This was truly unprecedented. Apart from the former Talented Lady Zhang, Yongning Palace had never received a new visitor.
Of course, Yanshu understood that the visitor's intentions were not benign. However, as Consort Wang outranked her, she could only rise to greet her.
"Greetings, Consort Wang."
Consort Wang didn't stand on ceremony. Upon entering the room, she sat down on the warm couch and said with an ambiguous tone, "What's this? I heard someone mentioning me just now?"
This startled Lianxin, who quickly looked towards Yanshu.
Yanshu's expression remained unchanged as she innocently replied, "No, we were just discussing what to have for breakfast. We didn't mention you at all, Consort."
Consort Wang scrutinized her closely and continued in a sarcastic tone, "I've long heard that Beauty Li has a sharp tongue. Today, I've truly experienced it firsthand."
Yanshu pretended not to understand and laughed carefreely, "Consort, you're praising me on your first visit. You're making me blush."
Seeing that Yanshu wouldn't take the bait, Consort Wang could only snort and say, "Just now, my maid went to the Internal Affairs Bureau to collect rouge. She happened to run into one of your maids. How is it that I hear your people have been speaking ill of me?"
She glanced at the maid who had accompanied her and said, "Cuiyan, take a look. Is that the girl?"
Upon hearing this, Cuiyan immediately pointed at Lianxin and said, "It's her. She didn't get what she wanted, and when she saw that I did, she started muttering and speaking ill of Consort Wang."
Lianxin, frightened, shook her head vigorously, "No, no! This servant only asked the people at the Internal Affairs Bureau why Consort Wang got rouge while we didn't..."
At the same time, the system began to reveal information to Yanshu: [Cuiyan has stolen quite a few pieces of jewelry from Consort Wang over the years. Just two days ago, she stole a red agate pendant and is now falsely accusing others.]
Yanshu understood and pretended to reprimand Lianxin, "You foolish girl, how can I compare myself to Consort Wang? She outranks me, so of course she should receive the best things first."
She then deliberately glanced at Cuiyan and said to Lianxin, "If only you could be more like Miss Cuiyan, then I'd be at ease."
Consort Wang, who had been waiting to find fault with Yanshu, was taken aback by this comment. "What about Cuiyan?" she asked.
Yanshu smiled and said, "Miss Cuiyan is so beautiful and knows how to conduct herself. No wonder she's so well-liked! Just the other day, I heard someone praising her at the Empress Dowager's place!"
Well, since she was summoned by the Empress Dowager, there was no need to hide it anymore.
As expected, Consort Wang was startled and immediately asked, "Who praised her?"
Yanshu, maintaining a calm demeanor, replied, "Palace Supervisor Chen! Yesterday, when I went to the Palace of Benevolent Peace, I happened to overhear Palace Supervisor Chen talking to the Empress Dowager. She said that Cuiyan was the most intelligent person in the harem and very filial too. I heard that she even personally made a headband for the Empress Dowager recently, with a red agate inlaid in it. The quality was truly exceptional."
By the time she finished speaking, even Cuiyan was stunned.
Consort Wang was also taken aback and looked at Cuiyan suspiciously.
Following the system's revelations, Yanshu continued to improvise, "I heard that during the summer, she also made a set of soft gauze sleepwear for the Empress Dowager. The needlework was so exquisite that even the Empress Dowager praised it."
Soft gauze?
Consort Wang paused again.
— Wasn't it during the summer that she had lost a set of soft gauze fabric? She had been so distressed about it...
Yanshu then smiled at Cuiyan and said, "Oh, and those cloud silk handkerchiefs, you gave those to Palace Supervisor Chen, right? She said the flowers you embroidered on them were particularly beautiful..."
Before she could finish, Consort Wang turned and slapped Cuiyan, scolding her, "So that's how it is! Red agate? Soft gauze? And cloud silk handkerchiefs? So all these things I lost were taken by you? And you even gave them to the Empress Dowager? What a girl! I had no idea you had such intentions!"
