However, no one told this story to Lianpin, and no matter how rich her imagination, she couldn’t have thought of it.

Qin Shuying sat quietly, not anxious at all.

Before long, Lianpin said: “Shuying, since you know, why don’t you tell me about it? It would save this palace from taking detours and working hard for nothing, and maybe offending people without even knowing it.”

“Your Ladyship jests. Your Ladyship is wise and brilliant, and His Majesty is generous and benevolent—how could you offend anyone? Besides, this subject’s wife is not even half Your Ladyship’s age. If Your Ladyship could offend people, this subject’s wife would have offended countless more by now.”

Lianpin’s willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she laughed delicately, “Ge ge ge.” “Shuying, you’re so mischievous. It’s fortunate that Deputy Commissioner Liang can tolerate your imp-like nature.”

Clearly having no real affection, yet still making such jokes—didn’t Lianpin feel awkward?

Did she think that by joking and speaking intimately like this, she would be forgiven for all her previous scheming and face-slapping?

A mocking gleam appeared in Qin Shuying’s eyes, but she smiled along with Lianpin without contradicting her or showing any discomfort.

Seeing Qin Shuying’s apparent indifference, Lianpin suddenly lowered her voice and said: “But there’s a rumor in the palace saying that it was you, Shuying, who exposed the Empress’s affairs, and His Majesty was furious, which is why he punished the General of the Western Campaign and Deputy Commissioner Liang. Imperial Concubine De has mentioned this several times, and I’ve smoothed things over each time, saying how could you know about such things? Now that there are no outsiders here, speaking truthfully, it was indeed you, Shuying, who forced those words out of your family’s fake old madam. Shuying, aren’t you afraid His Majesty will punish you?”

Qin Shuying looked at Lianpin with an innocent expression, as if she didn’t understand where such words came from: “Your Ladyship, this subject’s wife knows nothing about this matter. Even what happened just now, I only learned about it after Your Ladyship told me, and I can’t even distinguish truth from falsehood. Why would His Majesty punish me?”

These words made Lianpin both annoyed and angry. She was clearly pretending not to understand while knowing perfectly well, and doing it so convincingly too. How had she not known that Qin Shuying had such ability?

But Lianpin didn’t dare force Qin Shuying too much, and even had to smile and coax her: “You, oh you, what can this palace say about you? Fine, since you won’t say, this palace won’t force you. You’re still young after all, haven’t suffered much hardship, and don’t know the twists and turns of palace life. When you’re older and have experienced more, you’ll understand that family is still family—broken bones are still connected by tendons. In others’ eyes, you and this palace share both glory and downfall. Those who want to suppress this palace will choose to start with you. Those who want to suppress you will naturally choose to first remove this palace, your backing.”

When had Lianpin become her backing?

Qin Shuying mocked inwardly but only said: “Your Ladyship speaks truly.”

As the two were talking, Eunuch Xi poked his head through the main door, looking somewhat anxious. Lianpin’s sharp eyes caught sight of him, and her elegant brows furrowed slightly: “Little Xizi, what’s the matter? Come in and speak.”

Eunuch Xi entered: “Your Ladyship, the Princess Consort went to the Cold Palace and was discovered by Imperial Concubine De’s people. She’s currently outside the Cold Palace.”

Lianpin shot up: “What? What was she doing at the Cold Palace? Where’s Fu Qu?”

Eunuch Xi said: “Fu Qu was leading the Princess Consort around outside. This servant only just learned that the Princess Consort went to the Cold Palace, but doesn’t know where Fu Qu went.”

“Fu Qu is an old hand in the palace and naturally wouldn’t have led the Princess Consort there. The Princess Consort must have gotten lost!” After thinking, Lianpin added: “Could she have gone to see her aunt? How senseless! How did Qin’er marry such a muddled daughter-in-law!”

With that, she headed outside: “Shuying, come with me to have a look.”

The corners of Qin Shuying’s lips curved upward. She lowered her eyes with a smile and followed behind Lianpin toward the Cold Palace.

The Cold Palace was actually an abandoned palace complex in a remote northwestern corner, housing concubines who had committed crimes. It was quite a distance from Shuangyun Palace.

Emperor Delong had been on the throne for over thirty years, but there weren’t many concubines, and even fewer consorts in the Cold Palace.

When Lianpin and the others arrived outside the Cold Palace, they saw red tiles and white walls, peeling vermillion paint, dense trees, and pathways overgrown with weeds.

Right outside the main hall of the Cold Palace, Imperial Concubine De was reprimanding Mu Tianxiang, who knelt on the ground with her head lowered, silent and respectful, appearing to humbly accept instruction.

“…The crimes committed by Mu Ruiniang are worse than the ten unpardonable sins, yet you still came here to see her. What did you want to say to her? What exactly are your intentions?”

Mu Tianxiang kept her head down and said clearly: “Your Ladyship, I was confused. Please forgive me for the sake of my youth and because this is my first offense!”

Imperial Concubine De was about to speak when someone beside her whispered something. She looked toward Lianpin’s direction, her expression very unpleasant. Her beautiful, voluptuous features looked cold as frost: “Sister Lianpin, look at this daughter-in-law of yours—what kind of behavior is this? Since you summoned her to the palace, why didn’t you keep a closer watch? And she says ‘first time’—does she plan on a second and third time?”

Lianpin hurriedly smiled apologetically: “Sister, it’s all because this younger sister failed to restrain her properly. This younger sister will take her back immediately and teach her properly.”

Imperial Concubine De sneered: “Younger sister has a good plan. Do you think leading her back and saying a few words will be enough? Are the palace rules just for show?”

Lianpin continued to smile apologetically: “Sister, Tianxiang didn’t know the palace routes, which is why she wandered here. If someone had been watching here and reminded her once or twice, she naturally wouldn’t have done this. Sister, speaking of this, is the Cold Palace really left unguarded?”

The implication was that since Imperial Concubine De managed the harem, she naturally bore inescapable responsibility.

Imperial Concubine De laughed in extreme anger: “So you’re saying you had good reason to come to the Cold Palace? This palace should ask His Majesty to see what you intended to say when you tried to speak with a traitorous waste. Do you think His Majesty’s punishment was too light? Do you feel injustice for Mu Ruiniang? Someone, go summon His Majesty!”

Lianpin showed no fear, but since her status was far inferior to Imperial Concubine De’s, she didn’t appear forceful either. She only spoke with hidden meaning: “Sister manages the six palaces, so naturally everything is for Sister to decide.”

Qin Shuying stood behind Lianpin, eyes observing her nose, nose observing her heart, as if the dispute before her had nothing to do with her.

Mu Tianxiang looked somewhat anxious and kowtowed to Imperial Concubine De: “Your Ladyship, it’s all my fault. I’m willing to accept punishment. Please punish me!”

She also kowtowed to Lianpin: “Imperial Concubine Mother, your son’s wife didn’t know this was the Cold Palace, but wrong is wrong. Please let your son’s wife accept punishment. Don’t harm your relationship with Imperial Concubine De because of me.”

Imperial Concubine De ignored her and only looked at Lianpin with a cold smile: “Sister, don’t keep saying ‘managing the six palaces’ as if to make me commit an error with those words. His Majesty’s golden decree appointed this palace to manage them. Should this palace disobey the imperial edict?”

Lianpin showed a somewhat defensive expression: “Sister’s words have confused this younger sister. How could that be my meaning? This younger sister is only thinking of Sister. Since Sister manages the six palaces, this younger sister naturally follows Sister’s rules. This is completely for Sister’s sake!”