Only Lian Yan knew why her mistress was angry. She couldn't help but sigh softly. These people had all been brought into the palace by her mistress, and now they had failed to achieve their aims and suffered losses.
"Your Highness, forget it. Anger is bad for your health. Don't you have the Prince? No matter how much the Emperor favors those women, as long as they give birth to a prince, they can rise in status through their son.
The men in this harem are all unreliable. Look at the Empress; she is so beautiful and helped the Emperor conquer this vast empire, yet the Emperor still takes new consorts and doesn't even spare the Empress a glance. What about you?"
When Ximen Xinyue heard this, her expression became dark and unfathomable, and her mouth was filled with bitterness.
Lian Yan had no idea that the Emperor's heart only held that one woman. He had no other women in his heart.
As for the one in the palace, he was merely a lustful man.
"Let's go. We'll go and see Consort Mei, that woman."
"Your Highness?"
Lian Yan spoke quickly. Consort Mei was favored, so why did her mistress need to see her? Wouldn't going just be asking for trouble? If that woman was favored, would she even deign to look at her mistress? Why should her mistress suffer unnecessarily?
"Your Highness, it's better to ignore her."
"No, it's better to go and try to win her over," Ximen Xinyue said with a smile, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
Did that woman think she was so great just because she was favored? There was still her mistress and the Empress in this palace.
Lian Yan dared not say anything more and quickly led several eunuchs and palace maids towards Wende Palace...
Meanwhile, Feng Luan Palace also received the news. Early in the morning, Xiao Yu'er was pacing back and forth in the sleeping chambers, a calculating look on her face. After breakfast, she asked Qing Yao for instructions, "Mother, shall I go and talk to that woman?"
"Mm, alright, but be careful."
Qing Yao nodded in agreement. She had already ordered Bing Xiao to search inside and outside Jianyang Palace for the Emperor's whereabouts. As soon as the Emperor was found, he would be brought out of the palace, and they would also leave as soon as possible.
As for the throne, as long as the Emperor was alive, that man would be overthrown.
Qing Yao looked up at Mo Chou beside her. "Protect the Princess well. If anyone dares to harm the Princess, beat them soundly." She refused to believe that man dared to confront her directly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
With her mother's words, Xiao Yu'er's confidence grew. Thinking of what her father, the Emperor, might be suffering at that moment, she felt a surge of anger. Today, she would not let this group of people have an easy time...
Xiao Yu'er, accompanied by Mo Chou and the eunuchs and palace maids of Feng Luan Palace, headed towards Wende Palace with great momentum.
Along the way, the eunuchs and palace maids bowed respectfully, but they received no pleasantries. The little one, with her handsome eyes narrowed in a serious expression, spoke arrogantly, "Scram."
The two groups of people made their way grandly towards Wende Palace.
The eunuchs outside Wende Palace had already flashed into the hall to report to Consort Mei.
"Your Highness, Consort Shu and the little Princess are here."
Consort Mei, dressed in a vibrant palace gown, was still languid like a Persian cat after receiving the Emperor's favor all night. She lazily batted her long eyelashes and threw a petulant tantrum.
"Let them come. What are you panicking about? Do you think they can eat this palace? Don't forget, in the palace, the Emperor is supreme."
Consort Mei's meaning was clear to everyone; she had the Emperor's backing and feared nothing.
Inside Wende Palace, the jealous concubines watched with eager anticipation.
Those who had intended to leave earlier were no longer in a hurry. Consort Shu was a good person and treated them sisters well, but the little Princess was said to be difficult to deal with.
When the Emperor wanted to take a new consort, she had stepped forward to stop him. Now that she was here, it was likely not good news?
Several women exchanged glances and smiled, looking at Sima Lan Mei on her high seat. Her happiness was too overt, inciting everyone's jealousy.
The eunuch in Wende Palace, hearing Consort Mei's words, slowly retreated. Not long after.
The eunuch's voice rang out: "Consort Shu has arrived."
In the main hall, everyone stood up and respectfully greeted Ximen Xinyue, "Greetings, Consort Shu."
"Rise," Ximen Xinyue nodded. Her voice was soft and charming. She raised her head to look at Sima Lan Mei on the upper seat. This woman, relying on her favor, hadn't even moved. She just smiled charmingly, "Sister has come. Please sit quickly. My body is weak and I cannot move. I hope sister will forgive me."
Ximen Xinyue's eyes darkened slightly, and she smiled gracefully. "Sister is deeply favored by the Emperor and was tired yesterday, so please sit."
Without dwelling on it, she gracefully sat to the side, and a palace maid immediately served tea.
All the concubines looked at Consort Shu, guessing why she had come.
Judging by the scene before them, she didn't seem angry with Consort Mei. On the contrary, she appeared happy for Consort Mei. The concubines couldn't help but admire Consort Shu.
Consort Shu truly had grace. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a generous heart. In contrast, Consort Mei, as soon as she was favored, became arrogant.
Sister Xinyue was already carrying a royal child, yet she wasn't like this. Because of this, everyone from the bottom of their hearts began to ostracize Consort Mei, their gazes filled with disdain.
At this moment, Ximen Xinyue's gentle voice sounded.
"I have come to instruct Consort Mei. Although you have gained the Emperor's favor, you must not be arrogant when walking in the palace, because our palace is not only inhabited by me, but also by the Empress and the little Princess.
The little Princess does not agree with the Emperor taking new consorts. In the future, you must avoid her when you see her. She is not someone who is easy to deal with."
As soon as Ximen Xinyue finished speaking, the faces of the concubines changed, and they dared not be careless. Only Consort Mei on the upper seat looked dismissive.
Wasn't she just a child? Looking at Consort Shu's solemn demeanor, she was making a mountain out of a molehill, trying to scare her? She wouldn't fall for it. Her fair face was tinged with a rosy smile.
"Thank you for your concern, sister. But the Princess is just a child, and the Emperor will tolerate her antics."
Ximen Xinyue's lips curved into a smile. Women, as soon as they climbed into the Emperor's bed, thought they had conquered the entire world.
Did she forget that the Princess's biological mother was the Empress? The Empress was no ordinary person in Xian Yue, and the common people highly revered the Empress.
Did she think the Emperor would offend the Empress for her sake? Unless he could kill the Empress in one move, he would never trouble her.
Ximen Xinyue gracefully reached for the tea on the nearby high table and took a gentle sip. She was still waiting to watch the show, and she suspected the Princess would not let her off easily.
As she was lost in thought, the eunuch's voice echoed from outside the palace: "The Princess has arrived."
All the concubines were stunned and involuntarily stood up.
Only Consort Mei remained seated on the upper seat, unmoving.
Of course, Ximen Xinyue also did not move. She was Consort Shu, carrying a royal child, so she naturally wouldn't pay attention to that little girl. As for these concubines who were not favored, it was different.
A small figure walked in through the main hall door. Her hair was styled in a princess bun, adorned with pink pearl flowers studded with gems, making her little face look rosy and vibrant. Her skin was as tender and delicate as a dew-kissed flower bud. Her large eyes blinked, and her eyes and eyebrows were exactly like the Emperor's, as if cast from the same mold. Even her lips were very similar.
They formed a thin, attractive arc, but at this moment, they were tightly pursed. Her entire face showed no hint of a smile, and a cold aura emanated from her. Her dark eyes walked in, followed by a group of eunuchs and palace maids.
The little girl appeared imposing. In her hand, she held a black, very thick horsewhip, which she wound around her arm, appearing casual, but it made people's hearts tremble, and they dared not be careless.