Fengyi Palace.
The empress sat silently on the bed, her eyes conveying an indescribable complexity.
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the palace walls, revealing the faces in the harem—some resplendent with beauty, others burdened with melancholy.
The death of Lady Zhuo Gui, like a stone thrown into the heart of the lake, caused ripples of emotions in the empress's heart.
The former arrogance and ruthless schemes of Lady Zhuo Gui in her pursuit of favor had indeed earned her the empress's disdain.
But witnessing such a resolute death could not help but stir a trace of pity in her heart.
"The harem is truly a place where people are eaten alive. Even the most fierce women cannot escape the manipulation of fate."
Whispering to herself in the shadows, the empress suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and emptiness creeping into her heart.
Amongst the countless women in this harem, each day they spend their thoughts and energy in a fierce competition, fighting for a man's favor.
And this man, his heart was already claimed by other women. What's more, he was her legitimate husband.
Upon reflecting on this, the empress felt a wave of bitterness and acridity rise in her heart.
Whether Qinshao Concubine could gain her favor was of no concern to her. Even if she was about to give birth to a child, she could accept it.
But the emperor's preference for Qinshao Concubine, as well as the changes he had made, was like a sharp thorn, piercing the empress's heart.
She hated Qinshao Concubine for taking the emperor away, for disrupting the balance of the harem, and she feared that her position might be threatened.
She had thought of a thousand ways to kill Qinshao Concubine.
But now that woman lives in the Daotai Hall, guarded closely by the emperor, and the empress cannot find an opportunity to act.
Guanyu Palace.
The night was as dark as ink, the candlelight swaying, reflecting the cold and complex expression of Zhang Fei's face.
She lightly caressed the ice-cold teacup in her hand, her eyes filled with both gratification and an indescribable sorrow.
Concubine Zhang murmured to herself, her voice low and laced with a hint of bitterness, "Lady Shu Gui, you finally received the retribution you deserved—being consumed by flames, a clean and quick end. Just, when will the calculations in this harem ever come to an end?"
The attendant girl Empress Empel entered with gentle steps, carefully saying, "Your Highness, the night is deep. It is time to rest. After just being released from confinement, your body needs to be cared for carefully."
Zhang fei smiled faintly, yet the bitterness could not be hidden: "Rest? What is there in this harem to truly find peace? Empress Empel, have you ever wondered why we have reached this point?"
Empress Empel bowed her head, her voice softer: "I dare not speak lightly, but I only know that Your Highness has grievances in your heart, and there is also bitterness."
Zhang Fei sighed, looking out at the profound night sky outside: "Yes, hatred arises from the heart, and hardships are self-borne. The incident of Lady Shu Gui makes me feel satisfied, but it also makes me see that in this harem, every woman is fighting for that illusory favor without end, ultimately it's just a waste."
Suddenly, a soft murmuring sound was heard from outside.
Zhang Fei furrowed her brow, indicating to Empress Empel to investigate.
Not long after, Empress Empel hurried back, her expression odd.
"Your Highness, there's another matter I just heard. The emperor has taken Concubine Qin back to live in the Taihe Hall and has decreed to reduce the visits of the palace concubines to pay their respects. Even the Department of Divination doesn't have to send green headed cards every day. It seems like the emperor is about to favor Concubine Qin alone. Because of this, there was a dispute with the Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's face changed slightly, a mixture of surprise and dissatisfaction: "My cousin... is he going to do this? Risk his relationship with the Empress Dowager for Concubine Qin?"
She couldn't help but wonder what was so special about Qinshao Concubine.
She remembered that Qinshao Concubine was due to give birth soon, right? With such a big belly, she couldn't be sleeping with the emperor either. How could he endure not calling for her?
My cousin is quite charismatic and virtually all women find him appealing.
"What tricks did Qinshao Concubine use to captivate my cousin so much?"
Zhang Fei bit her teeth angrily and said.
Empress Empel comforted softly beside her: "Your Highness, please don't upset your health. Concubine Qinshao is currently favored, but it is only temporary. Perhaps in no time at all, the emperor will grow tired of her."
