Emperor's Cunning Wife

Ning Lou felt the faint malice in the surroundings and halted in her steps; she couldn't help but turned her head back to detect the source of it, but was unfortunate to only see the lowered heads of the ladies in the room. Her gaze lingered for a moment before continuing to head out putting aside the curious thought.

After the end of the morning greetings, the consorts and concubines also went separate ways after they exited the side hall, quite a few minds wondered of today's events, the rest had different opinions, while the smarter ones knew of the Empress' sudden change.

"Jiejie, that bitch is clearly picking on you. You should tell the Emperor about it." Consort Han tightly crumpled her handkerchief, anger visible on her face. The empress title was only a fart to Consort Han since the Empress has no real power, so the former had only kept up with pretence due to the Empress Dowager's backing.

Consort De didn't take her words seriously and just faintly smiled. She held her maid's hand and gazed at the chrysanthemums and magnolias. The flowers petals were filled with dew, each was like transparent pearls radiating brightly from the sun's rays.

Seeing that Consort De's reaction, Consort Han was even angrier, "Are you really going to let this slide?"

"Empress meimei runs the palace, us ladies should follow her orders." Consort De replied which made Consort Han explode.

Gnashing her teeth, Consort Han quickly retorted, "Even so, just because she couldn't get the Emperor's favour she resorted using this trick, others without brain would say she's magnanimous, but the truth she's just trying to pick on you."

Consort De just smiled and declined to comment while watching servants passed by their way. Each servant gave her a curtsey, with their smiles beaming and wider that the other.

Consort Han interpreted her actions as a silent protest and became more motivated to throw dirty water on Ning Lou's head. There were a few servants that attentively listened for the gossip while doing their chores. Consort Han's two other maids supported her in the barrages of insults. Consort De knitted her brows a little at the noise. Her two handmaidens noticed it but only lowered their heads.

Consort Han spouted all she could muster without fearing for the consequences, her unbridled attitude was already known to the people passing by, but still garnered a lot of attention. Some inwardly shook their heads for her rude behaviour but none dared to voice their opinions. Consort Han's father was Grand Tutor and due to being the youngest daughter, she was spoiled by her parents.

Consort De's father was just an assistant minister in the Minor Department of Imperial Library and was later transferred to the Department of Secretariat under the supervision of Han Fuxiu (Consort Han's father), De Ming was an able man and competent man and soon caught the eye of Han Fuxiu and became his right hand man. Not long after the two families became intimate, Consort De visited the Han residence frequently and became acquainted with Consort Han.

De Jinli abruptly held Consort Han's hands and send a look towards the chattering maids which restored the silence she wanted.

Han Yunfeng stopped for a moment and puffed her cheeks, before continuing, but this time she lowered her voice enough for their group to hear.

"What are we going to do with the Empress' decree?" Still unsatisfied, Yunfeng grumbled finally getting to the main topic.

"Empress meimei has passed down the decree, every sisters has acknowledged. Yun'er shouldn't question the Empress' decisions; she must have her own reasons for doing so." Jinli spoke defending Ning Lou but when it was transmitted to Yunfeng's ears, the latter thought that Ning Lou must have really issued an unfair decree to target Jinli so that the Emperor's favour would be divided and by then Ning Lou might be able fish in the waters.

"That bitch! Jiejie, don't worry those s.l.u.ts would not be able to serve His Majesty even they want. I'll make sure that they'll stay where they are." Yunfeng sneered suddenly recalling the scenes on the greeting hall. Serving His Majesty. Dream on!

If Ning Lou heard her accusations, she would just roll her eyes. You're just thinking too much.

De Jinli only glanced at the smirked on Yunfeng's face and made her steps faster. Han Yunfeng soon felt her throat dry and finally stop talking and entered her sedan chair. She bid De Jinli a farewell before leading her maids to her own place to quench her thirst.

De Jinli silently stood at the spot a little longer and looked at the retreating entourage before making her way to the her own sedan chair. Lifting the curtains, she saw the imposing and grandeur gate of the empress' palace, her head filled with thoughts.

"Let us depart." She softly said and let go of the silk feeling exhausted.