The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

A cold autumn rain.

It had been drizzling for days, and when the wind picked up again, a chilly chill pierced the bones. The fluctuating heat had finally reached its limit, and the weather was steadily moving towards the chill of autumn and winter.

The main hall of Concubine Kang's Lincui Palace served as an assistant meeting room for several high-ranking concubines, so the main doors were kept open from early morning.

The autumn wind swirled in from outside the door, and Concubine Qing had just sat down for a while when she started sneezing.

Concubine Kang quickly ordered the maid to close the doors. "Leave only the right door open, and then hang up the embroidered brocade curtains that the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent yesterday. They'll block the wind. Choose the oriole-feather color; it's bright and vibrant, so it won't look dull."

Concubine Kang had fair skin, a round face, and a plump figure. When she smiled, she had two dimples on her lips, and she always looked happy. Although she spoke in a hurry, her speed was not fast, and her smile only made people feel her enthusiasm.

Her maid did as she was told.

Imperial Concubine Qing tucked her hands into her sleeves, her face pale. She smiled gently and said, "It's just closing the door. Don't hang the curtain. Don't worry about shielding me from the wind and suffocating you. The autumn wind is refreshing today. If I weren't feeling unwell, I would also like to stand in the wind and enjoy it."

Concubine Kang smiled and explained, "I was saying the color was dull, not that the curtains were dull. We should have hung the curtains today, but I was so busy that I forgot yesterday. Otherwise, I would have asked them to put them up yesterday."

Concubine Qing smiled and nodded, accepting her kindness. "I always ask you to take care of me. I woke up this morning feeling much better, so I came to check on you. Tomorrow, when I'm gone, you can just open the door."

"Your Highness is the most considerate of us." The Shun Concubine below continued, "Your Highness, if you feel comfortable, just come this way. The scenery along the way from your palace to Sister Kang Concubine is quite beautiful. If you feel better after seeing the beautiful scenery, your health will also be better, right?"

Concubine Qing smiled: "That's true."

After taking a closer look at Concubine Shun, Concubine Qing praised, "Your Majesty has asked you to come, and I feel much more at ease. I'm not feeling well, and I can only come one or two days out of ten. Concubine Hui is also very reluctant to speak, so all the responsibilities fall on Concubine Kang and Concubine Zhao. Concubine Zhao is also in very difficult health. You've come, and you're so considerate and attentive, and you're a great help."

Concubine Shun stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am so kind. I am only here to assist you. The important matters still need to be decided by you and the sisters. I dare not make the final decision."

This means that I will not take away everyone's power.

After all, she came later and was different from the first few people who received the order to assist.

Concubine Qing asked her to sit down and not to be so reserved.

As everyone was chatting, Concubine Hui next to them became impatient.

He threw the eighteen-bead rosary in his hand onto the tea table and asked, "When will you start handling this matter? Once it's done, I can leave."

Concubine Shun smiled apologetically: "Is Empress Hui busy today?"

"Do I have to sit here and listen to you guys gossip when I have nothing to do? Wouldn't it be more comfortable for me to sit and lie down in my own palace?"

Concubine Hui was in a bad mood, and Concubine Shun didn't dare to say anything more for fear of being scolded.

Fei Wan sat aside without saying a word.

I thought to myself, it has been more than a day or two since Concubine Shun came here, why hasn't she learned her lesson yet and still dares to talk to Concubine Hui.

As the mistress of her own palace, Concubine Kang had no choice but to intervene, "It's really getting late. Let's get everyone in to sort things out. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Concubine Qing nodded in agreement.

So, as was the case every day, palace maids from all palaces, departments and offices came in. Those who had matters to report, those who had accounts to hand in, and those who received things had to give a list to check against the usual practices.

After finishing all the affairs, big and small, it was almost noon.

Fei Wan's back ached from sitting so much that she had to go out several times to slack off. With Concubine Shun here to help, she didn't have to be so meticulous. Since Concubine Shun took on the task of helping, she came to the meeting on time every day, in good spirits, and was a great help.

After the last lazing around, they returned to the main hall. The last two eunuchs in charge had just bowed and taken their leave. Concubine Kang, like she did every day, symbolically invited everyone to have lunch together in the Lincui Palace.

Concubine Hui had been sitting there all morning, her face looking incredibly grim. Without waiting for others to exchange pleasantries or refuse, she said directly, "Didn't you say you were going to deal with Liu Gengyi today? Why haven't you brought her here yet? Why are we having lunch? Let's finish the deal and go home."

As he spoke, he turned the beads in his hand, making a clicking sound.

Concubine Qing laughed: "Zhaoying is holding the Buddhist beads, and her temper has not improved. It's better not to take the Buddhist beads."

Concubine Hui raised her eyebrows. "Then you're wrong. I don't hold the beads to cool my temper. I simply hold something in my hand to keep myself occupied, so I don't get itchy hands and hit someone again. Hitting someone may feel good in the moment, but it will cause a lot of trouble later. It's so annoying!"

Concubine Qing smiled and shook her head, the tassels of her hairpin swaying gently, "You."

Concubine Kang was truly annoyed by Concubine Hui's sharp words and was eager for the meeting to end quickly, so she asked Fei Wan, "Regarding Liu Gengyi's matter, the Palace Administration sent a note last night saying they had investigated everything and were due to report back today. Why hasn't anyone shown up? Do you know anything about this?"

This matter involved Fei Wan, so Concubine Kang asked her directly.

Fei Wan shook her head. "I don't know. That night, after Liu Gengyi went crazy in the Imperial Garden, the people from the Palace Administration Department sent her back and even called in the imperial physician. It just so happened that I hadn't been feeling well these past few days, so I wasn't able to take care of her."

Since Shun Fei was recommended by Fei Wan, she thanked Fei Wan a lot in private and always sided with her during meetings.

At this point, he said, "She offended Sister Zhao, and you still wanted to take care of her. You're so kind. Since the Palace Administrator passed on the note yesterday, send someone to investigate. Find out why she didn't come. If we can't handle it today, make a note and deal with it tomorrow."

The rules of procedure for meetings are that if something is going to happen the day before, a note will be passed in advance to inform everyone, and whether it is handled on the same day and how it is handled must be recorded for easy reference later.

Everyone agreed with Concubine Shun's suggestion, so Concubine Kang sent a palace maid to the Palace Administration Office to inquire.

After a while, the person came back and brought the old nanny who admonished Liu Gengyi.

Nanny Guan entered the hall and reported with a bitter face:

"Liu Gengyi threatened to hang herself, and over at Yanyun Palace, Yu Shuren also hit her head against the wall, attempting suicide. Concubine Jian refused to come and even beat up the person who came to invite her... Therefore, we servants haven't been able to come to report today. Please forgive us, ladies and gentlemen. It's not that we, the Etiquette Department, are randomly passing notes to tease you..."

Concubine Kang was puzzled: "Why are Concubine Jian and Yu Shuren also involved in the matter of Liu Gengyi?"

Nanny Guan said, "Your Majesty, the Palace Administration Office has investigated and found out that Liu Gengyi ran out of the Etiquette Office and clashed with Empress Zhao, instigated by Yu Shuren. Half of the people present that night happened to be near the Imperial Garden, and the reason behind it is related to Concubine Jian. Therefore, we would like to invite Concubine Jian and Yu Shuren to the scene today to report the whole story to the other ladies. If anyone wants to..."

Concubine Kang cried out, "Yu is imprisoned in the cold palace, how could she come out and instigate others? Sister Zhao, does she hate you so much? I remember this, this isn't the first time, is it?"