The Consort De and Consort Xian instantly fell silent. However, their unyielding stances left Consort Yan feeling weary.
"Speak, how do you wish to proceed?" the Consort asked, picking up her teacup.
"Where is His Majesty? This concubine seeks His Majesty's judgment! Consort De is simply a shrew!" Consort Xian couldn't stay seated any longer.
"With your current demeanor, you still wish to seek judgment? Consort Xian, do you not fear hastening your own demise? Go on, try to summon His Majesty. We'll see who suffers then. And who was it that lost face before His Majesty just now?!" Consort De was not one to back down.
"Enough, can you not say less?" the Consort said to Consort De, her tone laced with exasperation.
"Am I the one speaking too much? It's clearly her..." Consort De's voice lowered considerably.
But when Consort Yan looked at her, Consort De immediately shut her mouth, though her gaze at Consort Xian, who sat nearby, was so fierce it seemed she wanted to devour her.
Consort Yan turned her attention back to Consort Xian. "Consort Xian, do you understand your own station? What is the meaning of your attire today? I see all your diligent copying of the palace rules has been in vain!" Her tone and words were far sterner than before.
"Consort, you do not have the authority to punish me!" Consort Xian acted like a fool, making Consort De roll her eyes.
"I am entrusted by His Majesty to manage the harem, and I hold the phoenix seal. Furthermore, I have already consulted His Majesty regarding today's matter, and he has granted me full authority. Do you believe I lack the qualification to discipline you?" Consort Yan's expression turned grave, and her voice grew cold.
"You know His Majesty's methods. Haven't you seen clearly what happened today? Regardless of whether you can summon His Majesty, even if you could, what use would it be?" The Consort rose from her seat.
"Consort Xian, do you believe you reached your current position through favor? Have you ever seen His Majesty truly show mercy, affection, or favor to any of the concubines in the harem?" Consort Yan looked at Consort Xian with sarcasm.
"I will tell you very clearly, if His Majesty were here today, you would suffer a terrible end. The fact that His Majesty granted me full authority to handle this proves that you mean nothing in his eyes. Whatever I decide to do with you will be implicitly approved by him. Do you not understand? Your actions today have angered His Majesty." Yan Qing's voice grew softer towards the end, but it inexplicably instilled a sense of oppression and fear.
"You have offended Consort Shu, His Majesty, and the Empress Dowager. Do you think you can turn the tide?" Yan Qing found it laughable and exposed her directly.
"Yan Qing! Do not presume your status as Consort makes you noble. You are merely an illegitimate child!" Consort Xian, perhaps driven by the day's events, spoke without restraint.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qing's eyes sharpened. However, before she could react, Consort De lunged forward and slapped her.
"You little slut, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Consort De roared angrily.
"She is the Consort, and she has the authority to assist in managing the six palaces. How is she any less noble than you? What are you, do you not know your own place?" Consort De berated her.
Yan Qing's expression softened slightly. She said softly, "That's enough, Consort De."
Consort De glanced, said nothing, and no longer knelt. She simply sat down nearby. Yan Qing said nothing either, but her gaze towards Consort Xian grew considerably colder.