In the great hall, the Empress, dressed in pure elegance, curtsied gracefully, her demeanor exceedingly refined. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty. May I inquire why you summoned your humble consort?"
Upon seeing the Empress, the man seated at the head of the hall felt his anger subside by a fraction. He slowly, deliberately, spoke, "Empress, look at the daughter you have raised. Princess, at such a young age, to be so disrespectful of order, so spoiled and willful, to come to the Wen De Palace and strike people – what kind of behavior is that? You have also endangered Consort Shu's dragon seed. If Consort Shu suffers any mishap, how do you expect me to punish her?"
The Emperor's eyes gleamed, fixed intently on the woman below.
All the consorts watched the Empress. Ximen Xinyue's lips curved into a smile. Seeing this woman so adept at resolving the present crisis brought her great comfort, yet she still clutched her stomach and moaned, feigning great pain.
Qingyao surveyed the hall, her gaze finally landing on Xiao Yu'er. She quickly withdrew it, laughing unrestrainedly, as radiant as a fragrant flower, eclipsing everyone in the hall.
The Emperor's pupils darkened. This woman was indeed beautiful, but she was a poisonous bloom. Otherwise…
However, none of this was possible. If she were to approach him, he feared she might reveal tell-tale signs. Therefore, he could not keep her. But this had to be handled with utmost subtlety, lest it incite the wrath of all under heaven.
"Is Your Majesty implying that I am to blame?" Qingyao asked, her voice calm. "Actually, this matter should be blamed on Your Majesty himself."
"Blame me?" Confusion flickered across the handsome face, his pupils deepening. He watched the woman below without expression as she spoke with a gentle countenance.
"Your Majesty promised her that you would not take another concubine into the palace and that you would dote on her. To go back on your word afterwards is one thing, but now to blame the Princess – is this not Your Majesty's fault? Has Your Majesty forgotten that day?"
Qingyao narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze sharp and piercing, flashing with cold light. The man at the head of the hall was immediately rendered speechless.
He had not expected that man to dote on this daughter so much; it was truly beyond his expectations. Yet, it was not entirely unexpected. Was he not also wholeheartedly fond of this woman? If not for his deep obsession, he might not have had the chance to get close to her.
"I naturally remember the promise I made to her. However, it was the Empress who agreed to take concubines, so Xiao Yu'er should not blame her Imperial Father for going back on his word."
The Emperor's voice slowly rose, his benevolent image instantly restored. The women below exchanged glances. They had seen the Emperor's anger earlier, and now, in an instant, he was no longer angry and was speaking so gently to the Princess.
Qingyao offered a faint, noncommittal smile. This man was truly shameless. To desire illicit pleasure and then shift the blame onto her was the height of depravity.
"So, it is not Imperial Father's fault?"
Xiao Yu'er blinked, her expression seemingly one of deep contemplation. She propped her chin with her small hand, tilting her head.
At this moment, the Imperial Physician was summoned. The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. He truly dreaded facing these two mother and daughter. They were the ones that person loved most deeply, and they held many secrets and knowledge unknown to him. If he were to delve deeper, he feared he might uncover tell-tale signs.
Therefore, upon seeing the Imperial Physician enter, he immediately commanded in a deep voice, "Quickly, examine Consort Shu and see if her dragon seed is in any danger."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Physician dared not be careless, quickly stepping forward to feel Consort Shu's pulse. Ximen Xinyue groaned intermittently, appearing to be in great pain.
Qingyao paced forward, her clear pupils filled with cold light. She spoke with elegant grace, "Imperial Physician, is there no problem with Consort Shu's dragon seed?"
She emphasized the words "dragon seed" with particular weight. The Imperial Physician trembled slightly and quickly rose to reply, "Reporting to Your Ladyship, Consort Shu's abdomen is unharmed. Your Ladyship may rest assured."
"That is good."
Qingyao turned back to face the man at the head of the hall, a radiant smile gracing her lips. "Your Majesty, since Consort Shu is unharmed, may I take the Princess back for strict discipline?"
"Go back."
The Emperor's expression softened slightly. He waved his hand, feeling relieved. Although the women before him suffered some losses, it was better than revealing his own flaws. Moreover, this woman still seemed angered by his taking concubines, and her current demeanor was not entirely unexpected. However, he needed to find a way quickly to dispose of her naturally.
Qingyao led Xiao Yu'er and Mochou away. A chorus of disappointed cries erupted from within the hall: "Your Majesty, is it acceptable that the Princess struck this concubine?"
And Ximen Xinyue's cry: "Your Majesty, the Princess's servants also struck people?"
The man seated on the high throne looked sullen. He abruptly stood up. Today, he had suffered a setback in front of these women. Already furious, these women were still clamoring incessantly, which was truly infuriating.
He flicked his dragon sleeves and said in a low, stern voice, "Disperse, all of you. The Empress will discipline the Princess."
With that, his tall figure strode out. In the great hall, several faces changed, but they dared not say more. The newly arrived consorts immediately bid farewell to Ximen Xinyue and Consort Mei and returned to their respective palaces.
The great hall of Wen De Palace was soon left with only Ximen Xinyue and Consort Mei. Ximen Xinyue waved her hand, dismissing the eunuchs and palace maids, including the Imperial Physician. The hall fell silent.
Ximen Xinyue stood and walked over, helping Lan Mei to a seat. "Is Sister well? Do not overthink things. The little princess is simply a bit willful; you should avoid provoking her in the future."
"Does Your Majesty truly intend to turn a blind eye to this?"
Consort Mei's resentment was unquenchable. Did they really have to be continuously oppressed by that little girl? She was unwilling. How could His Majesty treat them like this?
"You know the Empress's capabilities. She is a great contributor who has aided Your Majesty. How could Your Majesty punish her for the Princess's single mistake?"
Ximen Xinyue appeared gentle and virtuous, her face like the bright moon, a faint, watery smile suggesting genuine concern for Consort Mei.
Consort Mei tightly grasped her hand and said angrily, "I will not let this go unanswered. I refuse to believe that a mere young girl can overturn the heavens. Can it be that Your Majesty allowed her to act presumptuously once and will allow her to do so a second time?"
Listening to Consort Mei's words, Ximen Xinyue's pupils were filled with mirth. She slowly stood up. "Sister, rest assured and do not think too much. Do not provoke the little princess. Sister is doing this for your own good."
"Thank you, Sister."
Consort Mei stood and escorted Ximen Xinyue to the palace gate. She then turned back into the inner hall to change her clothes. The incident of the little princess striking the consorts quickly spread throughout the entire imperial palace. Everyone in the palace knew that the princess born of the Empress was willful, arrogant, and overbearing, feared by all. No one dared to provoke her, let alone the consorts. How could they, the eunuchs and palace maids, dare?