The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 1)

Chapter 41 - Consideration

Having stayed up late for a midnight snack, Ye Jun didn't rest well and looked a bit wan when she went to Fengxi Palace to pay her respects.

"Sister Ye, did you not sleep well? You look a bit off," Wang Jieyu sat beside her and asked gently.

"I stayed up a bit late last night, so I'm a little tired," Ye Jun replied.

"Is it just tiredness or are you troubled about something?" Zhao Jieyu said with a smile. "Since Yi Wanrong entered the palace around the same time as you, such an incident would surely weigh on your mind."

Ye Yun glanced at her with icy-cold eyes.

"Zhao Jieyu must not know my temperament. I've always kept out of things that don't concern me. As for worrying about others, that's simply not in my nature."

"Tsk, Zhao Jieyu, why provoke her? Now that Yi Wanrong is confined, Ye Meiren is the most favored among the newcomers." Yan Xiuyi lazily reclined in her chair, her face adorned with a mocking smile.

Li Wanrong, sitting below, quickly chimed in, "Indeed, just as Zhang Baolin started to gain favor, she offended Ye Meiren and ended up confined. As for Yi Wanrong..."

Li Wanrong tried to say more but stopped herself. With just a few words, she nearly implied that Wu Shi's misconduct in front of the Emperor was Ye Yun's doing.

"Zhang Baolin brought that upon herself. Yi Wanrong's confinement is due to her monthly affliction. Do you think Ye Meiren had control over that? Li Wanrong, you should think carefully before speaking. Don't talk nonsense."

Suddenly, Wang Jieyu spoke up.

This surprised Ye Yun a little. Wang Jieyu's words were clearly in her defense, yet she hadn't interacted much with her before. But there was no time to dwell on it in the midst of such verbal sparring.

Seeing Wang Jieyu speak out, Li Wanrong, who had a lower rank, couldn't argue back and could only glance toward Yan Xiuyi.

The latter looked at the two of them sitting together with a subtle expression, "I wasn't aware that Ye Meiren and Wang Jieyu had grown so close. Weren't you previously on good terms with Wen Fei? How quickly things change."

"Your words, Yan Xiuyi, are quite unpleasant..." Wen Fei spoke coldly, her gaze lowered. "The inner palace should be harmonious. Who here is not in good standing with me?"

"Wen Fei is right. If Li Wanrong is truly worried about Yi Wanrong, she should go check on her at Yingyan Pavilion rather than accusing me here," Ye Yun said irritably.

This whole situation had implicated far too many people.

There were certainly suspicious circumstances surrounding Yi Wanrong's misconduct in front of the Emperor, but she couldn't just let others pin it all on her.

Above them, Shu Fei watched the argument unfold, tempted to join in.

However, her maid tugged at her sleeve, reminding her of her goal to bring the eldest princess back. Shu Fei could only hold back her impulses.

Shu Fei had been keeping a low profile during this period, hoping to show the Emperor her change and gain permission from the Empress Dowager to bring her child back.

After a while, the Empress emerged from the inner room, first asking after the two pregnant women, then addressing other matters.

Just as they were about to disperse, Wang Jieyu suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, ever since I returned from Lingxi Garden, my monthly cycle has been irregular. It's not unusual for me to be inconsistent, but this time it's been delayed far too long. At the start of the month, I had a routine health check, but the physician found my pulse unclear. It's been over ten days now, and I humbly ask Your Majesty to allow another checkup."