"Consort Tong," Li Jia called softly, her voice tinged with dependence.

Tong Wanyan nodded slightly, her face as cold as ice.

Dong Eshi's forehead soon became covered with a thin layer of sweat: "This servant greets Consort Tong."

"Dong'e Gege made unrestrained comments about the Crown Prince's concubine in Yuqing Palace. Is this due to Dong'e's family upbringing, or is it Consort Rong's intention?" Tong Wanyan asked sharply.

Dong E swayed and almost fell.

"Is Princess Dong'e unwell? She couldn't hold on for even a short while after the ceremony. The matrons at Chuxiu Palace taught the young ladies etiquette for much longer than this," Tong Wanyan said.

"This servant panicked for a moment, Consort Tong has misunderstood." Dong Eshi dared not admit that she was unwell.

Tong Wanyan nodded: "That's true, after all, she is someone who has gained the approval of the Emperor and Consort Rong."

"By the way, Princess Dong'e, have you heard an interesting story?" Tong Wanyan suddenly asked.

Princess Dong'e shook her head blankly: "Please instruct Consort Tong."

“A few days ago, the Third Prince met the Crown Prince but ignored him, passing by him without saying a word. When the Emperor found out, he was furious and punished the Third Prince. Princess Dong'e has not yet married the Third Prince, but her thoughts are already the same as his—disrespecting the Crown Prince. This affection is truly rare.” Tong Wanyan lowered her head and smiled faintly at Dong'e, but every word was piercing.

Dong Eshi's fair face instantly turned red, not from embarrassment, but from anger.

"Consort Tong, just now Consort Li said that there is no legitimate consort in Yuqing Palace. Is it really appropriate for you to be so aggressive?" Dong Eshi was furious and suddenly became firm.

Tong Wanyan glanced at the cup lid with her almond-shaped eyes, the luxurious nail polish stinging Dong Eshi's eyes.

“I am the Crown Prince’s first concubine, bestowed by the Emperor. Tell me, am I appropriate to say this? Do I have the right to say this?” Tong Wanyan tapped the cup lid lightly, her voice crisp.

The sudden noise made Dong Eshi's eye twitch.

"Not to mention that you are not yet the Third Prince's wife, even if you were, would I have to bow to you?" Tong Wanyan's tone was calm, but it made Dong Eshi feel a weight on her back.

"Consort Tong has misunderstood. It was a slip of the tongue. Please forgive me." Dong Eshi was startled and broke out in a cold sweat, but immediately came to her senses.

She can't be described as flexible or adaptable; it's just a deep-seated tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong.

This is not the fault of the Dong E clan. It was the previous Shunzhi Emperor who was so reckless. Even if they were from the same clan but different lineages, since they had taken the surname Dong E, they had to accept it.

One must be careful and not be too arrogant in front of royalty.

Even if one wants to turn things around, one has to wait until the one in Ning Shou Palace is gone and the new emperor ascends the throne before one can start anew.

Dong Eshi endured it all, reminding herself that fortunes change.

Once the Crown Princess enters Yuqing Palace, Tong Wanyan will be in trouble.

As Dong E thought to herself, a hint of smugness appeared in her eyes.

Tong Wanyan didn't care about her little schemes at all. She didn't even care if Yinreng would be locked up in a dilapidated courtyard until he died. What in this world could she be afraid of?

Tong Wanyan raised her hand with little interest, signaling Dong Eshi to get up.

Dong Eshi gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in her legs and back, and sat down with a gentle expression.

Tong Wanyan sat in the main seat, her demeanor dignified: "Princess Dong'e must be on a great mission to come to Yuqing Palace. Now that you've had your tea, why don't you speak your mind freely, Princess?"

Dong Eshi's emotions, which had just calmed down, were suddenly stirred up again.

She looked embarrassed, with a hint of shame: "May Consort Tong dismiss everyone else?"

Tong Wanyan looked at her without saying a word.

Li Jiashi tactfully stood up and looked at Tong Wanyan: "I just remembered that I have something to do in my courtyard, so I'll go back first."

She never once looked at Dong Eshi, completely ignoring her.

Tong Wanyan smiled kindly: "I'm sorry to have troubled you today. If you need anything, please feel free to ask Granny Ling."

Li Jia nodded gently and gave a slight nod to Ling Mama: "I can handle that little thing, I wouldn't dare trouble you, Mama."

The actions of the three people made Dong Eshi's heart tighten again.

"Is this the Crown Prince's wet nurse?" Dong E asked.

Ling Mama turned around in response: "This old servant was favored by Her Majesty the Empress and had the honor of nursing the Crown Prince for several years."

Ling Mama agreed, and Dong E Shi immediately felt dizzy.

She must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today, otherwise how could she keep offending people she shouldn't have?

Before she came, Consort Rong repeatedly instructed her to show the utmost respect to Granny Ling if she saw her. The Crown Prince respected this wet nurse very much; apart from not being her biological mother, their relationship was almost the same.

Dong Eshi pursed her lips and forced a smile, saying, "Consort Tong is very discerning. When I came, Consort Rong asked me to pass on a message. I wonder if the Crown Prince has forgiven the Third Prince?"

"The Crown Prince is the Third Prince's elder brother and the heir apparent of the Qing Dynasty. He must be a man of great ambition and wouldn't hold a grudge against the Third Prince, would he?" Dong Eshi added this sentence on her own initiative.

Tong Wanyan was delighted. No wonder Consort Rong had given birth to six children, but only the Third Prince and the Third Princess grew up.

Such words are sure to breed resentment.

Tong Wanyan smiled, and she looked absolutely beautiful.

When Dong E saw her smile, she assumed that she had forgiven her.

So, she said in a familiar and affectionate voice, "Consort Tong, you also think what this servant said is right, don't you? We are all family, why make things difficult and give the officials outside the court something to laugh at?"

"I don't know anything about this," Tong Wanyan quickly dismissed her clingy advances.

Lady Dong'e blinked: "How could you not know that the Crown Prince dotes on you? Could it be that the Crown Prince still holds a grudge against the Third Prince and refuses to forgive him?"

To avoid her words, Tong Wanyan deliberately picked up her teacup and took a sip. Unexpectedly, the woman's words were so shocking that she choked on her tea.

Even Tong Wanle wouldn't do something so stupid.

"The affairs of the previous dynasty are not for those in the inner court to concern themselves with. The master would never bring political matters to the inner court for gossip. However, thanks to Consort Dong'e, I have learned something new today." Tong Wanyan held an embroidered handkerchief and lightly touched the corner of her lips, her words full of admonition.

Tong Wanyan's words made Dong Eshi feel very uncomfortable.

The two remained silent, and for a moment the front hall was completely quiet.

Gradually, Dong Eshi realized the foolish thing she had just said.

If this gets out, she won't be able to remain the primary wife of the Third Prince, let alone an ordinary member of the imperial clan.

"Consort Tong, this servant was thinking of the family's harmony and prosperity, and thus forgot the taboo for a moment. Please forgive this servant, as you are so magnanimous. I will be more careful in the future," Dong Eshi said pitifully.

“Yuqing Palace is important, doesn’t Princess Dong’e know that? Now that you’ve come, the whole harem probably knows about it,” Tong Wanyan said.

Tears welled up in Dong'e's eyes, and she seemed somewhat at a loss: "It's alright if they know, as long as the news doesn't get out."

"Does Consort Tong intend to accuse this servant?" Dong Eshi tensed up, looking nervously at Tong Wanyan.

All the arrogance and domineering attitude of the Manchu aunties is gone; they've withered like a wilted cabbage.