In the afternoon, she heard the palace maid come to report that Prince Ning's wife wanted to see her, so she ordered Yun Xiangye to come in.

Yun Xiangye entered Fengyi Palace and saw Ye Wanhe, who was still dressing. She said, "Sister, there are rumors out there that His Majesty hasn't been to the harem for four or five days."

Ye Wanhe looked at Yun Xiangye and shook her head helplessly, "I know that the gossips in the palace are uncontrollable, but if Your Majesty doesn't enter the harem for four or five days, what good rumors can there be?"

Yun Xiangye said, "These past two days, rumors have been circulating that you're jealous and that you gave fifty lashes to a beautiful palace maid who served tea to His Majesty. His Majesty is already disgusted with you. These rumors are far-fetched."

Yun Xiangye didn't believe that Ye Wanhe would hit a palace maid.

Ye Wanhe was born a palace maid. Since she became the queen, she has given the palace maids many conveniences, such as allowing them to meet with their families every month.

The rule of leaving the palace at the age of 25 was changed to leaving the palace at the age of 23.

A lot of palace maids and eunuchs were reduced in number, their salaries were increased, and there was even a system where palace maids also had female officials. Many palace maids would get a position as a female official with a rank when they left the palace. In this way, they would not be bullied by their families after leaving the palace.

There was even a matchmaking agency specifically set up for palace maids to introduce good husbands to those palace maids who left the palace.

Yun Xiangye didn't think Ye Wanhe would treat the palace maids so harshly.

Ye Wanhe said helplessly, "The rumors outside the palace are nonsense. It was Your Majesty who gave that maid fifty lashes. How could I be so vicious? It's just a rumor."

Yun Xiangye said, "I heard from Gu Yan that Your Majesty hasn't come to the harem for four or five days. Yesterday and today, ministers wrote to Your Majesty, asking Him to prioritize the royal bloodline and hold a grand selection. These court officials are trying to persuade Your Majesty to select a concubine whenever they get the chance."

Ye Wanhe smiled faintly and said, "With the Empress Dowager's last words that no selection of concubines is allowed, how could His Majesty choose a selection of concubines? Don't worry."

Yun Xiangye looked at Ye Wanhe and said, "But at the morning court today, His Majesty didn't rebuke the Minister of Rites who petitioned His Majesty to take a concubine. Instead, he said they would discuss it later... Sister, although my grandmother left a will that her descendants not take concubines, if His Majesty wants to take a concubine now, this will cannot be construed."