Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 363: Intercept

Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Intercept

Hearing the Noble Consort’s final words, Consort Xu De felt a vague unease in her heart and looked at Nanny Qi, whispering, "Nanny Qi, is this really okay? Should we..."

But she didn’t finish her sentence.

She knew that Nanny Qi was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, yet to not give any face to the Noble Consort and directly humiliate her in public was beyond her expectations.

What kind of person was Nanny Qi? At a young age, she had helped the Former Empress Dowager manage an entire court. Whether it was her capabilities, vision, or methods, she was second to none in the palace. During her heyday, Nanny Qi had even managed the entire harem on behalf of the Former Empress Dowager.

Common sense dictated that one should not slap someone in the face, especially not the Noble Consort’s. So Nanny Qi was unlikely to make such a mistake, hence Consort Xu De found it very strange, feeling that it might have been intentional.

She worried that Noble Consort Xue might resort to some nasty trick, which would be disadvantageous to Nanny Qi.

Nanny Qi instantly understood what was left unsaid and glared fiercely at Consort Xu De. This was the palace, not a battlefield; one couldn’t just attack and take the enemy’s head just because they were unpleasant.

One move could affect the whole situation. The Emperor intended to cleanse the harem to prepare for the removal of Xue Ping and his ilk. Noble Consort Xue was not so easily dealt with, at least not right now. Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion and could force Xue Ping into a desperate corner, which would be disastrous.

Consort Xu De touched her nose awkwardly and bowed her head slightly, "Nanny Qi, I was not thoughtful enough, it’s just that I am worried..."

She inwardly sighed, Nanny Qi’s presence was as commanding as ever. She truly wondered how her soft and gentle sister got along with Nanny Qi.

Nanny Qi showed a trace of weariness on her face and waved her hand, not wanting to speak any more on the matter.

Perhaps it was her age, but even without doing much, just coming out had left her utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

She reflected inwardly that it was more relaxing to be with the young girls, where there was no need for scheming or excessive thinking. One could just enjoy peaceful moments, both lively and comfortable. Even if she spent an entire day watching the girls do needlework, it was thousands of times more relaxing than this.

Seeing Nanny Qi’s condition, Consort Xu De quickly supported her, leaving Ming Jing to handle the aftermath while she led Nanny Qi back to the hall for a rest.

Order was restored in front of Huaying Hall as before, with Ming Jing continuing to manage the remaining servants with the registry, and once all the servants were dispatched, she distributed the purses to the respective managers.

The managers stood there with stunned and dazed expressions, wondering if it was all over, if there were no more twists, if no one else would come.

After several reversals today, the dust had finally settled. When Ming Xin instructed them to leave, the managers were still in a daze and merely responded in a wooden manner, dispersing as if waking from a dream. They looked at each other, hardly believing they had escaped disaster.

Ji Yunlai was the most clear-headed. He felt as if he had just walked through the gates of hell and back, with both the inside and outside of his clothes soaked with cold sweat.

Although he appeared calm on the outside, inside he was terrified. From the time he began arresting people, in the eyes of the Noble Consort, he was already taking sides. Had the Noble Consort really been able to push her agenda, he, the Chief Steward of the Punishment Bureau, would have been the first to be dealt with.

Fortunately, he had communicated with Zhang Qing before making the arrests, bit his lip, and held firm. Otherwise, had he acted according to the Noble Consort’s intimidation and sided with her, playing both ends against the middle, he would not have fared well with Consort De, and that would have been the end of him.

Finally, everything had settled down. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up at the sky, which had changed color!

He led the men from the Punishment Bureau to deal with those who had committed offenses.

Those managers aligned with the Noble Consort were in a trance, revealing a sense of panic. With Consort De rising in favor and Noble Consort Xue defeated, they wondered what would become of them...

While the Harem was in turmoil, the Canglan Court on the west side remained calm and tranquil.

Xiao Jizi could distinctly sense that something was amiss. Everything Nanny Qi was doing, she was keeping from her master, perhaps because something outside required her personal attention.

When Nanny Qi left, she took two eunuchs from the Star Palace who were guarding the gate with her, saying she would be back shortly.

He knew that although the Canglan Court appeared deserted, in fact, many people were guarding it in secret.

Nevertheless, he was extremely cautious and arranged for Xiao Linzi to guard the main gate strictly, reporting to him anyone coming in or out.

Xiao Linzi, that simpleton, was just the perfect fit for such a task.

He stationed Xiao Qing inside to guard his master while he himself stood not too far from the Side Hall, able to see if anything happened there and also able to respond in time to any stir at the gate, as he still worried about the simpleton Xiao Linzi.

At that moment, Xiao Jizi leaned against a wooden pillar, a blade of grass in his mouth, pondering something when he saw Xiao Linzi approaching from the distance, followed by a palace maid.

He straightened up, looking toward Xia Liu, the palace maid whom His Majesty had transferred to be under Nanny Qi’s charge, who, during his time in the Star Palace, he had seldom dealt with and almost never seen.

The Star Palace was vast with numerous tasks, and everyone had their specific duties. The shifts, work positions, and responsibilities were all different, and not all the servants there had the chance to meet each other—some might not see one another for years on end.

Like Xiao Linzi, he had previously been a eunuch serving at the Emperor’s side, and since His Majesty hardly needed palace maids for his personal service, well, cough, after the master, even the Account Manager was replaced by a eunuch, so he had no real impression of Xia Liu.

At this time of day, he wondered what the palace maid was up to.

Seeing Xiao Jizi, Xiao Linzi hastened his steps and came over with a bashful smile, calling out: "Brother Xiao Ji."

His voice carried a hint of warmth.

Xiao Jizi grunted in acknowledgment, took the grass from his mouth, and sized up Xia Liu with a quick glance: "What’s this about?"

"Oh." Xiao Linzi scratched his head, almost forgetting why he was there and said, "Brother Xiao Ji, this palace maid needs to leave the court."

Xiao Jizi understood; the simpleton had done well. His ears were not soft; he hadn’t been sweet-talked into letting someone out.

Xia Liu stepped forward, her demeanor slightly haughty: "Eunuch Ji, Nanny Qi has instructed us to fetch some Bird’s Nest Soup for Master Lian to help alleviate her dryness. I’ve just finished my duties and remembered this task, so I planned to go take care of it, but this Xiao Linzi kept obstructing me, insisting on reporting to you before allowing me to leave. What do you think we should do about this?"

Just talking about it angered her. When serving in the Star Palace, Xia Liu knew of Xiao Linzi, having heard that he was very rigid and single-minded; she had even made fun of him with others behind his back.

Yet such a person was graced with the Emperor’s favor and allowed to serve at His Majesty’s side. Steward Zhang also valued him highly, which she could not comprehend.

Today when she wanted to leave, this young eunuch had been stopping her. No matter how nicely she asked, he refused to let her go and even mentioning Nanny Qi’s name did no good. She finally understood just how stubborn this young eunuch could be.

In the end, the young eunuch had said that if she wanted to leave, she needed to ask for permission from his Brother Xiao Ji.

Xia Liu was infuriated inside. Although Feng Ji had once served at the Emperor’s side, he had long been assigned to the Canglan Court; they were now on equal footing, so why should she need his permission to leave?