Qin Kexin glanced at her, seeing no trace of fear on her face, and maintaining a composed demeanor throughout.
"I have understood everything that happened today. Any grievances suffered by the General's wife are my responsibility for not properly educating the harem."
Qin Kexin had been granted the authority to manage the harem by Emperor Ye Yao, and thus it was her duty to guide and discipline the members of the inner court. Her statement was therefore appropriate.
Wang Xiting bowed her head to listen. Despite her inner dissatisfaction, she could not voice any objections.
Qin Kexin continued, "I will naturally provide the General's wife with an explanation for this matter. Since Madam has been frightened, would it not be best for her to return to her residence to rest?"
The subsequent matters were internal affairs of the harem and not suitable for outsiders to hear.
Zhou Wan'ou understood this principle. "Thank you, Consort Qin."
After bowing in礼, she left with the little dumpling and A Cai.
The little dumpling, perched on Zhou Wan'ou's shoulder, stuck out its tongue at Wang Xiting as they passed the doorway.
Wang Xiting ground her teeth in hatred.
Qin Kexin looked up and saw the unconcealed resentment in her eyes, frowning with displeasure. "Your audacity is too great. Who do you think she is, someone you can hit as you please?"
Setting aside others, if His Majesty were to discover such an absurd incident occurring within the harem, he would be the first to be enraged.
Wang Xiting, having been slighted multiple times, finally lost some of her composure. "Sister, are you not being overly cautious?"
Zhou Wan'ou was merely the wife of a minister. As for herself, she was His Majesty's favored consort. Was she truly unable to deal with a mere General's wife?
Seeing her arrogant expression, Qin Kexin knew that reasoning with her would be futile. She stated directly, "Since you refuse to admit your mistake, do not blame me for disregarding our sisterly affection."
Wang Xiting's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her. "What do you intend to do?"
Qin Kexin waved her hand. "Guards, Consort Ting has violated the palace rules. Confine her to the rear chambers for a day of reflection."
Two attendants stepped forward to apprehend Wang Xiting.
Wang Xiting struggled and cried out in defiance, "Let go of me! I refuse! Why should I be confined for reflection?"
This lowly woman was clearly abusing her power!
"I am a妃 appointed by His Majesty. You have no right to do this. I want to see His Majesty! I want to see His Majesty!"
She struggled and clamored.
Qin Kexin ignored her. "Even if you wish to see His Majesty, you will have to wait until your period of reflection is over."
"You wait and see, I will never let this go!" Wang Xiting kicked her legs but was still dragged away.
Seeing her issue such threats at this point, everyone shook their heads.
They had initially thought that by aligning themselves with this newly favored consort, they would prosper. Now, it seemed they had chosen the wrong person.
With such a lack of intelligence, even with the Emperor's current favor, it would be difficult for her to survive in this deep palace in the future.
"The palace servants failed to admonish Consort Ting and are all guilty. They shall be punished with a month's stipend!" Qin Kexin ordered again.
All the servants knelt to accept the punishment, daring not to express any grievances.
Qin Kexin observed the mess on the floor of the hall. After ordering the injured servants to be taken away, she turned and walked towards the exit.
Faintly, she could still hear Wang Xiting's curses from the rear chambers, and she sighed and shook her head.
This woman, believing herself to be favored by His Majesty, did not realize that this favor was merely an illusion.
In fact, if she had acted with more discretion, she might have been able to establish herself in the harem in the future. But now, her arrogant behavior was simply digging her own grave.
Qin Kexin proceeded towards her own chambers, simultaneously instructing a servant to deliver the items due to Liu Lanxue that day to the cold palace.
Since she had taken charge of the harem, she had been sending items to the cold palace almost every other day.
As a result, their relationship had gradually improved.
However, these were matters unknown to Emperor Ye Yao.
Emperor Ye Yao, as before, went to stand outside the cold palace every night.
To prevent others from knowing, he would only have Eunuch Chang accompany him at such times.
It was still cold before spring, and the weather was frigid.
Emperor Ye Yao would stand in the biting wind for more than half the night.
Over time, Eunuch Chang grew concerned for his health but dared not advise him against it.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiting, feeling wronged during the day, sent palace attendants to the Emperor's sleeping quarters that evening to request his presence.
She feigned illness, hoping to have Emperor Ye Yao come to 'hear her grievance,' but the dispatched servants returned unsuccessful.
Wang Xiting inquired and learned that Emperor Ye Yao was not resting in his chambers.
"Could he still be in the study?" Wang Xiting speculated and sent two more groups to search.
The last group returned late at night, reporting that they had seen Emperor Ye Yao outside the cold palace.
"I asked the eunuch who usually accompanies His Majesty, and he said His Majesty stands outside the cold palace almost every night."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiting's pent-up anger erupted, and she smashed a cup.
"Qin Kexin is one thing, but now even a deposed concubine dares to compete with me for His Majesty's favor! This is outrageous!"
She refused to believe it!
While she might not be able to contend with Qin Kexin for now, could she not even contend with a deposed concubine?
She resolved to teach Liu Lanxue a lesson and sent people to wait outside the cold palace to observe when Emperor Ye Yao would leave.
Emperor Ye Yao stayed outside the cold palace for a long time, his gaze fixed on the room within the cold palace where a candle flickered.
After a long while, the candlelight inside extinguished.
Shortly after, Yi Zuo emerged from within and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Emperor Ye Yao's gaze remained fixed on the room. He spoke to Yi Zuo, "How was she today?"
Yi Zuo pursed his lips, and after careful consideration, decided to tell the truth. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Consort caught a slight cold today and felt unwell throughout the afternoon."
Emperor Ye Yao's fingers stiffened, and he frowned deeply. "Why did you not inform me earlier?"
No wonder she slept so late today; it was because she was uncomfortable and tossing and turning.
Yi Zuo felt a little wronged and did not reply.
Although His Majesty had previously ordered that he must report any matters concerning the Consort, he was busy with court affairs daily and could not possibly bother him with every little thing.
Emperor Ye Yao also sensed Yi Zuo's difficulty and sighed inwardly. "Has an imperial physician seen her?"
Yi Zuo nodded. "Yes, they have seen her and said it is just a common cold. She will recover with a couple of days of medication."
Emperor Ye Yao relaxed slightly but quickly continued with his worried instructions.
"That's good. You must be careful when serving her. She detests bitter medicine. Make sure you watch her closely to ensure she finishes it. Do not let her discard the medicine."
Xue'er was occasionally very childish. Even when pregnant with Yu'er, she would often drink one bowl of prenatal medicine and spill another.
Yi Zuo listened to Emperor Ye Yao's instructions and nodded, saying "Yes," but his expression was somewhat complex.
His Majesty truly cared for the Consort. Not only did he come every night, but he also insisted on waiting until the Consort had fallen asleep before leaving.
However, he simply could not understand why, if His Majesty was so念念不忘 of the Consort, he did not visit her himself.
He acted this way every day. Even if his devotion was profound, only servants like them knew about it. But what was the use of that?