As the Empress’s sedan chair arrived, Empress Zhu saw Consort De but did not say anything, nor did she acknowledge her.
Only after entering the inner hall and settling down did she summon Consort De.
Consort De had always been somewhat proud.
Ever since entering the palace, she had received the Emperor’s favor, which had only amplified the negative aspects of her personality.
While she restrained herself before the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she showed little restraint before others.
Now, knowing that she had made a mistake and fearing the consequences for her newborn child, Consort De lowered her stance.
She had already prepared her apology speech in advance and, upon seeing Empress Zhu, bowed her head and sincerely pleaded for forgiveness.
Empress Zhu did not stop her from performing the full ceremonial bow, but she also did not make things difficult for her.
She simply stated concisely, “Lady Xiahou, control your tongue. Do not let there be a next time.”
Consort De humbly acknowledged her words, showing utmost respect.
Seeing her so compliant this time, Empress Zhu was somewhat surprised.
Noting how Consort De’s body trembled slightly, betraying her deep fear, she quickly understood the reason.
Consort De had now become a mother.
She had found her deepest attachment.
She dared not gamble with the fate of her own child.
Upon realizing this, Empress Zhu’s tone softened slightly, and she even offered a few more words of guidance.
“I told you to watch your mouth—not just in front of people like me and Consort Xian, but also in front of those beneath you in rank.”
She then made it clear for Consort De, laying everything out bluntly.
“This time, the rumors were not aimed at you or me. They were aimed at the Crown Prince. And the root cause? It all stems from your inability to hold your tongue in the palace. Because of this, someone is trying to block the Crown Prince’s path. Do you understand?”
Consort De had dared to challenge Empress Zhu and did not take Consort Xian seriously either—so how could she possibly show restraint toward those ranked below her?
Over the years, how many people had she offended?
Even Consort De herself likely could not remember.
Even with powerful figures above her now, she was still reckless.
If, one day, she truly became the Empress Dowager through her son’s status, what kind of disaster would she bring?
Those who did not wish to see Consort De in power, arrogant and triumphant, would act now.
That was why, the moment the Crown Prince was born, they immediately targeted her greatest leverage—her son.
She was now paying the price for her past arrogance.
Hearing this, Consort De was dumbfounded.
After thinking it over, she was struck with horror, followed by deep regret, fear, and dread.
An open attack was easy to guard against; a hidden one was not.
The Crown Prince was both her greatest support and her greatest weakness.
Others could take multiple shots at him.
But she only needed to lose once—for everything to be over.
Seeing that Consort De understood, Empress Zhu saw no need to say more.
She lifted her teacup in a gesture of dismissal.
“You have just given birth. Go back and rest. Do not leave your residence for the remainder of the month.”
It was both a restriction and a form of protection.
Consort De blushed, feeling embarrassed.
“Your Majesty, I…”
Empress Zhu looked at her calmly.
Consort De stammered for a long time but, in the end, could not find the words to argue.
She could only bow deeply, then leave with Lady Xiahou.
Once outside the gates of Fengyi Palace, Consort De boarded her sedan chair.
The first person she looked at was Lady Jia Zhen.
Lady Jia Zhen thought she might have some lingering confusion and was prepared to explain further.
However, what Consort De asked next caught her off guard.
“Jia Zhen Jie, is there anything you want? Just tell me, and I’ll make it happen!”
Then she asked, “Jia Zhen Jie, you’re not short on money, are you? If you are, just name a figure—take as much as you need!”
For all her arrogance, Consort De had her redeeming qualities.
One of them was that she never made empty promises—she delivered outright.
When Lady Jia Zhen had first arrived at Pixiang Hall, Consort De had showered her with gifts.
Not just her, but even her family outside the palace, the Fei family, had received generous rewards.
Of course, it wasn’t purely out of goodwill.
Half of it was to show the Empress Dowager and the Emperor her favor, and the other half was to flaunt her own position—proving just how much the Emperor cherished her.
After all, if she weren’t truly favored, why would the Emperor have specially consulted the Empress Dowager to send Lady Jia Zhen to care for her?
But this time, she was asking out of sincerity.
Lady Jia Zhen sighed inwardly and said while walking, “Your Highness, you shouldn’t make such sweeping promises so lightly.
Saying things like, ‘Whatever you ask for, I will make it happen’—what if I ask for something you truly cannot give? If I make a request and you fail to fulfill it, wouldn’t that just lead to resentment?”
Consort De looked confused and instinctively replied, “But Jia Zhen Jie, you are smart. You wouldn’t ask for something I can’t provide, right?”
Lady Jia Zhen ’s lips parted slightly in surprise, her expression flickering with astonishment.
Consort De suddenly became furious.
“What was that look? Are you surprised I actually said something smart for once?!”
Lady Jia Zhen : “I’m not, I didn’t!”
Consort De puffed up like an indignant pufferfish, her face round with frustration.
“Don’t pretend! I saw it clearly—you were totally thinking that!”
Lady Jia Zhen glanced at her, covered her mouth, and smiled mischievously.
“Alright, fine. I was thinking that. So what? What are you going to do—beat me?”
Consort De: “…Come here!”
Lady Jia Zhen smirked and delivered another verbal jab.
“Was I wrong? You don’t exactly have a history of saying smart things.”
Consort De: “…!!!”