One person burst out laughing.
Immediately afterwards, the other concubines watching from the surrounding area also burst into laughter one after another, and the laughter even attracted the attention of Consort Tong and the other concubines.
Consort Tong raised an eyebrow, and her heart stirred slightly when she noticed that the people gathered in the center were Noble Lady Wuya and Consort Wan. She stood up, and as the highest-ranking concubine in the palace, all the seated concubines also stood up in unison, and everyone walked towards where Consort Wan and Noble Lady Wuya were.
Consort Xuan was initially worried, but when she saw that Consort Wan's expression was calm and that Noble Lady Nara could not hide her smile, her heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled down. It seemed that neither of them was at a disadvantage.
What does it matter to her if others suffer losses?
Unaware of Consort Tong's approaching entourage, Consort Wuya bit her lip, trying to calm Wan Anran. Consort Wuya gave a stiff smile and softly advised, "Today is New Year's Eve, not a day for fighting and killing. Don't worry, sister. After the sixth day of the new year, I will definitely handle this matter properly. I assure you, sister."
Wan Anran nodded.
She looked completely bewildered and innocent, her eyes brimming with trust: "Of course, younger sister trusts older sister!"
Noble Lady Wuya breathed a sigh of relief without making it obvious.
Before she could feel at ease, Wan Anran changed the subject and sighed, "The problem is that you are gentle and considerate, kind and benevolent to your subordinates. I'm afraid you might be swayed by the words of those palace servants who have made mistakes! How could I bear to let you be such a villain? Let me be the villain!"
Uya Noble's face was about to crack.
She could barely maintain her gentle smile, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. Consort Wuya gripped her handkerchief tightly with both hands, gritting her teeth as she said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, sister, I will certainly not show any mercy and will severely punish these ignorant palace servants."
Of course, that's what they say.
These palace maids were carefully selected helpers by Consort Wuya; how could she bear to get rid of them so easily? Anyway, the maids aren't here; she can just appease them later and have them go out and avoid Consort Wan and Consort Xianfu…
Before Consort Wuya could process what was happening, a voice suddenly sounded behind her, sending a chill down her spine. Consort Tong stared coldly at Consort Wuya, her voice calm and unwavering: "Disciplining palace servants? What happened?"
Uya Noble Lady could no longer maintain her composure.
She suppressed her fear and turned around to give a deep curtsy: "Your Highness, I was just chatting with Consort Wan about trivial matters, discussing how to educate palace servants."
Trivial matters? Education?
Consort Tong snorted coldly: "It doesn't look like it to me."
Moreover, Consort Tong clearly overheard some of it.
No mercy? Severe punishment? Could it be that Consort Wuya has done something behind my back? A dark glint flashed in the eyes of Consort Tong, who had recently been quite fond of Consort Wuya. Her sharp gaze swept over Consort Wuya like a knife, finally landing on Consort Wan.
Wan Anran lowered her hands and composed herself.
Consort Tong gazed intently at him: Wan Changzai no longer showed the fear, timidity, and hesitation she had displayed when she first met him. Her back was straight and upright, and she looked... more pleasing to the eye than before, and also healthier and more energetic.
Consort Tong's eyes darkened slightly.
She forcibly suppressed the growing irritation in her heart and turned her gaze to another concubine: "Consort Miao, did you hear the conversation between Consort Wuya and Consort Wan?"
Miao stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Yes."
Wuya Guiren's heart sank to the bottom of the water, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.
Miao Daying was also a member of Chengqian Palace.
She was originally a third-class palace maid serving Consort Tong, and only became a concubine after being promoted by the consort. Unfortunately, her appearance could only be described as plain and pretty, and she was illiterate. She was forgotten after only a few favors. Then, with the appearance of her predecessor and Consort Wuya, Concubine Miao was quickly forgotten by Consort Tong as well.
Is Miao willing to accept this?
Of course, she was unwilling, but Consort Miao couldn't find any opportunities. You have to understand that there are thirty days in a month. The Emperor spends ten days in Chengqian Palace. If you take away the Empress's days and Consort Yi takes up the majority, then it's estimated that there are only ten days left for others to have a chance.
The extent of Consort Tong's favor with the emperor is evident.
Being favored by Consort Tong meant that one might be promoted to a high-ranking position, such as Consort Chang, and even have the potential to become a concubine. As a result, there were many concubines in the palace who wanted to curry favor with Consort Tong.
Especially in the Chengqian Palace.
Wan Changzai was the type to fail, while the most powerful figure was Consort Wuya. Miao Ying had long envied and been jealous of her rise from a mere palace maid to a consort.
How could we possibly miss such an opportunity?
Miao Yingyi couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes and immediately explained the whole story clearly.
After Miao finished speaking, a blush rose on Consort Tong's fair face, and sparks ignited in her eyes. Her expression remained unchanged as she nodded and smiled, "What Consort Wan said makes perfect sense. I will remember this matter. On the seventh day, Consort Wuya will send the offending palace servant to the Department of Cautious Punishment. As for those who will serve you in the future, I will certainly choose carefully and meticulously."
