"Yes, this concubine understands." With the Empress Dowager's permission, the Imperial Noble Consort gained even more confidence.
Being able to see Consort Liu in distress brought her immense satisfaction. Witnessing Consort Liu prostrate at her feet, utterly defeated, was the greatest joy.
"Go," the Empress Dowager said faintly, signaling for the Imperial Noble Consort to leave.
"This concubine takes her leave."
The Imperial Noble Consort was eager to find Consort Liu's faults and so she departed in haste.
"Consort Qin, we..."
The Empress Dowager instinctively called out, but her outstretched hand met empty air. Only then did she realize Consort Qin was no longer there. A profound sorrow washed over her.
A chill wind blew, piercing her to the bone. She truly felt like a solitary individual now.
The Empress Dowager slowly returned to her palace. The maids and eunuchs throughout the palace were all diligently and orderly going about their tasks, as if the rebellion had never occurred and everything was as it used to be.
Yet, a most industrious figure was missing from the palace, seemingly inconspicuous but undeniably essential.
"Your servant greets Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager. Your Ladyship, your servant has already brewed the tea you usually drink. Would Your Ladyship like a cup to moisten your throat?"
These words were exactly what Consort Qin would say. The Empress Dowager's thoughts were immediately pulled back, as if Consort Qin were still by her side.
Coming back to her senses, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon the maid standing beside her. She examined her closely. "What is your name?"
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager, this servant's name is Bai Zhi."
"Bai Zhi, that is a very elegant name. Who taught you to speak those words just now?"
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, those words were taught to this servant by Consort Qin. Consort Qin instructed this servant several days ago regarding Your Ladyship's dietary habits and ordered this servant to serve Your Ladyship well."
The deepest part of the Empress Dowager's heart was touched. She felt a stinging sensation in the tip of her nose and took a deep breath. "You mean these things were told to you by Consort Qin earlier?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager. Consort Qin reiterated it to this servant several times before she was at ease."
So, Consort Qin had foreseen such a day, worrying that some maids might not serve properly. She had already made all the arrangements. It was truly difficult for her, to have been so thoughtful.
"Your name is Bai Zhi?"
"Yes, this servant is named Bai Zhi. Consort Qin gave me this name when I first entered the palace."
"Since Consort Qin personally taught you, you shall remain by my side from now on to serve me."
"This servant obeys your decree and will certainly serve Your Ladyship well, to the death."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively and said no more. Even if they were trained well and were loyal, they were not the same as the person before. Ultimately, they were different.
But since it was Consort Qin's arrangement, she only wished for Consort Qin to rest in peace in the afterlife. Therefore, she kept Bai Zhi.
...
"Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, all of Consort Liu's people are here. They are all those who served Consort Liu."
The female official reporting, originally intending to respectfully address Liu Shi as "Her Ladyship, the Empress," quickly changed her words after encountering the Imperial Noble Consort's warning gaze.
After all, the entire palace now belonged to the Imperial Noble Consort. If she were to displease her, her own life would not be easy. It was best to be cautious in all matters.
"Are they all here? Are there any omissions?"
"Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, please rest assured. This servant has checked thoroughly several times. There will be no mistakes."
The Imperial Noble Consort put down her teacup, sat up straight, and adjusted her robes. Every movement was graceful and noble. She scanned the kneeling figures, many of whom were familiar faces, indeed all those who had served Consort Liu.
"I remember you. You always served Consort Liu closely and were most favored by her. You were also the one who managed Noble Consort Yue last time, weren't you?"
The maid singled out by the Imperial Noble Consort was instantly terrified, losing her composure. She knelt trembling on the ground, not daring to look up.
They all served Consort Liu closely and naturally knew that the Imperial Noble Consort had always been at odds with Consort Liu. The two could be described as fire and water. Now that Consort Liu had fallen, and the Imperial Noble Consort enjoyed great favor, she was undoubtedly the most prominent figure in the harem.
This grand mobilization must mean she would not let them go easily. Perhaps she would vent her anger on them first before dealing with other matters.
"Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, please be clear. Everything this servant did before was on Consort Liu's orders. This servant is merely a servant by Consort Liu's side, how could I dare to disobey my mistress's commands? These actions were truly not from my heart. Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, is benevolent. I beg Your Ladyship to spare this servant's life. This servant will surely repay Your Ladyship's kindness with her life!"
The Imperial Noble Consort looked at the maid before her, who was sacrificing everything for her life and even began to implicate Consort Liu. Her eyes were filled with mockery. If she had shown a bit of backbone earlier, perhaps she would not have looked down on her so much and might have considered sparing her life.
But now, she wanted to kill her even more. Such a disloyal and unrighteous person was merely wasting food in this world, utterly useless.
"Someone like you, who can turn and betray their master in an instant, I would not dare to use. Who knows, perhaps one day you will do the same to me. I do not wish to be made a fool of!"
The Imperial Noble Consort, supported by her maids, stood up and walked among the kneeling maids and eunuchs. She looked down at them all. "If you wish to live, I can give you an opportunity. It depends on whether you know how to cherish it."
"I beg Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, to speak plainly. As long as this servant can do it, I will surely obey, even unto death."
When a person is pushed to desperation, offering them a lifeline, they will indeed grasp it tightly, unwilling to let go for even a moment.
The Imperial Noble Consort walked to the front of the reporting maid, a faint smile on her lips. "You are quite sensible. Your allegiance has changed very quickly. Seeing Consort Liu's downfall, you are speaking whatever comes to mind to save your own life, regardless of anything else."
"Your Ladyship, the Imperial Noble Consort, please be clear. This servant is willing to serve Your Ladyship as an ox or a horse."
"Get up. Clearly explain exactly how many wicked deeds Consort Liu has committed, all of them, without omission. If you dare to conceal anything, you will go to accompany Consort Liu."