The following day, Consort De summoned Lady Irgen Gioro and the Heyue sisters to the palace for a talk.

Upon hearing the news, Heyue and Yanyue were stunned.

Thinking back to the Consort De she had seen at the palace banquet the previous night, Yue felt that her family had never had any interaction with someone like Consort De, except for the fact that she had hit her adopted son: "Could it be that Consort De is looking for trouble with us because of the Thirteenth Prince?"

Yan Yue agreed, nodding in agreement, and exclaimed, "Won't Consort De punish us?"

In previous years, Yan Yue could only catch a glimpse of the concubines from afar at palace banquets, and had never had direct contact with them. Although she was usually quite bold, she still held some reverence for the imperial family from the bottom of her heart, and regarded the women in the palace as a monstrous flood.

How could they not panic when they heard that Consort De had summoned them?

Heyue wasn't too worried. She reached out and took her sixth sister's hand, indicating that she didn't need to worry.

Seeing this, Lady Irgen Gioro smiled calmly: "Consort De has always been kind and gentle, and treats people kindly. She never makes things difficult for anyone, nor does she leave any disadvantageous handles for anyone. Therefore, she is deeply respected by the palace staff. This time, she may really want to talk to my daughter and me. You don't need to worry. Just go to the palace with your mother."

Hearing this, Yan Yue finally felt relieved, and the two went back to their rooms to change their clothes.

Lady Irgen Gioro changed into the robes of a second-rank lady, led her two daughters, boarded a carriage, and entered the palace with the palace staff.

Consort De, one of the four consorts, resided in Yonghe Palace in the Eastern Six Palaces.

Because she had two sons, the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince, as well as an adopted son, the Thirteenth Prince, she remained a powerful figure in the harem for many years.

Heyue was very curious about this woman who eventually became Empress Dowager. After all, her three sons were all famous figures in history: one was the future emperor, one was the future emperor, and the other was a great general. As their mother, she must not be an ordinary person.

The palace maids led them into Yonghe Palace, where they met Consort De in the main hall.

Consort De, of the Uya clan, was talking with Consort Zhangjia and another elderly concubine of lower rank. The atmosphere was warm. Although she was over thirty, Consort De was very well-maintained and still had her charm. In particular, the calmness in her eyes made her look like Guanyin Bodhisattva.

No wonder everyone in the harem says that Consort De is like a Buddha; at least on the surface, she is very good at putting on a show.

"This humble servant, Lady Irgen Gioro, and my daughter, Lady Zhaojia, pay our respects to Your Highness, the Consort De. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace." Lady Irgen Gioro knelt down, holding the hands of Heyue and the other woman.

Since arriving here, this was the first time Heyue had knelt before anyone. Although she was unwilling, it was the proper etiquette, so she had no choice but to suppress her dissatisfaction, kneel down, and kowtow.

Consort De gestured for her personal maid to step forward and help Lady Irgen Gioro up, then smiled gently and said, "Madam, there's no need for such formalities."

After Irgen Gioro rose, she pointed to the two concubines on either side: "This is Concubine Zhangjia, and this is Noble Lady Zhaojia, who are of the same clan as Lord Marhan."

Without raising her eyes, Lady Irgen Gioro bowed to the two women, saying, "This servant, Lady Irgen Gioro, pays her respects to Consort Zhangjia and Noble Lady Bu."

Bu Guiren smiled kindly and said, "No need for formalities."

Consort Zhangjia glanced at Heyue and Yanyue, her expression clearly showing displeasure. However, out of consideration for Consort De, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction and say, "No need for formalities," before letting out a soft snort: "I cannot accept the formalities from the three of you."

Lady Irgen Gioro was slightly embarrassed, while Consort De took a sip of tea and smiled without saying a word.

Consort Bu glanced at Consort De, then at Lady Zhangjia, and smiled as she spoke up at the opportune moment: "Sister Zhangjia was just joking, Madam need not take it to heart."

Consort De then put down her teacup and said, "Madam, please take a seat."

Yiergenjueluo breathed a sigh of relief, glanced gratefully at Consort Bu, and sat down on the armchair that had been prepared for her. Heyue and Yanyue sat on a small and elegant embroidered stool, but the two little ones clearly looked unhappy, their little faces tense.

"The Vice Minister's wife and Consort Bu must not have seen each other for a long time. I called her here today so that she could catch up with the lady." After Lady Irgen Gioro and the others sat down, Consort De glanced at Consort Bu, her expression calm and gentle, which made her very likable.

Consort Bu hurriedly rose and knelt down, her voice trembling: "This concubine thanks Your Highness the Consort for your grace."

Consort De raised her hand slightly and smiled warmly: "We're all sisters, no need to be so polite."

Consort Bu's eyes were filled with tears. She slowly got up and sat back down. She heard Consort De sigh: "Once you enter this palace, you sisters are all in the same boat. Being able to reunite with your family can bring you some comfort."

Consort Bu touched the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, her face full of gratitude: "To tell you the truth, I haven't seen my uncle for many years. Seeing you now is like seeing my own mother."

Consort De looked on with empathy and sighed. A palace maid quickly handed her a handkerchief, which Consort De took and used to dab her eyes.

Consort Bu hurriedly stood up, looking flustered: "It was this concubine who displeased Consort De."

Consort De waved her hand: "It's nothing, it's just human nature."

It wasn't the place for reminiscing, so Lady Bu quickly wiped away her tears, sat back down, and gave Lady Irgen Gioro an apologetic smile: "Aunt and cousins, please don't take offense. I lost my composure."

Lady Irgen Gioro smiled gently: "My husband often mentions Consort Bu, but as the Emperor's concubine, and with the care of all the ladies, Consort Bu must be doing well in the palace, which brings me much comfort."

They smiled at each other and then fell silent.

Heyue looked at this and that, a smile playing on her lips with amusement.

Sure enough, the people in the palace were all top-notch actors. Look at this touching scene, He Yue watched it like a good show, without feeling the slightest bit displeased.

Heyue had no memory of this cousin, since she had entered the palace before the original owner was born and had not seen her father and mother for many years. Whether she had a deep affection for her father and mother as she claimed was unknown.

However, the fact that Consort De allowed Consort Bu to come here to meet her mother shows that it was out of goodwill, not an intention to punish her.

That's good news.

We just don't know why Consort De treated us with such courtesy.

Although Father was the Vice Minister of War, he was only a second-rank official. What was it about him that made this concubine, who had been in Yonghe Palace for more than ten years, value him so much?

Consort De composed herself, glanced at Heyue and Yanyue who were sitting upright, and smiled slightly: "The Thirteenth Prince acted inappropriately a few days ago and offended your daughter. I hope you will forgive him, Madam."

"This servant dares not." Lady Irgen Gioro hurriedly bowed, her face filled with fear.

"Of course I wouldn't dare. The Thirteenth Prince is a prince, and Madam is merely a subject's wife. It's already fortunate that His Majesty hasn't punished her. What right do I have to ask for forgiveness?" Consort Zhangjia covered her lips with a handkerchief, her eyes revealing disdain as she spoke sarcastically. She then glanced at Heyue and said, "Speaking of which, Madam should properly discipline your daughter. If she continues to beat people at the drop of a hat, who will dare to marry her in the future?"