Yun Wan was the last to hear the news.
When Jiang Fusheng arrived with great fanfare, personally delivering the imperial decree and presenting the Phoenix Seal to Yun Wan, she had just woken from her midday nap. Her shock was no less than that of the other consorts in the palace.
Because Emperor Jingxuan had never mentioned this to her in recent days.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," Jiang Fusheng said with a cheerful smile, his plump round face creasing with amusement. He added, "Additionally, His Majesty has appointed Consort Xian and Concubine Hui to assist you in managing affairs."
"Consort Xian already oversees the Bureau of Garments and the Bureau of Music. Your Highness need only focus on managing the affairs of the other palaces."
"As for Concubine Hui, His Majesty said she has been in the palace for many years and is well-informed. If you require anything, you may freely instruct her."
In short, Concubine Hui was her true helper—someone she could trust.
Yun Wan took note of this without showing any outward reaction and smiled graciously. "Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Jiang. Would you care to stay for a cup of tea before you leave?"
Jiang Fusheng shook his head. "Your Highness is too kind, but this servant has urgent matters to attend to. I must decline the tea."
After a moment’s hesitation, he added, "Before coming here, His Majesty mentioned Your Highness. If you have time, perhaps you could visit him?"
With Yun Wan around, the Emperor was far easier to serve, so the palace attendants eagerly hoped she would visit often.
Including Jiang Fusheng.
Yun Wan had matters to attend to in the morning, so she returned to Qiyun Palace. Hearing his words, she nodded gently and replied, "Later, I shall prepare some soup and food to bring to His Majesty."
"Ah, wonderful! Then this servant shall take his leave. Your Highness need not see me out." Hearing that she would personally prepare food for the Emperor, Jiang Fusheng beamed with satisfaction.
When the Emperor asked about it later, he would have something to report.
After he left, the palace servants, led by Fuling, congratulated Yun Wan in unison: "Congratulations, Your Highness!"
With their mistress now holding the Phoenix Seal, the servants naturally shared in the joy.
Who in the palace didn’t know that Emperor Jingxuan doted on Consort Yun alone? Countless people were scrambling for a chance to serve in Qiyun Palace.
For palace servants, having a favored master was far more valuable than their own diligence.
Yun Wan raised her hand and calmly ordered, "Rise. Inform everyone that each of you shall receive an extra month’s allowance as a reward."
The servants bowed in delight. "This servant/maid thanks Your Highness!"
Fuling, standing nearby, spoke up. "Your Highness, this servant has something to say."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yun Wan.
Yun Wan nodded. "Go ahead."
Fuling stood before the servants, her expression stern as she spoke in a serious tone. "Now that the entire palace has its eyes on our mistress, with countless people waiting to see her falter, all of you must remember—"
"No matter how happy you are within Qiyun Palace, once you step outside, wipe the smiles off your faces and act with even more caution than before. Understood?"
"If I find out that any of you have used our mistress’s name to swagger about or bully others, then—"
She glanced at Yun Wan for approval before raising her voice in warning. "If I discover such behavior, you will be expelled from Qiyun Palace!"
The servants bowed their heads and quickly replied, "We heed Sister Fuling’s teachings!"
Standing to the side, Yun Wan smiled with satisfaction. Fuling had truly grown into her role as a senior maid, commanding authority.
......
Upon returning to the main hall, Yue Ya reported, "Your Highness, Consort Lu has arrived and requests an audience."
"Where is she?"
"In the side hall."
Yun Wan set down what she was holding and stood. "Let us meet her."
In the side hall, Consort Lu was lost in thought, her expression grave. She still wore the same palace gown she had on earlier at Zichen Hall.
This was her first visit to Qiyun Palace, and though the lavish decor would normally provoke envy, she had no mind to admire it now.
Only when Yun Wan spoke did she snap out of her thoughts. "What brings Consort Lu to see me?"
Gazing at the radiant, well-cared-for woman before her, Consort Lu’s eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
Yun Wan allowed her scrutiny without flinching. The timid and reticent demeanor she had once feigned in front of Consort Lu had long since vanished.
Consort Lu steadied herself and got straight to the point. "Yun Wan, I... I came today to ask for your help."
She took a deep breath and blurted out, "Do you know that my mother has been ordered to go to Qingyu Temple to pray for the late Empress Dowager?"
A flicker passed through Yun Wan’s eyes as she nodded. "I know."
Consort Lu frowned, her tone accusatory. "If you knew, why didn’t you plead with His Majesty? You know my mother’s health has always been frail. Sending her to Qingyu Temple is no different from sentencing her to death!"
Ever since learning of the Emperor’s decree, Consort Lu had been restless.
She had originally planned to beg Emperor Jingxuan for mercy that morning, hoping he would reconsider, but instead, she had been publicly reprimanded.
With the Emperor visibly impatient in their presence, Consort Lu hadn’t dared to say another word.
Yun Wan remained unruffled, her tone indifferent. "Consort Lu, you misunderstand. The elderly lady is going to Qingyu Temple to devote herself to prayers for the late Empress Dowager. How is that a death sentence?"
The implication was clear—was Consort Lu expressing dissatisfaction with the late Empress Dowager and the Emperor?
Consort Lu stiffened, quickly correcting herself. "I misspoke. Forgive me, Sister."
Yun Wan replied coolly, "This matter was decided by His Majesty. I cannot help."
Her cold attitude provoked Consort Lu, who retorted, "How can you not help? Everyone knows His Majesty favors you above all others. If you pleaded with him, there would surely be a change—my mother might not have to go at all!"
"You were once a daughter-in-law of the Lu family. My mother was your mother-in-law. Chang Sui would never want his grandmother to suffer!"
Had she not brought this up, Yun Wan might have remained composed. But at these words, her expression turned icy, her gaze filled with scorn as she looked at Consort Lu.
As if to say: Is this how you ask for a favor?
Consort Lu took a deep breath. "I apologize. But what I said is the truth."
She had to admit—among all the women in the palace, Yun Wan was the only one who stood a chance of persuading Emperor Jingxuan to revoke his decree.
And so, she had no choice but to humble herself before this woman she had always despised.
Yun Wan remained unmoved, even feeling a flicker of satisfaction.
Had she not endured such humiliation countless times before?
"Then why don’t you ask your mother why His Majesty specifically chose her to go to Qingyu Temple?" Yun Wan smiled coldly, her eyes devoid of warmth.
Compared to the suffering and trauma the old lady had inflicted on her in the past, sparing her life now—without adding to her misfortunes—was already an act of mercy in Yun Wan’s eyes.
Consort Lu failed to grasp the meaning behind her words and instinctively argued, "How could my mother possibly know His Majesty’s thoughts?"
Yun Wan’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "She knows. The question is whether she dares to tell you."
"Or you could wait—see if anyone from the Lu family dares to send you a message begging for help."
Her smile did not reach her eyes.
She had no qualms about the Lu family discovering that she was behind this. In fact, she looked forward to seeing how they would react once they learned the truth of the old lady’s misdeeds.
Consort Lu’s unease grew, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.
Yun Wan gave Yue Ya a glance, and the maid stepped out. Calmly, Yun Wan said, "As it happens, I also have something to discuss with you."
Consort Lu was puzzled.
Yun Wan asked, "Is Lingxiang your person?"
