Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 118 - 107: I Have No Idea

Concubine Wei pointed out the reason for Concubine Lan’s loss of composure in just a few words.

Concubine Lan said coldly: "Is Concubine Wei trying to shield Consort Xu?"

"Consort Xu did nothing wrong, so why would I shield her?"

"As a consort, she showed disrespect to me, which is a crime!"

"Really? I only saw her kneeling in the snow performing a grand ceremony for you. Even if we speak this before the Empress, it can’t be considered disrespect."

Concubine Lan said with a steady tone: "Consort Xu ignored me when she saw me, so I punished her to kneel, was I wrong?"

"Concubine Wei, I didn’t..."

Consort Xu cast a pleading glance toward her.

"No need to say more, I believe you didn’t,"

Consort Xu felt a tinge of warmth in the harsh winter due to Concubine Wei’s words. Their bond could carry her across a river: "Failing to bow to higher-ranked concubines is being arrogant due to favor. Consort Xu has no such favor, so where would the arrogance come from? If there’s a misunderstanding, she’s already kneeling; better not delay greeting the Empress."

Consort Xu: ...

Splash, the little boat of friendship turned over.

Saying this, the palace maid beside Concubine Wei helped Consort Xu up.

"I forbid it!"

Concubine Lan glared at the maid.

The maid curtsied and returned to Concubine Wei: "My master is Concubine Wei, I cannot heed Concubine Lan’s words."

Feeling helpless when her words no longer had power, Concubine Lan was furious and lost. Concubine Wei’s approach was to turn and leave with Consort Xu, refusing to linger. Despite the repeating "I forbid" and "bold" from behind, she didn’t even glance back.

"Speak, what’s the matter?"

Concubine Wei asked indifferently.

After listening to Consort Xu’s recount, Concubine Wei sneered and said: "She’s so infuriated by Concubine Xi that she went mad, and you happened to catch her wrath. I suspect that the Emperor didn’t stay at Youlan Garden last night because her menstrual cycle arrived!"

The two hurriedly walked, not avoiding people. When Concubine Feng came over to greet them, she caught the last sentence:

"Whose menstrual cycle is irregular?"

Consort Xu bowed and recounted the morning incident.

"Oh dear, Consort Xu, you have always been courteous. Although there are ranks of high and low, we all know where Concubine Lan comes from. The rules taught by people from there can’t be better than those taught by the Xu Family, right? I don’t believe you would fail to bow when seeing her."

Concubine Feng comforted warmly.

In such cases without surveillance, it’s all about rank, connections, and favoritism.

Concubine Lan has rank, Consort Xu has connections.

You have to consider the owner before beating a dog, which forced Concubine Wei to stand up for her.

As the Empress just came out, Concubine Wei spoke up: "Empress, something extraordinary happened this morning! Concubine Lan accused Consort Xu of failing to bow and greet her properly, showing disrespect, and punished her to kneel in the snow. I thought to myself, Consort Xu has been a consort for many years, often interacting with me. Her experience in greeting and bowing to higher-ranked concubines is abundant; how could she err? There must have been a misunderstanding." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Everyone listened and couldn’t quite determine if she was mocking Consort Xu or excusing her.

Everyone’s standards differ when it comes to palace disputes.

But this time, most concubines thought Consort Xu had been troubled by Concubine Lan — those who could bear Concubine Wei’s sharp tongue must have equal rank and patience!

"If it’s a misunderstanding, has it been resolved?"

The Empress asked.

"I think Consort Xu has already kneeled, even if there were any rules missed, it’s been rectified. Continued tugging is disgraceful! Kneeling a while is minor, delaying greeting the Empress is major, so I mediated to avoid being late. However, I noticed that Concubine Lan seems rather upset about it. Young girls are temperamental."

"It’s best if the palace is harmonious."

The Empress nodded, recalling Concubine Lan’s enchanting face with displeasure.

Concubine Lan is proud, having not interacted with other concubines since entering the palace. Now exposed by Concubine Wei, no one spoke for her.

When Concubine Lan walked into Jianzhang Palace, holding back her anger to greet the Empress, she was called out: "When greeting me and the Empress Dowager, you should show respect and care. Seeing your expression, are you dissatisfied with me?"

"I didn’t."

Concubine Lan replied sternly.

After hearing her words, the Empress glanced up, smiled faintly, and said: "I heard Concubine Lan studied Yan Chi’s rules on the grassland but only learnt skin-deep. So, I will lend Nanny Zeng to you as a grace, to reform your conduct before embarrassing yourself before the Empress Dowager."

The concubines knew, the Empress might not completely believe Concubine Wei, she simply disliked Concubine Lan and wanted to vent, not to be stopped.

Lending a nanny to impart rules is like sending an executioner over.

Concubine Lan didn’t fully understand but sensed trouble, and protested: "From my heart, I respect the Empress, but today on the way to Jianzhang Palace, Consort Xu collided with me, leaving me displeased, showing on my face. Beg the Empress for justice."

"I heard about your issue with Consort Xu from Concubine Wei. Since Consort Xu has already kneeled for you in the snow, don’t squabble and lose the harmony of the harem."

The Empress frowned; she had been scolded by the Emperor over Consort Jiang’s incident for failing to control the palace attendants, resulting in trouble. Seeing Concubine Lan seeking trouble, she hurried to suppress it.

With the Central Palace speaking, although unwilling, Concubine Lan must swallow it.

In truth, her anger wasn’t because of Consort Xu; Consort Xu was like a passing dog randomly kicked.

Tears rolled from Concubine Lan’s eyes: "Thank you for your teaching, I’ve recently come to Yan Chi, not knowing much about the rules. Concubine Xi spent the night at Qiankun Palace, staying awake harassing the Emperor, which is improper!"

Yun Jiao, enjoying the drama, was stunned and pointed at herself: "Me?"

She hadn’t thought to connect Concubine Lan’s bad temper to herself.

"Besides you, who else was at Qiankun Palace last night?"

"There were many people at Qiankun Palace; the Emperor can’t be without attendants."

Concubine Lan choked: "Nonsense, I’m speaking of overnight concubines!"

"I don’t know, I fell asleep early. I have no idea if the Emperor summoned anyone else in the latter half of the night. I slept deeply; even if the Emperor summoned you to Qiankun Palace, I wouldn’t wake."

Yun Jiao waved her hand, trying to clear herself.

Only it wasn’t particularly skillful, partially tarnishing the Emperor’s reputation.

What she implied was that the Emperor summoned others while she slept, wasn’t it?

This is too scandalous!