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Auntie Ming Jing sighed, these old tales were only known by the elders in the palace, and even their memories were probably blurred by now. This old woman actually ignored her master’s words, thinking Noble Consort Xue could save her—it was truly lamentable.

It seemed that from now on, the master’s reputation as the harem’s killer deity was set in stone. A reputation that had taken so much effort to make people forget was about to resurface.

Just look at these kneeling and standing figures, each of them so frightened their faces turned as pale as death, their souls seemed to have flown away, and some even wet themselves out of fear.

When Consort Xu De heard Auntie Ming Jing’s words, she furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment. Indeed, she hadn’t thought things through, "Hmm, looking at it, that really isn’t appropriate. Then change it to throwing her into the Mass Burial Mound to feed the dogs."

Noble Consort, who wasn’t far away, was absolutely furious.

Watching this scene, seeing that the people from Huaying Hall didn’t pay her the slightest attention, her face twisted into an extremely ferocious expression.

She ordered all her people to move, to clear the way by force if necessary, and push through.

Auntie Ming Jing, ignoring the Noble Consort nearby, casually sighed and said to Consort Xu De, "My master, let me handle this. You should deal with the other matters."

Saying this, she glanced toward Noble Consort Xue’s direction, feeling that the explosive Noble Consort Xue was about to lose control.

The managers and chief stewards of various departments in the scene, the people kneeling and waiting for their fate, those who had already been dealt with and were tied up to one side, now wore dull expressions, their looks dazed as if their souls had been scared out of them.

Some, like Granny Gan, who ignited hope at the arrival of Noble Consort Xue, faced a brutal blow afterward, extinguishing that flicker of hope completely, unable to reignite it—their hearts were left only with clarity and confusion, unmoved by the arrival of the Noble Consort.

Consort De had such high combat prowess; if she truly wanted to kill them, nobody’s arrival could save them.

What use was the Noble Consort’s arrival? Even if she came, she would have to watch helplessly as Consort De dealt with the situation, powerless to stop it, unable to even make her way over.

Consort De—no, to be precise, the entire Huaying Hall—outright ignored the Noble Consort. They did as they pleased.

Poor Granny Gan, originally tasked with only dealing with the Laundry Bureau, got too greedy, pinning her hopes on the Noble Consort. Now, she not only ended up with a broken leg, but also, given Consort De’s intentions, Granny Gan’s fate was likely to be dire—she might even lose her life.

After the killing, Consort De and Auntie Ming Jing continued to chat as usual, completely unfazed by the Noble Consort’s towering rage, casually joking around!

Oh no, no one dares to say they’re just joking around now—angering Consort De might really result in being thrown to Mass Burial Mound to feed the dogs, dying without a place to be buried. But no one dares to test the truth of those words—who would dare?

Some people, from Auntie Ming Jing’s few words, suddenly remembered that Consort De was a female general who had been on the battlefield before she joined the palace, ruthless in killing—no wonder her aura was filled with such a strong murderous intent. Beating a servant was nothing.

Others vaguely remembered a rumor: the rumor claimed Consort De had a bad temper, beating people often. One year, she even beat a palace concubine to death, earning her the nickname of the killer deity of the harem.

Seeing is believing, yes, it’s true, Consort De is indeed a killer deity—they had witnessed it. Now it was nothing but a servant’s leg being broken, which was all too normal.

These hazy thoughts in people’s minds were unknown to Consort Xu De, who would have disregarded them even if she knew.

She looked toward the blocked Noble Consort Xue not far away, her lips curled up in a mocking smile. Leaving the matter to Auntie Ming Jing, she walked toward the Noble Consort.

It’s hard for four fists to contend against so many hands, and they couldn’t injure anyone. If she didn’t go soon, her two bodyguards wouldn’t be able to hold on.

The Noble Consort, finally receiving attention, had bloodshot eyes as she stared fixedly at Consort Xu De. Her look was so ferocious it seemed she could devour someone, her breath tinged with the taste of blood as she squeezed out a few words through her clenched teeth, "Xu! Rong! Ying!"

At this time within Canglan Court, Nanny Qi guessed that Lian Hua had probably fallen asleep during her midday nap, so she quietly stepped out with her helpers.

When they reached the outside of Canglan Court, Nanny Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief. To keep the young girl out of the loop, it really felt like sneaking around, although she had never been so sneaky in all her years in the palace.

Luckily, she hadn’t been discovered; otherwise, given the young girl’s character and with the affair being related to Consort Xu De, she would definitely have wanted to join in the excitement and cheer them on.

How to describe the young girl’s character? Courageous yet sometimes timid, but always unafraid of trouble and eager to join in the fun. If she’s uninterested, that’s the end of it; otherwise, wherever there’s excitement, she’s sure to be there—she cannot be idle for even a moment.

She found herself amused by her own thoughts and exchanged a knowing glance with Pang Ya, both of them laughing together.

Pang Ya, standing beside her, was greatly relieved. Oh, keeping secrets from Master Lian was truly not an easy task; it was utterly exhausting.

The story begins not long ago, with Zhang Qing coming to Canglan Court.

Zhang Qing had discreetly sent someone to find Nanny Qi, conveying that His Majesty had a message for her and requested her presence for a talk outside.

At that moment, Nanny Qi and Lian Hua had finished their noon meal and were resting.

Lian Hua had Xiao Linzi recite poetry for everyone—one verse from him, followed by a verse recited together by all, like a diligent student.

She frequently asked Nanny Qi to explain certain words, showing her eagerness to learn.

When Nanny Qi saw the young eunuch who came to deliver the message at the door, looking as though he was seeking her out, and noticing his uneasy demeanor, she made an excuse of needing to relieve herself and went out.

Indeed, it was Zhang Qing looking for her. After hearing what Zhang Qing had to say, Nanny Qi learned that Consort Xu De was carrying out a thorough purge within the harem.

The Emperor was worried that the affair might cause too much commotion and reach the ears inside Canglan Court. He had specifically informed Nanny Qi to mentally prepare, to ensure the gates were well-guarded, and to keep Lian Hua unaware.

Upon learning this, Nanny Qi’s first reaction was the same as the Emperor’s—to keep Lian Hua in the dark.

A girl who was pregnant, enjoyed the limelight, and possessed a chivalrous spirit must not be allowed to know; otherwise, if she insisted on getting involved, what should be done?

How could they stop her, and what if she got hurt?

Zhang Qing had his say, Nanny Qi listened, and the two finished their exchange, ready to disband, when at that moment, both turned their heads and were simultaneously startled to find Lian Hua standing before them.

Zhang Qing was especially frightened, his mind racing about why Master Lian was there. Had she heard anything? If so, how much? What to do? Would His Majesty dismiss him and send him into retirement?

Nanny Qi was slightly more composed, her usually stern face now serving her well. Her expression didn’t reveal anything unusual; it was as unyielding as on any other day.

None of them spoke; they just looked at each other, and for a moment, all was quiet.

Zhang Qing and Nanny Qi were uncertain if Lian Hua had heard anything, and they tacitly agreed to remain still to control the situation.

Lian Hua was quite curious; it was her first time seeing Chief Steward Zhang and Nanny Qi in such close proximity, whispering to each other as if they shared a secret, and she watched in great surprise.

Indeed, after observing for a while, Lian Hua was the first to break the silence, asking curiously, "Granny, weren’t you going to relieve yourself? Why are you here? Oh... Chief Steward Zhang is also here, what were you discussing?"

She, too, wanted to listen in.