Zhang Fei snorted coldly: "What do you understand? My cousin would dare defy the Empress Dowager for her, and he has done so many things against ancestral rules. It's clear that Qinshao Concubine holds a special place in his heart."
She couldn't help feeling more and more angry in her heart. She and my cousin have been childhood sweethearts, and have served in the harem for many years. But she was hurt so badly by Lady Shu Gui.
She finally had the opportunity to see Lady Shu Gui dead, but now another Concubine, Qinshao, had emerged and taken all the emperor's favor.
What scared her even more was that if the emperor no longer favored them, what would they do in the future? Where would their path lie?
"No, I can't just sit and wait for death."
Zhang Fei's eyes glinted with determination.
Zhang Fei returned to her desk, spread out the letter paper, and her eyes held a look of determination.
She picked up the pen, her brush tracing over the paper, every character bearing her frustration and anger.
If the Empress Dowager can't persuade, then let my father team up with the court officials to put pressure on my cousin.
Let's see how much sincerity my cousin has for Concubine Qinshao and whether he can withstand the pressure from court officials and continue like this.
After writing, Zhang Fei carefully folded the letter paper into an envelope, sealed it with red ink, and handed it to Empress Empel.
She handed the letter to Empress Empel, her expression serious, instructing: "Find a trustworthy person and ensure that this letter is delivered to my father at full speed, without any mistakes."
Empress Empel took the letter and replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured. I will see to it."
Fengyi Palace, the empress wasn't idle either.
The maid Jin Xuan came to report: "Your Highness, it's been heard that Concubine Zhang has sent letters home, seemingly hoping her father can exert pressure on the emperor in front of the court."
The empress raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? She's quite swift. If this move succeeds, it would indeed be a good strategy."
Jin Xuan expressed some concern: "Your Highness, if the officials really start to exert pressure, might the emperor get angry with the harem? After all, it would be like the harem interfering with matters in front of the court."
The empress pondered for a moment and said: "This is indeed a problem. However, the emperor is now in a dispute with the Empress Dowager for Qinshao Concubine, and his intentions are truly hard to fathom. But regardless, we will first observe the outcome of Zhang Fei's move. If it can really change the emperor's mind, it will also be good for us."
Taihe Hall, Yu Yao's body was getting heavier and heavier, her belly so large that her feet were not visible.
The delivery room and all the necessary items for childbirth have been prepared.
The midwives have been selected and there are a total of 6, all chosen by Luo Xin, experienced and of impeccable background.
Of course, the delivery room cannot be set up in the Taihe Hall.
Instead, it is located behind the Taihe Hall, not far away, and is very close. It only takes a few steps to reach it.
Qionghua Hall had been closed for a long time, but it was spacious and luxurious. It was usually cleaned and managed by palace maids and eunuchs, so it was very clean.
After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, there were no concubines residing in it.
The reason why no one has lived there is not that the concubines don't want to, but rather that no one has the qualifications to live there.
The reason is that it is too close to the Taihe Hall, and anyone who lives there will attract complaints from others.
Now, with Emperor Jing's word, it has been tidied up by Lu Xi and is ready to move over as soon as Yu Yao gives birth.
It will also serve as her new palace residence in the future.
Of course, Yu Yao is still living in the Taihe Hall and has not yet moved over.
Outside the palace, the British Palace Mansion.
Upon receiving his daughter's letter, Lord Zhang Han, also known as the British Marquis, did not dare to delay for a moment.
He well understood that this matter was of great significance, not only affecting his daughter's fate in the harem but also involving the power balance between the court and the harem.
Even the persuasion from the Empress Dowager, his sister, was futile, showing that the emperor is resolute.
What will they do in the harem if the emperor truly becomes infatuated with her?
He hurriedly gathered several court officials who were good friends with him and highly respected the ancestral rules in the study of his mansion.
The study was filled with a heavy atmosphere. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the serious faces of the assembly.
"Gentlemen, the emperor is now causing chaos in the harem regulations due to a single woman. This trend must not be allowed to continue."
