Mu Wanyu had no idea how long she had been kneeling. She only felt dizzy and her body was freezing cold. She couldn't understand why, after that consciousness had occupied her body for more than a month, she had been so despised by the emperor.

Having been pampered since childhood, she was one of the four consorts, the Virtuous Consort, after entering the palace. Even the Empress dared not go against her. But what happened to her now?

She looked at the magnificent palace before her, but her body was paralyzed, trembling, and her consciousness slowly faded.

...

Knowing that Zheng San was not in Qian Yuan Palace, Consort Shu used a diversionary tactic to successfully allow Mu Wanyu to enter Qian Yuan Palace through the back door. She also temporarily distracted Zheng He'er. After confirming that Consort Xian had time to anger the Emperor, she left Qian Yuan Palace with her maids. Before leaving, she handed over the pastries prepared for the Emperor to Zheng He'er.

So when Zheng He'er went in carrying the pastries, he saw Mu Wanyu arrogantly barging into the bedroom. He was so frightened that he dropped the food box on the ground.

As soon as Consort Shu entered the Yining Palace with her palace attendants, a servant came to report that all the concubines in the harem had come to see her and were now waiting in the front hall.

Consort Shu was in a very good mood. She placed her slender hand on Caiyue's arm, and her previously smug face immediately turned into a virtuous smile: "Let's go now. Have the tea and snacks been prepared?"

The palace maid nodded and followed behind: "Your Highness, everything is ready."

Consort Shu nodded, and the moment she stepped into the front hall, she was dignified, virtuous, and proper, leaving no room for criticism.

"My dear sisters, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm late."

Upon hearing Consort Shu's voice, the concubines ceased their conversation and rose respectfully to greet her: "Your Highness, Consort Shu."

Led by Consort Li (Li Ningyu) and Lady Liu (Liu Xingchen), the rest were all concubines of lower rank; upon closer inspection, there were actually about ten of them.

Consort Shu sneered inwardly. All the women in the harem had come; it seemed that once she released this news, they couldn't sit still any longer.

Her heart was filled with sarcasm, but her face remained gentle and virtuous: "Sisters, please get up. We are all family, no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Consort Shu." The concubines thanked her and rose, then gracefully sat down, each lost in their own thoughts.

Consort Shu sat down at the head of the table, looked at the other concubines who were dressed in their finest attire, and said with a smile, "My dear sisters, what brings you here to visit me today?"

"Since Consort Shu is so free here, are we not allowed to come and ask for a cup of tea?" Consort Liu said coquettishly, which made everyone chuckle softly.

"Of course not, I would love for all of you ladies to sit together and chat. His Majesty is too busy with state affairs to attend to the inner palace," Consort Shu replied meaningfully.

"Only Consort Shu felt that the Emperor was too busy with state affairs, so she personally cooked and delivered food to him every day," Consort Li said with a hint of jealousy.

Everyone looked at her, their thoughts having been exposed, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Consort Shu did not speak, waiting for them to step forward.

"I heard that His Majesty was furious in the Imperial Garden a few days ago, and Consort Mu suffered a great deal," Consort Li said, breaking the deadlock.

"Yes, that poor Sister Mu. I wonder what she did to anger the Emperor. I've been in the palace for so many years, and I've never seen the Emperor lose his temper like that!"

"Yes, yes, but how could we possibly have the chance to see the Emperor?"

"Only Consort Shu can see the Emperor every day and bring him food every day, and the Emperor accepts it all."

Consort Shu watched the crowd chattering amongst themselves, and when the conversation turned to her, she simply smiled gently. In truth, she hadn't seen the Emperor in a long time; the last time was when Mu Wanyu fell into the water. As for the food, she knew with a grain of salt that the Emperor would never eat it.

However, everyone in the harem thought the emperor treated her specially, and that was just right; that way, they wouldn't dare to disrespect her. Thinking of this, she felt quite smug.

Consort Li remained silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Sister Consort Shu, I have heard that today, Consort Mu broke into the Emperor's bedchamber without being summoned by him, this..."

When Consort Li said this, everyone, whether they knew the answer or not, looked quite surprised.

"If Mu agrees to this, the Emperor will probably be even more furious."

"The Emperor wouldn't kill Consort Mu, would he?!"

"His Majesty should take into consideration their past relationship, after all, Consort Mu's father was His Majesty's teacher when he was in the Imperial Study."

"Should we plead for Mu? After all, we're sisters."

Consort Shu listened to their words, but on the surface, she seemed still stunned by Consort Li's words, then frowned, feigning concern:

"Consort Mu is not a bad person by nature, just a bit arrogant. She used to get along well with everyone, so it's understandable that everyone wants to plead for her. But the Emperor... as everyone knows, we can't control the Emperor's will."

"His Majesty treats Consort Shu differently from the other concubines, so I'm sure His Majesty will listen to what she says," Consort Liu said uncertainly.

Consort Shu glanced at her, already wanting to kill Consort Liu, but she looked troubled: "This... For the sake of sisterly affection, are you sisters willing to accompany me to the Qian Yuan Palace to see the Emperor and plead for Consort Mu?"

Everyone was waiting for her to say those words. Based on the idea that the law would not punish the masses, they wanted to enter the Qian Yuan Hall to see the emperor, see if the rumors in the palace that the emperor had brought back a woman were true, and also see what would happen to Mu Wanyu, since Mu Wanyu had never been a kind person.

So everyone stood up, looking righteous and awe-inspiring, and bowed gracefully: "We concubines are willing to go with Consort Shu."

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu stood up excitedly: "Since all my sisters are so devoted to Consort Mu, I'm sure His Majesty will not be so indifferent. Let's set off now without delay."

"yes."

Caiyue quickly stepped forward to help Consort Shu up, followed by more than ten concubines and palace servants. The group, each with their own ulterior motives, marched in a grand procession toward Qianyuan Palace.

When they arrived at the entrance of Qian Yuan Hall, Mu Wanyu was kneeling inside, unconscious on the cold floor tiles. They were stopped by the guards at the entrance. Zheng San, having received the news, rushed over and was quite startled to see a large group of beauties.

What wind is blowing today that has brought all the women of the harem here?

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully, a standard smile on his face: "What brings you gentlemen here? His Majesty is currently having a meal and is not available to receive you."

Consort Shu spoke gently: "It's nothing. His Majesty's meal is of utmost importance. Please inform His Majesty that I, along with my sisters, have important matters to discuss with him."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch." Several concubines spoke in a coquettish voice, which startled Zheng San. He quickly agreed and walked back.

Zheng San walked to the entrance of the sleeping quarters and whispered a few words in Zheng He'er's ear. Zheng He'er nodded: "It's nothing. You keep watch and don't let anyone barge in. The Emperor and the Master are still having their meal, so they must not be disturbed."

"Yes, Master."