The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

When Bai Ruiji entered Changchun Palace, Consort Jia also entered Xianfu Palace.

Consort Gao was feeling quite pleased with the rewards she had received from the Emperor and Empress these past few days and couldn't help but show them off to Consort Jia.

Consort Jia said, "The Imperial Concubine naturally enjoys great favor, unlike Consort Xian, who clearly flaunts what she lacks most, showing off a plaque everywhere, just to find someone to secure her favor."

Consort Gao, keenly aware of the phrase "consolidating favor," immediately asked, "What kind of trouble is Consort Xian up to now?"

Consort Jia feigned surprise: "What? I thought the Imperial Concubine knew. The Emperor has taken a fancy to a pipa player from the Southern Palace and sent her to Changchun Palace to learn etiquette. Gifts are being sent to Changchun Palace in a continuous stream, and the whole palace is buzzing about it!"

Once the topic was brought up, Consort Gao recalled the day of the pipa duel, saying, "I remember now. That day I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see the Emperor and saw several pipa players. Among them was one who played the phoenix-neck pipa, and her appearance was the most delicate. But the Emperor still complained that she didn't play well enough!"

Consort Jia said, "With the Noble Consort present, the Emperor naturally finds it all unpleasant to hear others play. It's just that these women are skilled at flattery and know how to charm people, which is why the Emperor likes them. As for that pipa player, I inquired at the Imperial Household Department, and they said she was sent in by the Ulanara family."

Upon hearing this, Consort Gao was immediately enraged. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she said hatefully, "Consort Xian is up to no good by playing tricks behind my back!"

Consort Jia said, "Who says otherwise? It's bad enough that Consort Xian and Consort Hai are in cahoots, but now there's a musician from the Southern Palace. Things are going to get interesting from now on."

She smiled and said, as if trying to console herself, "It's alright with me, but Your Highness... sigh, I've said too much."

As if to ease the icy atmosphere, Consort Jia looked up at Consort Gao's head and said, "Oh, the Empress's gift is wonderful! Look at this silver rabbit, it's so lifelike! If others saw it, they would be very envious. Consort Gao, you must be careful of thieves."

Upon hearing this meaningful remark, Consort Gao pondered for a moment, then smiled again: "Consort Jia is right. If we're not careful, this hairpin might be stolen one day."

Seeing that Consort Gao looked like she was plotting something bad, Consort Jia covered her mouth and chuckled, "Then Consort Gao should be careful. This concubine takes her leave."

That afternoon, Moxin, who was serving Consort Gao, stopped Ruyi and Hailan as they came out of Anhua Palace: "Noble Lady Hai, our mistress wants you to go to Xianfu Palace."

Hailan was usually timid and had suffered a lot of mistreatment from Consort Gao in the past, so she was extremely afraid of her. She asked tremblingly, "May I ask what Consort Gao wants?"

Mo Xin said, "You'll know when you get there. What? Consort Hai isn't going to tell me you didn't have time to go to the Imperial Concubine's place, is she? If our mistress asks later, I'll just tell her you went to Anhua Palace to chant sutras with Consort Xian?"

Ruyi went to Anhua Palace to pray for her aunt, and Hailan accompanied her. If word got out, it would be very bad for Ruyi. Thinking of this, Hailan braced herself and replied, "I'll go."

She turned to look at Ruyi and said, "Sister, you should go back first. I'll be right back."

Ruyi looked worried and said, "Hailan, be careful."

Seeing that Ruyi was worried about her, Hailan felt that Ruyi was indeed affectionate, and her heart warmed a little. Even Consort Gao didn't seem so scary anymore.

In Xianfu Palace.

Hailan, Yexin, and Xiangyun entered the gates of Xianfu Palace. Moxin said she was going to announce their arrival, but actually left Hailan standing there.

The two shivered in the cold wind, but dared not go in: Consort Gao was not as kind and gentle as the Empress. If they had barged into Changchun Palace, the Empress would have at most given them a word of advice not to break the rules of etiquette, but if they had rashly barged into Xianfu Palace, they did not know how Consort Gao would scold and ridicule them.

An hour later, Ye Xin was almost frozen stiff and couldn't help but say, "Master, let's rest under the eaves for a while."

Hailan dared not leave, so Yexin and Xiangyun had no choice but to stay and wait with her.

At this moment, the curtain was drawn back, and Consort Gao walked out gracefully. Without giving Hailan a glance, she walked towards the peacock in the courtyard.

"Little thing, are you hungry?" Consort Gao fetched birdseed and tossed it to the peacock: "Eat up."

Chen Wanyin, who followed her out, saw Hailan and her two servants standing there with their lips turning purple from the cold. She couldn't bear it and said with a forced smile, "Your Highness, look, Consort Hai has arrived." She then bowed to Hailan and said, "This concubine greets Consort Hai."

Consort Gao shot her a glare, and Chen Wanyin awkwardly stopped talking.

