Hu Meiren froze. “Your Majesty, what did I say wrong?”

  “Impudence!” Linshui scolded sharply. “When Her Majesty delivers punishment, is it your pce to argue?”

  Guifei stood up. “Hu Meiren, you should be thanking Her Majesty.”

  Though full of grievance, Hu Meiren still said, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” and left with her pace maids.

  “Hu Meiren has always been careless with her words, but now she’s becoming even more unruly. Your Majesty, please don’t let it upset you,” said Guifei.

  Wumian smiled faintly. “It’s a small matter. Please, be seated, Guifei.”

  The Empress had certainly punished people before—

  But this was the first time since her recovery.

  Everyone took note, watching her closely. Even the pace maids by her side were quite something—stern-faced and unyielding, throwing Hu Meiren out like that.

  “Hu Meiren truly can’t rid herself of her reckless tongue,” said Jiang Zhaorong with clear disdain.

  “She’s getting more and more out of line,” added Yang Jieyu.

  “Hu Meiren has followed Guifei ever since entering the pace. Guifei, perhaps you should rein her in more,” said Xian Fei, pointedly.

  Guifei was already irritated. Hu Meiren had been trying to get close to her, sure—but when had she ever acknowledged her? A fool like that only dragged others down.

  “Follow me? What kind of talk is that?” Guifei replied coolly. “We’re all sisters here. It’s only natural to spend time with those we get along with and avoid those we don’t. As for Hu Meiren’s temperament—I don’t know much about it.” In other words, I don’t associate with her.

  “It’s a small matter. A punishment will suffice,” Wumian said with a gentle smile. “Even though Guifei manages pace affairs, she can’t oversee everyone. No need to fuss over it.”

  Once again, Wumian appeared to be speaking in Guifei’s favor today.

  “Your Majesty is truly magnanimous,” Jiang Zhaorong fttered with a sweet voice.

  “The Empress Dowager has sent word,” Guifei suddenly said. “She’ll return to the pace in mid-August to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

  She had chosen just this moment to speak up—clearly to show she had received the message.

  Wumian smiled politely. “Then, Guifei, do prepare accordingly. Remind the servants at Yining Pace to clean thoroughly for Her Majesty’s return. And be sure to notify those at Jinhua Pavilion, too—Fu Meiren’s quarters must also be tidy. Most importantly, make sure everything is ready at Rongkang Hall, where the First Prince resides.”

  (Oh? You got the news? Then you can handle the work. You think I care?)

  “Yes, I’ve already given the orders,” Guifei replied. “If anything’s missed, I’ll ask Your Majesty again.”

  “No need. I’m not as capable as you. If you’re managing everything well, then continue doing so,” Wumian replied with a teasing smile.

  “Surely Guifei doesn’t bear a grudge? Judging by age, I could call you elder sister—you wouldn’t resent me over some trivial matters, would you?”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Guifei said hastily. “Your Majesty speaks too highly. How could I bear a grudge? You are the Empress—your oversight is far more thoughtful than mine.”

  Truthfully, she was having a hard time keeping up with the Empress’s sudden shifts.

  She had steeled herself to face harsh words—but the Empress today was... oddly soft.

  “That’s good. We all live in the pace. A bit of squabbling is normal—we’re all doing it for His Majesty,” Wumian said with a nod. “As long as Guifei doesn’t mind, then it’s fine.”

  “Your Majesty overthinks things. I truly wasn’t bothered,” Guifei replied.

  “Good, good. Guifei is truly the best,” Wumian said with a coy smile, almost childlike.

  “A harmonious harem—what a blessing,” Xian Fei said sincerely.

  Her tone was serious, but honestly—if that wasn’t sarcasm, then what was?

  But Wumian acted like she didn’t hear it, and Guifei pyed dumb as well.

  After everyone left, Wumian ughed heartily, quite pleased. “If the Second Prince weren’t so sickly, Xian Fei and Guifei would’ve torn each other to shreds by now.”

  Linshui chuckled. “Those two have been at odds for quite some time.”

