Consort Wan’s face turned awkward.
The empress’s question was clearly meant to embarrass her.
How could the empress remember that little Zhou Jieyu, the “troublesome girl,” and yet seemingly forget her?
Wen Momo, serving nearby, spoke with measured tone, “Your Highness, it is Consort Wan.”
Consort Wan, emboldened by the emperor’s favor, was used to standing out and asserting herself.
Hua Shu smiled faintly, a half-smile that carried an edge. “Consort Wan.”
Could such a low-ranking concubine really speak freely in the main hall, as if the empress were just decoration?
Consort Wan pressed her lips together, noticing the other concubines’ eyes on her like she was a joke. Her fingers tightened around her handkerchief. Deep down, she knew she had misspoken.
But so what?
The empress was now largely powerless. She could barely protect herself—what could the empress do to her?
Thinking this, Consort Wan stood. “Your Highness, this was my fault. When I arrived, I saw that many concubines had gone to pay respects to Consort De at her Chuxiu Palace, and I also saw that Zhou Jieyu is with child. Consort De even sent her gifts and supplements, so I assumed—please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Though her words asked for pardon, her expression was lax, showing no real respect.
Consort De now held authority over the six palaces. Not only the concubines, but the palace maids and attendants moved in her direction.
It seemed inevitable that Consort De would eventually be promoted to Noble Consort.
By that time, the empress’s power and status would truly be hollowed out.
Consort Wan’s words were meant to make the empress acknowledge reality, while also embarrassing Zhou Jieyu.
She came to pay respects here, yet had also received favors there.
Carrying the emperor’s child was not easy.
Hah.
In the quiet palace, that cold, contemptuous laugh stood out sharply.
The empress rose, eyes flashing with a faintly deadly gleam as she scanned the hall.
“So it is. My health is weak, so I handed the Phoenix Seal to the emperor, who allowed Consort De to manage the six palaces. And now, according to Consort Wan, does that mean Consort De is to replace me, or has the emperor already deposed me? In the eyes of the six palaces, does the Phoenix Seal matter more than this empress?”
She did not scream hysterically. Her calm, measured tone sent a chill through everyone present.
The concubines instinctively stood, bending their knees in respect.
Consort Wan’s face went pale; she could not find words to respond.
When she looked up and met the empress’s gaze, a shiver ran down her spine, almost causing her to stagger.
The empress’s eyes were terrifying, as if she could kill with a glance.
Consort Hui swept her eyes around. Friendly with the empress herself, she could not tolerate these thoughtless women. She immediately said, “Your Highness, Consort Wan’s behavior indeed warrants punishment!”
Hua Shu suppressed her anger and remained silent.
Wen Momo and the others immediately knelt, requesting punishment. The other concubines, seeing the opportunity, quickly went along to encourage the empress to act.
A faint smile appeared on Hua Shu’s lips as she spoke casually.
“I am kind-hearted and usually do not like to trouble anyone. Since Consort Wan has misspoken, she shall receive fifty slaps.”
In the palace, one must control one’s tongue. Words carried weight, and punishment was deserved.
“Your Highness!” Consort Wan’s voice trembled. Her face was her most precious asset!
But Hua Shu turned and left the hall. Waiting for Consort Wan was Wen Momo’s hand.
“Consort Wan, Your Highness is just, punishing you here so that all can see, avoiding partiality. You won’t need to go to the emperor and complain afterward.”
Wen Momo was ruthless. The words barely fell when the first few slaps landed.
She had been carefully selected by the Hua family to serve the empress. Before, the empress’s antics with the emperor had left her powerless. Now, punishing a few low-ranking concubines was effortless.
Consort Wan’s face swelled red quickly, but she could not avoid further slaps.
The inner hall echoed with screams.
The concubines exchanged looks, all thinking the same thing:
Has the empress gone mad?
Already despised by the emperor, now she dares punish his favored concubine? Is she asking for trouble?
On the way back to her chambers, Yun Xiu and Yun Yue, who attended the empress closely, were also worried, wearing anxious expressions.
“Your Highness, Consort Wan has recently been favored. She surely will not accept this quietly,” Yun Yue could not help but voice her concern.
Hua Shu remained silent, quietly eating her breakfast and sipping fish soup.
When she finished, she wiped her lips and spoke leisurely. “I’m actually worried she won’t complain.”
Punishing a concubine is trivial. What she truly wanted was something else.
Would the emperor be moved by the Phoenix Seal, or by her—Hua Shu?
Which one did he desire?
From the moment Hua Shu arrived here, her first goal was to map out the emperor’s background and connections. The previous empress had researched the emperor thoroughly, giving Hua Shu a complete picture.
The empress had been chosen by the empress dowager.
Her family background was strong, her position secure—she shouldn’t have fallen to this lowly state.
But she had always coveted the emperor’s favor, desiring the unattainable.
The current emperor and the empress dowager were not mother and son by blood. The emperor lost his birth mother at age ten and was raised by the empress dowager.
The relationship was naturally delicate.
Later, the empress dowager gave birth to her own son, the current Prince of Guangning.
On the surface, mother and son were affectionate, brothers harmonious.
But the emperor, who had defeated so many to reach his current position, was not a simple man.
Even ordinary families experience conflicts between siblings and parents—let alone the imperial family.
As empress, she had to be on guard. If she misread things, hardship was inevitable.
Being watched and suspected was normal, but losing favor and dignity entirely should not happen.
For the emperor, if you perform well, you are a competent empress, and he is satisfied.
Fail, and no matter what you do afterward, it is wrong.
Consort Wan walked out of Kunning Palace in tears, her face burning as if on fire.
She wanted to cover her face, but dared not touch it.
“Empress, this is outrageous!” she shouted, stamping her foot in anger.
The maid Qiqing by her side tried to console her quietly, “Mistress, the empress is merely showing her strength. Once the emperor sees your injuries, he will surely pity you, and might even scold the empress.”
Consort Wan gritted her teeth, eyes full of resentment. “After being humiliated like this, I cannot endure it. Let’s go to the Qianqing Palace! I must see the emperor!”
Soon, she and her attendants arrived at the Qianqing Palace.
Chief Li squinted as he saw them from afar, not recognizing her until she drew closer.
It was Consort Wan!
He stepped forward, but before she could bow, she interrupted through tears. “Chief Li, please inform the emperor immediately—I must see him!”
Seeing her so distressed, Chief Li could do nothing but report to the emperor.
When Consort Wan entered, she raised her skirts and, ignoring all protocol, weakly knelt by the emperor’s legs.
“Your Majesty! You must take my side!”
She lifted her tear-streaked face, voice trembling, pitiful in its entirety.
Chu Ze, already irritated by state affairs, initially wanted to brush her off with perfunctory words.
But when his gaze fell on her, he saw her swollen, red face, the clearly visible handprint, and makeup ruined by tears, streaks of blush mixed with tears hanging at her chin.
The sight was… striking.
His hand, which had extended, hung suspended in midair, then quietly withdrew.