The words caused both individuals in the room to frown.
Su Yunmo composed herself and asked in a deep voice, "What happened? Explain it in detail."
"The subordinate isn't entirely clear on the specifics. Miss Linlang sent a letter just now. Shortly after you left the manor today, an imperial decree arrived from the palace."
"The General's wife naturally couldn't refuse and entered the palace to receive the decree. She's likely already at the palace gates by now," Qian Xue said, her tone carrying a hint of urgency.
Wang Xiting, that woman, was known for her spoiled upbringing. Once her temper flared, she disregarded everything.
Now that she was favored by His Majesty in the palace, her actions were reckless. This summons for the General's wife was surely not for a good reason.
If it were anyone else, the General's wife's intelligence would allow her to handle it. But with Wang Xiting holding a concubine's status, she might not be so easy to deal with.
If Wang Xiting were to do anything to the General's wife in the palace, even a slight misstep could cause significant trouble for her.
"I will take you to the palace," Ye Jingyu said, placing her on the ground and standing up simultaneously.
Although Su Yunmo was worried, she remained calm. "You cannot go. If you get involved in this, it will be a mistake."
Currently, the Emperor's feelings towards Consort Liang were ambiguous, and Wang Xiting was his recent favored concubine.
Most critically, Wang Yi was Ye Jingyu's right-hand man.
If this person made any rash moves, he would undoubtedly be caught.
"It's fine," Ye Jingyu said, unwilling to think of other matters. He was even more uneasy about letting the little one enter the palace alone.
"Listen to me. I can handle this myself." Su Yunmo didn't give him a chance to speak further and walked away.
Ye Jingyu watched her determined retreating back, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Master, what should we do?" Qian Xue was also at a loss.
The young lady was right; Master truly couldn't intervene in this matter.
Let alone Wang Xiting summoning the General's wife to the palace under the guise of a 'gathering,' even if she intended to openly attack, the Prince couldn't easily make a move.
If he acted, it would be tantamount to telling the world that he and the General's manor were secretly colluding, a grave taboo in court!
Ye Jingyu took a deep breath, his fingers slowly clenching. "Send people to watch. If anything happens, report it to me immediately."
Seeing his intention to wait and see, Qian Xue nodded, bowed, and retreated.
Meanwhile, Su Yunmo had left the Prince Yu's manor.
Linlang was already waiting in the carriage. Upon seeing her emerge, she called out, "Master."
Su Yunmo used her special abilities and leaped onto the carriage. "To the Imperial Palace. Speak as we go."
Linlang also knew the gravity of the situation. She flicked the whip against the horse's back, urging it towards the Imperial Palace at the fastest speed.
"The steward has already sent someone to inquire. They said Wang Yi reported the matter of the medical hall to Wang Xiting at the palace."
"Master, you know we already have a personal feud with Wang Xiting. Coupled with Wang Yi's issue, she naturally has to act out."
A murderous glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes. "So she decided to take it out on Mother? She's truly got guts!"
Wang Xiting had better not do anything to her mother, or she would skin her alive!
Linlang whipped the horse again, increasing their speed.
Soon, they arrived outside the Imperial Palace.
Su Yunmo, without Qian Xue, entered the palace alone. She instructed Qian Xue not to act rashly no matter what happened.
Linlang understood the stakes and nodded in agreement.
Su Yunmo then entered the palace gates and headed towards the rear palace.
At this moment, Zhou Wanyou had already met Wang Xiting.
Wang Xiting sat in the main seat, tilting her head proudly to look at Zhou Wanyou. "General's wife? I've heard much about you."
Zhou Wanyou bowed slightly, neither subservient nor arrogant. Although not a deep bow, it was impeccable. "May I ask what business you have summoning me, Your Highness?"
Wang Xiting let out a cold laugh.
Now on her territory, she saw no need to feign gentleness. "I heard you were competing for the medical hall with my father?"
There had been a dispute over the medical hall, but Zhou Wanyou was unaware that it had later fallen into Su Yunmo's hands. Hearing her question, she assumed it was about past events and didn't think much of it.
"In the business world, there are always comings and goings. Now that Your Highness is serving His Majesty in the inner palace, I'm surprised you know so much about outside affairs."
These words were not particularly polite and carried a hint of warning.
By propriety, as someone in the inner palace, Wang Xiting should not use business matters as an excuse to trouble her.
Wang Xiting frowned severely and slammed the table. "Presumptuous! Do you know where you are? What right do you have to speak like that!"
Regardless of the reason, her past prominence in the capital was solely due to Su Qingtian.
Now that Su Qingtian had been demoted and sent out of the capital, she was alone in the manor. Did she truly believe the General's manor could still support her as before?
Zhou Wanyou's eyes flickered, but she did not respond, nor did she show any fear.
This woman had summoned her to the palace today with ill intentions. She saw no need to be obsequious. It was better to break the ice from the start.
"Even if it's not about business, you were disrespectful to me just now. I can deal with you!" Wang Xiting was clearly seeking personal revenge.
She shouted sternly, "Guards, seize this woman and slap her thirty times!"
Two wet nurses stepped forward to grab Zhou Wanyou.
Zhou Wanyou stood her ground, not moving.
Just as the two were about to touch Zhou Wanyou, Acai kicked them both away.
The two wet nurses slammed into the table, then rolled to the ground, clutching their bodies and wailing.
Wang Xiting was shocked that Acai dared to act within the inner palace. "Audacious! You, a mere maidservant, dare to strike my people! Does your General's manor intend to rebel?"
Zhou Wanyou flicked her sleeves, remaining composed. "Your Highness, please do not speak carelessly. She acted with reason, and it has nothing to do with the General's manor."
Wang Xiting's brow furrowed fiercely. "What do you mean by that?"
Acai cast a cold glance at her, too lazy to waste words. She directly took out a token from her waist.
The token resembled a royal token, inscribed with the words 'Zhong Zhu.'
Wang Xiting scoffed, "What is this garbage?"
Her words startled not only Zhou Wanyou and her maidservant but also her own palace servants.
One of the maids hurried forward and whispered a few words into Wang Xiting's ear.
Wang Xiting looked at Acai in disbelief.
Born into a military family? Raised by the Zhou family only because her family died on the battlefield? Granted the title 'Zhong Zhu' by His Majesty, so even high-ranking officials in the capital had to show her respect?
Someone like this was by Su Yunmo's side?
Why would such a capable person condescend to be a servant by Zhou Wanyou's side?
Even with the debt of upbringing, she didn't need to be so humble, did she?
Although Wang Xiting felt a hint of apprehension towards Acai's status, she also looked down on her.
In Wang Xiting's opinion, Acai should have been granted her own residence by the Emperor, with thousands of servants attending to her.
But Acai clearly had different thoughts. "Your Highness can use all sorts of excuses to attack the General's wife. But I can also counterattack on her behalf."
As long as this woman wasn't afraid of escalating the matter.