Ye Yun's little report was indeed effective.
The next morning, just after finishing the kneeling session, they heard the announcement of the Emperor's arrival from outside.
"Your Majesty," the consorts, led by the Empress, greeted him in unison.
The Empress Dowager was helped to her feet, and there she saw Ning Chen stride in with large steps.
"Why has the Emperor come?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"I heard that Mother and the Empress have been leading the consorts to the Baohua Hall to pray for blessings these past days. So, I've come to check. The weather is scorching, and during the plague, it's not wise to gather people. Since the situation outside the palace is now under control, there's no need to continue kneeling," Ning Chen said directly.
The Empress Dowager's expression darkened, but before she could speak, the Empress interrupted her.
"It seems that Mother's sincerity has moved the heavens," the Empress chimed in.
Wen De Fei also joined in with a smile, "The Empress Dowager's compassion for the people will surely not go unnoticed."
No one wanted to keep kneeling, so when the Emperor spoke up, they couldn't let the Empress Dowager insist any further.
With their seamless coordination, the flattering words had been said, leaving the Empress Dowager no choice but to swallow what she was about to say. She had originally planned to make them kneel for a few more days.
"Since the Emperor has spoken, from today on, there's no need to kneel. However, since the epidemic is not yet over, we cannot remain idle. Each of you should copy scriptures in your respective palaces and send them to Baohua Hall to be burned every day," she instructed.
Ye Yun internally rolled her eyes.
The classic evil mother-in-law—constantly finding ways to make things difficult for her daughters-in-law.
With the session over, it was just about time for lunch. As they left Baohua Hall, Ning Chen headed straight to Yuxiu Pavilion for his meal.
Under the watchful eyes of all, he took Ye Yun with him, stirring up quite a bit of jealousy.
"Seems Ming Jieyu is truly favored now. Don't you think so, Yi Meiren?" Sun Xiuyi said with a half-smile.
Yi Meiren's expression darkened as she scoffed, "Weren't you in the same position once?"
With that, she bowed slightly and left first.
On the way, her maid Yuxiu clicked her tongue, "Still thinks of herself as the once-favored Xiuyi, huh? She should be more restrained now that she's fallen out of favor with the Emperor."
"Enough," Yi Meiren snapped irritably, "What she said isn't wrong. I've indeed been overshadowed by Ye Yun. We entered the palace with the same rank, but now she's one step ahead of me."
The feeling of being overtaken by someone who came later was unsettling, especially for Yi Meiren, who had once been pregnant with the Emperor's child. Looking at Wang Xiuyuan, now among the Nine Consorts, she couldn't help but wonder if she too would have reached that rank if she had given birth.
These thoughts only deepened her resentment.
Seeing her mistress's gloomy expression, Yuxiu thought for a moment and then lowered her voice.
"Meiren, this epidemic presents a great opportunity. If someone falls ill, there's a good chance they won't survive."
Yi Meiren's brow twitched at these words, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand, deep in thought.
YOU ARE READING
The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 1)
Historical FictionNote: This is a translated novel by me. Title: 贵妃她千娇百媚 Ye Yun was supposed to be the prince's concubine, but due to the sudden death of the late emperor, her entry into the palace was delayed for over a year. She entered the palace with the new bat...
