When Chief Steward Li arrived at Yikun Palace, the palace had already been cleaned up. Madam Nian sat dignifiedly on the throne, her face still faintly showing some anger.
Chief Steward Li used to work in Yikun Palace and was deeply trusted by Lady Nian. Later, when Lanqin was forced to leave the palace, Lady Nian took charge of the inner palace, and Chief Steward Li was recommended by Lady Nian to be the head of the Imperial Household Department. This time, Lady Nian suddenly summoned him, so Chief Steward Li naturally dared not be careless and hurriedly followed Cuiling to Yikun Palace.
"This servant greets Your Majesty..." Chief Steward Li said respectfully.
Lady Nian glanced at him briefly, then offered a helping hand, saying, "Get up. I wonder if Steward Li is content with his position?"
Chief Steward Li was startled and said in a flustered manner, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This servant has had a relatively smooth time and has always remembered Your Highness's kindness. I hope to be able to share Your Highness's burdens..."
Lady Nian sneered, then glanced at Steward Li with her phoenix eyes and said with a smile, "Steward Li is a grateful person. I was right about him!"
Steward Li was already covered in cold sweat, but he chuckled and said, "This servant was promoted by Her Majesty, so naturally I am grateful to Her Majesty. As long as it concerns Her Majesty, this servant will do my best to fulfill my duties..."
Lady Nian nodded in satisfaction and deliberately asked, "Are there any rumors circulating in the palace lately? As the head of the Imperial Household Department, Chief Eunuch Li should know quite a bit, right?"
Steward Li was immediately at a loss, glancing awkwardly at Madam Nian, and feigning ignorance: "This? This servant really doesn't know..."
Lady Nian twirled the ring on her finger, raising an eyebrow and saying angrily, "Do I have to tell you what I heard today?" Chief Eunuch Li's heart sank. Seeing that he couldn't get away with a evasive answer, he could only reply, "This... it was my negligence. I failed to manage the servants properly, which displeased Your Highness. I will immediately go and rectify the situation, making sure they keep their mouths shut and don't offend Your Highness's ears..."
Madam Nian sneered and said lightly, "So, Steward Li has heard about it?"
Chief Steward Li frowned and remained silent, keeping his head down and not daring to utter a sound. Madam Nian said angrily, "Do you know what will happen if these words reach the Emperor's ears?"
Chief Steward Li was startled and said in alarm, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This servant has indeed heard some rumors, but they are all just hearsay. Your Majesty, please don't take them seriously..."
Lady Nian slammed her hand on the table in anger, saying, "Hmph... Rumors? It's said that I regained my beauty by taking a miraculous elixir, which is why I caught the Emperor's attention and regained his favor. Are these all rumors?" Lady Nian paused, then said in a somewhat threatening tone, "I was just thinking that the Emperor has always hated nothing more than supernatural powers and witchcraft. Since I took a miraculous elixir, doesn't that mean the Emperor was bewitched by me?"
Chief Eunuch Li's legs trembled, and he could barely stand. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "How could the Empress have bewitched the Emperor? There has never been any witchcraft in the palace. The Emperor has always favored the Empress. How could there be any talk of her regaining his favor?"
Lady Nian covered her mouth and laughed, "But that's not what the rumors say! If the Emperor heard this, wouldn't he think that it was Chief Eunuch Li's mismanagement that led to such a mistake? Tell me, would the Emperor dismiss you from your post, or take your life?"
Steward Li's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, crying out in panic, "Your Majesty, save me! This servant knows his mistake..."
Suddenly, Lady Nian's demeanor changed drastically. She said fiercely, "Since you know you're wrong, you should make amends immediately! I hope we can find out right away who first spread these rumors?"
Chief Steward Li quickly agreed, saying hurriedly, "As you command, this servant will go immediately and will certainly give Her Highness the Imperial Concubine an explanation. This servant is utterly loyal to Her Highness the Imperial Concubine, and begs Your Highness to put in a good word for this servant before the Emperor..."
Lady Nian glanced at him disdainfully and said coldly, "You may leave. I will await your news!"
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