Chapter 8: 008 Angry

After more than half a month of peace, Bai Yuchen had indeed, as he promised, never set foot in Fengqi Palace again.

Just when Xiahou Shangle thought her days would continue to pass in such a mundane fashion, Mo Yuan's arrival shattered the tranquility.

"This servant greets the Empress, Your Majesty!"

"Rise. Is something the matter?"

Xiahou Shangle continued to tend to several pots of flowers in the hall, asking without even lifting her head. Aside from going to Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, her daily life consisted of staying in Fengqi Palace reading books and arranging her begonias.

"The Grand Empress Dowager sent this servant to inform Your Majesty that a banquet will be held at Cining Palace tonight, and requests Your Majesty to attend at the hour of You."

"Very well, I understand. Convey my greetings to the Grand Empress Dowager!"

She looked up and gave Mo Yuan a faint smile. After Mo Yuan acknowledged her, she bowed her head and withdrew.

*What a generous and composed Empress,* Mo Yuan thought. She wondered why the Emperor had taken a concubine on only the third day of their marriage. This Empress was quite remarkable; she hadn't said a word, and she even occasionally spoke well of the Emperor in front of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Xiahou Shangle stopped her movements and watched Mo Yuan's retreating figure, standing quietly without saying a word. After a long while, she lowered her head to resume tending to the begonias.

The hour of You arrived quickly.

Xiahou Shangle arrived at Cining Palace accompanied by Xuewu.

At this time, Cining Palace was brightly lit. The Grand Empress Dowager was already seated in a precious lounge sipping tea; upon closer inspection, Yan Ruyu was already seated by her side.

"Shangle greets Imperial Grandmother!"

"This servant greets the Grand Empress Dowager!"

As Xiahou Shangle and Xuewu performed their salutations, the Grand Empress Dowager set down her teacup, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Le'er, did I not say before? There is no need for formalities when you visit! Come, sit!"

"Thank you, Imperial Grandmother!"

"Sister, I greet you!"

Yan Ruyu rose and spoke softly. As she prepared to bow, she was suddenly pulled back by the newly arrived Bai Yuchen, whose eyes were burning with rage as he glared at Xiahou Shangle.

"I said that Ruyu does not need to salute you. Have you forgotten my words?"

Bai Yuchen's words were clearly directed at Xiahou Shangle. Yan Ruyu knew full well that this was not the case, yet she did not speak; she merely huddled in Bai Yuchen's arms, her eyes rimmed with red as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Your Majesty, my mistress did not ask Consort Yu to pay her respects at all. It was she herself—"

Before Xuewu could finish her sentence, Bai Yuchen's palm struck her face in a sharp slap. Before she could even steady herself, he kicked her to the ground.

"When I am speaking, when does it become the turn of a lowly maidservant to interject! Truly, you seek death!"

Xiahou Shangle did not speak, nor did she reach out to help Xuewu. It was not that she feared being implicated, but rather that the more she showed concern, the less mercy Bai Yuchen would show Xuewu.

Xuewu clutched her burning cheek, her other hand pressing against her abdomen where she had been kicked, lying on the ground in agony.

"Your Majesty, Sister indeed did not ask Ruyu to pay her respects. It was Ruyu who insisted on greeting Sister!"

As Yan Ruyu spoke these words, her eyes flickered toward Xiahou Shangle, who sat composed in her chair sipping tea. *Let's see how long you can remain so calm. As the Empress, if you cannot even protect your own personal maid, what face do you have to sit here drinking tea!*

The Grand Empress Dowager watched this sudden turn of events with cold eyes. She merely frowned, a chill settling on her face, but she remained silent.

This Yan Ruyu was far too good at acting. She had gone to pay respects of her own accord, yet she pretended to be deeply aggrieved. She was clearly trying to sow discord between Bai Yuchen and Xiahou Shangle. She was truly calculating, a complete waste of such a delicate and gentle face.

"Someone, take this unruly maid to the dark room to reflect on her behavior!"

Eunuch Hai immediately beckoned, and two young eunuchs hoisted the fallen Xuewu, preparing to lead her out. Xiahou Shangle set her teacup down on the table with a moderate force that sounded quite loud in the quiet Cining Palace.

Bai Yuchen looked at the now-standing Xiahou Shangle, merely frowning without speaking, unsure of what she intended to do.

"Your Majesty, although I have not been in the palace for long, I am somewhat familiar with the regulations of the Yue Dynasty's inner court. According to the regulations, mistakes made by maids or eunuchs are to be punished by the masters of their respective palaces. I wonder, am I correct?"

Xiahou Shangle's voice was not loud, but every word was precise. Bai Yuchen did not answer her question directly, merely letting out a cold snort.

"Do you think I lack even the authority to punish a maid who fails to follow the rules?"

"Your Majesty is being too serious. Of course you have that authority. I merely wish to know if what I said just now was correct or not. Does Your Majesty not know if I am right?"

This was the first time Bai Yuchen had seen Xiahou Shangle be so pedantic. A cold smirk involuntarily touched his lips; he hadn't expected that the usually indifferent woman would have moments of such petty calculation!

"The Empress is correct..."

"Since Your Majesty says I am correct, then since Xuewu is a person of my Fengqi Palace, she shall naturally be punished by me for her mistakes. There is no need for Your Majesty to trouble himself!"

Xiahou Shangle smiled faintly and turned her gaze toward Xuewu, who was being held by the young eunuchs.

"Xuewu, return to Fengqi Palace. Do not come out without my command!"

Though she said this, the two young eunuchs made no move to release Xuewu. They simply stood there looking at Bai Yuchen in confusion. On one side was the Emperor, and on the other was the Empress; they could not afford to offend either!

"What, do you not listen to my words either? Regardless, I am the mistress of this inner court. Release her!"

Seeing that the two had no intention of letting go, a look of displeasure crossed Xiahou Shangle's calm face. Her being aloof did not mean others could bully those around her at will. Her refusal to fight did not mean anyone could disrespect her!

Bai Yuchen narrowed his eyes. For the first time, Xiahou Shangle had shown anger in his presence. So, she did know how to be angry; she did have a temper after all!

Meeting Bai Yuchen's meaningful gaze, Xiahou Shangle lifted her chin to look at him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Yan Ruyu still nestled in his arms. *Hmph, she thinks she can harm me by putting on a little show and acting aggrieved? Don't even dream of it!*

"Release her! So the Empress can get angry after all. I thought the Empress was an ice beauty, devoid of emotion, but it seems I have overestimated her!"

"Your Majesty, I am also human, and naturally, I have people I wish to protect!"

Xiahou Shangle retorted to Bai Yuchen, dismissed Xuewu to return to Fengqi Palace, and sat back down. Bai Yuchen let out a cold snort. Was the person she wanted to protect really just a maid?

Just as he was about to speak, the Grand Empress Dowager coughed and spoke up.

"I did not come here to watch a young couple bicker. Enough, everyone sit down. Honestly, just accompany me properly for dinner!"