Uya felt a surge of resentment. Wanyi's words reminded her of when she was a subservient servant to Consort Tong. When her mistress was in a good mood, she would receive some respect, but when she was in a bad mood, killing her was nothing more than a matter of nodding in agreement.

"Peony, so you like peonies! Peonies are not only beautiful and fragrant, but also elegant and graceful, so it's normal that you like them."

When Wanyi saw Consort Tong approaching from a distance, she deliberately spoke out in surprise.

"I do like peonies. Although they are not as noble as peonies, peonies have a sincere meaning, which is quite nice, unlike Sister Wuya."

Wanyi was saying that Wuya had approached her with impure motives and was a two-faced person.

"This mistress..." Consort Wuya was about to say something when Wanyi interrupted her.

"This humble concubine, Consort Suo Zhuolun of Yongshou Palace, greets Your Highness Consort Tong. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

"This concubine, Consort Wuya of Yonghe Palace, greets Your Highness Consort Tong. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Upon realizing what was happening, Consort Wuya immediately bowed to Consort Tong, though she was filled with unease.

"Sister Suo Zhuolun, there's no need for such formalities, please rise!"

Consort Tong had taken to heart everything Wanyi had said, which is why she treated her differently.

"I never knew that Consort Wuya liked peonies?" Consort Tong looked Consort Wuya up and down with disdain.

"You, a mere maidservant, dare to say you like peonies? Peonies are flowers reserved for the Empress, the mother of the nation. How dare you, a lowly concubine, presumptuously claim to like peonies? Such an insult to peonies is an insult to the Empress. What is your punishment?"

The heavy burden of Consort Tong's words terrified Consort Wuya. She knew that if things went wrong, being punished with kneeling or confinement would be the least of her worries. If the Emperor were to report this, she, a dispensable concubine from a bondservant family, would be destined for the rest of her life in the cold palace.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I prefer magnolia flowers. It was Sister Suo Zhuolun who misunderstood. How could I, a lowly concubine, possibly be worthy of the peony?"

“Only someone like Your Highness, born into a noble family and a legitimate princess, is worthy of the peony.” Consort Wuya knew that Consort Tong had always wanted to become the Empress, so she flattered her, but there was another layer of meaning behind it, though she guessed that Consort Tong wouldn’t understand.

"Alright, get up!"

Seeing that Consort Wuya was so sensible, Consort Tong decided to let her go.

"Sister Wuya is really something. It's better to keep this to yourself. Why say it out loud? It might let the Emperor know. It's fine if Consort Tong simply likes peonies, but it would be bad if people misunderstood that she coveted the Empress's position."

Consort Tong couldn't understand, but Wan Yi could! In her previous life, she hadn't paid attention, nor had she bothered to figure out what others were thinking. She only wanted to return to the modern world. Now that she's calmed down, she's discovered that the harem is full of intricate schemes!

"That's not what I meant, it's just...it's just..."

Consort Wuya's mind raced, but the words were too sharp for her to refute for the moment.

"Just what? I simply think peonies are beautiful. But Consort Wuya, your words have distorted the facts and are disrespectful."

Consort Tong's temper flared up instantly. She never expected that a lowly maid who had risen to become a mistress would dare to scheme against her. She must be tired of living.

"It is my fault, Your Highness. Please punish me." Consort Wuya knew she couldn't escape today and only hoped the punishment wouldn't be too severe.

"Just use..." Consort Tong wanted to order someone to drag Consort Wuya away and give her twenty strokes of the cane, but before she could finish speaking, Ningdong called out to her.

"Your Majesty."

“A minor punishment is sufficient. Otherwise, if the Emperor finds out that you are arbitrarily punishing your concubines, it will leave a bad impression and be detrimental to your chances of becoming Empress.” Ning Dong pulled Consort Tong aside and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

“Consort Wuya has committed an act of insubordination. She shall be punished by kneeling in the Fengxian Hall for two hours, confined to her quarters for half a month, and forced to copy the palace rules ten times.”

Consort Tong suppressed her anger. Sure enough, this lowly maid was born to bring her bad luck. Ever since Consort Wuya started serving the Emperor, she had never had a smooth life.

"This concubine accepts the punishment."

Consort Wuya breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that Consort Tong would punish her without regard for the consequences, and if she were punished, she would probably lose half her life.

"It's really unlucky to encounter such a disappointing thing while strolling around the Imperial Garden. There's nothing left to see. Ningdong, let's go back so as not to be tainted by bad luck."

Before leaving, Consort Tong couldn't help but make a few sarcastic remarks about Consort Wuya, which also affected Wanyi, who was watching the scene. After all, Consort Tong had only encountered the two of them, and saying that this place was unlucky meant that Wanyi, like Consort Wuya, made Consort Tong feel unlucky.

"Respectfully seeing off Consort Tong."

Wanyi was in a good mood. According to Consort Tong, today Consort Wuya was punished by being forced to kneel, confined to her quarters, and forced to copy palace rules. She was happy.

"Consort Suo Zhuolun is truly skilled. With just a few words, she managed to push me into a trap. I doubt you could find another one like her in the harem!"

After standing up, Consort Wuya looked at Wanyi with anger. Consort Wuya was only fifteen years old and could not control her emotions and temper properly, unlike the high and mighty Consort De.

Wanyi was foolish before, failing to see through her true nature at a glance. She also overlooked her, thinking that Wanyi had some ulterior motives but was still kind-hearted. However, she was proven wrong; where does kindness come from in the harem?

"What skill do I possess? It was taught to me by Consort Wuya, but I was merely imitating her."

"When would I ever do such despicable things? Don't make baseless accusations."

Consort Wuya was startled. When did Consort Suozhuolun see through her thoughts? It seems she is no pushover either.

"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, we all know the truth."

She still remembers her collusion with Tianxiang! Tianxiang has taken her loyalty pill, so she can let her go. But Wuya, you shouldn't die, you should live a life worse than death.

"I suppose Consort Suo Zhuolun wants to enjoy the flowers, so I won't disturb her any longer. I have other matters to attend to in the palace, so I'll head back now."

Consort Wuya didn't want to talk to Wanyi anymore. She was in a state of confusion and wanted to go back and think things through.

"It seems that Consort Tong's punishment was justified. Although I am a concubine in the same rank as you, there are differences between concubines. I am a Noble Lady, which is at least half a rank higher than you. Concubine Wuya should refer to herself as a concubine in front of me."

When Consort Wuya turned her head, Wanyi immediately seized upon Consort Wuya's mistake. If this got out, it would confirm that she had committed insubordination and disrespect for her superiors. This crime could be serious or minor, depending on how others viewed it. However, in the inner palace, everything would be magnified.

"It was my fault. I didn't remember that Consort Suo Zhuolun held the rank of Noble Lady. Thank you for reminding me, Consort Suo Zhuolun. I think Consort Suo Zhuolun is a magnanimous person and would not hold such a small matter against me. I will remember it in my heart."

She had deliberately referred to herself as "the one in charge" because she felt that Suo Zhuolun Wanyi was just born into a better family. As a concubine, why should she be able to step on her? She never expected that Suo Zhuolun Wanyi would use this as a pretext.