  “The Eldest Prince will be returning. Should we be on guard?” she asked more seriously.

  “No need to meddle,” Wumian replied. “Once he’s back, we’ll send a few gifts to show goodwill. What matters is that none of our people get dragged into anything. If any of them look unreliable, tell me right away. I don’t want a mess on my hands ter.”

  “Rest assured, Your Majesty. Everyone in our pace is trustworthy.” After all, anyone who wasn't had been dealt with long ago.

  Since Zhang Momo returned to the Zhao family, things had become much more peaceful.

  “That’s fine then. I don’t need to control everything—just keeping our side in order is enough.”

  After all the exertion the night before, there was no way she wasn’t going back to sleep for a while. So Wumian napped again, completely at ease.

  The harem was a pce full of schemes. If you wasted energy over every little thing, you’d burn out quickly.

  It simply wasn’t worth it.

  That very afternoon, just as Wumian sat down for lunch, Jinbo came in from outside.

  “Your Majesty, a message from Li Fei’s pace. She’s experiencing abdominal pain and has already summoned the Imperial Physician. She’s also sent someone to Taiji Pace.”

  “Mhm. Did she send anyone to us?”

  “Not yet, Your Majesty,” Jinbo said.

  “Good. Then go have your lunch. I’ll eat mine.”

  Jinbo hesitated. “Your Majesty isn’t going to check on her?”

  “Why should I? Did something happen? Do I know what it is?” Once might be a courtesy—twice? That’s just giving her face for free.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Jinbo replied, understanding at once.

  As Linshui and Feixu set the table, Feixu huffed, “Just because she’s pregnant, she thinks she can be so arrogant?”

  “She dares because His Majesty indulges her. If His Majesty doesn’t mind, what can we say?” Wumian said lightly. “Enough, let’s eat.”

  And so, when Guifei and the others arrived at Hanliang Pace ter, they discovered that the Empress wasn’t there.

  Guifei asked, “Why hasn’t Her Majesty come?”

  Min Fei shook her head.

  After all, their visit was simply an act of “sisterly concern.” It wasn’t protocol—it was for show. They all came to look united and harmonious. So if one of their “sisters” fell ill, they had to come.

  As for whether the Empress would come, no one could control that.

  When Ying Qionglou arrived, it was already a little te. He had stayed behind at noon to dine with some ministers. The attendants who had come to report didn’t dare disturb him.

  So it wasn’t until after he’d finished lunch that he learned of the incident.

  By then, the imperial physicians had already completed their diagnosis.

  The result was the same old story: fetal restlessness due to Li Fei’s disturbed sleep during the night.

  This was the second time.

  Both times, the Emperor had spent the night in the Empress’s pace, and both times, Li Fei had trouble sleeping.

  Everyone exchanged gnces, each holding back a bellyful of mockery. But with the Emperor present, no one dared speak.

  “Your Majesty, please wipe your sweat.” Guifei handed him her handkerchief. It was midday, and the heat was intense.

  Ying Qionglou accepted it and wiped his brow, not in a hurry to go inside. He only asked, “The Empress didn’t come?”

  Guifei nodded. “Perhaps Her Majesty wasn’t informed.”

  As if that were possible. What were her servants doing?

  Still, it wasn’t a particurly pointed remark. What else could she say?

  Ying Qionglou nodded. “It’s scorching midday—thank you all for coming. Go back and rest before you get heatstroke.”

  Guifei responded politely, “Then Your Majesty should spend more time comforting Li Fei. She’s carrying a child, best not let her overthink.”

  As Guifei, it wasn’t inappropriate for her to say that.

  Ying Qionglou only gave a quiet “Mm” in response.

  He remained standing there, lost in thought. He wasn’t angry at the Empress for not coming—indeed, while the Empress was responsible for overseeing the consorts, that didn’t mean she had to appear every time something happened.

  He simply found himself remembering the st time. The st time Li Fei felt unwell, the Empress had sent in her maid, who had spoken and saluted with such perfect decorum that the image had etched itself deeply in his mind.