Cuiyan was stunned by the slap. When she came to her senses, she quickly covered her face and said, "My lady, I didn't, I really didn't! She's making it all up!"
Yanshu covered her mouth in feigned surprise, "Oh my, Consort Wang didn't know about this? Oh dear, it's my fault for speaking out of turn! I hope this doesn't damage your relationship!"
Consort Wang slapped Cuiyan twice more, her chest heaving as she took several deep breaths. Finally, she turned to Yanshu with a vicious glare and said, "Keep your people in check. If they spread rumors again, I'll report to Noble Consort Zhou and have their mouths torn apart!"
With that, she stormed out, dragging Cuiyan by the ear.
Yanshu watched them leave.
Once the room was quiet again, Rendong and Lianxin looked at Yanshu in surprise, "Was what you said true? Is Cuiyan really that bold?"
Yanshu shrugged indifferently, "Whether it's true or not, she'll find out when she investigates. You two just watch the show."
The two nodded eagerly, already rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Who doesn't enjoy a good drama?
Yanshu then turned serious and instructed them, "Next time something like this happens with the rouge, don't fight, don't argue, don't say a word. Just come back immediately."
Her rank was low, and she had no backing. Confrontation would only bring her trouble.
The two quickly nodded, "Yes, understood."
Yanshu then said, "Now, go and fetch my breakfast. I'm starving."
After all the fuss this morning, it was nothing but useless drama. Once she had eaten, she needed to get back to writing her novel. It was best to develop a skill and have an alternative path.
Rendong quickly agreed and hurried to the Imperial Kitchen. Before long, she returned with breakfast: silver thread pancakes, lamb dumplings, pumpkin porridge, and two side dishes.
Hunger is the best sauce, and Yanshu devoured the meal like a whirlwind. Then, she immersed herself in her writing career.
Ahem, after several days of effort, her debut work "The Dashing Scholar and the Beautiful Lady" was almost complete.
After a period of intense focus, she was interrupted by Rendong entering the room with a hesitant expression. "My lady..."
Yanshu looked up from her papers and asked, "What's the matter?"
Rendong said angrily, "The Internal Affairs Bureau has withheld our fuel and charcoal too. They said they've just run out today and told us to come back the day after tomorrow. Are they trying to freeze us to death these two days?"
Yanshu understood and thought for a moment before saying, "We still have some stock left, right? I'll share mine with you. Besides, it's sunny during the day, so we can save some charcoal."
Rendong pouted and asked, "But what about at night?"
Yanshu's eyes darted around as she replied, "At night... we'll figure something out."
Tsk, that person had already come for two consecutive nights. Would he come again tonight?
As night fell, Qianming Palace was ablaze with lights.
In the imperial study, the emperor was reviewing memorials at his desk, with the Commissioner of State Affairs, the Chief Censor, and several other high officials respectfully waiting nearby.
After browsing through a memorial, Yuwen Lan was about to pick up his brush to write his comments when the bandage on the side of his hand was exposed.
The officials were startled and immediately stepped forward to inquire—
"What happened to Your Majesty's hand? Have you been injured?"
"Has Your Majesty summoned the imperial physician? How serious is the injury?"
"How did Your Majesty get injured?"
Yuwen Lan casually replied, "I accidentally cut myself while practicing swordsmanship this morning. It's nothing serious."
He quickly wrote a few lines, handed the memorial back to the officials, and said, "You may leave now."
The officials complied, each taking their respective memorials and withdrawing. The hall finally fell silent.
Fu Hai, the head eunuch, pondered to himself, [Heh, I wonder which beauty bit him. His Majesty is even covering for her. She must be quite important.]
Yuwen Lan glanced at him and said, "You may leave too."
He then summoned another young eunuch, Fu Bao, and asked, "How was Yongning Palace today?"
Fu Bao honestly replied, "Your Majesty, Beauty Li remained in her palace as usual, not venturing out. However, for some reason, the Internal Affairs Bureau has been withholding her cosmetics and fuel. Oh, and Consort Wang went there with her people today. I'm not sure what she said to Beauty Li, but she left in a fury."