Consort Gao seemed to only notice Hailan at this moment, and said to Chen Wanyin, "Wanyin, you should go back first."

She glanced at Hailan and said, "I heard from Moxin that you accompanied Consort Xian to Anhua Palace to pray for blessings? Did she go to Anhua Palace to pray for imperial favor?"

Hailan replied cautiously, "My sister just likes reciting scriptures."

Consort Gao snorted: "You pretend to be devoted to studying Buddhism, but who knows what you're really seeking? Even you have many restless thoughts, don't you?"

Hailan nodded meekly, "This concubine dares not."

Consort Gao: "You wouldn't dare? Fine, since you're so fond of praying for blessings with such a pure and simple heart, why don't you make some five-colored prayer flags for me and send them over as well?"

Hailan dared not disobey and could only say, "Yes, may I ask when Your Highness needs it?"

Consort Gao tossed out a piece of birdseed: "I need it tomorrow morning. To show your sincerity, you can make it right here in this courtyard." She then added, not without sarcasm, "Thank you for your trouble."

He turned and went back inside.

Shuangxi directed two eunuchs to move a table to a corner of the courtyard and said, "Noble Lady Hai, please take your time here."

Ye Xin was both angry and anxious. After Shuangxi left, she whispered to Hailan, "My lady, it's one thing for the Consort to order you around, but in this freezing weather, they made you work in the courtyard without even lighting a brazier. It's really too much! I'll go find Her Majesty the Empress and ask her to stand up for you!"

Hailan said urgently, "No, if things get out of hand and the Emperor and Empress find out that my sister went to Anhua Palace to pray for Jingren Palace, it will bring trouble upon her!"

As she spoke, she walked to the table, picked up the needle and thread, and began to embroider.

Ye Xin stamped her feet in frustration, but there was nothing she could do.

Hailan wanted to finish quickly and go home, but in the dead of winter, there was no brazier for warmth, and the charcoal in her hand warmer had quickly burned out since she had only come temporarily. She soon became shivering from the cold and could barely hold the needle and thread. As a result, she didn't finish until late at night.

Consort Gao only sent someone to bring a lamp. The slight warmth of the lamp was quickly swallowed up by the winter night.

Later that evening, the Imperial Concubine, supported by Moxin, walked over and looked down at Hailan.

Mo Xin said, "Noble Lady Hai had better hurry, otherwise you might disappoint your master's piety, and I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the consequences!"

The three of them were freezing, and Ye Xin kept rubbing her hands together, pleading, "Your Highness, it's getting colder as night falls. Our mistress's hands are terribly cold. Could you please bring a charcoal brazier to our side?"

Consort Gao said sternly, "Making prayer flags is a sacred matter. How can one be tempted by temporary warmth and lose focus? Furthermore, the fire pit can easily ignite the prayer flags, so it is not advisable to place it nearby."

Hailan replied tremblingly, "Your Highness is right."

Consort Gao raised her chin: "You there, Xiangyun, right? Come here and fetch some more colored threads for your mistress."

Xiangyun readily agreed and went with Moxin.

It wasn't until late at night that Hailan finally finished making the prayer flags.

She shakily got up, and Ye Xin and Xiang Yun quickly helped her up.

The three of them, master and servants, were quite cold and helped each other back to Yanxi Palace.

At this time, Yanxi Palace was also completely dark, and there were no lights in Ruyi's palace either.

Hailan whispered, "Sister must be resting now. Let's go back quietly and not disturb her peaceful sleep."

Ye Xin said, "Master, I'll go to the kitchen and make you a bowl of ginger soup to warm you up."

Hailan said, "No need. It's already late. If we light a fire in the small kitchen to boil ginger soup, it might disturb you, sister."

Ye Xin had no choice but to have the palace maids and eunuchs quickly light the charcoal brazier, add charcoal to the hand warmer, help Hailan lie down, and cover her with a thick quilt.

The next day, when Hailan got up, she felt a little dizzy and lightheaded, and her nose was stuffy and her voice was hoarse.

Ye Xin said, "You must have caught a chill yesterday. Why don't we tell Her Majesty the Empress today that we won't be going to pay our respects? Her Majesty the Empress is always kind-hearted and won't mind."

At this moment, Su Xin came over and asked, "Noble Lady Hai, we are going to pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress today. Our master sent me to ask when we are leaving."

Hailan, fearing that Ruyi would worry, said to Yexin, "I'm fine. Go tell Suxin, and we'll pack up and leave."

As she spoke, she struggled to get out of bed.

Along the way, Ruyi noticed that Hailan looked unwell and asked, "Hailan, what's wrong? Consort Gao summoned you to Xianfu Palace. Is there any difficulty?"

Hailan stopped Ye Xin from speaking with a look and said, "It's nothing. I just caught a chill on the way back and my voice is a little hoarse."

Ruyi said calmly, "I'll give you more charcoal after that. Don't get cold in this freezing winter."

