"You deserve to die, you useless thing, for really giving Feng Xi to her."
"This servant did not, this servant did not," Eunuch Li pleaded repeatedly.
Princess Ru Yin, having just been slapped by her mother and reprimanded by the Empress, was seething with rage. She had no intention of accepting his pleas and prepared to kick him again.
The Empress Dowager, who had been sitting by the bedside, suddenly let out a loud command.
"Enough, Ru Yin."
"Mother," Princess Ru Yin finally stopped, flicked Eunuch Li a cold glare, and turned aside.
Her personal maid, Jin Qin, quickly attended to her young mistress, sitting her down. She dared not be careless; her mistress was not someone with a good temper. Fortunately, she understood her disposition well enough to remain by her side.
"Princess, don't be angry. Sit down and have some tea."
A cup of tea was swiftly brought to Ru Yin's lips. Having been agitated for most of the day, she was indeed thirsty. She reached out and took it, her anger finally subsiding somewhat, but she still glared at Eunuch Li ungraciously.
The Empress Dowager, looking at her arrogant daughter, felt a flash of helplessness. She had indulged her too much and could not blame anyone else. She waved her hand, "You may go. Have someone keep an eye on that side."
"Yes, Empress Dowager."
Eunuch Li, his face pale, got up and staggered out.
The Empress Dowager glanced after him, feeling a sliver of pity. Little Li had served her for over a decade, and there was naturally some affection.
The Empress Dowager turned and scanned Mu Rong Ru Yin, seeing her drinking tea and seemingly less angry than before. The Empress Dowager coldly commanded.
"All of you may withdraw."
Jin Qin knew the Empress Dowager had words for the Princess and immediately led the palace maids in the sleeping quarters out.
In the vast space, only the Empress Dowager and Princess Ru Yin remained. The Empress Dowager looked at her daughter with a headache and sighed.
"Ru Yin, you should rein in your temper. You are too rash, and you caused Mother to be lectured by that woman."
When Ru Yin heard her mother's words, she thought of how that infatuated woman Mu Qing Yao had dared to scold her, and how her maid had pointed a sword at her throat.
Ru Yin still felt the coolness and sharpness of the sword's edge. Had she moved, her life would likely have been forfeit.
Thinking that she, a dignified princess, had been bullied by a mere maid, her face darkened, and she looked with displeasure at her mother leaning on the bed.
"It's all Brother Emperor's fault for doting on that woman so much. He watches them bully us and doesn't help us. It's truly infuriating."
The Empress Dowager sat up properly and reached out to pull her daughter. "Ru Yin, you saw what happened today. Don't act on impulse anymore. Your Brother Emperor will not indulge you. You must remember, he is not your full sibling."
The Empress Dowager spoke with earnestness.
A thoughtful expression flickered across Ru Yin's beautiful face. She gazed blankly at her mother and sighed, "Yes, if the Second Brother Emperor were the Emperor now, he wouldn't let others bully us."
Unfortunately, the current Emperor was not her Second Brother Emperor. Ru Yin was vexed but helpless. Yet, she was unwilling to be bullied by those people.
"Don't speak nonsense," the Empress Dowager warned her daughter coldly. Ru Yin continued as if she hadn't heard.
"Mother, are we truly going to let that woman climb over our heads from now on?"
Ru Yin knew her mother's character; she was always autocratic and would never allow Mu Qing Yao to get the better of them, mother and daughter. Although they had suffered a setback today, they would surely retaliate doubly in the future.
"She wishes!"
The Empress Dowager spat fiercely, her face contorting slightly. Ru Yin smiled with satisfaction.
"I knew Mother would never let others bully us. Even if Brother Emperor protects that woman, in this vast harem, what if something happens to that woman inadvertently? Would they still blame us?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at her daughter. This time, she showed a bit of wit. A cunning glint flashed at the corner of her lips, and she coldly reminded her daughter, "Don't cause trouble for Mother recently. Mother will help you teach that woman a lesson."
"Daughter understands."
Ru Yin immediately nestled obediently into her mother's embrace. Her slightly stinging cheek reminded her that her mother had just hit her. Her mother was truly ruthless. Ru Yin's expression turned somewhat unsightly.
Guangyang Palace belonged to the West Palace, while Fengluan Palace was located in the East Palace. The two palaces were very far apart.
She had arrived by sedan chair. On the way back, Mu Qing Yao had the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair return first, while she herself, along with Mo Chou and Mei Xin, and a few palace maids, walked back.
It was early autumn, and a cool breeze wafted. Walking on the bluestone path, pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water, and carved beams and painted eaves were visible everywhere. The palace eaves, layered and curled like clouds, seemed like waves upon waves.
Sunlight shone on the glazed tiles, reflecting dazzling light. In front of the palace gates, flowers and plants were vibrant, at their most fragrant. Perhaps after this moment of bloom, their decline would soon follow.
The harem, vast and with numerous buildings, was arranged in an orderly fashion. In front of the gates was a large lake, with stone bridges built over it. The bridges seemed to rise from the ground, extending all the way to the shore, where weeping willows, verdant and swaying in the wind, graced the banks.
Gardens were also found everywhere, their fragrances filling the air.
The group strolled leisurely, heading towards Fengluan Palace. The cool weather invigorated Mu Qing Yao, completely dispelling the languor of summer. Her water-silk blue brocade gown made her a part of the green scenery.
Mei Xin and Mo Chou looked at their mistress. The Empress Dowager had almost been angered to death by their mistress today, yet she showed no reaction. Mei Xin was full of worry.
The Empress Dowager was not easy to deal with. She truly feared her mistress would suffer a hidden loss. She wanted to say something, but feared she might spoil her mistress's mood. If she didn't say anything, she felt restless.
As she struggled with indecision, Mu Qing Yao, walking ahead, spoke softly as if she had eyes in the back of her head.
"What does Mei Xin want to say?"
Mei Xin quickly caught up to the figure in front, lowered her voice, and whispered, "Your Ladyship should be more careful. The Empress Dowager suffered a hidden loss today and likely won't let it go easily."
Mu Qing Yao suddenly stopped. Mei Xin almost bumped into her. She slowly turned around, her dark eyes looking at Mei Xin, her gaze sweeping over the palace maids following them, her expression cold.
"My fate is no longer my own. If anyone dares to provoke me, I will not let any of them go."
Mei Xin and Mo Chou shivered. It seemed their mistress had it all figured out.
Moreover, these words were clearly a veiled warning to the palace maids behind them.
If their mistress spared no one, even the Empress Dowager, then what about them, mere palace maids?
The palace maids of Fengluan Palace dared not even breathe. Their mistress seemed like a ruthless person. They could only pray for themselves, and it would be best to mind their own mouths. It seemed the palace was not peaceful, and the winds of change were blowing.