Resisting the Wind and Splendor

Consort Rui rushed in to complain, and Su, the old nanny by the Empress Dowager's side, quickly came out.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence." Granny Su's expression was not pleasant.

Of course, during the Lunar New Year, if two concubines were to fight in the Empress Dowager's Yongshou Palace, how would the royal family's reputation be affected?

Not only Consort Yu and Chu Yueli, but also the few concubines who were watching the commotion but dared not come over, along with a group of palace maids and eunuchs, were all "invited" inside.

The Empress Dowager is drinking tea.

But it was obvious that his face looked very unwell, and he held the cup in his hand without swallowing a single drop of tea.

"Mother." Consort Rui looked at the Empress Dowager, tears welling up in her eyes.

The Empress Dowager frowned.

Before anyone could say anything, they heard a maidservant beside Consort Yu whisper anxiously, "Consort Rui, it's not good to shed tears during the New Year. When I was little, my mother told me that... that's bad luck."

Consort Rui was startled, and her palm clenched tightly in an instant.

It's that meddlesome Chu Yueli again!

The Empress Dowager, Granny Su, and everyone else's gazes all instantly fell upon Chu Yueli.

Chu Yueli looked uneasy, seemingly knowing she shouldn't speak at this moment, but unable to resist.

The little girl's appearance, though not exactly dignified, was inexplicably endearing.

Consort Rui was furious, but with the Empress Dowager present, she wouldn't dare to act like a shrew with the audacity she had displayed earlier.

But these tears were meant to be shed for the Empress Dowager to see, and now she's forced to hold them back... It's infuriating!

Granny Su also said, "Your Highness, no matter what grievances you have, you really shouldn't shed tears right now. You are a senior member of the palace and should know some taboos."

Granny Su had served the Empress Dowager for decades, and her words carried the Empress Dowager's meaning.

Although these words were spoken without much emotional fluctuation, who couldn't tell that they were a reproach?

Come to think of it, Consort Rui is already quite old, yet she still cries and sheds tears at the drop of a hat. Wouldn't that make her a laughingstock?

Where is her dignity and composure as a concubine? She's not even as sensible as a little maid!

The Empress Dowager's gaze also fell on Consort Rui's face. Although there was no displeasure in her expression, her gaze still made Consort Rui break out in a cold sweat.

Consort Rui quickly held back her tears and whispered, "Mother, it's my fault. I shouldn't have been able to hold back! It was my fault."

But she quickly changed the subject, saying, "However, it was Consort Yu who struck me just now. I was truly wronged! I don't even know what I did wrong, and Consort Yu just..."

"Grandmother, I know what mistake Consort Rui made," Chu Yueli said softly again.

Everyone's breath hitched, and their gazes immediately returned to Chu Yueli.

They all had strange thoughts, and it was impossible to know what they were feeling.

Consort Rui was just being polite, but Chu Yueli really took advantage of the situation.

Consort Rui didn't think she had really done anything wrong.

Chu Yueli took a step forward, her voice soft and her attitude very humble, but her words were anything but subservient: "Consort Rui said that Prince Mo was a short-lived ghost, which is why my mother couldn't help herself."

"What?" The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she instinctively put her hand on her chest and covered it tightly.

She glared at Consort Rui, her lips trembling with anger: "You...you really said that?"

Consort Rui was terrified and her face changed drastically. She hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! Do they have any witnesses? Let her come out and confront me!"