The words "meticulous and thorough" are especially emphasized.
Consort Wuya's face turned deathly pale, and she murmured unconsciously, "My lady, my lady, what about these past few days..."
Consort Tong didn't even glance at her.
After delivering her speech and giving Wan Changzai a deep look, she flicked her robe and returned to her original position.
Wuya Guiren stood frozen in place.
Wan Anran feigned innocence and clapped her hands lightly: "That's wonderful! Sister Wuya, with the Imperial Concubine standing up for you, you're sure to have good days ahead!"
Consort Wuya stared at Wan Anran with eyes that seemed to be spitting fire!
The surrounding concubines could not hide their schadenfreude.
Good days? To them, the Empress Dowager Wan was clearly trying to destroy their spirit! From today until the sixth day of the new year, it's all holiday season, with countless banquets. How could a resentful palace maid possibly serve Consort Wuya well? I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble in the next few days!
Moreover, Consort Wuya is also someone to be concerned about.
Recalling the words in the palace praising Consort Wuya for her kindness, compassion, and gentleness, and then thinking about how she had just blurted out a question about what to do in the days to come, the concubines secretly shook their heads.
These rumors from the palace are truly unbearable to hear!
Consort Nara was so suppressing her laughter that her stomach hurt. Seeing that Consort Wan was about to nag her, she quickly pulled Wan Anran aside: "You, don't you know when to stop!"
Wan Anran snorted.
After venting her anger for her predecessor, she felt incredibly refreshed, and even her steps were much lighter than usual.
What pulled her back to reality was Consort Nara's nagging: "You're still snorting? That Consort Wuya must be holding a grudge against you. Next time, you'd better stay away from her, understand? Aren't you usually quite low-key? Why are you so high-profile today..."
She reached out and tugged at Noble Lady Nara's hand: "I understand."
Wan Anran lowered her eyes and said softly, "It's just that it was the first time I saw her, and I really couldn't help myself. Sister, do you know? Hai Tao talks about what you and Master Xuan did back then several times a day..."
From Consort Xuan to Noble Lady Nara, from Zisu to Jubai, no matter how small the matter, as long as someone did something good for Consort Wan, Haitao would lavish praise on them and recount it in detail.
Despite the fact that Consort Wuya claimed she and her predecessor were palace maids from the same household, and even after becoming imperial concubines, they were practically sisters who could talk to each other, Haitao had never mentioned it once. It seemed that Consort Wuya's maids not only showed Haitao no kindness, but might even have been among those who had bullied her before!
Its predecessor was blind.
If you say that it was a sincere heart that was betrayed by a wolf, it's no wonder that she chose to turn evil later in the book and was no longer willing to reveal her true feelings to others.
Noble Lady Nara noticed Wan Changzai's dejection.
She didn't know that Wan Anran was sighing for her predecessor, and thought Wan Anran was upset about misjudging people in the past. Noble Lady Nara squeezed Wan Changzai's hand, and just as she looked up at her, Noble Lady Nara raised her voice slightly: "Don't worry, Sister Wan! With the Imperial Concubine in charge, how can those two-faced people have any chance to cause trouble? You don't need to worry anymore, just wait patiently for good news!"
You can know a person's face but not their heart.
Isn't this referring to Consort Wuya? The palace concubines present were barely suppressing their laughter, using almost all their strength to avoid bursting into tears. They swayed from side to side, their bodies shaking uncontrollably, and even beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads.
Of course, the noblewoman Wuya was not among them.
Her face flushed crimson, and she bit her lip tightly, unable to speak out in rebuttal. She feared that if she did, the noble lady Nara would retort, "I wasn't talking about those palace maids!"
Consort Wuya glared hatefully at Consort Nara and Consort Wan, then walked to the side with a belly full of worries, her brows and eyes filled with anxiety and unease.
Wan Anran's mouth dropped open: "...Huh?"
Noble Lady Nara smiled slightly at her, then pulled Wan Anran to stand behind Consort Xuan, looking completely composed. If everyone hadn't been certain that the words had come from her own mouth, they might have been fooled by Noble Lady Nara's seemingly cryptic demeanor!
Wan Anran's mood instantly improved.
She grabbed Noble Lady Nara's hand and shook it, saying with a grin, "Sister Nara, Sister Nara!"
"Um?"
"If you can talk, you should talk more!" Wan Anran was extremely excited.
Consort Rong, who had been sitting to the side, wanting to hear what Noble Lady Nara and Consort Wan had to say, couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I didn't expect that Sister Xuan's palace had two such lively treasures hidden inside!"
Xuan Bin:…………
In her opinion, it was clearly Consort Nara who had been corrupted by Consort Wan.
Consort Rong was in high spirits.
She was just about to ask Consort Xuan a few questions when two palace maids lifted the curtain and announced, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
That brought all the topics to a close.
The imperial concubines all rose and curtsied, saying, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress! May Her Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
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