As the saying goes, there's no place like home.

After wandering for more than a month, Yonghu and his two brothers now miss their not-so-young brother's place.

Although staying in the brothel wasn't as comfortable as outside, at least everyone there was one of their own, so their safety was guaranteed. They, on the other hand, had suffered terribly for the past month.

After returning home, the three of them slept soundly under the covers all night. The next day, they went to Changchun Palace to keep vigil for the deceased empress.

At this moment, apart from Chen Yuwei, who was heavily pregnant, who was not present, everyone else, including the people from the Eastern Tour, were dressed in mourning clothes.

Consort Xian and Consort Hui were in charge of the interior arrangements of the Changchun Palace, while Consort Ning was in charge of the arrangements outside the palace.

The three of them hadn't rested much since last night. After all, this time she was the Empress of the Qing Dynasty, and some of the regulations were at the highest level under the Emperor's orders.

"Your Majesty, let me help you to the side to rest your feet."

Cui Rui carefully walked to Consort Xian's side and reached out to support her mistress.

Consort Xian shook her head slightly and yawned, not forgetting to cover her mouth with her hand to prevent others from seeing.

"No need. How are things going? His Majesty will be reviewing everything personally later, so there can't be any mistakes."

At least we can't openly displease the emperor. The emperor, who returned to the palace yesterday, didn't attend the morning court session today, saying that he would suspend court for three days to mourn the empress.

Regardless of whether the Emperor truly missed the Empress, he had already made such a gesture, so Consort Xian and the other concubines in the harem could only do their best to cooperate.

Cui Rui nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already made arrangements with the people from the Imperial Household Department under my command."

The Imperial Household Department was indeed being somewhat cunning. Who was Cui Rui? She had served Consort Xian for many years. Even if she was stupid, she should have learned how to control these unruly servants.

Sure enough, she handled the Imperial Household Department matters with ease. If she hadn't been a little pressed for time, she could have done even better.

But in the end, it's not a big deal; at least the Emperor will praise his master if he sees it.

While thinking to herself, Cui Rui didn't forget to tell everyone what she had done.

The two, mistress and servant, were talking in the corner when a sudden cry came from the front, drawing Consort Xian's attention.

Who dares to wail and scream here? This is the Empress's funeral, not a place for mourning.

Consort Xian coldly interrupted Cui Rui, who was about to continue speaking, and took her hand as she walked over.

Before her own people even arrived, she heard familiar, tea-related conversation.

Consort Xian: ...

"Consort Wei, what are you doing? If you're going to make a scene, find a place where no one is around!"

Consort Hui pointed at Wei Hanyu, who was crying, and gritted her teeth, thinking to herself that she had finally managed to maintain order in the hall, but then this clueless person suddenly appeared.

Everyone here works in the harem, so they all know each other's backgrounds.

Is it necessary to put on a show in front of the Queen's mourning hall? You'd be better off saving your energy. Keeping vigil is hard work; it can't be finished in just a day or two.

"Your Highness, I was just thinking of the Empress's earnest teachings, and my heart was filled with unbearable sorrow. I did not mean to cry."

While wiping away her tears, Wei Hanyu tried to explain to Consort Hui, but the more she spoke, the fewer words she uttered, and the more tears she shed, which made Consort Hui even angrier.

"Since you want to learn from the Empress's teachings, you should also know the proper order of rank and status."

Go back to your seat and cry; don't stand in the middle and get in your way.

Consort Hui did not tolerate Wei Hanyu, and after speaking, she ordered someone to pull Wei Hanyu away.

Wei Hanyu: ...

"Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for the Empress's kindness and wish to keep vigil for you."

Wei Hanyu was being pulled along as she walked, talking so loudly that people in the rows in front could hear her clearly.

Before Consort Hui could speak, Consort Xian asked, "Do you wish to stay in Changchun Palace tonight?"

They would all come to keep vigil during the day, so there was no need to mention it separately.

Wei Hanyu's words were nonsensical, and Consort Xian, fearing that he would cause trouble, simply cited palace rules.

"According to palace rules, concubines are not allowed to stay in other palaces at night."

Consort Wei, your intentions are good, but the Empress's funeral must not be performed improperly.

If you feel truly guilty, then go to the Baohua Hall more often to chant scriptures and pray for blessings. Surely, the Empress, if she knew in the afterlife, would remember you.

After speaking, Consort Xian walked to the front and knelt down to kowtow.

Seeing Consort Xian's behavior, Consort Hui turned and joined in, but as she left, she couldn't help but snort at Wei Hanyu, as if mocking the other's overestimation of her abilities.

Wei Hanyu: ...

Wei Hanyu returned to her prayer mat, holding her breath.

Consort Xian's words were correct, but Wei Hanyu's desire to keep vigil at night was also for her own benefit.

I heard that the Emperor will come to Changchun Palace in the evening to mourn the Empress.

If Wei Hanyu had performed well at this time, the Emperor would have definitely remembered her.

Wei Hanyu received the prescription from the Empress and planned to use it as soon as possible to conceive and give birth to the imperial heir. She was determined not to let these palace rules and regulations ruin her plans.

snort!

Even if Consort Xian says it won't work, she has her own ways of dealing with this.

Wei Hanyu kept her head down, pondering how to sneak into Changchun Palace at night.

The others were unaware that Wei Hanyu had such thoughts, assuming that the matter was simply dropped after being stopped by Consort Xian.

When Wei Hanyu received the Emperor's personal confirmation that he could make an exception and keep vigil at night, everyone was dumbfounded.

How was this possible? Did the Emperor summon Consort Wei without their knowledge? They hadn't received this news; wasn't the Emperor hiding in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, reminiscing about the Empress?

Various questions arose in their minds, among which Consort Xian and Consort Hui had the most unpleasant expressions.

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