Wen Yunmian’s expression shifted slightly, and she asked with some surprise, “What happened? Why are you so flustered?”
Eunuch Ming swallowed hard. “Young Mistress, news just came from Taihe Hall that His Majesty felt suddenly unwell during the morning court session and has now fainted!”
Wen Yunmian’s expression changed. This hadn’t happened in her previous life—why would the Emperor suddenly collapse?
“Where is His Majesty now?”
“His Majesty has been taken to Chaoyang Palace. The Imperial Physicians are currently holding a consultation there, and the Empress and Noble Consort are both present.”
Wen Yunmian wasted no more time and hurriedly headed to Chaoyang Palace with Yun Fei and Yun Yang.
When she arrived at Chaoyang Palace, many concubines were already waiting nearby.
The Empress looked worried. She should have been standing at the forefront, but Imperial Consort Shu had overstepped and taken the lead.
The Empress’s expression was not pleasant, but she did not make an issue of it.
Imperial Consort Shu’s beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow as she tightly clutched her handkerchief, gazing anxiously at the Imperial Physician. “Imperial Physician Zhang, how is His Majesty’s condition?”
The Imperial Physician hurried over, intending to report to the Empress, but Imperial Consort Shu spoke directly, “Just tell This Consort.”
“Replying to Noble Consort, His Majesty’s qi and blood are congested, and due to his anger during the court session, he fainted. From the current state of His Majesty’s pulse, there is no major issue. If His Majesty regains consciousness in the next few days, his imperial health will be fine, but if…”
Before he could finish, the Imperial Physician quickly added, “In the coming days, I and the other Imperial Physicians will remain by His Majesty’s side to ensure his imperial health.”
A flicker of guilt flashed in Imperial Consort Shu’s eyes as she looked with heartfelt concern at the Emperor on the bed before finally averting her gaze.
The Empress frowned. “In that case, prioritize restoring His Majesty’s health. For the next two days, the concubines will take turns attending to His Majesty.”
The concubines all responded in agreement. Imperial Consort Shu was the first to speak. “Your Ladyship, the Empress, is unwell and may find it inconvenient to care for His Majesty. Why not let Your Subject Consort take on this duty?”
Although the Empress was concerned about the Emperor’s health, Imperial Consort Shu had always been domineering. At this critical moment, the Empress did not want to clash with her and acquiesced. “In that case, I’ll trouble you, Sister.”
Noble Lady Wei looked worriedly at the Emperor. Seeing him unconscious, her heart felt as if pierced by a knife. “Noble Consort, Concubine can attend to His Majesty…”
Before she could finish, Imperial Consort Shu interrupted, “Then This Consort will follow the rules and care for His Majesty for three days, after which Noble Lady Wan will take over. Among all the palaces, Noble Lady Wan holds His Majesty’s favor the most. Surely, His Majesty would be pleased to see her upon waking.”
Imperial Consort Shu’s words stirred discontent among many concubines. Noble Lady Wei’s eyes dimmed, her heart filled with resentment.
None dared to openly question Imperial Consort Shu’s decision, so they redirected their dissatisfaction toward Wen Yunmian.
Many of those present were old acquaintances from the Crown Prince’s Residence before His Majesty ascended the throne. Xian Fei, Consort Hui, Lan Pin, Consort Jia, and Noble Lady Yu were all still here. At the very least, the rotation should have started with them—how could it be Wen Yunmian’s turn?
Wen Yunmian’s eyelids twitched slightly, her heart on guard. Imperial Consort Shu’s sudden decision appeared to elevate her on the surface but actually concentrated the resentment of the Six Palaces onto her. Now, she had truly become the target of everyone’s arrows.
Consort Hui looked coldly at Wen Yunmian. Consort Hui had remained out of sight all this time, and this was her first encounter with Wen Yunmian.
Upon first seeing Wen Yunmian, she was somewhat surprised, never expecting Wen Yunmian to be truly so beautiful. Unable to suppress her discontent, she spoke with a sarcastic tone, “Isn’t the arrangement by Noble Consort somewhat inappropriate? Noble Lady Wan has only just become the Emperor’s concubine—how could she possibly be fit to attend to the Emperor?”
