As a result, Bai Liangyi was nowhere near having "important matters". From start to finish, she complained about the Chu sisters, saying that Yun Guifei dominated the harem and Tian Liangyi manipulated the emperor's heart. These two sisters were just like Daji reborn, bullying the emperor without letting go. If it were any other time, if a woman had openly slandered others in front of him, he would have been annoyed long ago. But today, his mood was good, and the words spoken by this slender-waisted, beautiful-faced concubine were soothing, truly making one unable to get annoyed.

  Tuoba Hong also found it strange. This Bai Liangyi used to be a woman who relied on her looks, without any knowledge or skills. How did she suddenly make progress today? Looking at her jealous and resentful expression, although it's not nice to talk about people behind their backs, this woman's words were full of seductive charm. She said "Why does the Emperor always linger at the Chu sisters' place", then "Are we concubines not as good as Sister Chu?", and finally, hugging his arm, she said "It's been over a month since I last served the Emperor, I'm so sad..."

  Bai Xiuyi has always been someone without any ulterior motives, and Tuoba Hong never guards against her. In the past, he thought she was stupid, but now he only thinks she's spoiled and lovely. Perhaps it's because he's been with Hua Xing, Liuli, and Yu'er for a long time, Tuoba Hong is used to seeing intelligent women, and he really lacks someone who isn't so mature and straightforward by his side. After all, playthings are best when they're diverse, as long as they're interesting, anything goes.

  After listening to her pouring out her troubles for half a day, Tuoba Hong smiled and said: "Is this the 'important matter' you wanted to report?"

  Bai Xiuzhi immediately said: "The harem should be equally favored, such a big thing, why isn't it an important matter?!" She whispered softly again: "Your Majesty can do the main thing for the concubines." This also made Tuoba Hong laugh loudly.

  At this moment, someone outside reported that Yun Gui and Tian Liang had arrived. Taizong's heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment as a man, surrounded by the vinegar intention. He looked at the little beauty in front of him, and suddenly his playful heart rose to see the appearance of Bai Shi and Chu Shi competing for favor and eating vinegar. With a wave of his hand, he laughed and said: "Let them wait."

  However, after waiting for a while, the palace maid came over to report: "Yun Gui Bin and Tian Liang Di are kneeling in front of the main hall asking to see the Emperor."

  Tuoba Hong finally woke up from the pile of cosmetics. He realized that this was the harem, and these women were not simple. If they had been competing with each other in daily life, it would have been fine, but to kneel in front of him in the great hall for such a thing... Chu Shi was indeed exceptional.

  Ning Chu's father had made contributions to disaster relief, and although Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei was secretly displeased, he also had to give face to the Chu sisters. He sat for a moment, wanting to calm down Madam Chu's temper, before ordering someone to open the palace gates.

  This time, however, three people entered, with the Empress Dowager leading the way.

  The Chu sisters, who were following the empress, were crying with tears streaming down their faces. Although Yu Guifei was a bit flustered, she had been well-educated by her parents since childhood and had undergone many years of training in the palace, so she was not lacking in wit or strategy. As soon as she entered the hall, she knelt at the emperor's feet and cried out: "Your Majesty, I implore you to take charge! Now there are many people in the harem who are slandering me with malicious rumors, and the insults they utter are unbearable..."

  She said as she glanced unintentionally at Bai Liangji. What kind of trick is this to coax a man? Do you think I don't know? My father is someone who has been heavily relied upon by the Emperor, and I have received great favor, so I don't believe that the Emperor would choose to side with you over me! Chu Huaxin understood men's thoughts very well. If he really liked Bai Xiuzhu more than herself, then no matter how ugly the words coming out of Bai Xiuzhu's mouth were, they would be considered right; on the other hand, even if Bai Xiuzhu spoke in a way that was reasonable and proper, it could only be called slander!

  No matter how clever he was, Chu Huaxin couldn't see through the thoughts of the man in front of her.

  Tuoba Hong liked to cherish women's tears, but at this moment, he couldn't cherish Chu Huaxin.

  Perhaps having high expectations for someone is not a good thing either.

  "He merely said to her, 'Don't mention the matter of taking charge for now. I'm asking you, do you know that this is the Diligent Governance Hall? You knelt outside the grand hall and let the court officials see you; what kind of decorum is that? I still thought you were someone who understood things.'"

  Yu Gui Fei was shocked, unexpectedly the Emperor would say such cold words. Her heart surged with grievances, she of course knew that the Qian Jing Hall was different from the harem, it was where the Emperor discussed politics. But even Bai Liang Yi could come in and be alone with the Emperor, and who knows what unscrupulous things they did inside, couldn't she just kneel outside the hall?

  She bit her teeth and didn't say these words, but knelt down in tears.

  At this time, Tuoba Hong no longer wanted to bother with her. Chu Shi's improper behavior was not just once or twice, and these days she had been pampering herself, holding herself up, and every day and night she would entangle herself with him. Whenever he showed a desire to go to another palace, she would use her cunning tricks. Tuoba Hong accepted Chu Hua Xin's tactics without restriction, and he didn't care about the consequences of what Chu Hua Xin did. In the end, Chu Hua Xin brought suffering upon herself, but he was too lazy to worry about it.

  He looked down at Chu Huaxin and turned his eyes to the empress beside him, with an expression on his face that seemed to ask if she had anything to say.

