Hearing the commotion, Yun Xiu, the personal maid outside, hurried in. Before she could speak, she heard her mistress say, “Send the Phoenix Seal to the Qianqing Palace.”
Yun Xiu couldn’t help but feel surprised.
In the past, whenever the emperor had such a thought, the empress would refuse to hand over the Phoenix Seal even in death. She had never expected her mistress today to be so compliant.
What could Hua Shu do if she didn’t want to send it? The emperor was angry at the moment, and arguing would only make things worse. It was better to follow his wishes for now.
Moreover, there was no conclusive evidence that she had harmed the heir. She was still the empress; as long as she kept her composure and didn’t act recklessly, the Phoenix Seal would return sooner or later.
When the time came, she would make the emperor return it willingly.
After all this, Hua Shu’s body was utterly exhausted.
The original mistress often worried and overthought things. This time, her anxiety and hysteria had flared, allowing Hua Shu to take her place.
Good health was the most important thing. No matter how difficult the situation, one had to sleep well.
Hua Shu had once suffered from severe illness, seeking doctors, medicine, and prayers. Now, in a different way, she had achieved her wish.
Having power also meant having the life to enjoy it.
The emperor took back the Phoenix Seal and appointed Consort De to oversee the authority of the six palaces.
This news completely exploded within the harem.
Inevitably, people speculated that the emperor had utterly grown tired of the empress.
After all, it was said that the emperor didn’t even allow the kitchen to provide milk for the Kunning Palace—clearly, the empress’s deposition was imminent.
The next day, during the morning greetings, half of the concubines requested leave and did not come.
Of the remaining half, some had merely come to watch the drama unfold.
In Kunning Palace, Hua Shu sat before her dressing table while her maid arranged her hair.
Wen Momo, holding the formal robes, looked at her with deep concern. Her mistress’s situation was difficult: she had lost authority over the palace and was no longer favored by the emperor. Even if the empress dowager were recuperating in her own palace, she could offer little help.
“Your Highness, the emperor is still angry. You should go apologize properly. Perhaps he’ll consider the Grand Tutor’s position…” Wen Momo advised, hoping to prevent the situation from becoming irreparable.
Hua Shu waved her hand, signaling her to stop speaking.
It was precisely because the Hua family had protected three generations of the dynasty, and her father was the Grand Tutor, that the emperor showed some restraint.
Otherwise, she would have long been sent to the cold palace.
“Send a family letter. Tell my father and the entire Hua family that I am well in the palace and that they need not plead on my behalf.”
Hua Shu fully understood the situation.
The emperor’s mind was deep and unpredictable. He might punish her while simultaneously teaching the Hua family a lesson.
Right now, preserving herself was the best strategy.
In court affairs, a minor mistake could turn a small incident into a deadly one.
Wen Momo understood that her mistress did not want to implicate her family and nodded obediently.
Soon, Yun Xiu styled Hua Shu’s hair into a Lingyun bun, winding the front hair strands neatly and securing them with a nine-tail phoenix hairpin.
Hua Shu lowered her gaze and stood, choosing a dark-gold formal robe. Layers of golden threads embroidered peonies along the hem, and a colorful phoenix circled her waist. Once dressed, she lifted her wide sleeves and allowed the maids to adjust them.
“Bring the roster of palace concubines, especially noting those who didn’t come today.” Hua Shu spoke suddenly with her eyes closed.
Wen Momo was momentarily stunned but nodded. Indeed, this needed to be remembered carefully, so it could be dealt with one by one later.
Hua Shu thought the same but also wanted to understand the inner workings of the palace thoroughly.
Although the original empress had the title, her mind was filled with trivial love affairs, focused only on the Phoenix Seal. She had no thought for anything else.
She hadn’t even considered the women in the harem—all these women were cunning and dangerous.
Which one was easy to handle?
An empress was not omnipotent, but if she couldn’t even control the harem, she was merely a beautiful empty shell, good only for being a stepping ladder for others.
Once everything was ready, Hua Shu supported herself on a maid’s arm and slowly walked out.
Her magnificent attire made her appear resplendent and noble. She raised her chin slightly, and her eyes radiated a sharp, commanding aura that made people avoid direct eye contact.
Wen Momo couldn’t help but glance at her mistress again, puzzled and amazed. She felt her mistress was somewhat different, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint how.
In the front hall, the concubines whispered among themselves.
“After waiting so long, the empress must be skipping the morning greeting,” said Consort Wan. She had entered the palace this year through the selection of maids and was the daughter of the Minister of War, Shen Hui.
She was pretty and lively, favored by the emperor despite being in the palace for less than six months. She had already been promoted to concubine.
Seeing her speak, Consort Song couldn’t respond but looked around. Apart from the consort friendly with the empress, Consort Hui, none of the other concubines had come.
Of the nine concubines, the emperor had only officially recognized five. At present, only she and Zhen Xiuyi had arrived.
The lower-ranking concubines who were supposed to come had already done so.
No matter how fallen the empress seemed, she was still the empress and not someone they could provoke.
Just then, the voice of Chief Wang from Kunning Palace was heard: “The empress has arrived!”
Everyone fell silent, stood, and began the formal greeting.
Hua Shu walked out from the side and stood elevated, looking down at the concubines below.
Crimson and emerald, birds and butterflies, each displaying their beauty.
How long had it been since she had seen this scene?
Once, she had been one of them. Now, she was the one looking down.
The sensation was strangely satisfying.
Hua Shu sat down unhurriedly and raised her hand. “All rise.”
Her voice was clear and calm.
The concubines stood, casting involuntary glances at her. The empress’s expression seemed fine, as if nothing had happened.
Was she just pretending?
They all took their seats, their small movements clearly noticed by Hua Shu from above.
“Zhou Jieyu, I hear you are expecting. Take good care of yourself and rest well. If it’s inconvenient, you need not come for the greeting.”
Hua Shu spoke to a woman seated at the far end.
Zhou Jieyu wore a green ruqun, with delicate features and gentle eyes. She had entered the palace this year and had conceived on her first night with the emperor; she was now nearly two months along.
Her family was not prestigious, but now she was carrying the emperor’s heir—an auspicious sign.
Zhou Jieyu stood gracefully and bowed, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
Across the hall, Consort Wan smiled thinly, saying, “If Zhou Jieyu finds it inconvenient, she will likely still have to pay respects to Consort De!”
Zhou Jieyu and Wan had entered the palace through the same selection. Wan had not received much favor, but her womb had been fruitful.
They even shared the same residence, Yangwei Hall, which was enough to make one envious.
Wan’s words echoed clearly in the hall. Zhou Jieyu’s face paled, and all eyes turned toward the empress.
With palace authority now in Consort De’s hands, the other concubines were expected to pay their respects there. What about the empress then?
They didn’t dare speak.
Now, one who lacked intelligence had spoken, and they were curious to see how the empress would respond.
Hua Shu lightly touched the edge of the phoenix throne. A smile played at her lips, yet the smile carried a strangely chilling aura.
“Who is speaking?”