What are you staring at me for?

Wen Yunmian's expression shifted slightly, and she asked in surprise, "What happened? Why are you so flustered?"

Eunuch Zhou swallowed. "My lady, word just came from the Hall of Supreme Harmony that His Majesty suddenly felt unwell during morning court and has now lost consciousness!"

Wen Yunmian's expression changed. Nothing like this had happened in her previous life. Why had His Majesty suddenly collapsed?

"Where is His Majesty now?"

"His Majesty has been taken to Chanyang Palace. The imperial physicians are consulting there now, and both the Empress and Consort Shu are present."

Wen Yunmian wasted no more time and hurried to Chanyang Palace with Yun Fei and Yun Yang.

When she arrived at Chanyang Palace, many of the consorts were already waiting nearby.

The Empress looked worried. She should have stood at the head of the gathering, but Consort Shu had overstepped her bounds and seized that position first.

The Empress's expression was strained, but she did not make an issue of it.

Grief filled Consort Shu's lovely eyes. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, she looked anxiously at the imperial physician. "Imperial Physician Zhang, how is His Majesty?"

The imperial physician hurried over, intending to report to the Empress, but Consort Shu said outright, "Just report directly to me."

Noble Lady Wei glanced at her aunt and could not help feeling disappointed in her. She was the Empress, yet she allowed a mere consort to tower over her.

Yet the Empress did not care at all, leaving Noble Lady Wei even more helpless. No wonder her family had rushed to select her to enter the palace. They probably also felt that her aunt was useless and detrimental to the advancement of their great clan.

"Your Highness, His Majesty's qi and blood were obstructed, and his anger during court caused him to lose consciousness. Judging by his pulse, there is currently no serious danger. If he regains consciousness within the next few days, his imperial person should be unharmed. But if..."

Before finishing, the physician hastily added, "Over the next few days, I will remain at His Majesty's side with the other imperial physicians to ensure his well-being."

A flicker of guilt passed through Consort Shu's eyes. She gazed at His Majesty on the bed with aching tenderness before drawing her gaze back.

The Empress frowned. "In that case, focus on restoring His Majesty's health first. The consorts will attend to him over the next two days."

The consorts all voiced their assent. Consort Shu spoke first. "Your Majesty is unwell and may find it inconvenient to care for His Majesty. Why not let me do it?"

Although the Empress was worried about His Majesty's health, Consort Shu had always been domineering. At such a critical moment, the Empress did not wish to quarrel with her, so she agreed. "Very well. Sorry for the trouble, younger sister."

Noble Lady Wei had intended to step forward. Whatever her aunt could not fight for, she would naturally have to fight for herself.

She had already reached the Empress's side when Consort Shu cut her off. "Then I shall attend to His Majesty for three days, as custom dictates, after which Noble Lady Yan will take over. Of all the women in the palace, Noble Lady Yan holds the greatest place in His Majesty's heart. Surely he would wish to see her when he awakens."

Consort Shu's words provoked dissatisfaction among many of the consorts. Noble Lady Wei's eyes dimmed, and resentment filled her heart.

None of them dared criticize Consort Shu's decision, so they redirected their displeasure toward Wen Yunmian.

Many of those present had been with His Majesty at his princely residence before he ascended the throne. Consort Xian, Consort Hui, Consort Lan, Consort Jia, and Noble Lady Yu were all here. At the very least, it should have been one of their turns. How could Wen Yunmian possibly take precedence?

Wen Yunmian's eyelids twitched, and wariness rose in her heart. Consort Shu's sudden decision appeared to elevate her, but in reality, it gathered the resentment of the entire harem onto her shoulders. She had truly become the target of every arrow.

Consort Hui looked coldly at Wen Yunmian. She had not appeared in public during this time, and this was her first meeting with Wen Yunmian.

She was surprised at her first glimpse of Wen Yunmian. She had not expected her to be so beautiful, and displeasure stirred in her heart. In a barbed tone, she said, "Your Highness's arrangements seem rather inappropriate. Noble Lady Yan has only just become His Majesty's consort. How could she possibly attend to him properly? Does she know his habits? Besides, Her Majesty is still standing right here. How can Your Highness presume to order everyone about?"

Relying on her seniority in the palace, Consort Hui refused to yield an inch to Consort Shu. They were both old hands here. Who was afraid of whom?

A mocking smile curled Consort Shu's lips. She had never thought much of this witless Consort Hui. "You are mistaken, Consort Hui. His Majesty entrusted me with assisting in the management of the six palaces. Why should I not have a say? Perhaps someone has grown old and faded like a yellowed pearl, and now refuses to let younger women near His Majesty. Such motives are plain for all to see. You will only make our younger sisters think you petty."

"You!" Consort Hui was left speechless, seething with anger. "Who are you calling old and faded?"

Wen Yunmian stood quietly. In her previous life, Consort Hui had never once bested Consort Shu in a war of words. This life was no different.

In her previous life, Consort Shu had also delivered a scathing verdict: Consort Hui was getting on in years, yet remained childish and naive, as witless as she was foolish. Wen Yunmian thought that assessment made perfect sense.

After all, everyone else knew to avoid Consort Shu's sharp edge, yet she insisted on charging straight into it.

Before the Empress could even speak, Consort Shu settled the matter with decisive finality. "We shall do as I have said. If His Majesty still has not awakened after Noble Lady Yan's turn, we can arrange for the other consorts to attend him."

Consort Shu looked at Wen Yunmian. "Noble Lady Yan, what do you think?"

Wen Yunmian bent her knees in a curtsy. "I shall obey."

"Good, so long as you agree." Consort Shu cast her an indifferent glance.

Chanyang Palace grew busy. The imperial physicians remained at Jun Chenyu's side day and night, and Consort Shu personally tended to him. Naturally, there was no longer any reason for the other consorts to stay.

Once they left, Yun Yang said worriedly, "My lady, Consort Shu has always disliked you. Wasn't Consort Chun, who came to catch you in an illicit affair a couple of days ago, one of her trusted followers? Now she has suddenly asked you to attend His Majesty. I fear she may be plotting something again."

Wen Yunmian understood that perfectly well. Those who offered favors without cause were either villains or thieves. Consort Shu had absolutely no reason to promote her. "We'll take it one step at a time."

Consort Hui had not intended to trouble Wen Yunmian further, but after Consort Xian caught up with her, a few words were enough to stoke her anger.

"How outrageous! You dare put her on the same level as me?"

Consort Xian said helplessly, "It truly isn't me comparing her to you, elder sister. But Your Highness hasn't been out lately, so you don't know that everyone in the palace is saying Noble Lady Yan bears a striking resemblance to you in your younger days. Who knows when she might take your place?"

Consort Hui snorted coldly. "As if she were worthy!"

Though her words were dismissive, Consort Hui cared very much. From her first glimpse of Wen Yunmian, she had found her alluring. Was that not exactly how she herself had been in her youth? How hateful.

Without considering anything else, she went straight after Wen Yunmian. "Stop right there!"

Seeing Consort Hui approach in a fury, Wen Yunmian knew someone had stirred her up again. Feeling helpless, she nevertheless curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"I hear that you are newly arrived in the palace, yet already far from well behaved. Do you know that what this palace tolerates least is a scheming woman like you?"

Consort Hui glared angrily at Wen Yunmian, waiting for her to argue so she could use the excuse of insubordination to teach her a harsh lesson.

Yet after she finished speaking, Wen Yunmian merely stared straight at her, leaving Consort Hui at something of a loss.

"What are you staring at me for?!"