In the afternoon, the news of the Empress's outburst in the Cold Palace had already spread throughout the palace, and many palace servants were discussing it.

"Oh my, have you heard? Her Majesty the Empress was furious today and scolded all the concubines in the harem."

"Oh, really? Why? Isn't the Queen a very gentle person?"

"Yes, yes, I heard from the people serving in the Cold Palace that Her Majesty the Empress treats them very well. If the Cold Palace didn't reject people, I would want to go and serve them too!"

"Yes, I've also heard that Her Majesty the Empress treats her servants very well, especially since she personally cooks for them!"

"Yes, yes, I heard that Her Majesty the Empress even teaches them to read and write!"

"Yes, this is a wonderful empress."

The servants gathered together, all talking at once. Everyone thought Guan Zhiyue was a gentle and kind person and would never get into a heated argument with these people. But things just happened so suddenly and coincidentally.

The Empress has lost her temper today and has also resumed the usual morning and evening greetings. Things are about to get lively in the palace.

——

Cining Palace.

When Empress Dowager Xin heard about this, she didn't believe it at all. Why would Yue'er get so angry out of nowhere?

"Granny, do you really think this is true?" Empress Dowager Xin asked Granny Fan, who was standing to the side.

Granny Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I shouldn't make any wild guesses. Why don't I send someone to ask?"

"Sigh, the palace has been peaceful for the past six months. The Empress is focused on her own affairs and doesn't want to come out of the Cold Palace or get involved with these women."

"I know she's in the Cold Palace trying to improve her health, but instead of serving the Emperor properly, these women are constantly running off to see the Empress. What kind of nonsense is this!"

The old nanny Jin chuckled and said, "This matter is actually the Empress's business. The rule is that the Empress must give birth to a legitimate son before the concubines can serve the Emperor in turn. But the Emperor and Empress haven't consummated their marriage yet!"

Empress Dowager Xin disagreed, saying, "Granny Jin, I know what you mean, but has the Imperial Advisor ever said that the Empress should not get pregnant too early, as it would cause conflict with the next emperor? That's why the Prince has been reluctant to consummate the marriage."

"Alas, it's just that the two children's fate hasn't arrived yet! The Emperor doesn't even look favorably upon the concubines who came into the harem earlier, and these women are just stirring up trouble. Now look what's happened!" Empress Dowager Xin sighed.

However, Guan Zhiyue, who was in the Cold Palace, was unaware that what happened that morning had already changed the way people in the palace viewed her.

"Bilian, go and pull out the water plug over there and divert the water over here for irrigation!" Guan Zhiyue said, looking at the fruit tree saplings that had already been planted.

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

Liu Debao quietly walked over from the side and whispered, "Your Majesty, I heard that the news of you punishing the concubines in the harem this morning has spread throughout the palace."

"corporal punishment?"

"How did I punish these concubines this morning?"

Liu Debao touched his nose somewhat awkwardly and said, "Your Majesty, this servant only heard it from the palace maids."

"Ha, these women, they're such a nuisance! Has the Emperor sent anyone over?"

Liu Debao shook his head and said, "No, but the Empress Dowager did send someone to inquire."

"Did you tell the truth about everything?"

"Yes, I have told you everything that happened this morning," Liu Debao said.

Guan Zhiyue thought for a moment and said, "Sigh, why don't these people know how to restrain themselves? I have no grudge against them!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Debao cautiously said, "Your Majesty, that's not how it works. Ever since you married the Emperor and became Empress, you've been at odds with all the concubines in the harem!"

Upon hearing Niu Debao's words, Guan Zhiyue laughed and said, "Haha, yes! Old Liu, I almost forgot. I'm now surrounded by enemies on all sides."

"These women spend their entire lives pursuing supreme power, and isn't their power the position of empress?"

"I had miscalculated. I had no intention of monopolizing this business; I only wanted to cultivate more food crops in this place so that the people of our Nanding Kingdom could have enough to eat, live prosperous lives, and no longer suffer from hunger. Alas! Alas..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Debao immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty, you are wholeheartedly devoted to the people and want us ordinary people to be able to eat and live a good life. This servant has seen it all. But Your Majesty, you must also take care of yourself!"

Guan Zhiyue smiled and said, "I understand. Get up! After you've finished planting and finishing these fruit seedlings, I'll head back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off!"

As Liu Debao watched Guan Zhiyue walk down the stairs, a tear welled up in his eyes. "Your Majesty is a good lady, but this palace is not a good place!"

"Miss Bilian, you should go back to the palace soon! Her Majesty has already left." Liu Debao said to Bilian, who was standing by the moat.

Bilian glanced at Liu Debao with a puzzled look, then looked at him sharply and said, "Eunuch Liu, why do you look so troubled? Has something happened?"

Liu Debao shook his head and said respectfully, "Miss Bilian should return to the palace first and comfort Her Majesty the Empress. What happened this morning has already spread throughout the palace."

"Everyone is saying that the Empress is unworthy of her position, arrogant by nature, and unwilling to coexist peacefully with the concubines in the harem. This time, even the Empress Dowager sent people to inquire about her."

"What? These people actually dare to spread such rumors? They've really given them a lot of face! Alright, I understand. I'll leave this to Eunuch Liu. Eunuch Liu, please don't disappoint Her Majesty the Empress!"

"This servant understands, Miss Bilian, please rest assured, this servant is Her Majesty's person!"

"That's good!"

Bilian hurriedly rushed towards the Cold Palace courtyard after saying that. Her mistress must be feeling extremely upset! She had devoted herself to serving the people, but in the end, she had ended up with such a reputation. It was simply too much of a misunderstanding.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" When Bilian returned to the courtyard, she saw Guan Zhiyue jumping rope.

“What could be wrong with me? I haven’t exercised in a long time. Although my weight hasn’t rebounded, it’s remained at 92 pounds! This isn’t the weight I want! I’m starting to exercise again now.”

"Your Majesty, if you are feeling unwell, please tell me, and I will try to find a solution for you."

Upon hearing this, Guan Zhiyue stopped and looked at Bilian, saying, "Why would I feel uncomfortable? You don't think I'll back down just because of these rumors you've spread?"

Isn't that so?

"Bilian, it seems you still don't understand me. How could that be? I just didn't want to argue with them. But since they treated me like this, if I don't fight back, they'll think I'm easy to bully. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

Bilian remained anxiously by her side, watching Guan Zhiyue jump rope incessantly in the yard...