However, considering the value of the red envelopes and the attitudes of the Empress and the other ladies towards Madam Chen's matter, Xiao Luozi offered a lot of advice along the way.
Let's just consider it a good deed. Anyway, the Imperial Concubine was pleased to hear that Minister Chen had been dealt with so badly.
Upon arriving at Yikun Palace, Zhou Ninghai, who had been waiting outside, finally saw the woman in person. He sighed inwardly, thinking that Madam Chen was indeed worthy of being from a military family; she was even more voluptuous than his own Imperial Concubine.
No wonder Vice Minister Chen couldn't beat him; he was half a head shorter.
Xiao Luozi respectfully introduced them, "Greetings, Eunuch Zhou, this is Madam Chen."
"Madam Chen, this is Eunuch Zhou Ninghai, the head eunuch of Yikun Palace. You can go in with him in a moment."
"This servant will wait outside and escort you out of the palace in a little while."
Madam Chen said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Zhou."
Zhou Ninghai, the head eunuch, had an aura completely different from that of ordinary eunuchs. Although he appeared respectful on the surface, he didn't really care much about Madam Chen's status as a second-rank imperial consort.
"Madam Chen, you're too kind. Now that you've arrived, please come in. Her Highness is waiting."
Upon entering the main hall, Madam Chen expected to see two imperial concubines seated at the head of the table, and perhaps other concubines as well.
The women in the harem had nothing to do all day, so they had to come and join in the fun when this new thing happened.
Unexpectedly, they found the concubines playing mahjong with great enthusiasm.
"Madam Chen Wan, wife of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, greets all Your Highnesses. May Your Highnesses be blessed."
Consort Hua put down the mahjong tiles in her hand, turned around and said to Madam Chen in a kind tone, "Madam Chen, please rise. There's no need to be so formal here with me."
"Zhou Ninghai, please take a seat."
"Thank you for your grace, Consort Hua."
Madam Chen's anxiety subsided considerably; this place didn't seem like an imperial order to make things difficult for her.
Consort Hua said, "This is Consort Cheng, this is Consort Shun, and this is Noble Lady Xin. They came here specifically to wait for you, knowing you were coming to the palace today."
Madam Chen rose again to greet everyone, feeling flattered and flattered, and said, "I have acted carelessly and have made Your Highnesses laugh at me."
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Madam Chen, you are too kind. There is nothing wrong with my behavior. It is said that a virtuous wife will bring less trouble to her husband. If a man has any faults, his wife should naturally advise him properly."
"If verbal persuasion is ineffective, then in an emergency, it is a last resort to use other methods."
"Isn't it said that good people are born from the golden rod? Don't you sisters agree?"
Everyone present burst into laughter. Consort Hua secretly thought that if she could also give Big Fat Orange a beating with a golden stick, she would feel incredibly happy.
Unfortunately, aside from using underhanded tactics and saying a few harsh words, it's really impossible to actually do it.
However, some polite words still need to be said: "If those ministers heard your fallacies, who knows what they would say about the harem."
Upon hearing this, Madam Chen quickly replied, "I didn't hear anything."
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Madam, you don't need to be so reserved. Just make yourself at home."
"Don't be fooled by the eloquent words of those ministers; once they return to their own residences, who knows what they'll really be like?"
"On the one hand, they belittle women, and on the other hand, they enjoy the benefits that women bring. What's wrong with having some restraint? Does that mean that they should be virtuous and gentle when they are allowed to act recklessly outside and implicate their families?"
Consort Xin said, "That makes sense, but only Your Highness can speak so frankly. We concubines would dare to think it but not say it."
Cao Qinmo laughed and said, "Sister Xin dares to think but not to say it, but I've never even thought about it."
Consort Xin scolded, "You!"
Consort Hua said, "It's either the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind. The same applies to husband and wife. If they avoid each other openly, it's only in front of others."
"Close the door, isn't that how everyone probes before entering a room?"
Sun Miaoqing said, "Sister Shilan is right, there's nothing to hide."
"In my opinion, there are too few women like Madam Chen. If every family could be like her, there would be far fewer lecherous men."
Madam Chen said, "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me."
Should she say that meeting her in person didn't live up to her reputation? Everyone says that Consort Cheng is the most beautiful woman in the world, and also possesses unparalleled talent. That's why she was able to stand out among the many beauties in the harem and achieve the highest glory.
But seeing her today, while her appearance is pretty, it's by no means stunningly beautiful.
Compared to Consort Hua sitting next to her, she was far less attractive, suggesting that the Emperor was not one to judge by appearances.
Just from those few words, it's clear that this Consort Cheng is not a person who is careful with her words and actions.
However, the two imperial concubines seem to have a good relationship?
If Master Chen were to bring several concubines into the household, she would only be considered merciful if she didn't simply tie them up and sell them off; she certainly wouldn't actually treat them as sisters.
Many other families had numerous wives and concubines, and some powerful matriarchs managed to keep their concubines in check. But when they came to her, they still made many sarcastic remarks, suggesting that they had suffered at the hands of those concubines before.
Putting herself in others' shoes, Madam Chen felt that the relationships between the concubines were probably not very good, especially among the favored concubines.
However, none of this matters; the inner court lady and she, the outer court lady, are unrelated.
Consort Hua said, "After hearing about this, I thought I would invite you to the palace for a chat. To be able to keep Minister Chen so well under your control, Madam Chen must be quite capable."
"There are no outsiders here, Madam Chen, why don't you tell me what methods you used?"
Madam Chen was startled upon hearing this. Did Consort Hua mean to ask her how to control her husband? Could it be that she wanted to learn how to use it on the Emperor?
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