This time, news from the Hall of Mental Cultivation spread incredibly fast. Before Master Chen even left the palace gates, with his head covered the whole way, the news was already circulating vividly in the inner palace.
It immediately overshadowed all other news, topping the trending searches for the Twelve Palaces. The empresses and concubines now have a new topic of conversation at their mahjong tables.
Upon hearing this, Consort Hua felt a deep connection to Madam Chen's personality and decided to meet her as well.
So he sent someone directly to the Chen residence to invite Madam Chen to the palace.
The other officials' wives all thought it was because Madam Chen was jealous and domineering, but the emperor felt great sympathy for Chen after seeing his miserable state.
That's why Consort Hua was ordered to summon her to the palace; she must have been preparing to give Madam Chen a good scolding.
Madam Chen never expected that hitting her husband a few times would cause such a big commotion, even alarming the emperor.
She had taken action many times before, but never like this. Now, walking on the palace path, she felt uneasy and regretful.
It wasn't that I regretted taking action, but rather that I couldn't control my anger and acted openly.
If you only move your body and not your face, it won't spread like wildfire and reach the emperor's attention.
Following the lead eunuch, we first went to Jingren Palace to pay our respects. Standing outside the main gate of Jingren Palace, we waited for a palace maid to go in and announce our arrival.
I thought it was just a formality, since the Empress is devoted to Buddhism and never sees outsiders unless it's a big deal.
Because he found it troublesome, he used the excuse of feeling unwell to exempt even the concubines from their daily greetings.
Today, it was Consort Hua, not the Empress, who summoned her to the palace, and Madam Chen felt that this time would be no exception.
I remember when the Emperor had just ascended the throne, she and other noblewomen came to the palace to pay their respects. The Empress was so dignified and composed, her virtue illuminating the entire palace; she was truly a model for women.
How could it have changed so much in such a short time?
Is it really as the rumors say, because after the new concubine entered the palace, the emperor had many favorites, both new and old, and the empress was getting old...?
Therefore, he became disillusioned with the emperor, lived a secluded life, and was no longer the same as before.
Madam Chen scoffed at this, saying that back in the Prince's mansion, every year there was a selection of new women for the imperial concubine selection.
She could endure it back then, but after becoming empress and holding great power, she couldn't bear it anymore?
It's more accurate to say it was a power struggle within the imperial harem, where the newcomer's youth and beauty prevailed, leading to this predicament.
Otherwise, why would the emperor let things go as they pleased without making any statement, and even hand over all palace power to the concubines, treating the empress as a mere mascot?
Ha, men!
Madam Chen thought to herself, if she were the Empress and treated like this by her husband, she would rather die a glorious death than sit on the sidelines, suffering in silence while others gloated.
Why think so much? She's not the empress. Chen Shulin is in her hands; he'll never be able to turn the tables in his lifetime.
Just as Madam Chen was lost in thought, Huichun finished asking the Empress and said, "Madam requests your presence. Her Majesty the Empress invites you in."
Madam Chen was startled. Why was the Empress seeing her in person?
Despite having all sorts of guesses in her mind, she remained calm on the surface and smiled as she said, "Thank you, Auntie."
Upon arriving at the palace, after Madam Chen finished her greetings, the Empress granted her a seat. A palace maid then brought over a brown round stool, and Madam Chen thanked the Empress again before sitting down.
After sitting down, Madam Chen noticed that the Empress looked older than she had two years ago. Her attire was simple and plain, and the colors and patterns of her clothes were more suitable for an older woman.
Although it looks like the finest silk, it just looks old-fashioned.
The Empress looked at Madam Chen, who was a little older than her but looked at least ten years younger, and felt truly envious.
She is loved by her parents, cared for by her in-laws, has both a son and a daughter, and holds a dominant position in her marriage.
She has everything a woman could want; no wonder she doesn't look old at all at fifty. She acts with the same youthful vigor and spirit as any young person.
How enviable...
The Empress smiled and said, "I and my sisters in the harem have all heard about your situation, and we are all very curious."
"Consort Hua comes from a military family, so she wants to see you. It's nothing serious, Madam Chen, so don't worry."
Madam Chen said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am sorry that you have made me laugh at my family's affairs."
"Looking back now, I don't know what came over me at the time, I just couldn't control myself."
Upon hearing this, the Empress knew that she was still not at ease, and said directly, "It is because of your feelings that you are like this, Madam, that you care too much about Minister Chen."
"Besides, Minister Chen himself is happy to do it, and my sisters and I are not the kind of people who meddle in other people's business, so please rest assured, Madam."
"This summons is not the Emperor's doing."
Madam Chen was relieved. However, judging from the Empress's demeanor, it seemed that her relationship with Consort Hua was quite good.
They were clearly at odds before!
Everyone, inside and outside the palace, knew of Consort Hua's domineering and tyrannical reputation. Back when she was in the Prince's residence, she had heard rumors that Consort Nian was spoiled and disrespectful to the Prince.
Moreover, these sisters are not meddlesome people, so who are the meddlesome ones?
This is not what she expected!
However, this is also a good thing, since she doesn't have any special hobbies and enjoys being scolded.
They chatted idly with the Empress for almost half an hour. Then, the Empress's head maid, Jianqiu, reminded her, "Your Majesty, it's time for Buddhist prayers."
The Empress then said, "I have been chatting with the Lady for a while, and I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"Yikun Palace is quite a distance from Jingren Palace, so we won't keep Madam any longer."
Madam Chen replied, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? It is I who have disturbed Your Majesty's meditation."
"It's getting late, I'll take my leave now."
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