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Before long, several people arrived at Jinghe Palace. Outside, several palanquins were parked, indicating that most of the Consorts in the harem had come to watch the excitement. Jingxi was already standing there waiting. When she saw Mu Junqi and the others arrive, she merely bowed slightly and said nothing further.
Ziyue stepped forward and said, "Aunt Jingxi, please go inside and inform the Empress Dowager that the Empress has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Jingxi glanced sideways at Mu Junqi and casually remarked, "I was indeed careless. However, please wait here; I will go in to report first." After saying this, she disregarded them and walked inside, completely ignoring their presence. Huixin couldn't help but feel a bit angry; she looked at Mu Junqi and said, "Your Highness, if even a servant treats you this way, are you really going to endure it?"
Mu Junqi understood that Huixin was worried about her, but given the current situation, there was little she could do. Fortunately, the Emperor was safe; otherwise, she wouldn't even have the chance to stand here now. Even though this assassination attempt had many flaws, these people seemed unconcerned about that and appeared intent on putting her in a perilous position.
Just as she was lost in thought, Jingxi leisurely walked out and said with a half-smile, "Empress, the Empress Dowager is asking you to come in quickly."
As Mu Junqi was about to step forward, Jingxi suddenly spoke again, "Wait a moment; the Empress Dowager is of utmost importance." She then turned to a few palace maids behind her and said sternly, "You all need to carefully check the Empress's body to ensure nothing happens to the Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing this, Huixin and Ziyue stepped forward to block the palace maids' path and said with displeasure, "Who dares? Is it your place to search the Empress's body?" As soon as those words were spoken, the palace maids immediately froze in place and dared not approach, only looking weakly at Jingxi.
However, Jingxi smiled without sincerity and bowed slightly to Mu Junqi. "Your Highness, everyone entering the Empress Dowager's chamber must be thoroughly checked. Even though you are the Empress, this rule was set by the Empress Dowager; you cannot disregard it."
Huixin immediately responded, "Aunt Jingxi, the Empress is favored by the Emperor. If you truly do this today and he finds out later, how many lives do you think you can use to make up for it?"
Jingxi merely smiled and fixed her gaze on Mu Junqi. She calmly replied, "Then forgive me for being rude. I must be cautious about anything that could harm the Empress Dowager. If something were to happen due to negligence on my part regarding the Empress Dowager's safety, I would be hard-pressed to explain myself. In any case, it's better to protect the Empress Dowager." After saying this, she fell silent and stood at the entrance blocking everyone.
"Forget it; you all come over," Mu Junqi finally relented.
"Your Highness!" Ziyue and Huixin exclaimed in unison, looking at Mu Junqi in shock.
Jingxi walked a few steps to Mu Junqi's side and smiled while searching Mu Junqi's body, saying, "It's still Empress who understands reason. If this had been agreed upon earlier, Empress Dowager wouldn't have to wait. When we go in later, we need to explain it well to Empress Dowager."
"Alright, I apologize," Jingxi said softly after finishing her search, then took the lead and walked out, with Mu Junqi following closely behind her, maintaining a calm expression throughout.
As soon as they entered, they saw that the hall was filled with people. It seemed everyone had come to watch her embarrassment. Calmly walking forward, everyone in the room stood up except for Empress Dowager. Mu Junqi stepped forward first and greeted Empress Dowager, saying, "Empress Dowager, may you be well. Consort has arrived late." As soon as she finished speaking, the other concubines echoed, "Empress, may you be well."
Empress Dowager's originally kind expression suddenly changed as she coldly stared at the bowing Mu Junqi without saying a word. Although Mu Junqi remained slightly bowed, Empress Dowager spoke as if she couldn't see her: "Now you are the most favored by the Emperor; I cannot do anything to you. I just want to ask you a few questions."
Mu Junqi's calves began to tremble lightly, but she still forced herself to remain still and respectfully replied, "Empress Dowager is being too serious; this matter is all Consort's fault."
At this moment, it seemed that Empress Dowager finally noticed her and glared at her fiercely before saying, "Forget it; you should get up quickly. Standing like this makes me uncomfortable." After speaking, she picked up a teacup from the nearby table and took a light sip before angrily throwing it on the ground. The whole room was shocked as they looked at Empress Dowager, who remained unfazed and lightly wiped her mouth before angrily looking at Jingxi and saying, "Which maid brewed this tea? Is it meant to scald me? Take her out and give her twenty lashes."
Hearing this, Jingxi hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, please calm down. It's just a newly arrived maid who probably doesn't understand the palace rules. Please don't be angry; it might hurt your health. I'll go send her away right now." Saying this, she really went out.
This action appeared to deal with a Palace Maid on the surface, but everyone in the hall knew it was directed at Mu Junqi. Each person wore a subtle smile while looking at Mu Junqi.
Of course, Mu Junqi understood the truth behind this; it was merely because of the Emperor's favor that she was treated this way. Without that connection to the Emperor, Empress Dowager would have likely already sent her to the Cold Palace.
"Empress Dowager, please don't be angry; it's just an ignorant girl," suddenly spoke Consort Xi from the side. Mu Junqi looked up and saw a woman dressed in blue and white embroidered palace attire sitting there without any makeup. Among all the heavily adorned women in the room, she appeared fresh and refined. With lightly brushed eyebrows and spring-like eyes, her skin was smooth like warm jade with a soft glow; her cherry-red lips were naturally rosy—she was truly an exceptional beauty.
Mu Junqi couldn't help but wonder when such a woman had entered the harem; she had never noticed before. It seemed that she had a good relationship with Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager caught sight of Mu Junqi's puzzled expression and calmly said, "The current Empress is becoming increasingly rude. I haven't finished speaking yet; look at your expression—truly unbecoming for someone of your status."
These words were undoubtedly a slap in Mu Junqi's face. Everyone knew that the Emperor came from a poor background and was merely an illegitimate daughter who couldn't hold any status. Upon hearing this, everyone covered their mouths and chuckled softly; in this quiet room, their laughter was particularly clear.
"Empress Dowager, regardless of Consort's background, she is now part of the royal family. What you said indirectly reflects on yourself," Mu Junqi suddenly spoke up, leaving everyone shocked as they turned to look at the Empress Dowager in fear.
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