So Many Women, So Many Dramas

Not only was I caught off guard, but Lin Tanwei herself clearly hadn’t expected it either. She must have been brought up in the lap of luxury, never having suffered any grievances. Now, with that slap from Zhang Bitong, she clutched her face in shock.

“How dare you strike our lady?” Lin Tanwei remained silent, still holding her face, but her maid, Cui’er, spoke up first.

Zhang Bitong gave a cold snort. “My rank is higher than Lady Tan’s. Besides, she was disrespectful, so I took it upon myself to discipline her on behalf of His Majesty and the Empress. What’s wrong with that?”

Cui’er was momentarily speechless.

“Lady Tan, do you refuse to accept my authority?”

Lin Tanwei still said nothing. Instead, she promptly turned and slapped Cui’er. “Is it your place to speak here? You should learn from how other servants behave.”

“Your humble servant knows her mistake! I apologize!”

“Sister, I shall remember your lesson today. For now, I will go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to seek an audience with His Majesty.” Lin Tanwei did not even offer a parting bow; she simply turned and left. I was privately worried that Zhang Bitong was making enemies without restraint and would eventually pay the price. But she was the mistress, and I the servant. If I spoke too much, not only would she not heed my words, but she would likely consider me impertinent.

So, I kept silent and followed her to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

Upon arrival, we found Lady Shui Yunqiu, who had been summoned to attend the Emperor the previous night.

“You wait outside,” Zhang Bitong ordered.

“Yes, ma’am!” I stood by the doorway while she entered, allowing me to witness everything inside.

“Your concubine greets Your Majesty, may you be blessed with great peace and fortune.”

“Sit,” replied the Empress, composed and dignified, embodying the grace of a mother of the nation.

The hall was already filled with consorts from various palaces, most of whom I had never seen before.

“Minghe, it seems that other than Lady Lan, Lady Meng is absent as well,” the Empress observed calmly as she looked around.

Minghe replied, “To answer Your Majesty, the Princess Xihe was unwell last night, so Lady Meng stayed in her palace to care for her.”

“Oh? How is Xihe now? Has the Imperial Physician been summoned?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, the physician visited yesterday.”

“Does His Majesty know?”

Minghe shook her head. “We were going to inform His Majesty, but the Empress Dowager stopped us, as His Majesty was already on his way to the Palace of Radiant Moon. The Empress Dowager said if the matter became serious, we should report to His Majesty, but if not, we shouldn’t disturb him.”

The Empress nodded. “The Empress Dowager’s advice is sound. Lady Yun…”

Shui Yunqiu wore a lake-blue dress, appearing fresh and exquisite. She reminded me of Consort Mei, so I couldn’t help glancing at her a few more times.

“I am here!”

“How was it serving His Majesty last night? Was all well?”

Shui Yunqiu blushed slightly and bowed her head. “Everything was well.”

“I know His Majesty has already bestowed gifts on you this morning, but after all, he is preoccupied with state affairs and may not be attentive to a lady’s needs. If you lack anything in your palace, just tell me, and I’ll have Minghe see to it.”

Shui Yunqiu seemed flattered. “Thank you, Your Majesty, but everything is complete in the Palace of Radiant Moon.”

“That’s good.” At this, Zhang Bitong spoke up with a smile: “Sister Yun, if you ever have time, come visit Cuiwei Palace more often. I love a lively atmosphere.”

“Yes, Sister!”

The Empress continued, “Zhang Zhaoyi does love company. It’s good for you to visit, but don’t let things get too lively and disturb the peace of the inner court.”

Zhang Bitong replied confidently, “Your Majesty need not worry. I know my limits. My palace can never compare to yours. Even if I wanted to host a crowd, I’d hardly dare. All year round, your palace is rather quiet, Your Majesty.”

The Empress remained composed. “You’re mistaken, Sister. With all of you coming here to pay respects daily, how could it be quiet?”

Tension flickered in the air, and the consorts fell silent.

Suddenly, an older consort asked, “Why isn’t Lady Tan here?”

“She…” Minghe began to reply, but Zhang Bitong cut her off. “Lady Tan? I just ran into her. She said she was going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to make tea for His Majesty.”

“But His Majesty is either at morning court or attending to affairs now. Why would she go there?” the consort asked, puzzled.

Zhang Bitong only smiled.

The Empress said, “Qian Zhaoyi, perhaps His Majesty simply likes her tea. Our duty is to attend to His Majesty; if he wishes for something, we must see it done, whatever it may be.”

“Thank you for your wise instruction, Your Majesty.”

The conversation continued for a while until suddenly a woman came running in, crying. It was Lin Tanwei.

“Your Majesty, please grant me justice!” Lin Tanwei knelt at once, covering her face and sobbing.

“Lady Tan, what’s the matter? Calm yourself and tell me.”

Lin Tanwei dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and choked, “Your Majesty, I ran into Sister Zhang just now. She was jealous that I was going to serve His Majesty and struck me several times. Now, look at my face—how can I serve His Majesty like this?”

She moved her hand away, revealing a cheek swollen like a steamed bun.

A shocked gasp passed through the room as everyone turned to Zhang Bitong.

Furious, Zhang Bitong stood up and pointed at Lin Tanwei. “Lin Tanwei, don’t slander me! Did I do that to you?”

“Sister, my maid Cui’er and your servant Xiao Xiaozi both saw it. Did you not strike me?”

“I… I did hit you, but—”

“Zhang Jieyu…” the Empress interrupted, “Did you strike Lady Tan?”

“Your Majesty, I only hit her once for her insolence. How could her face be this swollen from just one slap?”

Lin Tanwei burst into tears again. “Sister, please don’t deny it. You struck me more than once! If it were only one slap, how could my face be like this?”

“Lin Tanwei, you’re slandering me. Xiao Xiaozi saw what happened—” Zhang Bitong turned to call me as a witness.

But who would believe me if I testified for her?

Sure enough, before she could summon me, Lin Tanwei said, “Your Majesty, who would trust Xiao Xiaozi if Sister Zhang calls him out? I can call Cui’er to testify, but both are loyal to their own mistresses. Of course, they’d defend their own.”

The Empress nodded. “There’s truth in that.”

Zhang Bitong was exasperated. “Then how can you prove I beat you like this?”

Lin Tanwei, eyes red and f