Demoted from wife to concubine? Reborn, the mistress of a noble family plots another high-status mar

Chapter 153

"It's all a misunderstanding. Ling'er's face was disfigured by Yun Xiyue at Funing Palace. She developed a rash on her face from peanut powder and scratched it, leaving scars. She was very upset and did something impulsive in a moment of confusion."

The implication was that Zhou Zhilan was absolved of responsibility, while the blame was shifted to Yun Xiyue.

"Zhilan was also innocently implicated!"

"Now, one of my granddaughters and one of my granddaughters have been disfigured because of the Yun family's daughter. If the children have done something wrong, I have not taught them well, but if a woman's appearance is ruined, her whole life is ruined." Old Madam Zhou said, her eyes reddening.

The Empress Dowager felt sorry for Yun Xiyue after hearing this, so she ordered Yun Xiyue to be brought to the palace.

"This humble woman pays her respects to the Empress Dowager."

Sitting below the Empress Dowager, Madam Zhou couldn't help but glance at her a few more times upon seeing her for the first time. "Miss Yun is indeed as rumored, with a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in the world!"

The Empress Dowager looked down on Yun Xiyue's status. No matter how beautiful she was, she was still a merchant's daughter who was not presentable and had been divorced.

If it weren't for the Emperor's intention to elevate her status due to matters of state, the Empress Dowager would genuinely disagree with the Emperor having any contact with her.

"You flatter me, Madam Zhou," Yun Xiyue said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

The Empress Dowager and Madam Zhou exchanged a glance, and the Empress Dowager said, "You probably know why I summoned you here."

"I won't say much more. No matter the reason, who is right and who is wrong, Shen Ling and Zhi Lan's appearances were ruined because of you."

“When a woman’s appearance is ruined, it’s like ending her life. You are a woman too, so you should understand this.”

Yun Xiyue sneered inwardly, "Your Majesty is absolutely right, I understand. However, I have no way of simply helping to buy back the scar-free ointment that the Zhou family requested."

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly and said calmly, "Well, then you can go back! Since you can't buy it back, I'll go to your parents. After all, they are the ones who have a relationship with the divine physician, not you."

Yun Xiyue's palms tightened. "My parents also couldn't contact the divine physician..."

"Hmm?" The Empress Dowager's expression was cold and stern, her brows and eyes exuding an imposing aura even without anger.

This posture is just like Murong Yu's; they truly are mother and son.

The nanny beside the Empress Dowager immediately reprimanded, "How dare you! You must not be rude in front of the Empress Dowager."

Madam Zhou said, "She's probably nervous. Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter cannot be entirely blamed on Miss Yun."

The Empress Dowager gave her a reproachful look, "This girl is only able to be so presumptuous because the Emperor favors her."

"If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll probably become even more audacious and reckless in the future."

The Yun family donated a considerable amount of money to the imperial court.

But they shouldn't think they can climb over the heads of royalty and powerful figures in the capital just because of a little money.

Even if Zhou Zhilan and Shen Ling were at fault, they were still daughters of powerful and wealthy families, and they couldn't tolerate being bullied like this by a mere merchant's daughter.

If this is not suppressed in time, the rules and order of priority among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants will be completely disrupted.

Regardless of what the Emperor was thinking, the Empress Dowager would not allow it. "I ask you, did you dine with the Emperor a few days ago when you entered the palace?"

Before Yun Xiyue could answer, Old Madam Zhou was surprised, "Dining with the Emperor?"

The Empress Dowager sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat exhausted. "Indeed."

She went to the Emperor, but he said it was not true and did not acknowledge it.

But this matter cannot be erased simply by the emperor denying it; a quick check of the imperial kitchen will reveal the truth.

The day Yun Xiyue entered the palace, it was in the Zichen Hall.

Normally, even the concubines in the harem couldn't get close to the threshold, but she, a mere merchant's daughter, was able to enter and even dine with the Emperor in the Zichen Palace.

The Empress Dowager was worried when she heard this!

Seeing Yun Xiyue again today, I became even more worried looking at her face. To outsiders, the Emperor seems to be indifferent to women, but it's not that he doesn't need women.