The uproar at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was like a sudden hurricane that swept through the entire Forbidden City.
After the storm, everything seemed to have returned to calm, but everyone knew that the situation in the harem had completely changed.
The aftershocks of this storm, however, seeped into every corner of the palace in a subtle yet unmistakable way over the next day.
The palace servants of Kunning Palace were the first to feel the changes.
Overnight, these servants who had once been relegated to the "cold palace" and unable to hold their heads high in the palace suddenly became the most sought-after figures.
Wherever they went, whether it was the steward of the Imperial Household Department or the eunuchs and maids who were influential in the palace, they were all greeted with smiles and great courtesy. The monthly allowances and expenses that had been withheld in the past were all made up overnight, and even more good things were sent over.
Meanwhile, various rumors about the spectacular "Emperor and Empress drama" at the birthday banquet spread among the palace staff at an astonishing speed, evolving into countless vivid versions.
Among them, the most widely circulated and talked about story is the heroic feat of the Empress Dowager "outwitting the Empress Dowager, debating with the scholars, and winning a great victory".
In this version, Lin Wanwan is portrayed as a legendary woman of unparalleled wisdom and courage. How she meticulously planned and lured the enemy out of their hiding place; how she remained calm under pressure and devised ingenious schemes; and how, in full view of everyone, she used irrefutable evidence to bring down the Empress Dowager's greatest threat in one fell swoop…
Every detail was embellished and described by the palace servants as if it were something extraordinary.
"Your Majesty, didn't you hear that!" Ruolan said, suppressing a laugh as she combed Lin Wanwan's long hair, as she whispered the latest gossip from the palace. "Everyone outside is saying that you are a 'literary star descended to earth,' possessing 'unparalleled talent.' They also say that you silenced the Empress Dowager with just a few words, leaving her speechless and ashen-faced!"
Lin Wanwan listened to these rumors that had been exaggerated countless times, and she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She knew that while these rumors might be exaggerated, they also reflected a very real truth—
In this palace, where people fawn over the powerful and bully the weak, she has won everyone's "awe" with an undeniable victory.
"What's the Empress Dowager doing?" Lin Wanwan asked calmly, looking at her rosy complexion in the bronze mirror.
Upon hearing the mention of the Empress Dowager, Ruolan's smile vanished immediately, and her expression turned solemn.
She lowered her voice and reported, "Your Majesty, my little spy in Cining Palace reports that the Empress Dowager was furious when she returned to the palace last night."
"It is said that she smashed a set of her most beloved glass cups, which were tributes from the Western Regions, in her bedchamber. All the palace servants in Cixi Palace were so frightened that they knelt outside the palace, not daring to breathe."
“However…” Ruolan changed the subject, “After venting her anger, the Empress Dowager immediately ordered that no one was allowed to discuss the events at the birthday banquet. Then, starting early this morning, she claimed that she was ‘unwell and needed to rest quietly,’ and stayed indoors, even waiving the greetings from the concubines.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanwan's lips curled into a cold smile.
Avoid their sharp edge.
This Empress Dowager was indeed a person who could be both flexible and assertive.
She knew that since the emperor had made his position clear and she was in the wrong, continuing to argue would only make her look worse.
Therefore, she chose the smartest approach—feigning illness.
This was both a disguised "admission of defeat," preserving her last shred of dignity, and a silent demonstration, showing everyone that although she had suffered a great loss, she was still the high and mighty Empress Dowager.
"Let her stay sick," Lin Wanwan said calmly. "The longer she's sick, the better it will be for everyone."
Another, more noticeable change came from the other concubines in the harem.
In the past, Kunning Palace was deserted, and apart from the self-righteous Consort Shu, almost no one paid any attention to it.
Since early this morning, the threshold of Kunning Palace has been almost worn down by footsteps.
The concubines who used to ignore Lin Wanwan or even secretly despise her seemed to have become her closest "sisters" overnight.
They dared not come to disturb the Empress, who was "unwell," but instead sent their most trusted confidants with the most valuable gifts to "visit" her.
The Consort De of the Eastern Palace sent over a thousand-year-old ginseng.
The virtuous concubine of the West Palace sent over a priceless piece of brocade.
Even Consort Shu, who had been hiding in Chengqian Palace pretending to be sick, reluctantly sent someone to deliver a pair of jade ruyi of excellent quality.
In no time, the storerooms of Kunning Palace were filled to the brim with all sorts of rare and precious treasures.
These women, in the most direct and realistic way, expressed their "submission" and "goodwill" to this newly crowned "harem overlord".
Lin Wanwan looked at the mountain of gift lists, but her heart remained completely unmoved.
She knew that all of this was nothing but a mirage.
They may fawn over her today when she is in power, but tomorrow they may kick her when she is down.
In this deep palace, the only thing one can rely on is never these illusory human relationships, but rather... power.
It is the heart of that high and mighty man who can decide everything.
Just as Lin Wanwan was enjoying the hard-won victory and pondering her next plan, a report came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty the Empress, Eunuch Wang De, the chief steward of the Qianqing Palace, requests an audience."
The emperor's chief eunuch?
Lin Wanwan was slightly taken aback.
Soon, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a dark blue chief eunuch's robe walked in with respectful steps.
Wang De was Xiao Che's most trusted eunuch. He was usually arrogant and haughty, and even when he met the empresses of the various palaces, he would only give them a perfunctory greeting.
But today, the moment he saw Lin Wanwan, he immediately knelt down with a "plop" and performed an impeccable kowtow.
"Your humble servant Wang De kowtows to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
His words were extremely respectful, even carrying a hint of... flattery.
Lin Wanwan instantly understood.
Even the emperor's closest confidants have undergone such a complete 180-degree change in attitude. This shows that his importance in the emperor's heart is no longer what it used to be.
"Please rise, Eunuch Wang," Lin Wanwan said gently. "May I ask what brings you here, Eunuch Wang?"
Wang De stood up, his face beaming with smiles, took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his robes, and announced loudly, "His Majesty's oral decree—"
"Empress Lin is gentle, virtuous, intelligent, and quick-witted. At the birthday banquet, she exposed treacherous officials and purged the inner palace, achieving remarkable feats. I am very pleased. I hereby summon the Empress to the Imperial Study immediately for a meeting, without delay."
Imperial Study?
A meeting?
Lin Wanwan's heart skipped a beat.
She thought that after last night's drama, Xiao Che would come to Kunning Palace to "work" as usual today.
But he didn't.
Instead of coming, he summoned her in the most formal and official way to the Imperial Study, the place that symbolized the highest power center of the entire empire.
What does he want to do?
Is it simply a reward?
Or... should we conduct a formal review and reprimand of what happened last night?
Or perhaps, he has a new, more important, or even... more dangerous mission to entrust to me?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Lin Wanwan's mind.
Her heart was filled with uncertainty.
Looking at Wang De's respectful yet somewhat mysterious smile, she knew that the turmoil at the birthday banquet had come to an end.
But the real "serious business" that belongs to her and Xiao Che is only just beginning.
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