "Su Xue, are you too impatient? I have already heard about what happened yesterday."
"Mother Empress, your humble subject knows her mistake. That is why I sent Consort Lan to Jinhua Palace today to see if the Empress was alright. I was even thinking that if the Empress fell ill, I would definitely summon the imperial physician to examine her."
Ye Su Xue spoke with a mix of truth and falsehood. She knew her aunt was very shrewd, and trying to play tricks under her nose would likely be futile. Therefore, she mixed truth with falsehood to make it impossible to discern.
Consort Lan, below, immediately echoed Ye Su Xue's words with fervent agreement.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. It was on Consort De's orders that I went to visit the Empress. Who knew the Empress would hit me? Your Majesty must uphold justice for your humble subject." Consort Lan began to cry again. The Empress Dowager cast a sideways glance at her niece, her pupils darkening slightly. She said nothing more, only coldly stating.
"Stop that wailing; it's unbecoming."
As soon as the Empress Dowager's voice fell, another young eunuch rushed in from outside the hall and quickly announced.
"Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty, Empress's maid Xiu Xiu has arrived and wishes to seek an audience with Your Imperial Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Lan's expression changed, her pupils flickering nervously. She was clearly guilty. If the matter of her breaking the jade hairpin reached the Empress Dowager's ears, she feared she would not escape punishment, and her heart was filled with apprehension, her nerves taut.
"Her? Let her in," the Empress Dowager's voice sounded out...