Hailan said gratefully, "Thank you, sister."

In Changchun Palace, everyone bowed to Rongyin. Rongyin smiled and said there was no need for formalities, but she noticed that Consort Hai seemed a little pale today, as if she was trembling.

She decided to move forward with the agenda, so she had Bai Ruiji come over to meet everyone, saying, "This is Bai Ruiji, a new girl from Changchun Palace who is learning etiquette. I brought her here to help you get to know each other." As she spoke, she introduced the concubines to Bai Ruiji one by one, and then said a polite remark, "Once you get to know them, you'll find that all of you are easy to get along with."

Most of the concubines didn't show it on their faces, but each had their own feelings inside.

Consort Jia added fuel to the fire with a sarcastic tone: "Not only are we easy to get along with, but His Majesty really dotes on you, sister. The clothes you're wearing, aren't they warm satin from Jiangning?"

Bai Ruiji smiled and said, "Consort Jia has a good eye."

Consort Jia: "It's not that I have good eyesight, it's just that I saw that my sister was dressed too lightly and I was afraid that you would get cold. However, this warm satin is rare, even the Empress's palace doesn't have it."

Consort Gao, already in a bad mood, immediately retorted, "Her Majesty the Empress has always advocated simplicity. For a mere woman who is learning etiquette, isn't this outfit a bit too extravagant?"

Bai Ruiji smiled and replied lazily, "But His Majesty likes me wearing this dress. Her Majesty the Empress also said she wouldn't mind. Does Your Highness intend to make the decisions for His Majesty and the Empress?"

Consort Gao was speechless, choked by the words.

Rongyin said, "Alright, Miss Bai, you must respect these ladies and speak with tact. Consort Jia and Consort Gao, you need not be too sharp in your words."

The three men stopped their attack after Rongyin spoke.

Seeing that Bai Ruiji was about to develop feelings for Consort Jia and Consort Gao, Rongyin decided to proceed with the previously agreed plan and create an opportunity for Bai Ruiji to be free from her control.

Rongyin said, "It's cold and the roads are slippery today, so all of you sisters should go back early if you have nothing else to do. Miss Bai, you don't need to be so reserved. I'll grant you half a day off. You don't need to come back to learn the rules before noon. You can either go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden or chat with the other ladies and get to know them better. Noble Lady Hai, you stay."

As the crowd dispersed, Yingluo secretly followed Bai Ruiji out. Hailan, upon entering Changchun Palace, felt a headache and a chill, and unsure of Rongyin's condition, felt uneasy. She could only manage to stand and curtsy, saying, "What brings Your Majesty the Empress here?"

Rongyin said, "It's nothing, please sit down. I just noticed you didn't look well, so I kept you here to ask if you were feeling unwell."

Seeing that the opportunity to complain was right in front of her, Ye Xin was about to speak when Hailan, unwilling to cause trouble, said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I just caught a chill and have a cough, but it's nothing serious." However, after sitting down, she felt dizzy again and couldn't help but hold her forehead.

Seeing that her voice was hoarse, her face was pale, and she looked very weak, and that she saw chilblains on her hands when she raised them, Rongyin said, "It's cold in winter, and if cold air gets into the body, it's no small matter. We should ask the imperial physician to take a look."

Ye Xin said happily, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Because the Empress sent someone to invite him, a royal physician soon arrived at Changchun Palace. After taking his pulse, the physician said that he had caught a cold and was also mentally exhausted, and now he had a fever, so he was indeed quite ill.

Rong Yin was somewhat surprised: "How did you suddenly become so sick?"

Ye Xin was so frightened that she knelt down and cried, "Please, Your Majesty the Empress, save our master!"

Rongyin told Ye Xin to get up first, then ordered the imperial physician to write a prescription. She also had Mingyu bring snuff for Hailan to inhale. Hailan sneezed and then coughed violently. Startled, Ye Xin didn't even bother to get up. She crawled to Hailan's side, took out a handkerchief to cover Hailan's mouth, and cried, "It's all because of the Imperial Concubine, why are you making our mistress make prayer flags!"

Hailan was already somewhat confused, and upon hearing this, she panicked and angrily said, "Ye Xin, shut up! What nonsense are you spouting in front of the Empress!" In her anger, she suffered a severe headache and was unable to speak for a moment.

Rong Yin's face darkened: "What's going on? What prayer flags?"

When Ye Xin saw that the Empress had asked, she steeled herself and told her everything: how Consort Gao had made Hailan stand in the cold wind in the courtyard of Xianfu Palace for an hour, and how she had made Hailan make prayer flags until night.

Rongyin's face was ashen: "I remember that Consort Wan lives in Xianfu Palace. Mingyu, Consort Wan should not have gone far yet. Go and invite Consort Wan here quietly."

Mingyu responded and was about to leave when Yingluo's voice suddenly rang in their minds: "Your Majesty, come quickly! Bai Ruiji has been beaten by Consort Gao!"