Jingren Palace.

After the magpie watched as the Empress recounted the day's events, the Empress nodded indifferently: "She's useless too. She went to complain, but in the end, she was demoted herself."

Magpie lowered her head and said, "At first, the Emperor didn't say anything. Later, when the Imperial Noble Consort arrived, the Emperor got angry and tried to send Consort Qi away. When Consort Qi refused to leave, the Emperor demoted her rank."

The Empress frowned immediately: "It's that Sang Jiang again! I knew the Emperor never interfered in the affairs of the harem, how could he suddenly get involved?"

The magpie looked angry, lowered its head, and dared not speak.

After a long pause, the Empress continued, "Alright, I understand. Let's leave it at that for now. Go and summon Consort Chen."

"Yes, I'll go right away." Magpie replied and turned to leave.

The Empress glanced at Lin, the old nanny behind her: "Nanny, what do you think of this matter?"

Lin Mama stepped forward and looked at her: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort is currently in the limelight. This old servant thinks we should be patient and deal with her after her popularity has subsided."

The Empress turned around and thought for a long time before slowly nodding: "You're right. I've endured it all these years, and there's nothing I can't endure these few days."

...

Changchun Palace.

Just as Consort Qi arrived, Yang Qi came out after delivering the imperial edict.

Yuanyuan smiled and slipped a purse into Yang Qi's hand before smiling and seeing him off.

When she saw Consort Qi storming in, she gave Yang Qi an apologetic smile and hurried over: "This servant greets Consort Qi and pays her respects."

After saying that, she returned to Yang Qi's side and said with a smile, "I'm so sorry, Lord Yang."

Yang Qi frowned and looked at her: "Miss Yuanyuan, what do you mean by this?"

He didn't understand why she would rush to pay her respects to Consort Qi, who was so far away. Was it just to show off? Or to ridicule her?

His gaze towards Yuanyuan changed instantly.

He had assumed that Consort Shen was the kind of person who didn't compete or fight for anything, and that the palace maids were the same way. He just didn't expect that things would start like this as soon as she was promoted.

Yuanyuan understood his meaning. She looked at Yang Qi and said with a smile, "Lord Yang, you may not know this, but Consort Qi said that whenever I see her, I must pay my respects to her, even if I have to drive from afar. Otherwise, she will make us suffer."

Yang Qi frowned even more deeply. He looked at Yuan Yuan and said, "Your master is already in the position of master, why do you still need to be mindful of her feelings?"

"This servant...this servant..." Yuan Yuan lowered her head, her hand unconsciously touching her wrist.

Yang Qi immediately understood. He looked at Yuan Yuan, his tone becoming somewhat harsh: "She hit you?"

Upon hearing this, Yuanyuan reacted as if she had been electrocuted. She hurriedly looked up at Yang Qi and shook her head, saying, "No, Consort Qi never scolds us or prevents us from eating..."

As she was speaking, she suddenly covered her mouth in a panic, as if she had said something she shouldn't have.

Yang Qi's face darkened even more instantly: "How dare she do such a thing! This is outrageous!"

Yuanyuan looked at him and smiled generously: "It's alright, Lord Yang. We servants are all fine. It was only our mistress who suffered before. Things will be better from now on. Your Majesty's grace is truly boundless. We servants will never have to be afraid again."

Yang Qi nodded: "From now on, you don't need to be afraid of her. You can talk to the Emperor about anything."

The Emperor has always disliked being harsh on palace servants; this Consort Qi is truly courting death...