Xie Yuan's words were forceful and resounding!
She was kneeling, yet she exuded an aura of immense power.
"Nonsense! Xie! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Even the usually politically astute Ashina Empress Dowager sensed something was amiss.
She quickly replied, "I have long said that the affairs of the emperor's family are different from those of ordinary people; the days can be used instead of the months."
"Just observe mourning for twenty-seven days, and then—"
It can be taken orally!
But at this point, Empress Dowager Ashina herself fell silent.
She suddenly realized that when the emperor went to court, although he wore court robes, the corner of his inner garment that was visible was made of coarse linen.
Even the meals of sages seem to contain no meat!
Most importantly, no mourning ceremony was held in the palace.
In other words, at least from the time of the emperor who became a sage, people continued to observe mourning for the previous emperor.
Even Empress Xiao dressed very simply.
Previously, Empress Dowager Ashina thought she was just being pretentious and deliberately putting on airs.
Now, after Xie Yuan suddenly shouted that, Empress Dowager Ashina understood everything.
OK!
You are all quietly observing mourning, but you haven't reminded me at all!
Now look what's happened; she's fallen into a pit in front of everyone.
Empress Dowager Ashina was able to become Empress Dowager because she was the late emperor's principal wife.
It was etiquette and rules that granted her privileges.
She was not Helian Jue's biological mother, nor did she have any great favors or contributions to the Helian royal family.
But now, as a wife, she is not observing mourning for her husband.
Instead, they feasted on meat and fish, and even tried to drag their filial sons and daughters-in-law into the mess!
Her actions were tantamount to eating the late emperor's food while smashing his pot.
She destroyed her greatest advantages—her status and sense of righteousness—with her own hands.
Destroying our own Great Wall!
How can she use her status as Empress Dowager to suppress Helian Jue in the future?
How could she possibly talk to Xie Yuan about filial piety?
"You've all ruined me! You've all ruined me!"
Empress Dowager Ashina experienced waves of dizziness.
Helian Jue, Empress Xiao, Xie Yuan, and even the arrogant Yongchang—none of them secretly warned him.
They were just waiting to see themselves make a fool of themselves, to deliver such a blow to them in public!
Inside the main hall, the female guests looked at each other in bewilderment.
Outside the main hall, members of the imperial family and court officials remained silent.
They had realized how shrewd Helian Jue and Xie Yuan were, and they also knew that Empress Dowager Ashina had been tricked.
However, they were all used to controlling their emotions and did not point fingers at Empress Dowager Ashina on the spot.
They didn't react much, they all watched silently.
Empress Dowager Ashina lacked confidence, so she saw everyone as a "thief" and felt that they were all mocking her and laughing at her.
She felt as if she had been stripped naked in public, and was filled with shame and indignation.
Glug! Glug glug!
A sound came from the Empress Dowager Ashina's throat, and then, with a thud, she fell heavily onto the food table in front of her.
The food, dishes, and bowls on the table were scattered all over the floor, making a clattering sound.
"Empress Dowager! Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
The crowd gasped and rushed over.
Xie Yuan also feigned surprise, stood up, and ran over.
"Don't panic! Back off!"
Xie Yuan seized the initiative decisively and consciously took the position of the hostess.
Calm and confident, she began to give her orders methodically, "Summon the imperial physician!"
"Bring a soft couch and carry the Empress Dowager to the back hall."
"Send someone to the council hall to report to His Majesty!"
"And these meals must also be kept safe. I will have the imperial physician examine them one by one later!"
Xie Yuan seemed unaware that Empress Dowager Ashina had fainted from anger because of him. She was very "thoughtful," even considering poisoning.
Helian Jue, standing outside the main hall, witnessed everything.
A smile flickered in his handsome, almond-shaped eyes.
As expected of my A Yuan, he suppressed Empress Dowager Ashina's arrogance as soon as he entered the palace.
Empress Dowager Ashina has lost her sense of righteousness. Even if she recovers, she cannot arbitrarily interfere in court affairs and cause trouble for the emperor and empress.
She could only stay in the inner palace and be an empress dowager who didn't care about anything!
Want anything else? Ha! First, you need to clear your name of not observing mourning for your deceased husband.
When Empress Dowager Ashina fainted, Empress Dowager Xiao seemed to be in deep meditation, ignoring everything.
Xie Yuan took the initiative to step forward and take charge of the overall situation.
As the empress herself, she was decisive and handled matters properly. Even though most of the palace maids were Empress Dowager Ashina's people, they couldn't help but obey her orders at this moment.
In just one round, Xie Yuan confirmed his identity as the mistress of the harem.
Of course, this dominance is only temporary.
If Empress Dowager Ashina wakes up successfully, there will likely be some more complications.
However, that's a story for later. For now, Xie Yuan's first battle upon entering the palace was a resounding victory.
"She is indeed a smart woman, but I wonder if she can stay smart forever."
Empress Dowager Xiao continued to fiddle with her prayer beads, isolating herself from the noise around her, lost in thought, "And I hope she is truly intelligent, not just clever in a superficial way."
People who are clever in a petty way are always self-righteous and always try to take shortcuts.
Some things cannot be done with the slightest bit of cleverness.
Empress Dowager Xiao remained calm and composed.
She had not reminded Empress Dowager Ashina in the past, and she would not remind Xie Yuan in the future.
The harem is only so big, but there is only one mistress.
Empress Dowager Xiao wouldn't do anything foolish easily, but she also craved power.
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