Chapter 407: Unusually Irritated

Chapter 407: Unusually Irritated

Consort Shu did pay her respects.

Seated in Ci'an Palace, the three of them noticed that the Empress Dowager's countenance was indeed far from pleasant.

It's rather unappealing.

The crowd was also surprised. At fifteen, when they came to pay their respects, the Empress Dowager said she would not see them that day. No reason was given.

Upon closer reflection, our last meeting was during the first month of the year.

It has been roughly twenty-seven to twenty-eight days since then.

"The Empress Dowager's health must be of concern. What do the court physicians have to say about it?" the Concubine asked.

"The Empress Dowager is aging, and thus, ailments abound. Naturally, everything is amiss. These past nights, I've found it difficult to sleep, and I've been experiencing headaches," the Empress Dowager replied.

Sure enough, there were dark circles under her eyes, a clear indication of poor sleep.

"Would it help to consume a soothing broth?" Yun Li asked.

"I rely on Soothing Essence Soup for that. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep well at all. You've come just in time. I heard that the empress flew into a rage early this morning and even struck someone. What happened now?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Your subjects do not know, Your Majesty. It is said that it was her most trusted lady-in-waiting she struck. The reason remains unknown," the Concubine replied.

Consort Shu also commented, "Her Majesty the Empress has not been looking well lately. But as concubines, we don't dare to inquire about her medical records. Perhaps her uneasiness is due to her discomfort, and that's why she's been a bit temperamental."

The Empress Dowager frowned and shook her head, refraining from any further comments about the Empress.

The three concubines accompanied the Empress Dowager for a while before suggesting that she needed rest, and thus they took their leave.

This incident further enraged the Empress.

She summoned all three to the Fengyi Palace.

"How is it that this palace no longer exists in the eyes of all the imperial consorts? Is it that paying respects at the Cihuan Palace is now unnecessary?" She was annoyed that they had gone to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager without including her.

The trio had no choice but to kneel down.

Consort Gui explained, "It was our oversight not to have sought your Highness's permission. But we only went to the Cihuan Palace for a visit, and it wasn't the first or fifteenth of the month. Please, Your Highness, kindly refrain from anger."

"Hah, does the absence of the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month mean you can bypass this palace?" The Empress said indignantly, "Who gave you such reasoning? Even if you are a Noble Consort, you are still a concubine. Do you not see this palace in your eyes anymore?"

What kind of mild temper did Concubine Guifei have? Upon hearing this, she immediately rose to her feet. "Empress, this concubine merely wishes to visit Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. As you said, I am a Guifei, not someone to be hidden from sight. There's no palace rule that forbids me from visiting the Empress Dowager on my own. Why must I seek your approval?"

Yun Li also rose to her feet, "Your Majesty the Empress, please calm your anger; it may harm your health."

"Qi Yunli, don't pretend with me. Wouldn't you be pleased if I were to suffer further harm?" the Empress addressed Yunli with a cold tone.

"Empress, please calm your anger. This matter is not of great significance. We, your subjects, have not overstepped our boundaries. If there were any misconduct, we are willing to apologize to you," Concubine Shu also rose to her feet.

"Very well, indeed, the three of you have become formidable figures in this harem. What am I, the Empress, in comparison? I shall go and seek the Emperor's decree at once, perhaps it is time to have me, this Empress, abolished." The anger within the Empress' heart was impossible to suppress.

Normally, if she were to summon the three of them, there would be people attempting to stop her, but not today.

For she had already foraged for truffles early on, who would dare to stand in her way?

Yun Li knitted her brows, "If Her Majesty the Empress wishes to request an imperial decree, we, the concubines, do not dare to interject. If there is nothing else, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave."

"Qi Yunli! Darest you leave?" the Empress bellowed fiercely.

"Empress, if there is any burden for this concubine to bear, please issue your command," Yun Li replied, then turned to go.

The Imperial Noble Consort and the Lady Concubine Shu also didn't linger and left promptly.

Even Lady Concubine Shu, with her high status and power, had no reason to endure the Empress's wrath, especially since she wasn't known for her fiery temperament.

Exiting the Phoenix Palace, Lady Concubine Shu furrowed her brow. "Empress's anger seems utterly unjustified. Why is she so furious?"

The Imperial Noble Consort glanced at Yun Li and nodded in agreement. "Upon reflection, it does seem excessive. There's no need for such anger, is there?"

Yun Li took a deep breath. "Indeed, it's peculiar. What do you two sisters think? Should we return directly or inform His Majesty? Not to complain, but the Empress's condition is truly concerning."

The Imperial Noble Consort suggested, "We should at least inform him, just in case something happens. We wouldn't want to be blamed for any mishaps, would we?"

Lady Concubine Shu was reluctant to go, but if she were the only one to refuse, it might appear uncooperative. Thus, she reluctantly nodded. "Let's go then."

Regardless of how the Empress reacted upon learning that the three had gone to the Zhengyang Palace, the tension was palpable.

At the Yangyang Palace, it was quite an unusual sight to see three First Rank Concubines arriving together. Helin was still in the main hall meeting with officials, so they were asked to wait in a side chamber. It wasn't until nearly half an hour later that he arrived.

"I wonder why my beloved concubines have come? Is there something urgent? I apologize for keeping you waiting; I've been preoccupied."

After the three ladies bowed, Helin granted them seats.

Seated, the Empress Dowager began and briefly recounted the morning's events.

"We three did not come to lodge a complaint. It's just that Her Majesty the Empress seems... somewhat off. Under normal circumstances, we would report this to the Empress Dowager. But she has been unwell lately, unable to rest peacefully. After much deliberation, we decided it best to seek Your Majesty's counsel."

"Yes, Empress is, after all, the Mother of the Nation, embodying grace and dignity. No room can be left for error," Yun Li said. "We humbly request that Your Majesty send someone to check on her condition."

"Indeed, the Empress's complexion does seem unusual, and her temper seems a bit excessive. While anger is understandable, it doesn't warrant such intensity; even her neck appears flushed," Concubine Shu added.

Helin furrowed his brow. "I understand. You may return first."

The three then rose and withdrew.

Mon Chang approached and said, "Your Majesty, this morning, Empress punished her personal maid, Truffle, for choosing an inappropriate hairstyle while grooming her. This made the Empress furious."

He Jinli's brows furrowed even more deeply. "Just because of that?"

Mon Chang gave an awkward smile. Indeed, it was solely due to that matter...

He Jinli massaged his forehead. "The Empress is becoming more and more unreasonable. Forget it, I'll go take a look."

When the emperor arrived at the Phoenix Palace, the Empress was still simmering with anger, having smashed items all over the floor.

As the cleaners were just entering, the emperor arrived.

He was momentarily taken aback by the scene before him.

The Empress' expression changed drastically. "Your Majesty... This concubine pays her respects to you, may Your Majesty be at ease."

He Jinli shook his head, unable to find a spot to step on. He turned and headed towards a side chamber.

The Empress had no choice but to follow.

"Please be seated," said He Jinli.

The Empress thanked him and sat down. "I had them come here to inquire about Her Majesty's health. It was just a disagreement over a few words. Why did they rush to Zhaoyang Palace to complain?"

He Jinli...

"They didn't actually complain. They were merely concerned for your health, so I came personally to check on you. Dr. Li and Dr. Qin will be here shortly to examine you."

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't afford to be angry anymore. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This concubine is quite well, there's no need for an examination."

He Jinli fell silent.

Realizing her refusal was too hasty, the Empress quickly added, "This concubine has indeed been a bit troubled today and not in the mood to see a physician. I hope Your Majesty can understand."