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  "One wave subsides, another rises. Yesterday the palace was finally quiet, but today it's in chaos again. The Empress Dowager lost her icy composure and can't control the harem anymore, who knows how the Emperor will scold her." Zhao Shuyuan said quietly: "I think someone is intentionally trying to make things difficult for the Empress Dowager."

  "Empress Dowager? She dares."

  "She didn't dare, but someone else did. Never mind, don't say anything more, you'd better keep quiet for the next few days."

  Liu Jieyou nodded: "You are my master, I naturally listen to you."

  Lin Yan held the fan higher as she listened to these words. Her actions seemed like she was afraid of the heat, but in reality, she couldn't hold back her laughter and was using the fan to cover it up.

  Wow, rumors are scary, rumors are scary... The rumor I spread last night didn't expect to take effect so quickly.

  Actually, Lin Wan didn't know if the Chu sisters had taken extra ice or not, but now that the Emperor is currying favor with them and even summoned them to serve in bed last night, it's likely he'll generously reward them with more ice. Whether it's the Emperor's favoritism or the Empress's unfair distribution, the fact remains that the two sisters are using more ice than others, which is just too infuriating on a day like today when everyone is suffering.

  The imperial favor shown to the sisters of the Chu family made it unbearable for all the women in the harem. But the Emperor was still indulging in it, unable to extricate himself.

  At this time, what is needed is just a catalyst to break the deadlock. This ice block incident will become the last straw that crushes the patience of the concubines. The person who plotted against the empress was different from Lin Wei, her goal was not the Chu sisters, she just wanted to use this matter to make it difficult for the empress.

  She wouldn't know who spread such rumors, but she knew how to make it beneficial for both parties.

  Today's Xī Yuè Yáo Tái is going to have a good show, it's just that the empress will be pitied and bear another crime of being incompetent as the palace master.

  Lin Wan felt no guilt at all, the empress wasn't someone who hadn't schemed against herself before! It's really sorry, Empress, for using you to deal with the Chu sisters, please don't blame me!

  I'm just trying to climb up too!

  The imperial concubines and others in the great hall knelt down to plead their grievances, looking up eagerly for the empress to preside over justice; however, the empress was still having her meal in the rear palace.

  The queen attaches great importance to the way of nourishing life, and her breakfast always includes eating porridge made from five grains, or millet, glutinous rice, red beans and so on. She slowly savored a small bowl, then said to the palace maids who had been waiting impatiently by her side: "Help me change my clothes."

  Wan Qiu hastily led the way, helping the Empress change out of her everyday outer garment and into a bright yellow wide-sleeved phoenix robe. She really didn't understand why, with the grand hall outside already bustling with people, their master was not hurrying, but instead taking his time to eat and still insisting on keeping the habit of changing his attire twice in the morning.

  It wasn't until dawn that the empress finally came out.

  Everyone stood up and bowed.

  The queen glanced at the crowd and saw that the scene in the grand hall was strange, with three or five concubines sitting and a large group of people kneeling. The two seats in the first row below the phoenix throne were empty.

  The position on the right is Xiang Fei's, it's normal that she didn't come. The position on the left naturally belongs to Rou Fei. At this time, a eunuch who was transmitting messages came up and whispered in the Empress's ear: "The eldest prince has contracted pneumonia, Rou Fei has already asked for leave."

  The queen smiled coldly in her heart. It was indeed Shen Yunrong's style, secretly provoking conflicts but never getting involved herself, waiting for others to stir up trouble and then hiding far away, only to reap the benefits later. She really had some skills, having managed to avoid being caught off guard all these years while earning a reputation as a virtuous and kind-hearted person. All the concubines and palace staff in the palace got along well with her, singing her praises and saying how good she was, truly a rare phenomenon in the harem of Great Qin for centuries.

  Shen Yunrong was the most renowned person in the palace, yet she was the one person the Empress Dowager looked down on the most in her life.

  Among the crowd of people kneeling in the center, the leader was a concubine of Rong Fei, while the several pin positions and guiren behind her were purely there to join in the commotion. The palace staff had long been dissatisfied with the Chu sisters, and this time they seized an opportunity to make trouble, wanting to force the Empress to deal with the Chu family.

  The queen said to them: "What you have said has been heard by the palace. First, get up, and whatever grievances you have can be spoken while seated."

  The lady-in-waiting did not move, only knocking her head and saying: "Please let the empress decide." The people behind her all followed her example and did not get up, saying the same thing.

  The queen looked at them like this, and gradually frowned.

  This group of women who don't know how to behave are becoming more and more daring in their disobedience! Consort Liang has been learning from Concubine Yu all these years, and her courage is also growing! The thousand-jin ice block disappeared into thin air, and Concubine Yu must have used a lot of effort to frame herself. But she still doesn't think it's enough, and wants to spread rumors that the Chu family stole more ice blocks to add to her own troubles!

  They are forcing themselves to suppress the Chu family. However, the Chu sisters are proud in the emperor's heart and now want to reuse the Governor of Huguang... If they don't get along with the Chu family, can the emperor be happy? Who knows if he will blame himself for not understanding things and delaying Mr. Chu's major events in the imperial court! Moreover, the crime of losing the ice block is pinned on their own head, and the house leaks just as it encounters continuous rain...

  Roufei, you've made a great calculation!

