When the concubines came to pay their respects today, the Empress Dowager had already woken up, but seeing that Nan Zhiyun was still sleeping soundly, she couldn't bear to disturb her.

Moreover, whenever the Empress Dowager thought of the suffering Nan Zhiyun endured in the palace, and those concubines who only knew how to cause trouble, she would get angry. So she simply made them wait outside, and no one even let them into the Cining Palace.

It had just snowed outside, and in the freezing morning air, standing for half an hour straight had left the group quite chilly. Although everyone had their complaints, no one dared to voice them openly. The Empress Dowager dared to disregard even the Emperor's dignity; what were they compared to her?

After Nan Zhiyun finished dressing and tidying up, another half hour passed, so they waited outside for about an hour before the Empress Dowager called them in.

Led by the Imperial Concubine, the concubines stood in several rows according to their rank. The Cixi Palace did not allow them to act recklessly, so everyone kept their expressions well controlled and dared not show any dissatisfaction.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" a palace maid announced.

Then everyone saw Nan Zhiyun helping the Empress Dowager out from inside, chatting and laughing. What's even more outrageous is that the Empress Dowager actually pulled Nan Zhiyun to sit next to her.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager," the Imperial Concubine led everyone in bowing. She hadn't been feeling well lately, and after standing like that for a while, her complexion wasn't good either.

"Hmm," the Empress Dowager said casually, but did not call them to rise. When she looked at them, the smile on her face completely disappeared.

"I was a little tired yesterday, so I went to bed a little late. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," the Empress Dowager said.

"Your Majesty, we are too kind. It is we who have disturbed Your Majesty's rest," the Imperial Concubine replied.

"She does have some self-awareness," the Empress Dowager said bluntly, which surprised everyone. Even Nan Zhiyun looked at the Empress Dowager.

"Although I am not in the palace, I am not entirely unaware of what is happening there. Consort, since you hold the Phoenix Seal, you have the responsibility to manage the harem. But look at the state of your management!" No one expected that the Empress Dowager's first act upon returning would be to directly reprimand her.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is right; it was my dereliction of duty," the Consort said, seemingly unashamed. The Empress Dowager gave her a deep look before looking away.

"Where is Consort Yin?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty, I am here," Consort Yin (Yin Xiuyi) replied. (Previous context: She had ridiculed Nan Zhiyun on her first visit to the Imperial Concubine, and the next day, Yu Jingchen demoted her to the rank of Consort Yin for disrespecting the Imperial Concubine.)

"Why did you go to the back? And your attire is incorrect." The Empress Dowager acted as if she really didn't know.

"Your Highness..." Consort Yin's face flushed red.

"What? Are you mute when I ask you a question?" The Empress Dowager suddenly unleashed her fury.

"No, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I just..." Consort Yin was about to say something, but the Empress Dowager had already become impatient.

"Has the harem turned upside down since I left the palace? Everyone here doesn't respect me at all. Today I'll see if I, the Empress Dowager, still have any standing. Take her out and make her kneel outside. She's not allowed to get up without my order." The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the table.