Yuwen Lan accurately grasped the key point and frowned, "Why are they withholding supplies? Who's responsible?"
Fu Bao said, "It seems Noble Consort Zhou gave the order to the Internal Affairs Bureau. As for the reason, this servant doesn't know."
Noble Consort Zhou, does she think the imperial palace belongs to the Zhou family?
Yuwen Lan then asked, "How did she handle it?"
Fu Bao replied, "Beauty Li only instructed to share her fuel with her maids. She didn't make a fuss about it."
Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow. Why was she being so docile now?
With less fuel, it would indeed be quite cold.
In the dead of night, Yanshu, wearing thick sleepwear, huddled in her blankets and pondered: Would the emperor come tonight?
There had been no movement all day. Surely he wasn't planning to punish her?
Could he be angry about yesterday's events and decide not to come?
What about the fuel situation?
As she was fretting, she heard the door being gently pushed open, followed by the faint sound of footsteps outside the curtain.
Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly lifted the curtain to look, and sure enough, she saw him.
Hurriedly getting out of bed to bow, she said, "This humble consort respectfully greets Your Majesty."
Yuwen Lan was dressed in a dark brocade robe, his hair uncrowned, giving him a softer appearance.
Glancing down at her, he said without emotion, "Yesterday you were so bold, yet today you act like this."
Yanshu brazenly replied, "This humble consort has been anxious and uneasy since last night. Um... how is your hand feeling?"
Yuwen Lan grunted in response, but before he could say more, he sneezed.
Hmm, it did seem rather cold in this room.
However, immediately after, Rendong's voice was heard from outside, "My lady? What... what was that sound?"
Yanshu glanced at Yuwen Lan and hastily replied, "It was me, I sneezed."
Rendong quickly responded, "Let me bring you another blanket, my lady."
Before Yanshu could refuse, Rendong had already pushed open the door and entered.
Yanshu was startled, but in that split second, Yuwen Lan swiftly ducked behind the bed curtains.
Outside the door, someone's eyes darted about before quickly going to report the news.
In the room, Rendong efficiently retrieved a blanket from the wardrobe and was about to spread it for Yanshu when she snatched it away, saying, "I can do it myself. It's the middle of the night, you should go to sleep."
Rendong sighed, "I knew you'd catch a cold. Just because His Majesty spoke to you, these people are worse than wolves! Cutting off your fuel and charcoal in this cold weather, do they want to freeze you to death? I'll bring the brazier from our room right away."
Yanshu shook her head vigorously, "No need. If you all fall ill from the cold, who will attend to me? I'm fine, please go to sleep."
Rendong had no choice but to comply, responding with a "Yes" before leaving.
As the room fell silent, a certain someone parted the bed curtains and casually sat on the edge of the bed.
Yanshu approached with the blanket, carefully fawning, "Why don't Your Majesty drape this blanket? My room is cold, I wouldn't want you to catch a chill."
Truth be told, the room was indeed quite cold, incomparable to the Qianming Palace with its heated floors.
As for the reason, Yuwen Lan was already well aware.
He took the blanket and said, "Someone has been withholding your fuel and charcoal. Why didn't you report this to me?"
Yanshu thought to herself, "Isn't it because of you that they're withholding my fuel and charcoal? Goodness, how could I possibly confront those people?"
Moreover, given her position, she'd be devoured before even getting a chance to see him. It was better to let him experience it firsthand now.
Out loud, however, she played dumb, "The Internal Affairs Bureau just said they were temporarily out of fuel and charcoal, and that it would arrive in a couple of days. This humble consort can wait a few days."
Yuwen Lan couldn't be bothered to expose her lie. He was about to speak again when another commotion erupted outside.
It seemed someone was trying to force their way into the hall, and a woman's voice rang out, "Beauty Li, why are you up so late? Who are you talking to?"
