At this moment, the imperial concubines brought by Ye Yuyun took the opportunity to step forward and respectfully paid their respects to Consort De.
"Your concubine leads her sisters in greeting Consort De."
The woman who spoke was Zhaoyuan Liu Binglian, who resided in Jiaofang Palace with Consort Xian. She was the daughter of the Prefect of Yanjing Prefecture, a person who knew how to seize opportunities and thus became a second-rank Zhaoyuan.
As the saying goes, one does not look at the monk but at the Buddha. Ye Suxue understood this principle, and Liu Binglian was also a second-rank Zhaoyuan, so Ye Suxue still gave her some face. With a smile, she waved her hand, "Sisters, please rise and sit on the side."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Liu Binglian led the group to sit on the other side.
In the vast palace, myriad colors bloomed, and a thousand flowers gathered, the air filled with intoxicating fragrance.
Consort De and Consort Xian, who were at the head, did not speak, and others dared not speak. They remained silent, their breaths intertwining.
Finally, Consort Xian broke the silence. She reached out and took Ye Suxue's delicate hand, speaking softly, "Sister, will that fool really lose her temper?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Ye Yuyun's eyes. She didn't have a strong impression of that foolish Empress, only knowing that she was incredibly foolish, happily sending people away even when they took her things.
But now, rumors had it that the fool not only hit Noble Lady Lan but also a eunuch and a palace maid, and even pushed Consort De into the pond. How was this possible?
A cold glint flashed across Ye Yuyun's eyes. Was this a scheme by Ye Suxue, or was it true?
Perhaps she was using the fool's hand to make a mountain out of a molehill and gain the Emperor's sympathy. Since she fell ill, the Emperor had visited her several times, which could only indicate her ulterior motives.
Ye Suxue was unaware of Ye Yuyun's suspicion, and even she doubted if she had been lucid at the time.
The fool of the Yun family was not a recent occurrence. They had grown up together. Although they were not of the same rank, they had met a few times occasionally.
This fool was not only thoroughly foolish but also very timid. A slight threat would send her scurrying away in fear, let alone striking someone.
However, what happened yesterday was seen with her own eyes. The fool did lose her temper because she took her jade bracelet, and Noble Lady Lan was also beaten for breaking her things.
"Does sister doubt me?"
Consort De narrowed her eyes. A hint of displeasure emerged from her languid demeanor, clearly showing her dissatisfaction with Consort Xian's words.
Everyone in the imperial sleeping quarters felt a chill. No one dared to speak. At this moment, Noble Lady Lan, who resided in Zhaoyang Palace, stood up and spoke respectfully.
"Consort Xian, this is absolutely true. The Empress not only lost her temper, but her strength was astonishingly great. I'm afraid three to five people would not be able to subdue her."
"So powerful?"
Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, clearly did not believe it.
If she had harbored some suspicion before, she was now highly suspicious. Although they had not interacted deeply with the foolish Empress, they understood her character.
From childhood to adulthood, the fool of the Yun mansion had been a topic of conversation in every alley and street. Her foolish deeds were treated as jokes throughout Yanjing.
That fool was not only foolish but also timid and easily frightened. Even a three-year-old child could scare her. Now, to say that the Empress had lost her temper and possessed astonishing strength, how was that possible?
As soon as Consort Xian finished speaking, the concubines in Jiaofang Palace began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Is she really that powerful?"
"Does the foolish have foolish strength?"
They chattered incessantly. Ye Suxue, leaning against the bed, watched everything without moving, not interfering. A dark glint flashed in her eyes, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.
Her gaze casually swept towards Noble Lady Lan. Noble Lady Lan was like her confidante, understanding her intentions better than anyone else. Therefore, a smile curved her lips, and she said,
"If Consort Xian does not believe it, she can send someone to test it and see if what we are saying is true?"
"Test it," Ye Yuyun nodded, her slender eyebrows twitching, her eyes filled with light, appearing very interested. "This is a good idea. Then let's send someone to try it and see if this fool is as magical as my sister and sister are saying?"
"Good."
A cryptic smile played on Ye Suxue's lips. Since someone was looking for death, why should she stop her? This woman, relying on her aunt's favor, was a bit clueless.
However, why would her aunt favor Ye Yuyun so much? This had always puzzled her.
The Ye family had no connection with their Ye family. Even if she was the adopted daughter of the Grand Tutor, at most, she would be a target for recruitment.
But now, that affection seemed to be no less than her own, which made Ye Suxue very depressed. She had always wanted to curb Ye Yuyun's arrogance. Now that she was courting death, why not oblige her?
"Does sister want to test it personally, or send someone?"
Ye Yuyun paused, her expression unchanged, but a calculation flashed in her heart. The Empress Dowager had just issued an edict, and she was going to provoke that woman. This Ye Suxue was clearly ill-intentioned.
But if she withdrew her intention now, she feared she would be ridiculed by this woman. Moreover, she truly could not believe what Consort De had said.
The Empress, a mere fool, losing her temper and possessing astonishing strength, capable of beating several people, was simply a fairy tale.
As Consort Xian was in a dilemma, Zhaoyuan Liu Binglian, seated beside her, immediately stood up.
"Reporting to Consort De, how can such a matter trouble my sisters? Allow this sister to go."
As soon as Liu Binglian finished speaking, Ye Suxue's pupils darkened slightly, but she did not show it. Instead, she said with a smile,
"Good, then let Sister Binglian go. Otherwise, your Consort Xian sister will not believe it."
In the vast imperial sleeping quarters, all the women gazed at the three of them, their eyes filled with a sense of schadenfreude.
The palace was too desolate, and it was good to find some amusement. Whether the foolish Empress would lose her temper or not, it had nothing to do with them. For now, they were just spectators. No matter what happened, it would not affect them.
Liu Binglian resided in Jiaofang Palace and had always been on good terms with Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun. Now that Consort Xian was in trouble, if she didn't step forward, knowing it was a thankless task, she couldn't let her good sister, Consort Xian, be in a difficult position. Therefore, she boldly stepped forward.
"Alright, then this sister will go to Jinhua Palace to retrieve an accessory of the Empress."
"Fine, you go," Consort De Ye Suxue said with a faint smile, waving her hand lazily. Liu Binglian took the order, brought her personal maid and two young eunuchs, left Zhaoyang Palace, and headed for Jinhua Palace.
Jinhua Palace.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the palace gates, casting golden rays that illuminated a corner of the grand hall, dazzling to the eyes.
In the dazzling light, a sweet and charming woman was lazily reclining on a couch, reading a book. Her dark hair was like clouds, styled into a peony bun, with two green jade beads pinned to her temples. Her attire was simple and elegant, yet it showcased her beautiful side.
Without any worldly cosmetics, she possessed only purity and clarity, like an unblemished stream in a lake.
"Your Highness, have some tea."
Xiuxiu respectfully offered a cup of fragrant tea, glancing at Xiao He, who was kneeling by the couch. After a day and a night of recuperation, the wound on her hand had essentially healed, but the Empress seemed to still be angry, so she ignored Xiao He, who was kneeling.