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Granny Gan, who had close ties with Huaqing Palace, was the very person that sent someone to inform the Noble Consort after hearing the rumors.

Originally, when Beauty Li framed Lian Hua, Punishment Matron who was present was her, and she was the one too eager to convict Lian Hua, instigated by orders from the Noble Consort.

Although she had her likings, she believed that she had not been caught red-handed, so she began wailing bitterly, crying of her injustice.

Although she was afraid, she was confident deep down, calculating the time, from her capture till now, the Noble Consort should have already received the message.

Huaqing Palace and Huaying Hall were not far from each other, fearing that the Noble Consort would arrive soon, so although she was panicked, she was not very frightened.

Consort Xu De frowned, it seemed that the earlier intimidation wasn’t quite enough. She looked at the people in front of her and reached behind.

Ming Xin understood immediately and, holding three or four Flying Darts in hand, handed two of them to her.

The one crying injustice, as if something thick was stuck in her throat, suddenly stopped yelling. Each one’s expression turned to horror, including Granny Gan, whose face was still showing her previously feigned sorrow but her eyes were now wide, pupils shrunk, looking extremely ridiculous.

The words ’too bad there was no bloodshed’ that Consort De had just mentioned—they remembered them. These were preparations to use them for dart practice; nobody dared to utter another word.

"Who was crying injustice just now? Why aren’t you crying now?" Consort De said with a cold laugh, tossing two darts up and down in her hand, catching them perfectly without harming herself, which terrified the onlookers.

She said with a cold smile, "None of you were even accused of anything specific yet you began crying injustice. Truly, a marvelous performance of grievances! Not even actors could play it as well as you!"

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Granny Gan lowered her head, surreptitiously glancing around, noticing that everyone looked uneasy and just as frightened as her, she gave up any hopes.

Calculating the time, the Noble Consort should be arriving soon; she subtly kept an eye on the direction from where people were coming, as now only the Noble Consort could save her.

Consort Xu De walked around in front, noting everyone shrunk like quails, feeling it was somewhat unentertaining.

These people were really not accustomed to being startled.

It was more exciting to chop melons on the battlefield, where even the exchange of insults between two armies felt more thrilling than this.

She walked back to her seat, throwing the two darts back onto the tray and sat down.

Picking up a tea cup, she addressed the silent room, "You can be assured, I am a person who abides by rules. Those who have errored will be exposed according to the regulations, so you all clearly understand what cannot be done in this palace."

"However, my patience is limited. Before I speak, if anyone dares to intervene and show disrespect, then do not blame me for being ruthless. My Flying Darts are not for show; once thrown, life and death are out of my hands, so do not make me repeat this!"

Having finished, she looked towards everyone, her authoritative voice resounding in the room, "Where is the Deputy Steward of the Etiquette Bureau?"

"Servant... servant is here," Deputy Steward Yang Liuwan, shaking terribly, weak-kneed scrambled forward on his knees to greet her.

Consort Xu De glanced at him dismissively, wondering why all the servants in the palace were in such a pathetic state.

Well, she would make do with using them for now.

She sipped her tea, and said leisurely, "As I mentioned earlier, the position of Chief of the Etiquette Bureau is to be filled by you for now. Are you willing?"

"Ah, Consort... aren’t you supposed to punish me?" Yang Liuwan looked up incredulously, his mind not registering the words immediately.

The look from Her Highness just now had terrified him so much that he almost wet himself, fearing he would be dealt with just like Chief Steward Li.

Who would have expected such good fortune!

Before the dealing of Chief Steward Li, when it was mentioned that he would be promoted to Chief Steward, he did not take it seriously.

After all, these years, who got promoted and who did not was largely determined by the Noble Consort, and there were strict rules in the palace that made it not so easy, one had to endure.

Later, Consort De simply removed the Chief Steward Li above him and even had him taken away and imprisoned, making him feel as if he were in a dream.

Now, hearing that he was truly to be promoted to fill the vacancy, his heart couldn’t help but pound fiercely. Could it be that he was really going to be promoted today?

Upon hearing this, Consort De let out a light laugh, placed the teacup on the table, and looked at Yang Liuwan with a smile, "Funny, you haven’t done anything wrong. Why would I punish you? Just tell me whether you can handle the position of the Chief of the Etiquette Bureau or not?"

It was then that Yang Liuwan felt it was real. His lips trembled as he hurriedly kowtowed, the sound loud and clear, "I can, this servant can. This servant thanks Her Highness for your favor. I will surely commit myself fully and not let down your high expectations..."

Consort Xu De waved her hand dismissively, impatiently saying, "Alright, get up. There’s no need for these empty words. From now on, doing your job well is what truly matters."

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Highness is right. This servant will do his job well. Just you watch, Your Highness." Overjoyed, Yang Liuwan staggered to his feet, not even feeling the pain from the gash on his forehead caused by his excitement.

Previously anxious and unsure how Consort De would act, especially if she truly took over certain affairs of the Harem, he wondered what would become of them.

Little did he expect that with just one move from Her Highness, a golden opportunity would fall right onto him. He really owed Chief Steward Li, no, thanks to Consort De.

Chief Steward Li was greatly favored by the Noble Consort, and if Chief Steward Li had stayed in charge, he might have ended his life just as a Deputy Steward.

But now, thanks to Consort De, he had been suddenly promoted, it felt like a dream.

Looking at it, Consort De coming into power wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, at least not for him. Besides, having observed for so long, Consort De was one who could command authority. Following her, the future didn’t seem bleak at all.

With these thoughts in mind, he secretly made up his mind, his originally cautious attitude now firm.

He wasn’t the only one harboring such thoughts, especially the Deputy Stewards of each bureau, who were so envious they nearly turned green.

A position falling from the heavens, what a splendid thing. It filled them all with fervor, and they couldn’t help but become lively, occasionally sneaking glances at their own stewards, hoping they too would show the good sense showed by Chief Steward Li.

The deputies never smell as sweet as the stewards. A principal steward is the real deal, someone in charge; with just a word, the deputies had no choice but to obediently listen, not daring to rebut.

And the principal stewards were sweating coldly, everyone feeling vulnerable, always feeling their positions were in jeopardy.

Those who noticed that longing look in their deputies couldn’t help but glare fiercely, implying, "Dream on, you might as well give up on that idea. They would not be as foolish as Chief Steward Li to run into the firing line of Consort De."

At that moment, the expressions of the people standing on both sides from each bureau were varied, some relieved, some regretful, and some secretly hopeful—all sorts of expressions were present.

Those who usually were close to the Noble Consort grew secretly anxious, wondering how such a significant change hadn’t drawn her out yet.

Could it be she hadn’t received the news?

They had been caught completely off guard, having no time to send word before being summoned, and they dared not refuse. At that time, the atmosphere in the Huaying Hall was such that even a single word of dissent might have led to unknown consequences.