Lord Zhang Han furrowed his brow and spoke in a deep and solemn tone.
The officials nodded in agreement. A senior official with graying hair said, "Lord Zhang is absolutely correct. The chaos in the harem will surely affect the court. The emperor's actions have already caused much resentment among the concubines. If this continues, there will be chaos among the people, which is detrimental to the state and its people."
Therefore, after consultation, the officials decided to advise the emperor in the court.
The atmosphere in the court was tense, akin to a tightly drawn bow.
The officials stood straight, their eyes dared not stray, but their minds were filled with calculations.
Lord Zhang Han was the first to step forward, bowing respectfully yet firmly to advise: "Your Majesty, the affair of Qinshao Concubine has already disrupted the harem hierarchy. Your Majesty's decision to reduce the visits of concubines and suspend the daily delivery of green headed cards by the Department of Divination may lead to chaos in the harem and subsequently affect the stability of the court. I urge Your Majesty to prioritize the ancestral rules and refrain from disrupting the harem for one person."
Emperor Jing was already troubled by recent events in the court, and upon hearing these words, his anger flared up dramatically.
He stood up suddenly from his throne, his eyes scanning the officials coldly. Their gaze was like a tangible ice blade, making people shiver with fear.
"I see that your advice today is quite amusing. As the sovereign, I govern the realm, ensuring that the people live in peace and tranquility and that the borders are secure. My accomplishments in the court are all visible to you, aren't they? Yet, when I show favor to Qinshao Concubine, you all come out one by one to say something about harem regulations. I see that none of you are truly concerned about the ancestral rules; instead, it's all about your own daughters' petty schemes in the harem?"
Emperor Jing stepped down from the dais, the hem of his dragon robe swaying with his movements.
Every step felt like stepping on the heart of each of the officials:
"I can manage the court in perfect order. My harem, I want to favor whoever I like. I show favor to Qinshao Concubine because she is gentle and intelligent, and I enjoy her company immensely. You all good for nothing, using the banner of ancestors to criticize my preferences. Haven't you first seen your own daughters? If they are truly capable, why do they need you fussing over them?"
Emperor Jing walked up to Lord Zhang Han and stared directly at him: "I think you're just upset because I favor Qinshao Concubine, blocking the way for your daughter. If I favor this one today and that one tomorrow, will you be satisfied then? I tell you, I am not a sovereign who can be manipulated by others. My thoughts are not something you can guess, and my decisions are not something you can influence."
The officials were left speechless by Emperor Jing's sharp retort, their faces reddening and their ears burning. They dared not even breathe.
After returning to the imperial study, Emperor Jing's anger had not subsided.
He felt that these ministers were too audacious, daring to interfere with his matters of the harem, all under the guise of ancestral regulations.
He sat in the imperial study, his eyes cold, lost in thought for a moment before summoning Luo Xi.
"Luo Xi, draft an edict. Zhang Fei has violated the royal protocol, inciting her father to collude with ministers to interfere with my harem matters. Her heart is despicable. Considering our past relationship, I am demoting her to a rank lower than that of a concubine and ordering her to move to a distant palace immediately. Without my order, she is not allowed to step outside the palace gate even by an inch."
Emperor Jing's voice was cold and heartless, leaving no room for doubt.
He was not the kind of sovereign who could be manipulated by others. Whether he already had significant power or not, anyone who dared to cause him trouble would have to bear the corresponding consequences.
Luo Xi was taken aback. He knew that once this imperial edict was issued, it would undoubtedly cause a stir, but he dared not show the slightest negligence. He hurriedly drafted the edict and sent it to the Guanju Palace.
Guanju Palace.
Zhang Fei was anxiously waiting for news from the court, never imagining that she would receive such an imperial edict in return.
Her face turned as pale as death, and the teacup in her hand clattered to the ground, shattering into pieces.
"Madam, what should we do? This is too much for me to handle."
Furong was also rendered speechless by the shock.
Zhang Fei was heartbroken and despairing, crawling on the bed and sobbing until her heart was broken: "My cousin is so heartless. I only wanted to secure a foothold for myself, but he treated me like this."
