Consort Shu smashed everything on the table, frightening everyone in the palace into dropping to their knees, not daring even to breathe loudly.
Only the senior nurse who had entered the palace with her and served her the longest approached to massage her hands.
"Your Highness, don't be angry. If you ruin your health over this, you'll be the one who suffers! Besides, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. If word gets out, people might think you bear a grudge against her. It isn't worth it!"
Thinking of the Empress Dowager's behavior that day, Consort Shu felt some fear, but far more anger.
"I don't know what's gotten into my aunt. Just days ago, she was laughing and chatting with me, but today she pulled a long face at every turn and even reprimanded me! All she did was hand that bitch of an Empress an advantage. She was riding high today, even put in charge of the banquet. She must be very pleased with herself!"
Seeing that she was still in a temper, the nurse could only offer gentle words of comfort.
"The Empress is the mother of the nation, after all. The Empress Dowager has to show her some respect. But you've been keeping yourself well in line lately, so why has the Empress Dowager's attitude... I truly cannot fathom it."
"That old hag! I'm her only relative in the palace, yet she humiliated me. If she weren't still of some use, would I ever tolerate her?"
The nurse hastily covered her mouth, sweeping her gaze over the servants below.
She said coldly, "Her Highness has retired for the night and has no further need of your services. Leave."
"Yes!"
The palace servants knew that if even a single word of what had happened today got out, their