  Tuoba Hong did not like this empress, but he would give her the respect and dignity she deserved. Take the Xingzheng Hall for example, ordinary concubines didn't even have the qualifications to enter, only Shangfei often came in, but could only serve the emperor by grinding ink. The empress, as the legitimate wife, was able to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the emperor in the Xingzheng Hall with dignity.

  The queen sat down on the chair brought by the palace staff, and slowly said to the emperor: "I came to discuss palace affairs with Your Majesty today, unfortunately, Yu Guifei also arrived...". As she spoke, she glanced at Chu Huaxin: "Speaking of which, there are many rumors about Yu Guifei in the palace. The palace staff is talkative, and if this continues, not only will Yu Guifei feel wronged, but I think it's also inappropriate. I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss this matter with Your Majesty."

  Tuoba Hong looked at the Empress and said solemnly, then waved his hand to Chu Shi and the others: "You all go back first, I have something to discuss with the Empress."

  Chu Huaxin was extremely dissatisfied and reluctant, but she knew that the Emperor had something important to attend to this time, so she could only hold back her tears and withdraw. Bai Liangyi also stopped pestering the Emperor and quickly walked out of the palace gates, afraid of being bullied by the Chu sisters.

  As soon as these concubines retreated, the empress stood up and knelt down to the emperor, saying: "Your servant has committed a crime."

  Tuoba Hong said lightly: "The matter of providing ice has already been settled, and your apology is also unnecessary." With a hint of dissatisfaction between his eyebrows.

  In the eyes of Emperor Taizong of Northern Wei, the main function of the empress was to help him manage the household. The empress knew that he had some complaints about her because of this matter, but she could only blame herself for being careless and making a mistake in sending ice, which made all the masters and servants in the palace suffer from the heat. It was reasonable for the emperor to blame her.

  Her face was full of shame, and she lowered her head to say: "I know I messed up, the silver money needed to buy ice will also be deducted from my dowry, it's all my responsibility. Fortunately, it's not too late to make up for the loss, many large mansions in the capital have surplus ice, I secretly sent someone to buy some, and after gathering here and there, I finally managed to meet the needs of the entire palace yesterday. Tomorrow, I will take the decree down and give each palace concubine their share..."

  "Alright, let's make it up as you said. Just don't let there be a next time." Tuoba Hong nodded with his eyes closed.

  "Yes." The empress sat down. She was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "A few days ago, several concubines led by Concubine Mao came to my palace and knelt down, asking me to persuade the emperor to be fair and just. As I see it, persuasion is not necessary at all. The emperor has his own plans, and what I want to say, the emperor has already thought of."

  The queen's words were interesting, and Emperor Taizong of Northern Wei couldn't help but want to laugh: "So you won't advise me then?"

  The queen bowed her head and said, "However, I still want to say something... Your Majesty has indeed been too fond of the Chu sisters these days. The other concubines are having a hard time, and they are all resentful in their hearts. Rumors have also been circulating in the palace, slandering Yu Guibao and them, and Yu Guibao and Tian Liangyi also feel wronged. If this continues, it's really not good."

  "Then according to your meaning, I shouldn't dote on the Chu sisters anymore."

  The empress knew that Emperor Taizong of Northern Wei had a strong personality and was determined to do things his own way, not allowing others to interfere. The gentle concubine was also hateful, inciting the other consorts to pressure her into advising the emperor, just to make him dislike her. She thought it was good that she was an unassuming empress; if it were a woman with a strong and stubborn personality who was the empress, she would definitely not get along with this emperor.

  She also understood Taohong's plan. It was nothing more than wanting to support the Chu family and Xiangfei against each other, waiting for Xiangfei to give birth to a daughter or not give birth at all, and the exclusive favor of the two Chus would come to an end; if Xiangfei could give birth to a prince, then these two sisters might continue to prosper for several more years... But who knew what happened? Yu Guibao used to be outstanding, but now she was even more disappointing, speaking and acting with a hint of "can't get up" appearance, and today she actually knelt down in front of the Diligent Government Hall without regard for her dignity... Was it really true that not everyone could handle being favored?

  Looking at the emperor's attitude towards Chu Shi today, the empress knew that he was disappointed in his heart. It's also good this way, if he really liked Chu Shi, it would be hard for her to be the empress.

  The queen gazed at the emperor's face and said in a gentle voice, "The Chu sisters serve Your Majesty with all their hearts, and it is only natural that you favor them. However, the other sisters are also of good character and appearance, and it would be a pity if Your Majesty were to neglect them."

  "Your Majesty, I've heard that the current Governor of Huguang, Lord Chu, has done a great job in disaster relief and is highly valued by you. Although I don't understand court politics, I know that it's customary to reward the daughters of meritorious officials in the palace. In my opinion, Your Majesty can use Lord Chu's merits as an excuse to promote his sisters' ranks. This way, even if your favor towards them fades in the future, they and their family will have already received imperial grace and won't harbor any resentment; the other consorts in the palace will also receive imperial favor and be treated equally, so everyone will be satisfied."

  The emperor listened and slowly raised his eyebrows, nodding slowly: "The method of the empress is not bad. However, you also know that rank and imperial favor are two different things."

  The Empress knew he was thinking of Xiang Fei. In fact, what he needed was just someone who could compete with Xiang Fei for imperial favor. If this person's status were to be elevated but not favored, it would be no different from Wang Shu Rong in the Chang Le Palace. Looking at Yun Gui Bin, she seemed a bit beyond help, and I don't know if there was anyone else who could take on this important task...

  This time, the queen closed her mouth and didn't speak. She could see that Tuoba Hong had already made up his mind.