The following day, Cixi Palace announced that the Empress Dowager would be focusing on Buddhist worship and would not see any guests or anyone for the time being. This was not the first time; everyone was already used to it.

The Empress Dowager used to do this, but that was a year ago. After Nan Zhiyun entered the palace, the Empress Dowager stopped doing it. Yan Qing, upon hearing this, simply instructed people to keep an eye on things and not to be negligent.

This morning, when we paid our respects, all the concubines came to Yunpeng Palace. Almost everyone had arrived except for Nan Zhiyun and the punished Consort Xian.

"Consort Shu has quite the airs; she didn't even bother to announce her arrival for the morning greetings," Consort Xu spoke first. She had already accepted her new status, and besides feeling resentful, there was nothing else she could do. (This is in contrast to the Consort De mentioned at the beginning.)

"If Consort Shu likes to sleep in late, let her be. His Majesty has already given his permission, so why should Consort Xu make a fuss?" Yan Qing said.

"Your Highness, please don't find my words unpleasant. This Consort Shu clearly doesn't respect you at all," Consort Xu added.

"Consort Xu, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute. You went from the position of Consort De to Consort, and instead of reflecting on your actions, you're talking nonsense. Are you out of your mind?" It was Consort De.

Xu Jieyu glared at her, somewhat resentful. That position should have been hers!

"What are you glaring at me for? Trying to insult me? Consort Xu, don't forget your place. I've already hit Consort Xian, do you believe I can slap you to death, you mere Consort?" Consort De retorted without backing down.

"Alright, Consort De, you're still the same old temper. I've told you to tone it down a bit." Yan Qing looked at Consort De with a helpless expression. Consort De rolled her eyes at Consort Xu, but didn't say anything more.

"Consort Shu is of delicate health and now enjoys His Majesty's exclusive favor. Consort Xu, please refrain from saying such things." This time, it was Consort Zhao who spoke. (The birth mother of the Second Princess, Yu Wan'er; she was just punished by being forced to kneel in the He'an Palace in the previous two chapters.)

"Don't worry, Consort Zhao, I certainly wouldn't shamelessly try to please Consort Shu and end up being forced to kneel at the palace gate. She is, after all, the mother of the Second Princess. Consort Zhao, you really have a hard time." Consort Xu's mouth was sharp and unforgiving.

"Heh, I wonder who was forced to kneel for a day before, and is their leg fully healed now? They were dragged out of Zichen Palace the other day." It was Consort De again.

Yan Qing glanced at her, and Consort De shrugged, looking helpless, and said, "It's not what I wanted to say, it's just that what she said was so infuriating, I couldn't help it. She doesn't talk about what she did, but only criticizes others. If I were her, I wouldn't even dare to go out. She's so shameless." Consort De really wouldn't stop.

Xu Jieyu was so angry that her face turned pale, but she didn't dare to say anything because her status was too low today.

"Your Highness... although some things are inappropriate, I feel I should still say them," Zhao Zhaorong said hesitantly.

"Consort Zhao, please speak your mind." Yan Qing always maintained a calm and collected demeanor, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts.

"His Majesty has been staying in He'an Palace recently, which is probably not appropriate. Now that Consort Zhao has the power to assist in managing the six palaces, she should also advise His Majesty," said Consort Zhao.

"If you want to curry favor, go ahead and do it yourself. Why should the Imperial Concubine go? If you don't dare to find a reason to make the Imperial Concubine go, then if His Majesty gets angry, won't the Imperial Concubine have to bear the brunt of it all? What are you all up to?" Consort De defended her again.

No one dared to confront Consort De, and now that she had said that, no one dared to speak up.