Beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared at his temples and rolled down his earlobes to the ground.

Wei Hanyu was genuinely nervous, especially in front of the Empress. No matter how well she thought things through, she couldn't overcome the overwhelming aura of the Empress.

"Alright, the reason I called you here today is to ask you if you have any grievances on your mind?"

Fucha Jinyi finally stopped arguing with Wei Hanyu and opened her mouth, which eased the atmosphere in the inner room.

Wei Hanyu was stunned for a moment, then realized that the Empress meant that she served the Emperor but had no official title.

She knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, and explained, "Your Majesty, it is my great fortune to serve the Emperor. I would never dare to have the slightest dissatisfaction."

They're not stupid; even if they're dissatisfied, they can only bury it deep in their hearts and not let anyone know.

In a feudal society where imperial power was absolute, anyone who dared to express dissatisfaction with the imperial power was truly courting death.

"Get up quickly. I'm not forcing you, but I need you to do something next."

Wei Hanyu, do you feel there's anything you're being forced to do?

Fucha Jinyi fiddled with the beautiful beaded bracelet on her wrist, casually fiddling with it as she spoke.

Wei Hanyu: ...

Wei Hanyu tried her best to make her smile more genuine. "Your Majesty, please give your orders. This servant will do anything to fulfill them."

Fucha Jinyi clapped her hands, "Good, I believe you will not disappoint me."

Come here, come to my side. This matter requires you to make some sacrifices, and I will definitely compensate you doubly in the future.

"Rest assured, if this succeeds, I will ensure you don't suffer any losses."

"..."

No one except the two of them knew what Fucha Jin Yi and Wei Han Yu had said, not even Dong Han, who had been guarding the door the whole time.

Squeak—

The tightly closed door was pushed open from the inside, and Wei Hanyu came out with a stunned expression, only to be stopped by Dong Han.

Um?

Wei Hanyu calmed herself down and said, "Aunt Donghan, Her Majesty the Empress is a little tired and has gone to bed to rest."

If there's nothing else for me, I'll take my leave now.

Winter Cold: ...

Dong Han glanced at Wei Hanyu with a puzzled look, "Are you alright just now?"

I'm so distracted, I don't know what's wrong with me.

Wei Hanyu shook her head. "This servant understands. Thank you for your concern, Aunt Donghan."

Dong Han let out a short snort from his nose and waved his hand arrogantly, "Go down."

Wei Hanyu turned around, exhaled, and quickened her pace to leave the main hall.

...

The Emperor and Empress returned from their temporary palace three days before the official start of the imperial concubine selection.

Time was of the essence, and everyone inside and outside the palace was on tenterhooks.

Fortunately, the draft was successfully held in the end, which brought the storm to an end.

Although the storm had passed, the Empress Dowager still gave him a lot of sarcastic remarks.

They deliberately chose their words to pierce the Empress's heart, almost causing her to lose control and want to start a fight with them.

No one could be so sarcastic; the Empress wished she could kill the person with her eyes.

Chen Yuwei sat aside watching the commotion, but she understood the Empress's anger and the Empress Dowager's dissatisfaction.

Even now, the Emperor has not yet agreed to allow Yonghuang to marry a member of the Empress Dowager's family.

The Empress Dowager was anxious and wished she could summon the Emperor to Cining Palace three times a day.

At this crucial moment, the Empress and the Emperor stayed in the imperial palace for so long (ignoring the beauties the Empress had pushed out).

How could the Empress Dowager not be angry? Her anger was no less than that of the Empress.

"Tch, this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are still at odds. I wonder when they'll stop arguing."

After leaving the Cining Palace, Chen Yuwei and Xia He strolled around leisurely.

Seeing that their mistresses were going further and further astray, Xia He quickly reminded them that they were on the wrong route.

“Let’s not go back to the palace, let’s just wander around,” Chen Yuwei waved her hand, her gaze falling on the pavilion hidden by trees in front of her. “Let’s go sit down for a bit.”

Xia He: ...

What could Xia He say? She could only keep up with her master and try not to fall behind.

"This servant greets Your Highness Consort Shu. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Chen Yuwei was startled to hear the greetings from someone she hadn't expected to find in such a remote place.

Her

Looking down at the palace maid who was bowing and only her head was showing, Chen Yuwei gestured for her to stand up.

"You are from Changchun Palace?"

Waqu, how come it's Wei Hanyu? Isn't this person nameless and unrecognized in Changchun Palace? How come he's allowed to walk around?

Chen Yuwei was surprised, but she maintained her calm demeanor.

Wei Hanyu was also very nervous; she had come out specifically to meet people today.

No sooner had she finished her work than she turned around and bumped into Consort Shu of Yikun Palace.

Oh my!

Oh no, oh no, Consort Shu wouldn't have told Changchun Palace about her affairs, would she?

Her fingers clenched unconsciously; Wei Hanyu was in a state of utter panic.

Finally, Wei Hanyu gritted her teeth, knelt on the ground, and begged Consort Shu for help.

Chen Yuwei: ...How strange, the future famous Consort Ling is actually kneeling in front of me begging for mercy.

"I beg Your Highness to help me. I would be eternally grateful."

"Get up first. I have no interest in discussing this matter with Changchun Palace."

However, it's difficult to explain why a lowly palace maid like you would be caught wandering around the palace by others.

Chen Yuwei served as a reminder to Wei Hanyu, because there were many people who would find fault with Changchun Palace.

Chen Yuwei is the kind of concubine who doesn't like to meddle in other people's business and focuses on her own affairs. It's quite lucky that Wei Hanyu was seen by her going out today.

If it were someone like Consort Jia or Consort Chun, Wei Hanyu would be in for a scolding from the Empress.

Wei Hanyu looked grateful and said, "Thank you very much, Your Highness."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!