Everyone was still speculating about Shu Wanxing's identity, but as soon as the Empress Dowager sat down, she introduced Shu Wanxing to everyone.
"This is my favorite little maid, Wanxing. She is my source of joy. I used to rely on her for company."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, many people nodded and greeted Shu Wanxing, but in their hearts, some were skeptical. This woman, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, had become the Empress Dowager's darling. The Empress Dowager's actions were clearly a slap in the face to the Empress. There had been rumors recently that the Empress Dowager was angry with the Empress because of matters in the court, and it seemed to be true.
Many people harbored the thought of watching a good show, but they didn't show it on their faces, instead making it sound pleasant and exciting. Ye Lingfeng did not appear at the banquet in Cixi Palace, but only sent someone to inform the Empress Dowager that he had political affairs to attend to and would not be coming.
At the banquet, everyone ate and chatted. Sitting below Hai Ling was still Princess Feng Yao of Zhaoyang. A smile appeared on Feng Yao's lips, showing that she was in a very good mood. As long as Ji Hai Ling was not happy, she felt comfortable. Thinking of this, Feng Yao picked up a cup of wine and drank with Hai Ling, and then spoke softly.
"Empress, do you think the Empress Dowager intends to have the Emperor take a concubine?"
Although the Emperor declared in front of the world that he would only take her as his empress at their wedding, it might not have been impossible if the Empress Dowager had made the decision.
Feng Yao's eyes sparkled with smugness, while Hai Ling gave her a cold glance, clearly gloating.
"Princess Consort Zhaoyang should worry more about Prince Zhaoyang and not about my affairs."
With a single sentence, Feng Yao was silenced, and at the same time, she was so angry that her face turned green.
However, this banquet was indeed a frustrating experience. The Empress Dowager's repeated mentions of Shu Wanxing made all the women present understand that the Empress Dowager really wanted to bring Shu Wanxing into the Emperor's harem. They wondered if the Empress would agree. During the meal, everyone ate very little, spending all their time pondering the matter.
After the banquet, it was already late, and the ladies of the various noble families bid farewell and left the palace.
Inside the main hall of Cixi Palace, Granny Ying was massaging the Empress Dowager's shoulders when she couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty, you wouldn't really be thinking of having the Emperor take Miss Shu as a concubine, would you?"
"Why not?"
The Empress Dowager asked in return, propping her head up with one hand, looking annoyed. She had originally intended to give the Empress a warning for not taking her seriously tonight. As for letting Wanxing enter the palace, she hadn't really thought of it, because she couldn't make decisions about the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager felt a surge of anger at the thought that the Empress hadn't taken it seriously at all.
"Your Majesty?"
"Alright, I know what I'm doing. The Emperor might not listen to me. Granny Ying, tell me, what have I been waiting for all these years? Isn't it just to bring glory to the Xi family? Now, because of a woman, the Emperor won't even take any concubines into the harem, and people from the Xi family can't even enter the palace. So what have I been working so hard for all these years?"
The Empress Dowager angrily slammed her fist on the table beside her, her face full of gloom.
She underestimated Ji Hailing. When she first saw her enter the palace, she thought that Ji Hailing would at least be considerate of her reputation and the Xi family.
"Your Majesty? Don't think about it so much?"
Granny Ying was also very troubled. She had served the Empress Dowager for many years and knew that the Empress Dowager wanted the Xi family to rise to prominence. She never expected that they would encounter such a situation. If the Emperor and Empress had given important positions to the people of the Xi family, perhaps the Empress Dowager would not be so angry. But they did not give important positions to the people of the Xi family at all, which is why the Empress Dowager was angry and disregarded her reputation.
"Um."
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said nothing more. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, rhythmically, sometimes once, sometimes not.
Inside the Qingqian Palace.
Hai Ling was also very annoyed. Although the Empress Dowager didn't say anything, those noblewomen were all outstanding. The Empress Dowager was pulling Shu Wanxing along, calling her "the one I cherish most." What would others think? Anyone with eyes could tell that there was a conflict between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. How could this not make people depressed?
"Your Majesty, please get some rest."
Shi Mei came over to ask Hai Ling for instructions. Hai Ling really couldn't sleep, so she paced back and forth in her bedroom, and finally a cold smile appeared on her lips.
"Mei'er, I'm feeling really upset. Why don't we go find something fun to do?"
"What does Your Highness wish to do?"
"Since the Empress Dowager has given me a gift, shouldn't I return the favor by giving a gift to the west family?"
Hai Ling spoke expressionlessly and seriously. As soon as she spoke, Shi Mei knew what she wanted to do.
"Does Your Highness intend to raid the West Mansion?"
Although the west family isn't the top family in Beilu, they must still have some good things in their household. Why don't they go and cause some trouble for them to make up for their anger tonight? Otherwise, she really can't get rid of this resentment in her chest. She didn't do anything wrong, but the Empress Dowager blamed everything on her. If she doesn't do something, wouldn't she be letting her down?
In the dead of night, Hailing, along with her two maids, Shimei and Shilan, and ten people from Wuyinglou, went to the West Mansion to move things.
When Ye Lingfeng returned to Qingqian Palace, he was surprised to find the large palace empty. He called Fuyue in and learned that Hailing had left the palace.
He only needed a moment's thought to know what she had gone out of the palace for. He couldn't help but shake his head. It seemed that the Empress Dowager had offended her, so she went to the West Mansion to cause trouble. He quickly led a few of his men to the West Mansion.
The West Mansion was shrouded in silence. The vast mansion was completely still, except for the occasional sound of a word or two.
"Alright, pick up the valuables and move them; leave the worthless ones behind."
That was clearly Hai Ling's voice, directing Shi Mei, Shi Lan, and Wu Ying Lou's men to move the valuables from the West Mansion.
After Ye Lingfeng appeared, she only raised an eyebrow, seemingly having no intention of stopping. Instead, she moved even more enthusiastically, with a hint of provocation in her eyes. Ye Lingfeng knew she was still angry, so he had no choice but to let her be. Once they had moved most of the things, the group withdrew from the West Mansion.
Shi Mei ordered people to put away the things that had been taken out of the West Mansion, and then followed her master all the way back to Qingqian Palace.
Inside the palace.
Ye Lingfeng leaned back on the couch and, seeing that Hai Ling's expression was still not good, asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you still angry? Tomorrow I will issue an order for her to go back."
"No, if you do that, people will think I'm just jealous. The Empress Dowager hasn't even said anything yet, and I'm already making a scene about you issuing an edict. Who knows what kind of filth they'll throw at me? Actually, I don't really care about Shu Wanxing. It's just that what the Empress Dowager said today was too annoying."
Hai Ling quickly stopped Ye Lingfeng's actions. She didn't care about Shu Wanxing, but the Empress Dowager's words were really unpleasant. She kept calling her "her darling" and "I like her," which made her, the daughter-in-law, look bad. Besides, wasn't she doing this to make her understand that she was above her? If she didn't do as she pleased, would she have no good life?
Does she think she's afraid of her? She'll just have to fight her! Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have always been natural enemies, so there's no escaping it.
She doesn't seek trouble, but when trouble comes her way, she doesn't avoid it.
"Alright, stop being angry. It's late, get some rest."
Ye Lingfeng reached out and carried Hailing to bed to rest, not wanting her to think about these unpleasant things anymore. With a smile, he kissed her fiercely, leaving Hailing no time to think. The bedchamber quickly became heated, and any remaining anger vanished.