"New Year's Eve is just a few days away, and all the concubines above the rank of Lady-in-Waiting will be attending the New Year's Eve banquet this year," the Empress said slowly after seeing that they were all sitting upright and proper.

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Consort Rong was surprised. She had been ridiculed as a concubine for not even attending the annual banquet. But she was still just a servant. Back then, she thought that she would become a high-ranking concubine, attend the banquet in style, and be worshipped by famous officials. Attending the banquet was the first step.

"What's so surprising? Just make sure you don't embarrass the Emperor by acting like you've never seen the world before!" Consort Tongjia said disdainfully. She knew that even though Consort Rong had given birth to the Third Prince, she wouldn't dare to challenge her.

"This concubine was merely remarking on the opportunity to attend the palace banquet and witness its grandeur. Why must Your Highness be so forceful? Isn't that a bit too harsh?"

Consort Rong used to tolerate it, but now she is not only a consort, but also the birth mother of a prince. How can she allow others to belittle and look down on her at every turn?

"This Empress..." Consort Tongjia was about to retort when she was stopped by the Empress.

"Alright, you're all sisters in the harem. What kind of behavior is this, arguing and bickering? If word gets out, it will cause discord within the harem. Isn't that a disgrace to the Emperor?"

It was driving her crazy. Every time she went to pay her respects to Consort Tongjia, she was either nitpicking or on her way to nitpick. It was truly endless!

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong and will follow Your Majesty's teachings!" Consort Rong immediately stood up and apologized. The Empress looked directly at Consort Tongjia, her meaning clear: she was waiting for Consort Tongjia to express her opinion.

"I will heed Your Majesty's teachings!" Consort Tongjia reluctantly rose and performed a hair-adjusting curtsy.

"Well, another thing is that my younger sister, Niohuru Yuya, will be staying in the palace for a while. I hope you can get along well with Princess Niohuru!"

This is what she mainly wanted to talk about today: to introduce her sister to the world, so that no one would offend her.

"This servant, Niohuru Yuya, greets all Your Highnesses and Consorts. May Your Highnesses and Consorts be blessed with good fortune and health!"

She knew why she was in the palace. She had been there for several days already. Her sister was dying, otherwise she wouldn't have been brought in to continue the family's glory.

"Greetings, Princess Niohuru. I was just wondering why there was such a dignified palace maid by the Empress's side. I didn't expect her to be the Empress's sister. Now that I look closely, she does resemble the Empress quite a bit. She is truly more beautiful than a flower!"

Wanyi spoke sincerely. In her previous life, she was fortunate enough to have been helped by Consort Wenxi. Unfortunately, because of her help, Niohuru was plotted against by Wuya. Her son, the Tenth Prince, was weak and sickly. However, good deeds are rewarded. Despite the ups and downs, the Tenth Prince grew up and reached adulthood, overcoming his frail health.

"Yes! It has been a long time since I have seen such a delicate young lady. At first glance, she makes me look several years younger." Consort Hui probably guessed the Empress's intention, but perhaps she was overthinking it.

"Don't praise her, she's shy. Look, her cheeks are as red as boiled shrimp!"

Empress Niohuru was happy to see that they liked and welcomed her younger sister. She only had one younger sister, and if there were other eligible princesses in the family, she would not have chosen her at the age of fourteen.

"I think Princess Niohuru is quite beautiful. I hope she doesn't end up like our sister; that would be hilarious!"

The Empress was furious that her younger sister had become a concubine! Even if it wasn't her, Consort Tongjia thought maliciously.

"Some people always have filthy thoughts in their hearts, yet they point fingers at others and say such things. They have such thick skin." Wanyi found Consort Tongjia particularly irritating today and was very annoyed.

"Consort Wan, who are you talking to! Such disrespectful words! Do you really think I can't do anything about you?" Consort Tongjia suddenly got angry and slammed her hand on the table, startling everyone.

"To lay a hand on someone and yell at them in front of me! Is this how you learned manners, Consort Tongjia!"

Empress Niohuru immediately turned her attention to Consort Tongjia, ignoring Wanyi's words, since she was helping her sister.

"Such disrespect for the Empress is unacceptable; Your Majesty should be severely punished!" Consort Rong stirred things up, not wanting to miss an opportunity to provoke anyone. Since it wasn't her who would be punished, she felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Consort Tongjia eating at the nunnery.

"Your Majesty, it was Consort Wan who was disrespectful and disrespectful to me first. Your Majesty, who is fair in rewarding and punishing, shouldn't you punish her first before discussing my faults!" Consort Tongjia said the words "Your Majesty" through gritted teeth. Even if she was to be punished, she had to drag someone down with her.

"Your Highness, I did speak, but I did not name names. Why are you in such a hurry to take my seat? Or is this a sign that you are guilty?" She felt that the Empress would not punish her.

“Consort Tongjia, just as Consort Wan said, she did not tell you why you were angry and startled your sisters. If you had startled the imperial fetus in Consort Wan’s womb, could you bear the responsibility?”

Empress Niohuru directly transformed Wanyi from the perpetrator into the victim. Listening to the Empress's cunning words, Wanyi couldn't help but give her a thumbs up in her heart.

"Your Majesty, I can make the decision. I didn't hear Consort Wan mention the Imperial Concubine!" Consort Yi suddenly said. She was on good terms with Consort Wan, and if she didn't speak up to help, wouldn't that be alienating her?

"Yes! I didn't hear it either!" Consort Rong said with amusement.

"You, you all... how dare you! I am a Noble Consort personally appointed by the Emperor, how dare you humiliate me!" Noble Consort Tongjia felt offended. She had never been so humiliated as a Noble Consort.

"I am still the Empress personally appointed by the Emperor! No one dares to humiliate you. You have misunderstood. I will punish you by giving you three months' salary. Do you accept that?" The Empress exuded an aura of power, looking down at Consort Tongjia with an air of superiority.

"As the Empress is the head of the harem, I accept Your Majesty's decree. However, I have matters to attend to in the palace and must take my leave now!"

As Consort Tongjia spoke, she glared fiercely at Princess Niohuru and Consort Wanyi, then gave a perfunctory bow and turned to leave.

The concubines below exchanged glances, all thinking that she truly lived up to her reputation as Consort Tongjia; the arrogant and domineering Consort Tong had returned.

"That's all for today, Consort Wan. Everyone else, please go back first! It's freezing cold, sisters, please watch your step."

The Empress was used to it. After all, when Consort Tongjia was still a concubine, she often caused trouble for the late Empress and it was common for her not to pay her respects.

"I wonder if Your Majesty has kept me here because you have some important instructions?"

Seeing that the concubines had all left for a while, Wanyi was left alone in the hall with the Empress and the servants around her. Seeing that the Empress had not yet spoken, she asked.