“Does she understand the Emperor’s habits? Moreover, the Empress is standing right here. How can Noble Consort be allowed to dictate matters like this?”
Consort Hui, relying on her seniority in the palace, did not yield an inch to Imperial Consort Shu. They were all old-timers—who was afraid of whom?
Imperial Consort Shu curled her lips in mockery, never taking this dim-witted Consort Hui seriously. “Consort Hui, you are mistaken. The Emperor has entrusted This Consort with assisting in managing the Six Palaces—how could This Consort not have the authority to manage affairs? Could it be that some, having aged and lost their charm, do not wish for other newcomers to approach the Emperor? Such intentions are all too obvious, only making the younger sisters think Consort Hui is petty.”
“You!” Consort Hui was left speechless, seething with anger. “Who are you calling aged and charmless?”
Wen Yunmian stood quietly. In her past life, Consort Hui had never been able to win a verbal battle against Imperial Consort Shu, and in this life, it remained the same.
In her past life, Imperial Consort Shu had once sharply remarked that Consort Hui, despite her age, was childish, naive, dim-witted, and foolish. Wen Yunmian found this quite reasonable.
After all, everyone had to avoid Imperial Consort Shu’s sharp edge—only Consort Hui insisted on charging headlong into it.
Before the Empress could even speak, Imperial Consort Shu decisively settled the matter. “This matter shall proceed as This Consort has said. If Noble Lady Wan attends to the Emperor and His Majesty still does not regain consciousness, other concubines can be arranged afterward.”
Imperial Consort Shu looked at Wen Yunmian. “Noble Lady Wan, what do you think?”
Wen Yunmian curtsied, appearing very submissive. “This Concubine naturally obeys.”
“Good that you agree.” Imperial Consort Shu gave her a faint glance.
Chaoyang Palace became busy. Imperial Physicians attended to Jun Chenyu day and night without leaving his side, and Imperial Consort Shu personally took charge of his care. Naturally, the other concubines had no reason to remain there.
After leaving, Yun Yang expressed concern. “Mistress, Imperial Consort Shu has always disliked you. Wasn’t Chun Pin, who came to catch you in the act the other day, one of her confidantes? Now she suddenly wants you to attend to His Majesty—I fear there may be some scheme afoot.”
How could Wen Yunmian not know? Unwarranted kindness is never without ulterior motives. Imperial Consort Shu had no reason whatsoever to promote her. “We’ll take it one step at a time.”
Consort Hui had not originally intended to trouble Wen Yunmian further, but after Xian Fei caught up with her, a few words were enough to provoke Consort Hui’s anger.
“Sister Hui, I heard that Noble Lady Wan possessed an exquisite voice before entering the palace. In the palace, only your voice was considered captivating, but now there is another. Moreover, she is now prioritized to attend to His Majesty—who knows when she might surpass you?”
“How dare you! How dare you compare her to This Consort?”
Xian Fei sighed helplessly. “It is truly not that This Concubine compares her to you, but Your Ladyship has not ventured out recently and does not know that people in the palace are saying Noble Lady Wan resembles Your Ladyship from years past. Who knows when she might replace you?”
Consort Hui snorted coldly. “She is not worthy!”
Though her words were disdainful, Consort Hui cared deeply in her heart.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and without further consideration, she chased after Wen Yunmian. “You, stop right there!”
Seeing Consort Hui approach in a rage, Wen Yunmian knew she had been provoked again. Though inwardly resigned, she curtsied respectfully. “This Concubine pays her respects to Her Ladyship.”
“This Consort has heard that you are newly arrived in the palace, yet you are far from honest. Do you know that the palace has the least tolerance for scheming individuals like you!”
Consort Hui glared angrily at Wen Yunmian, originally waiting for her to argue back so she could use the excuse of insubordination to teach her a harsh lesson.
But to her surprise, after the words fell, Wen Yunmian simply stared straight at her, leaving Consort Hui momentarily at a loss.
“What are you staring at This Consort for?!”