  The queen's heart is filled with resentment, and her situation has only gotten worse over the years. But who can she blame? Can she blame herself for being infertile, or the emperor for not favoring her, or Shen Shi and Shang Guan Shi? The queen's face is cold and stern, striking fear into those who see her, but others do not know of her boundless sorrow.

  Just then, the curtain at the gate of the palace was lifted, and two imperial concubines entered one after another. It turned out to be Yun Guibao and Tian Liangdi. The two ignored Ronggui and others, went straight forward and knelt down in front of the empress: "Your Majesty forgive us, we are late."

  As soon as the two entered, all the concubines in the house looked at them, and many of their faces were not very friendly. Su Guiren smiled lightly and said: "Indeed, Sister Chu is different from us, with more privileges than others, and there's no need to follow the rules for paying respects."

  "Last night, Huang Shang flipped over Guifei's nameplate..." someone whispered.

  "Ah! Noble Consort, you have received great imperial favor, we can't compare to that."

  "Empress Dowager, please don't kneel down. In this palace, there has never been the word 'fairness'!"

  If it weren't for the empress's presence, the Chu sisters would have been drowned in a sea of women's saliva. The empress sighed and had to put on a stern face to reprimand Yun Guibao: "The ancestral rules are there, you may have received favor and kindness, but you can't overstep the bounds of propriety."

  The Empress spoke up, and none of the consorts dared to interrupt again. Yun Guibin and Tian Liangdi both lowered their heads, knelt down, and apologized to the Empress.

  At this time, the queen's face was gloomy, and Yu Guifei was not much better. She understood how much resentment these women in front of her had towards her, and she also knew that once they got a handle on her, they would not let her off easily. Although the queen had previously recommended Huashang to the empress dowager, it was just to use the sisters to deal with Xiangfei; the queen never did anything useless, so how could she possibly favor the sisters when this matter involved her own interests?

  But how did the matter of His Majesty's gift of ice last night get out? She has always been strict in governing those below her, which servant dares to be talkative! It's probably someone from Huashang's side who leaked it out, these servants should be beaten severely...

  No! Someone must be deliberately plotting against them! She and Huashang have both been deeply favored by the emperor, so they may have become a bit arrogant, but they would never act recklessly and give others an excuse to criticize. Today, because of the rules for visiting the emperor, she got up very early, but on the way, she ran into a small palace maid carrying water, got her clothes wet, and had to go back and change... Huashang usually flatters her, and when something happens, she doesn't dare leave first, so she accompanies her on an extra trip and they both end up late for the visit.

  Unfortunately she didn't have time to investigate the origin of that little palace maid!

  Chu Hua Xin is now in a difficult situation and can't speak out. No matter how she explains, she has come too late and indeed took more ice than others.

  At this moment, she was kneeling here to apologize with a humble attitude, her heart was both annoyed and hateful, and slowly gave birth to a little fear. These years, even if she regained favor, it was not as good as Shanggui Fei, now she finally caught up, but the taste of being the target of public criticism was too frightening.

  Look at this group of kneeling concubines, each and every one of them is resentful and indignant, as if they could peel off their own skin. Those who are not kneeling also have an unpleasant expression, with gazes that cut like knives. Even the Empress Dowager was cornered by them.

  Who is the person who calculated herself? Is she calculating the queen and also calculating herself, or is she calculating herself and dragging the queen down with her? If it's aimed at the queen, then it should be Rong Fei. If it's aimed at herself, then it should be Xiang Fei... No, after Xiang Fei became pregnant, she didn't make any moves anymore, so it shouldn't be her either. Could it be Wen Pin? She lost favor because of the embroidered skirt, although she didn't follow along to the temporary palace, perhaps she's still secretly plotting something... Or perhaps it's none of them, but a person hiding in the dark!

  Chu Hua Xuan gritted her teeth in thought, Sheng Fei had been the most favored among the six palaces for years, how did she manage to do it?

  Could it be that I'm really no match for Xiang Fei and can't handle these women? No, that won't happen...

  Yu Gui Bin was still filled with anxiety, while Tian Liang Fei lowered her head and eyes to admit her mistake in front of the group of women: "Concubine Yu and my sister got up late this morning, missed the morning ceremony, it's Concubine Yu's fault. Last night, the Emperor summoned my sister, and issued a decree to give us more ice allowance, Concubine Yu knew that each of your Highness' allowances were insufficient, and didn't dare to enjoy it alone, so when Concubine Yu and my sister returned, we took out the Emperor's reward and divided it among our sisters."

  "Your servants wouldn't dare want anything of yours, noble lady," said Concubine Li lightly with a smile.

  The Empress said, "You all heard clearly this time, Yun Guifei and Tian Liangfei have more things than you because of the Emperor's reward. They serve the Emperor with their hearts, naturally they should be rewarded, is it unfair in your eyes? Or do you dare to question the Emperor?"

  Her heart skipped a beat, after all, the Empress's words were harsh... But if she gave up now, Consort Rou would definitely not let her off easy. Her own father was still under Consort Rou's command, after all.

  She remembered the words that Rong Fei had taught her, and she felt a sense of confidence in her heart. She raised her head and said to the Empress: "We do not dare to disobey Your Majesty. However, our ancestors have taught us that the harem should be treated equally, like the rain and dew. But recently, Your Majesty has been favoring Consort Yu and Concubine Tian so much that you haven't summoned anyone else for a whole month. We think this is not proper. Your Majesty is the mistress of the harem, and we are just minor concubines with humble opinions. Please, Your Majesty, speak to the Emperor on our behalf."