Even someone as resilient as the Empress Dowager passed away in the end. It's time for the Emperor to step down and abdicate. He can't let his beloved mother be too lonely on her journey.

Chen Yuwei's plan was quite good. She instructed Xingkui to tell Consort Ning not to panic and to act according to the situation.

Consort Ning received the message and understood the result Chen Yuwei wanted.

He couldn't help but sigh at how difficult it was to be a subordinate, and then his personal maid asked him if he should go over now.

Consort Ning shook her head. "If you act too proactively, the one in Yongshou Palace might think I have some bad intentions."

"Let's wait a little longer. The timing of our arrival is crucial. If we go too early or too late, Consort Ling might become overly wary of us."

Wei Hanyu wasn't truly a fool. Even though the news of the Empress Dowager's passing disrupted her own rhythm, the many palace servants around her couldn't simply let Consort Ling do whatever she wanted.

Once Consort Ling regains her senses after running away, she will probably realize the many inappropriate things she did when she spoke to her.

Consort Ning pondered for a moment and instructed her personal maid not to leave her side for the time being.

"Let's postpone this matter for now, until Consort Ling is no longer in the mood to care about such things."

The best time would be for her to tentatively approach and test the waters then.

The personal maid nodded in agreement, while also praising her mistress for her thoughtful consideration.

Consort Ning scoffed, "What kind of thoroughness is this? I'm just prolonging Yongyue's life."

Despite having several princes in the harem, the only ones truly capable of reaching that position are those from the Yikun Palace lineage.

From the moment Yongyue left the palace as a child, Consort Ning had already suffered a complete defeat.

Although Yongyue later re-entered the palace and seemingly married and had children, and even participated in court affairs.

But if there's no opportunity, there's no opportunity, no matter how well Yongyue performs.

Moreover, with such a reputation for bringing misfortune to his father, how could Yongyue dare to excel? Did he think he wasn't conspicuous enough and wouldn't die quickly enough? Or was he just restless because the Emperor hadn't found fault with him?

Consort Ling harbored the idea that she and her son were both fools and wanted to use her. Well then, she wouldn't hesitate to repay them in kind. Since she had such malicious intentions, no one would get away with it.

"Your Majesty, you..."

The personal maid had served Consort Ning for many years and had watched her mistress go through thick and thin.

There are some things that can't be said too much, but the maid understands the hard work her mistress has put in.

Looking at his dejected master with worried eyes, he tried his best to persuade him to think more positively and not to make things difficult for himself.

Consort Ning: ...

Consort Ning felt a deep sadness, not because she needed to work for the Imperial Noble Consort to survive, but because she felt she had many grievances in this world.

Why? Because living in the imperial harem, you can't even live a peaceful and ordinary life.

Perhaps, only by getting rid of the one who caused their disputes and disrupted their lives can she have the opportunity to pursue true peace and tranquility.

"I am fine. Isn't this how life is in the harem? We are not in control of our own lives, it is perfectly normal."

After getting up, Consort Ning did not continue sitting by the window, but instead turned around and went back to her inner room to rest.

For several days in a row, Consort Ning did not leave her bedchamber, making Consort Ling, who was waiting in Yongshou Palace, feel extremely uneasy.

Once her senses returned, Consort Ling realized that her actions in stopping Consort Ning had been somewhat impulsive and risky, and she was filled with regret for it.

Before Consort Ling could finish her reflection, Consort Ning's strategy of remaining still and responding to all changes immediately made Consort Ling anxious.

"Is Consort Ning willing or not? Why is there no sign of her?"

Consort Ling pinched her fingers, turned around and called Ping'er over to ask if Consort Ning's palace was truly quiet.

Ping'er nodded, and even embellished the story of Consort Ning never leaving her quarters.

The implication was that Consort Ning was disrespectful and refused to come to Yongshou Palace.

Do they really think these empresses are made of clay? That's utterly absurd.

Consort Ling: ...

"Ping'er, that's not what I'm asking. What I'm trying to say is, is it possible that Consort Ning is deliberately playing tricks on me?"

Even Consort Ling couldn't guarantee such a possibility. Although Consort Ning was her primary target for instigation, Consort Ning's personality was too cold in the harem.

Apart from Yongyue, there was almost nothing that could cause Consort Ning to be disturbed.

Compared to Consort Qing and her son Yongxing, Consort Ning and her son Yongyue have very obvious advantages and disadvantages.

If Consort Ning succumbs to her verbal provocations and becomes ambitious enough to send Yongyue to the throne, it will be entirely beneficial to her.

Because Yongyue could never actually sit on the throne, as long as the Imperial Observatory existed, the reputation of him being a father-killer would spread, and who wouldn't suspect the possible cause of the emperor's death?

Then the question arises: Consort Ling clearly knew that Consort Ning and her son were not on good terms, and Consort Ning also knew that Yongyue's reputation as a father-killer could never be erased. Why then did Consort Ling encourage Consort Ning to do such an impossible task?

"This is the human tendency to take chances; bystanders see things clearly, while those involved are often confused."

Everyone knows that some junk foods are unhygienic and can affect health, but most of the time we still can't control our cravings.

To draw an analogy from the past, the situation is what it is, and people will always have various wishful thinkings because of their own interests.

Wei Hanyu's goal in this life was to enter the palace, become a superior person, and obtain everything.

Therefore, she valued the throne very much. After giving birth to a prince, all she cared about was the throne, and she was even willing to give up everything for it.

The other concubines who entered the palace must have had similar goals to her.

If Wei Hanyu thought this way about Consort Ning, she wouldn't see anything wrong with it, since Consort Ning also had a prince.

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